Assad’s Parallel Universe Suggests a Long Struggle

Assad’s ABC Interview with Barbara Walters – The parallel universe.

This interview suggests that President Assad continues to see his fight to be against terrorists and external plots, as he has argued from the beginning. He denied that he is killing his own people and suggested that more Syrian soldiers have been killed than Syrian innocents. Whether he remains convinced of his rectitude, whether his primary motivation is to hang on to power, or whether he is simply frightened of the consequences of yielding authority to his opponents, Assad gave no indication that he is having second thoughts about his position or is ready to yield. One must conclude that Syria’s fight will be a long one.

Syrian Muslim Brotherhood leader, Mohammed Riad Al-Shaqfa, told ash-Sharq al-Awsat two days ago,”I believe that the al-Assad regime will collapse within the next few months. … the [Syrian] regime’s days are over. It is gasping its final breaths….; he wants to portray himself as being in charge of Syria’s land, sea, and air, but he is a liar, and is not in charge of anything but himself.”

This seems to be wishful thinking. Assad remains in control of the Syrian military, which is strong compared to the opposition. Economic sanctions are beginning to exact a terrible toll on the Syrian people. Most have no heat because mazoot (feul oil) is scarce or non-existent in most regions of Syria. The Syrian pound has fallen below 62 to a dollar from 47. This means that Syrians have lost over 25% of their worth and purchasing power. Price hikes are everywhere and dramatic.

Aleppo’s economy has been hammered by the freezing of trade with Turkey. Many Syrians have made trade with Turkey their livelihood over the past decade. Prices of all Turkish products (cloths in particular) jumped 30-40% overnight in response to the new 30% tariff that has been placed on Turkish goods entering Syria. “They are sawing off the branch they’re sitting on,” Turkish Economy Minister Zafer Caglayan told reporters in televised remarks from Istanbul. “These aren’t moves that a country with such a need for cash and a seriously pressured economy should be making.”

Locally produced Syrian goods are much inferior in quality to those imported from Turkey. A number of key Syrian industries have been shuttered due to Turkish competition, so the new tariffs are causing real scarcities in some goods.

Turkey responded today by suspending its free trade accord with Syria. It has slapped a 30% tariff on Syria’s imports and opened 2 additional crossings to Iraq in order to assist efforts by local merchants to bypass Syria in trade with the Gulf and Egypt.

Despite Promises From Assad, ABC News Crew Encountered difficulties – New York TImes Blog

President Bashar al-Assad held his first interview in Damascus with a U.S. reporter since the start of the Syrian uprisings,telling Barbara Walters that he did not order a government crackdown on protesters. Assad said that he had the support of the Syrian people and denied the credibly of the United Nations reports estimating the violent death of more than 4,000 people. He claimed that the majority of people killed since March have been government forces. He admitted that some mistakes had been made, but were undertaken by individuals, claiming that as president he does not “own” the army. The U.S. State Department spokesman, Mark Toner, responded to the interview stating “I find it ludicrous that he is attempting to hide behind some sort of shell game [and] claim that he doesn’t exercise authority in his own country.” Meanwhile the government committee advising on drafting a new constitution announced new provisions that would ban “discrimination between political parties.” However, the amendments further entrench Assad’s rule by legalizing his presidency by lowering age requirements and advancing his military rank to commander in chief of the Syrian military and armed forces.

 Assad said: “I’m president. I don’t own the country, so they’re not my forces.” “There’s a difference between having a policy to crack down and between having some mistakes committed by some officials. There is a big difference,” the reporter quoted Assad as saying.

The next day, his spokespeople were denying that he meant what he said: ASSAD REMARKS DIDN’T AIM TO DODGE RESPONSIBILITY: SPOKESMAN. 2011-12-07

Turkey downplays Syrian transit route for Middle East trade
Dec. 7, 2011 (Xinhua) — Turkey’s economy minister

downplayed Syria’s significance as a transit route for Turkish trucks carrying goods to Middle Eastern and Gulf countries. Zafer Caglayan said: “We have three alternative routes through Alexandria, Beirut and Iraq and possibly a fourth through the Suez Canal.”

“We moved yesterday evening to take advantage of these alternatives and all of a sudden the Syrian government decided to let Turkish trucks into the country,” he added. He noted that Syrian customs officials have forced Turkish truck drivers to form long queues keeping them waiting at the border gates with Turkey but on Wednesday trucks were allowed in.

“By-passing Syria is a piece of cake. But we did not to want to choose that path. We want to use Syria as a transit route and allow Syrian economy to make money out of it,” Caglayan said. Syria did not permit the entrance of Turkish trucks at the Babel Hawas Border Gate and began working on their computer systems on December 1, the day when Syrian officials suspended a free trade agreement between Turkey and Syria.

Guardian (GB): Sectarian bloodshed worsens in Syria amid uprising
2011-12-06

ELIZABETH A. KENNEDY Associated Press= BEIRUT (AP) — Dozens of bodies were dumped in the streets of a Syrian city at the heart of the country’s nearly 9-month-old uprising, a grim sign that sectarian bloodshed is escalating as the country descends … Up to 50 people were killed in Homs on Monday, but details about what happened in Syria’s third-largest city only came to light Tuesday with reports of retaliatory attacks pitting members of the Alawite sect against Sunnis.

The sectarian violence is a dire development in Syria, and one that opposition members say plays directly into the regime’s hands. Since the uprising began, Assad portrayed himself as the lone force who can ward off the radicalism and sectarianism that have bedeviled neighbors in Iraq and Lebanon.

Opposition figures have accused Assad’s minority Alawite regime of trying to stir up trouble with the Sunni majority to blunt enthusiasm for the uprising. …. Thirty-four of the dead were shot execution-style, their bodies dumped in a public square, according to Saleh and others who monitor the violence, including the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Saleh said all were from the predominantly Sunni district of Jabb al-Jandali. He said Alawite gunmen had raided the district after an Alawite was found dead earlier.

A Homs government official confirmed only that 43 bodies were found Monday in Homs. He asked that his name not be published because he was not authorized to speak publicly.

The reports could not be independently confirmed. Syria has banned most foreign journalists and prevents the work of independent media.

With 4,000 people dead across Syria in the uprising, the conflict is no longer just a matter of government forces firing on peaceful protesters looking to topple Assad’s autocratic regime.

The government also has been facing strong resistance from army defectors who have taken refuge in Homs. But sectarian overtones are building as well, because the uprising has unearthed long-simmering grievances that are now exploding into violence.

WSJ: Hamas To Move Base Out Of Syria
2011-12-06, By Joshua Mitnick

Hamas ordered the departure of nearly all its staff at its Damascus headquarters by next week following pressure from Turkey and Qatar, two regional allies trying to isolate Syrian President Bashar al-Assad amid an eight-month crackdown on antiregime protests, according to a Hamas official. The Islamic militant group’s parting of ways with Mr. Assad marks the latest blow to the regime. Damascus has hosted Hamas since the Palestinian group was forced out of Jordan in the late 1990s. Leaving Syria also distances Hamas from Iran, an ally of Mr. Assad that has provided the Palestinian militants with money, training and military hardware.

Over recent months, Tehran has urged Hamas not to relocate, the official said. (This story and related background material will be available on The Wall
Street Journal website, WSJ.com.) Hamas will establish new headquarters in Cairo and Qatar to replace its operations in Syria, the official added. At the same time, Hamas leader Khaled Meshal is scheduled to meet with King Abdullah II of Jordan to discuss upgrading its presence in the kingdom. …

GENEVA (AFP)–The U.S. ambassador to Damascus will return to Syria Tuesday evening, Washington said. “Ambassador Robert Ford has completed his consultations in Washington and is returning to Damascus this evening,” a senior state department official said.

French ambassador returns to Damascus: ministry: “Eric Chevallier returned to his post in Damascus on Monday following the consultations for which he was recalled,” the ministry’s deputy spokesman, Romain Nadal, told AFP

Clinton: Syria must do more than remove Assad
2011-12-06

The United States on Tuesday calls for a new regime of tolerance and freedom in Syria as forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad battle fighters infiltrating the country.
Clinton: Syria must do more than remove Assad …

From: State Department Press Office
Sent: Tuesday, December 06, 2011 11:17 AM
To: State Department Press Office
Subject: REMARKS – Secretary Clinton – Meeting with Syrian National Council

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton
At Meeting with Syrian National Council

December 6, 2011
Intercontinental Hotel
Geneva, Switzerland

SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, first, let me begin by saying that it’s an honor to meet with all of you, the president and senior members of the Syrian National Council. I look forward to our discussion and hearing from each of you. I am particularly interested in the work you are doing about how a democratic transition would proceed. Fred Hof, my special coordinator, has told me that you’ve put a lot of work into that paper, and there are many very constructive ideas in it, because obviously, a democratic transition includes more than removing the Asad regime. It means setting Syria on the path of the rule of law and protecting the universal rights of all citizens regardless of sect or ethnicity or gender.

Second, we will discuss the work that the Council is doing to ensure that their plan is to reach out to all minorities, to counter the regime’s divide-and-conquer approach, which pits ethnic and religious groups against one another. The Syrian opposition, as represented here, recognizes that Syria’s minorities have legitimate questions and concerns about their future, and that they need to be assured that Syria will be better off under a regime of tolerance and freedom that provides opportunity and respect and dignity on the basis of the consent rather than on the whims of a dictator.

And we certainly believe that if Syrians unite, they together can succeed in moving their country to that better future. We are well aware that there is a lot of hard work to be done. There are many Syrians in exile who are committed to helping their country make this transition. And there are many Syrians in their homes and neighborhoods and communities who are struggling against the violence and the repression to realize that better future as well.

I think Syrians both in exile and inside Syria are behaving with great courage and commitment and are inspired and motivated by the aspirations of freedom and democracy that are sweeping the Arab world.

So I look forward to hearing from each of you in our time together this afternoon. Thank you very much.

Embargoed Syrian Crude To Flow To India – Shipbrokers
6 December 2011
11:25
Dow Jones International News
— Indian refiner HPCL provisionally charters a tanker to take Syrian crude to India, shipbrokers say.
— Exports of Syrian crude have dried up since the imposition of an EU embargo in September.
— Syria has around 150,000bpd of crude to export, most of which traditionally goes to Europe.

Why Iran might be worried by Hillary Clinton’s meeting with Syria exiles – Christian Science Monitor
Howard LaFranchi, Staff writer / December 6, 2011

The subject of the Geneva meeting between Hillary Clinton and Syria exiles was the transition to democracy. But the group’s leader has been warning Iran a post-Assad Syria could be far less friendly….

Comments (1,539)


Haytham Khoury said:

Hey everybody:

Please do your civic duty.

http://www.avaaz.org/ar/free_razan/?cl=1441439929&v=11485

December 7th, 2011, 6:12 pm

 

Haytham Khoury said:

Russia is behind Syria’s conditional approval of an observers’ committee

http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2011/12/07/181311.html

December 7th, 2011, 6:30 pm

 

Syrian Nationalist Party said:

Stalemate, it can last for a decade. The conspirators need to lay-off and give Assad a chance to prove that he will bring immediate reforms. As long as the foreigners sponsoring, funding and training Moslem extremist terrorists to commit heinous crimes in Syria, millions will keep on backing Assad and support will increase dramatically as time goes. It does not matter how negative the publicity is setup and promoted, in Syria only STRATEGY and STRATEGIC ASSETTS are counted in the game. Those unhappy can keep on barking for a decade or just admit to being brainless, miserable failures, and layoff and let real Syrian nationals negotiate the reforms. There aint any other way ahead. You can call it parallel Universe, you can tile the earth oceans and drink all its water if you like, this, appears to be a more realistic plot to accomplish. Basically, this interview is what Bashar is saying:
بلط البحر وشراب ميته

December 7th, 2011, 6:40 pm

 

ann said:

GOP candidates woo Jewish support – 2011-12-08

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2011-12/08/c_122391641.htm

WASHINGTON, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) — All but one major U.S. Republican presidential candidates on Wednesday attended the Republican Jewish Coalition’s forum to woo support of the group, touting their commitment to Israel.

Except for Texas Representative Ron Paul, main GOP candidates took turns to speak at the Washington forum to charm the group. Mitt Romney, who is facing a surging Newt Gingrich in polls less than a month away from the Iowa caucuses, repeated his pledge to make Israel the first destination of his foreign visit, should he win the White House next year.

Romney blasted President Barack Obama for being weak against Iran, whose nuclear program worries Israel. The Islamic state insisted its nuclear program is for civilian use only.

“I want the world to know that the bonds between Israel and the United States are unshakable. I want every country in the region that harbors aggressive designs against Israel to understand that their ambition is futile and that pursuing it will cost them dearly,” said Romney.

Jon Huntsman also said it is “unacceptable” for Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon, saying for him, “all options are on the table” to stop that scenario from materializing.

Gingrich, who is emerging as a front-runner in the field, said he would support efforts of “regime replacement” in Iran and Syria, while Texas Governor Rick Perry, who is struggling in polls because of a series of blunders, promised to increase “strategic aid in all forms” to Israel.

Although small in number, the Jewish community has an outsized influence on politics thanks to their generous contribution to political figures. It is one of the most loyal voting bloc for Democrats, but its support for Obama has been waning.

December 7th, 2011, 6:40 pm

 

Mango said:

US-Europe: signs of class struggle
The masters of Wall-Street now can see from their windows the people, who realize that they are those who will have to pay the price for “capitalism”. According to the recent report by Comptroller of the Currency Administrator of National Banks, if two years ago five banks held 80 % of the US secondary market, now only four banks own 95.9% of it. These four banks are: JPMorgan Chase & Co., Citigroup Inc., Bank of America Corp. and Goldman Sachs Group Inc.

Secondary market plays the main role in the destruction of the global economy because it operates not with the real money but with their electronic (digital) fiction. According to “The Economist”, the price of the global derivatives (derivative of securities) amounts to more than $ 600 trillion while the real price of the global production (GDP) is not more than $65 trillion. That means that of bank speculations with derivatives crash there won’t be enough money in the world to save the global financial system.

Probably, not every protester at the Wall-Street understands sophisticated mechanisms the banks use to rob the countries and their people. But the fact that they have been occupying Wall-Street for more than two weeks, clearly shows that insatiate appetites of banks for profits have triggered unprecedented for prosperous America social protests against unemployment, corruption, excessive corporate power and expensive education. Everything started with the students, who on September 17 appeared with the slogan in the business center of New York in Manhattan. By now also Portland, Philadelphia, Miami have been “occupied”. Canadians are preparing the “occupation” of Ottawa, Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary and Montreal. Today America is protesting against capitalism.

And not only America: thousands of citizens in dozens of big cities all over the world have gone into the streets, supporting “Occupy Wall-Street” campaign in New York, turning the campaign into “an international day of solidarity against greed and corruption of 1% of the richest people”… In Rome, up to 200, 000 people have taken part in such protests. The traffic in the center of the city was paralyzed. The radical elements seized the occasion and the demonstration grew into clashes between police and groups of aggressive young people dressed in black. The protesters were throwing bottles, stones and smoke bombs into the policemen and burnt several cars on their way. The policemen responded with tear gas and water cannons.

In London, about thousands of people tried to “seize” the stock exchange but after several attempts to break the cordon and to attract others’ attention to the demonstration the people marched further along the city. There were mainly young people among the protesters. Many of them were holding leftist slogans calling for the end of reduction of state expenditure and the resignation of the government of David Cameron.

Similar protest campaigns against the power of super-rich people have been held in Germany and France, Spain and other countries. Even Western journalists, who usually do not look for cause-and-effect relations, all as one say that the protesters went into the streets to express their discontent with the state of economy and the governments’ policy. Even the US has more than enough reasons for it: the unemployment rate does not go below 9%, among Afro-American young people it exceeds 46%, while Obama’s promises to resolve this problem have not been kept.

It is remarkable that people are protesting against “the growing power of the ruling class”, uncontrolled influence of corporations in politics, against banks, which filled up their purses before and during the crisis making poor people poorer and rich people richer. Taking the rap for someone else is always clearer to people than professional speculations of economists about a difficult nature of the financial crisis.

What evokes smile is that speculative trader George Soros, who is very sensitive to any changes in political situation, has upheld the protesters. He profoundly noted that the money of taxpayers is used not to maintain the society but to maintain the financial elite: banks, companies and corporations, which known only one way to “stabilize the economy”: on receiving billions from governments they give loans to citizens collecting their interests. They also give loans to companies, which have to sack people in order to minimize costs and to keep profits.

American experts note that the financial shocks of the last three years have exposed the contradictions of the capitalistic model. The stake on big corporations, protection of their interests against the interests of small and medium business, ignoring social processes in the society have led to mass protest campaigns in the US and those countries, which are trying to develop following the US model.

But no one can stop the financiers, who are so obsessed with speculations that the governments (including Russia) have to save them at the expense of tax payers. Bankers won’t share profits they made for the account of the governments in exchange for the threat of bankruptcy. In fact the situation we are observing now corresponds with the classic revolutionary situation (according to Karl Marx).

In Russia this situation is not so dramatic but not because our people lack the “rudiments of democracy”, but because the market of derivatives in Russia is much smaller than the Western one and the economic tools of robbing the population are poorly developed. But it will come with the time. In Eastern Europe, which kept many principle of the social policy from their socialistic past the protests of population do not spoil the general picture of well-doing. In Scandinavian countries, where the interests of citizens are traditionally the priority for the governments the situation is quiet. It is only at first sight the unrest in Greece, where the authorities are drastically cutting social programs, differ from the campaign in New York.

Greek people were the first to feel the price of rescuing the Western financial system, paying for bankers’ greediness with their pensions, scholarships, salary supplements. Italians come next. After that the risk-zone will cover Great Britain, where social revolts have become a regular thing in recent years. Than it will take France and Germany, for which account the euro is now being rescued. It is clear that bankers-swindlers are not sitting idly. They have a powerful system of political influence on society in their hands. Orders have been given, wheels are rotating, politicians and political parties have begun to work off the donations on their election campaigns and not only on them. Washington has already found a “whipping boy” an entrepreneur and a potential presidential candidate from the Republican Party Mitt Romney. In Europe socialists are hoping to strengthen their positions. But “Occupy Wall Street” campaign is not destined to shake the basis of the American society at least because this society won’t knock out bricks from the basement it is standing on.

December 7th, 2011, 6:52 pm

 

Mango said:

http://www.strategic-culture.org/
David KERANS (USA) | 08.12.2011
All Dark on the Offshore Horizon: Capital Flight Accelerates as Austerity Looms
The strain Western state budgets have been experiencing in the aftermath of the financial crisis that exploded in 2008 has no parallel since the end of the Second World War, and has riveted attention everywhere to questions of taxation and budget expenditures. The measurement and assessment of income inequality has become a hot topic, and populations are becoming much more aware now of class divisions. Recent research has identified that inequality has intensified in recent decades, and that the consequences of inequality are significantly worse than expected. Inevitably, pressure to rectify the yawning wealth gap is building around the Western world…

December 7th, 2011, 6:57 pm

 

Mango said:

http://www.csef.ru/studies/politics/projects/russia_future/articles/
U.S. bypass Russia on the flanks, but the real purpose of – preparing a land invasion of Syria
25.11.2011 7:46

A few days ago the U.S. State Department spokesman Victoria Nuland has announced that Washington would suspend the operation of the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE) in relation to Russia. The explanation is as follows: Russia declared a moratorium on the execution of the contract in 2007, all this time the U.S. tried to honestly convince Russia to change its position, but today the U.S. consider it necessary to move to more drastic measures of exposure.

December 7th, 2011, 7:08 pm

 

ann said:

Why Leaving Syria Alone Is A Good Idea – Posted: 12/ 7/11

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/daniel-wagner/why-leaving-syria-alone-i_b_1134029.html?ref=world

Last week’s combined victory by the Muslim Brotherhood and Salafists in the first phase of elections in Egypt should have sent a shudder down the spine of every government opposed to the rise of radical Islam. That the two parties jointly received approximately two-thirds of the popular vote in Egypt should be all the evidence anyone needs that the likely near-term result of this year’s uprisings in the Middle East and North Africa will not be cookie-cutter western liberal democracies, but rather governments that may in the end prove contrary both to the interest of the people that fought for change, and the governments that supported such change.

In a visit to Cairo last weekend, I learned that Salafist support was strongest in Egypt’s rural areas, and that the Salafist vision of an Egypt that restricts individual rights, the rights of women, and basic freedoms struck a resonant chord with many throughout the country. As abhorrent as this may appear to liberals and westerners, the idea of living under an Islamic code is not anathema to everyone in Egypt. I dare say, the same is true throughout the region. Tunisia just elected an Islamist government, and Libya will undoubtedly do the same when they get around to having elections (presumably next year), given that the most popular politician there is an Islamic scholar.

So I find myself asking a basic question: given that all three of the countries that have so far experienced a change of government in northern Africa this year have either already elected conservative Islamist governments, or are poised to do so, is there any reason to believe that if more governments in the region fell, the result would be any different? Does anyone really believe that the government that will replace Saleh in Yemen will be a liberal democracy? Given the strength of the Islamist movement in Algeria, and Bouteflika’s support of the Gaddafi regime until its last day, can the electoral outcome of an overthrow of his government be in serious question?

Which brings me to Syria. The global community is firmly against the continuation of the Assad regime, reasoning that Assad must go by virtue of his family’s long dictatorial rule, its alliance with Iran, and its crackdown against demonstrators. In a perfect world, they may well be right. But my view is that this is simplistic and short-sighted. As reprehensible as many Syrians and others may find Mr. Assad, they fail to imagine what Syria and the region may be like in his absence. Is there any reason to believe that a radical Islamist regime wouldn’t in the end be the result of his departure?

Turkey has led the charge against Mr. Assad but appears not to have considered the possibility that an Iran-friendly, more radical regime may emerge in Syria. Despite proclamations to the contrary, Iran’s influence is growing throughout the region, which is why the West is now so desperate to contain it. Earlier this week, the Turkish and US government said they were considering next steps in the event Mr. Assad should go, but short of sending in ground troops, they are unlikely to be able to do much more than they have done elsewhere in the region — which is to watch events as they unfold. Sending ground troops to Syria seems a remote possibility, and would undoubtedly be unwelcome by Syrians in any event.

Should a radical government take over in Syria, Israel, which is already in its most precarious position since the 1967 War, would be virtually surrounded by Islamist governments. The only missing piece would be Jordan. Given this, the likelihood that Israel will feel it has no choice but to attack Iran’s nuclear program next year has surely risen. What would it be giving up by doing so, after all? Israel argues that it faces an existential threat from a possible nuclear attack by Iran — but it also faces a possible existential threat as a result of the new landscape taking shape around it. For that reason, the Israeli government surely prefers that Mr. Assad stay right where he is.

And I would argue that is exactly what the West should prefer, for it should now be apparent to all that rapid political change is not necessarily a good thing, and the results of that change in the region to date are not encouraging. As much as the West would like to believe that everyone in the world prefers western-style democracies, that is not in fact the case, and democratic elections often deliver results contrary to what the West would like to see. It would be nice if the world were simply a place where demonstrators demonstrate, dictators fall, and liberal democracies take their place — but that is not the world we live in. I subscribe to Mr. Assad’s argument that the West should be very careful what it wishes for in Syria, because it is unlikely to get what it wants.

December 7th, 2011, 7:16 pm

 

Humanist said:

One thing for sure: B. Assad seems to care much more about his image in the Western world than in the so called “arabo-islamic” one.

When was the last time he had an interview with an (non-loyalist) Arab journalist for example?

The Syrian and wider Arab audience should be much more important to him.

The thing is: You can’t really claim to be an anti-imperialist and arab nationalist leader and at the same time being so (seemingly) obsessed to appear as an “civilized”, “westerned” man in front of the “conspiring” part of the world.

(Compare with Saddam and Nasrallah for example – totally focused on the arab public and probably more popular among this group)

But I guess this just reflects a great deal of vanity and arrogance in B:s character.

December 7th, 2011, 7:18 pm

 

Ya Mara Ghalba said:

I am a big Najwa Karam fan. According to my ears, Najwa Karam is the greatest musician of my generation on planet earth. You can’t be as great as Najwa Karam is without having great general brains. But having great general brains is no protection against having lousy presuppositions in a domain such as politics or religion — e.g. Isaac Newton had great brains in the domain of maths and physics but his writings on theology are rubbish.

Anyway, back on 30 Mar 2011 Najwa Karam was asked on Addounia TV to give her view of the political situation in Syria. Her answer, in the course of less than 90 seconds of talk, used the phrase “Shaab al-Souri” six times. Najwa’s view was that the question is all about the Shaab al-Souri, and the Shaab al-Souri is, to a first approximation, a monolith, and what happens in Syria is whatever the monolithic Shaab al-Souri wants and insists on. In the months since 30 March I’ve come across many other people who know Syria who say the same. The comments by Najwa Karam on 30 March are at http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10150192074030973&oid=290925931282&comments

Bashar Assad is another observer who believes the Shaab al-Souri is for the most part a political monolith. Here’s Bashar on 16 Apr 2011: “The most dangerous thing is the existence of contradiction between the direction we [the government] are moving in and the direction the [monolithic] people are moving in…. What’s important at this stage is for us to reach a state of unity, unity between the government, state institutions and the [monolithic] people…. From my meetings with sections of the population last week, I found that there is a gap which started to appear between state institutions and the Syrian citizens. This gap must be closed…. What’s important is that we and the population are one party, not two parties.” http://www.sana.sy/eng/337/2011/04/18/pr-341923.htm

Here’s how Bashar put it on 19 Nov 2011: “Most of the Syrians are unified, and what’s happening now is a minority of militants are killing Syrians on a daily basis.” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkMTRU_j5H0

Here’s Walid al-Moallem in a press conference on 28 Nov 2011: “I take pride in the [monolithic] Syrian people…. I assure you that the [monolithic] Syrian people’s word is the Syrian leadership’s decision.” http://www.youtube.com/user/alikhbariasyria

Here’s the Syrian General Federation of Trade Unions (SGFTU), in an address to the Syrian people and workers on 7 Dec 2011: The SGFTU expressed confidence that the national unity of the [monolithic] Syrian people and their rallying around President Bashar al-Assad is the guarantee to preserve Syria’s steadfastness in the face of all challenges. http://www.sana.sy/eng/21/2011/12/07/386766.htm

7 Dec 2011: Pro-regime rally in Deir Ezzor city today. As usual in Deir Ezzor, a large percentage of the attendees are women and the great majority of the women are wearing head coverings. Two women wearing head coverings tell the Syrian State TV cameras at the rally: “The people are united.” Those two observers are right (to a first degree approximation). The stupid foreigners are wrong. Video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3YtMWPZqyg

On a different note, Farouq al-Sharaa said on 12 Jul 2011: “Our society will not be able to achieve freedom and civil peace without a democratic, pluralistic political system.” http://www.sana.sy/eng/337/2011/07/12/357937.htm . My comment about that statement: The bulk of the people of Syria and especially the bulk of the better educated people want a pluralistic political system but at the same time almost all of them will vote for the Assad’s party in the democratic elections. An great monolith exists. The people want to be with the monolith. The dissidents can’t break up the monolith (and they can’t capture it whole either, needless to say).

December 7th, 2011, 7:30 pm

 

Ya Mara Ghalba said:

Repeating myself from a previous post here, Joshua Landis said on 9 Aug 2011: “Syria’s great strength is that it has a deeply shared sense of political community.” I agree with that! Except, however, to be honest, Joshua’s exact words were: “Syria’s chronic failing is that it lacks a deeply shared sense of political community.” In the year 2000 national referendum on whether Bashar should succeed Hafez as president, almost all adults were eligible to vote, and 95 percent of them turned out to vote, and 97 percent of these voted “Yes” according to the official figures. In the year 2007 referendum on whether to renew Bashar as president for another seven years, 96 percent of the population voted, and 98 percent of these voted “Yes” according to the official figures. http://www.sana.sy/eng/141/2007/05/29/120564.htm Contemplating those results, Joshua Landis must be either (a) ignorant of those results or (b) believes the official figures were spectacularly fraudulent or (c) believes the results don’t demonstrate unity and shared political community. I regard each of (a), (b) and (c) as indefensible and so I am compelled to regard Joshua Landis is a shitty observer.

Joshua Landis also said on 9 Aug 2011: “In his two magisterial works, Patrick Seale catalogs the history of Syrian divisiveness and factionalism in the 20th century.” I’ve looked through one of those works, “Asad of Syria: The Struggle for the Middle East” (year 1988) (the other work was published in year 1965). It is not magisterial at all. As a history of Syrian divisiveness and factionalism it’s basically just a catalog of newspaper-type police reports of smallish-scale murder events and security counter-operations. Much harder to do — and almost completely missing from Seale’s book — is sociological, economic and antropological analysis of Syrian society, the factions, the size of the support for the factions, the breadth and depth of the support for the Establishment, the size and spirit of the politically passive classes, the difficulties of disseminating factionalist ideas, and so on. Moreover, most of that book of Seale’s is not about Syria. It’s about the foreign policies of the Syrian government, a subject matter which is relatively easy to treat from newspaper reports and a few top policymakers’ statements. Societal analysis, on the other hand, can’t be done from newspaper reports, or not straightforwardly anyway, and you need a lot more than newspaper reports to do it magisterially. On the basis of the small scale of the anti-Establishment violence in the late 1970s and early 1980s cataloged in Seale’s book, followed by the total victory of the Establishment from 1983 onward, I came away from Seale’s book believing that the divisiveness and factionalism was always small potatoes.

If you have a society where 80% have a shared sense of political community and where another 14% are fractious dissidents, then you can say that the society is a political monolith to a first approximation.

December 7th, 2011, 7:32 pm

 

Ya Mara Ghalba said:

I just mentioned “the politically passive classes”. The percentage of people in those classes is smaller today than it was 30 years ago (due firstly to rising literacy rates and consumption of political content on TV). The great majority of Syrians today possess political ideas, and most of them will vote, and they will vote to support the Syrian Establishment, I say. Bashar Assad said yesterday 6 dec 2011: “We never said we are a democratic country…. We are moving forward in reforms, especially in the last nine months… It takes a long time. It takes a lot of maturity to be a fully fledged democracy.” But from all I can see, Bashar and the Syrian Establishment has got a super-majority of support in Syria and therefore it is as safe as milk for them to move to full-fledged democracy quickly. They have no serious democratic opposition and I can see none in the process of being born.

December 7th, 2011, 7:33 pm

 

Ales said:

What did Assad really say, transcript word by word. Don’t believe media trolls.

http://abcnews.go.com/International/transcript-abcs-barbara-walters-interview-syrian-president-bashar/story?id=15099152#.TuAEtfJumJA

“Walters: How do you hope that you will be remembered?

Assad: By doing the best I can, can for, for this country. Whether you agree, or whether the people agree or don’t, don’t agree, but at– at the end, I was not a puppet. I care a lot about being independent president for independent Syria. And do my best, according to my convictions. That’s the most important thing. At the end, even if they disagree with you, they will respect you.”

December 7th, 2011, 7:36 pm

 

Mango said:

http://english.ruvr.ru/2011/12/07/61778834.html
Transparency International far from transparent
The latest Corruption Perceptions Index from Transparency International has moved Russia 11 notches up, from position 154 to position 143 in the TI’s league table of nations as ranked in accordance with graft aversion. Unfortunately, attempts by VOR experts to find out why just 11, after a year of relentless anti-corruption crackdowns in Russia, have encountered insurmountable difficulties. The TI simply refused to answer our inquiries about sociological and statistical methods involved in the CPI calculation. The impression was that of blacklisting in response to doubts voiced by some of our experts with regard to the validity of what the TI called the Bribe Payers Index.

The latter was based on polls, which were quite liberal in terms of the numbers and methods involved. Sometimes, the business people polled numbered as many as 10 thousand, and sometimes, as little as 3 thousand. Sometimes, they were selected on nomination by the World Economic Forum, and sometimes, based on an unspecified principle. The calculation of the CPI crunches the corruption perceptions of 3 thousand people in 28 countries. Unfortunately, the exact questionnaire at work is a closely-guarded secret of Transparency International. Moreover, a sample of a little over 100 people in a given country can hardly be seen as representative in a sociological study.

Accordingly, the CPI figures should be dismissed as conclusions based on flawed science.

December 7th, 2011, 7:39 pm

 

Ya Mara Ghalba said:

7 Dec 2011. Sensible statement by Yousef Ahmad saying the Arab League must use reliable information sources about what is happening in Syria securitywise:

Syrian Ambassador to Cairo and Syria’s Permanent Representative to the Arab League, Yousef Ahmad, expressed concern and astonishment over the unbalanced press statement of the Arab League Secretary General Nabil al-Arabi on the situation in some Syrian regions, particularly Homs. “It is obvious that al-Arabi is still determined to receive information about the situation in Syria from one source of known media which practices political and media instigation against Syria, away from any criterion regarding credibility, professionalism and responsibility,” Ambassador Ahmad said Wednesday. “In this context, we remind AL Secretary General that Syria has documented in AL meetings the numbers of the Army, Security and civilian martyrs who were shot, and still are, by the bullets of the armed terrorist groups.” Ambassador Ahmad made clear that any positive and active role for the Arab League in solving the Syrian crisis must be based first on a commitment to use only reliable information. http://www.sana.sy/eng/337/2011/12/07/386787.htm

The Arab League has a standing invitation to go to Syria to collect reliable information on their own behalf. They should not be delaying accepting this offer.

December 7th, 2011, 7:40 pm

 

Ghufran said:

I see the current crisis as a failure on many fronts:
The regime failed the people
The Arabs failed Syria
Alawis failed to come up with a better rep than Assad
Sunnis failed to control rouge elements in their midst
Homsis failed to keep civil peace
The army failed to unite all Syrians
The opposition failed to win minorities
Expats With moderate views failed to form a political body that does not follow two failing bodies,the regime and the SNC and failed to support the motherland
Syria is our victim ,failure is the name of this Greek tragedy
This post will succeed in drawing angry responses but will fail to win enough green thumbs..

December 7th, 2011, 7:49 pm

 

Observer said:

On more than one occasion the boy said that mistakes were made
He said so after the 2005 debacle in Lebanon, he said so after the killing of children in Deraa he said so after the revolt began he said so again to ABC. Yet no one was brought to justice, no one fired, no one reprimanded, no one resigned. The Minister of Foreign Affairs would not even apologize for showing false videos about so called terrorists. The boy president claims that the assertions of killings and torture are not true and that the UN has no credibility. Why not allow for the press to come in for the observers to come in for the red cross to visit the prisons?
According the constitution he is the President, the Head of the Armed forces, the Secretary general of the Party, and the head of the Supreme court. He can legislate and judge and execute all in one and yet he denies any responsibility for the atrocities and the descent of the country to hell? If the armed terrorists that are roaming the country and wrecking havoc is true then he is incompetent to say the least, if he is responsible for the repression then he is barbaric.
I am not sure who gave him advise on how to proceed with the interview but it is clearly a disaster of PR of a first order.
Flooding this site with clips about the rest of the world will not make this story go away any time soon.
I wonder what his wife is thinking as she watches ( if she is allowed ) the stories day in an day out and whether she watched him dig himself in with the ABC interview. What a pathetic stupid brutal egomaniac spoiled brat he turned out to be. He is truly with his entire entourage in the darkest of the dark ages.

December 7th, 2011, 7:52 pm

 

Syrian Nationalist Party said:

“……Expats With moderate views failed to form a political body that does not follow …”

You cannot do that when millions of dollars spent by Syria’s enemy on creating a local genocide in an attempt at civil war and dissecting Syria. They have to stop first or as in SNP case, wait until they are totally defeated. At that point one can move. We know, in the end they will be defeated, we have not 1% doubt about that.

December 7th, 2011, 8:07 pm

 

Tara said:

the latest US assessment of the blue-eyed isolated Doctor: Assad is either disconnected, disregard, or crazy

http://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/22557-u-s-says-assad-disconnected-from-reality-or-crazy

U.S. Says Assad ‘Disconnected from Reality’ or ‘Crazy’ 
by Naharnet Newsdesk 9 hours ago
 
The United States said Wednesday that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was either disconnected from reality or “crazy” after he argued he was not responsible for killing thousands of protesters.
State Department spokesman Mark Toner reiterated the U.S. view that Assad has lost legitimacy and should step down after the Syrian leader said in a rare interview that “only a crazy person” would kill his own people.
“It either says that he’s completely lost any power that he had within Syria, that he’s simply a tool or that he’s completely disconnected with reality,” Toner told reporters.
“It’s either disconnection, disregard or, as he said, crazy. I don’t know,” Toner said.
“What we insist is that he has lost all credibility in the eyes of his people and needs to step down,” he said.
Toner challenged the Syrian strongman to allow in international monitors to verify his assertions. The Arab League, which has suspended Syria, has been pushing to send in observers.
“Just taking at face value his denial that there’s anything going on there,” Toner said, “why not let international monitors, human rights monitors — which is what the Arab League is proposing — into Syria as well as international media and allow them to report transparently on what’s happening there?”
Toner said there was “a clear campaign against peaceful protesters” and “accountability with that ultimately rests on Assad and his cronies.”
White House spokesman Jay Carney earlier said that Assad’s views were “not credible.”
Assad said in an interview with ABC News that no government in the world would kill its people “unless it’s led by a crazy person” and said he did not “own” the security forces carrying out the violence.
Assad said Syria’s security forces belonged to “the government” and not him personally.
“I don’t own them. I’m president. I don’t own the country. So they are not my forces,” he said.
On Tuesday, Toner sharply criticized Assad over the interview.
“I find it ludicrous that he is attempting to hide behind some sort of shell game but also some sort of claim that he doesn’t exercise authority in his own country,” Toner told reporters.
“There’s just no indication that he’s doing anything other than cracking down in the most brutal fashion on a peaceful opposition movement,” he said.
But the Syrian foreign ministry hit back, saying Damascus was astonished by Toner’s comments which it said “distorted” the views expressed by Assad in the interview.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Jihad Maqdisi said: “We regret and express our astonishment at the remarks by U.S. State Department spokesman Mark Toner, who mocked the comments made by President Assad by distorting them.”
He told a news conference that Assad had not been seeking to shirk his responsibilities as head of state by telling ABC News that Syrian security forces did not belong to him personally.

December 7th, 2011, 8:08 pm

 

Tara said:

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/qatars-emir-visits-recovering-erdogan.aspx?pageID=238&nID=8702&NewsCatID=338

Qatar’s emir visits recovering Erdoğan
ISTANBUL / ANKARA – Hürriyet Daily News

 
Qatar’s ruler Al Thani (L) and Turkish PM Erdoğan are seen before their meeting.
Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa al-Thani paid a visit to recovering Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at his Üsküdar home yesterday. 

Al-Thani is in Istanbul to attend an international conference on innovation. The visit lasted around 80 minutes. Later in the day, Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister İrsen Küçük also paid a visit to Erdoğan.

Erdoğan had to cancel a weekend visit to Qatar and will stay at his home as he continues to recover from a Nov. 26 intestinal surgery amid lingering uncertainty in Ankara about when he will return to his office. Yesterday marked the eighth day of Erdoğan’s convalescence.

There were conflicting statements, however, on why Erdoğan would miss the U.N. Alliance of Civilizations gathering in Doha between Dec. 10 and 12 where his planned attendance had been announced by the Directorate General of Press and Information (BYEGM).

Sources close to Erdoğan played down the directorate’s statement as a routine announcement, which did not mean the prime minister had strictly scheduled the trip, saying “it was already obvious he would spend the week resting.”

One official from Erdoğan’s office, however, said the trip to Doha “was cancelled on the advice of doctors because it was a long one.” He spoke on condition of anonymity.

Sources assured Erdoğan was well but would stay home “for some more time.” A decision is expected to be made on Dec. 11 as to whether he will return to Ankara next week. 

Erdoğan has already started working at home reading and signing papers and is eager to return to his office as soon as possible, the sources said.

The prime minister’s office is not planning to make a fresh statement on Erdoğan’s health. “There is nothing to worry about,” officials said, categorically dismissing speculation that he is not in good health.
The only official statement thus far was made Nov. 28, a few days after Erdoğan was operated on in Istanbul. It simply said the prime minister underwent successful laparoscopic surgery on his digestive system, without specifying what the illness was.

Few people have been allowed to see Erdoğan, although he did receive U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, who visited him at home Dec. 5. The meeting with Biden was originally scheduled for 45 minutes but continued for two hours, according to a blog of the Wall Street Journal’s Washington Bureau. Biden recounted Erdoğan’s aides kept shuttling into the room to hand him notes saying “Your doctor says stop,” the blog said.

December 7th, 2011, 8:26 pm

 

Syrian Nationalist Party said:

This is why sane people in Syria don’t listen to U.S. officials. America is asking the Country Leader who is doing a hell of a good job keeping the State and nation together to step down, but it keeps on politically supporting, financially funding and militarily training Moslem terrorists who are terrorizing the Syrian nation, never asks them to cease and desist. Now, who is crazy here? For majority of Syrians the foreigners are crazy and insane, being asked to surrender to Islamic terrorists who are now rampaging with tenth month of throat slitting campaign as we speak. So keep spinning a losing troll over your head.

December 7th, 2011, 8:27 pm

 

Ghufran said:

وبالنسبة الى الاصلاحات قال الاسد: “لم نقل قط إننا بلد ديمقراطي.. نحن نتحرك قدما في الإصلاحات.. خاصة خلال الأشهر التسعة الأخيرة.. ويستغرق هذا وقتا طويلا. فالتحول إلى نظام ديمقراطي راسخ يتطلب قدرا كبيرا من النضج”.
واكد الاسد أنه سيدخل إصلاحات ويجري انتخابات لكنه قال إنه يجب عدم الاستعجال في التغييرات، مضيفا انه باق في منصبه لأن شعبيته في الداخل ما زالت مرتفعة، ومستطردا في نفس الوقت بأنه “عندما أشعر أن التأييد الشعبي تراجع لن أكون هنا”.
Finally we discovered why Bashar is refusing to step down or allow a transitional period,he is worried that his soaring popularity will lead to severe
depression among Syrians if he leaves office. Thank you for caring about our mental health,Dr Bashar.
My friend,a psychiatrist from Tunisia suggested pre-treating Syrians with Prozac to help them cope with the expected separation anxiety when the inevitable happens.
Until now,I thought elections,not personal convictions,are the civilized way to test a politician’s popularity.I would have called Bashar “Mr President” if Syrians had voted for him in free and fair elections,however ,it is too late now,and Syria can not afford the luxury of democracy until the blood shed stops.

December 7th, 2011, 8:34 pm

 

zoo said:

The FSA obeys Erdogan and the MB, not the SNC and Burhan Ghalioun
Le Figaro By Georges Malbrunot
Posted on 01/12/2011 ( translated from french)

After eight months of a bloody crackdown that killed more than 3,500 people, the uprising against the regime of Bashar al-Assad is now at a crossroads. The revolt was less peaceful and more militarized. “At Homs, Idleb, in three or four cities around Damascus and in some localities near Daraa to the south, there are only armed clashes,” tells us Haytham Mana, the head of the National Coordination, one of Syrian opposition groups in exile. First consequences of this drift: the toll has dramatically risen in recent weeks. To the tortures certainly much more numerous committed by the henchmen of the regime we have now acts of revenge particularly bloody, as the recent attack on a bus driver (7 killed) near Homs. Sectarian clashes also are hardening in the mixed areas, where the seeds of a civil war are the most disturbing.

Second consequence: those responsible for the Coordination and their rivals of the Syrian National Council (SNC) are about to be overtaken by radicals on the ground but also in Turkey, where the Syrian army took refuge free (FSA) consisting of several thousand deserters, who now claims rocket attacks against buildings of the intelligence services of Bashar al-Assad. A delegation of the National Council, headed by its leader, Bouran Ghalioun, went to meet Monday with Colonel Riad al-Assad – no relation with the Syrian Rais, ed – who controls the FSA. But the meeting was rather cold. And it is not clear that the military had agreed to comply with the demands of policy.

Ghalioun, like the National Coordination, object to the FSA attacking the troops still loyal to Assad. For two reasons: it would precipitate a civil war that would benefit the regime, which would use it to crush the dissent. But more because the SNC and Coordination do not want to be overwhelmed by those who, behind the scenes, are pulling the strings behind the Colonel Assad.

The agenda of the Brotherhood may differ from that of the seculars

Who are they? “Some members of the Muslim Brotherhood out of Syria, including Turkey, and all those inside no longer believe in peaceful demonstrations and now want to do battle with weapons in hand,” said a member of SNC, who recognizes that they “are becoming more numerous.” The brothers are members of the National Council, but ultimately, their agenda could differ from that of “seculars”, who make up the main organization of the Syrian opposition.

A return to past events is necessary. From June, the first defections in the army led to the creation of the Movement of official free around the Colonel Hussein Harmoush. But from his camp in the Turkish province of Hatay, he refused to pass under the control of the Muslim Brotherhood who had approached him, says Haytham Mana. A few days later, Colonel Harmoush was mysteriously kidnapped by the Syrian intelligence services, thanks to an connection with of Alevis, a close branch to the ruling Alawites in Syria within the Turkish security apparatus. Several opposition leaders Syrian suspect in fact the Turks have simply delivered Harmoush the Syrians to make him pay for his refusal to cooperate with the Islamists. Recognizing their failure, they then turned to the Syrian Army Colonel Assad’s free, weaker, therefore less able to resist pressure.

Riad el-Assad, a blanket used by the Turks

For an official of the SNC, “Assad today is a cover used by the Turkish authorities” that he and his men are confined in a base of the province of Hatay bordering Syria. Turkish intelligence service (Milli Istibarat Teşkilat) controls its movements while an officer of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs responds to interview requests that journalists wish to have with the head of the FSA.

According to French intelligence services, the FSA is strong of 8000 men, but generally not used in combat, often coming from the administration of the army. The majority of its members are actually soldiers that are not returned to their barracks at the end of a permission. Locally, they would rely on militias that have decided to join the protest.

Under these conditions, we understand why the ASL needs much assistance and supervision: its support would be provided by Turkey and other Western countries. Much like the Libyan rebels at the beginning of the revolt against Gaddafi. Except that with Damascus, the risks of retaliation are far more higher than the late Colonel Libyan buffoon.

By Georges Malbrunot

http://www.collectifvan.org/article.php?r=4&id=59174

December 7th, 2011, 8:42 pm

 

Norman said:

Ghufran,
president Assad is the only one that can transfer Syria to democracy as he as was his father the only one that can project safety for the majority of the Syrians, he does not represent the Alawat, he represent Syria,

for you to blame the army for not securing the country is at a minimum not fair, over the last 9 months the army has been fighting with his arms behind his back worry about causing significant death and at the same time taking attacks day and night

It is time for the army to take charge of Homs , declaring a militery zone, surrounding it asking to surrender all arms from everybody, then going house to house and bringing down any building that a bullet comes from as they did in Lebanon, it is time to assert it’s control.That is the only way.

December 7th, 2011, 8:53 pm

 

Haytham Khoury said:

نص الكامل لمقابلة بشار الاسد لمن فاته ذلك ||
س : ليس قبل وقت طويل كان ينظر اليك على انك قائد براغماتي جديد العهد طبيب كانت حياته لسماع الناس و الأن معظم العالم يعتبرك دكتاتور و طاغية ، ماذا تقول عن ذلك ؟
ج : المهم هو كيف ينظر السوريين اليك ، ليس كيف تنظر الى نفسك ، فلست مضطرا للنظر الى نفسي .
س : الاحتجاجات بدأت بعد اعتقال و تعذيب أطفال كانوا يكتبون عبارات عن سقوطك لقد رأيت صور مروعة لما حصل ، لماذا يحصل مثل هذا القمع القاسي ؟
ج : ماذا حصل ؟
س : سأعطيك أمثلة لما رأيت ,, طفل بعمر 13 سنة اعتقل في ابريل ، بعد شهر تم اعاده جثمانه الى عائلته يحمل اثار التعذيب ، كاتب كاريكاتور مشهور معروف بانتقاده لك اختطف و ضرب بشدة و كسرت ايديه ، مطرب مشهور كان يغني أغاني لرحيلك قتل و اقتلعت حنجرته ، لقد رأيت هذه الصور ، ألم ترها ؟
ج : لا ، و لكن
س : هل هذه أخبار جديدة عليك ؟
ج : لا ليست أخبار جديدة فلقد قابلت والد الطفل و قال أنه لم يعذب
س : الكاريكاتوري الذي كان ينتقدك و رأينا صور تم تكسير يديه و ضرب
ج : كثير من الناس ينتقدوني ، هل قتلتهم جميعا ؟ من قتل من ؟ معظم الناس الذين قتلوا من المفروض أن يخدموا الحكومة و ليس العكس
س : ماذا عن المغني الذي اقتلعت حنجرته ؟
ج : لا أعرف جميع المغنيين
س : المغني الذي غنى أغنية مشهورة عنك ، ألا تعرف عنه
ج : لا أعرفه
س : في بداية الاحتجاجات النساء و الأطفال كانوا يحملون أغصان الزيتون و لم يكن أحد في تلك المرحلة يطالبك بالرحيل و تصاعدت الأحداث ، هل تعتقد أن قواتك قامت بالقمع بشدة ؟
ج : انها ليس قواتي فهذه القوات تخص الحكومة ، أنا لا أملكهم ، أنا رئيس و لا أملك البلد .
س : لا و لكن لا بد من أنك أعطيت الأوامر .
ج : لا لا لا
س : ليس بأوامرك ؟
ج : لا لا لا انها ليست أوامر أحد ليس هناك للقتل أو للقسوة .
س : الناس يهربون من بيت لبيت و الأطفال يعتقلون ، لقد رأيت هذه الصور
ج : لنكون صريحين حتى تعتقدي ذلك و كيف عرفتي كل ذلك لا بد أن تكوني موجودة هنا لتري بنفسك ، نحن لا نرى ذلك ، و لذلك لا يمكنك الاعتماد على ما تقوله الأخبار
س : لقد رأينا ريبورتات عن هذه الصور .
ج : كيف تتأكدين من هذه الصور ؟ لهذا نتحدث عن تزوير و تشويه للحقيقة
س : الاسبوع الماضي أصدرت هيئة مستقلة من الأمم المتحدة أصدرت تقرير يقول أن حكومتك قامت بجرائم ضد الانسانية ، كانت هناك تعيب و اغتصاب و أشكال أخرى من العنف الجنسية ضد المحتجين بما فيهم الأطفال ، ماذا تقول عن ذلك ؟ هل تعترف بذلك ؟ هل تعترف بما تقوله الأمم المتحدة ؟
ج : ببساطة أقول لهم أرسلوا لنا الوثائق و الأدلة القوية و سنرى اذا كان ذلك صحيحا أم لا ؟ لم ترسلوا الينا شيئا .
س : ألم تستلموا أية وثائق ؟
ج : لا شيء على الاطلاق ، أرسلوا لنا الوثائق حيث انه طالما لم نرى الوثائق و الأدلة لا نستطيع أن نقول نعم ، هذا طبيعي ، لا نستطيع ذلك فقط لأن الامم المتحدة قالت ذلك ، من قال أن الأمم المتحدة مؤسسة ذات مصداقية .
س : ألا تعتقد أن الأمم المتحدة ذات مصداقية ؟
ج : لا
س : لديك سفير في الأمم المتحدة .
ج : نعم انه مجرد درو و لا يعني ذلك أن نصدقه .
س : أنت قلت أحيانا أنك لا تقوم بدور الرئاسة لحياتك ، أنت تقوم به من أجل بلدك ، مع كل ما يحدث في سوريا أليس ربما من الأفضل أن لا تبقى رئيس سوريا .
ج : أنا لا أملك القوة ، كل ما لدي هو الدعم الشعبي و هو أهم شيء ، و عندما أشعر أن الدعم الشعبي تناقص لن أكون هنا ، سواء طلبوا ذلك أم لا لا يجب أن أكون هنا اذا لم يكون هناك دعم شعبي ، هذا أمر قاطع .
س : ماذا تعتقد أن أكبر سوء فهم حصل مع بلدي ( أي الولايات المتحدة ) حول ما حصل هنا ، هذا اذا كان هناك سوء فهم ؟
ج : نحن لا نقتل شعبنا ، لا أحد يقتل شعيه ، ليست هناك حكومة في العالم تقتل شعبها الا اذا كان يقودها لاشخص مجنون ، بالنسبة لي كرئيس أصبحت رئيس بسبب الدعم الشعبي ، انه من المستحيل لأي دولة أن تعطى الأوامر بالقتل .
س : هل تشعر نفسك مذنبا ؟
ج : هه ، لقد فعلت أفضل ما عندي لحماية شعبي ، فلا يمكنك الشعور بالذنب عندما تفعل أفضل ما عندك ، تشعر بالأسف للأرواح التي فقدت ، و لكنك لا تشعر بالذنب عندما لا تقتل الناس

December 7th, 2011, 8:53 pm

 

Tara said:

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/syria-turkey-and-the-kurds-.aspx?pageID=238&nID=8667&NewsCatID=419

Syria, Turkey and the Kurds

Syria is not falling off the agenda of the world media and politicians. Everybody relevant keeps on commenting on the point the problem has come to and what will happen. However, the most important question to be answered is this: When Bashar al-Assad falls, what happens next? Of course, it is not possible to indicate a certain date and tell what will happen like a fortune teller. But, by following the Kurds’ road map in Syria, one can largely predict whether the problem has reached a critical threshold and what might happen with the Kurds in a post-al-Assad era.
Nowadays there is a deep silence on the Kurdish front despite the earth-shattering changes in Syria. Behind that silence is a neither political snafu, nor the desire to make the al-Assad regime’s work easier. Apparently, Kurds have learned their lessons from the past and are following a strategy which is quite shrewd. They are waiting for the “high time” at which point their rival will be weak in order to participate in the regime-change game.
One year after the Iraqi invasion, in March 2004, Syrian Kurds rose in rebellion. The al-Assad regime suppressed it by using violence. Kurds are waiting during this current phase in light of both their own experiences and advice. In the meantime, they are starting to accelerate their activities, as well as increase their diplomatic and psychological capacity. Both northern Iraqi leader Masoud Barzani and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which is active among Syrian Kurds, have agreed and are active on the implementation of the current strategy. 
The PKK has been active for decades among the Kurds in Syria with the open consent of the Syrian regime. The formation of a political identity drove the militants that were recruited from among the Syrian Kurds into Turkey’s mountains. So much so that, 20-25 percent of the organization’s armed militants were recruited from that region. On the other hand, Barzani, not being idle, has improved his political network among Syrian Kurds. 
Syrian Kurds will enter the game as a well-organized, fresh force once the insurgency reaches a critical threshold. It is true that they are obtaining money, arms and personnel that they need for that purpose from Turkey and Iraq. While the Arabs are dealing with themselves, Syrian Kurds are planning to secure an advantageous position like their relatives in Iraq. There is no reason that won’t be able to realize this plan. In the course of events, certain regions will have the power to protect areas in which they achieved political autonomy against the worn-out Arabs. 
The Syrian Kurds’ new position will affect northern neighbor Turkey in the medium term, as well as the Arabs. The power vacuum and the Kurdish sovereign region that will emerge in the wake of the breakdown of the regime will mean the start of new problems for Turkey. The PKK will supposedly have arms from the al-Assad army, unlimited logistical capability, new personnel with high self-confidence and new safe havens on a strategic level. Above all is the superiority it will achieve on a psychological level. This situation is the moment that the superiority of political discourse disappears for Turkish governments. The Kurdish question will no longer be a domestic democracy problem for Turkey but will be rapidly transformed into an internationalized “national liberation movement.” 
Those who try to cope with the PKK problem in the political and security domain will see that their problem has gained a new dimension and that the paradigm has shifted. Henceforth, there will be a different regional picture. Everything belonging to the past will lose its meaning and function in the new phase. Those who poured compliments upon Turkey for its contribution to al-Assad’s removal will naturally be out of step in the new period. Even if not as severe as al-Assad, they will show a clearer and more encouraging manner toward Turkey on how to realize a political environment for the Kurds like in Syria.
December/07/2011

December 7th, 2011, 9:02 pm

 

Bronco said:

Tara #26

It looks that the Turks are freaking out about the future of their Kurdish population in the eventual aftermath of Bashar Al Assad. They are already feeling the bites of the counter sanctions Syria has imposed on the trade. They are on the defensive about accusations that they protecting the FSA manipulated by the MB (even by a french journalist usually critical of Bashar Al Assad). In brief, there are in an increasingly uncomfortable situation.
I am not surprised Erdogan is worried about Turkey’s aggressive policy toward Syria that seem to backfire and open the door to far larger internal problems for Turkey.
They are probably envisaging backtracking at the first opportunity that the Arab League will give them.

December 7th, 2011, 9:13 pm

 

jad said:

Haytham
What you post in Arabic is not the full interview, please check Ales@13 he linked the full transcript interview, it’s 8 pages long

#13 Ales
What did Assad really say, transcript word by word. Don’t believe media trolls.

http://abcnews.go.com/International/transcript-abcs-barbara-walters-interview-syrian-president-bashar/story?id=15099152#.TuAEtfJumJA

“Walters: How do you hope that you will be remembered?

Assad: By doing the best I can, can for, for this country. Whether you agree, or whether the people agree or don’t, don’t agree, but at– at the end, I was not a puppet. I care a lot about being independent president for independent Syria. And do my best, according to my convictions. That’s the most important thing. At the end, even if they disagree with you, they will respect you.”

December 7th, 2011, 9:23 pm

 

Tara said:

Bronco

It does appear that Turkey is torn on what to do with Syria.  The potential of the PKK changing into a liberation movement should they succeed in establishing a future Syrian Kurdstan after the Iraqi Kurdstan can be pretty alarming to the Turks.  Additionally, I believe that Erdogan is too principled to allow foreign NATO intervention in Syria which really limits the ability of Turkey to be “ready for all scenarios”, contrary to what it has initially declared.

  
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-will-not-be-springboard-for-attack-on-syria-diplomat-.aspx?pageID=238&nID=8630&NewsCatID=338
Turkey will not be springboard for attack on Syria: diplomat
ANKARA – Agence France- Presse

Turkey said Wednesday it would not let its territory be used to launch attacks against other countries after Syria said it had foiled a bid by “terrorists” to infiltrate from the Turkish border.

“Turkey is not allowing any armed groups (to launch attacks) against other countries,” a Turkish diplomat who declined to be named told AFP, when asked about the Syrian news reports.

Syria’s official news agency SANA reported Tuesday that Syrian border guards had the previous night thwarted an attempt by “armed terrorist groups from Turkey” to cross into the country.
 
The guards had wounded an unspecified number of the 35 gunmen they had intercepted without suffering any casualties on their side, SANA reported.
 
“Cars were heard taking the wounded gunmen away on the Turkish side,” the report added.
 
“No military activity has been observed on the Syrian side of the border,” the Turkish diplomat said.
December/07/2011

December 7th, 2011, 9:32 pm

 

jad said:

هل من أجل هذا يموت السوريون؟

نهلة الشهال
حسناً فعل برهان غليون، رئيس “المجلس الوطني السوري” العتيد، إذ قطع الشك باليقين وأعلن بوضوح انحيازه للغرب، قوى ومخططات وأهدافاً وتصورات، وموضع نفسه ومجلسه في معسكر ذلك الغرب. وهذا على أية حال هو سر انتشار تصريحاته الاخيرة لصحيفة “وول ستريت جورنال”، التي لفَّت العالم، وتُرجمت الى كل اللغات، متفوقة في “أهميتها” على كل ما سبق له أن نطق به هو واترابه في ذلك المجلس.
تثير تلك التصريحات مجموعة مسائل متشابكة تتعلق بتحديد ما يطمح له السوريون، ويموتون من أجله يومياً، متحدين آلة القتل التي تفتك بهم. وأولى تلك المسائل وأبسطها بالتأكيد، أن السيد غليون يتصرف كحاكم سوريا المقبل، وكأن كل الكلام عن الديموقراطية التي ينبغي تأسيسها بعد عقود الاستبداد ليست سوى تنميق كلام، عدة شغل، بينما “يعرف” الرجل أنه ومجلسه سيحكمان البلد، بل والأفدح، أنهما قررا منذ اليوم برنامج ذلك الحكم ومنطلقاته. أين السيرورة يا بروفيسور، تلك التي تجعل السلطة حصيلة عملية صراعية جارية ومتغيرة وفق المعطيات، وتلك التي تخضعها لتوازنات القوى لحظة الانجاز؟ لا بأس، فلن نعيب على غليون في حمأة ما يعيش نسيانه، ما درَّس في قاعات الجامعات، وما كتب في مؤلفاته. ثم ان ذلك ليس بيت القصيد… وإن كانت أحلام رئاسية كهذه يبدو أنها راودت غليون قبلاً، كظهوره عشية عيد الاضحى على شاشة الجزيرة متأنقاً، وقوراً، يحيط به علم سوري عن يمينه وكتب مرصوفة عن يساره، مذكرة بأنه استاذ جامعي ومثقف. ومن فرط سوء الاخراج، وبينما هو يوجه خطابه الى “الشعب السوري العظيم”، كان ثمة ما يوحي بأنه سيتلعثم ويُخرج “يا شعبي العزيز” على عادة الملوك! مرَّ ذلك الخطاب مرور الكرام وسط السخرية التي أثارتها الوضعية المفتعلة، ولأن ما نطق به كان عمومياً مبدئياً مستخرجاً من بطون الكتب المرجعية المختصة، مما لا يقدم ولا يؤخر. بينما التصريحات الاخيرة سياسية بامتياز، تخاطب بشكل ملموس الغرب وإسرائيل والدول العربية التي تدور في فلكهما وتعلن انتماءها لهم.
لكن المسألة الأهم تتعلق بوظيفة هذا الكلام، ليس كبرنامج حكم مستقبلي، بل الآن. مؤدياته الوحيدة اليوم هي رفع سقف الاستنفار والاستقطاب المذهبيين المستعرين في المنطقة، والانخراط في الحرب الاستراتيجية الجارية في العالم، وأقطابها بلدان كروسيا والصين من جهة، والولايات المتحدة وفرنسا وبريطانيا من جهة أخرى، والحلفاء المتغيرين أحياناً، بحسب المواضيع والاماكن، لكل من المحاور.
وتتخذ تلك الحرب في منطقتنا عنواناً مبتسراً، فرضته الآلة الاعلامية والدبلوماسية الغربية، هو الصراع المفتوح حول إيران. لكنها تتضمن فعلياً، وعلى ذلك، طموحات الهيمنة على مصادر الطاقة والثروات في المنطقة بمجملها (اكتشف حديثاً مثلا أن في العراق أهم مناجم للفوسفات في العالم، وفيه وفي مواقع أخرى من المنطقة، يورانيوم ومعادن نادرة…)، وعلى الممرات الاستراتيجية والاسواق. وكما تقول الصين وروسيا، فثمة مخططات لمحاصرتهما وخنقهما تنفذ مباشرة اليوم، وهي تشمل أيضاً إحكام السيطرة على دول صاعدة ومنعها من التفلّت من سطوة وتحكم الغرب. وليست أزمة هذا الاخير الاقتصادية البنيوية سبباً في تراجعه عن ذلك، بل على العكس، فقد تكون دافعاً لمزيد من الشراسة بكل صورها. ولا يوجد غير ذلك كله ما يمكنه تفسير الصراع حول الدرع الصاروخية الاطلسية مثلاً، التي نوت واشنطن نشرها في بلدان أوروبا الشرقية، وانتهت الى وضع واحدة من قواعدها في تركيا مؤخراً، كما لا يوجد تفسير آخر لـ”العقد الآسيوي” الذي بشر به أوباما ووزيرة خارجيته، والذي يتضمن نشر قواعد عسكرية جديدة وابرام اتفاقات تعاون متنوعة مع بلدان تحيط بالصين من كل صوب.
هي إذاً الحرب الاستعمارية نفسها إنما بأدوات جديدة قد لا تتضمن ـ دوماً ـ الاحتلالات المباشرة، وتحمل فوارق هامة متعلقة بحلول خطاب قومي وليبرالي وتنافسي في آن، محل الايديولوجيات التي كانت تؤطر تلك المجابهة، ما قد يترك المجال لتصبح الصين مثلاً دولة استعمارية عظمى! وذلك تحديداً يعيد الاعتبار كما لم يحدث من قبل، للمسألة العامة، التي تخص كل البشر والامم، تلك التي تتناول نوعية الحياة المطلوب الدفاع عنها، ومنظومة القيم المفتقدة التي لا بد من العكوف على صقلها وإعادة بلورتها، كي ينتقل العالم بأسره من حالة الحروب المتجددة ابداً، ومن شرعنة استغلال واضطهاد أمم لأخرى، الى أفق آخر.
ولا يمكن لبرهان غليون أن يجهل كل ذلك، ولا يمكنه تبرير مواقفه بالاحتماء خلف حاجات لحظوية تكتيكية، وإلا تحوَّل هو ومجلسه الى أداة صغيرة في الصراع الفعلي الدائر في العالم وفي المنطقة، والذي قيض لسوريا، بحكم موقعها الجيواستراتيجي واشتباك مسارها مع معطيات أخرى، أن تحتل واحدة من نقاطه الاساسية.
سوريا اليوم نقطة تقاطع بالغة الاهمية، لا معادل لها في المنطقة. فإن جنحت الامور فيها الى الاحتراب الاهلي الطويل والتفكيكي، فسيلحق بها العراق الذي يعاني من اهتراء مديد في أحواله، ومن استقطابات مأزومة، وكذلك لبنان. وستجد تركيا نفسها في الدوامة ايضاً. ومشروع السيد غليون دفع مجلسه الى رفض المبادرة العربية نفسها عند اعلانها مخافة أن تكون حلاً لانتقال سلمي للسلطة، مشروعه الذي يتكلم ببراءة مصطنعة عن “ممرات انسانية” و”مناطق حظر طيران”، (وهو يعرف تماماً أنهما إعلان حرب ويتطلبان تدخلاً عسكرياً لفرضهما)، لا يوفر لا تصوراً لمرحلة انتقال سلمي للسلطة، تُبقي سوريا المجتمع والدولة موحدين، ولا شروط مثل هذه المرحلة، بل هو تأطير للاحتراب الأهلي الطويل. وهو مشروع ينتمي الى طينة ما يرتكبه النظام السوري نفسه، الذي يرد على مطلب التغيير بالقمع و”الحل الامني”، منظماً هو الآخر الاحتراب الاهلي الطويل، التفكيكي لسوريا والمنطقة برمتها. والتحجج بالنظام السوري وممارساته ليس تبريراً، فهذا النظام ينتمي الى الماضي، والمطلوب تجاوزه وليس إعادة انتاجه بصيغة معدلة.
ويبدو أنه ثمة من أسرَّ في أذن السيد غليون (وهو كان أفضل عناصر قيادة هذا المجلس، لأن معظم الآخرين من متصدريه مرتبطون أصلاً بصورة معلومة وموثقة بدوائر استخبارية غربية) بأن واشنطن عازمة على المضي في هذا الملف الى آخر أشواطه. وهو واترابه وضعوا ثقتهم بذلك، ما يفسر إقدامهم الشديد، الذي يرتدي أحياناً لبوس الحماقة المفضوحة، ويضع هذا الموقف المنحاز الى مشروع واشنطن وباريس ولندن وتل ابيب، ومعها عواصم محلية مستلحقة، بعضها يمد بالمال أو بالسلاح أو بالتغطية الاعلامية، يضع المجلس في مصاف الثورة المضادة، تلك التي تُهدد منذ اللحظة الاولى لفعلها آمال السوريين في الحرية والعدالة، وفي نظام سياسي تعددي وديموقراطي يدير مجتمعاً مزدهراً تُحترم فيه كرامات ابنائه وحقوقهم كافة. الثورة المضادة التي تتكلم محل السوريين فتضعهم في موقع المتواطئ مع إسرائيل مثلاً (عبر بلاهة”استعادة الجولان بالمفاوضات”)، والاخطر من ذلك، أنها تشطب كيانية بلدهم ومجتمعهم، وتقذف بهم الى اتون “حرب المئة عام” التي تهدد بالانفجار في المنطقة.
وتلك مفارقة: فالسيد غليون ومجلسه يدّعون قيادة الثورة. ولعله قد حان، بإلحاح شديد، وقت أن تستعيد الثورة السورية كلامها من هؤلاء.

http://www.assafir.com/Article.aspx?EditionId=2021&ChannelId=47931&ArticleId=660&Author=%D9%86%D9%87%D9%84%D8%A9%20%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B4%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%84

December 7th, 2011, 9:32 pm

 

zoo said:

Even Fox news manipulates videos to dramatize demonstrations.
Shots taken during Greece riots are simply re-named: Moscow.

FOX, lies & the wrong videotape: What’s NOT happening in Moscow
http://rt.com/news/fox-moscow-fake-riots-281/

December 7th, 2011, 9:33 pm

 

Tara said:

Bronco

What are your thoughts in regard to the interview? Did you like it? Reading the transcript word by word, his English was broken, and his words reflected his actual IQ level. Do you agree?

December 7th, 2011, 9:42 pm

 

Bronco said:

Tara #29

It has been clear from the start that Syria’s stability is essential to keep in leach all these dark dividing forces of sectarism and ethnicity that have been brewing in the region for long.
The breakup of Syria could create “an earthquake”, in the sense of creating breaks in the area along ethnic and religious lines, that could ripple in neighboring countries with a destructive and irreversible effect.

If it is necessary to keeping Syria united, it will require painful compromises.

Sorry I have not read the script of the interview. As I told you before it does not bring anything new and it has received the praises and the critics I had envisaged.

December 7th, 2011, 9:47 pm

 

nafdik said:

Tara,

I think his English was quite good and his IQ did not show major problems.

The interview was really good in that Barbara really pressed him on hard issues and gave him very little room to escape.

I think this will be a shock to his system as he has been watching the world from TV screens, etc, but probably nobody said things like this to his face.

It might accelerate his downfall as he now understands that he can never face the world again with conjuring images of Hamza and Quashoush.

December 7th, 2011, 10:05 pm

 

Syrialover said:

Barbara Walters, a featherweight, faded, fake celeb “journalist”.

She’s finally sunk to new lows for chequebook journalism.

Good to hear she and Assad have matching speech impediments.

Bad move by the Assad machine.

He’s neatly written himself into history as a stomach-churning idiot and world’s weakest liar.

Comedians, journalists and political leaders will now use the phrase “doing an Assad” as a term of mockery and contempt.

That aside, his voice and demeanour were VERY weird. Non-masculine and non-adult is a kind way to put it.

Scarce Syrian public funds were pissed away on the PR machine that arranged that interview. But it’s well spent because it helps his opponents and recruits new critics.

December 7th, 2011, 10:09 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Norman
You sound radical in comment #24

Assad ,the BOOHA,is frowning, as if he did not have enough rest , or he did not sleep preparing for his test with Barbara Walter.

Did the syrian public watch this interview?

Ehsani
It has been long since we heared from you,Alex are you there?

December 7th, 2011, 10:13 pm

 

Revlon said:

((“I’m president. I don’t own the country, so they’re not my forces.”))

Assad’s Parallel Universe Suggests a Long Struggle
Wednesday, December 7th, 2011
http://abcnews.go.com/International/bashar-al-assad-interview-defiant-syrian-president-denies/story?id=15098612#.Tt_c0vLO18A

Jr does own the country: he has absolute powers to issue and implement any decree to alter or retain any facet of the political, economical, and social activities in the country.
Jr has uncontestable powers not only over his forces but also over all Syrians: he can promote, demote, arrest, detain, torture, and kill whoever he regards as a threat to his will.

((“There’s a difference between having a policy to crack down and between having some mistakes committed by some officials. There is a big difference,”))

Jr did deliver a policy statement on how he intended to tackle the crisis as early as March 30, 2011. It was communicated in his first Speech to the Syrian Parliament on Wednesday, March 30, 2011
https://www.joshualandis.com/blog/?p=8917 . Here is the relevent excerpt:

((Burying sedition is a national, moral, and religious duty; and all those who can contribute to burying it and do not are part of it. The Holy Quran says, “sedition is worse than killing,” so all those involved intentionally or unintentionally in it contribute to destroying their country. So there is no compromise or middle way in this. What is at stake is the homeland and there is a huge conspiracy))

Here is how the Revolution according to Jr was:
– The nature of the uprising: Conspiracy
– The aim of the uprising: incitement of sedition.
– How sedition was to be confronted: Burying
– Why sedition was to be buried and not accommodated: God said sedition was worse than killing. So, killing in this context was both legitimate, and the lesser of the two evils as per divine discretion. Applying even worse techniques than killing, namely all kinds of torture would only then achieve complete justice!
– Who contributors to sedition were: those involved intentionally or unintentionally;
o Intentionally: demonstrators; no age or gender limits were set.
o Unintentionally: relatives, acquaintances, and friends of demonstrators and passers by in the street at times of demonstrations

As such, Jr himself, being Patriot One he felt he was, called upon himself to bury sedition.
Here are the capacities that Jr have been commanding since the start of the revolution:
– President of the Republic, who chose the cabinets, including the minister of interior and the head of the General Intelligence Directorate
– General Secretary of the Baath party and its related Para-militia / Lijan AlAmniyya (Shabbeeha)
– Commander of Chief of the Army and related Army and Air Force intelligence forces.

The rules of engagement of all Armed forces and related intelligence units are communicated to soldiers by their superiors, down all the way from their their supreme commander; Thug one.

Details of the executive plan for Wadulfitnah (Burying Sedition) were spelled out in a secret memo form the General Directorate of Intelligence in late march of this year.

December 7th, 2011, 10:17 pm

 

Tara said:

Nafdik

He would’ve been at a better luck had he replied in Arabic. If you read the full scripts some of the answers made no sense or were incomplete sentences. I do see a major IQ issue when he tried to use a childish tactic “I did not do it (the killing), they (the security/army) did it. I don’t own them, therefore, I am not responsible. Since I am not responsible and as long as I am doing my best, I don’t feel guilty.”. This really reflects a mediocre IQ at best.

This interview being spontaneous is very much different than his organized threatening answers with the British Daily Telegraph, which apparently he prepared the answer in advance.

Additionally, if all what has been said, written, and aired across the universe did not give him reality check, I doubt Barbara Walter’s interview would. I agree with Joshua. I think we should ready ourself for a long struggle.

He must be forced out. He is not going to give up the power out of benevolence. He has shot all his senses and will never be able to believe that the problem lies in him.

December 7th, 2011, 10:26 pm

 

Revlon said:

Here is the english translation of the leaked document:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150567415020727&set=a.10150567414445727.656159.420796315726&type=3&permPage=1#!/photo.php?fbid=10150567414640727&set=a.10150567414445727.656159.420796315726&type=3&permPage=1

== PAGE 1/3==

Syrian Arab Republic
General Directorate Of The Intelligence Services
No. / /
Date / /
Without Record / Top Secret

General Directorate Of The Intelligence Services / Top Secret

Detailed Plan for implementation:

Subject:

There is a rising sentiment among a specific group aiming at imitating what happened in Tunisia and Egypt by making use of the current economic conditions in the state and the international environment, which is currently supportive of popular movments. This sentiment might increase after what happened in the city of Dar’aa a few days ago.

Evaluation:

It is imperative to make use of the previous experience in dealing with the hostile Muslim Brotherhood movement, and to learn from the mistakes of the Tunisian and Egyptian regime, especially since they neutralized the power of the army and Republican Guard from the beginning, and allowed media outlets to cover every movement until matters got out of control.

In the detailed plan, things won’t get to point where the regime or state is endangered or the current continuation [of rule] is under threat, and the final result will be passage of many tiresome months, and after that the regime emerge more powerful indefinitely.
The minature security panel consisting of A.S. [likely to be Asef Shawkat], M.N., H.K., A.M., H.M. covened at 23/3/2011 regarding opposition protests and discussed the matter from all its aspects (Security, Economic, Political) and has set the following measures: It is stressed that the treatment of the matter requires shared security-media-political-economic work in the least.

Detailed plan:

The plan depends on thee complementary factors: Media [PR], security and field perfroamnce, political and economic.

Media/PR factor:

– Connecting the protests with personalities who are detested among the Syrian public, such as known Saudi and Lebanese personalities [possibly alluding to March 14] and connecting all of them with Zionism and the USA. There is a plan prepared being prepared by a security cell, which will be introduced/implemented in a suitable, timed way on questionable sites under the name of “Bandar Sultan’s plan”, which is believable and convincing.

– Intense Media campaign accusing protesters and opponents of subservience to Israel, Saudi Arabia and the USA. In the case of killings, the security cell should repeatedly accuse armed or radical gangs, and claim that the security apparatus and army are contributing to the protection of order, stability and the people.

– Indirect media campaign on TV and privately-owned channels about sectarian strife/disorder, and instilling fear of the Muslim Brotherhood in Christians and Druze, warning them of the reprisals they might face by them if they did not participate in ending the protests. Enlisting the Alawites in the coastal regions so they can defend ‘their’ regime and lives, which are going to be threatend by Sunni radicalism.

– Instructing some security units in all security agencies to work within Facebook to respond to and disrupt the communication of the opponents, labeling them as opponents of the regime with fake names/nicknames, posting views/opinions which damage the reputation of the opposition, and possibly also exposing ‘schemes and plans’ hostile to the president and the state.

– Forbidding all media outlets from going to the places of unrest, and punishing anyone broadcasting any news which doesn’t serve the state – and not showing any tolerance in this matter.

– In case the opposition manages to take pictures or film any videos, the security cell should prepare scenes from the protests and insert loopholes in them, so they can broadcast on state media and subsequently exposed so as to remove credibility from the films/videos of the opposition

December 7th, 2011, 10:27 pm

 

Revlon said:

PAGE 2/3
– When being prevented from providing coverage or intervening, the media often relies on eyewitnesses, and we expect that a few of them would dare to call satellite channels to provide their testimony – therefore it is the responsibility of the ‘media/press intelligence’ cell to prepare some eyewitnesses from ‘professional security agents’ to contact satellite channels and provide them with exaggerated testimony, with the prerequisite that it should contain loopholes, so it can be directly exposed in our State Media and also on satellite channels in order to ‘damage the credibility of any eyewitnesses’.

– Instructing some members of the people’s assembly to respond to the ‘opponents’ and ‘vandalists’, and to provide them with some points and specifics on how to respond to them.

– Instructing some personalities from the state apparatus located in the place of the protests to respond to the protesters and ‘opponents’.

– In case the protests are too intense and hard to ignore, it is inevitable that the ‘opposition’ should be turned into local demands specific to the region only.

– Sending a convoy of cars carrying pictures of the president, with the possibility of adding the Syrian flag, with the help of security units, their friends, children of government officials and army officers inside cities, and providing these cars with sirens similar to those equipped on ambulances, to create awe within the spirits of bypassers and residents.

– Inviting some moderates within the opposition to [interviews] on State TV, with the possibility of using ‘shaming’ and some courtesy to persuade them, for this dilutes their demands and turns them to trivial, simple demands they’re asking the president to fulfill for them. This is also useful for creating splits in the protective and opposing factions within the oppostion.

– The announcement of strict instructions by the Ministry Of Education to ‘warn’ schools and pupils about the usage of the Internet and Facebook.

– Instructing some artists loyal to us or ‘captured’ by us to talk to [people in] the places where the protests are happening or the opposition in accordance to what we provide them with.

About the security cells and field performance:
_______________________________________________
– No tolerance of any harm to the image of the highest symbol [of the state] (possibly referring to the president), because this, if tolerated, will increase the opposition’s ability to cross all lines.

– It is expected that the opposition’s gatherings will be held in places with high population density in order to draw attention and encourage others to join them, and here it’s needed to ‘blockade/barricade’ and isolate the place as much as possible and to sneak in security units in civilian clothes in between the protesters to create disputes and foil/disperse the gathering as soon as possible, and also to arrest some of the ‘vandalists’ if needed.

– Instructing the ‘Information Security’ branch in the administration and in the centre for scientific studies to cooperate with the two mobile phone providers to monitor the cell- and landline phones of some expected and known ‘inciteful’ and opposition personalities.

– Calling and ‘summoning’ the youth to instill a fear of participation [in the protests] in them, arresting some of them and announcing a ‘general conscription’ in the armed forces in order to exhaust [the strength] of the youths and activists with visiting the recruitment offices.

– Exhausting the strength of the opponents and symbols of the opposition with lawsuits of all shapes and forms, slandering their moral and religious reputation, and it is possible to use some means prepared specifically for this purpose.

– Forbidding prominent members of the opposition from all travel, regardless of reason.

– Instructing the Military Security branch to monitor all mid- and high-level command in the army, especially Sunni ones.

– In the case of violent confrontations between army units and protesters, it is required to issue a clear order to cease all fire [from the side of the army], with the order not being applicable to trained Security Forces, and units belonging to the ‘serba’ and ‘souda’ companies, and to use snipers within these companies in a non-apparent way to prevent the localization of the source of the fire – also to increase cover: There is no problem in killing some units and officers of the army, as this is useful in increasing the animosity of the army towards the protesters.

– In any place the protests go out of control:
– Isolation of the place with security and army forces, and cutting off electricity, communications, and internet.
– Arresting some influential personalities from this place, and if the situation is critical – killing them.
– Making use of some smugglers and criminals, flooding the place with them and creating a state of chaos.
– Sending trained security forces in civilian clothing to the place of the protests, who should attempt to convince the protesters of using weaponary against the army and security forces.
– Deploying security forces and units from the ‘serba’ and ‘souda’ companies with snipers in organised campaigns during the protests, with the number of fatalities not exceeding 20 every time, because this might expose the matter and make a case for outside intervention.

December 7th, 2011, 10:28 pm

 

Revlon said:

The last page of the document leaked late March 2011

PAGE 3/3
– Depolying Druze and Christian units/officers in the army to the places of protest and tempting them to defend themselves, also depolying units of the army based in remote regions to prevent cases of refusal, rebellion, or hesitation.

– If a critical or potentially dangerous situation develops, getting everyone to choose between security and stability, or the freedoms they’re demanding, and here they will choose their security and safety. This can be implemented with some assassinations [of individuals] belonging to different sects and clans, or detonating some places of worship in regions with intense protests.

Economic factor:

– Planning/Sending out a massive demonstration in favour of the president before his speech in front of the people’s assembly, so his speech would be a response to the demands of the masses and nothing more. Strict instructions should be issued here to government institutions, syndicates, unions and schools to gather employees and pupils and issue new slogans/banners to them.

The president’s anticipated speech:

– Delaying the speech as much as possible, as this delay is an expression of the state’s power and its immunity to the current events – it also contributes to clearing the image and setting the amount of political movement needed. Any change we might be forced to make must be presented as if we were the ones who started it and called for it.

– Giving a picture stable impression of the regime.

Measures that can be presented in the president’s speech before the people’s assembly:

– Increasing the salary of government and public sector employees after consulting the minister of treasury and putting plans for returning the economic stability with 3 months, especially if this raise might destabilise the current economic interests.

– Promising to create new jobs to distribute among the governorates.

– Lowering the price of some essential goods.

– Partial governmental change and exposure of the corruption of some ministers – this requires one security panel to decide which ministers will be sacrificed.

– Lowering the price of mobile phone calls officially, with the possibility of reclaiming part of the losses through hidden costs.

– Giving personal and public privileges to some Muslim and Christian religious figures who are close to the regime and using them to slander the protesters and the opposition, and asking them to use convinsing verses from the Qu’ran or specific hadiths discouraging them from participating in the current events.

– Sending official figures acceptable to the people to talk with opposition and to ask them to accept the political leadership’s attempts to converse with them – some of them will accept immediately, some will accept with reservations, and some will reject the matter entirely. This is useful in creating disputes and splits within the opposition and preventing them from appearing as an effective, monolithic actor which can be influential in the protest movement.

– Responding to some of the Kurdish demands regarding citizenship, but only if that happens in a way that doesn’t change anything in the state and society or disrupts the current balances – and this response is only to conscript them and suppress their acceptance of foreign intervention if the opposition protests intensify – for the northeastern region is the only problem in regard to this issue as the other regions are not expect to accept such a thing.

– Instructing Syrian embassies overseas, as well as the foreign ministry to reassure the USA and the European states, and reminding that the Golan front might be suspectible to instability if the radicals succeed and gain control.

– Instructing the Syrian embassy in all states to monitor Syrians and their behaviour – the foreign ministry is to act in this matter.

– Preparing security and media teams for implementation as soon as possible and as secretly as possible.

Note: The entirety of the detailed plan is not to be put in the hands of anyone or any team of the operation, but should be split into branches and sections

December 7th, 2011, 10:31 pm

 

jad said:

LOLOLOL the famous shit covered document, again, after 8 months!
Is the make up dude this much bankrupted that he couldn’t bring anything more useful than dr. Zibaleh’s most famous fake document. Bunch of idiots!
For those who want to read this news in English use Google. My advice, don’t waste your time!

معارضون ينحطّون إلى درك انحطاط السلطة: النصاب رضوان زيادة يزور وثيقة باسم المخابرات العامة

الحقيقة تكشف بالأدلة كيف جرى تزييف وثيقة منسوبة للمخابرات العامة عن “خطة لإثارة الفتنة”، أما قناة” الجزيرة التي دخلت على خط نشر الأكاذيب ففضيحتها عن طالب كلية العلوم الذي ” قتل” .. لا تقل خزيا

دمشق ،واشنطن ـ الحقيقة ( خاص): منذ سنوات طويلة ونحن نكرر القول ونحذر من أن بعض فئات المعارضة السورية، وتحديدا الأصولية منها وتلك اليمينية المرتبطة بوكالة المخابرات المركزية والموساد ، أمثال عمار عبد الحميد ورضوان زيادة وفريد الغادري، لا تقل انحطاطا ودناءة وخسة عن انحطاط أجهزة مخابرات السلطة ، بل إنها تبزها وتتفوق عليها في أحيان كثيرة. فمثلما عمدت هذه الأخيرة إلى فبركة القصص والاتهامات لمعارضيها الحقيقيين ، بما في ذلك فبركة صور خلاعية لزوجات بعض هؤلاء لابتزازهم ( على غرار ما قام به العميد يحي زيدان من فرع المنطقة في المخابرات العسكرية ورئيسه آنذاك هشام بختيار في العام 1992 بتركيب صور خلاعية لزوجة المعارض السوري “ن.ن” السابقة ، السيدة نداء جورج شحود ، بتواطؤ من شقيقها الياس جورج شحود ، ومكافأته على ذلك ، وعلى إرشاد دورية الفرع المذكور إلى مكان تخفي صهره، بتعيينه في مناصب حزبية عليا) ، يقوم هؤلاء المعارضون بالعمل نفسه تماما. وهو ما يعني أن هذه الحثالات الحقيرة لم تشكل ، ولا يمكن أن تشكل بديلا أخلاقيا للسلطة التي تزعم أنها تعارضها، ناهيك عن أن تكون بديلا سياسيا لها. فالمعارض يجب أن يكون بديلا أخلاقيا للنظام الذي يعارضه ، قبل أن يكون بديلا سياسيا له. أما إذا كان صنوه ، فهذا لا يعني ـ في المحصلة ـ سوى أنهما ” خرية واحدة انقسمت إلى نصفين”!
مناسبة هذا الحديث اليوم “الوثيقة” المزيفة التي وزعها النصاب رضوان زيادة المقيم في الولايات المتحدة ، وأحد المرتبطين بضابط الاحتياط في الموساد نير بومس ، الأمر الذي كنا كشفنا عنه سابقا ( اضغط هنـــا).
رضوان زيادة ، هذا، الذي يسمي نفسه دكتورا وباحثا ، وفي وقاحة ممزوجة بالغباء لايحسد عليها ، تبنى اليوم هذه “الوثيقة” بشكل صريح لا لبس فيه في حديث مع قناة”الحرة”. ( لدينا رسالة رسمية من أحد الصحفيين العاملين في قناة”الحرة” تؤكد أن رضوان زيادة هو من زور الوثيقة ، وهو من أرسلها إلى القناة المذكورة وطلب منها لاحقا الإدلاء بحديث إليها حول الأمر).
“الوثيقة” المزعومة تتحدث عن خطة وضعتها المخابرات العامة لإثارة النعرات الطائفية والمذهبية ( إلخ) في سوريا ، وتحمل تاريخ 23 من الشهر الماضي. وهي بالمناسبة تكاد تكون نسخة محررة عن وثيقة مباحث أمن الدولة في مصر التي ضبطت خلال اقتحام المتظاهرين لمقرات هذا الجهاز في مصر الشهر الماضي!! ورغم أن تاريخ المخابرات العامة في سوريا حافل بهذا النوع من القصص الوضيعة (أبرزها قصة مديرها العام الأسبق اللواء محمد بشير النجار الذي فبرك أشرطة فيديو لمذيعات في التلفزيون ولوزراء وضباط ، وانتهى إلى السجن بتهمة الفساد ، قبل أن يموت فيه!)، فإن هذا لا يعني أن كل ورقة تحمل اسم المخابرات العامة يمكن أن تكون صادرة عنها بالضرورة.
ولكي لا نطول بالشرح ، نعرض أدناه “الوثيقة ” المزعومة ( اضغط عليها من أجل صورة مكبرة) ، ومكامن التزوير ، قبل أن نقارنها بوثيقة أصلية صادرة عن الإدارة نفسها.
مكامن التزوير:
أولا ـ في شكل “ترويسة” الورقة . فهي مكتوبة بطريقة عادية على الكومبيوتر ، بينما الأوراق الرسمية لإدارة المخابرات العامة مطبوعة بنظام “أوفست” المطبعي التقليدي ، مع وجود ” شعار الجمهورية” ( النسر) في أعلى ووسط الورقة. هذا مع الإشارة إلى أن الإدارة تستخدم الخط ” الثلث المشكل” والخط “الفارسي” حصرا في ترويس مطبوعاتها.( قارن مع نموذج عن الترويسة الحقيقية منشور جانبا).
نموذج من ترويسة لإحدى وثائق المخابرات العامة ، وقد امتنعنا عن نشرها كلها كيلا يستفيد النصابون منها مستقبلا لتزوير أوراق أخرى

ثانيا ـ كافة أختام المخابرات العامة وفروعها شكلها بيضوي ، وتتضمن اسم المخابرات العامة ( بالخط الفارسي) في الجزء العلوي من الخاتم ، بينما يتضمن جزؤها السفلي رقم الفرع ( الفرع 285 ، الفرع 251 .. إلخ). وهو ـ بالمناسبة ـ نظام موحد مع شعبة المخابرات العسكرية ، لأن المصصم والمصنّع جهة واحدة ( مطابع وزنغوغراف الجهة نفسها التي تطبع وثائق الدولة الخاصة وتصنّع أختامها). وحين تكون الوثيقة صادرة باسم قيادة الإدارة ، وليس باسم فرع من فروعها، يكون الجزء العلوي متضمنا اسم “الجمهورية العربية السورية” ، أما جزؤها السفلي فمكتوب عليه عبارة” إدارة المخابرات العامة”.
ثالثاـ جميع الأختام الرسمية العائدة لإدارة المخابرات العامة (والأجهزة لأخرى) تتضمن شعار الجمهورية العربية السورية في المنتصف ( النسر الذي يتجه رأسه نحو يمين الصورة).
رابعاـ و هو ما كان طرف الخيط الذي قادنا إلى اكتشاف التزوير عبر الفحص ببرنامج فتوشوب، فإن المزور( رضوان زيادة؟) ، الشديد الغباء كما يبدو ،عمد إلى قص الخاتم المستطيل المفبرك ولصقه على الورقات الثلاث . وما يؤكد ذلك أن درجة ميلان الخاتم واحدة ومتطابقة تماما في الورقات الثلاث!! وغني عن البيان أن أي إنسان لا يمكن له أن يمسك خاتما ويختم به ثلاث ورقات ، ولا حتى ورقتين، ويحافظ على زاوية ميلانه نفسها في عملية ختمها! فهذا مستحيل على أي بشري أن يقوم به ، إلا إذا كنا نتحدث عن عالم الجن والعفاريت!( ليجرب أحد منكم ذلك بنفسه). هذا فضلا عن أن درجة كثافة الحبر هي نفسها في الأختام الثلاثة ( كما أظهرها التحليل). وهذا مستحيل أن يحصل في الحالة الطبيعية!
خامساـ المخابرات العامة ، وغيرها من أجهزة المخابرات والمؤسسات المدنية والعسكرية ، لاتستخدم عبارة ” سري جدا” ، وإنما ” سري للغاية” ، وأحيانا ” سري للغاية يفتح بالذات” إذا كانت موجهة إلى جهة شخصية أو اعتبارية محددة دون غيرها.
سادسا ـ كافة وثائق إدارة المخابرات العامة ، وغيرها من الأجهزة، تتضمن عبارة فرعية في نهاية الوثيقة تقول ” المرسل إليهم” ، تليها الجهات التي أرسلت إليها الوثيقة.
سابعا ـ النص الذي صيغت به “الوثيقة” ليس مثيرا للسخرية والضحك فقط ، بل ويؤكد أن من كتبه لا يختلف عن الجحش في أي شيء ، وأنه لا يعرف شيئا عن أجهزة النظام ، ولم يطلع في حياته كلها على وثيقة داخلية عائدة لإحدى أجهزة مخابرات النظام . تصوروا أن جهاز مخابرات رسميا يستخدم في الحديث عن نفسه عبارة ” أركان النظام” كما لو أنه يكتب عن جهة معادية أو معارضة!! وهذا ما يدعم المعلومات التي تلقتها”الحقيقة” من واشنطن ، ومن داخل قناة”الحرة” نفسها ، عن أن رضوان زيادة هو من صاغها. ذلك لأنه سبق له أن نشر كتيبا عن” صناعة القرار في سوريا” يعتبر فضيحة غير مسبوقة ، ويستوجب سحب شهاداته منه دون تردد. وهو ـ إلى ذلك ـ يشبه في أسلوبه وأسلوب فهمه للنظام ما جاء في كومة الخراء هذه التي يسميها”وثيقة”!
ثامنا ـ لا تتضمن الوثيقة المزعومة اسم أي شخص مسؤول عن توقيعها، كما لو أنها مرسلة من عالم الجن إلى عالم العفاريت!
تاسعا ـ لعل الإشارة الأكثر بلاغة عن تفاهة رضوان زيادة ، ولا نعرف من أين أتى هذا الطفيلي على عالم حقوق الإنسان والديمقراطية والبحث فيهما، هو أنه يتحدث في وثيقته عن اللواء حسن خليل رئيس شعبة المخابرات العسكرية الأسبق باعتباره أحد أساطين عملية القمع الجارية . ومرد ذلك إلى أنه لا يعرف أن حسن خليل مصاب بشلل دماغي وشلل نصفي منذ أكثر من عام ونصف، ولا يستطيع الذهاب حتى إلى الحمام سوى محمولا أو أن يقضي حاجته في الفراش كأي مريض مقعد! ( عافى الله جميع المرضى ، الخصوم والأعداء قبل الأصدقاء).وهي في الواقع ـ وبالمناسبة ـ تشبه روايته ( في حديث آخر) ، ورواية آخرين غيره ، عن إعادة علي دوبا إلى القصر الرئاسي ليستعين النظام بخبراته الأمنية ! هل يعرف هؤلاء أين علي دوبا الآن ، وكم عمره ، وما هو وضعه الصحي هو الآخر!؟
عاشراـ ما لا يقل تأكيدا على أن من كتبها أحمق حقيقي ولا يختلف عن البغل في شيء ، هو أنه وضع لها تاريخ 23 آذار / مارس الماضي ، بينما يتحدث فيها عن “خطاب الرئيس الأسد” ، الذي كان بعد ذلك بأسبوع ( 30 آذار / مارس) ، ولم يتقرر إدلاؤه به إلا حين خرج نائبه فاروق الشرع بتاريخ 28 آذار / مارس ليقول لوسائل الإعلام “إن الرئيس الأسد سيتحدث إلى الشعب قريبا وسيطمئنه..إلخ”!!؟ فهل رأيتم في حياتكم بغلا على هذه الدرجة من الحيونة؟ نعم ، هناك من هو أكثر حيونة منه : وسائل الإعلام التي تروج لها!

December 7th, 2011, 10:47 pm

 
 

jad said:

I wish that Ghalyoun along any body who promote and support starving Syrians to be subjected to the starvation they are calling for. Sadistic criminals.

مصدر في “المجلس الوطني” يكشف لـ”الحقيقة” تفاصيل المحادثات مع الوزيرة الأميركية

غليون لكلينتون: لا مجال لإركاع النظام السوري إلا بتشديد العقوبات والحصار وتجويع السوريين ودفعهم إلى الانتفاض جماعيا ، والتشويش على القنوات السورية!؟

جنيف ، بروكسل ـ الحقيقة ( خاص) : كشف مصدر وثيق الصلة بـقيادة “المجلس الوطني السوري” أن أعضاء “المجلس” و وزيرة الخارجية الأميركية الذين التقوا في جنيف “اتفقوا على وضع حد للمبادرة العربية واعتبارها بمحكم الميتة”. وقال المصدر لـ”لحقيقة” إن رئيس الوفد الدكتور برهان غليون وزملاءه ” طرحوا على الوزيرة الأميركية فكرة تجاوز المبادرة العربية باعتبارها مجرد وسيلة لإطالة عمر النظام السوري ، وأن أي تأخير في تحويل الملف السوري إلى مجلس الأمن لن يفيد منه سوى النظام” ، إلا أن كلينتون كانت صريحة جدا معهم ، إذ ورغم أنها وافقت على التقويم الذي قدمه أعضاء “المجلس” ، لم تتردد في إبلاغهم بأن ” إحالة الملف السوري إلى مجلس الأمن لا طائل منه طالما بقيت العقبة الروسية ( الفيتو الروسي) في الطريق ، وهي عقبة يبدو من شبه المستحيل تجاوزها على المستوى المنظور” . وهنا ، بحسب المصدر، اتفق الطرفان على اللجوء إلى الدول العربية من أجل “ممارسة الضغوط الاقتصادية والمالية على روسيا واستهداف مصالحها في العالم العربي من خلال تكوين لوبي ضاغط ، بما في ذلك دفع دول الخليج ، لاسيما السعودية وقطر، إلى رفع إنتاجها من النفط والغاز إلى أعلى مستوى ممكن بهدف ضرب أسعار النفط والغاز في السوق الدولية وتكبيد روسيا المزيد من الخسائر”!! ذلك فضلا عن العمل على ” دفع الجامعة العربية للتوجه إلى مجلس الأمن بطلب استصدار قرار دولي لإدانة سوريا وفرض المزيد من العقوبات “. المصدر أكد أن أعضاء “المجلس” بدوا في نهاية اللقاء”يائيسن جدا ومحبطين من إمكانية دفع النظام السوري إلى الركوع إلا عبر تطبيق حصار اقتصادي مشدد يؤدي إلى تجويع الشعب السوري ، الذي لن ينتفض بوجه النظام على نحو جماعي إلا إذا عضه الجوع و انهارت مؤسساته” وفق تعبير غليون للوزيرة الأميركية. وكشف المصدر أن غليون طلب صراحة من الوزيرة الأميركية ” استخدام التكنولوجيا العسكرية الأميركية ( الفضائية خصوصا) للتشويش على القنوات السورية والقنوات اللبنانية المؤيدة للنظام السوري ، لاسيما قناة المنار ، واستخدام نفوذها لمنع شركات الأقمار الصناعية العربية والأجنبية ( نيل سات ، عرب سات ، هوت بيرد .. إلخ) من بث برامج التلفزيون السوري وبرامج القنوات الأخرى المشار إليها ، أسوة بما حصل مع قناة الدنيا التي أخرجت من نطاق بث القمر الأوربي بعد العقوبات التي طالتها”.

على صعيد متصل ، ودائما حسب المصدر الذي رافق ةفد “المجلس” إلى جنيف ، فإن الوزيرة الأميركية أبلغت الوفد حين حديثه عن الاقتراح الفرنسي بفرض ” ممرات إنسانية” بأن هذا الاقتراح ” عديم الجدوى ولا معنى له وغير قابل للتطبيق دون موافقة مجلس الأمن ، وهذه مرهونة بدورها برفع الفيتو الروسي”. لكنها ” اتفقت مع الوفد السوري على إبقاء فكرة المنطقة العازلة على جدول الأعمال والبحث بشأنها مع الحكومة التركية ، بحيث يجري تطبيقها من قبل تركيا وحدها وبمبادرة منها ، الأمر الذي سيؤدي إلى مواجهة عسكرية مع سوريا يكون الحلف الأطلسي عندها مضطرا للتدخل في مرحلة من مراحلها انطلاقا من واقع أن تركيا عضو في الحلف ويحق لها طلب المساعدة العسكرية منه”!

يشار في هذا السياق إل أن هيثم المالح انضم رسميا إلى “المجلس الوطني” والتحق بوفده في جنيف ، لكنه وصل متأخرا إلى الاجتماع ، الأمر الذي لم يسمح له بأكثر من المشاركة في التقاط الصورة التذكارية!

December 7th, 2011, 11:06 pm

 

ann said:

Syria urges citizens to vote in municipal elections – 2011-12-08

http://www.taiwannews.com.tw/etn/news_content.php?id=1781254

The regime of President Bashar al-Assad on Wednesday urged Syria”>Syrians to vote en masse in municipal elections to be held on Monday, while the crackdown on dissent showed no signs of abating.

“December 12 is an important moment. All citizens must take part in the municipal elections and vote for the candidates they consider best capable of defending the public interest,” wrote Al-Baath, the newspaper of the ruling party which has been in power since 1963.

Monday “is a crucial date and a very important step in the road to decentralisation and democracy,” it added, stressing that these elections are a means for Syria”>Syrians to “participate in decision-making and building the nation.”

“We are in a working process, during which everyone must redouble their efforts… so that Syria”>Syria remains a fortress of resistance and national unity,” the newspaper continued.

A special indelible ink will be used for the first time in the local elections “to prevent any fraud,” said the Syria”>Syrian local administration minister, Omar Ghalawanji.

On the ground, clashes between the regular army and a group of deserters shook the town of Saraqeb in Idlib province near the border with Turkey, a rights group said.

“A vehicle carrying army troops was destroyed,” said the Syria”>Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a watchdog based in Britain.

Also in Idlib, “military forces raided houses and arrested three militants,” in the vicinity of Saraqeb, while “some 50 armoured vehicles, including tanks and troop carriers, came under attack in the village of al-Rami,” it added.

Activist say more than 100 people have been killed in Syria”>Syria since Saturday and the UN estimates that at least 4,000 have died since March when anti-regime protests erupted.

President Bashar al-Assad in a US television interview released Wednesday questioned the UN’s toll and denied ordering the killing of protesters, saying that only a “crazy person” would do so.

December 7th, 2011, 11:27 pm

 

Ghufran said:

لندن ـ ‘القدس العربي’ تقدم وفد ‘هيئة التنسيق الوطنية لقوى التغيير الديمقراطي’ السورية المتواجد حاليا بالقاهرة امس الاربعاء للجامعة العربية وللقوى السورية المعارضة بمشروع لانعقاد المؤتمر السوري العام، والذي شجعت الجامعة العربية على انعقاده لتوحيد صفوف المعارضة السورية.
وقالت هيئة التنسيق في مشروع القرار والذي اطلعت ‘القدس العربي’ على نسخة منه ان
مبادرة الجامعة العربية بالنسبة لهيئة التنسيق الوطنية، ‘فرصة بالغة الأهمية، لتحقيق حالة تجاوز وارتقاء إلى شكل قادر على وضع حد لتعدد أصوات المعارضة الديمقراطية، وضم كل الجهود والطاقات الجماعية والفردية في مؤتمر جامع يمثل بشكل مقبول ومعقول أغلبية تنال ثقة المجتمعين السياسي والمدني ـ الأهلي’.
واضافت الهيئة ان هذا المؤتمر ‘يجب أن يشكل النواة الأساس لجسم سيادي يناضل لإسقاط النظام بكل مرتكزاته ورموزه، ولوضع برنامج للإنتقال الديمقراطي وبناء الجمهورية المدنية الديمقراطية التعددية القائمة على دولة المواطنة والقانون واحترام حقوق الأشخاص والجماعات وضمان الحريات الأساسية والعدالة الاجتماعية في ظل وحدة التراب والوطن السوري كجزء من الوطن العربي’.
وقالت الهيئة من ‘مخاطر الشحن الطائفي والتسلح العشوائي واحتمالات اتساع مظاهر العنف وتراجع القدرة على الإعتصام والتظاهر الواسع الذي يسمح بالإنتساب الأكبر للحراك الاجتماعي المدني في البلاد، وهو الذي يجب أن يجري العمل المشترك بين الجميع ليكون القوة الكبرى للثورة والتغيير، حفظا لوحدة المجتمع والتراب’.
ورفضت هيئة التنسيق الوطنية مشاركة أي طرف يدعو للتدخل العسكري الخارجي، كما رفضت مشاركة أي شخص متورط في جرائم اقتصادية أو سياسية.
واكدت الهيئة على أن المشاركين في هذا المؤتمر متفقون على رفض ومقاومة أي شكل من أشكال الطائفية والتجييش المذهبي والعنف والعسكرة والإقصاء، وأن يكون المؤتمر محطة أساسية لتوحيد جهود قوى وشخصيات المعارضة، أو تنسيقها وتعاونها الواسع على الأقل، على طريق استكمال وحدتها التي تطلبها قوى الثورة.
واقترحت هيئة التنسيق الوطنية تشكيل لجنة تحضيرية من ثلاثة أعضاء من هيئة التنسيق وثلاثة أعضاء من المجلس الوطني وثلاثة أعضاء من الحراك الشعبي وممثل عن المجلس الوطني الكردي وممثل عن النشاط النقابي وثلاثة ممثلين عن الشخصيات العامة. تكون مهمة هذه اللجنة التحضيرية الإعداد لمؤتمر سوري عام يتحدد أعضاؤه بين 120 و140 عضوا على أن يكون توزيع الأعضاء المشاركين كما يلي: هيئة التنسيق الوطنية (35 عضوا، المجلس الوطني السوري (35) عضوا، الحراك الشعبي 20 عضوا، الأحزاب والشخصيات الكردية 10 أعضاء (رقم مرتبط بالمستجدات التنظيمية الكردية)، الشخصيات الوطنية العامة 20 عضوا.
ويعتمد المؤتمر الآليات التي يجدها مناسبة لإدماج مزيد من القوى والشخصيات التي يمكن أن تبرز في سياق الحراك الثورة والحرة الاجتماعية المدنية.

December 7th, 2011, 11:33 pm

 

Ghufran said:

عبد الباري عطوان
امريكا والمانيا وفرنسا سحبت سفراءها لانهم تعرضوا للقذف بالبيض الفاسد والطماطم العفنة، عندما حاولوا اقامة جسور اتصال ببعض قيادات المعارضة السورية، واحتجاجا على عدم توفر الأمن للبعثات الدبلوماسية الأجنبية في دمشق. فماذا تغير، البيض الفاسد ما زال متوفراً بكثرة لدى الموالين للنظام، وسحب السفراء مرة أخرى لن يخيف السلطات السورية اذا ما تكرر، لأنها تعرف مسبقاً ان الغرب منافق وخائف، ولا يتسطيع تكرار السيناريو الليبي في سورية. فالتدخل العسكري الأجنبي محفوف بالمخاطر، وروسيا والصين تقفان بالمرصاد لأي محاولة في مجلس الأمن الدولي لاستصدار قرار بتشريع مثل هذا التدخل.
المعارضة السورية التي اجتمعت بالأمس مع السيدة هيلاري كلينتون في جنيف ستصاب بالاحباط حتماً، وكذلك وزراء الخارجية العرب، والصقور منهم على وجه الخصوص، الذين تشجعوا بالقرارات الغربية بسحب السفراء وحذوا حذوها، بل وذهبوا أبعد منها عندما أغلقوا السفارات.
‘ ‘ ‘
هل نفهم من هذه الخطوات ان الدول الغربية باتت تميل الى حل سياسي في سورية يقوم على مبدأ الحوار لا المواجهة، ام ان شن هجوم عسكري ضد ايران بات وشيكاً مع قرب اكتمال سحب القوات الامريكية من العراق، خاصة ان اكثر من مسؤول امريكي صرح بعدم استبعاد اقدام اسرائيل على مهاجمة البرامج النووية الايرانية، دون التشاور والتنسيق مع الأم الامريكية، مثلما كان عليه الحال في الهجوم على المفاعل النووي العراقي ‘تموز’؟
من المؤكد ان هناك ‘طبخة ما’ جرى اعدادها بهدوء، وباتت على وشك النضج، وما عودة السفراء الجماعية هذه إلا احدلى علامات اطلاق الضوء الأخضر لتطبيقها، سلماً أو حرباً.
انصار سورية في بيروت يتنفسون الصعداء، ويتحدثون بثقة عن استعادة النظام لزمام الأمور في الداخل، بل ان هناك من يتحدث بأن الرئيس السوري سيلقي خطاباً بعد أيام معدودة يعلن فيه انتهاء الانتفاضة، أو انهاءها كلياً. ونسألهم ولكن ماذا عن الشهداء، ماذا عن التغيير الديمقراطي، والقضاء المستقل والتعددية الحزبية؟. فيأتي الرد ابتسامة لها أكثر من معنى لا تسر المراهنين على هذه المطالب المشروعة.
ما نعرفه ان امريكا تتخلى عن حلفائها وتبيعهم بأرخص الاثمان اذا توافق ذلك مع مصالحها، والأكراد في شمالي العراق يملكون سجلاً حافلاً في هذا المضمار، ونخشى ان تكون الانتفاضة السورية هي الضحية المقبلة.

December 7th, 2011, 11:44 pm

 

Ghufran said:

Turkish business community may be at odd with their government’s sanction decision
http://www.elaph.com/Web/Economics/2011/12/700988.html

December 7th, 2011, 11:56 pm

 
 

Syrialover said:

Straight away as expected, the paid observers from the Assad machine were quick with the thumbs down on my comment #35 about the interview.

Come on, keep us entertained, tell us what you are paid to say was thumbs up about Assad’s creepy performance.

December 8th, 2011, 12:17 am

 
 

Revlon said:

42.
You said:
((- Zibaleh’s most famous fake document.
– Bunch of idiots))

Your quoted scource said, in Arabic and English Translation):

(( من كتبه لا يختلف عن الجحش في أي شيء
He Who wrote it is “Jack Ass Donkey”

رضوان زيادة النصاب
The Cheat Radwan Ziyade

يشبه في أسلوبه وأسلوب فهمه للنظام ما جاء في كومة الخراء هذه التي يسميها”وثيقة”!
His style and understanding resembles the pile of shit that he calls document

من كتبها أحمق حقيقي ولا يختلف عن البغل في شيء ،
He Who wrote is is a true muel head

فهل رأيتم في حياتكم بغلا على هذه الدرجة من الحيونة؟ نعم
Have you ever seen more myuel than this one?))

You probably have more in common with your source than the vulgar taste for wards, it is who both of you are!

How about who your scource is/are and their rebuttal of the document?!
Later…

December 8th, 2011, 12:42 am

 

jad said:

Syria is not allowed to even mention the PKK but Oglu pash and the Turkish government can support the terrorists, train them, armed them and send them into Syria to kill!

مصدر للسفير: اوغلو اعلن ان تركيا تعمل لإقامة منطقة عازلة مع سوريا

وقال مصدر دبلوماسي رفيع المستوى في بروكسل لـ«السفير» إن وزير الخارجية التركي احمد داود اوغلو ابلغ وزراء خارجية حلف شمال الأطلسي أن تركيا تواصل العمل واتخاذ الإجراءات الضرورية على حدودها مع سوريا، من أجل إقامة منطقة عازلة في المنطقة الشمالية، لاستقبال اللاجئين المدنيين، في ظل صعوبة العمل على إنجاز ممرات إنسانية إلى المدن السورية المحاصرة.
وقال المصدر الدبلوماسي إن الوزير التركي أبلغ نظراءه في الحلف أن الدبلوماسية التركية ماضية في بذل الجهود لتصعيد الضغوط على النظام السوري بكل الوسائل، وعبر التنسيق مع الجامعة العربية، لمضاعفة العقوبات الاقتصادية لتشديد الطوق على الحلقة المقربة من الأسد، لكنه استبعد لجوء بلاده إلى اي عملية عسكرية في سوريا.
ونقلت صحيفة «ميللييت» التركية عن سيبل ادموندس، أحد العاملين السابقين في مكتب التحقيقات الفيدرالي الأميركي «اف بي آي»، قوله إن «المعارضين من أعضاء الجيش السوري الحر يتلقون تدريبات سرية في مخيمات مدينة هاتاي الحدودية مع سوريا».
وأضاف إن «ضباط القوات الأميركية وحلف شمال الأطلسي يقومون بتدريب المعارضين السوريين في قاعدة انجيرليك لإعدادهم لإطاحة نظام بشار الأسد». وأضاف أن «المعلومات الواردة إليه من مصادر أميركية وتركية تشير إلى أن أعضاء الجيش الحر بزعامة العقيد رياض الأسعد يتدربون في قاعدة انجيرليك منذ شهر أيار الماضي، وأن أميركا تدرب المعارضين بالإضافة إلى تقديمها الدعم المالي والسلاح لهم».
البيت الابيض

December 8th, 2011, 1:02 am

 

jad said:

Ghufran, Enjoy!

قصيدة للشاعر والاكاديمي
الفلسطيني الكبير
د. أحمد حسن المقدسي

elmaqdisi@hotmail.com
( خاص بعرب تايمز)
***
لا تـُـسقِطوا الشام َ يا أعـراب ُ ، واعتبِروا هـذي جـَهنم ُ فـي بغـداد َ تـَـسـْـتعِر ُ
اللعبة ُ ابـتدأت ْ.. واللا عـبون َ أتـَـوا وكاتـب ُ النــَّـص ِّ خـلف َ الـباب ِ مـُـستـَتِر ُ
والحرب ُ توشـك ُ أن ْ تـُـلقي مَعاطِـفـَها وَقــودُها الــنـفط ُ والـدّولار ُ والبـَـشـَر ُ

ماذا أقـول ُ ؟ وهل تـُـجْدي مـُـعاتـَبَتي
وعـُـصْبة ُ الـشَّر مــن ْ صـُهيون َ تأتـَـمِـر ُ

ماذا أقـول ُ لأعــراب ٍ تـُـحَرِّكـُهم
كـف ُّ العـمالة ِ والأحـقاد ُ والـبـَطـَر ُ

فـأي ُّ جامعة ٍ تـلك َ الـتي خــَـنـَعَت ْ
فــيها التـــَّـآمـُـر ُ بالأخلاق ِ يَـعْــتـَمِر ُ

قــرن ٌ وجامـعة ُ الأشـرار ِ في صَــمـَم ٍ
فالأرض ُ تـُنـْهــب ُ، والأعـراب ُ مـا نـَـفـَروا

والقـدس ُ تـُـذبح ُ مِــثل َ الطيْر ِ راعِـفة ً
فأطـْـرق ٌ القـوم ُ ، لا حِــس ٌّ ولا خـَـبَر ُ

كـم ْ قبـَّـلوا كــَـف َّ جـَـزّار ٍ يُـقـَـتـِّـلنا
وفـوق َ أشـلائنا يا ويْـحَهم سـَـكِروا

هــل تـِلك َ جـامعة ٌ أم تِـلك َ مَـزبلة ٌ يَسوسُها في زمان ِ العـُهْـر ِ مـَن ْ صَـغـُروا
هــذي الــزَّريْـبـَة ُ ما عـادت ْ تــُـمـَثــِّـلـُنا مـادام َ تـَسـكنها الثــيْران ُ والحـُــمُر ُ

اليوم َ أنعـي لأهـل ِ الخـير ِ جامعة ً
عـَـرّابـُـها الـدُّب ُّ والأفـّـاق ُ والــقـّذِر ُ

لـو ذرّة ٌ مـِــن ْ حـياء ٍ في وُجُوهـِهـِم ُ
لأشـعلوا النار َ فـي الإسـْـطبل َ وانتـحروا

***

لا تقتــلوا الــشام َ فالــتاريخ ُ عـَــلـَّمنا أن َّ العـُــروبة َ دون َ الــشام ِ تـَــندَحِـر ُ
فــأمـَّة ُ العـُــرْب ِ لا تـَــفـْنى بـلا قـَــطـَر ٍ لـكــنها دون َ رُمـْـح ِ الـــشام ِ تنكــسِر ُ
ولــن ْ نعيــش َ كأيتــام ٍ بــلا حـَــمَـد ٍ ولـن نمــوت َ إذا مــا أ ُلغِــــيَت ْ قــَــطـَر ُ

لكـننا دون َ سـَــيْف ِ الـــشام ِ جارية ٌ
يـَـلوطـُها التـُّـرْك ُ .. والرومان ُ .. والتـَّــتـَر ُ

قـبائـل ُ النـفط ِ باسـم ِ الــحُب ِّ تقتـُــلـُنا
فالـحُب ُ فـاض َ بـهم ْ، والعـِـشق ُ ينفجـِــر ُ

عـواصِـم َ المِلح ِ عـودوا عـن مَحَــبَّتِكـُم
فلـدغة ُ الحـُـب ِّ مــنْ أنيابكم سـَـقـَر ُ

يا مرحـبا ً بـِـدِمُــقــراطية ٍ هـَـبَطـَـت ْ
مِـن َ الـسماء ِ وقــد كانوا بـها كـفروا

هـذا الـــزواج ُ مــن الموساد ِ نعرِفـُــه ُ ولــيس َ يـُخـْــطِئه ُ سـَــمْـع ٌ ولا بـَــصـَر ُ
هـذي دموع ُ تماسـيح ٍ ، فـما ذ ُرفـت ْ لـشعْب ِ غـــزة َ والآلاف ُ تـُــحْتـَضـَر ُ
هـذا العـويل ُ علــى الأرواح ِ لـم نـَرَه ُ والناس ُ تـُـطـْبَخ ُ في قـانا وتنـْــصَهـِر ُ
وفـي العـراق ِ صـَـمَتـُّم ْ صـَــمْت َ مـَــقـْبَرَة ٍ وآلة ُ المـوت ِ لا تـُــبقي ولا تـَـذَر ُ

أمـَّا القـَـطيف ُ ، فـَـهُم ْ أبــناء ُ جــاريـَة ٍ
وقـَــتـْلـُهم طــاعة ٌ للـه ِ يُعـْـــتـَبَر ُ

فما رأيـْـنـَا عــيونا ً أدْمَعَـت ْ دُرَرَا ً
ولا قـُلـوبا ً علـى الأرواح ِ تـَنـْـفـَطِر ُ

***

لا تـقتـلوا الــشام َ إن َّ الـشام َ روضتـُنا دون َ الــشآم ِ يـموت ُ الضَـــوء ُ والــقـَمَر ُ
لا تـَـذْبحوها فــهذي الــشام ُ لوحـَــتـُنا لولا الـــشآم ُ لـمات َ الــشِّـعْر ُ والــــحَوَر ُ
يا شـام ُ صبرا ً ، فإن َّ الغـدْرَ دَيـْــدَنـُهم كـم مـرة ٍ لــتراب الـقـُدس ِ قــد غــدَروا !!

ظـَـنـُّوا الـزَعامَة َ دشـْـداشـا ً ومـِسْـبَحَة ً
ولـحْيـَة ً بـِــسـُموم ِ الـنفط ِ تـَخـْـتـَمِـر ُ

حَسِـبْـتـُهم ْ مـِـن ْ خطايا الأمس ِ قد فـَهِـموا
ظــَــننتـُهم فـَـهـِموا ، لـكنـَّهم بـَــقـَر ُ

***

يا رب ُ عـفوك َ، أنـْـقِذنا بمعجزة ٍ
تـُـزلزلُ الأرض َ فـيهم ، إنـَّهم فـجَروا

December 8th, 2011, 1:09 am

 

ann said:

What Should the U.S. Do about Iraq’s Support of Syria?

December 8, 2011

http://www.iar-gwu.org/node/366

As the violence in Syria has increased dramatically in recent months, much of the international community has condemned the Bashar al Assad regime and imposed sanctions designed to cripple the Syrian economy. The United States has played a key role in denouncing and imposing sanctions on Assad. Many Middle East states, even Turkey, have similarly taken strong positions against Syria. Iraq, however, has consistently supported Bashar al-Assad’s government throughout the uprising, taking a stance similar to that of Iran. While it may initially appear that the United States should put pressure on Iraq to oppose the Assad regime, the reality is that the United States would be better off giving the Iraqi government freedom to determine its own relationship with Syria.

The relationship between Iraq and Syria has historically been contentious. However, in recent years there have been moves toward rapprochement between the two countries for a number of reasons. The growing friendship between Iraq and Iran has impacted Iraq’s relationship with Syria, Iran’s closest Arab ally. In the Iraqi parliamentary elections of 2010, Iran encouraged Bashar al-Assad to support Nuri al-Maliki for another term as prime minister of Iraq, likely contributing to strengthened relations between Iraq and Syria, The fact that Iraq and Iran have articulated many of the same lines regarding Syria suggests that Iraq’s relationship with Iran might be a factor in its support of Syria.

Today, while other Arab states have condemned Syria and called for the regime to step down, Iraq has demonstrated its support. Iraq has not called for Assad to relinquish power, but instead has advocated gradual reform. The Maliki government has made moves to strengthen its economic ties with Syria since before the violence broke out this year and has been strengthening those ties since. This past summer, Iraq hosted a tour of Syria’s top government and business leaders, a visit that led to a new pact to increase bilateral trade. Iraq is now Syria’s biggest trading partner.

The Iraqi government also supports Syria because it fears that if the Assad regime collapses, violence could spill over into Iraq and cause further instability. Sectarianism is another important reason: Maliki is a Shia Muslim who spent years in exile in Syria before returning to post-Saddam Iraq. Quite probably Maliki feels a sectarian affinity for Assad, a member of the Alawite sect of Shia Islam. Maliki and the Assad family both share a common fear of Sunni-led insurgencies.

Many U.S. policymakers think that after nearly a decade of American involvement, Iraq should support the United States by assuming a similar posture against Syria. However, there are important reasons why the United States should not put pressure on Iraq to do so. The American occupation and American influence have grown increasingly unpopular in Iraq. If the United States were to pressure Iraq to cease support of Assad, this would be seen in Iraq as an indication that the United States aims to exert long-term control over Iraq, thereby straining relations with the Iraqi government. American pressure on Iraq to change its stance vis-à-vis Syria would increase anti-American sentiment amongst the Iraqi population. The United States will maintain a diplomatic presence in Iraq even after American forces leave, and strained relations between Iraq and the United States will jeopardize the efficacy of diplomatic programs. Anti-American sentiment in Iraq could also put our diplomats in danger.

The United States is also anxious about Iraq’s support of Syria because it signals a deepening relationship with Iran. However fears of heightened Iranian influence should not lead the United States to tighten the reins on Iraq. Iran will undoubtedly hold some degree of influence over Iraq, but Iraqi leaders have no intention of handing their country over to Iran.

Iraq’s support of Syria is undoubtedly far from ideal. Its financial support will surely extend the life of the Assad regime while the bloodshed continues. But the United States must accept that Iraq will not cease its support for Syria. The United States must therefore continue economic sanctions against Syria without Iraq’s assistance. Pressuring Iraq to submit to American demands will strain our relations with Iraq and significantly compromise our leverage in the future. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta recently said that Iraq no longer needs the protection of the American military. If Iraq is ready to defend itself, then it is ready to choose its own friends.

December 8th, 2011, 1:34 am

 

NK said:

Jad

And why wouldn’t they, they know the Syrian Army can only attack Syrian cities and unarmed civilians, in what your sorry excuse of a prisedent calls (individual mistakes).

Plus who said Syria is not allowed to mention the PKK, you must be busy these days digging worthless articles to copy and paste here that you’re missing the invaluable interviews your favorite channel (Al-Dounia) is airing, a few days ago Sharif Shahadeh pleaded prisedent Assad to open military camps to train the PKK so they can terrorize every Turkish city and show the Turks what Syria is capable of … which to be honest confused me a little because it sounded as if Syria “Al-Assad” can only fund terrorist groups and send them to commit terrorist acts in other countries!

December 8th, 2011, 1:41 am

 

jad said:

NK
‘And why wouldn’t they’
They are waiting for someone brave like you to lead the way to occupy Syria.
‘you must be busy these days digging worthless articles’
I left the important stuff to someone smart like you to whine and bitch about since you are the queen of that.
7el 3anna yah!

December 8th, 2011, 1:55 am

 

Mina said:

I think the interview shows that he is ready to leave, but in an ordered way, and that the preparations are going on with the US.

Hamas was one big reason why Syria was blacklisted, so now that it will be Egypt and Qatar’s problem, we’ll see how long it takes for the West to denounce Qatar!

Still waiting to hear from the smart as…es here what they advise for Homs? Peace corps from the UN?

December 8th, 2011, 2:05 am

 

annie said:

Haytham : the link in English for the petition in favour of Razan

http://www.avaaz.org/en/free_razan

Revlon, your input is priceless; that document is so close to reality it is incredible.

Bashar did it . Had he spoken in Arabic he could have said it better but it would still have been drivel.

December 8th, 2011, 2:22 am

 

annie said:

A statement of appeal to all forces of democracy in Syria and around the world
par لجان التنسيق المحلية في سوريا, mercredi 7 décembre 2011, 22:26

To the national powers inside and outside Syria, to the human conscience, we – the students of the University of Aleppo – urge you to rescue our university after the campus was violated, scientific ethics humiliated, and the sanctity of universities violated by security forces and Assad’s gangs (shabiha). Hundreds of students were arrested, humiliated, savagely beaten, and intimidated, and many were wounded. In addition, many students were threatened with failing grades and expulsion from the university for having chanted for freedom and for seeking to assume a role in rebuilding the country.

As with all revolutions around the world, university students have always been at the forefront, and indeed the basis of, each and every democratic revolutionary change. The barbaric acts and atrocities carried out by the repressive Syrian regime have clearly demonstrated that it has lost legitimacy and its downfall is approaching.

We appeal to all forces of good conscience, worldwide, to consider our plight, and contribute in exposing the crimes of this corrupt regime in order to purge it from our universities and our beloved country, to build a new, democratic Syria.

The Union of Free Students in Syria – Aleppo Branch

December 8th, 2011, 2:28 am

 

Syrialover said:

How unfairly embarrassing for Syrians to have that weirdo parading on world media as their “leader”.

He looks and sounds like a cheap squeaky toy based on a sci-fi character.

You can easily imagine him wetting his pants if his mother reprimanded him.

His children are obviously an artificial insemination job.

December 8th, 2011, 2:57 am

 

SYRIAN HAMSTER said:

Recommendation for Homs

From a smart a.. to a dumb a..

Force the boy-king betho to visit his in-laws house in homs as populist style as he likes to claim, driving his own car with no security detachment whatsoever. That would have a magic effect. don’t you think so. You can hide in the trunk and watch. And take SANA-boy with you, he likes to hear and read vulgarities, it gives him euphoria. I bet you there will be a lot of vulgarity to go around.

December 8th, 2011, 3:18 am

 

Syrialover said:

Mina #58, please a dose of reality. Instead of doing mental contortions analysing Assad’s intentions, look again at that interview, clear your head, think of the people in Syria you know and love and ask how the hell could such a creature (you can’t say “man”) get into that role.

He has zero legitimacy, is there because of the gun and torture and is busily trashing the lives, livelihoods and sanity of millions. A sick joke, time it was over.

Just celebrate the fact you aren’t there freezing without fuel, with no gas for cooking, a failing business and not enough money to eat properly, worried sick because you have young relatives in the army, frightened to travel outside your town, nervous when using the the phone or internet and dreading the collapse of the only country you have.

December 8th, 2011, 3:25 am

 

son of Damascus said:

@ Syrialover

The only people more delusional than betho, are the people supporting him. For they have much more to lose, he can always run away to Russia or Iran, where can they run to?
All they can see after watching and reading the transcripts is that they believe he “wants” to step down. How screwed up and delusional is that.
The regime hand picked Baba Wawa because she vacationed with him, even with that they couldn’t make him seem half sane.

transcripts and video of Baba Wawa talking about Betho back in 2007, what a hack of a journalist and what a hack of a president.
http://newsbusters.org/blogs/justin-mccarthy/2008/07/07/barbara-walters-syrian-dicator-charming-intelligent

December 8th, 2011, 4:04 am

 

Amir in Tel Aviv said:

You are a puppet, Mr. President.

Every country the size of Syria (including Israel) is a puppet of a bigger world power.

You are a puppet of Vladimir Putin. The only thing that stands between you, Mr president, and oblivion, is V Putin. If Putin decides that you go, you go.

Unlike in the US-Israeli relations, where it is not a single person’s decision, in Russia it is. Your presidency, your future and even your life and personal freedom depend on one person’s will. Putin.

You have only yourself to blame for putting yourself in this miserable and hopeless position.
.

December 8th, 2011, 6:09 am

 

Amir in Tel Aviv said:

If Hizballah openly supports the #Syrian regime , we openly and proudly support the #Syrianrevolution and the #Syrian people.
@haririsaad http://twitter.com/haririsaad
.

December 8th, 2011, 6:23 am

 
 

• Assad refuses unfettered access to Arab League monitors | twitterburger.com said:

[…] • Syria viewer Joshua Landis, deliberate by some to be sensitive to a regime, pronounced Assad’s… Discussing Assad’s ABC talk on his blog, Landis wrote: Whether he stays assured of his rectitude, either his primary proclivity is to hang on to power, or either he is simply fearful of a consequences of agreeable management to his opponents, Assad gave no denote that he is carrying second thoughts about his position or is prepared to yield. One contingency interpretation that Syria’s quarrel will be a prolonged one. […]

December 8th, 2011, 6:30 am

 

Mango said:

الى من لديه مشكلة مع الفهم الصحيح
ميدفيديف: مواقفنا من الأوضاع الراهنة في سورية تستند إلى علاقاتنا التاريخية
08/12/2011

أكد الرئيس الروسي ديمتري ميدفيديف أن المواقف والتقييمات الروسية للأوضاع الراهنة في سورية تستند إلى علاقات الصداقة التاريخية والتعاطف المتبادل بين موسكو ودمشق إضافة إلى عدم السماح بانتهاك القواعد الأساسية للقانون الدولي ومبادىء العلاقات بين الدول.

وشدد الرئيس ميدفيديف خلال استلام أوراق اعتماد الدكتور رياض حداد سفيراً فوق العادة ومطلق الصلاحية للجمهورية العربية السورية لدى روسيا الاتحادية في الكرملين أمس على أهمية العمل للتوصل إلى استقرار الوضع في سورية دون أي تدخل خارجي.

وقال الرئيس الروسي إن الأمر الرئيسي في الوقت الحالي يتمثل في أن يتمكن السوريون بعيداً عن أي تدخل خارجي من وقف العنف وإعادة الاستقرار إلى البلاد وإجراء حوار وطني عام وفعال مؤكدا أن روسيا ستبقى إلى جانب سورية وستدعمها بكل الوسائل.

بدوره أعرب السفير حداد عن استعداد سورية للذهاب إلى أوسع تعاون استراتيجي مع روسيا على كل المستويات وإلى أبعد الحدود.

وقدم السفير حداد للرئيس الروسي شرحا للخطوات الملموسة التي تقوم بها القيادة السورية للمضي في تنفيذ الإصلاحات في جميع المجالات السياسية والاقتصادية والاجتماعية وإجراء حوار وطني عام في سورية.

وبحث الرئيس الروسي مع السفير حداد الأوضاع الإقليمية والدولية والأدوار المرسومة لبعض بلدان الشرق الأوسط في المرحلة القادمة على ضوء إقامة قواعد للدرع الصاروخية الأمريكية في المنطقة وما يحمله ذلك من تهديدات لأمن روسيا والبلدان الأخرى.

وزير الخارجية الروسي يؤكد رفض بلاده تحويل خطة العمل العربية إلى انذار للحكومة السورية
وأكد وزير الخارجية الروسي سيرغي لافروف رفض بلاده لان تتوجه الجامعة العربية إلى الحكومة السورية فقط بمطلب يتخذ شكلاً انذارياً لوقف العنف.
وشدد لافروف خلال مؤمر صحفي في العاصمة الليتوانية فيلنوس على رفض روسيا ان تتحول خطة العمل العربية إلى انذار لحكومة السورية موضحا في الوقت نفسه ضرورة وقف العنف فورا من قبل جميع الاطراف والعمل على اقناع السلطات السورية والمعارضة للبدء بالحوار حول سبل تسوية الوضع وتنفيذ الاصلاحات الناضجة في سورية.
من جهة اخرى جدد الوزير الروسي خلال لقاء مقتضب مع وزير الخارجية التركي أحمد داود أوغلو على هامش مؤتمر وزراء خارجية بلدان منظمة الأمن والتعاون في أوروبا رفض بلاده للانذارات والتهديدات باستخدام القوة ولاي تدخل خارجي مسلح في سورية.
وذكرت وزارة الخارجية الروسية في بيان اصدرته أن لافروف وأوغلو بحثا الموقف المحيط بسورية وتم خلال اللقاء الاعراب عن رأي مشترك حول اهمية استخدام خطة العمل العربية لجهة حل الأزمة في سورية.
سانا

December 8th, 2011, 7:10 am

 

Tara said:

Mina

“Still waiting to hear from the smart as…es here what they advise for Homs? Peace corps from the UN?”

Ah Mina..so “feminine”…..You have a highlighted sense of style….that only fits the character who forged the document in #42

bet your husband are so much envied.

December 8th, 2011, 7:28 am

 

Syria, Egypt and Middle East unrest – live updates | world1news.net said:

[…] • Syria viewer Joshua Landis, deliberate by some to be sensitive to a regime, pronounced Assad’s… Discussing Assad’s ABC talk on his blog, Landis wrote: Whether he stays assured of his rectitude, either his primary proclivity is to hang on to power, or either he is simply fearful of a consequences of agreeable management to his opponents, Assad gave no denote that he is carrying second thoughts about his position or is prepared to yield. One contingency interpretation that Syria’s quarrel will be a prolonged one. […]

December 8th, 2011, 8:13 am

 

norman said:

صحيفة: أنقرة تجمد أرصدة سورية بقيمة 110 ملايين دولار

ذكرت صحيفة “الزمان” التركية ان أنقرة جمدت أصول سورية بقيمة 110 ملايين دولار كانت مودعة في بنوكها.

المزيد
I did not know that Syria has so much money.

December 8th, 2011, 8:22 am

 

zoo said:

Syria’s Regime urges Syrians to vote in Municipal Elections
(DP-News – agencies)

DAMASCUS- Syria’s regime urged Wednesday Syrians to vote en masse in municipal elections to be held next Monday, while the crackdown on dissent showed no signs of abating.

“December 12 is an important moment. All citizens must take part in the municipal elections and vote for the candidates they consider best capable of defending the public interest,” wrote Al-Baath, the newspaper of the ruling party which has been in power since 1963.

Monday “is a crucial date and a very important step in the road to decentralisation and democracy,” it added, stressing that these elections are a means for Syrians to “participate in decision-making and building the nation.”

December 8th, 2011, 8:30 am

 

zoo said:

The LCC urge for a ‘dignity’ strike to “mobilize” the Syrians in large cities that will lead to the ‘sudden death of the regime”. Until now, all calls for strikes have failed and have been limited to two or three small towns that have remained restive. Note that ‘strike’ will be competing with the municipal elections day. Many shops will be closed for the election, not for the strike. We will see videos of closed shops “proving” the effectiveness of the ‘strike’.

Syrians launch civil disobedience campaign
http://news.yahoo.com/syrias-assad-says-no-orders-kill-demonstrators-112356741.html

Syrian activists on Thursday launched a campaign of civil disobedience to pile pressure on President Bashar al-Assad, after he drew a stinging rebuke from the US for denying he ordered a deadly crackdown.

The LCC, which organises anti-regime protests on the ground in Syria, appealed for citizens to mobilise for a “dignity strike … which will lead to the sudden death of this tyrant regime.”

The campaign would “snowball… and grow each day of the revolution to reach every home and anyone who wants to live delighted and dignified in his/her country,” said an LCC statement received in Nicosia.

It urged citizens to begin the action on Sunday — the first day of the working week in Syria — starting with sit-ins at work, and the closure of shops and universities, before the shutdown of transportation networks and a general public sector strike.

“The Syrian revolution is… a renaissance against slavery; a scream at the face of humiliation started from the first day as demonstrators cried ‘Syrians are not to be humiliated.’

“The echo of this scream will not vanish till it reaches all ears,” said the English-language statement, adding the strike was “the first step in an overall civil disobedience” campaign which will overthrow the regime.

December 8th, 2011, 8:36 am

 

Edo State News- Updated Every Minute of Every Day! said:

[…] • Syria watcher Joshua Landis, considered by some to be sympathetic to the regime, said Assad’s … Discussing Assad’s ABC interview on his blog, Landis wrote: Whether he remains convinced of his rectitude, whether his primary motivation is to hang on to power, or whether he is simply frightened of the consequences of yielding authority to his opponents, Assad gave no indication that he is having second thoughts about his position or is ready to yield. One must conclude that Syria’s fight will be a long one. […]

December 8th, 2011, 8:38 am

 

Mina said:

Apparently some readers here think that when journalists make interviews they don’t send questions in advance and that the person interviewed does not “validate” the questions. This shows again the naivity of most people who thought an uprising launched on the internet by a few expats and a few leftists on the ground, but supposed to be carried on and achieved by the islamists and the kurds because they are the real numbers on the ground was bound to fail from day one.

December 8th, 2011, 8:39 am

 

Syrialover said:

#65 Yes Assad is a puppet. Especially to his gun-crazy brother and the others surrounding him. There’s evidence they keep him in a toy box and bring him out for special appearances.

But he is looking more and more like a shabby factory reject.

That unmasculine childish voice and bizarre ugly face!

They are even running out of scripts – they are recycling Gaddafi’s “I don’t run the country” line.

December 8th, 2011, 8:44 am

 

Amir in Tel Aviv said:

Do notice that no mnhebak complained or grumbled about the headline:
“Assad’s Parallel Universe”.

I feel a shadow of a doubt among the acute mnhebaks here.
.

December 8th, 2011, 8:45 am

 

norman said:

Zoo,

Are all the political parties participating in the local election and are there quotas and set a side for the Baath party, what are the rules.?

December 8th, 2011, 9:02 am

 

zoo said:

Islamists face the test of incumbency
December 08, 2011 01:17 AM
By Rami G. Khouri
The Daily Star

The ongoing transformations across the Arab world have already ushered in several unprecedented developments – the birth of the empowered Arab citizen, of open political contestation, and of a nascent process of national self-determination. This month we witness yet another historic first: incumbent political Islamists who share executive power, dominate parliaments, enjoy populist electoral legitimacy, and are accountable to their fellow citizens. Electorally triumphant Islamists are no surprise, and thus not so significant or frightening, given their strong support in society. The really important phase of Arab political transformation is not the Islamists’ victories, but the fact that Islamists share executive power and are subjected for the first time to the unforgiving test of incumbency.

Now it really gets interesting, which is why now is also the time when those who have a tendency to panic should take some tranquilizers and calm down, if in fact they are truly committed to democracy as a universal right.

Read more: http://www.dailystar.com.lb/Opinion/Columnist/2011/Dec-08/156274-islamists-face-the-test-of-incumbency.ashx#ixzz1fx4TWABj
(The Daily Star :: Lebanon News :: http://www.dailystar.com.lb)

December 8th, 2011, 9:03 am

 

zoo said:

Norman

Sorry, I don’t know the law, would be useful to find out.

December 8th, 2011, 9:04 am

 

Tara said:

Mina

Sorry Mina, but I’d rather be naive than to be vulgar.

December 8th, 2011, 9:13 am

 

zoo said:

Syria says pipeline blown up by rebel saboteurs
By Dominic Evans

BEIRUT, Dec 8 (Reuters) – A Syrian pipeline carrying oil from the east of the country to a vital refinery in Homs was blown up on Thursday in what the official news agency SANA said was an act of sabotage by an armed terrorist group.

Opposition activists said flames and clouds of thick black smoke were seen at the site of the explosion in a suburb of the city, the epicentre of popular unrest against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad that began in March.

“This is the main pipeline that feeds the Homs refinery,” said Rami Abdulrahman of the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The activist network also reported seven people killed in Homs on Thursday by snipers and in “random” shootings.

Popular protests began in Syria nine months ago, inspired by the wave of revolt across the Arab world. The ferocity of Assad’s crackdown on protests triggered desertions from the armed forces, and now thousands of army defectors have joined a guerrilla army staging hit-and-run attacks on security forces.

SANA said the pipeline was attacked in the Tal Asour area to the northwest of the refinery on the outskirts of Homs, a city of 800,000 where — activists say — about 1,500 people have been killed in the crackdown.

Video on the Internet of the purported blast site showed enormous billows of black smoke rising above a built-up area by a railway line. A Syrian army tank was seen close by.

The Homs refinery serves part of Syria’s domestic requirement for refined oil products. In July SANA said saboteurs blew up an oil export pipeline near Homs which carried oil from Syria’s eastern oilfields to the Mediterranean coast.

December 8th, 2011, 9:36 am

 

zoo said:

We are committed to enforcing Islamic Sharia law – Egyptian Salafist party leader

08/12/2011 By Mohamed Abdou Hasseinein

http://www.asharq-e.com/news.asp?section=1&id=27612

December 8th, 2011, 9:40 am

 

jad said:

It’s funny when the usual empty heads come together just to defend an obvious lie of one valuable member of their herd.
Well, freaks, before you write your priceless whines you may need to take your heads out of each other asses to see reality and to be honest then write something meaningful, but I guess it’s too much to ask from an immature dump talking about vulgarity while his comment start with an A word (how polite) or from the most obvious pathological liar mom SC ever seen.

December 8th, 2011, 9:45 am

 

Jad said:

المعارض هيثم مناع: العقوبات الاقتصادية تؤثر سلباً على السوريين ويجب تقنينها

قال المعارض السوري هيثم مناع ان العقوبات الاقتصادية التي أصدرها مجلس وزراء الخارجية العرب ستترك أثرا سلبيا على المواطن السوري، لذلك يجب تقنينها لتقتصر على عقوبات شخصية تطول كل من ارتكب جرما سياسيا أو اقتصاديا.

ونقلت صحيفة (الرأي) الكويتية اليوم الخميس عن المعارض السوري هيثم مناع قوله ان “العقوبات ليست إجراءات سريعة للتغير السياسي”.

وأشار مناع الى أن “تعامل الجامعة العربية مع الملف السوري جيد في العديد من جوانبه, بل ويتضمن وسائل مبتكرة وجديدة للمرة الأولى تطرحها الجامعة ساهم الربيع العربي بدور مهم فيها”.

وقرر وزراء الخارجية العرب فرض عقوبات اقتصادية وتجارية بحق النظام السوري, بناءا على توصيات وزراء المال والاقتصاد العرب خلال اجتماعهم في القاهرة مؤخرا, وذلك على خلفية انتهاء المهلة التي حددتها الجامعة العربية لتوقيع مشروع بروتوكول خاص يقضي بإرسال مراقبين إلى سورية.

وتضمنت العقوبات تخفيض رحلات الطيران من والى سورية, ووقف التعامل مع المصرف المركزي السوري, ووقف المشاريع التجارية مع سورية, ووقف المبادلات التجارية الحكومية مع الحكومة السورية , بالإضافة إلى تجميد أرصدة مسؤولين سوريين ومنعهم من السفر إلى الدول العربية.

وطالب المعارض السوري بـ “تشكيل محكمة عربية لحقوق الإنسان من أجل الملاحقات الجنائية لجرائم الحرب والجرائم ضد الإنسانية والإبادة الجماعية”.

وقال مناع  ان “أعضاء هيئة التنسيق الوطنية لقوى التغيير الديمقراطي الموجودين في القاهرة ليسوا أغنياء كما يقول المعارضون الآخرون الذين رشقوهم بالبيض عند زيارتهم الجامعة العربية الشهر الماضي”، مضيفاً “نحن معارضة شريفة، هدفنا ليس المال أو المكاسب السياسية كباقي المعارضة، ونحرص على إرسال تبرعات للضحايا السوريين لأننا من يشعر بهم”.

وتابع  “لسنا في حاجة لورقة حُسن سير وسلوك نضالية من أحد، فتاريخنا يتحدث عنا”, مشيراً الى أن “هناك من دخل في قيادات المنظمات خلال الشهر الثاني من عمر الثورة السورية، ولم نكن نسمع بهم أو نعرفهم، وليس لهم تاريخ نضالي”.

واعتبر أن “هناك محاولات لتشويه سمعة المعارضة السورية الحقيقة”.

ويرى مناع إن “المشكلة هي الخلاف حول وجود اتجاه يدعو مباشرة للتدخل العسكري واتجاه يرفض أي تدخل خارجي ويعتبر أن التسليح والتدويل يخدم بعض العناصر وليس الثورة”.

وكان رئيس “المجلس الوطني السوري”، برهان غليون، حذر يوم الثلاثاء من أن الأحداث التي تشهدها سورية في الوقت الراهن، قد تؤدي إلى تدخل عسكري خارجي.

وكان عدد من الناشطين السياسيين والمعارضين السوريين في الخارج طالبوا بإحالة الملف السوري إلى مجلس الأمن, وذلك على خلفية ما أسموه “عمليات العنف والقمع والقتل” الذي تمارسه القوات السورية بحق المدنيين.

وأضاف المناع أن “سورية أمام ثورة ديمقراطية للقضاء على منظومتي الفساد والاستبداد”، مشيراً إلى أنها “قضية تمس كل مواطن سوري وليست قضية طائفية أو قومية ولابد من التمسك بالثورة المدنية الديمقراطية باعتبارها جهاز المناعة الذاتية ضد أي شكل من أشكال الصراع المذهبي أو الطائفي بالبلاد”.

http://syria-news.com/readnews.php?sy_seq=141109

December 8th, 2011, 9:55 am

 

Juergen said:

Not we are naive instead the ones who still believe change and reform can be achieved with this leader in charge.
I can live knowing that there are really ones who take Assadism and Baschar as their sort of religion, their aim of hope, but obviously there are many other reasons which people have to follow still such an obvious leader in deny. I saw an nice picture the other day, one man holding up a sign stating, they say Baschar and no other, we choose : other! Its already that far, the people would most certainly elect anybody who is half decent, has no baath background, no previous government position and comes not from the Assadclan.

December 8th, 2011, 10:01 am

 

majedkhaldoun said:

The desperate regime and Booha supporters are under five categories
Liars, , Delusional,, Naive,,obnoxious,,stupid

December 8th, 2011, 10:12 am

 

jad said:

Assad Supporters – Syria
http://youtu.be/Zh7ksVJuseg

A rare look at Assad’s side of the Syrian story

To see more go to http://www.youtube.com/user/journeymanpictures

Follow us on Facebook (http://goo.gl/YRw42) or Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/journeymanvod)

Despite forcibly threatening any nation that intervenes in Syria, the government continues to complain about the foreign media’s biased allegations. This striking report tries to cover their side of the story.

Assad has run Syria as a one-party state for decades. Fear and suspicion is endemic, with civilians scared that, “if I talk my throat will be cut”. Yet the Syrian government has complained bitterly about the international media bias towards the opposition, claiming they have been misrepresented and atrocities have been fabricated. They argue that the opposition are not as peaceful and idealistic as one assumes, having performed their own, less publicised, “massacres”. Ahmad Arnous, Deputy Foreign Minister, insists, “there’s external interference in our affairs…a conspiracy to topple the Government for the benefit of Israel. The majority of people support the leadership of this country”.

A Film By SBS
Distributed By Journeyman Pictures
October 2011

December 8th, 2011, 10:15 am

 

ann said:

Syria closes border gate with Turkey – 2011-12-08

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2011-12/08/c_131296066.htm

ANKARA, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) — Syria on Thursday closed one of its border gates with Turkey as relations of the two countries have been further strained, the semi-official Anatolia news agency reported.

Syrian officials claimed that the closure of the gate at the Nusaybin town of Turkey’s southeastern province of Mardin was due to maintenance work.

“They have told us that they would open the gate once the maintenance was over,” said Murat Girgin, an official of the town.

A group of around 100 people including Syrian nationals were denied entry into Syria’s Kamisli town and was waiting on the Turkish side of the border, the official said.

On Nov. 30, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu announced a series of sanction measures against Syria, including a freeze on its government assets in Turkey, a blockade of weapons delivery through Turkey, a travel ban on Syrian leaders, and the suspension of relations between the Turkish and Syrian central banks.

Turkey, once a close ally of Syria, has gradually toughened its criticism of the Syrian administration for its alleged crackdown on protests. Turkish leaders have on many occasions called on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to end the crackdown and step down.

December 8th, 2011, 10:37 am

 

louai said:

Dose the west finally came to the realizae that this uprising dose not reflect the majority of Syrians?

The ruling regime in Syria is fraying round the edges but removing Bashar al Assad from power will be a long game.
And there are few signs of defections politically or militarily and most have not yet chosen to move away from supporting the regime in any significant way.
The sense is that Syria’s uprising will be played out over a long period of time.
It is also believed the bulk of the Syrian population do not find the Syrian National Council (SNC) a credible alternative – and there is no question of the SNC gaining international recognition.
http://news.sky.com/home/world-news/article/16125849

December 8th, 2011, 10:43 am

 
 

ann said:

Jordan seeks exemption from sanctions on Syria – 12.08.11

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4159047,00.html

Jordan has asked the Arab League to be exempt from the bloc’s sanctions on Syria over concerns of the toll they will take on the kingdom’s already ailing economy, a senior government official said Thursday.

The Arab League imposed economic sanctions on Syria last month to try to pressure Damascus to end its bloody crackdown on anti-government protesters. (AP)

December 8th, 2011, 10:51 am

 

Jad said:

حمص|8-12-2011|تـقريـر | مضاعفات العمل التخريبي على خط نقل النفط

عشرات الأطفال و المسنين تم نقلهم الى المشافي و المستوصفات
في مناطــق السلطانية و تل الشور و بابا عمرو و كل المناطق القريبة
و المحيطة من مكان تفجير خط النفط .

و حالات من الاختناق و ضيق التنفـس تصيــب الأطفال و الحوامـل و كبـار
السن حتى الناس الأصحاء أصيبوا بحالات من التهيج التنفسي و أحمرار
في العينين و سعال حاد .

و تأخر وصول سيارات الاطفاء الى المكان بسبب استهدافها من
المسلحين أدى الى توسع دائرة اللهب و ازدياد الغمامة السوداء
و نواتج الاحتراق أصابت الجميع بأضرار صحية بشكل مباشر مما
أدى الى انقلاب السحر على الساحر .

فالذين فرحوا بداية الأمر حين سماعهم الخبر هاهم متواجدون
في المستوصفات و المشافي يستنجدون بشمة اوكسجين
و هناك حالة عارمة من الغضب بين السكان .

و قد أخبرنا أحدهم عن الناس و خصوصــا كبار الســن و الأمهات
يكيلون الشتائم علنا لاتباع العرعور بسبب ما أقدموا عليــه من
جريمة كانوا هم أولى ضحاياها.

هذا و حتى الأن لم تعرف الأضرار المادية المباشرة للأهالي
و لسكان المنطقة تحديدا .

December 8th, 2011, 10:58 am

 

Syrian Nationalist Party said:

After 9 months of Moslem genocides and atrocities by ALCIADA-ALARABIYA-ALJAZEERA-ALHARIRIYA paid mercenaries trying to remove Assad and sector Syria, a miserable failure and a dead end venture, all you hear from the loooooooooooooooooooooosers is this:

“…….The desperate regime and Booha supporters are under five categories,
Liars, , Delusional,, Naive,,obnoxious,,stupid…”

Which in fact words can be used to describe them loooooooooosers. They are threatened now that ALCIADA paycheck will not be coming in couple of months and they are contemplating the outcome of the mess they created and their future, flipping burger or will be back selling drugs on the street corner.

December 8th, 2011, 11:02 am

 

Majed97 said:

Looks like that show of democracy in Egypt was just that, a show. The confrontation between Islamists and the military council in Egypt is about to blow up…

From the New York Times
Military Flexes Its Muscles as Islamists Gain in Egypt

CAIRO — Egypt’s military rulers said Wednesday that they would control the process of writing a constitution and maintain authority over the interim government to check the power of Islamists who have taken a commanding lead in parliamentary elections.

In an unusual briefing evidently aimed at Washington, Gen. Mukhtar al-Mulla of the ruling council asserted that the initial results of elections for the People’s Assembly do not represent the full Egyptian public, in part because well-organized factions of Islamists were dominating the voting. The comments, to foreign reporters and not the Egyptian public, may have been intended to persuade Washington to back off its call for civilian rule.

“So whatever the majority in the People’s Assembly, they are very welcome, because they won’t have the ability to impose anything that the people don’t want,” General Mulla said, explaining that the makeup of Parliament will not matter because it will not have power over the constitution.

He appeared to say that the vote results could not be representative because the Egyptian public could not possibly support the Islamists, especially the faction of ultraconservative Salafis who have taken a quarter of the early voting.

“Do you think that the Egyptians elected someone to threaten his interest and economy and security and relations with international community?” General Mulla asked. “Of course not.”

The military’s insistence on controlling the constitutional process was the latest twist in a struggle between the generals’ council and a chorus of liberal and Islamist critics who want the elected officials to preside over the writing of a new constitution.

Just three weeks ago, Cairo erupted in a week of bloody protests set off in part by the military’s attempts to claim permanent powers to intervene in civilian politics and to enshrine in the constitution protection from public scrutiny. Under intense pressure, the military appeared for a time to back down.

But the setting of the general’s remarks — an extraordinary question-and-answer session for an invited group of eight American journalists and one British journalist, without any Egyptian news organizations — indicated that he was also talking to Washington. The Obama administration joined the calls of Egyptian activists for the generals to turn over power “immediately” to a civilian government, and the generals have expected that the threat of an Islamist takeover at the polls might now give Washington pause.

It was unclear if the council planned to ever deliver such a message to the Egyptian public or political parties. Egyptian activists were as incensed that the council laid out its plans to foreigners first as they were by its reassertion of control.

“This is an attempt to stage a coup, and nobody wants it — even the people who are against the Islamists,” said Negad el-Borai, a human rights activist in Cairo.

He accused the military council of playing liberals and Islamists against one another in an effort to preserve its own power. “This is madness,” he said. “They are deciding to push the country toward a broad civil war.”

Saad el-Katanti, secretary general of the Brotherhood’s Freedom and Justice Party, told The Associated Press that his party also believed that the constituent assembly should be broadly representative of all segments of the population. “Why does the council want to interfere?” he said.

General Mulla, for his part, insisted that he respected the fairness and integrity of the election, which began in November and will continue in stages until January. But, he said, “In such unstable conditions, the Parliament is not representing all the Egyptians.”

He also appeared to escalate a mounting confrontation with the Muslim Brotherhood, the Islamist group that is Egypt’s best-organized political force, over control of the interim government.

The Brotherhood, whose political party emerged as the biggest winner in the early election returns, with about 40 percent of the vote, have demanded that the Parliament take over the right to name or dismiss a prime minister; General Mulla insisted that the prime minister would continue to report to the military council.

Although the military’s previous plans for the transition had called for Parliament to pick 100 members of a constituent assembly that would draft the constitution, General Mulla made clear that the military council no longer intended to allow that.

“The majority of the People’s Assembly will not be the only one represented in the constituent assembly,” he said, at times questioning the essential premise that an elected body could represent the general public. “We have a lot of other factions such as workers, farmers, engineers and doctors who are not in Parliament.”

General Mulla insisted that the military council would not intervene directly in the constitutional process, or name individuals to the drafting committee. Instead, he said the council would appoint a civilian advisory council of party representatives as well as artists and intellectuals. This group would make suggestions to the military council while also representing the military council to Parliament.

“They should represent all the Egyptian people, and no one can really oppose this demand,” he said.

He acknowledged that the military’s latest timetable for the transition left only about a month for the drafting of a constitution between the seating of a Parliament and the beginning of a presidential race. But he appeared to believe that the old Egyptian Constitution — built for one-party rule, lacking clear separation of powers or judicial independence, clogged with traces of Nasserite socialism — might not need much fixing.

“A lot of legislators are saying that we have a very good Constitution and a very unique one except for only Chapter 5, about the presidential elections, so we will only amend this chapter,” he said.

Asked if the military would eventually submit to public parliamentary oversight of its budget, General Mulla appeared to find the idea ridiculous, saying he knew of no military whose budget was public.

Asked if the military might intervene in civilian politics in the future, however, he was more circumspect. “The armed forces won’t intervene in the political life of Egypt since the people will consent in the parliamentary bodies,” he said. After the adoption of new government institutions, he said, “there will be no need to intervene.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/08/world/middleeast/egyptian-general-mukhtar-al-mulla-asserts-continuing-control-despite-elections.html

December 8th, 2011, 11:23 am

 

irritated said:

#83 Juergen

What about the millions of Egytians who claims: “Islam, nothing else”
and the Syrian protesters who say” We want a moslem president”

Don’t you think that they are also naive?

December 8th, 2011, 11:43 am

 

irritated said:

#87. louai

About official defections, no one talks about Adnan Bakkour who was on the headlines of the media, forecasting a snowballing in officials defections after the hoax of the Syrian Ambassador in France.

Adnan Bakkour has disappeared and no one cares about him anymore.

Majedalkhadoon promises weeks ago ‘revelations’ once Adnan Bakkour would be in a safe location, like Turkey. Maybe Turkey is not safe location anymore or these are more empty promises…

December 8th, 2011, 11:51 am

 

Juergen said:

Irritated

If all Syrians would go through public schools i would really worry, but Syrians have always depended on private schools which do offer more than the usual baath and Assad lessons.
Syrians have a better knowledge of the world and especially they know their fellow syrians and their religion as well. I believe that you will not find easily an syrian christian who has not been to a mosque or vice versa a muslim who have not been to a church. I have met coptic in Egypt who never set a foot in a mosque, and such misunderstanding, ignorance and nonknowledge will easily led to unrest and rascism if the right person comes around.

In case of Egypt we see more illiterates than under Nasser now, and i believe that all sort of hate and religious extremism has roots in lack of education and most of all in rigid states like Egypt and Syria.

December 8th, 2011, 12:03 pm

 

Ghufran said:

رياض الترك شيخ المعارضين
دعا المعارض السوري البارز رياض الترك، اليوم الخميس، ايران وحزب الله اللبناني، حليفي دمشق في المنطقة، إلى التوقف عن دعم نظام بشار الاسد مؤكدا ان سقوطه امر حتمي. وقال الترك في بيان تلقت وكالة فرانس برس نسخة منه “يفترض ان يكون العدو الاستراتيجي لحزب الله هو اسرائيل وليس الثورات العربية وبالاخص منها الثورة السورية”، معتبرا ان “اي تدخل لهذا الحزب في مجريات الثورة السورية لن يفيد في المدى البعيد لا الثورة السورية ولا الحزب نفسه ولا مستقبل العلاقات التي ستربطه بالدولة السورية”.

واضاف “كم كنت اتمنى على قيادات هذا الحزب بدلا من ان تمعن في تأييد سلطة مستبدة وساقطة حتما ان تلتزم الصمت ازاء الثورة السورية كما فعل حلفاؤها في قيادة حماس”. اما بخصوص الموقف الايراني المؤيد للاسد فقد القى الترك باللوم على “من يتعامى في السلطة الايرانية الحاكمة عن مطالب الشعب السوري المحقة ويمعن في دعمه غير المشروط للسلطة الديكتاتورية السورية وممارساتها الاجرامية بحق شعبها”.

وتابع الترك (82 عاما) الذي يعتبر احد المعارضين التاريخيين لنظام الاسد “يمكنني القول انه في اللحظة التي توقف فيها السلطة الايرانية ويوقف حزب الله دعمهما للسلطة الاستبدادية في سوريا ويحترمان ارادة ورغبات الشعب السوري، فليس هناك من مشكلة معهما، بل يمكنني القول أنه سيكون في صالح الدولة السورية الجديدة”.

كما اكد الترك ان الشعب السوري سيكون قادرا “عندما تؤول الامور لممثليه المنتخبين ديموقراطيا، على تحديد طبيعة العلاقات التي ستجمعه بمختلف الدول والأطراف الدولية والاقليمية، وفقا لمصالحه الوطنية ولموقف هذه الدول والأطراف من ثورته الوطنية”. وشدد على ان الشعب السوري قادر على التصدي “لاي مؤامرات تستهدف لحمته الوطنية ووحدة ترابه وسيادته واستقلاله” في اشارة الى المخاوف من نشوب حرب اهلية بين الاغلبية السنية والطائفة العلوية التي ينتمي اليها الاسد.

كما اكد ان الشعب السوري “لا تربطه اي علاقة عداء او نزاع مع اي من دول المنطقة” سوى اسرائيل وانه “من حق الشعب السوري وواجبه ان يناضل بكل الوسائل المشروعة لاعادة الجولان المحتل إلى الوطن الام”. وكان الامين العام لحزب الله حسن نصرالله انتقد في خطاب القاه الثلاثاء المعارضة السورية وجدد دعمه للنظام السوري.

واشار الى ان ما نقل عن رئيس المجلس الوطني السوري برهان غليون قبل ايام من ان المعارضة “ستقطع علاقاتها مع ايران وحزب الله وحركة حماس” في حال وصولها الى السلطة هي “اوراق اعتماد للاميركي والاسرائيلي، لان عدو حزب الله هو صديق اميركا واسرائيل”. وامضى الترك اكثر من 17 عاما في السجون السورية ابان حكم الرئيس الراحل حافظ الاسد وتم سجنه ايضا من 2001 الى 2003 بعد وصول بشار الاسد الى السلطة.

December 8th, 2011, 12:45 pm

 

Mina said:

Naives are people who don’t admit that you can’t achieve democracy without establishing freedom of religion. And who don’t engage in a dialogue about freedom of religion with the Islamist currents.

December 8th, 2011, 12:50 pm

 

Ghufran said:

Try to ignore the fact that Jihad Maqdisi works for the regime and watch him in the next few months,this guy is going somewhere.
انتقد الناطق الرسمي في وزارة الخارجية والمغتربين جهاد مقدسي أمس التصريحات الأميركية حول مقابلة الرئيس بشار الأسد مع قناة «أي.بي.سي.نيوز» الأميركية، موضحاً أن الناطق باسم الخارجية الأميركية مارك تونر قام «بالسخرية» من كلام الرئيس الأسد و«تحريفه»، موضحاً الوقت ذاته أن دمشق لم تتلق حتى أمس أي رد رسمي من الأمين العام لجامعة الدولة العربية نبيل العربي تجاه التوقيع على مشروع البروتوكول الخاص بإرسال بعثة مراقبين إلى سورية ونحن مازلنا ننتظر الدخان الأبيض من أروقة الجامعة.
(التفاصيل ص 4)
وفي مؤتمر صحفي خصه بالمجمل للرد على تونر قال مقدسي: إن «التصريحات التي سمعناها تتعلق بفحوى مقابلة لم تبث بعد للرئيس الأسد مع «اي. بي. سي» الأميركية أجرته باربرا وولترز، ونأسف ونستهجن ما ورد على لسان تونر عندما قام بالتحريف والسخرية من كلام لم يصدر بالسياق الذي ذكر وهو غير دقيق وغير مهني على الإطلاق.

December 8th, 2011, 12:52 pm

 

Son of Damascus said:

Naive are the people that truly believe a dictator is really gonna bring democracy to his country.
Bashar is all for democracy, just like The Democratic Peoples Republic Of Korea is democratically for the people.

December 8th, 2011, 1:06 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Mina
You are not naive
You and irritated and Ann belong to letter O

There is delay in the major decision in Syria, due to Mr. Erdogan sickness.USA believe this delay should not exceed two weeks

December 8th, 2011, 1:19 pm

 

JMUMoney said:

Read this article and see what yall think? if this is true what is preventing these key communities from breaking their support for Assad’s government and pushing for a genuine democratic process.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sami-moubayed/challenge-for-political-i_b_1129658.html

December 8th, 2011, 1:26 pm

 

Juergen said:

Nice song about Tahrir

December 8th, 2011, 1:26 pm

 

WorldNews2GO » Blog Archive » Syria, Egypt and Middle East unrest – Thursday 8 December said:

[…] • Syria watcher Joshua Landis, considered by some to be sympathetic to the regime, said Assad’s … Discussing Assad’s ABC interview on his blog, Landis wrote: Whether he remains convinced of his rectitude, whether his primary motivation is to hang on to power, or whether he is simply frightened of the consequences of yielding authority to his opponents, Assad gave no indication that he is having second thoughts about his position or is ready to yield. One must conclude that Syria’s fight will be a long one. […]

December 8th, 2011, 1:52 pm

 

louai said:

irritated@94

its strange ,I was thinking about the poor guy Adnan bakour ,how could he ‘defect’ then disappear like that? I think his kidnapers are so stupid and disparate to kidnap him, force him to read the silly statement and then what???? They realized if they release him he will tell the truth so he would be a living trouble for them. his kidnapers they couldn’t care less about what people may think when after all this time they don’t see him anywhere , he was just disappeared like that !!!, I am sure they did the only think they can do which is getting rid of him . the stupid criminals they could just release him and they know that the Arab and international media will not cover any statement he would make but I think they were afraid as he might have recognized some of them .

it’s a moral question to those who still support the revolution and still think it’s a genuine one, where is Adnan bakour ??

December 8th, 2011, 2:08 pm

 

Juergen said:

Visit to Birthplace of Syrian Uprising Finds Pervasive Fear
by Alexander Marquardt

DARAA, Syria – The girl ran up to the camera, asking us to film her. But as soon as the mother saw it she violently yanked her young daughter away. The husband remained, eyes darting as he searched for words in English, then Arabic, finally not saying anything as the conversation drew the attention not just of passersby, but of the ever-present secret police.

This first failed interview at a busy intersection a short walk from this city’s courthouse set the tone for a day here, a deep fear of speaking to outsiders felt by the residents of Daraa, nine months after the Syrian uprising started here. Attempt after attempt to speak with residents on camera was turned down, as agents of the secret police loitered nearby. In a quiet conversation in a clothing store, a man who asked to remain anonymous for his safety, spoke of arbitrary arrests in the middle of the night and “many, many, many deaths.” Another, who dared to speak on the record, accused the Syrian regime of being “worse than animals.”

In an exclusive interview, President Bashar al-Assad promised ABC News that a team — and others, if they were granted visas — would be allowed to travel around the country freely to assess the ongoing “crisis,” as it’s called by the Syrian government.

“Did anyone tell you where to go or where not to go? Nobody,” Assad told Barbara Walters. “You are free to go wherever you want.”

After the interview, Assad’s office reiterated what he said and approved the request to visit the southern city of Daraa, just a few miles from the Jordanian border. It was here in March that a group of school children wrote on a school wall, “The people want to topple the regime.” The children — several in their teens — were rounded up, arrested and reportedly tortured by having their fingernails pulled out. The incident sparked large protests in Daraa that soon spread across the country. Both residents and the local governor say that no one has been arrested.

The road to Daraa is as one might expect during this time of unrest: lined with police cars, army checkpoints and roadblocks of barrels and rocks painted with the Syrian flag. The plan was to visit Dael, a village that has lately been one of the more restive parts of Daraa.

That would be impossible, Governor Mohammed Khalid al Hanous told us as we arrived in Daraa for a courtesy call. For your own safety. Armed gangs were roaming around, they just killed two policemen, he said. There have been widespread reports of attacks by the rebel “Free Syrian Army” of army defectors on security forces around Daraa.

Told of the president’s promise and offered a waiver of responsibility, he responded that “[Assad’s] the one who gives orders and we try our best to obey.”

“However, this is a security issue,” he continued. “Your safety first, period.”

What that meant became clear as we left the governor’s office. Not only would our team not be allowed to travel to Dael, but our car would be joined by eight others full of uniformed and plainclothes police, as well as Syrian state media, which filmed and photographed us all day. (Told of the restrictions and security detail, a presidential aide in Damascus seemed equally frustrated and suggested the waiver.)

Our hastily-assembled motorcade took us to the first stop on our tour, an elementary school. The outside walls were covered in graffiti, much of it painted over but the president’s name, “leave” and “freedom” still visible.

Inside, we happened upon the ribbon cutting ceremony for the students’ art exhibit. Sixth-grader Zain proudly showed off his colorful drawings of gunmen killing soldiers, of terrorists posing as peaceful protesters. Nearby, the logo of the television network Al Jazeera — perceived to be vehemently anti-regime — was painted on a bloody skull. Asked where the school is where the children were arrested in March, a teacher said the story was made up, that the school doesn’t exist.

Sheikh Ahmad al-Sayasna tells a different story. He was the imam of Daraa’s Omari Mosque, one of the oldest in the world. We had been taken there earlier in the day to counter reports in the Arab press that security forces had attacked it. In the sunny courtyard, it did appear undamaged.

When the children were arrested, he and others went to the authorities to ask for their release, he said.

“These are kids, you can’t blame them, make them responsible for writing such things,” said the sheikh. He is blind and hard of hearing; our escorts agreed to take us to see him after several requests. We insisted they stay outside, but with us in the living room were two heavy-set men in suits and ties who said they were family friends. It would soon become obvious they weren’t.

“We went to officials to do something about it but they were deaf,” the al-Sayasna said, sitting on a cushion. “I heard that their fingernails had been pulled out, that they were exposed to torture and beatings,”

Asked about Daraa today, he replied, “the use of force continues.”

At that point, one of the “friends” filming with his cellphone piped up.

“When one side provokes, the other retaliates,” he said. “Change the direction of the questioning.”

No one has been punished for the children’s torture, al-Sayasna continued. “We heard that they [the police officials] have probably been removed but up until now, things have been going in directions that nobody knows…”

In the wake of the children’s arrests, Assad visited Daraa. The old governor was replaced by al-Hanous who points to his appointment and police officials’ dismissals as evidence of accountability.

“I don’t know what else has happened,” he said.

Rising up in his chair, his face flush, Hanous said the unrest is a conspiracy by Israel, the US, the European Union and the Gulf Arab countries (i.e. Sunni Muslim-dominated Qatar and Saudi Arabia). Another request to go to areas of unrest only upset him more.

“Among some of the protesters are armed gangs that have been shooting at protesters and security forces,” he said, an argument made by the Syrian government since March.

We agreed to a stop at the courthouse which was firebombed by the armed militants, the district attorney said. He guided us through charred rooms with piles of burned paper. Criminal files, he says, not civil. Evidence that criminals were trying to erase their past.

Exhausted by the constant security presence, we insist that we be allowed to walk around town alone. Both the police and our Ministry of Information minder acquiesce.

But it’s to little avail, no one wants to talk. And as we walk past shop after shop, we spot the secret police that have been with us all day. The one with the white collar popped, the squat one with the mustache.

Just as the sun starts to set and our mission appears futile, a soft-spoken middle-aged man approaches, speaking accented but fluent English.

I want the regime to fall, Ahmad Abdulrahim says, adding that around thirty percent of Daraa supports Assad. Indeed, another man just passed us and said loudly, “God, Syria, Bashar only.”

Abdulrahim “got a minimum torturing,” but his nephew was killed when he came to Daraa to “open the [military] siege” earlier this year.

“I believe it’s our duty to open the eyes of the world about this regime,” he responds when asked why he was taking a risk in speaking with us as the police watched. “It’s more than evil.”

Eyes brimming with emotion, he switches to Arabic. “This regime is worse than animals, even animals have mercy.”

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2011/12/visit-to-birthplace-of-syrian-uprising-finds-pervasive-fear/

December 8th, 2011, 2:24 pm

 
 

Juergen said:

JMUMONEY

Its a very nice article, and i must say it again from a european point of view, the islamophobia we share here for postrevolutionary regimes is just obscene. We truly engage ourselves into the propaganda of the gone regimes. As the author puts it, 20-25 % of the votes in an monitored free election can be won by islamic parties. As i wrote earlier, Syrians are much more educated and do not follow just the next mufti who opens up a new party. Syrian society is far from extremism. Syrians will write a new constitution which will make unseen the atrocities this regime has committed over more than 40 years to make sure no one can come as Hafis and take over the country and suspend all freedom.

December 8th, 2011, 2:39 pm

 

Tara said:

Juergen

Do you have any Syrian roots? You do not have to answer if it makes you uncomfortable. Your positive views of Syrians are pretty commendable.

December 8th, 2011, 2:50 pm

 

Juergen said:

Tara
No i dont have any roots, just good friends there. I know it may sound kitsch as can, but i fall in love with Syria, no rational approach yet found exactly why.

December 8th, 2011, 3:00 pm

 

jad said:

الحرب على خط العرض 33 .. سورية المفتاح
نادر عزالدين
أسئلة كثيرة تتبادر إلى الذهن عند التفكير بما يحدث في منطقة الشرق الأوسط، وعلى الرغم من محاولة بعض الأطراف الإقليمية والدولية حصر ما يحصل في إطار ضيق لا يتعدى مساحة كل دولة، إلا أن المخطط أكبر من ذلك بكثير. فالتأكيد مراراً وتكراراً بأن الأحداث في سورية مثلاً هدفها تحقيق الديموقراطية وهي نابعة من مطالب شعبية، لم يخف طابعها الإقليمي، خاصة بعد التصريحات الأخيرة لأطراف المعارضة السورية الذين أكدوا على قطع علاقاتهم مع حزب الله وإيران في حال وصلوا إلى الحكم، هذا عدا عن الدعم الأميركي-الأوروبي المطلق لهذه المعارضة.

وبالإضافة إلى الطابع الإقليمي للأزمة السورية، حملت هذه الأزمة طابعاً دولياً مع دخول روسيا والصين كطرف في الأزمة واستخدامهم حق التقض “الفيتو” في مجلس الأمن لدعم النظام برئاسة الدكتور بشار الأسد. ومنذ ذلك الوقت تغير المشهد وباتت المراهنات على إسقاط النظام في سورية تضعف، فما هي مصلحة هاتين الدولتين بحفاظهما على النظام الجمهوري العربي السوري؟ وهل ما يحدث في سورية تتعدى أبعاده الإطار الإقليمي المتعلق بالقضاء على قوى المقاومة التي تقف كحائط سد بوجه طموحات إسرائيل التوسعية ومخططات أميركا لإقامة الشرق الأوسط الجديد؟.. إنها تساؤلات تفرض نفسها بقوّة، خاصة وأن النظام الجمهوري العربي السوري الذي تسانده موسكو وبكين – وقد أرسلت روسيا إلى شواطئه قطعاً من سلاحها البحري وزودته بأنظمة صاروخية وأسلحة فائقة التطور – كل ذلك طرح مجموعة من الأسئلة على المستوى الاستراتيجي.

الجمهورية العربية السورية تتعرض في الوقت الراهن لأشرس حرب دولية هدفها الإطاحة بها والسيطرة على سورية. فما الذي يدفع إذاً روسيا والصين إلى مواجهة المنظومة الغربية الأطلسية وأتباعهم العرب في المنطقة الأميركية الوسطى أو الشرق الاوسط الجديد؟ وإنطلاقاً من الأسئلة المطروحة نبدأ تحقيقنا الذي سيستمر لعدة حلقات نشرح فيها الأسباب الخفية والكبرى للمشروع الذي تعمل أميركا وأوروبا بمساعدة تركيا وأنظمة عربية على تنفيذه انطلاقاً من دمشق وصولاً إلى بكين وموسكو. لا بد من العودة بداية إلى ساعة الصفر، إلى 11 أيلول 2001، حيث تعرضت الولايات المتحدة لعملية إرهابية بقيت أسبابها مبهمة حتى يومنا هذا، ولكن النتائج التي ترتبت عنها كانت كارثية حيث لم تخدم هذه العملية سوى المخطط الأميركي للسيطرة على ما تسميه واشنطن “المنطقة الأميركية الوسطى” أو الشرق الأوسط الجديد.

بداية قامت الولايات المتحدة بشن حرب على أفغانستان وسيطرت عليها بحجة وجود قائد تنظيم القاعدة أسامة بن لادن فيها، والذي أعلن عن مسؤولية تنظيمه عن أحداث 11 أيلول، والغزو الأميركي لأفغانستان كان بمساعدة النظام الحاكم في باكستان والذي خضع كي يكون صديقاً لأميركا لا بل أن برويز مشرف كان أول من أعلن حينذاك تحالفه مع البيت الأبيض في إطار “الحرب على الإرهاب” التي أعلن عنها جورج بوش الإبن. وهكذا استطاعت أميركا السيطرة على أفغانستان وخيراتها والتمركز عند الحدود الشرقية لإيران.

بعد ذلك، واستكمالاً لما أسمته “حرباً على الإرهاب” شنت إدارة بوش الإبن وحلفاءها حرباً ضروساً على العراق، بحجة امتلاكه لأسلحة دمار شامل، وقد أثبتت الأيام زيف الإدعاءات الأميركية وخلو هذا البلد العربي من هذا النوع من الأسلحة. هذه الحرب غطتها الأمم المتحدة وبعض الدول العربية كالسعودية والكويت والأردن التي كانت أراضيها نقطة انطلاق الإجتياح البري بالإضافة إلى استخدام القواعد الجوية الأميركية في البلدان المذكورة لشن غارات جوية سقط ضحيتها عشرات الآلاف من العراقيين.

وبعد احتلال العراق أصبحت القوات الأميركية متواجدة على الحدود الغربية لإيران، وغدت الجمهورية الإسلامية محاصرة من الجهتين الشرقية والغربية. واليوم أتى دور سورية، مفتاح المتوسط للمشروع الأميركي-الأوروبي، لأن سورية الحجر الأساس في محور المقاومة والممانعة في المنطقة، هي في الحقيقة المدخل الغربي لـ”المنطقة الأميركية الوسطى”، وذنبها الوحيد أن نظام الحكم القائم فيها معاد للطموحات الأميركية-الأوروبية. وفي الحقيقة فإن استهداف نظام الأسد لم يبدأ اليوم، بل بدأ مع القرار 1559 وما استتبعه من اغتيال لرئيس الحكومة الأسبق رفيق الحريري إلى حرب تموز يوم شنت أميركا بواسطة أداتها “إسرائيل” عدواناً على لبنان للقضاء على المقاومة تمهيداً لإسقاط سورية. فشل حينها هذا العدوان وتعرقل مشروع “الشرق الأوسط الجديد” بحسب تعبير وزيرة الخارجية الأميركية آنذاك كونداليزا رايس، وجرى استصدار القرار 1701.

بعد فشلها، بدلت أميركا استراتيجيتها وقررت استهداف سورية من الداخل، فعملت على إعداد عصابات مسلحة في الداخل، وزودتها بالأسلحة ووسائل الإتصال المتطورة كما قامت بتجنيد عملاء داخل القوى الأمنية السورية مثل رياض الأسعد تمهيداً للحظة الصفر، ولكن نظراً لفشلها في تحقيق اختراق كبير داخل الجسم الأمني، صبت جل تركيزها على إعداد العصابات من المهربين والخارجين عن القانون والتكفيريين.

وبناء عليه، نلاحظ بأن الدول التي احتلتها أميركا والأخرى التي تسعى إلى محاصرتها وتقسيمها، أي أفغانستان وإيران والعراق وسورية، بالإضافة إلى صديقتها باكستان، تقع في منتصف “المنطقة الأميركية الوسطى”، والأهم من ذلك وقوعها على خط “طريق الحرير” في العصور الغابرة و “خط العرض 33” في الاستراتيجية الاميركية للقرن 21، خط العرض هذا مفتاحه سورية يمر في العاصمة طهران وينتهي في بكين عاصمة الصين كما يعزل روسيا ويفككها جغرافيا واقتصادياً، إنه خط الإقتصاد العالمي الذي يربط الشرق الأقصى بالأوسط وصولاً إلى ضفاف أوروبا، إنه أساس الأزمة التي نعيشها اليوم… إنها “الحرب على خط العرض 33” وسورية هي المفتاح.

http://www.almanar.com.lb/adetails.php?eid=146716&cid=136&fromval=1&frid=136&seccatid=426&s1=0

December 8th, 2011, 3:01 pm

 

Syria, Egypt and Middle East unrest | War & Peace in the Middle East said:

[…] • Syria watcher Joshua Landis, considered by some to be sympathetic to the regime, said Assad’s … Discussing Assad’s ABC interview on his blog, Landis wrote: Whether he remains convinced of his rectitude, whether his primary motivation is to hang on to power, or whether he is simply frightened of the consequences of yielding authority to his opponents, Assad gave no indication that he is having second thoughts about his position or is ready to yield. One must conclude that Syria’s fight will be a long one. […]

December 8th, 2011, 3:04 pm

 

Henry said:

We should honor and praise all of the shuhada that have died fighting for their rights and seeking freedom in Syria. It is only because of them that Syria will soon be free.

December 8th, 2011, 3:12 pm

 

NK said:

The Elections

The ballot boxes are already filled and sealed, guess Baathists and regime loyalists have this one in the bag!!!

http://all4syria.info/web/archives/40699

December 8th, 2011, 3:17 pm

 

Syrian Nationalist Party said:

“………We should honor and praise all of the shuhada that have died fighting for their rights and seeking freedom in Syria. It is only because of them that Syria will soon be free……..”

We don’t…Hope they never ever rest in peace they died for that little payola and helping foreign powers stir civil war in Syria. The worst evil deed they managed is denying any chance for Syrians to have freedom from Baathism any time this decade. They sold their souls to the devil Amen-Marduk, rather than selling their brain to Jesus, he could have delivered them in 90 days to glorious Syrian Nation, but chose to die for one planned for by ALCIADA and the two humps slobbering Turkmen. Hope their souls will rot in hell forever. Where do decent Syrians will go from here, now that these bastard evil and vile ones fouled the road to a better future for Syrians.

December 8th, 2011, 3:47 pm

 

Juergen said:

how two desperate used the same tactics, the same language

December 8th, 2011, 4:02 pm

 

Tara said:

Jurergen

Thx for your answer. I’m very familiar with Germans too. I have had live- in German au-pairs for the last 5 years and I am amazed with the cultural tolerance they display. They love Syrian food very much too. My little girl sings all the German children songs.

December 8th, 2011, 4:18 pm

 

Henry said:

Do you live in Syria?

December 8th, 2011, 4:28 pm

 

Mango said:

الحرب على خط العرض 33

December 8th, 2011, 4:35 pm

 

Khalid Tlass said:

my only contention is that Syria as it is now, is an Apartheid State, just like South Africa. the sooner the opposition highlights this, the better. The ANC and Nelson Mandela did not get the world’s attention until they highlighted the discriminatory policy of the regime.

When the ANC and Mandela were given black majority rule in South Africa, the World did not ask them for guarantees that the White minority will not be repressed.

When Saddam was toppled and elections were held in Iraq, the World did not ask Nouri al Maliki to guarantee that Sunnis will not be treated shoddily.

So why does the World always demand that the SNC guarantee such things ? Why is Hillary Clinton beating about the bush and harping on the issue of minorities ?

December 8th, 2011, 4:46 pm

 

Juergen said:

Tara

well we Germans had our lesson to learn. I was with my parents on the sreets when our east german regime broke apart, i can to some extent understand whats at stake, even though we never faced an outbrake of an civil war, but we too faced an brutal government with an overall muhabarat.there was always an private and public opinion, you never trusted anyone you did not know.

December 8th, 2011, 4:49 pm

 

louai said:

Seven reasons why Syrian protesters have so far failed to topple Assad

Syrian protesters have so far been unable to topple the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in large part because physical repression has served as a powerful deterrent against their goals. The risk of death, torture, or imprisonment for life can shake even the most resolute, courageous, and determined demonstrator.

Yet physical repression is not the only reason why the protesters have suffered serious setbacks. Middle East expert Bilal Y. Saab of The University of Maryland gives us seven other factors that explain why things might get worse before they get better for the protesters in Syria.

http://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/Opinion/2011/0610/Long-road-to-freedom-Seven-reasons-why-Syrian-protesters-have-so-far-failed-to-topple-Assad/Weakness-and-divisions-in-ranks

December 8th, 2011, 4:55 pm

 

norman said:

Khalid,

Mandela stood solid against racial revenge and because of his stature he was able to prevent a civil war,

Clinton wants to learn and not repeat the mistakes of the past , like Iraq, what happened in Iraq is a total discrimination against Sunni and the Baath party, it was just a collective punishment that should not be repeated, that is the reason that the army and the Baath party in Syria is still solid in the face of the protest, they saw Iraq, you do not want that repeated , do you?.

December 8th, 2011, 5:06 pm

 

Mango said:

Whether Turkey will collect 30 % of the duty from the possible Syrian humanitarian help for Istanbul?
Istanbul in danger: earthquake possibility
By nacar on Nov 23, 2011 in Important, News of Turkey
In connection with an active seismic zone around a megacity of Istanbul, in Turkey there will begin work the special commission on carrying out of a mark of seismic stability of all buildings of a city and revealing of those structures which will not stand in case of earthquake.

«The commission structure will include members of municipality of Istanbul, state structures and public utilities. Representatives НПО and foreign experts also can take part in commission work. We suppose that each area will generate own model of work on protection against the earthquakes, thus all areas will be located in a priority order as it is impossible to transform 1,6 million buildings simultaneously. Besides, approximately 50 000 – 60 000 buildings in Istanbul will be taken down in the near future», – the mayor of Istanbul has declared Kadir Topbash.

Also for inhabitants of Istanbul various trainings will be carried out to teach them, how to behave during time and after earthquake. Besides citizens can address in a private order in universities and Bosporus building consulting corporation belonging to municipality to receive more information concerning stability of their houses to earthquakes.

The site command In Turkey wishes inhabitants of Istanbul, and also inhabitants of victim Vana that all seismic hardship has avoided these beautiful cities.

December 8th, 2011, 5:08 pm

 

Khalid Tlass said:

NORMAN, are you admitting that Sunnis were treated shabbily by the new Iraqi regime ? Do you admit that Sunnis were treated unfairly in Iraq and people were targetted solely on the basis of the sect ?

Also, Norm, you know that the Baath Party was viciously attacked by the New Iraqi Regime, however,

It is this same regime which is standing up for Bashar. What do you say about that ?

December 8th, 2011, 5:10 pm

 

Ya Mara Ghalba said:

At #104 above an American Broadcasting Corporation news reporter, Alexander Marquardt, goes to Daraa and says he could only find two people who were willing to speak against the regime, after he spent nearly a whole day walking around town looking for anti-regime sentiment. I knew that anti-regime sentiment in Daraa was generally low, since there has been very little street protests in Daraa city for many many months now, but I’m pleased to hear from Alexander Marquardt that it’s even lower than I thought it was. It reminds me of the CNN News reporter who went to Aleppo last summer and spent the whole day walking about the streets looking for people with anti-regime sentiment to speak into his camera and couldn’t find any, except for one weirdo who wouldn’t speak his mind on camera. You know, it is 100% legal to have anti-government political opinion (provided it doesn’t go as far as advocacy of violent rebellion). Alexander Marquardt couldn’t find anybody to say, like, the government is at fault for the shortage of jobs, or at fault for not repealing the Emergency Law years ago, or for excessive use of force in Deraaa in March 2011 (which the government itself has said is true), or for any other faults. Alexander Marquardt stupidly suggests this is because people are afraid of being arrested by the police for having criticisms that are 100% legal, criticisms which the government itself says are valid. I could have told him that one of the key underlying factors behind this phenomenon is that there is serious peer-pressure, i.e. pressure from widely shared community values, to not bad-mouth the Syrian government into American TV cameras at the present time, even though such bad-mouthing doesn’t amount to treasonous behaviour.

Alexander Marquardt also asserts: “No one wants to talk”. I don’t believe that at all. I believe it’s a damn lie. I’d believe it’d be the truth if what he meant to assert was “No one wants to talk against the regime”. The one person who he could find to talk against the regime said “around thirty percent of Daraa supports Assad” and Marquardt adds that at the moment he said it “another man just passed us and said loudly, “God, Syria, Bashar only.”” The pro-regimers in Syria are very proud of the pro-regime stance and are not at all shy about talking about it. Countlessly many times this year I’ve seen Syrian people eagerly pushing themselves to get themselves on camera to say “God, Syria, Bashar only”. Here’s a typical example from Deir Ezzor where people at a pro-regime rally are fighting to grab a hold of the TV microphone so that they can proclaim their support for Bashar: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=KTkXRPBWdQo#t=118s

The same is true in Daraa. And the percentage of Bashar supporters in Daraa is a hell of a lot bigger than 30%.

December 8th, 2011, 5:11 pm

 

Son of Damascus said:

@ Juergen

Whats not to fall in love with? Makes perfect rational to me, Syria has many aspects one can love.

Every country has things that you can’t find anywhere else that become very dear to you, for instance a white knuckled lap around the Nurburgring in a V8 Bavarian monster is one of my greatest joys.

December 8th, 2011, 5:13 pm

 

Khalid Tlass said:

JUERGEN,

Was their torture in East Germany ? How did the Stasi behave ?

December 8th, 2011, 5:22 pm

 

Tara said:

Juergen and Henry

Henry, if the question was for me, No, I live in the US.

Juergen

Exactly. Yes, you learn double talks at very tender age living under these rotten dictatorships. Parents are afraid to discuss matters in front of their kids as innocent children might just repeat what they hear at home in school. You grow up trusting no one and have no real fiends unless you meet them through families. You carry this with you into universities. There are student informants who call themselves Itihad watani. I contrast that with the way kids are grown in the US confident and without fears. I think Syrians and all human beings for that matter deserve better.

December 8th, 2011, 5:23 pm

 

Tara said:

Severe Testosterone deficiency? I do not like weak indecisive men.  Arrogance should be handled with more arrogance.  The AL has made a mistake.  Leaving the door open to Assad is only going to result in the killing of more Syrians.  I think Bashar misconstrued this behavior as the AL and the US want him to stay and do the reforms.  

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/arab-taskforce-on-syria-to-meet-saturday.aspx?pageID=238&nID=8748&NewsCatID=352
Arab taskforce on Syria to meet Saturday
CAIRO – Agence France-Presse

Arab League ministers will meet this weekend to mull a response to Syria which wants the bloc to lift sanctions as its price to allow observers to monitor deadly unrest, an Arab diplomat said Thursday.
A taskforce chaired by Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem Al-Thani and comprising the foreign ministers of Algeria, Egypt, Oman and Sudan will gather in Doha with Arab League chief Nabil al-Arabi.
Syria said on Sunday it will allow observers into the country as part of an Arab peace plan to end months of violence, in a bid to avoid sweeping sanctions the bloc has decided to impose on the Damascus regime.
But Foreign Minister Walid Muallem, in a letter to Arabi, said Syria would accept the monitors under certain conditions.
According to the text, published in the Syrian press on Tuesday, Muallem demanded the complete overturn of sanctions approved by the Arab League on November 27.
“The government considers all decisions taken by the Arab League… including Syria’s suspension and the sanctions taken by the ministerial committee against it, to be null and void once Damascus signs the protocol” for observers, said the text.
The head of the pan-Arab organisation was in Iraq on Thursday to seek Baghdad’s help in trying to persuade Syria to allow observers into the troubled country.
 

December 8th, 2011, 5:39 pm

 

Ya Mara Ghalba said:

If you’ve been following the Syria story this year, you know that Daraa was still beset with serious violence on 30 March, but Daraa has been orderly and civilized since May. Bashar Assad said in his speech to parliament on 30 mar 2011: “We and the whole Syrian population are with Daraa. The people of Daraa are people of genuine patriotism, magnanimity, and dignity. They will get hold of the few people who wanted to stir chaos and destroy the national fabric.” http://www.sana.sy/eng/21/2011/03/30/pr-339334.htm

In Bashar’s statement above he demonstrates that he was well informed enough about Daraa to know that it is ultimately the good people of Daraa, not the national security forces, to whom the credit goes for the restoration of proper order.

Allah, Souria, Ash-Shaab, Al-Assad, ou bas. Hooray!

December 8th, 2011, 5:44 pm

 

William Scott Scherk said:

I am not a big fan of the USA’s Barbara Walters. Although she has had a long career and has met notables in sport, politics, media and glamour, she does not have the gravitas or sharp investigative teeth of CBC’s late journalist Barbara Frum.

That said, Frum died a long time ago, and when the media advisor(s) and the President decided to invite a well-known Western TV interviewer to Damascus, they made the choice, not ‘the West’ or ‘the Conspiracy’ or ‘instigating channels.’ Indeed, perhaps the President himself made the choice. Walters neither sought nor initiated the interview.

So, when I read this kind of language, I pause to consider my own position:

Barbara Walters, a featherweight, faded, fake celeb “journalist”.
Like her or not (like me), or perhaps expect her to have better rejected down the offer, is she really much different from Harry Reasoner, at the least a veteran media face with a current highly-rated program on USA TV (the awful View)?

I suggest also that she is not only a journalist of ‘fake celebs’ (her gushy primetime evening with the Obamas in 2008 notwithstanding). Even were that so, more fool Syria for picking her as their best or only USA media option at this crucial time…

Fact is she has had access to players in MENA and elsewhere for over thirty years. She has brought her ‘powder-puff’ journalism to this area before: a joint interview with Sadat and Begin (1977), the late King Hussein, with Bashar Assad (in 2007), the Shah of Iran, Boris Yeltsin, Jiang Zemin, Margaret Thatcher, Castro, Indira Gandhi, Václav Havel, Saudi kings, Chavez … she first did Gaddafi in 1989. She also moderated presidential debates in the USA. Fluffy at times and definitely past her height of journalism with ABC’s 20/20 and the nightly ABC news anchor desk, but not the very bottom of the barrel (Katie Couric or the blonded air-bubbles with boobs at Fox).

See this image from 2008: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/ce/Vladimir_Putin_with_Barbara_Walters-2.jpg

She’s finally sunk to new lows for chequebook journalism.

She is 82. She obviously felt she could not turn down the President’s offer. Even if she is the shittiest People-magazine style poodle-to-the-famous (like Couric), there she was in the Palace, and here are we talking about the performance she drew out of the Syrian President. She is not, I assume, the least aware that some nameless Syrians consider her (as I do) in some ways a lightweight. She has her scoop and the world’s English-speaking media is having a field day with the results. She leads international news with her Bashar catch.

Is there a corresponding Arabic media he should have allowed/invited? Or another, more hard-hitting USA journalist he should have give the scoop to? Are there even any Syrian journalists left to take up the job? I really do believe that the onus is entirely and utterly on Assad for the effects of this awful mumbling stumbling bizarre backfire of an interview. What results has he delivered from his own efforts?

And is it not there – the result — that matters? The glimpse into the President’s core rationales and perception of ‘reality’? His pronouncements, his evasion or forthrightness, his humanity, his wisdom, his ability to empathize and seize the moment, his boldness and gravity and firm command?

I get this result, me: the reality of a President witless and cornered inside the SANA bubble. He seemed stupefied by events and their consequences, like a man who cannot interpret the signs of the endgame.

I find the interview very sobering, even a little bit creepy. An elderly American woman, no longer at the height of her powers, face-lifted, groomed and coiffed to the Nth Western degree, a cream puff of a reporter, a reporter who has clinked champagne glasses with this man, and who has sat around with this man while he charmed her and blabbered about reform …

So, here is ancient stale creampuff Walters putting to the Palace the story that the instigating channels have spread all over the world.

And he fumbles.

Here is a President who seems trapped by his own carefully constructed Baathi wonderland of reality. Both his and Walter’s Syrian stories cannot be exclusively true, yet there he is calmly lisping his way through a fantasy comic-book tale of Terrorists versus Popular Leader … he is popular, he mumbles, the majority is in the middle, he asserts softly, there has been no harshness against the people, um civilians are always killed by terrorists, militants, the outside news reports are full of lies, the elections are coming, the isolation is a mirage, the opposition are fanatical criminals, all of them, deserving of the utmost violence and political purges to destroy them …

The only thing more horrifying than the President’s detachment and the haunted look in his eyes is the notion that he is a captive of forces he cannot perceive, a perfect figurehead prisoner of the Myth Machine: “The President does not order deaths. The military cannot shoot at civilians. The Constitution guides the Army. Security may have made mistakes, but all that is fixed by committees, I am the Baathi choice, my father chose me! not my stupid brother, he groomed me! you think I will go back to opthamology when I am replaced as leader? Are you insane?”

It is chilling that he has so completely sealed himself away from information that challenges what he is fed by the SANAtized regime built by his father. He is like a cornered rabbit king pretending he still holds all the symbolic power of the throne bequeathed to him by the Lion of Syria. His eyes betray his claims. He is haunted by his coming end, baffled, not understanding his own role in the House of Horror built by the regime. He cannot conceive himself as the Dracula figure, the Ceaucescu monster, the Stalin, the brute. He cannot grasp what some of his subjects truly think of when they think of him.

What deepens the horror for me is in the interpretation of the reality of these sobering events, as when a proud American like Norman — a doctor — with Syrian blood and pride and love and history in his veins, calling openly for the the Syrian state and its irregulars to intensify its death and destruction in Homs. This to me is stark horror, unleavened by humanity. The shutters have gone down on some minds. It is time for unmerciful war.

It is time for the army to take charge of Homs , declaring a militery zone, surrounding it asking to surrender all arms from everybody, then going house to house and bringing down any building that a bullet comes from as they did in Lebanon, it is time to assert it’s control.That is the only way.

Norman, are you there inside this statement? Is your heart still Syrian or has it become like Lukachenko’s? From your beloved America, you openly call for a kind of Hama solution in your distant homeland? Is that you, Norman, a man bound by his personal oaths to do no harm?

And who is this?

Well, freaks, before you write your priceless whines you may need to take your heads out of each other asses to see reality and to be honest then write something meaningful, but I guess it’s too much to ask from an immature dump talking about vulgarity while his comment start with an A word (how polite) or from the most obvious pathological liar mom SC ever seen.

Whoever this is, it does not resemble the man named JAD whom I remember from my earliest months here on Syria Comment. The JAD I recall did never personally denigrate commenters or accuse entire classes of folks as traitors and criminals. The JAD I remember had empathy and an enquiring mind — he listened to and attempted to understand concerns of his countrymen. He sought a rational, reasoned, peaceful discussion of the best road for Syria.

Now I do not recognize the personality I have watched very sympathetically over the months. I see a rage-filled contempt towards compatriots. I see a person who has let his prejudices and his hatreds overwhelm his reason. It leaves me troubled for JAD himself. How will he be able to understand events in Syria over the next five years if he is trapped in the hall of mirrors inside the House Of Assad? Will all future transitional leaders (as with Egypt, Tunisia, Libya, there will be many) receive his derisive contempt, his unabashed loathing, his militarism and his accusations of treachery and capital crimes? I am left wondering for Syria, wondering if an expat/non-citizen/Westerner like JAD will call for fire and vengeance against all his enemies, all those whom he has never met, never conversed with, never read, never entertained, never shared hopes with.

JAD, how are you going to adapt to the new reality coming to Syria? Will you emigrate from your Western home (or return to your Syrian home) to live and work and study? Will you remain anonymous in the West and curse your countrymen and countrywomen on this blog as Syria moves past the Assad era?

JAD, is it really you calling Tara an obvious pathological liar? Is it you who speaks this language of hate, who demonizes Revlon, who denounces and slurs Haytham, who loathes and despises Radwan Ziadeh, who sees only MB prostitution in the man named Ghalioun?

Syria needs you calm and rational, not half-mad with anger and impotence.

December 8th, 2011, 6:05 pm

 

Ya Mara Ghalba said:

Sabri Ertekin is head of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the province of Şanlıurfa in Turkey near the Syrian border. He says that Syrian demand for exports from Şanlıurfa to Syria continued as usual throughout the year until the end of October, but then exports dropped by fifty percent in November (and of course he also says he expects a further very sharp drop now). Meanwhile in the Turkish province of Hatay, exports to Syria fell from $16 million in October to $11 million in November, according to the head of the Antakya Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The Southeastern Anatolia Exporters’ Union also reported drops in exports to Syria in November. http://www.todayszaman.com/newsDetail_getNewsById.action?newsId=265099

On 17 Nov 2011 Turkey’s Minister for the Economy, Zafer Caglayan, reported that Turkish exports to Syria rose by 3.7 percent during in the first nine months of 2011, but declined by 10% in October compared to the same period the previous year, and kept on falling in November. http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-11/17/c_131253807.htm
http://www.taiwannews.com.tw/etn/news_content.php?id=1763077

Question for all you experts: What caused the sharp drop in Syria’s imports from Turkey in November? Was it because the Syrian Central Bank was not making foreign currency available to buy imports with foreign currency? If not, then what was it?

December 8th, 2011, 6:13 pm

 

Tara said:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/dec/08/syria-bashar-al-assad

Assad the apologetic: the new face of the Syrian regime
Cracks may be starting to show as Bashar al-Assad desperately tries to head off sanctions from fellow Arab states

Thursday 8 December 2011 08.51 EST

Barbara Walters might think she has landed another scoop by interviewing Syria’s beleaguered president, but Bashar al-Assad is desperate for the attention. With its usual, dreadful regularity, the regime’s PR machine is once again in action.

But the Syrian government’s conditional “acceptance” of the Arab League protocols – along with the statements made by Assad in his interview with Walters on ABC News – is the biggest indicator yet that the regime is, at least diplomatically, on the back foot.

The Syrian regime’s counterproposal for the Arab League protocols is effectively a desperate, and last-minute attempt to stave off economic sanctions from its fellow Arab states and cripple the work of any observer missions that the league would send to Syria. Should the amendments be accepted, it is very likely that international observers in some form will be allowed into Syria, but what will ensue is not very hard to predict: a game of diplomatic cat and mouse.

In future, the observers might complain, the league will grumble and the regime might respond. Once this charade continues for far too many times, the Syrian regime might decide to “take offence” at the interference of these observers, and might even decide to find a spy in their midst. The observers might get expelled, a diplomatic standoff might ensue, and then a gradual climbdown would precipitate, allowing the observers back in.

In spite of the clear unacceptability of these amendments, and whether or not the league accepts them, it is very obvious how seriously the regime has taken both its suspension and the imminent economic sanctions it will face from its fellow Arab countries. Assad’s latest interview showed a clearly uncomfortable man trying to deflect the blame for the brutal repression of his fellow countrymen. At one point he said: “I am not in charge of the army” and when asked if he felt guilty, he said he did his best and that somebody who did their best could not feel guilty.

I’ve never seen the Syrian president speak this way before. We are used to Bashar the triumphant, when he called the Gulf Arab heads of state “half-men”. There is also Bashar the comedian, who cracked jokes and laughed at them when he addressed the Syrian people in his parliament at the start of the crisis. But I have never seen Bashar the apologetic. Listening to the autocratic ruler of the Middle East’s most repressive police state say that somebody else did all the bad things, and that he doesn’t own the country but is merely the president, reminded me an awful lot of Muammar Gaddafi, when he famously declared that if he held an official government position he would have waved his resignation letter in the face of the people.

Similarly, Gaddafi once threatened to set the Mediterranean on fire if Libya were attacked, while Assad also promised to unleash an earthquake that would “burn the Middle East” if Syria became a target for Nato. But in spite of the pompous military exercises the Syrian army has just carried out, the regime today has never been more isolated, or more worried.

Perhaps recognising the gravity of the situation that Syria’s regime finds itself in, Hezbollah’s secretary-general, Hassan Nasrallah, deemed it sufficiently worth the risk to appear in public for the first time in years. Addressing his faithful regiments of followers, Nasrallah reiterated his group’s support for the Syrian regime in the face of what he believes is a foreign conspiracy.

As with the Syrian regime’s desperate attempts to provoke an Israeli reaction by sending unarmed men and women to the Golan Heights earlier this year, Hezbollah seems keen to provoke a reaction by Israel that would galvanise the people against their traditional enemy, thus stripping the Syrian revolution of its momentum.

Up to this moment, we have not seen any high-level cracks appearing in the Syrian regime, presumably because it still looked as if Assad might get away with it. After the events of the past week, this may no longer be the case.

December 8th, 2011, 6:46 pm

 

Tara said:

Darryl

Sorry, I did not read your post until now.  Interesting.  I did not know Allepo was the music heart of the ME.  I always looked at Cairo as the leader in music and film production.  After all, it was, I think, Studio Nahas that produced the first color film in the ME.  I have eclectic taste in music as I find myself opened to all different tunes.  I recently can’t stop listening to Enigma’s Mea Culpa. 

December 8th, 2011, 6:58 pm

 

Haytham Khoury said:

Dear Norman#119.

The Iraq example won’t be repeated in Syria. The SNC is aware of that.

Indeed, I was charged by the SNC to devise a reconciliation plan. I already wrote about briefly in one of my articles.

و أما الموالين للنظام و أتباعه فيجب عدم الإنتقام منهم، إذ نعرف أن أكثرهم يتبع النظام بسبب مصالح وقتية أو خوفاً من النظام أو خوفاً من المجهول، إذ إننا لن نتبع سياسة مشابهة لسياسة “التطهير” التي أتبعت بعد سقوط “حكومة فيشي” في فرنسا أو سياسة “اجتثاث البعث” التي اتبعها الأمريكيون بعد غزو العراق، بل سنتبع سياسة مشابهة لتلك التي اتبعها “مانديلا” بعد سقوط حُكم “الأبارتيد” عندما أسس ما أسماه “هيئة الحقيقة و التراضي”، فكل من لم يثبت أنه تورط مباشرة أو أعطى أمراً صريحاً بقتل السوريين الأبرياء فلن يعاقب، أما من اقترف هذا الجرم فإن كان من مناصري النظام أو معارضيه فستتم محاكمته في محاكم رسمية و وفقاً للقانون.

http://haytham-khoury3.blogspot.com/2011/11/blog-post.html

December 8th, 2011, 7:12 pm

 

EHSANI2 said:

I do not share the view that Bashar was in denial or that he was delusional during the interview. Barbara Walters was picked by Bashar and his team to help him deliver a message to his none-Syrian audience. The main purpose was to show the following:

I am calm and relaxed. I can even crack a joke or two. Your sanctions don’t scare me. Neither does the isolation that you think you have engineered against me. The only thing that matters to me is the internal situation. “Some” of my people my not support me but the “majority in the middle” do. I am not stepping down. I am going nowhere. And by the way, I am not giving unilateral orders to the army. This task falls to my whole leadership (I called them government). In case you charge me with crimes against humanity, please watch this interview to hear my rebuttal to the charge. In the end, I know that my enemies want to bring me down on the cheap. This is not going to happen. If you want me, you need to come physically and get me. I believe that you will huff and puff but I am calling your bluff, for I know that you won’t dare bring your foreign boots to my country, the region’s fault line.

December 8th, 2011, 8:11 pm

 

jad said:

«حوار طرشان» بين المعارضة السورية في القاهرة:
الجامعة العربية تحاول توحيدها في إطار «المؤتمر العام»

الأمين العام للجامعة العربية نبيل العربي ووزير الخارجية العراقي هوشيار زيباري خلال مؤتمر صحافي في بغداد أمس
محمد بلوط
حوار سوري ـ سوري معارض في القاهرة يراوح مكانه. لا يبدو أن الدعوات العربية والدولية للمعارضة السورية لتوحيد صفوفها، لكي تنال على الأقل الاعتراف الناجز بها، قد وجدت صدى ايجابيا. ومن دون ضغوط الجامعة العربية، ما كان للحوار بين المعارضين السوريين أن يستأنف قبل يومين في القاهرة، بعد أكثر من أسبوع من انكفاء ممثلي «المجلس الوطني» إلى مهمات أخرى.
والحوار بين طرفي المعارضة، في «المجلس الوطني» و«هيئة التنسيق للتغيير الوطني والديموقراطي»، يدور منذ 20 يوما في العاصمة المصرية من دون أن يحقق أيا من طلبي الجامعة العربية لإنجاح مبادرتها: توحيد طرفي المعارضة في إطار جديد تحت مسمى «المؤتمر السوري العام» والخروج بورقة عمل سياسي أو برنامج مشترك يمهد لتحديد المرحلة الانتقالية. ويعد تحقيق هذا المطلب حيويا بنظر الجامعة لتنفيذ مبادرتها. إذ تربط الجامعة بين المبادرة وبين إشراك المعارضة السورية في بعثات المراقبين على الأرض، وهي مقدمة ضرورية لانتزاع اعتراف من النظام السوري بشرعية المعارضين وبلورة عناصر معارضة للمشاركة في حكومة انتقالية محتملة.
والحوار السوري مغلق، حوار طرشان، لأنه يجري في أجواء لا ثقة فيه لطرف بمن جاء يحاور، ويسود شعور لدى ممثلي «التنسيق»، كما قال احدهم لـ«السفير» بأن «المجلس الوطني يتعامل معهم وكأنه لا يحتاج إلى هيئتهم لكسب المعركة الدائرة في سوريا، وانه يستجيب في حضوره الاجتماعات لضغوط الجامعة العربية لا أكثر».
ويدور حوار الورقة السياسية وشروط الدخول معا في مؤتمر وطني موحد للمعارضة السورية بين وفدين قادمين من توترين متفاوتين. تفاوت توتر شرعيات الخارج والداخل في كل الثورات: التنسيقيون الذين يستمدون شرعيتهم وقوتهم، باستثناء هيثم مناع، من الداخل وسجونه الطويلة «رجاء الناصر، عبد العزيز الخير، وصالح مسلم محمد، سيف حجازي، ومحمود مرعي» وبين وفد الوطنيين الآتي من الخارج «احمد رمضان، وسداد العقاد، ومحمد الهاشمي».
قال احد التنسيقيين إن وفد «الوطني» رفض دعوة «التنسيق» إلى اعتبار «المؤتمر العام السوري»، إطارا جامعا للمعارضة. كما رفض دعوة إلى اعتباره مرجعية سياسية لجميع المعارضة السياسية. وقال إن «المجلس» يرى، كما قال ممثلوه في القاهرة، بأنه بات يتمتع بتلك الصفة، لاتساع قاعدته الشعبية وحصوله المتزايد على الاعتراف الدولي.
ويرى «الوطني» أن المؤتمر السوري لن يكون أكثر من لقاء هيئة تشاورية، تجتمع لإقرار ورقة سياسية وتصور للمرحلة الانتقالية، لكن لا صفة سيادية له كما يطالب التنسيقيون.
ويميل «التنسيق» إلى تكبيل «المجلس الوطني» في اطار موحد ينزع بشكل خاص إلى مراقبة التيار المطالب بالتدخل الخارجي في «المجلس»، والحد من تأثير الإخوان المسلمين في تقرير سياسته، ومنع القطريين من خلفهم من إملاء سياستهم على هذا الجناح الأساسي من المعارضة السورية. ويعتبر التنسيقيون أن الإخوان المسلمين أصبحوا القوة التي تقرر في النهاية ما يجب أن يقوم به المجلس الوطني. فبعد توقف في الحوار لمدة أسبوع اوفد المجلس الوطني «الإسلامي» أحمد رمضان للتفاوض مع التنسيق، (عوضا عن جبر الشوفي وأنس العبدة من إعلان دمشق)، الذي ينعته بأنه الرئيس الفعلي للمجلس الوطني.
وتقدم التنسيق بورقة تقترح تشكيل لجنة تحضيرية من ثلاثة أعضاء من هيئة التنسيق وثلاثة أعضاء من المجلس الوطني وثلاثة أعضاء من الحراك الشعبي وممثل عن المجلس الوطني الكردي وممثل عن النشاط النقابي وثلاثة ممثلين عن الشخصيات العامة. مهمة هذه اللجنة التحضيرية الإعداد لمؤتمر سوري عام يتحدد أعضاءه بين 120 و140 عضوا، على أن يكون توزيع الأعضاء بالطريقة التالية:
– هيئة التنسيق الوطنية 35 عضوا
– المجلس الوطني السوري 35 عضوا
– الحراك الشعبي 20 عضوا
– الأحزاب والشخصيات الكردية 10 أعضاء (رقم مرتبط بالمستجدات التنظيمية الكردية)
– الشخصيات الوطنية العامة 20 عضوا
يعتمد المؤتمر الآليات التي يجدها مناسبة لإدماج مزيد من القوى والشخصيات التي يمكن أن تبرز في سياق الحراك والثورة والحركة الاجتماعية المدنية.
وتكون مهمة المؤتمر إقرار أوراق أساسية تتناول:
1- تقييم الوضع الراهن والبرنامج السياسي المشترك
2- رسم معالم الفترة الانتقالية
3- إقرار المبادئ الدستورية الأساسية لنص مؤسس وجامع لبناء دولة المواطنة والقانون، بنظام ديموقراطي برلماني تعددي وتداولي، يكرس سوريا ديموقراطية مدنية تعددية ذات سيادة.
يختار المؤتمر هيئة رئاسية تتألف من 25 شخصا، تكون لها الصفة التمثيلية، ويناط بها قيادة المهمات التنفيذية المتعلقة بالفترة الانتقالية وفق ما يقرره المؤتمر.
يشكل المؤتمر بهذا المعنى مجلسا تأسيسيا، ويمكنه الاستعانة بخبراء في المهمات الدستورية والإدارية والدبلوماسية المناطة به. وهو ينطلق من مبدأ الديموقراطية التوافقية حرصا على وحدة مكوناته ووحدة الأداء والنضال في الفترة الانتقالية.
وكان المجلس الوطني قد عبر مرارا عن أنه لا حاجة لتوحيد المعارضة، بل أنه لا ضرر من تنوع المعارضة. وقد صرح بذلك أكثر من مرة رئيسه برهان غليون، محددا السقف الأعلى لأي تقارب مع هيئة التنسيق، وهو سقف يبقى بعيدا عن طموحات الهيئة، التي تسعى إلى الدخول في المؤتمر السوري المشترك مع المجلس الوطني، للتعامل معه ندا لند. إذ ترى قيادة المجلس أن تأثير هيئة التنسيق في الحراك الشعبي ضئيل أكثر من أي وقت مضى، وهي قناعة يعززها انضمام المزيد من المعارضين إلى صفوفها، وآخرهم وليد البني في أمانتها العامة، وهيثم المالح في مكتبها التنفيذي، وهي خطوة رمزية كبيرة من قبل احد مؤسسي مؤتمر إسطنبول المعارض. كما أن دخوله المكتب التنفيذي، يجعل من الإسلاميين القوة الرئيسة في المكتب التنفيذي الذي بات يضم 3 إسلاميين من بين 8 أعضاء.
واستنتج أحد قادة المجلس الوطني لـ«السفير» أنه «لا توجد قناعة لدى المجلس بأن عقد مؤتمر سوري جامع أمر ملح وعاجل، ولكنه من الممكن عقد مثل ذلك المؤتمر، بعد التوصل إلى اتفاق على برنامج سياسي مع هيئة التنسيق. وإذا لم نتوصل إلى اتفاق، فإن الهيئة ستضعف تدريجيا، ومع ذلك فإنها ترفض الانضمام إلى المجلس الوطني، وقد طلبت المناصفة في العضوية لتدخل المجلس، وهذا مستحيل».
وخلال الأشهر الثلاثة الماضية أضحت قيادة المجلس في مقدمة المشهد الإعلامي. فباستثناء اللقاء مع وزير الخارجية البريطانية مع «المجلس والهيئة» منفصلتين، يكاد المجلس الوطني ينفرد في التعبير عن توجهات الحراك الشعبي السوري في وسائل الإعلام العالمية، ويحتكر النطق باسمه في لقاءات مع الخارجيات الأميركية والفرنسية.
وتنبع قوة المجلس الوطني كواجهة الحراك الدبلوماسية من ضمه كوادر وأكاديميين معارضين منخرطين في مراكز تعليم وأبحاث غربية، من دون لافتات حزبية معلنة وحادة. وأضفى الإعلام على بعضها صفة الليبرالية الفضفاضة والمطمئنة. والأرجح، أن مسحة من وطنية سورية جامعة ومدنية ومغرية، أضفتها إستراتيجية الكتمان والتقية التي يتبعها الإخوان المسلمون السوريون، ووقوفهم في الظل، خلف الصفوف الليبرالية والعلمانية التي تفتقر إلى تمثيلية حقيقية، بسبب ما تباعد بينها وبين الداخل من تقادم عهد المنافي الطويل عليها أو حداثة بعضها بالمعارضة. وكثير منها يفتقر خبرة مماثلة للعمل في المنافي.
وقال أحد مسؤولي المجلس الوطني إنه يجب الاعتراف بأن «الإخوان» حاضرون في كل الأطر، وهناك «خمسون إخوانيا تجدهم في كل الاجتماعات واللقاءات والمؤسسات». ويشعر المجلس بأنه أضحى أقوى من جميع الأطراف مع تزايد لقاءاته بمسؤولي الدول الغربية، وما يرى إليه اعترافا ضمنيا بموقعه التمثيلي للثورة السورية، ووحدانية هذا التمثيل من دون غيره من أطراف المعارضة. ولكن المشكلة الأكبر للمجلس، كما يرى أحد قادة التنسيق، تبقى أن الإسلاميين هم العنصر الأساس والثابت فيه والليبراليين ليسوا سوى ملحق ضروري للعلاقات العامة «من هنا ما يتردد بقوة بأن المكانة التي حاول غليون أن يكتسبها من فترة رئاسته لم تعد مقبولة، وأن التحضير لما بعده في 15/12 قد بدأ فعلا».

http://www.assafir.com/Article.aspx?EditionID=2022&ChannelID=47951&ArticleID=909

December 8th, 2011, 8:22 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Assad denied that there were many crimes committed by his goverment.

Assad denied that he is the president and holder of many top jobs, and that he is responsible for his goverment crimes.

Assad denied that the number of death exceeded 5000.
assad denied that he is extremely isolated.
Assad denied that the economy is deteriorating to dangerous level.
Assad denied that the revolution,involve half the country.

Denying all that proves that he is delusional, or he lack all credibilty

December 8th, 2011, 8:24 pm

 

jad said:

العربي: يمكن لسوريا توقيع بروتوكول المراقبين في أي وقت
دمشق والجامعة: رسائل متبادلة تستبعد إعلان فشل الحوار

زياد حيدر
استؤنف الحوار بين سوريا والجامعة العربية اللتين تبادلتا الرسائل الاستيضاحية حول بروتوكول المراقبين، قبيل الاجتماع المقترح للجنة العربية المكلفة بمتابعة الازمة السورية خلال الايام المقبلة، ما يوحي برفض الجامعة ضغوطا خليجية على الامين العام نبيل العربي لإعلان فشل الحوار مع دمشق، ولا سيما انه كرر أمس دعوته السلطات السورية للتوقيع على بروتوكول المراقبين بأسرع ما يمكن إذا أرادت وقف العقوبات العربية بحقها.
وتسلمت سوريا رسميا رسالة من العربي، تتضمن ردا على رسالة وزير الخارجية وليد المعلم، وفقا لما ذكرته مصادر رسمية لـ«السفير». وتضمنت الرسالة «استفسارات جديدة» طرحها العربي بناء على طلب الدول العربية، تتعلق برسالة المعلم الأحد الماضي. وقالت المصادر ان الرسالة لا تمثل ردا بالمعنى السياسي على موافقة سوريا التوقيع على بروتوكول التعاون بقدر ما تشكل استمرارا لعملية الاستيضاح المتبادلة بين الطرفين.
ووفقا للمتحدث باسم وزارة الخارجية السورية جهاد مقدسي فإن «الرد محل دراسة» من دون أن يكون واضحا ما إذا كانت الخارجية السورية ستجيب العربي قبل الاجتماع المرجح للجنة الوزارية العربية في الدوحة غدا. وعلمت «السفير» أن قطر طلبت أن يعقد الاجتماع الوزاري السبت خلال الزيارة التي يقوم بها العربي للدوحة، إلا أن الأمانة العامة للجامعة العربية طلبت أن يتم التحضير له بحيث لا يقتصر على اللجنة الوزارية المكلفة بالشأن السوري. كما امتنع العربي وفقا لمصادر دبلوماسية عربية عن «إعلان فشل الجهود مع سوريا» بناء على ضغوط من دول خليجية، طلبت منه إعلانا رسميا بذلك أمس الأول، خصوصا أن دولا عربية كبيرة كمصر والعراق والجزائر طلبت من العربي «الاستجابة» لرسالة المعلم بشكل رسمي، بما يمكن أن يساعد «على تذليل عقبة التوقيع من الجانب السوري».
وقال مصدر دبلوماسي عربي، في القاهرة، إن اللجنة الوزارية العربية المعنية بالأزمة السورية ستجتمع في الدوحة غدا.
ومن بغداد، قال العربي إن «الامر يتعلق بسوريا الآن، والكرة في ملعبها»، مضيفا «ان الامر يعود اليهم، اذا ارادوا وقف العقوبات الاقتصادية فعليهم ان يوقعوا» على بروتوكول المراقبين. واضاف «يمكنهم ان يأتوا ويوقعوا في اي وقت، وربما بعد 24 ساعة من ذلك سيكون المراقبون هناك»، في سوريا. وذكر ان «العنف مستمر وكل يوم يموت اناس، لكن السؤال عما اذا كان ما يجري في سوريا عبارة عن حرب اهلية لا يمكن طرحه هنا».
وقال العربي، في مؤتمر صحافي مشترك مع وزير الخارجية العراقي هوشيار زيباري في بغداد، إن «سوريا أرسلت ما يشير إلى قبولها المبادرة من حيث المبدأ، لكنها اشترطت إلغاء جميع العقوبات الاقتصادية التي كانت الجامعة قد أصدرتها ضد سوريا في وقت سابق». وأضاف إن الحكومة السورية أرسلت «قبول التوقيع على البروتوكول. والبروتوكول هنا هو الإطار القانوني لبعثة ومهام وفد الجامعة العربية الذي من المفروض أن يذهب إلى سوريا ويشاهد بنفسه» ما يجري على الأرض.
وأضاف العربي إن السوريين طالبوا باعتبار «جميع القرارات التي أصدرتها الجامعة العربية بحق سوريا لاغية بمجرد التوقيع هذا الموضوع». ولم يحدد العربي موقف الجامعة بخصوص المطلب السوري، لكنه أشار إلى أن الجامعة العربية عرضت هذا الموضوع على مجلس وزراء الخارجية العرب «لأنه الجهة التي أصدرت هذه القرارات».
ولم يفصح العربي عما إذا كانت الجامعة تضع موعدا نهائيا لتسلم الرد السوري بشكل رسمي، لكنه شدد على انه إذا كان السوريون يسعون إلى رفع العقوبات عنهم فإن عليهم قبول المبادرة «بأسرع وقت ممكن». وتوقع أن يكون هناك «اجتماع قريب» لمجلس وزراء الخارجية العرب لاتخاذ موقف بشأن الرد السوري. وأشار إلى أن الرد السوري تضمن مقترحا وصفه بأنه غير جوهري، ويدعو إلى أن يكون التوقيع على مبادرة الجامعة في دمشق وليس في مقر الجامعة العربية.
وقال زيباري، من جهته، إن «الحكومة العراقية أبدت مؤخرا رغبتها في الانفتاح على المعارضة السورية أيضا، هذا في سبيل دعم الجهود ودعم مبادرة الجامعة».

http://www.assafir.com/Article.aspx?EditionId=2022&ChannelId=47945&ArticleId=914&Author=%D8%B2%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%AF%20%D8%AD%D9%8A%D8%AF%D8%B1

December 8th, 2011, 8:26 pm

 

EHSANI2 said:

MAJED,

It is your version against his. His reply would be show me evidence that I can verify. The dead is mostly my army personnel. As to the dead from the people side, they are simply mistake and “tajawuzat” and not ordered policies.

This is the way the charges in your comment will be challenged in Damascus. The interview made this clear.

December 8th, 2011, 8:33 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

My dear Ehsani
He is the president, and he should be aware his responsibilties, he should be aware of all those Tajawuzats and mistakes, there is a law which he must be fully aware of, that says all crimes by security forces are not to be punished, this clearly legaly means that he is responsible for those crimes since this law is signed by him.
Do you really believe that he can get away from all liabilities by saying that?

December 8th, 2011, 8:48 pm

 

EHSANI2 said:

I am merely describing the play book. What I wrote is what I learned from the interview.

December 8th, 2011, 8:51 pm

 

jad said:

WSS,

“Syria needs you calm and rational, not half-mad with anger and impotence.”
Thank you, I agree, Syria needs every Syrian to be calm and rational not only me.

Now to business:
First, I’ll give you some time to do a homework: a research on every comment I wrote since the end of 2007 until today on SC before you write me back a proper and personal apology for each and every false accusation you wrote about JAD in your comment, specifically ‘Hatred’, ‘Vengeance’, ‘call for Violence’, ‘Acting against the freedom of speech’ and finally the ‘lack of Citizenship’, Thank you in advance.

Secondly: Out of respect, I’ll answer your last notes one by one:

– ‘is it really you calling Tara an obvious pathological liar?’
Since when calling out liars become immoral? Simply, don’t lie.

– ‘demonizes Revlon’
Seriously! Do you even read his outrageous comments calling for killing Syrians and sometimes by the name? I guess that you don’t read Arabic.
What’s up with people forgetting the act of lie itself and instead start defending the liar! Again, stop lying and nobody will bother him/her.

– ‘who denounces and slurs Haytham’
I may disagree on some of Haytham’s writings and I publicly criticize some of them but not against him personally as you claim, go read.

– ‘who loathes and despises Radwan Ziadeh’
Oh Please! First I’m not the only one who despise this ‘garbage’ of a politician, besides, let me see you writing about any Canadian in or outside Canada who may think to harm Canada or her Majesty in anyway before you defend this man. I’ll refresh your memory about treason, maybe you forget your country’s rules:

[High treason
(1) Every one commits high treason who, in Canada,
(a) kills or attempts to kill Her Majesty, or does her any bodily harm tending to death or destruction, maims or wounds her, or imprisons or restrains her;
(b) levies war against Canada or does any act preparatory thereto; or
(c) assists an enemy at war with Canada, or any armed forces against whom Canadian Forces are engaged in hostilities, whether or not a state of war exists between Canada and the country whose forces they are.

Treason
(2) Every one commits treason who, in Canada,
(a) uses force or violence for the purpose of overthrowing the government of Canada or a province;
(b) without lawful authority, communicates or makes available to an agent of a state other than Canada, military or scientific information or any sketch, plan, model, article, note or document of a military or scientific character that he knows or ought to know may be used by that state for a purpose prejudicial to the safety or defence of Canada;
(c) conspires with any person to commit high treason or to do anything mentioned in paragraph (a);
(d) forms an intention to do anything that is high treason or that is mentioned in paragraph (a) and manifests that intention by an overt act; or
(e) conspires with any person to do anything mentioned in paragraph (b) or forms an intention to do anything mentioned in paragraph (b) and manifests that intention by an overt act.]

– ‘who sees only MB prostitution in the man named Ghalioun?’
Ghalyoun is a representative of the SNC where the majorities are MBs. He is a public figure as Assad, they both have no choice but to be seen as prostitution of what they represent. Calling for the impoverishment of Syrians, for bombarding Syria, for occupying Syria is unacceptable by anybody regardless of the political position they take.
Should I not criticize the ill doing of anybody just because some people support them?! What logic is that?

December 8th, 2011, 9:01 pm

 

Syrian Nationalist Party said:

Here are the bedouins at at their best:

Saudi Prince in Night Club spends one million dollar

December 8th, 2011, 9:05 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Norman
Bashar said he is president and the crimes are done by his goverment, not by his orders,this clearly indicate that he is not in full control,this should anger those lower rank officials that Bashar is going to blame them for such crimes,in their place I would get angry of Bashar.

December 8th, 2011, 9:12 pm

 

jad said:

بيقتلوا القتيل وبيمشوا بجنازتوة

المجلس الوطني: أزمة انسانيّة حادّة

حذّرت المتحدثة الاعلامية باسم «المجلس الوطني السوري» المعارِض، بسمة قضماني، في مؤتمر لدعم المعارضة السورية في البرلماني الاوروبي، من «أزمة انسانية حادة بما أن هناك أكثر من مليون شخص يعانون الجوع الآن، وفي نهاية الشهر سيكون هناك 3 ملايين يفتقدون المواد الاساسية» في سوريا. وفيما أكّدت قضماني أن المجلس «لا يطلب تدخلاً عسكرياً ولا حظراً جوياً»، رأى القيادي الآخر في المجلس منذر ماخوس أن «لا حل آخر للازمة السورية غير التدخل الخارجي».
(أ ف ب)

December 8th, 2011, 9:20 pm

 

irritated said:

Juergen

“If all Syrians would go through public schools i would really worry, but Syrians have always depended on private schools which do offer more than the usual baath and Assad lessons.”

Sorry, but you seem to only know Syrians who went to private schools and are savvy with twitter and Facebook and speak english fluently. I guess because you don’t speak arabic. These are a very small minority.
The large majority of Syrians went to public schools and public universities.
It is certain that Syrians are not illiterate as many Egyptians, and it is due to the history and geography as well as the secular ideology of the Baath party that you decried.
Yet the majority has a strong national Syrian and Arab national identity much stronger than any of its Arab neighbors.
Syrian nationalism is intimately connected to the Baath party as the Baath has tried to instillated this in the mind of Syrians of all ethnicity and religions for 40 years to ensure some kind of unity.
Many Syrians have been shocked and confused about the antagonism and ungratefulness they discovered in Arab countries and are now questioning their Arab identity. If the Baath falls abruptly and the chaos reign, it will with no doubts create another more serious identity crisis and a certain return to ethnicity and sectarism.
The naive are the ones who believe in the ‘constructive chaos’ if Bashar al Assad is toppled.

December 8th, 2011, 9:26 pm

 

irritated said:

#117. Juergen

Come on Juergen, Damascus is a world away from East Berlin’s claustrophobic and police atmophere. I wonder if you have ever been to Damascus. It is relaxed, friendly and cheerful city.

December 8th, 2011, 9:47 pm

 

Syrian Nationalist Party said:

Don’t bother JAD, they are all paid slime mercenaries they have no conscious or remorse, they feel no responsibility to being directly responsible for causing the death of more than 4000 Syrians, imprisoning 16,000 in atrocious condition, using them as expandable while they live in safety and earn millions in mercenary’s cash advances. They call Assad to task and held him accountable for shouting demonstrators, but they don’t account for own criminal action of calling on these demonstrator to rebel and kill other Syrians, slit the Syrians who disagree with them throats, cut off their heads, how many time did you read about those orders here on SC, command and even celebration about it on this blog, links to the actual video they proudly showing us, how many of these command given by other platforms and mercenaries leaders. Now, after losing, they are blaming it all on Assad, what a hog wash. If they are not just plain cowards and slimes out for money, they would have been in Syria, leading the demos they are calling from the safety of European capitals. They should be held accountable; they should be identified and reported as International Terrorists. Looooooooooooosers.

And some dude in here, is calling some having “Lack of Citizenship” trying to educate decent Syrians about “Civilities and Civil Responsibility”, Shove it up your ***** we don’t need your retarded crap, sound like U.S. State Department employee that lived all his life in Lala land. Dude check this link out, you need critical and urgent mental help:

December 8th, 2011, 9:49 pm

 

irritated said:

#103. louai

Adnan Bakkour: I am so surprised by the silence around this guy. He has no family or friends who ask about him, worry about his disappearance??
Why this silence? It is very mysterious…

December 8th, 2011, 9:55 pm

 

Tara said:

Will Hizballah’s Support for Syria Lead To Its Downfall?
By ARYN BAKER | @arynebaker | December 8, 2011 | 

http://globalspin.blogs.time.com/2011/12/08/will-hizballahs-support-for-syria-lead-to-its-downfall/

World leaders are often obliged to walk a thin line between national interest and the projection of a state’s moral values. The Arab Spring effectively put an end to the West’s balancing act as Europe and the U.S. were forced to abandon many of their long-term, authoritarian allies for the uncertainty of the democratic process, buoyed by this year’s monumental uprisings. Similarly, Middle Eastern nations spared their own revolutions are not immune; nor are the regional militant groups that have long depended on the patronage of tyrants. So when Hizballah’s leader Hassan Nasrallah, in his first public appearance in more than three years, stood up in support of Syrian President Bashar Assad on Tuesday, it surely induced a few schaudenfreude-laced chuckles in western capitals.

Hizballah formed as an armed anti-Israeli resistance group based in Lebanon, but it has come to stand as a stalwart against oppression of any kind in the region, be it Mubarak-era heavy-handed policing in Egypt or President Ali Saleh’s kleptocracy in Yemen. When the group celebrated the Arab revolutions last March, organizers flew Egyptian, Tunisian, Bahraini and Yemeni flags in solidarity alongside their own yellow banners. At that point Syria’s own revolution hadn’t quite gotten off the ground, but eight months, some 4,000 dead and an estimated 15,000 people detained later, Hizballah has yet to say a word against the regime. In fact, Nasrallah denounced the international sanctions, and repeated Assad’s tired canard about foreign influences (read the U.S. and Israel) driving the revolt.

That double standard doesn’t sit well with a new generation of Arabs who say Hizballah is doing exactly the same thing Nasrallah mocked U.S. President Barack Obama for at the beginning of the Egyptian revolution: supporting a tyrant just because of his stance on Israel. “They call themselves the party of resistance, of justice, but where is the justice?” asks Issa Hammoud, a documentary filmmaker who had been a decade-long member of Hizballah, until he left the group a few months ago in disgust over its pro-Syria policy. “By supporting Assad’s regime they are proving they have no morals.” Perhaps. But Hizballah is also demonstrating that self-interest often trumps values. While Iran is the group’s main financial and military backer, Syria provides a vital corridor for the transit of weapons and cash. Should the regime fall, Hizballah looses its strategic depth, says Thanassis Cambanis, author of A Privilege to Die: Inside Hizballah’s Legions and Their Endless War Against Israel. “Without cooperation from Damascus, they would no longer have an air bridge in case of war.”

It’s not so much hypocrisy as practicality, says Lebanese journalist and Hizballah-watcher Omar Nashabe. For Hizballah, resistance embodies both a stand against government oppression and the rejection of Israeli occupation in the West Bank and Gaza. And if Syria supports Hizballah’s principal goal, then the group has no choice but to stand with the regime, no matter the fallout. Says Nashabe, “Hizballah’s first priority is to combat Israeli oppression because it considers it more harmful and destructive.”

Hammoud says there are thousands more like him in Lebanon who have become disillusioned with Hizballah for its pro-Syrian stance. Still, it’s not enough to do any immediate damage to the group, which enjoys fanatic loyalty from a large swath of the country that reveres it for its role in ejecting Israel during the civil war. “They are being pragmatic. Even if they loose the support of 2000, 5000 people, they don’t care. What they get from Syria and Iran is far more important.”

That may be the case, says Cambanis, but over the long term it may spell an end to a group whose reputation for unceasing defense of oppressed and marginalized Muslims across the Arab world has transcended class, nationality, sect and even religiosity. In Lebanon, where a Hizballah-led government has been in power since January, it could mean that the group loses politically as coalition members defect. “Seculars, Christians—those who bought into the idea of Islamic resistance. Those folks will get disgusted. They will turn on Hizballah,” says Cambanis. As much as the Lebanese back Hizballah, many loathe Syria, which occupied the country militarily from the end of the civil war till 2005. Many blame Syria for the as-of-yet unsolved assassination of Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri in 2005.

A lessening of political power in Lebanon would be coupled with decreased relevance throughout the region. For years Hizballah was synonymous with defiance against Israel, particularly for the citizens of Egypt who decried Mubarak’s accommodation of the hated state. With Mubarak gone, and a new Israel policy in flux, Hizballah could find that it no longer dominates the anti-Israel space. “Hizballah is not the only game in town anymore,” says Cambanis. “As a result of the Arab Spring we now have authentic indigenous groups that oppose Israel. Egypt might be moving to a model where they challenge Israel politically without trying to start a war, where they can offer an alternative to armed resistance.”

For Syrians of course, the betrayal is even more sharply felt. During the wars with Israel, Hizballah members and their families sought refuge among Syrians across the border with Lebanon. In many cases they are the same Syrians who are now suffering so acutely from the regime crackdown. To see Hizballah repudiate the anti-Assad resistance is the worst kind of betrayal, says Ahmed Moussa, a spokesman for Syrian refugees in Lebanon. “Hizballah means ‘Party of God,’ but we don’t call them that any more. What Hizballah is doing now is Satan’s work, so now we call them Hezb-e-Shaitan [party of the devil].”

With reporting by Rami Aysha/Beirut

Aryn Baker is TIME’s Middle East Bureau Chief, based in Beirut. Find her on Twitter at @arynebaker. You can also continue the discussion on TIME’s Facebook page and on Twitter at @TIMEWorld.

December 8th, 2011, 9:59 pm

 

Tara said:

For those of you who insist that sanctions would hurt Turkey more than Syria
 
http://www.todayszaman.com/mobile_detailn.action?newsId=265205

Turkey breaks historic record as exports reach $134 billion

December 8th, 2011, 10:00 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

There are some,who believe that the only way to remove Bashar is by foreign intervention,and blaming us that we encouraged such action, Their mental acuity is such low they believe themselves.
There are other ways to kick Booha out,it is called FSA,this is increasing in number that I am not surprised to see them count over 3000 person, they can easily get rid of Booha if they plan it well.

Booha and his father suppressed All parties,the only one that was capable of secretely continue to exist is the MB,that is why the islamists are the only one that can get more representatives in case there is free election, but this will be temporary, as more parties are allowed to exist,Islamists will loose seats and other parties will gain more seats

December 8th, 2011, 10:07 pm

 

Dale Andersen said:

Memo To: MAJEDKHALDOUN

RE: “…There are some who believe that the only way to remove Bashar is by foreign intervention…”

There’s another way to remove him, Majie. The old-fashioned way. A single bullet to the back of the head. Twenty-three million Syrians will thank you…

December 8th, 2011, 10:28 pm

 

Norman said:

Khalid,

It was the Arab gulf supported American Brenner who outlaws the Baath party and disseminated the army,it was not the Iraqi government, the US paid dearly for that mistake with American blood to restore security to the country and stop the civil war,

Majed, if you were a president and were told that there are demonstrations that are destroying public properties, wouldn’t you you ask your security to restore peace and security, i assume that you are as careful as president Assad not to ask anybody to kill the offenders but arrest them, in the field your security forces were shot at and some burned alive, would you be surprised if some demonstrators were killed by accident, would that be your fault or would you be not in control,

You know president Bush was not held responsible for what happened in Abu Ghraib and was not seen as not in control, the offenders were prosecuted and punished and that is what is going to happen in Syria when the crises passes.

December 8th, 2011, 10:37 pm

 

irritated said:

#151 Dale Andersen

What don’t you do it yourself or you are too coward? Maybe you should ask you good friends at the Mossad, they would give you some good advices, they are expert in cowardly assassinations.

December 8th, 2011, 10:42 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Norman
Did Bush killed his own people?can you see the difference?

Dale
it is possible

December 8th, 2011, 10:52 pm

 

zoo said:

Maybe this is why Algeria is standing with Bashar al Assad

Insight: Algerian Islamists hope for “Arab Spring” revival
William Maclean
http://www.realclearworld.com/news/reuters/international/2011/Dec/08/insight__algerian_islamists_hope_for__arab_spring__revival.html
LONDON (Reuters) – Algeria’s Islamists, in the political wilderness since their last attempt to win power dissolved into civil war, are now trying again, galvanized by the success of their brethren elsewhere in north Africa in the wake of the “Arab Spring”.

Most Islamists in Algeria have been excluded from political life since the conflict, but in the past few months they have shown renewed signs of activity, much of it conducted from exile to dodge the attentions of the Algerian state.

They have set up a satellite television station based in Europe, sent delegations to Arab countries that saw revolutions this year, and made tentative forays into anti-government protests.
{..}

December 8th, 2011, 10:54 pm

 

irritated said:

#154 Majedalkhaldoon

“it is possible”

You want to be an accomplice to a murder? If you live in the US or Canada, you could be sued for intent to homicide, you and your dear friend Dale.

December 8th, 2011, 10:57 pm

 

Norman said:

Majed,

So it is OK to kill Iraqis by an American president,

anyway Lincoln did, do you see the similarity,

December 8th, 2011, 11:05 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

politicians are liers,and they think we are stupid
Clinton said he smoked but he did not inhale.
Corizone said he did not intend to break the law.
Bashar said he is president ,he is not the goverment,they did it.

December 8th, 2011, 11:09 pm

 

zoo said:

How Turkish perceive women and religion: a revealing survey of modern Turkey.

“The findings of a 2011 survey by a team of academics from Istanbul’s Bahçesehir University revealed hints about the related Turkish mental paradigm: 33 percent of Turks think women deserve to be beaten; 60 percent (both male and female) think women should obey men and surprise, surprise, 81 percent identify themselves as religiously devout. A separate study in 2010 had found that 25 percent of Turks think it would amount to sinning if women and men worked in the same office.”

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/quit-work-when-married-.aspx?pageID=449&nID=8740&NewsCatID=398

December 8th, 2011, 11:26 pm

 

zoo said:

Bahrain sentences 3 athletes for anti-government protests

Three Shiite athletes, national team goalkeeper Ali Said, bodybuilder Tareq al-Fursani and basketballer Hassan al-Dirazi, were sentenced to imprisonment for participating in anti-government protests in Bahrain

The three sportsmen were sentenced on charges of illegal congregation, incitement of hatred against Bahrain’s political systems and failing to obey orders banning their involvement in politics.
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/bahrain-sentences-3-athletes-for-anti-government-protests.aspx?pageID=238&nID=8765&NewsCatID=364

December 8th, 2011, 11:28 pm

 

NK said:

Norman

How many people died in the London riots at the hands of British army/police ?
The answer is one, which caused the riots which resulted in 5 more deaths non of which at the hands of British security personnel, the riots caused around $400 million in property damage.

Also I’m not sure how the security forces managed to kill 4000 (some) civilians by (accident).

While what happened at Abu Ghraib was terrible, it was done by U.S soldiers to IRAQI prisoners, they were sent there to fight Iraqi’s and yet they were held accountable for their actions. Syrian soldiers are killing/torturing Syrian citizens, their job is to protect Syrians and still none have been held accountable thus far and none ever will as long as Bashar is prisedent. Sorry if I don’t take your word that they will be held accountable, you have no way of knowing that this will happen, or do you want us to take Bashar’s words for it, a proven pathological liar ?

By the way Lincoln fought an ARMY not civilians and he fought because the southern states did declare SECESSION which is not the case anywhere in Syria, HUGE DIFFERENCE … so you can put that sorry excuse to rest. Here freshen up on your American history

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Civil_War
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_American_Civil_War_battles

December 8th, 2011, 11:29 pm

 

irritated said:

N.K

Wake up, most politicians lie, it does not make them “pathological liars”, it makes them shrewder politicians.

December 8th, 2011, 11:37 pm

 

Syrian Nationalist Party said:

@IRRITATED

It could be that both Majdkhaldoon and Dale Andersen are in possession of this kind of document shown in this link, that is why they speak of killing with impunity. Click and learn:

December 8th, 2011, 11:40 pm

 

NK said:

Irritated

I’m not sure how does that help your case (or his) ? are you admitting he is lying, and that no one will be held accountable for killing more than 4000 Syrians ?

I mean you don’t have to admit it to me, I already know that is the case, but if you’re admitting this to yourself and still support him anyways, well I don’t have anything else to say to you except to starting taking Prozac, the effects should kick in just in time for the execution of blue-eyes.

December 8th, 2011, 11:51 pm

 

zoo said:

The FSA and SNC “alliance” in deep trouble

December 8, 2011
Factional Splits Hinder Drive to Topple Syria Leader
By DAN BILEFSKY
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/09/world/middleeast/factional-splits-hinder-drive-to-topple-syrias-assad.html?_r=1&ref=global-home&pagewanted=print

ANTAKYA, Turkey — Even as the government of President Bashar al-Assad intensifies its crackdown inside Syria, differences over tactics and strategy are generating serious divisions between political and armed opposition factions that are weakening the fight against him, senior activists say.

Soldiers and activists close to the rebel Free Syrian Army, which is orchestrating attacks across the border from inside a refugee camp guarded by the Turkish military, said Thursday that tensions were rising with Syria’s main opposition group, the Syrian National Council, over its insistence that the rebel army limit itself to defensive action. They said the council moved this month to take control of the rebel group’s finances.

“We don’t like their strategy,” said Abdulsatar Maksur, a Syrian who said he was helping to coordinate the Free Syrian Army’s supply network. “They just talk and are interested in politics, while the Assad regime is slaughtering our people.” Repeating a refrain echoed by other army officials interviewed, he added: “We favor more aggressive military action.”

The tensions illustrate what has emerged as one of the key dynamics in the nine-month revolt against Mr. Assad’s government: the failure of Syria’s opposition to offer a concerted front. The exiled opposition is rife with divisions over personalities and principle. The Free Syrian Army, formed by deserters from the Syrian Army, has emerged as a new force, even as some dissidents question how coordinated it really is. The opposition inside Syria has yet to fully embrace the exiles.

Earlier this month, the Syrian National Council, and the rebel Free Syrian Army, which is waging an insurgency against the Syrian government, agreed to coordinate their actions. The move followed concerns by some opposition members that the rebel army was undermining the opposition’s commitment to nonviolence by carrying out high-profile attacks and feeding the narrative of the Assad government that it was being besieged by a foreign plot.

On Thursday, a pipeline carrying oil to a refinery in Homs was blown up, casting a huge pillar of black smoke over the city. The official news agency, Sana, placed blame for the attack on an “armed terrorist group,” the phrase the government uses to describe those behind the uprising. Some activists in Homs suggested that the government was responsible, as part of an effort to besiege the city.

The Syrian crisis has shifted geopolitics in the region, complicating an international response. Turkey, once a close ally, has turned emphatically against the Assad government. But Russia, which has close strategic relations with Syria, and China have blocked all attempts to negotiate a resolution against Syria at the United Nations. Meanwhile, Iran has been forging closer ties with Syria, fueling fears of regional unrest.

Turkish officials say they are hosting the rebel forces for purely humanitarian reasons. “We have no intention of sending arms or fighting groups from Turkey to any other country, including Syria,” a senior Foreign Ministry official said Thursday. “They are in Turkey for their own protection.”

But in recent days clashes at the Turkish-Syrian border between the rebels and the Syrian Army have been intensifying, rebel officials say. The Syrian government said Tuesday that it had prevented 35 gunmen from infiltrating Syrian territory from Turkey. The Free Syrian Army said wounded rebels had been taken across the border for treatment. Turkish officials said there were no military confrontations along the borders with Syria, but residents in the Turkish border village of Guvecci said that in recent days they had heard gunfights through the night.

Syrian activists say the Free Syrian Army is organizing a smuggling network to Syria from inside Turkey to supply soldiers, weapons and medical supplies. On a recent day in Gorentas, a rugged Turkish mountain village near the Syrian border, a group of smugglers was seen packing guns into empty flour sacks before speeding away on motorbikes. Asked where they were going, they replied, “Syria, Syria.”

The Syrian National Council insists that it is the only legitimate representative of the Syrian people, including its armed factions. Its leader, Burhan Ghalioun, met for the first time in early December with the Free Syrian Army chief, Col. Riad al-As’aad, in Hatay, where Colonel As’aad agreed to rein in attacks on Syrian government forces. The Turkish Foreign Ministry, which handles news media requests for meetings with Colonel As’aad, declined to make him available.

During an extensive interview with senior members of the Syrian National Council at its newly opened offices in Istanbul, Samir Nashar, a member of the eight-member executive board, said the Free Syrian Army was emerging as the armed force of the Syrian opposition. But he emphasized that the council’s support for it was limited to providing financing and humanitarian aid, not weapons. “We want them to stay within the limits of protecting civilians, not to attack the regime,” he said. “It is better to coordinate with them than to let them do what they want.”

The Free Syrian Army, which says it has about 10,000 fighters, is too small to fend off the brutal crackdown by the Assad government. Council members said the group was badly equipped, reduced to arming itself mostly with the guns of defectors.

One observer who recently spent two weeks in Syria shadowing the rebels described the army as a ragtag group of soldiers, some as young as 16, who wielded AK-47s and showed up at demonstrations to protect civilians. At least some have positions in caves near the Turkish border and smuggle weapons and supplies under cover of night.

Mr. Nashar said that while Turkey was providing a haven to the Syrian opposition, the Syrian National Council was financed with donations from Syrian supporters and from others in the Arab world. The council operates from a small office in Istanbul. “We don’t have a budget,” he said. “We haven’t even opened a bank account yet in Turkey.”

Senior members of the council said recent sanctions imposed by the Arab League, Turkey and the European Union had proved insufficient in the face of the escalating violence of the Assad government, which the United Nations says has killed at least 4,000 people since protests broke out in March.

A senior defector from the Syrian Foreign Ministry said in an interview that if outside countries armed the opposition rebels, it could inflict serious damage on the Assad government. The official, a former ambassador who fled to Istanbul from Syria last week, said Mr. Assad’s state security apparatus was operating in up to 50 locations in Syria. He argued that surgical strikes, in conjunction with a buffer zone inside Syria put into effect by Turkey, would prove fatal to the government.

Opposition officials said the Free Syrian Army, the Syrian National Council and the Turkish government had been engaged in talks in recent days over the formation of a buffer zone in the event of a huge number of refugees.

Since May, 20,201 Syrians have entered Turkey and 8,424 remain, according to the Ankara government.

But senior Turkish government officials said Thursday that a Syrian buffer zone was a “last resort” and that there were no imminent preparations for any kind of military action.

Mr. Nashar called for a buffer zone to be enforced by Turkey in coordination with the Arab League and the international community.

He said the zone was necessary to protect civilians and the growing ranks of defectors who were finding it difficult to find refuge in Syria. “Assad is running a killing regime, and the world is not doing enough,” he said.

The recent defector from the Syrian Foreign Ministry warned that the Assad government was deluded.

“The regime is living in a bubble and have no sense of reality,” he said. “Like Qaddafi, they will only realize it when the end comes.”

Sebnem Arsu contributed reporting from Istanbul, Daniel Etter from Antakya, and Anthony Shadid from Beirut, Lebanon.

December 9th, 2011, 12:06 am

 

irritated said:

N.K
“advice to start taking Prozac”

You already gave me this advice as if you were a regular user promoting its usage.
Contrary to you I am serene, and I don’t need any drugs.

December 9th, 2011, 12:11 am

 

jad said:

المرشحون الجمهوريون يدعون إلى شن “حملات سرية” على سورية وإيران

طالب المرشحون في الحزب الجمهوري للانتخابات الرئاسية الأمريكية يوم الأربعاء بشن “حملات سرية” تتضمن أعمال “تخريب واغتيال” بحق سورية وإيران.

وذكرت وكالة الأنباء الفرنسية (ا ف ب) أن ” الجمهوريين الأمريكيين ضاعفوا دعواتهم إلى تنفيذ عمليات “سرية” ضد إيران وسورية, بما فيها أعمال تخريب واغتيال وتقديم مساعدات إلى المعارضة”.

وقال الرئيس السابق لمجلس النواب نيوت غينغريتش, أمام ناشطين, إن “سياسة الولايات المتحدة تجاه سورية يجب أن تقوم على “استبدال” الرئيس السوري بشار الأسد و”بذل كل الجهود بشكل مباشر وسريا لكن دون تدخل القوات الأميركية لمساعدة” المعارضة على قلب النظام”.

وفرضت الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية حزم من العقوبات على النظام السوري, لدفعه الى وقف ما أسمته “العف” بحق المدنيين, كما صعدت مواقفها من النظام حيث دعت الرئيس بشار الأسد إلى التنحي من منصبه, وذلك عل خلفية ما يجري في سورية, كما قام مسؤولون امريكيون بلقاء شخصيات من المعارضة السورية.

وفيما يتعلق بشن عمليات سرية على إيران, أعلن الرئيس السابق لمجلس النواب انه يمكن أن يلجأ إلى “وسائل سرية” ل”تغيير النظام” في إيران”.

بدوره, دعا حاكم ولاية ماساتشوستش السابق الذي بات في المرتبة الثانية بعد غينغريتش في ترتيب مرشحي الحزب للانتخابات الرئاسية المقررة في تشرين الثاني 2012، واشنطن إلى مساعدة المنشقين سرا في ايران”.

وتعتبر دمشق الضغوط التي تتعرض لها من واشنطن بانها جاءت بسبب مواقفها الداعم للمقاومة في المنطقة وتحالفها مع طهران, كما تمارس عدة دول غربية وعلى رأسها أميركا ضغوطات على إيران بسبب ملفها النووي.

وكانت إيران حذرت مؤخرا الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية من التدخل العسكري في شؤون أي دولة في المنطقة، خصوصا سورية.

وتخشى الولايات الأمريكية المتحدة من التحالف السوري الإيراني باعتبار هذا التحالف يشكل مصدر خطر بالنسبة لها ولمصالحها.

سيريانيوز
http://www.syria-news.com/readnews.php?sy_seq=141127

December 9th, 2011, 12:23 am

 

jad said:

SNP,
Thank you!

December 9th, 2011, 12:31 am

 

zoo said:

Arab League backtracking from its ultimatum habits?

Arab League sanctions on Syria “temporary”
Published Thursday, December 8, 2011
http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/arab-league-sanctions-syria-temporary
Sanctions on Syria would be “temporary” and come to an end as soon as Syria signed a protocol to allow observers into the country, Nabil Arabi, Secretary General of the Arab League, said on Thursday.

Speaking at a press conference in Baghdad, Arabi said the lifting of sanctions was incumbent on Syria accepting the Arab League’s plan to send observers and end the violence.

“The ball is in the Syrian court. They can come and sign at any time, perhaps 24 hours after that, there will be the observers there. It’s up to them,” Arabi said. “They want to stop the economic sanctions, they sign.”

Arabi also met with Iraqi leaders, who said that they have made efforts to convince Syria to sign the protocol.

“We will exert efforts and discuss with the Syrian government how to remove all the obstacles facing this initiative,” Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari said.

Iraq abstained from a vote on Arab League protocol that imposes sanctions on Syria.

Arabi did not set a new deadline for Syria to sign the protocol, which was initially passed on November 27. Instead, he announced that the League would convene in Qatar on Saturday.

Syria claims it sent a “positive response” to the Arab League’s proposal on Sunday night, allegedly meeting the most recent Arab League deadline of December 4.

The Syrian letter listed a number of conditions and amendments to the original Arab League plan.

Syria previously missed several deadlines imposed by the League that would have averted sanctions.

December 9th, 2011, 12:32 am

 

zoo said:

Nasrallah vows to stand by ‘ally’ Al Assad to the end
December 6 2011
http://gulfnews.com/news/region/lebanon/nasrallah-vows-to-stand-by-ally-al-assad-to-the-end-1.944687
Lebanon’s Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah on Tuesday vowed to stand by his embattled ally President Bashar Al Assad to the end

The black-clad leader heaped criticism on the Syrian National Council, the main anti-Assad opposition coalition, slamming the council for aiming to “destroy Syria.”
“The so-called Syrian National Council, formed in Istanbul, and its leader Burhan Galiun… are trying to present their credentials to the United States and Israel,” Nasrallah said.

The Shiite leader’s comments came after Galiun was quoted as saying a Syria run by the country’s main opposition group would cut military ties to Iran, Hezbollah and the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas.

{..}

December 9th, 2011, 12:35 am

 

syria no kandahar said:

MB DUDES
You are so thrilled about Bashar interview you almost are going to need to pinch youself and come back to reality.you know that the facts on the ground are not going your way and you are trying to get high by smoking burned oil done by your terrorists friends.
MB and extremist islam will never get it right in Syria,one more time they are getting themselves into the same shate:terrorism.All of you Terrorists proxis know very well that your Revolutionists dudes are doing all kind of services:killing,abduction and necotiating release,killing police officers,collaborating with Turks and goat amirs.What you and your terrorists dudes missed is that you thought that by lying to the world and using billions of dollars from beduin money you will be able to convince the world.well you did except one thing:you failed the Syrian citizen one more time.Your opposition band is any thing but honest.They are as hungry for power as Qadafi and Mubark.The Syria citizen is very angry from every one:especially you opposition crooks.Every one failed the syrian citizen,he lost trust in every one,he even lost trust in himself.Turkey the 5 centuries occupier is suddenly turining from prostitute into virgin by plastic surgery.France the quarter century occupier is asking or safe accesses to make sure the old colony will be added to the basket on top of lybia.who really care about the Syrian citizen :no one.Qatar has been using the arabic blood as spiritual drinks to get its low self esteem to a level better than its size.
It is not about love for Assad,it is about hate for the way syria has become.The syrian citizens have seen it happen over and over again,they have seen the garbages dumped all over the middle east,they see it dumped over them,they smell it,they are asked to like it but they don not.Syrians are not Syrians any more,they are Alawi,Sunni,Kurds,christians and druz…Every day passes by Syrian
identity dissolve slowly into the sectarian sea and blood.Syrians are fed up,They hate democracy of death,they hate freedom to bleed..

December 9th, 2011, 12:50 am

 

N.Z. said:

Syria No Kandahar,

Are you okay?

December 9th, 2011, 1:03 am

 

Syrialover said:

# 133 – EHSANI2

Right on, Ehsani. You have recounted the sophisticated and cynical strategy the slick western PR agencies would have sold to Assad and co – and charged exorbitantly for, including the cost of securing Walters.

Maybe smart on paper. Except it’s drooping on the vine.

Assad looks unpleasant, weak and implausible. He’s saying confusing stuff. He’s too hard to look at and listen, to unless you’re interested in events in Syria. And non-Syrians who are interested in Syria know the reality.

Most of the rest who saw it would have forgotten it by the next day. All they would remember was how weird he was.

The non-Syrian audiences that matter (policy makers, opinion leaders, media etc) were just creeped out and annoyed by it.

Probably because they hired the same western PR agencies, Gaddafi and Gaddafi Jr said much the same things at various stages as Assad, but more articulately, looking stronger, more decisive, cooler and more confident than Bashar did. Not that that’s saying much – any 10 year old schoolgirl would beat Assad’s effort.

Despite the intention and strategy, Assad’s performance actually makes a sad joke of the meaning of the term Arab strong man.

How humiliating for Syrians to have such a person appearing in public with the name of their country.

December 9th, 2011, 1:37 am

 

Juergen said:

Irritated

What kind of Damascus are you talking about? I have been many times almost 2-3 times a year since 2005. If you know what they look like youll see police and muhabarat employees averywhere. I can tell you that such presence is more obvious in Syria than i knew it from my upbringing in East Germany. You know in East germany they at least tried to mingle and played a low profile. In Syria they want to be seen, and ask any Syrian, if something happen they are the first on the street yelling at the folks.

Khaled

The Staatssicherheit or as we said Stasi was overall present, there were an app. 250.000 people working for it and about 180.000 people were working for them secretly. They were very sophisticated, i heard of one opposition women who was so important for them they trained a guy to fancy her, they married and he reported to the Stasi all she did. She found out about it only after the fall of the regime. We had about 18mio inhabitants, and almost for every one existed an folder about the person. You can still see and obtain permission nowadays to read the folder. My parents who had a reputation for being against the regime heistated for long, just this year they asked to see the papers, no appointment was given yet. Many fear that through reading you would be deeply disappointed about people you trust. They penetrated also the church and almost every school, factory had an informant working for the stasi. The interrogation techniques of the Stasi were famous, among the best. Torture was of course abondoned, we even carried the name democratic on our name of the country, but torture was done but i would say more in a smart way. They would keep people imprisoned for days with always a light on in the cell, waking the person up every 20 min so he could not sleep. If they came to the conclusion that you are an enemy of the state, they could alienate your surrounding, make sure you dont get to university or your children. They issued bans for certain people not to work in their field or their profession, and often they took the children away from such enemies in order to destroy the family.

Rafiq Schami is probably the most famous arab author here in Germany, Switzerland and Austria. No syrian knows him, he was born in Maalula and writes all his work about Syria. He wrote a story about Seydnaya prison. He said that Hafez soon after his takeover would invite the Stasi to come to train his muhabarat people in interrogation. So they came with a dozen of german shephard dogs. Schami said that soon after the first ever held prison revolt took place because the imprisoned did not want to be tortured by foreigner who have dogs with them, As a result they really left, but cooperation existed until the end of our regime. There were also fights between the two countries, there was a famous Nazi living in Damascus, and my regime wanted to get this men badly to make a Eichmann like tribunal. Syria hesitated and did not really want to say they hosted an wanted Nazi for many years, at the end they were willingly to hand him over, only the end of our regime prohibited that, so this Nazi could live on for some more years after he died in the early 90s.

There is a famous movie about the work of the Stasi called The live of the others. I am sure one could watch the whole movie in the net.

December 9th, 2011, 2:18 am

 

Ya Mara Ghalba said:

سومر حيدر – يا بشار يا حبيب الملايين – يا بشار متلك مين انت يا
علي الجبين

The best new pro-regime watan song this year according to my very own taste is by Sumar Haidar, a singer from Latakia who was unknown outside Latakia until he recorded this song. The title of the song is “Bashar is loved by millions”. Here’s his music video for it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4g4EojAICcg
Here’s a version of it sung at a pro-regime rally in Latakia in October: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4J4nJUAMTjQ

The commenter above with the fraudulent name “Syrialover” doesn’t understand that Bashar has a lot of charisma in Syria and also among non-Syrians who support his politics. As it’s said in another popular song, Minhebak Ya Assadna = “We love you oh our Assad”.

Honestly, I think Bashar’s great. My view of Bashar is that he is a very good politician in terms of pure professional politics in Syria, sensitivity to public opinion, responsiveness to public opinion, and ability to sell policies to public opinion, while at the same time he is the figurehead of a vastly bigger government and set of government policies, which in turn is the expression of a bigger societal Establishment. If Bashar died suddenly tomorrow he would be missed, but he’s not indispensible. Vice President Farouq Al-Sharaa would take his place and the very same government policies would be continued. The government would have the same level of popular support as it has today for a few years forward at least, even though Farouq Al-Sharaa doesn’t have as much charisma as Bashar does.

December 9th, 2011, 2:27 am

 

Ya Mara Ghalba said:

The Syrian Central Bank has devalued its official exchange rate to US$1 = SYP 54.46 and €1 = SYP 73.07. The news is not reported by SANA. Many observers expect a further official devaluation because the Central Bank is still limiting the access of Syrian businesses to foreign currencies and the unofficial market rate is reportedly US$1 = SYP 62.
http://www.banquecentrale.gov.sy/forex/forex-ar/forex-today.htm

http://www.albawaba.com/business/syrian-central-bank-devalues-pound-404361

December 9th, 2011, 2:31 am

 

Ya Mara Ghalba said:

Bashar Assad is an honest man.

December 9th, 2011, 3:10 am

 

Mango said:

Mister Landis!
By participation rules on your blog unless it is not forbidden incitement to murder!in 151 article !!! directly mentioned the way of murder!

December 9th, 2011, 5:14 am

 

Mango said:

http://www.palestine-info.com/arabic/palestoday/readers/articles/frhanh/7_3_02.htm
مكونات العقل اليهودي :
تقديس شهوة القتل و المتعة في تدمير “الأغيار”

بقلم / الأستاذ عبد الرحمن فرحانة
فلسطين المحتلة

(إن اليهودي معتبر عند الله أكثر من الملائكة و إن اليهودي جزء من “الله” ، فإذا ضرب أممي “إسرائيليا” فكأنه ضرب العزة الإلهية ، و الفرق بين درجة الإنسان و الحيوان ، هو بقدر الفرق بين اليهود و غير اليهود) التلمود.

لا أظن أن تاريخ البشرية شهد نموذجا شبيها بالتكوين الذهني لدى لليهود ، فالبنية العقلية لديهم – سواء منها المستند على موروثهم باعتباره مقدساً أو تراثاً قومياً – مكتنزة بمفردات تطفح بروح العدوان و العنف … ليس ذلك فحسب ، بل فيها تعبير عن متعةٍ في تدمير الآخر و تقديسٍ لشهوة القتل و تحويل لمظاهر الإرهاب إلى طقس ديني .
و مرجع ارتكاز هذا الشر في الوجدان اليهودي يعود لكتبهم الدينية التي تدعو صراحةً لارتكاب الجريمة ضد الآخرين (الأغيار) . فمنظومة القيم اليهودية تعبر عن فطرة منكوسة مكتظة بمفردات تمتد من الادعاء بنقاء الدم اليهودي و قداسته (شعب الله المختار) و التمادي في العنصرية لحد الاعتقاد بأن الرب لهم دون سواهم و ما بقية بني البشر سوى خدم لهم (الغونيم) ، و تنتهي بوجوب قتل الآخرين و تغليف هذا الجريمة بمشروعية و قداسة مستمدة من أهم مصدرين دينيين لديهما : التوراة و التلمود .
و هذه القيم المنحرفة ليست منعزلة عن واقع الحياة في الكيان الصهيوني ، بل هي المادة الأساسية في البنية الثقافية هناك , فهذه المفاهيم الشاذة تدرّس في المدارس الدينية بشكل مكثف ، أما المدارس الحكومية فتدرج مقتطفات منها في مناهجها التعليمية و تبثها في معظم المواد حتى في المواد العلمية . و على امتداد خمسة عقود أنتجت هذه المفاهيم كيانا عنصريا منعزلا – جيتو كبير – اسمه (إسرائيل) رغم كل توابل و نكهات الديمقراطية التي تداخلت في قوانينه و نظمه .
و على صعيد مفهوم القوة ، و هو من أهم مفردات العلاقة مع الآخر ، فبسبب القلق الوجودي و الخوف من الآخر فقد تضخم المفهوم الأمني لدى هذا الكيان ليتدخل في صياغة تفصيلات نسيج المجتمع و بشكل واسع حتى في البنى الاجتماعية المكونة له .
و نظرا للخلفية التوراتية – التلمودية فقد أنتج استراتيجيو هذا الكيان نظرية أمنية و عقيدة عسكرية تستند في جوهرها على الروح العدوانية و تزخر بمصطلحات عدائية مثل : الحرب الاستباقية – الوقائية ، و نقل المعركة لأرض العدو ، و الردع العقابي ، و غيرها .
و كشاهد ميداني على تطبيق هذا الكيان لهذه المفاهيم ممارسات مؤسسته العسكرية الوحشية ضد الفلسطينيين العزل في الانتفاضة الحالية بتنوعها الذي يشمل هدم البيوت بالجرافات و طرد ساكنيها في العراء في البرد القارس ، و تدمير البنية التحتية الأساسية للمدن بالطائرات المقاتلة التي لا تستخدم إلا في حروب الجيوش المتكافئة ، و عمليات اغتيال الأفراد بالصواريخ الموجهة المصنوعة أصلا لقصف الآليات ، و كذلك محاصرة المدن و اجتياحها . كل ذلك تحت عنوان الدفاع عن النفس ، بل الأشد نكاية تسمية هذه الممارسات الوحشية في الإعلام العبري بمصطلحات خادعة لتتوافق مع زيف الديمقراطية الصهيونية مثل : الإحباط المموضع و الطوق المتنفس و الإصابة النوعية و الشدة المنخفضة . و هي عمليات بمسمياتها المختلفة عبارة عن قتل و تدمير استهدفت بنكاً من الأهداف وفق تسمية الأجهزة الأمنية شمل أهم ممتلكات و أبرز قيادات الشعب الفلسطيني .
و فيما يلي مقتطفات من تراثهم الديني الذي شارك بشكل أساسي في تشكيل البناء العقلي و الثقافي للذهنية اليهودية ، و سأحصرها بنماذج من الإشارات الصريحة المتعلقة بمفهوم القوة و استخداماته تجاه الآخر و ما يتصل بذلك :

الأساس العقدي لتكوين الشخصية العنصرية لليهود :
– (بالوجوه يسجدون لك ، و يلحسون غبار نعليك) سفر أشعيا الإصحاح 49 .
– (بنو الغريب يبنون أسوارك ، و ملوكهم يخدمونك ، تنفتح أبوابك دائما ليؤتى إليك بغنى الأمم ، و تقاد ملوكهم) أشعيا الإصحاح 60 .
– (لا تقرض أخاك بربا ، للأجنبي تقرض بربا ، لكن لأخيك لا تقرض بربا) التثنية الإصحاح 13 .
– (و الآن فلا تعطوا بناتكم لبنيهم و لا تأخذوا بناتهم لبنيكم و لا تطلبوا سلامتهم و خيرهم إلى الأبد) سفر عزرا الإصحاح 9 .
– (يقف الأجانب و يرعون غنمكم ، و يكون بنو الغريب حراثيكم و كرّاميكم ، أما أنتم فتدعون كهنة الرب ، تأكلون ثروة الأمم ، و على مجدهم تتآمرون) أشعيا الإصحاح 61 .
– (لأنك شعب مقدس للرب إلهك و قد اختارك الرب لكي تكون له شعبا خاصا فوق جميع الشعوب الذين على وجه الأرض) التثنية الإصحاح 14 .

تقديس شهوة القتل و الإحساس بالنشوة عند تدمير الآخر :
– (الآن اقتلوا كل ذكر من الأطفال و كل امرأة عرفت رجلا بمضاجعة ذكر اقتلوها) سفر العدد الإصحاح 31 .
– (متى أتى بك الرب إلهك إلى الأرض التي أنت داخل إليها لتمتلكها و طرد شعوبا كثيرة من أمامك … و دفعهم الرب إلهك أمامك و ضربتهم فإنك تحرّمهم (تقتلهم) لا تقطع عهدا لهم و لا تشفق عليهم و لا تصاهرهم) التثنية الإصحاح 7 .
– (و قال شاول لتنزل وراء الفلسطينيين ليلاً و تنهبهم إلى ضوء الصباح و لا تبقي منهم أحداً) سفر صموئيل الإصحاح 14 .
– (كل من وجد يطعن و كل من انحاش يسقط بالسيف ، و تحطم أطفالهم أمام عيونهم و تنهب بيوتهم و تفضح نساؤهم) سفر إشعيا الإصحاح 13.
– (ليؤتى إليك بغنى الأمم و تقاد ملوكهم ، لأن الأمة و المملكة التي لا تخدمك تبيد و خرابا تخرب الأمم) إشعيا الإصحاح 60 .
– (ارتخت دمشق و التفتت للهرب ، أمسكتها الرعدة و أخذها الضيق و الأوجاع … يسقط شبابها في شوارعها و تهلك كل رجال الحرب في ذلك اليوم يقول رب الجنود) سفر إرميا 49 .
– (ها أنذا أجلب عليك سيفا و أستأصل منك الإنسان و الحيوان و تكون أرض مصر مقفرة و خربة فيعلمون أني أنا الرب) سفر حزقيال 29 .
– (قل لطائر كل جناح و لكل وحوش البر اجتمعوا و تعالوا احتشدوا من كل جهة إلى ذبيحتي التي أنا ذابحها لكم . ذبيحة عظيمة على جبال إسرائيل لتأكلوا لحما و تشربوا دما . تأكلون لحم الجبابرة و تشربون دم رؤساء الأرض … و تأكلون الشحم إلى الشبع و تشربون الدم إلى السكر .. فتشبعون على مائدتي من الخيل و المركبات و الجبابرة و كل رجال الحرب يقول السيد الرب) حزقيال 39 .
– (و اقلب كرسي الممالك و أبيد قوة الأمم و اقلب المركبات و الراكبين فيها و ينحط الخيل و راكبوها كل منها بسيف أخيه) ، سفر زكريا الإصحاح 1 .

الاعتداء على أرض الغير و تشريع سلبها :
– (إنكم عابرون الأردن إلى أرض كنعان فتطردون كل سكان الأرض من أمامكم و تمحون جميع تصاويرهم … و تخربون جميع مرتفعاتهم تملكون الأرض و تسكنون فيها لأني قد أعطيتكم الأرض لكي تملكوها و تقتسمون الأرض بالقرعة حسب عشائركم) العدد الإصحاح 33 .
– (و إن لم تطردوا سكان الأرض من أمامكم يكون الذين يستبقون منهم أشواكا في أعينهم و مناخس في جوانبكم) العدد الإصحاح 33 .

و رغم غثاء الشر السالف الذكر إلا أن اللوبي اليهودي استطاع بقدرته على التزييف و عبر آلته الإعلامية الضخمة أن يصور اليهود على أنهم حملان بريئة تتعرض لبطش الذئاب العربية . و الأدهى أنهم تمكنوا من شن حملة على الإسلام لتصويره على أنه دين العنف و الإرهاب ، و في سياق هذه الحملة وصل سعار الحملة اليهودية على الإسلام لدرجة أن أحد أبرز حاخاماتهم في الولايات المتحدة هاجم حتى آيات القرآن الكريم و بشكل صريح .
و في المقابل عجز المسلمون عن إيصال رسالة دين الرحمة المنفتح بآفاق عالمية و البعيد كل البعد عن روح العنصرية (الحمد لله رب العالمين) – الفاتحة 1 – ، و الداعي لرحمة الناس كافة (و ما أرسلناك إلا رحمة للعالمين) – الأنبياء 107 – ، و الذي يحترم الآخر المناقض له و يرعى حرمته (و إن أحد من المشركين استجارك فأجره حتى يسمع كلام الله ثم أبلغه مأمنه) – التوبة 6 – ، بل يدعو لبر الآخر المخالف عقديا و الإقساط إليه (لا ينهاكم الله عن الذين لم يقاتلوكم في الدين و لم يخرجوكم من دياركم أن تبروهم و تقسطوا إليهم) – الممتحنة 8 – .

December 9th, 2011, 5:24 am

 

Mango said:

http://www.alwatanu-alaraby.com/News/News.asp?id=334
وحدة الاغتيالات في جهاز الموساد الصهيوني والمعروفة بــ”كيدون”.
فما طبيعة هذه الوحدة ؟
“كيدون” وتعني الخنجر الذي يغمد في البندقية أو (الحربة) وهي وحدة ضمن قسم العمليات الخاصة فى الموساد “ميتسادا” والمسئولة عن الاغتيالات في جهاز الموساد، وتعتبر “كيدون” الوحدة الوحيدة في العالم المجازة رسمياً من حيث تنفيذ الاغتيالات، تتكون من فرق كل فرقة تضم اثني عشر شخصا، وتسمى أيضاً “قيساريا”.

عقيدة القتل لدى”كيدون”:

يقوم الموساد بتدريب عناصر “كيدون “على كيفية التعامل مع السلاح وحماية الذات والاستهانة بالموت ، حيث يتم تدريب المرشحين على كيفية سحب المسدس أثناء الجلوس في مطعم إذا اقتضى الأمر، إما بالسقوط إلى الخلف على المقاعد أو إطلاق النار من تحت الطاولة ، أو بالسقوط إلى الخلف ورفس الطاولة في الوقت نفسه ثم إطلاق النار ، وكل ذلك في حركة واحدة ، ولقد تم التساؤل ما الذي يحدث لمشاهد برئ ؟ ( يقول أحد المتدربين ) : تعلمنا أنة لا يوجد مشاهد برئ في موضع يحدث فيه إطلاق النار ، فالمشاهد سيرى موتك وموت شخص آخر ، فإذا كان موتك ، فهل تهتم إذا أصيب بالجراح ؟ بالطبع لا ، إن الفكرة هي البقاء – بقاؤك أنت ، يجب أن تنسى كل ما كنت قد سمعته عن العدل ، ففي هذه المواقف إما أن تكون قاتلا أو مقتولا ، وواجبك أن تحمى ملك الموساد ، أي أن تحمى نفسك ، وبمجرد أن تفقد هذا تفقد عار الأنانية ،حتى أن الأنانية تبدو سلعة قيمة – شيئا يصعب عليك أن تنفضه عنك عندما تعود إلى بيتك في آخر النهار.

أشهر عمليات الاغتيال التي نفذتها:

امتلكت الوحدة أساليب مختلفة في عمليات القتل والاغتيال كلها تظهر حجم الحقد الذي يخفيه ويظهره قادة العدو الصهيوني ، حيث برزت أوسعها في الرد على عملية ميونخ التي نفذها الفلسطينيون ضد البعثة الرياضية الصهيونية أوائل السبعينيات:

1. في أكتوبر، 1972 م اغتيال الشهيد وائل زعيتر ممثل منظمة التحرير الفلسطينية في ايطاليا كان بواسطة إطلاق اثني عشر رصاصة في أماكن مختلفة في جسده.

2. في يناير، 1973م اغتيال الشهيد حسين البشير ممثل فتح فى قبرص بشحنة ناسفه تحت سريره في الفندق الأوليمبي بنيقوسيا.

3. في إبريل، 1973م اغتيال الشهيد الدكتور ياسر القبوسى أستاذ القانون بالجامعة الأمريكية ببيروت الذى تم تصفيته ب12 رصاصة في باريس كما فى حالة زعيتر.

4. في ديسمبر ، 1977م اغتيال الشهيد محمد الهمشرى ممثل منظمة التحرير في فرنسا الذي يعتقد أنه رئيس أيلول الأسود في فرنسا ، كان الاغتيال بواسطة شحنة متفجرة زرعت تحت مكتبه. حيث رتب عميل الموساد الذي انتحل شخصية صحفي إجراء حديث صحفي تليفوني معه ليعطي إشارة لمفجر القنبلة بالتفجير حين وصول الهمشري مكتبه.

5. في مارس ،1990م قام الموساد باغتيال «جيرالد بول» العالم الكندي الذي قام بتطوير البرنامج العسكري الشهير (الأسلحة المدمرة) لصالح العراق وذلك بغرفته في مدينة بروكسل حيث كان لهذه العملية أكبر الأثر في وقف تطوير هذا البرنامج.

6. في اكتوبر، 1995م اغتيال الدكتور فتحي الشقاقي الأمين العام لحركة الجهاد الإسلامي في فلسطين في مالطا، الذي تم تصفيته برصاصتين اخترقتا رأسه عن قرب من الجهة اليمنى .

العمليات الفاشلة:

1. في 1973م في “وليلهامر” في النرويج قتلت “كيدون” أحمد بوشيخى النادل المغربى الذى كان خارجا مع زوجته الحامل ذاهبا إلى بيته بعد أن ظنت انه حسن علي سلامة قائد عملية ميونخ الفدائية ، وتم اعتقال عملاء “كيدون” من قبل السلطات النرويجية والتي عرفت بفضيحة “ليلهامر”، وبعدها توقفت ملاحقة حسن علي سلامة فترة لتعود من جديد في عهد مناحيم بيجين فعادت فكرة التصفية وكلف مايك هراري للمهمة ، وقضى حسن علي سلامة بسيارة مفخخة بعد 5 محاولات فاشلة حيث أطلق عليه العدو لقب “الأمير الأحمر” لشدة تخفيه.

2. في أوائل التسعينيات قتل اثنان من الوحدة “كيدون” في العاصمة النمساوية “فينا” أثناء ملاحقتهما لنائب وزير الدفاع الإيراني مجيد عبسفور في انقلاب لدراجتهما وارتطامهما في سيارة مسرعة، ولا تزال الرقابة الصهيونية تمنع حتى هذه اللحظة نشر اسميهما رغم مرور 14 عاماً على موتهما ، وقد علقت صورهم في غرفة بجوار إيلي كوهين الجاسوس الصهيوني الذي اعدم في دمشق.

3. في 1997م كانت أول محاولة لـ”كيدون” على أرض عربية هي محاولة اغتيال خالد مشعل رئيس المكتب السياسي لحركة حماس برش السم، حيث كانت عمليات الاغتيال تنفذ في الدول العربية بواسطة وحدات خاصة تابعة للجيش مثل “سرية الأركان” أو سيرت متكال والتي قتلت الشهيد أبو جهاد القائد الثاني في حركة فتح في تونس.

أشهر قادتها:

· حجاي هاداس مسئول طاقم المفاوضات في ملف شاليط ، وحسب تقارير أجنبية أنه كان يقود الوحدة عند اغتيال الشهيد الشقاقي 1995م.

· تسيبي ليفني وزيرة الخارجية الصهيونية و رئيسة الوزراء السابقة وزعيمة حزب كاديما الصهيوني ، وفي تقرير فرنسي كشف أن تسيبي ليفني كانت ضمن الوحدة الخاصة التي دست السم لعالم نووي عراقي في باريس عام 1983م.

December 9th, 2011, 5:33 am

 

Mango said:

http://www.just-international.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4960:obamas-risky-oil-threat-to-china&catid=45:recent-articles&Itemid=123

Obama’s Risky Oil Threat To China
A new Cold War in Asia and a hemispheric energy policy that could endanger the planet: it’s a fatal brew that should be reconsidered before the slide toward confrontation and environmental disaster becomes irreversible. You don’t have to be a seer to know that this is not the definition of good statesmanship, but of the march of folly.

By Michael T. Klare

6 December 2011

Tomdispatch.com

December 9th, 2011, 7:42 am

 

Syrian Commando said:

Syria Comment’s parallel universe suggests final days coming.

4,000 troops left in Iraq.
UNIFIL bombed in Lebanon.
Roads closed to Turkey.
Arab dogs coming to kiss our ass.
Iran controlling America’s air force by remote.
Russia and China gearing up for WW3.
Bashar mocks the UN.

It’s over for you all, even this highly edited interview (the original in which he completely OWNS her) will not save you. I don’t know what the government was thinking allowing a non-live interview. It shows a high degree of incompetence in some quarters — this is why we’re in this mess and with democracy people like me will be voted into power, finally pushing the stake directly into heart of the zionist vampire state.

Welcome to the New Syrian Century. You played with the gate of the Sun, now you will feel the flames of hell.

December 9th, 2011, 8:12 am

 

Akbar Palace said:

Secret Weapon NewZ

Syrian Commando,

You will not win! Israel has a secret weapon!

http://www.israellycool.com/2011/12/05/israels-mona-lisa-weapon/

December 9th, 2011, 8:32 am

 

Ghufran said:

The chances of a balanced US policy in the Middle East are not better than the chances of Ruby wearing a Hijaab and performing Ramadani religious songs. US presidents since 1967 had to consult with jewish leaders inside and outside the US before they make any decision about the middle east,and every time they “forget” to follow that routine you hear about a “crisis” in US-Israeli relations that usually end with a sorry gesture from uncle Sam and a payment to Daddy JuJu.
BB and the Lebanese president did not meet with father Feltman for entirely different reasons.

وجّه مساعد وزيرة الخارجية الأميركية لشؤون الشرق الأدنى، جيفري فيلتمان، رسالة طمأنة إلى إسرائيل عبر كشفه عن تفاهمات توصل إليها مع القوى السياسية المصرية، ومن بينها حركة الإخوان المسلمين، تقضي باحترام اتفاق السلام بين القاهرة وتل أبيب. وكشف فيلتمان، في تصريحات خاصة أدلى بها إلى صحيفة «يديعوت أحرونوت»، أن الإدارة الأميركية تجري حواراً مع «قادة حركة الإخوان المسلمين»، معتبراً أن «هذا جزء من البزنس السياسي الخاص بنا مع القاهرة». وأضاف موضحاً «نحن نعمل إزاء كل الجهات السياسية التي لا تؤيد العنف في مصر، ومن خلال الحوار توصلنا معهم إلى تفاهم على أن يحترموا اتفاقية السلام مع إسرائيل. ولقد تولّد لدينا الانطباع بأنهم يدركون أهميتها، ونحن نوضح لهم الفائدة الكامنة في الاستقرار الذي تمنحه الاتفاقية لبلادهم».

ورداً على سؤال بشأن النتائج التي حققتها التيارات السلفية في مصر، والتي فازت بنحو 20 في المئة من الأصوات في الجولة الأولى من الانتخابات، أقرّ فيلتمان بمفاجأة واشنطن من هذه النتائج، مشيراً إلى أن «هذا أحد المواضيع التي سوف أبحثها مع المسؤولين الإسرائيليين. يوجد بيننا وبينهم تنسيق وشراكة استراتيجية ممتازة، وفي ضوء التغييرات التي تشهدها المنطقة يجب أن نتبادل المعلومات والتقديرات وأن نفكر كيف نتحرك إلى الأمام. يحظر علينا أن نتمسك بالحنين إلى الماضي».

ولدى تطرقه إلى حزب الله، فإن فليتمان ـــ بحسب يديعوت ـــ «بدا مختلفاً كلياً، وعلى نقيض المقاربة الدبلوماسية التي يظهرها حيال الإخوان المسلمين في مصر». وشرح السفير الأميركي السابق في بيروت موقف إدارته من الحزب قائلاً «إن حزب الله هو منظمة لا نتعامل معها. إنه منظمة إرهابية شاركت في الانتخابات، وعندما لا يعجبهم الواقع، فإنهم يفرضون رغباتهم بالقوة والعنف».

وكان فيلتمان قد قام خلال الأيام الأخيرة بجولة إقليمية شملت كلاً من الأردن ورام الله والقدس المحتلة، حيث التقى بالملك عبد الله والرئيس محمود عباس ومسؤولين إسرائيليين، من ضمنهم المدير العام لوزارة الخارجية رافي باراك وقيادة مجلس الأمن القومي الإسرائيلي. ولأسباب غير واضحة لم يلتق فيلتمان برئيس الوزراء الإسرائيلي بنيامين نتيناهو، إلا أنه قال لـ«يديعوت» إنه أصلاً لم يطلب لقاءً كهذا.
ووصفت الصحيفة فيلتمان بأنه مطّلع جداً على النزاع الإسرائيلي الفلسطيني، مشيرة إلى أنه عمل في الماضي في السفارة الأميركية في تل أبيب وشغل بعد ذلك منصب القنصل العام الأميركي في القدس الشرقية. وعن الجزء المتعلق بهذا النزاع من زيارته، أوضح فيلتمان أنه أتى إلى القدس ورام الله «لكي نفحص كيفية إطلاق المفاوضات المباشرة بين إسرائيل والفلسطينيين، لأن ذلك هو الطريق الوحيد للوصول إلى حل الدولتين»، مكرراً الموقف الأميركي بالقول «نحن نوضح للفلسطينيين أنه لا يوجد طرق مختصرة غير المفاوضات المباشرة، وأن توجههم إلى الأمم المتحدة لن يجعلهم يحصلون على دولة».

وبحسب رأي فيلتمان، فإن الرئيس باراك أوباما شخّص أن الموضوع الأهم بالنسبة إلى الإسرائيليين هو الأمن، فيما النقطة المهمة لدى الجانب الفلسطينيي هي المسألة الجغرافية، وقال في هذا السياق «ينبغي تفعيل الوساطة والتغلب على أزمة الثقة في الجانبين والقيام بعمل جدّي. الإدارة الأميركية لديها أيضاً إحباطات في هذا الموضوع. أنا أسمع شكاواكم من أن الفلسطينيين لا يعالجون الموضوع الأمني بجدية، وفي الجانب الثاني أسمع الفلسطينيين يشتكون من أنكم غير جديين في أفعالكم وتصريحاتكم في المسألة الجغرافية، ولذلك تحدث الرئيس أوباما عن الحدود التي يجب أن تستجيب لحاجات الفلسطينيين إلى الدولة، إلا أنهم يرون كيف أن الأرض تتقلص بسبب المستوطنات والبؤر الاستيطانية».

وفي الموضوع الفلسطيني الداخلي، أعرب فيلتمان عن اعتقاده بأن المصالحة بين فتح وحماس لن تتحقق. وقال «على مدى أعوام سمعنا تصريحات وشاهدنا لقاءات، إلا أن الفجوات العميقة بقيت على حالها، وهي تمثّل عقبة أمام المصالحة الحقيقية». وأضاف «لقد أوضحت أمس لأبو مازن موقفنا في هذا الخصوص: نحن نتفهّم تطلّعكم إلى الوحدة، إلا أنكم لن تحصلوا على دولة إذا تشاركتم مع منظمة إرهابية. وفي نظرنا، حماس هي منظمة إرهابية».

ووفقاً ليديعوت، فإن فيلتمان فضّل تسمية «الربيع العربي» بـ«التغييرات في العالم العربي»، مركّزاً حديثه في هذا الخصوص على ما يحصل في سوريا. وفي هذا الإطار، رأى أن الرئيس السوري بشار الأسد «أداة إرهابية للإرهاب الإيراني، وعليه أن يتنحّى فوراً».

December 9th, 2011, 8:57 am

 

majedkhaldoun said:

There is an article in Al Quds says

وسائل اعلام: إزالة زوائد حميدة من أمعاء أردوغان ولا اثر للسرطان
It looks like Mr. Erdogan has Villous adenoma, a precancerous lesion, and he had segmental resection.he will need two weeks at least to recover,of course we do not know the whole truth yet, this is only leaks.
This is why changes in Syria has been delayed.

Norman
I answered you that Iraq blood is more important than Bush blood, and I hope Bush will be tried for his lies, I am not fond of Saddam, he got what he deserve,he was a dictator and I am always for freedom and against all dictators.
Lincoln was killed by assasin.
The moderator canceled my comment previously.

December 9th, 2011, 9:13 am

 

Amir in Tel Aviv said:

Revlon Majed Tara,

What is the theme of this Friday ? Thanks!
.

December 9th, 2011, 9:16 am

 

Ghufran said:

So,majed,changes in Syria are linked to Erdogan’s internal organs?
This is an interesting article on a militant Jewish group in Israel:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/dec/09/israelis-gender-segregation-musical-protest

December 9th, 2011, 9:18 am

 

Amir in Tel Aviv said:

I wonder what little Hafez had today for breakfast
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gm89qKRDx-I
.

December 9th, 2011, 9:39 am

 

Haytham Khoury said:

الثورة السورية: من النضال الوطني إلى المتاهة الطائفية
http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/27201

December 9th, 2011, 9:53 am

 

Akbar Palace said:

Ghufran,

There is no government gender segregation in Israel except among the religious who prefer to live that way. And the religious are not very “militant”. Most do not serve in the army.

If a religious group wants to hire buses that serve only men or women, that is their right. You should know that women in Israel, by law, are free to pursue whatever they want (ref. Post 183).

As usual, many here and in the press whine about a country that is far more freer than the countries they live in.

December 9th, 2011, 9:59 am

 

Ghat Al Bird said:

American Jews are getting sick and tired of Israeli Jews accoding to mondoweiss;-

Israel isn’t good for the Jews anymore. That’s the news from New York.

It happened in the last week, or the last two years. A feeling has taken root deep in the American Jewish community that Israel is hurting us, hurting our standing in the world and our future.

The restrictions on democracy, the curbs on women, the intransigence vis-a-vis the Palestinians when Obama has demanded movement, the indifference to the Arab Spring– Israel is a society we no longer recognize as Jewish like we’re Jewish, and worst of all, its militarism is exposing American Jews to the accusation that we are dually loyal. And we don’t like that: We’re Americans.

The straw that broke the camel’s back was clearly the oafish ad campaign that targeted Christmas and intermarriage– the ad campaign that Netanyahu cancelled. Even rightwing Israel lobbyists were stunned by how clueless the ad campaign was. But it was an expression of genuine Israeli attitudes. And that is what’s so scary.

An awakening finally to the truth that you can fool some of the people some of the time but its impossible to fool people all the time.

December 9th, 2011, 10:22 am

 

SyrianSpring said:

@ 191

Can you please post the link. I would like to send it to my Israel friends

December 9th, 2011, 10:41 am

 

Tara said:

What does Ankara mean? aren’t they tired of the same rhetoric again and again? why do they feel an urge to repeat the same thing again and again?

‘Ankara won’t allow Syria to threaten security’
By JPOST.COM STAFF AND REUTERS
12/09/2011 14:43
http://www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?id=248834

Turkish Foreign Minister Davutoglu says his country does not want to intervene in Syria but is ready for “any scenario.”

ANKARA – Turkey cannot stand by and watch if Syria’s crackdown on a popular uprising puts security in the region at risk, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said on Friday.

While Ankara has no desire to interfere in Syria’s internal affairs, it has a duty to tell Damascus “Enough!” if it puts Turkey’s security at risk by fighting its own people and forcing people to flee the country, he said.

RELATED:
Assad denies responsibility in Syrian crackdown
Syrian troops near Turkish border, refugees flee

Turkey, which has the second-largest army in NATO, said last month it did not want any military intervention in Syria but that it was ready for “any scenario” including setting up a buffer zone inside Syria.

Turkey, which has become increasingly critical of its one-time ally, fears that an all-out civil war based on sectarian lines in Syria could spill across its borders and spark tensions among Turkey’s own people.

“Turkey has no desire to interfere in anyone’s internal affairs but if a risk to regional security arises then we do not have the luxury of standing by and looking on,” Davutoglu told reporters in the Turkish capital, referring to Syria.

“If a government that is fighting its own people and creating refugees, is putting not only their own security at risk but also that of Turkey, then we have a responsibility and the authority to say to them: ‘Enough!'” he said.

Muslim Turkey was once one of Syria’s closest regional allies, and Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan had built a strong rapport with Syrian President Bashar Assad.

December 9th, 2011, 11:11 am

 

jad said:

How the media works: they invite someone, they ask questions then they cut out the answers the way they wanted just to make their case valid, it’s never about the opinion of the people they invite.
The sad thing is that they have a vote at the end making this whole struggle only about Assad!
4000 people didn’t die for ‘him’, every and each person of theses Syrian souls we lost have his/her own reason that drove them out to the streets, some went out asking for freedom, others went out asking for democracy, some were asking for a better economy, or asking for dignity, terrorists went out having riffles to stir violence for money, the Syrian soldiers went out to protect Syria, and some where simply passing by.
The truth is that most of these Syrians we lost were there for something they believe in and want so dearly so they gave their life for regardless of who they are, being Soldiers or Civilians or even the terrorists, and it wasn’t about a ‘person’, yet the media keep shrinking it to ‘pro’ or ‘anti’ Assad. I guess the fair west never liked to show the truth, it’s not attractive enough.

“In this debate with Ms. Rafif Joeijati, spokesperson of the Local Coordination Committees, on Voices of Merica, I learned a very important lesson: Never go with VOA in a recorded show again. VOA cut out more than half of what I said, which not only weakened my argument, but also made me sound like I did not know much about the crisis. Here is a summary of what was edited out:
1- The answer regarding the president taking responsibility, and the comparison with Kent State Shooting and Iran-Contra.
2- The answer about Hamza Al Khateeb.
3- Daraa Children.
4- Banias Ambush April 11th.
5- WHY I don’t trust the observatory. VOA conveniently let me say I don’t trust it, but they deleted the part when I explain WHY! They completely edited out the part about documented cases that proved to be fabricated, and the part about being documented does not necessarily make it true.
6- When I mentioned casualties from the other side in my answer regarding responsibilities, and I why is no one interested in who is responsible for those? Also another mention of these casualties has been deleted.

I guess more than half of what I said did not sound important enough to Davin to be included. I wonder why I was invited in the first place if that’s the case. This also gives me a good idea about how Barbra Walters handled President Assad’s interview. So this is how you run recorded interviews Davin? I am a bit disappointed.”

http://middleeastvoices.com/2011/12/at-issue-debate-do-you-support-or-oppose-syrias-bashar-al-assad/

December 9th, 2011, 11:12 am

 

Akbar Palace said:

New York NewZ Flash

Israel isn’t good for the Jews anymore. That’s the news from New York.

Ghat Al Bird,

Are you saying the powerful Israel-lobby is no more? We’ll have to tell this to Walt and Mearshimer so they can prepare for a new job.

December 9th, 2011, 11:15 am

 

jad said:

Even Ghalyoun doesn’t trust the FSA work and he knows that they will lead Syria to hell:

رئيس المجلس الوطني برهان غليون يطالب الجيش السوري الحر بوقف عملياته ضد الجيش، ويتخوف من حرب أهلية
فيينا /رويترز/

قال زعيم المعارضة الرئيسية في سوريا انه طلب من المنشقين العسكريين ان يقصروا عملياتهم على الدفاع عن المحتجين المناهضين للحكومة لكنه ابدى خشيته من الا يكون لديه النفوذ الكافي لمنع وقوع حرب اهلية
وقال برهان غليون زعيم المجلس الوطني السوري انه حث قائد الجيش السوري الحر الذي ينضوي تحت لوائه المتمردون المسلحون على وقف العمليات بعد ان شنوا سلسلة هجمات على القوات الموالية للرئيس بشار الاسد
وقال غليون في مقابلة اجرتها معه رويترز في وقت متأخر امس الخميس//نشعر بالقلق من الانزلاق نحو حرب اهلية تضع الجيش الحر والجيش الرسمي في مواجهة كل منهما للاخر// واضاف //نريد تفادي نشوب حرب اهلية باي ثمن//
وفي الشهر الماضي هاجم منشقون عن الجيش قوات الامن ودمروا جزءا من قافلة مدرعة وفتحو النار على مركز للمخابرات على اطراف دمشق وقتلوا ستة طيارين في قاعدة للقوات الجوية
وقال غليون انه طلب من قائد الجيش السوري الحر العقيد رياض الاسعد ان //يقصر انشطته على حماية المتظاهرينوألا يشن مطلقا هجمات او عمليات ضد قوات الجيش السوري// وقال غليون ان الاسعد وافق على ذلك لكنه اصر على ان ما يقوم به الجيش السوري الحر هي //عمليات دفاعية//
وأضاف غليون //امل ان يفي بوعده وان من الضروري لنجاح ثورتنا الحفاظ على طبيعتها السلمية وهو ما يعني القيام بمظاهرات شعبية// وتابع //لا نريد التحول الى ميليشيات تحارب ضد الجيش//
وتقول الامم المتحدة ان 4000 شخص على الاقل قتلوا في الحملة التي يشنها الاسد ضد المحتجين الذين شجعتهم انتفاضات في تونس ومصر وليبيا وتنحي السلطات السورية باللوم في العنف على جماعات مسلحة وتقول ان 1100 من الجنود والشرطة قتلوا منذ اندلاع المظاهرات في مارس اذار
ويزور غليون فيينا لحشد التأييد لمجلسه المعارض الذي يضم 260 عضوا وتشكل في اسطنبول قبل ثلاثة اشهر
وقال ان التدخل الاجنبي في سوريا قد يكون حتميا اذا استمرت اراقة الدماء لكنه اوضح ان الاسد سيتحمل المسؤولية اذا حدث ذلك
وقال //تقع على النظام الحالي مسؤولية تجنب وقوع حرب اهلية وتعني وقوف جيش ضد جيش وتدخل عسكري يريد الجميع تجنبه//
ومضى يقول //اعتقد ان مسألة /التدخل/ ليست متروكة لنا لنطلبها لكنها ستحدث من تلقاء نفسها على اية حال اذا واصل النظام قتل المئات يوميا فلن يستطيع المجتمع الدولي ان يقف ساكنا ولا يفعل شيئا//
وتحدث غليون امام نحو 500 من انصاره في فيينا امس الخميس وأكد غليون الذي كان محاطا بحراس على اهمية وحدة المعارضة والمظاهرات السلمية
ويرأس استاذ الجامعة مجلس المعارضة الرئيسي ولكن ليس واضحا مدى النفوذ الذي لديه على المحتجين داخل البلاد او الدور الذي سيقوم به في سوريا اذا اطيح بالاسد
وسئل عما سيفعله لمعالجة مخاوف الاقلية من المسيحيين والعلويين والاكراد في سوريا بعد الاسد فقال غليون ان الشعب السوري موحد وان على اي حكومة مستقبلية ان تحافظ على المساواة في الدولة التي اغلبها من السنة
وقال //بعد التوترات التي جلبها النظام للشعب فان هناك حاجة لتعزيز المشاعر الوطنية من خلال وضع خطة لدولة ديمقراطية علمانية تحترم جميع مواطنيها وتجرم جميع اشكال التمييز العرقي او السياسي او الديني//
وقال غليون انه يعتقد ان نظام الاسد سيسقط ولكن من المستحيل التكهن بموعد حدوث ذلك وقال //لا أحد يستطيع ان يقول /متى/ اعتقد انه فقد شرعيته تماما كرئيس// وأضاف //امل ان يتخلى عن السلطة بنفسه//

December 9th, 2011, 11:18 am

 

zoo said:

Turkey starting to backtrack…

Turkey tells Assad to punish ‘murderers’ of opposition
Friday,December 9 2011,
ANKARA – Agence France- Presse

Turkey urged Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Friday to punish the “murderers” of anti-regime protesters and accept observers proposed by the Arab League.

“If he (Assad) is now sincere, he will immediately punish the murderers and accept Arab League observers. He still has such an opportunity,” Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu told reporters.
..
Davutoğlu said Assad’s remarks were a kind of “confession”.

“He now accepts that security forces might have made a mistake,” said Davutoglu. “I wish he had said this in April.” Assad told veteran ABC News interviewer Barbara Walters this week that security forces belonged to “the government” and not him personally.
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-tells-assad-to-punish-murderers-of-opposition.aspx?pageID=238&nID=8804&NewsCatID=338

December 9th, 2011, 11:25 am

 

zoo said:

The AKP without Erdogan would desintegrate

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/good-wishes-for-erdogan-and-turkey.aspx?pageID=449&nID=8735&NewsCatID=425

“The apparent cacophony coming out of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) parliamentary group regarding many headings – but particularly the vetoed law on rigging in football – demonstrate in all bitterness that if the glue of the AKP, that is Erdoğan, was to be taken out, probably the AKP would disintegrate and vanish into thin air. Indeed that was one important reason that even die-hard opponents of Erdoğan and his single-handed autocratic style of governance have started praying for his quick recovery and good health.
{..}

December 9th, 2011, 11:28 am

 

Tara said:

Zoo

Was that a typo? He is giving contradictory statements otherwise.

December 9th, 2011, 11:33 am

 

annie said:

The things the President does not know about and is not responsible of :

The Techniques of Torture in the Prisons of Syrian Security Forces
Posted December 9, 2011 by bandannie
Hedaya Aburwein
REMEMBER SYRIA
SNN | #Syria:
The following report shows a condensed summary of the techniques of torture adopted in the prisons of the Syrian security forces during the last nine months of the popular uprising in Syria. It is based on written testimonies of some released detainees, who do not know each other, where the technique of torture is documented in the below summary only if three detainees agree unanimously on the fact that they were subjected to this kind of torture.

All the written testimonies of the former detainees are saved at the the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights in London.

The following is a summarised presentation of the first part of the techniques of torture adopted in the prisons of Syrian security forces since the beginning of the popular uprising in Syria on March 15th, 2011, which will be followed by the second and third parts in the near future:

1 – Electric Shock: where the live electric cable is put, after separating the copper small wires which comprise the element that transfers electricity within the plastic sheath of the cable, and spreading it on a distance that ranges from 5-10 cm in order to be used to stun the detainee electrically on the ears, nose, mouth, body parts, trunk, and the genitals of the detainee.

2 – Torture in the Wheel: where the detainee is put inside two large vehicles’ wheels, in a position that his backside is down, his hands are tied behind his back, and only his head and feet are on the wheels as to be beaten up on his face and feet until they bleed, and then they shift to another way of torture.

3 – Torture With Metal Chair: it is a metal chair frame that has got no seat, where the detainee is enforced to sit on it in a position in which his backside is limited to the boundaries of the seat metallic frame after it gets down near the ground so that makes all parts of his back and the back side of the legs and thighs exposed to brutal beating with the so-called quadripartite cable, which is a thick stripe used to conduct the high voltage electricity with a diameter that is more than 5 cm whose tip that is used for torture is stripped so that the small copper wires become cutting tools which tear up the skin of the detainee when he or she is beaten up with it.

4 – The Tying Up, Kicking, and Booting: where the two feet of the detainee are tied up, his hands get tied behind his back, and he is put on the ground as to be kicked and booted with the huge military boots worn by the investigators on all parts of his body, with a special focus on kicking the chest and the genitals of the detainee until they get swollen as a result of the inner bleeding and become several times bigger than their normal size. In many cases, the detainee vomits blood due to the dangerous visceral lacerations at the level of the gastrointestinal and respiratory track that occur as a result of such violent beating.

5 – Torture by the struggle with the wedged cat: it is a technique mainly used with female detainees in order to avow some information about the places where the activists are hidden. This happens by unclothing the woman of all her clothes, and enforcing her to get into a large bag of cannabis usually used to transfer compost or forage in Syria, and then letting a big cat in and wedging it with the detainee in the same bag so that the cat uses all of its claws and canine teeth in an attempt to get out of the bag in which it is wedged, the thing that causes absolute surficial and deep wounds on the whole body of the detained woman.

6 – Pincer Technique: it happens through using the pincer that builders use to root out the nails from the wooden stems used for construction, where such pincer is used first to pluck out the hair of the detainee’s head, uprooting his nails one by one, and then rooting out his teeth. This technique is mostly used with the children between 14 and 18 years old.

7 – Urinating in the detainee’s mouth: where the warder enforces the detainee to open his mouth so that the warder can urinate in it, and enforces him to swallow the urine.

8 – Burning Technique: it happens by extinguishing cigarettes smoked by the warders in the detainee’s body, in addition to using cigarette lighters to burn different parts of the detainee’s body, especially the most innervated areas like the genitalia and the breasts.

9 – Deaf Technique: it is based on the violent and repeated slapping of the detainee on the area of the ear until the eardrum is torn up and the ear of the detainee starts bleeding, and then he becomes deaf as a result of the intense bleeding that occurs in the middle ear of the detainee that has been exposed to the severe contusion.

10 – Roasted Thicken Technique: it happens through tying up the hands of the detainee behind his knees, and then inserting an iron rod, of the type used in the concrete construction, under his armpits, and then the detainee gets hung on a special holder of that technique so that the warder pushes the detainee from time to time to fluctuate and suffer from an intense pain due to the friction of the metal rod with his armpits. The detainee is left in such position for long hours that may last 20 hours a day.

11 – Ghost Technique: it means transforming the detainee into a ghost. This occurs through putting handcuffs on the detainee’s hands and hanging him to the ceiling of the investigation room, in a position where his feet do not touch the ground. He is left as such for long hours of up to 20 hours a day. This leads to the paralysis of hands due to the stretch and contusion of hands’ nerves. It causes dangerous dislocations on the joints of the hands and irreversible deformations as a result of this type of torture. It should be noted that this kind of torture is the most common, and it is used almost with all detainees without exceptions.

12 – Wind Carpet Technique: it occurs by putting the detainee on a plank in the mid of which exist joints that allow the folding of the board so that the detainee’s hands and feet get tied to the front and back of the plank, and his face on the ground of it. Then, the front side of the plank is lifted as to fold it so that the body of the detainee gets folded until the backside of his head touches the heel of his feet. This leads to a dangerous stretch in the ligaments and nerves of the spine, which results the most dreadful kind of pain a person can suffer from, the thing that causes an entire paralysis to the detainee for a period of not less than four days, and leads in many cases to the death of the detainee during this type of torture.

13 – Flask Technique: includes the enforcement of the detainee to take off his clothes from the chest down, and enforcing him to sit on a glass flask, where the upper side of the glass flask gets inserted in the detainee’s anus, and he is enforced to remain in such position until he loses conciseness as a result of the bleeding that occurs due to the tear and rupture of the tissues because of the stretch they were exposed to as a result of the wedging of the flask in the anus of the detainee.

It should be noted that the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has been able to document 204 cases of death under torture of the detainees. This documentation includes all obtained details by direct testimonies from the victims’ families and the doctors who wrote the death certificates of the detainees or had examined them before their burial.

In the following table, there is a condensed summary of the information available at the Syrian Observatory of Human Rights concerning the detainees who died under torture in Syria since the uprising erupted on the 15th of March 2011 , among them were eight children and a woman. To have a look at the table in Excel format, please click on the link below:

http://syriahr. org/204-Victims-Killed-by-Torturing-Nov-2011.xls

As for the geographical distribution of the number of detainees died under torture, they were as follows:

– Homs province 112

– Damascus and Damascus countryside provinces 22

– Idlib province 19

– Hama province 12

– Dir Zour province 5

– Aleppo province 3

– Latakia province 4

– Daraa province 27

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights asserts that all documented written testimonies of those who were exposed to torture in the Syrian security branches by using the above techniques of torture doubtlessly affirms that the violations of human rights taking place in Syria actually amount to be considered as crimes against humanity that should be referred to the International Criminal Court without any hesitation or delay that may raise scepticism about commitment of the international community to refer everyone who may be contributing to the crimes against humanity in Syria to the International Criminal Court as it was previously the case, and a lot faster, with the similar crimes committed by Gadhafi former regime in Libya.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights
London December 5th, 2011

December 9th, 2011, 11:44 am

 

jna said:

196. zoosaid:
Turkey starting to backtrack…

Davutoğlu said Assad’s remarks were a kind of “confession”.

“He now accepts that security forces might have made a mistake,” said Davutoglu. “I wish he had said this in April.”

Davutoğlu is four months behind the time.

Aug 11, 2011….Syrian President Bashar al-Assad responded to growing criticism about his deadly five-month crackdown on dissidents by admitting “some mistakes” were made by his security forces in the “initial stages” of unrest.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-08-10/assad-admits-to-mistakes-in-clampdown.html

December 9th, 2011, 11:53 am

 

zoo said:

Women’s right versus police’s rights in Turkey

Woman handcuffed, beaten at police station (and sexually harassed)
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/Default.aspx?PageID=238&nID=8801&NewsCatID=341
A Turkish daily has released footage showing three police officers beating a detained woman in the Aegean province of İzmir.

The footage was obtained from a police station in İzmir and was recorded in July, according to the report by Kemal Göktaş of daily Vatan.

Fevziye Cengiz was at a music hall with her husband and other family members in July when police raided the location to conduct an identification check. Cengiz’s husband reportedly went to their car parked nearby to fetch her ID card.

As Cengiz said she was trying to explain that her husband was bringing her ID from the car, one of the officers allegedly hit her from behind and said, “Don’t you want to come, [expletive],” and forcefully detained her.
Police officers allegedly continued the beating all the way to the police station, Cengiz said.

Once at the station, Cengiz said the policemen beat and sexually harassed her, adding that she was forced to lie on the ground in handcuffs while officers continued the beating. An officer in police uniform closed the station’s curtains to prevent anyone outside from witnessing the incident.

Security camera recordings were brought to the prosecutor’s office after she made a complaint.

Policemen file complaint

Meanwhile, the policemen who allegedly beat Cengiz filed a complaint against her, claiming she swore at them as they invited her to the police station.

“She pushed me,” one of the policemen said, while another said Cengiz “scratched” his arm.

6.5 years for Cengiz, 1.5 for policemen

The policemen face 1.5 years in prison on charges of “causing injury with excessive force,” while Cengiz faces up to 6.5 years in jail on the grounds that she “injured” and “insulted” the police officers.

December 9th, 2011, 12:18 pm

 

irritated said:

#199 Annie

A more complete list for your entertainment

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_methods_of_torture

Also, as you like the USA democracy and human rights

American Torture Techniques

http://civilliberty.about.com/od/waronterror/p/torturelite.htm

December 9th, 2011, 12:21 pm

 

zoo said:

Opponents, supporters of gov’t rally in Syrian cities
English.news.cn 2011-12-10
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2011-12/10/c_122403728.htm

DAMASCUS, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) — Mass rallies were held Friday in a number of Syrian cities in support for embattled President Bashar al-Assad, while anti-regime demonstrations erupted in protest-hub cities calling for his ouster and implore their countrymen to stage a general “strike of dignity” on Sunday.

Thousands of people took to the streets in several cities, including the capital Damascus, to renew their resentment toward the international community’s attempt to “aggravate the situation in Syria,” Syrian media reported on Friday.

The state TV aired pro-Assad demonstrations at Wadi al-Dahab neighborhood in the flashpoint city of Homs, while other TV channels aired anti-regime protests staged in another district in the city, which gave a glimpse of the internal conflict in Homs.

On the opposition side, some media reported that Assad’s opponents had launched fresh rallies Friday with calls for staging general strikes, despite several previous appeals were met with deaf ears by Syrians, particularly in Damascus and Aleppo, the two economic powerhouses remaining relatively calm except in the countryside.

December 9th, 2011, 12:38 pm

 

Dale Andersen said:

Memo To: AKBARIO IN SOLOMON’S PALAZZO

RE: “…I wonder what Besho had today for breakfast…”

A good question. President Pencilneck had better be careful what he eats. I think when he dies, it will be someone very close who kills him: a bodyguard, a secretary, a cook…

December 9th, 2011, 12:44 pm

 

zoo said:

Defections from Syrian army on the rise – Free Syrian Army
09/12/2011 By Yousef Diab
http://www.asharq-e.com/news.asp?section=1&id=27624

Beirut, Asharq Al-Awsat – Defections from the Syrian army and other security forces is on the rise, leading to an increase in the frequency of armed clashes between Syrian security forces and defectors in a number of Syrian provinces, particularly the Idlib Governorate, which borders Turkey. Observers monitoring the course of events in Syria have been surprised by the recent defection of a large number of elements from the Syrian Air Force Intelligence Directorate. This represents a sudden and surprising shift in the mindset of this security apparatus, which was previously considered one of the most loyal to the Syrian regime.

….

The FSA source added “I am confident that FSA operations are not targeting any Syrian army soldiers, because they are our colleagues and comrades, and they sympathize with our people and coordinate with us on a regular basis. Rather, our operations exclusively target Bashar al-Assad’s gang, who are committing massacres against the innocent people of Syria. They are the Shabiha [militia], the military intelligence, and the Air Force intelligence, whose crimes and murders have gone on for far too long”.

December 9th, 2011, 12:54 pm

 

zoo said:

قدري جميل: إذا أتى برهان غليون لسورية سأرفع عليه دعوى بتهمة “الخيانة العظمى”

http://www.champress.net/index.php?q=ar/Article/view/107655

December 9th, 2011, 12:59 pm

 

Syrian Nationalist Party said:

“…….Defections from Syrian army on the rise – Free Syrian Army..”

Well of course, the mercenary pay is much higher than low life Syrian foot soldier pay, and they get paid in Drug and Blood money, the Dollars, which still hold value for Middle Easterners rag heads, it is still accepted at all whore houses and by all Madams. But crimes and seditions against ones country don’t pay in the end, it never did. Eventually, one of Assad 5000 tanks will dispatch a shell over the hill and here goes 500-600 defectors, much worse if a missile landed, here goes the what you call it FSA or SFA, whatever that stands for!! hummm… FSA Turkey Front for Sabotage & Assassinations, why not call it that TFSA? Add a “T”

December 9th, 2011, 1:08 pm

 

Dale Andersen said:

From the EU/Jewboy/CIA/Salafi/Saudi/al-Qaeda Press:

“…If anyone wants to end his life or kill himself, he should go to Syria, said 38-year-old Turkish lorry driver Tayfun Sari who had just spent nine days crossing Syria from Jordan, a journey he said normally took him a day.

‘The army is shooting civilians and the civilians are shooting back. Yesterday I saw five soldiers dead on the road after Homs to Turkey and nobody was doing anything for them. They were lying on the road,’ he said, his eyes bloodshot from lack of sleep.

‘In Homs, civilians were cutting off the road with burning tyres and the military was opening fire on protesters. There were many bullet shells on the road and some trucks had flat tyres. I was caught in cross-fire but luckily my truck was not hit. I saw a Syrian military vehicle on fire and a house on fire. I am never going back to Syria. That’s it.’

He and other drivers waiting to enter Syria said they were increasingly singled out by Syrian government forces because of their government’s tough stance towards its neighbour.

Turkey, with the second biggest army in NATO, said on Friday it did not want to interfere in Syria’s internal affairs but could not stand by if its neighbour became a risk to regional security…”

http://playwrighter.blogspot.com/2011/06/stuck-in-damascus-with-memphis-blues.html

December 9th, 2011, 1:08 pm

 

jad said:

The disgusting movie of lies continue:

The UN was and will never ever be credible or just or objective in anything related to Arabs and Muslims, it is nothing but a mean to the world powers to do what they want.
Where is the justice to the Palestinians? The ‘objective’ UN powerful members just refused to accept Palestine as a peaceful member after all what the Palestinians went through and all that was done because of the UN.
Did the millions of Iraqis, or the Afghans or the Pakistanis get any justice for all the killing the UN powers posed on them?

Pokemon said something like he can’t believe that the number is only 4000, it must be higher. If he can’t believe his own ‘just’ ‘objective’ and ‘highly credible’ resources numbers, how can we believe the ‘objectivity’ of his comment?

Besides, how can he judge and be 100% sure that the 4000+ victims, including the 1100 soldiers, all of them, were killed by the government? 7 years of investigation in Hariri’s killing and until today they don’t know who did it, but with as instant he know that all those Syrians were killed by one side. Credibility? Sure!

بان كي مون: المعلومات الموثوقة تشير إلى مقتل أكثر من 4000 شخص بسوريا

أكد الأمين العام للأمم المتحدة بان كي مون، في حديث له في مجمع داداب للاجئين في كينيا، أن “الأمم المتحدة بحثت التحديات وانتهاكات حقوق الانسان التي تحدث في سوريا على أساس نزيه جدا وعادل وبموضوعية ومصداقية عالية، على اساس روح ونص ميثاق الأمم المتحدة”.
وأكد أنه “بصفته أمينا عاما للمنظمة، فبإمكانه ضمان عمل بعثات الأمم المتحدة على أساس النزاهة والحياد وحماية حقوق الإنسان وكرامته”.
وردا على سؤال حول عدد القتلى في سوريا والذي يقدر بـ4000 قتيل، أشار بان إلى أن “لا يستطيع أن يصدق انه لم يقتل أكثر من 4000 شخص”، مؤكدا أن “كل المعلومات الموثوقة تشير الى انه تم قتل اكثر من 4000 شخص من قبل القوات الحكومية”، مشددا على أن “المفوضة السامية لحقوق الإنسان أوضحت هذا الأمر، وهذه مصادر موثوق بها”.

It gets better:
The WMD old observer trick is on the table, this time isntaed of WMD the health of Syrians is of the UN concerns not out of the health issue of course, but to assets where and how they can implement the occupation of the ‘protected’ ‘safe’ corridors, how humane!

الامم المتحدة تدعو سوريا للسماح بدخول فرق الاغاثة الانسانية

اعلنت وكيلة الامين العام للامم المتحدة للشؤون الانسانية فاليري اموس انه يجب السماح لفرق الاغاثة الانسانية التابعة للامم المتحدة بدخول سوريا لتقييم الوضع الذي يعيشه شعبها في الانتفاضة العنيفة المستمرة منذ تسعة أشهر والتي قتل فيها أربعة الاف شخص على الاقل.
وأبلغت اموس الصحفيين في ستوكهولم “نحن قلقون بشأن الاثار الصحية لما يجري. ليس لدينا صورة واضحة تماما بشأن أنحاء البلاد لاننا لا نستطيع الدخول الذي يمكننا من معرفة ما يجري بالضبط”.
ولفتت الى أنه “اذا لم يكن لديهم ما يخفوه مثلما قالت الحكومة فعندئذ أعتقد ان السماح لنا بالدخول لرؤية الوضع على هذا النحو واعداد تقييم واضح عما ينطوي عليه ذلك على الشعب السوري يمثل أمرا حاسما تماما”.
واعلنت المسؤولة الدولية ان الامم المتحدة لا تملك البيانات لتقييم ما اذا كانت الممرات الانسانية أو المناطق العازلة التي اقترحتها بعض الدول المعنية ستكون مهمة أم لا.
ومضت تقول: “اذا لم نعرف ما هي الاحتياجات أين سنقيم تلك الممرات الانسانية أو المناطق العازلة المقترحة”.

December 9th, 2011, 1:16 pm

 

jad said:

الأسلمة والتنافس على (الخلافة الرابعة) بين أنقرا والرياض

الجمل: سعت كل من أنقرا والرياض لجهة القيام بتوظيف موجة الاحتجاجات السياسية الشرق أوسطية، وذلك على أساس اعتبارات أن صعود تيار الإسلام السياسي التي سوف تتيح لأنقرا والرياض قدرة القيام بدور القائد الإقليمي الشرق أوسطي: فما هي حقيقة الطموحات التركية، والطموحات السعودية، وما مدى مصداقية أنقرا والرياض في تحقيق هذه الطموحات على أرض الواقع، وكيف يمكن قراءة مشروع النفوذ التركي ومشروع النفوذ السعودي، وإلى أين وصل كل طرف الآن، وهل أصبح الطرفان الآن في خانة الرابحين أم في خانة الخاسرين؟

* إشكالية الوزن الإقليمي: رهانات الإسلامي المدني، والإسلام السلفي
انطلقت فعاليات الاحتجاجات السياسية الشرق أوسطية في تونس وأعقبتها مصر، بما أدى إلى إسقاط نظام الرئيس زين العابدين بن علي التونسي، وإسقاط نظام الرئيس المصري حسني مبارك، وتأسيساً على ذلك، فقد أدى سقوط نظام الرئيس المصري حسني مبارك إلى إفساح المجال أمام السؤال الرئيسي القائل: هل ستستطيع القاهرة استعادة وزنها الإقليمي الذي كان لها قبل اتفاقيات كامب ديفيد؟ أم أنها سوف تغرق أكثر فأكثر في مستنقع المشاكل السياسية والاقتصادية والتبعية للقوى الخارجية؟ الأمر الذي أدى إلى توليد سؤال آخر أكثر أهمية حول مستقبل النظام الإقليمي الشرق أوسطي، وتحديداً من سيتولى مكان القائد الإقليمي، هل أنقرا أم الرياض؟
انفتحت شهية حزب العدالة والتنمية لجهة ممارسة النفوذ واستعادة المكانة العثمانية القائدة في الشرق الأوسط، وإن كان ذلك ضمن نسخة جديدة تنسجم مع الوقائع والمعطيات الجديدة، ونفس الشيء بالنسبة للرياض، والتي رأت أن الفرصة متاحة لإقامة ما يمكن أن نطلق عليه تسمية \”الخلافة الرابعة\” والتي سوف تسعى لتجديد الخلفات الإسلامية الثلاثة السابقة: الخلافة الأموية ـ الخلافة العباسية ـ والخلافة العثمانية. وفي هذا الخصوص فقد أشارت المعطيات إلى الآتي:
• قيام أنقرا بجهود دعم حركات الاحتجاج السياسي الشرق أوسطية، عن طريق استخدام الأحزاب السياسية ذات التوجهات الإسلامية المشابهة لتوجهات حزب العدالة والتنمية، ومنها على سبيل المثال لا الحصر: حركة العدالة والبناء السورية ـ حزب العدالة والحرية المصري ـ حزب العدالة والتنمية المغربي، وما شابه ذلك.
• قيام الرياض بجهود دعم حركات الاحتجاج السياسي الشرق أوسطية، عن طريق استخدام الأحزاب السياسية ذات التوجهات السلفية، مثل حزب النور المصري.
هذا، وتشير المعطيات والوقائع إلى أن أنقرا لجأت إلى القيام بعمليات الدعم المباشر والعلني لحلفائها الإقليميين. أما الرياض، فقد لجأت إلى استخدام الدعم غير المعلن، وتحديداً عن طريق الـ(بروكسي) القطري، الذي ظل يقدم السند الإعلامي والدبلوماسي، إضافة إلى توصيل الدعم المالي واللوجستي.

* خارطة طريق الصعود الإقليمي: الصراع أم التحالف
تقول المعلومات الجارية، بأن خارطة الصعود الإقليمي، أصبحت أكثر تعقيداً، وذلك بسبب الآتي:
• دخول أطراف مثلث واشنطن ـ باريس ـ لندن، الأمر الذي دفع كلاً من الرياض وأنقرا إلى الأخذ في الاعتبار القيام برعاية مصالح هذا المثلث، والتي يتمثل أبرزها في \”أمن إسرائيل\”.
• الفشل في ممارسة السيطرة الفعلية على التطورات الميدانية الجارية في كل من تونس ومصر وليبيا، وحالياً تشير الوقائع إلى أن ما يجري حالياً في هذه البلدان لا ينسجم مع توجهات الرياض وأنقرا.
• عدم القدرة على التعامل بمصداقية مع تطورات الأحداث والوقائع، وبالذات فيما يتعلق بغض النظر عن الأحداث والوقائع الجارية في الساحة البحرينية، والساحة اليمنية.
• السعي لجهة القيام بحماية أمن الأنظمة الداعمة لأمريكا، في المملكة الأردنية والمملكة المغربية.
وإضافة لذلك، تقول التحليلات، بأن طموحات الرياض وأنقرا قد اصطدمت بالصخرة السورية، والتي كما هو واضح، أصبحت عصية على أن تتحطم، برغم الدور الأمريكي الفرنسي البريطاني الداعم لجهود أنقرا والرياض، وتقول التحليلات، بأن عواصم واشنطن ـ لندن ـ باريس ـ أنقرا ـ الرياض، لم تدرك جيداً محتوى المقال التحليلي الهام الذي أعده الخبير الاستراتيجي الأمريكي ريتشارد هاس، والذي قال فيه بالحرف الواحد: إن سوريا سوف تكون نقطة النهاية في الربيع العربي، وبكلمات أخرى، إن الربيع العربي سوف ينتهي في سوريا.

* صراع النفوذ الإقليمي الشرق أوسطي: حسابات الربح والخسارة
تشير التحليلات الجارية، إلى أن أنقرا والرياض سوف تواجهان خلال الأسابيع المقبلة تداعيات حسابات الربح والخسارة التي تترتب على معارك النفوذ الإقليمي، وفي هذا الخصوص نشير إلى الآتي:
• الموقف بالنسبة للرياض: تقول المعلومات والتقارير بأن الرياض سعت منذ بداية الأمر إلى تطبيق لعبة أن الكأس نصف المليء هو بالضرورة كأس نصف فارغ، وفي هذا الخصوص سعت إلى التعامل مع الحدث الاحتجاجي الشرق أوسطي على النحو الآتي:
ـ إنفاق الأموال الطائلة، وهو ما حدث بالفعل، فقد سعت الرياض إلى دعم كل الحركات السلفية بالأموال والقدرات المختلفة.
ـ توظيف قدرات حلفاء واشنطن، وفي هذا الخصوص فقد سعت الرياض لجهة توظيف فعاليات دبلوماسية الوكالة القطرية، وإعلام الوكالة القطري. إضافة إلى البقاء تحت مظلة التحركات الدبلوماسية الأمريكية الفرنسية البريطانية.
• الموقف بالنسبة لأنقرا: تقول المعلومات والتقارير بأن أنقرا سعت منذ البداية إلى تطبيق لعبة أن \”الكأس المليء هو بالضرورة كأس غير فارغ\”، وفي هذا الخصوص فقد تقدمت أنقرا وتعاملت بشكل معلن، مشيرة إلى أن دعمها المفتوح والعلني للفعاليات الاحتجاجية السياسية الشرق أوسطية، وبالذات السورية وقبلها الليبية. وفي هذا الخصوص فقد تعاملت أنقرا مع الحدث الاحتجاجي الشرق أوسطي على النحو الآتي:
• استضافة فعاليات حركات المعارضة الاحتجاجية السياسية إضافة إلى عدم التردد في تسهيل فعالياتها العسكرية والأمنية.
• التعاون مع حلف الناتو، وذلك على أساس اعتبارات أن أنقرا تتمتع بالمكانة الرائدة في هذا الحلف.
• تصعيد لهجة الاستعلاء والعجرفة التركية بما يتيح لأنقرا الظهور بمظهر الوصي على الشرق الأوسط.
تشير معادلة حسابات الربح والخسارة إلى النتائج الآتية:
• تورط الرياض في فعاليات الاحتجاجات السياسية الشرق أوسطية، كبّد المملكة العربية السعودية وحلفاءها الخليجيين المزيد من الأموال الطائلة.
• تورط أنقرا في فعاليات الاحتجاجات السياسية الشرق أوسطية كبّد تركيا المزيد من الخسائر الدبلوماسية والرمزية السياسية.
هذا، وتقول المعلومات، بأن الرياض نجحت في استخدام \”الدوحة\” كغطاء\” وواجهة أمامية، وحالياً يمكن الإشارة إلى أن الخسائر الدبلوماسية والرمزية السياسية سوف تتكبدها قطر نيابة عن السعودية، وهو الأمر الذي لم يحدث في الحالة التركية.
وإضافة لذلك، فإن تركيا سوف تواجه المزيد من الخسائر المتسلسلة، وذلك بسبب تورطها السافر في فعاليات الاحتجاجات السورية، وحالياً تقول المعلومات والتقارير بأن جنوب تركيا سوف يشهد أزمة اقتصادية كبيرة بسبب ارتباك حركة النقل التجاري العابرة للحدود بفعل انغلاق الممر الاستراتيجي الحيوي السوري، وأضافت التسريبات بأن أنقرا تحاول حالياً إيجاد البديل المناسب، وذلك عن طريق الآتي:
• تسيير خط ملاحي بين تركيا ومصر.
• تسيير خط بري بين تركيا والعراق.
وبرغم إمكانية قيام أنقرا بذلك، فإن كل الحسابات تقول بأن الخط الملاحي التركي ـ المصري، سوف تترتب عليه المزيد من التكاليف الباهظة، المتعلقة بالشحن في الموانئ التركية، والتفريغ في الموانئ المصرية. ثم الشحن والتوزيع بعد ذلك، أما بالنسبة للخط البري التركي ـ العراقي، فإن المسافة التي سوف تعبرها الناقلات سوف تكون أطول وتستغرق فترة أكبروتكاليف أكثر، إضافة إلى تزايد احتمالات مواجهة المخاطر في مناطق شمال ووسط وجنوب العراق.
وتأسيساً على ذلك أشارت آخر الدراسات الاستراتيجية الصادرة بواسطة المعهد الألماني للعولمة والدراسات المناطقية، إلى أن أنقرا سوف تخسر كثيراً بسبب تورطها في فعاليات الاحتجاجات السياسية الشرق أوسطية، ونفس الشيء أشار إليه الخبير الاستراتيجي كامرافا، بجامعة جورج واشنطن، عندما تحدث في ورقته البحثية الأخيرة قائلاً بأن السعودية تنخرط حالياً في معركتين، الأولى معلنة وهي حماية نفسها والبلدان الخليجية والأردن والمغرب من مخاطر الاحتجاجات، وفي نفس الوقت القيام سراً بتقديم الدعم لحركات الاحتجاج السياسي الناشطة ضد سوريا على غرار ما فعلت مع الحركات التي نشطت ضد نظام القذافي الليبي، وبرغم ذلك، فإن خسارة تركيا سوف تكون هي الأكبر والأكثر خطورة، وذلك لأن أهمية سورية وإيران بالنسبة لأنقرا هي أهمية لا تقدر بثمن. إضافة إلى أن العراق نفسه لن يصلح أن يكون بديلاً لإيران وسوريا، وذلك لأن القوى السياسية المسيطرة في العراق، هي قوى حليفة لإيران وسوريا. وإضافة لذلك، فإن لبنان لن يكون حليفاً لتركيا، ولا حتى مصر، إضافة إلى أن ليبيا أصبحت الآن تواجه شبح الحرب الأهلية الأمر الذي يحمل تركيا المزيد من المسؤولية. وإذا حدث ونجحت ليبيا في تحقيق الاستقرار، فإن فرنسا وبريطانيا وإيطاليا وألمانيا وإسبانيا لن تترك ليبيا لأنقرا. إضافة إلى أن أنقرا نفسها لا تملك مؤهلات منافسة عواصم الاتحاد الأوروبي في ليبيا وبقية مناطق الشرق الأوسط.

الجمل ـ قسم الدراسات والترجمة
http://www.aljaml.com/node/78723

December 9th, 2011, 1:44 pm

 

norman said:

I was watching the real interview that president Assad gave to ABC/ Barbra Walters presented by Maqdasy on BBC,, i can not understand how anybody can deny the conspiracy against Syria, It is good that Syria taped the whole thing and they should publish it .

December 9th, 2011, 1:48 pm

 

jad said:

Norman,
I’m watching the same thing now.

December 9th, 2011, 1:56 pm

 

Syrian Nationalist Party said:

Finally, you got me to watch it, and couple minutes into the video I almost died, just could not take it anymore, all those face lifts and the 6 kilos of Botox injected all over her head, then watching the lizard skin on her neck just ruined my morning. This is really awful how women do this to themselves. I feel sorry for Bashar having to sit for an hour watching this for an hour close up, in face to face interview.

December 9th, 2011, 2:11 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Norman
What Assad said, the majority of people are in the middle,not supporting,and not against him.
He said he is president , the goverment did it,Talking about the crimes
Jihad Maqdisi, trying to deny the undeniable, how stupid he and Bashar are, and who ever believe them.As I said Bashar is not smart, he is Booha.

December 9th, 2011, 2:13 pm

 

annie said:

202 Irritated : as if what the US does cancels out the horrors of the Syrian torturers. The US are supposed to be the barbarians not the Syrians.

http://egyptianchronicles.blogspot.com/2011/12/syrian-revolution-it-is-not-longer.html#.TuIr3nQblCU.twitter

And I suppose Homs is getting what it deserves; the Homsis are among the bravest heroes of this Revolution.

December 9th, 2011, 2:36 pm

 

Majed97 said:

Norman,
Do you have a link for the entire ABC interview? Thanks.

December 9th, 2011, 2:43 pm

 

norman said:

Majed97,

Sorry, No i saw that live on BBC, Jad seems to find things much better than me.

December 9th, 2011, 2:50 pm

 

Mango said:

http://english.ruvr.ru/2011/12/09/61917819.html

Syrian militants undergo training in Turkey
Dec 9, 2011 16:01 Moscow Time

Militants of the Syrian Liberation Army underwent secret training on the territory of Turkey.

A statement to this effect was made by Sibel Edmonds, an interpreter of Azerbaijani descent who used to work for the FBI.

Sibel’s statement was published by the Turkish Vatan newspaper, a Voice of Russia correspondent reports from Istanbul.

According to Edmonds, she obtained this information from a source in the US government and from a trustworthy Turkish contact.

The US media ignored the reports because the US State Department had imposed censorship on these kinds of publications.

VOR

December 9th, 2011, 2:59 pm

 

Mango said:

http://english.ruvr.ru/2011/12/02/61365012.html
“We want our democracy back” – LA protester
Interview with Marilyn, activist with the Occupy LA movement in Los Angeles, California, USA.

December 9th, 2011, 3:05 pm

 

Mango said:

http://www.strategic-culture.org/news/2011/12/09/iraq-to-mediate-in-syria.html

Iraq to mediate in Syria
News | 09.12.2011 | 09:03

Iraq will act as a mediator to secure a settlement of the Syrian crisis.

A statement to this effect was made by Arab League Secretary-General Nabil al-Arabi following talks with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.

Baghdad will try to talk Damascus into taking specific steps to implement the road map peace plan proposed by Arab countries.

Iraq and Syria are effective economic partners with bilateral trade reaching $5bln last year.

Syria’s opposition representatives have said they won’t enter dialogue with Iraqi mediators because Baghdad supports President Bashar al-Assad.

TASS, The Voice of Russia

December 9th, 2011, 3:07 pm

 

Jad said:

Norman, Majed, here you go it’s in 4parts, this is the first part:
اللقاء الصحفي للناطق باسم الخارجية السورية 1

December 9th, 2011, 3:26 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Today we hear from the state department that Assad is responsible for every death, Booha said he is not responsible for the killing as if he is not the president, and a dictator.what I understand from the state department statement is that USA is ready to punish Bashar the booha,if he attack Homs.

December 9th, 2011, 4:18 pm

 

Amir in Tel Aviv said:

Don’t you find it hilarious?

First, they invite Barbara to do the interview. Then they complain about the interview that Barbara did, with their invitation.

I have a proposition for you. If you want an interview that you’ll like, invite SANA.
.

December 9th, 2011, 4:55 pm

 

Ya Mara Ghalba said:

# 196 ZOO quotes HurriyetDailyNews.com quoting Davutoğlu saying that Assad’s remarks on ABC TV were a kind of confession: “He now accepts that security forces might have made a mistake,” said Davutoglu, adding “I wish he had said this in April.”

Assad did say this in April. In April he dismissed the person in charge of security in Daraa who in March had overseen what was judged in April to have been a too heavy-handed use of security forces against violent dissidents in Daraa. That dismissal was widely reported at the time. The dismissed official was actually a cousin of Bashar’s. Davutoglu’s comment today indicates to me that Davutoglu, like the Turkish newspapers, hasn’t taken much interest in Syria’s affairs until more recent months.

Bashar has been saying the same thing consistently since April. Here’s a bit from a summary report by an American who was part of a delegation that met with Bashar in mid-September: “In response to a specific question on the subject, President Assad admitted that the military force over-reacted to this [dissident] violence, on occasion, so that some demonstrators were killed and others tortured. These developments, he insisted, were contrary to his own policies. Other reported tortures, according to the President, were actually acts of revenge undertaken by emotional military personnel, who had lost colleagues during the demonstrations.” http://www.aoiusa.org/blog/2011/10/fr-patrick-henry-reardon-delegation-to-syria/

@Majed97 #216: A link to the transcript of the entire ABC TV interview with Bashar is at Ales #13 above.

December 9th, 2011, 5:02 pm

 

Akbar Palace said:

Where is the justice to the Palestinians? The ‘objective’ UN powerful members just refused to accept Palestine as a peaceful member….

JAD,

Perhaps the UNSC refused because they didn’t reach the same conclusion as you have.

December 9th, 2011, 5:15 pm

 

ann said:

Three killed by armed groups in several Syrian cities: report

2011-12-10

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2011-12/10/c_122403743.htm

DAMASCUS, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) — Three people were killed Friday, including a girl and an army officer, and 13 law-enforcement members were injured by “armed groups” in several Syrian cities, as protests renewed on the weekend from both pro and anti- government protesters.

The official SANA news agency said a lieutenant-colonel was killed by an armed group in the focal point city of Homs. It said a girl was also killed in southern Daraa province and a civilian in northern Idlib province.

Ten law-enforcement members were injured in separate clashes with armed groups in Daraa, said SANA, adding that another three were injured in coastal Latakia city, when an explosive device went off.

Explosive experts dismantled many devices in different areas on Friday, said SANA.

Large crowds of people thronged streets and squares in several Syrian cities to chant solidarity with Syrian President Bashar al- Assad and to voice rejection against the international pressures on Syria, said SANA.

On the other hand, the Doha-based al-Jazeera TV cited activists as saying that 32 people were killed Friday by security forces gunfire, as anti-government protesters took to streets in several Syrian cities calling for the downfall of the leadership and imploring the Syrians to start a general strike on Sunday as a prelude to a nationwide civil disobedience.

Several calls of general strikes were met with deaf ears by the Syrians particularly in Damascus and Aleppo, the two economic powerhouses of Syria that remained relatively calm except for some countryside.

December 9th, 2011, 5:22 pm

 

Tara said:

Amir

This Friday was called Friday- of-Strike-for Dignity.

December 9th, 2011, 5:27 pm

 

ann said:

Next Friday will be called “Kill-More-Syrians-For-Israel”

December 9th, 2011, 5:34 pm

 

zoo said:

The Turks are lying. They are not preventing smugglers and rebels to cross the border, in the contrary.
On the Front Line with Syria’s Free Army

Along the Turkish border, a ragtag rebel group of Syrian defectors, believers, and volunteers fights for their survival and the future of their country.
BY JUSTIN VELA | DECEMBER 8, 2011
http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2011/12/08/syria_free_army_rebels?page=0,1

AIN AL-BAIDA, SYRIA – The Turkish flag flies next to the green, white, and black standard of the Syrian revolution at a Free Syrian Army (FSA) position above the village of Ain al-Baida. Here, about 150 rebel fighters — mostly defectors from the Syrian Army — are situated in concrete and cinderblock houses pockmarked by bullet holes, their weapons pointed across the valley at the Syrian military below.
Ain al-Baida is just across the border from Turkey, in Syria’s Idlib governorate. The village is not much more than a small cluster of buildings in a wide valley surrounded by wooded hills. The FSA has spread out across the north of Syria, making it difficult for Syrian security forces to control areas outside the major cities, such as Aleppo.
The poorly armed fighters challenging Assad’s army believe that only an armed uprising stands a chance of toppling the Syrian regime. “We cannot accept our families and friends being killed,” said a burly fighter wearing camouflage fatigues and grasping an assault rifle. “We will fight Assad by any weapon, by knife, by gun. We will fight.”

Though the FSA claims to be composed of defectors from the Syrian military, this man said he was a civilian volunteer from the town of Jisr al-Shughour, which had been demolished this summer by the Syrian army’s infamous Fourth Armored Division, under the control of the president’s brother, Maher.
Why does the Syrian military not rocket their position or launch a large-scale assault? The FSA fighters are positioned about a mile from the Turkish border, near enough to escape across if the situation turned dire. They appeared confident that the Syrian military would not risk provoking the Turks by trying to displace them. The Turkish government, which had previously been one of Assad’s closest allies, initially gave the Syrian regime several chances to halt its brutal crackdown. After Turkey was rebuffed, its leaders became some of the most prominent international critics of Assad’s rule.

But these fighters’ confidence in the relative security of their position was shaken on Dec. 5, when the Syrian military opened fire on what the state news agency later claimed was a group of 35 armed men crossing the border from Turkey. The clash, one of the most sustained thus far, began late at night and lasted several hours, according to Abu Nassr, a Syrian smuggler living on the Turkish side of the border who had guided me back into Turkey only hours before.

Another smuggler, Mohammad Ashik, who was on the hill above Ain al-Baida when the clash took place, said the Syrian military had been firing on a group of smugglers who were trying to steal cows to sell in Turkey, presumably mistaking them for FSA fighters. Four of the smugglers were wounded after venturing into the valley too close to the military’s positions, he said. The FSA fighters on the hill opened fire on the military, some even venturing from their outpost to carry the wounded smugglers to safety. No FSA fighters were injured, both smugglers agreed.

Nassr and Ashik are among tens of smugglers who cross the border several times a week, carrying food, medical supplies, clothes, satellite phones, and computer equipment. They also serve as guides for refugees and carry the wounded on their backs. Once they are near the Turkish border, they call ambulances or Turkish gendarmes to transport the wounded to a hospital, disappearing back into the trees as the Turks arrive.

“They know I am doing something human,” said Ashik, when asked why Turkish authorities did not pursue him. “There is someone wounded or someone that needs food, so they accept the situation.”

The Turkish government has strenuously denied that it provides the rebels with material support, a claim echoed by the FSA. But there is no doubt that the insurgents receive assistance from those living within Turkish territory. The smugglers are aided by small groups of Syrians living in Antakya, a Turkish city near the border, who arrange for the supplies to be delivered into Syria.

{…}

December 9th, 2011, 5:37 pm

 

Akbar Palace said:

Next Friday will be called “Kill-More-Syrians-For-Israel”

Ann,

What Syrians do you know are demonstrating or fighting “for Israel”?

Feel free to list or link their names here so we can believe you.

Either you post your information soon or we might come to the conclusion that your either sick or retarded or both.

December 9th, 2011, 5:48 pm

 

irritated said:

Ann #228

Monday is municipal election day. I guess Sunday will be called “Don’t vote or you’re dead”

December 9th, 2011, 5:48 pm

 

Amir in Tel Aviv said:

Tribal SANA boy,

Peaceful and Palestinian in one sentence? That is an oxymoron.

Anyway, look at the logo of the official Palestinian delegation to the UN. Notice that it’s the UN web site.
http://www.un.int/wcm/content/site/palestine/
Do you see in the logo, the map of your “peaceful” state?

Tara,

Thanks!
.

December 9th, 2011, 5:49 pm

 

Tara said:

Ironically, Bashar was happy about the interview.  I bet he is also proud of his accomplishments. Proud and happy..I just hope that he does not think that he is good looking too.

http://www.boston.com/ae/tv/articles/2011/12/08/walters_said_syrian_trip_frightened_her/

Walters said Syrian trip frightened her
By David Bauder 
December 8, 2011

NEW YORK—President Bashar Assad’s first interview with a Western television journalist since a March uprising was a coup for Barbara Walters and ABC News, but not entirely for Assad.

In excerpts aired by ABC Wednesday, Assad denied ordering a violent crackdown on residents and denounced the United Nations when Walters asked about the U.N.’s claim that there had been widespread killings and torture of protesters in Syria.

Walters confronted Assad with pictures of civilians brutalized by his regime. When she asked him on camera about the torture of children, he said, “To be frank with you, Barbara, you don’t live here.”

She talked on Wednesday of Assad’s “disconnect” with what is going on within his country and his own role, an attitude that may have extended to her discussions with him in his Presidential Palace.

“He was very happy with the interview,” she said “He likes the confrontation. He likes the tough questions. When it was over, he smiled and thanked me and he was happy. I don’t know if it did him any good.”

Walters said in an interview that she was apprehensive about going Syria because the U.S. government had warned her not to leave her hotel room. Adding to the concern, a Jordanian airline booked for the last leg of her trip delayed its flight because it did not want its pilot to stay in Syria overnight.

But her fears dissipated by the time she arrived in Damascus from an airport about 18 miles away. She even wandered through some outdoor markets and talked to people, although she was accompanied by a government minder.

Walters said she had met Assad before, which cut down any fear she may have had of him. While in the Middle East several years ago, she said Assad’s wife called and asked Walters for an off-the-record meeting with the couple in Damascus. Walters also traveled to Syria three years ago, hoping for an interview, but it didn’t happen.

She thought this interview wouldn’t happen, either, after Assad canceled one get-together two weeks ago, presumably because it was to happen around the time the Arab League was condemning Syria. Then word came that Assad was willing to talk.

Assad hand-picked Walters for the interview.

“I can’t tell you why he requested me,” she said. “I can only tell you that I have met him twice before.”

ABC News, under its new division president Ben Sherwood, has made news-making interviews a priority. Within the past year, “World News” anchor Diane Sawyer has interviewed Jaycee Dugard and Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, and “This Week” host Christiane Amanpour talked with former Egyptian leader Hosni Mubarak and late Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi.

Sawyer and Amanpour are more closely identified with breaking news; Walters, as co-host of “The View,” a daytime talk show largely for women, is seen more in terms of entertainment than news, despite her long and laudatory history as news reporter, anchor and interviewer.

She may not have been the obvious choice for the Assad interview. When ABC seeks newsmaking interviews, it generally offers prospective subjects a choice of potential interviewees.

One critic, Affen Chowdhry of the Toronto Globe and Mail, wrote Wednesday that if the Syrian government had expected a “soft” Walters interview of the type reserved for movie and pop stars, “it ended up getting something very different.”

When ABC arrived in Damascus, an Assad aide first said that government cameras would be used to record the interview, but Walters rejected this. Two Assad assistants also asked for the right to look at the tape after the interview. ABC refused.

The government also said that reporter Alexander Marquardt, who accompanied Walters, would be given free rein to travel across the country. Marquardt, in an ABC blog, said this did not work out. He went to the city of Daraa, and found most residents unwilling to speak with him because they saw secret police agents nearby. Daraa’s governor refused Marquardt’s request to visit the village of Dael, saying it was unsafe, the reporter wrote.

Walters said that it appeared some of Assad’s aides were interested in seeing the leader get more exposure in the West. The British-trained eye doctor is “not a crazy, wild man like Ghadafi,” Walters said.

“Why he did this now, I can’t say,” she said.

December 9th, 2011, 5:51 pm

 

Tara said:

In regard to the article in #228

I don’t think Turkey is lying. There is no official state policy to give material support to the FSA. The Turkish army officers are not owned by Erdogan. Their material support of smugglers to provide food and medical care to the injured hungry Syrians is individual act of kindness. Erdogan has done his best by having the government announces their officials stand on the matter. Turkey always said they are not going to be a springboard for attacks on Syria… It is that simple. Isn’t it?

December 9th, 2011, 6:05 pm

 

SYRIAN HAMSTER said:

SANA Style Lies
You want to know how brilliant are betho’s lovers, just read the titles brilliantly bestowed by the cupaste artist @228. and then read the story, which states clearly that its SANA who lied about FSA soldiers trying to infiltrate to blow up a rail-road as pasted here SANA-TASS little helper a while ago.

Between the integrity of betho’s SANA/fan-club and that of smugglers Nasr and Ashik, I would have no problem believing the smugglers. The title in post 28 should be

SANA lies, whats new. It ain’t the FSA, it ain’t the rail road, it was just a cow theft.

Now another “polite” genius, who is so obsessed in reading my posts without reading the context and noticing that it was his comrade who asked for a smart a… to provide an answer, and being an a… and a smart one, i obliged. Now that puhlllllight genius, pointed everyone to the link, posted yet by another comrade, showing the full script of the brave betho interview, only to come later and bemoan the western conspiracy for hiding some of the painful tharthara of the brave president-not-government betho and shoving, in your face style, a four part series of hogwash of the full tharthara. READ THE SCRIPT. There was no conspiracy, your mathter is just too dumb, too callous, and so creepily spoiled, to be left on his own.

Contradictory it aint, it is only a cow

Claimer: in some cultures cow-theft is a crime punishable by death, in others, horse theft is.

December 9th, 2011, 6:13 pm

 

Akbar Palace said:

I guess Sunday will be called “Don’t vote or you’re dead”

Irritated,

It sounds like a choice. But the reality is, Syrians are dying already and they don’t vote for anything except perhaps which Baathist will treat them like kara.

“December 12 is an important moment. All citizens must take part in the municipal elections and vote for the candidates they consider best capable of defending the public interest,” wrote Al-Baath, the newspaper of the ruling party which has been in power since 1963.

Monday “is a crucial date and a very important step in the road to decentralisation and democracy,” it added, stressing that these elections are a means for Syria”>Syrians to “participate in decision-making and building the nation.”

“We are in a working process, during which everyone must redouble their efforts… so that Syria”>Syria remains a fortress of resistance and national unity,” the newspaper continued.

http://www.taiwannews.com.tw/etn/news_content.php?id=1781254

December 9th, 2011, 6:16 pm

 

jad said:

الثورة السورية والمقاومة
خضر سلامة

حصل ما كنا، كجمهور متابع، وناشطين متحمسين لاسقاط طاغية آخر، ما كنا نتخوف من حصوله، تحولت المعارضة السورية، بعصا الاعلام الخليجي، إلى صورة فوتوغرافية للنظام البعثي، تخوّن منتقديها، ترد بالشتائم، لا تحتمل أي خيار ثالث وتعتبر، بمنطقها ومنطق معلمها، بشار الأسد، أن كل من ليس معها تماماً، فهو ضدها حتماً: أصبح جميع المنتقدين لبرهان وهو يقدم أوراق اعتماده كسفير للناتو في سوريا، أصبحوا أبواقاً، وأصبح جميع من يحاول أن يسلط الضوء على التنظيمات الطائفية والسلفية، ولو عن صدق، هو متهم بتشويه صورة الثورة، وأصبح جميع المحذرين خوفاً على سورية، لا نظامها ولا معارضتها، من مخاطر حرب اهلية واقتتال ومخاطر ما يسمى بالجيش الحر، أصبحوا منظرين، وانتبهوا، منظرين برأي القابع على طاولة اجتماعاته في باريس ولندن واسطمبول، وشعبه يُقتل.

بأي الأحوال، لا فرق، استطاع الطغاة العرب خلال أربعين عاماً، خلق طغاة صغار في كل واحد منا، لا يمكن لهؤلاء المدعين التقدمية والثقافة، إلا أن يكونوا صورةً طبق الأصل عنهم، أعرف مسبقاً، وحدث ذلك سابقاً، أن آرائي السابقة ونشاطاتي الميدانية دعماً للشعب السوري في كرامته، لن تشفع لي عند موزعي شهادات الحرية على الفيسبوك وفي مقابلات الصحف الأجنبية، حين يقولون بالانكليزية ما ينفونه بالعربية، استغباء لشعبهم، ولن تشفع لي عند كتبة صحف آل سعود، الذين يدعون، ومنهم من كنت أحترم، أنهم لا يكتبون الا لحاجتهم لمنبر، كأن جريدة الشرق الأوسط يقرأها أحد خارج مكتب صاحبها الأمير، أو كأن جريدة الحياة هي الناطقة الرسمية باسم الديمقراطية في القرن الحادي والعشرين.

إذاً، فلنميز بوضوح، ولمن يود أن يفهم، انتقادي اليوم هو لما يسمى بالمجلس الانتقالي، لا لثورة الشعب السوري البطل، ولمن يصفق للشعبويين وينشر ترهاته واشاعاته، هذا المجلس الذي حدد وحسم بغرابة وصفاقة مدهشة، ضرورة سحق صورة حزب الله الاعلامية، من أجل ان يحظى بمن الادارة الاميركية وسلوى اوروبا، لم أفهم إلى اللحظة، هذا الاصرار المدهش على استنساخ خطابات الحريرية السياسية في خطابات مدعي الحرية، وهم، في قراراتهم، يسارا ويمينا، علمانية واسلامياً، اولاد احمد الشلبي السياسيين، لا أكثر: الى القصر الرئاسي ولو عبر سفارة اسرائيل.

أما من سيفهم مقالي دفاعاً عن النظام السوري، فلا حاجة الى محاججته، ولا حاجة بي لتقديم اي مبررات لآرائي الواضحة سابقاً.

وسأقسم دفاعي عن حزب الله في النقاط الآتية.

1. حزب الله والموقف من سورية: للأسف، غياب السوريين عن السياسة لأربعين عاماً، جعل من بعض الأصدقاء غير قادر على التفريق بين العاطفة، وبين السياسة، شخصياً، أتفهم اليوم موقف حزب الله من النظام السوري تحالفاً، رغم كوني معارضاً، لا لشيء، إلا لأن حزب الله اليوم يقف نفس موقف حماس من نظام مبارك خلال حصار السنوات الأخيرة على غزة، النظام السوري هو الظهير السياسي والعسكري لحزب الله، ولا يمكن للأخير أن يكون في غير هذا الموقع، في العاطفة، كان يجب على حزب الله أن يكون أكثر حنكةً عاطفياً وانسانياً، ولكن، الوقائع والضرورات السياسية، لا تجري كما يشتهي الشعراء!.

2. سخافات بعض المعارضين السوريين، برعاية رسمية من جريدة السياسة الصفراء وجرائد خليجية ومواقع طائفية أخرى، تحدثت عن عناصر من حزب الله يقاتلون مع النظام السوري، طبعاً شاهد العيان أكد ذلك، كيف ولماذا ومتى، لا أحد يعرف، فكتبة آل سعود بحاجة فقط إلى اشاعة تنتشر ويحرضون بها، ربما من عايش الثورة المصرية يذكر كيف كان عناصر من حزب الله وحماس وايران والعراق والقاعدة يقاتلون مع الثوار المصريين، اليوم هم مع النظام (لول)، كأن هذا النظام القمعي الدموي، صاحب جيش بمئات الآلاف بين عناصر وموالين، بحاجة الى بضعة عشرات يعلمونه القمع، فعلاً، غيب هؤلاء المعارضون العقل، وبحثوا بشراسة عن الغرائز الطائفية السهل تسويقها، واستمروا بحملتهم، التي تكللت بمقال تافه لجريدة السياسة اليوم، يتحدث عن مقتل 160 عنصرا من حزب الله في سورية، انا كلبناني، وجنوبي تحديداً، لم اكتشف الى اللحظة، اين اخفى حزب الله قتلاه؟ لا اهل لهم؟ لا قرى؟ والجنوب كله لا يعدو حجم مدينة اوروبية! أين القتلى يا اصحاب غليون؟

3. الآفة الكبرة، والكارثة، كانت في جملة قرأتها قبل أيام لأحد المعارضين الذين كنت أحترمهم، قبل أن يتحول الى ماركة الياس عطالله، يقول هذا المعارض أن لا حاجة لسورية (له ربما)، لأخذ النصائح الوطنية من حزب طائفي، وطبعاً يقصد بذلك حزب الله، لسورية ربما حاجة الى النصائح الوطنية من حلفائه العلمانيين في الاخوان المسلمون، أو ربما في برنامج الشيخ العرعور؟ لا أنسى ان هؤلاء المعارضين أجابني بعضهم بتبرير التحالف مع هؤلاء لا فقط الطائفيين، بل الداعين الى القتل الطائفي علناً، بضرورة تفهم العقل الاجتماعي! وفجأة، أصبحت طائفية حزب الله، وهو طائفي، أزمة فكرية عند هؤلاء.

4. في وقف التسليح عن حزب الله: كلبناني، كعربي، كانسان، لا يمكنني أن أقف موقف الصامت أمام تصريحات غليون عن وقف التعاون الاستراتيجي مع حزب الله وحماس، أولاً، لأن في ذلك اشهار بنقل سورية الى معسكر آخر، لا يشبه هذا الشعب الذي أثق به، وثانياً، لأن، لو تجرد بعض المصفقين لهذا الموتور، من عصبيتهم، ودرسوا الموقف سياسياً، لعرفوا أن حزب الله وحماس ومحور هذه الحركات الاسلامية المقاومة على علاتها، هو ضرورة استراتجية وامنية لسورية نفسها! وعلى المشكك بذلك، وهو نقاش طويل، أن ينظر نظرة العسكري الى خريطة لبنان، وآفاق ما وراء الجولان، ليعرف أن الحفاظ على العداء لاسرائيل، يعني ضرورة وجود ترسانة لا منظمة، لا تقليدية، أي عصاباتية، تضمن استنزافاً دائرياً حول الخريطة السورية، سيما مع تفوق الطيران الاسرائيلي عبر خاصرة سورية الضعيفة، بقاع لبنان، وفي ذلك كما قلنا، نقاش طويل: إن أمن سورية في حالة العداء لاسرائيل، يتطلب الحفاظ على قوى استنزاف لاسرائيل، اللهم، إلا إذا كان المشروع الغليوني، مجدداً لا الثوري السوري، لا يتضمن أي عداء لاسرائيل مستقبلاً.

5. في من بدأ العداء للآخر؟ يتهم المحمسين للتحريض ضد حزب الله، يتهمون هذا الأخير بأنه كان يجب عليه أن يلتزم الصمت، لا أن يفتح معركة ضد الثورة، كما فعلت حماس، ناسين أن مفتاح حماس العسكري ليس في سورية، بل في مكان آخر، بعكس حزب الله، وناسين أن طبيعة حماس العقائدية هي ما اجلت موقفها الى الآن، ولكن الأهم، متناسين أن حزب الله التزم الصمت في الأسابيع الثلاثة الاولى للحراك الشعبي المظفر في سورية، ولكن في هذه الاسابيع الثلاثة، كان بعض المعارضين يرفع شعار “لا ايران ولا حزب الشيطان” في خانة اعتراضه على النظام (يمكن مراجعة فيديوهات المظاهرات الاولى)، وذلك في اعتراض، على شكل التحالف السياسي ككل، لا على النظام، حاول بعض الوطنيين الصادقين، اظهار رفع العلم الاسرائيلي في احدى المظاهرات على انه حركة فردية، واستقبال السفير الاميركي والفرنسي بالزغردات في فخ سياسي نصبه النظام للمعارضة الغبية، على انه ردة فعل، لكن ذلك كله، لم يتحول، او بالاحرى، لم يرد له سارقو الثورة، اي المنظرون وكتبة الصحف السعودية، لم يرد له أن يتحول الى وثيقة سياسية تعلن بوضوح موقفا حاسما من الكيان الصهيوني، وهو ما يطرح عدة اسئلة، لماذا يمايع اصحاب المجلس الانتقالي الى اللحظة في اشهار موقف واضح، ويبدأون بالرد بالشتائم ورفض التدقيق بوطنيتهم، نعم، أنا اعتقد ان كل حركة، وكل نظام، سواء البعثي او المعارض له، لا يشهر بوضوح موقفه من الكيان الصهيوني، هو حركة مشبوهة!

6. وهي خطيئة يتقاسمها النظام، ومن أقصد من المعارضين على حد سواء، وهو تمييع المفاهيم، بمعنى، أصبح كل من يتحدث عن الحرية، بنظر الموالين، مندساً، والأنكى، أصبح كل من يستعمل كلمة مقاومة، أو يسأل عن اسرائيل، في المعارضة، هو بوق ومخرب! لم يعد أحد الطرفين يحتمل كلمة من اثنتين: حرية ومقاومة، وهنا الخطر، الخطر الذي ينام عليه من يطرحون أنفسهم مصلحون، كما يناموا على المسألة الطائفية، في تقليد مريع ومؤسف لبعض اللبنانيين في تاريخهم.

7. أخيراً وقليلاً خارج الموضوع، يؤسفني، أن أرى المعارضة السورية، ممتنة لأحزاب سافلة كتيار المستقبل والقوات وغيرهم من حلفائهم، التي تبدي اليوم التعاطف مع الشعب لا حباً بعمر، بل كرهاً لعلي، أي طمعاً منها في تصفية حساباتها الداخلية في لبنان، هذه المعارضة السورية، التي يجب ان تتحدث عن الكرامة السورية التي لا تتجزأ، نست وتناست، ان قوى 14 شباط هي المسؤولة بخطابها وبعناصرها عن مقتل اكثر من مئتي سوري في السنوات الماضية في اعمال عنصرية بفعل خطابات هؤلاء المتعاطفين اليوم، إن المعارضة التي لا تعي لخبث هؤلاء وعنصريتهم ضد السوري، معارضة طفولية، أو متحالفة.

أخيراً، أتمنى، لو تقوم المعارضة السورية، بشخص الذين أثق بهم ولا أزال، المقاتلون الذابين عن كرامتهم في سورية، لا في فنادق الخمس نجوم، أن يقوموا بانشاء خيار ثالث واضح، لا حيادي، يقول بالحرية والكرامة مع الحفاظ على الخيارات الاستراتيجية لا بل وتطويرها إلى موقف وطني واضح لا رمادي كالبعثي، وأتمنى، لو يراجع بعض الذين فقدوا طورهم وغرقوا في غرائزيتهم الطائفية، او عاطفتهم بفعل القمع الاسدي، موقفهم من بعض القضايا، بعين القارئ السياسي، لضرورات محيطة، وأتمنى لو يستطيعون العودة معارضين، لا نظاماً بديلاً، معارضين بالمعنى الحواري والنقاشي والجاهزين لتقبل الاختلاف، لا محاولاتهم صهر المعارضة في موقف واحد فاشي، بشعارات أخوانجية، مستترة، ثمة محاولة تشويه صورة حزب الله، الغير مقدس وصاحب العلات، ولكن في ناحية كانت مقدسة اي سلاحه ومقاومته وبعده العربي، أرجو من الواعين والمعارضين الوطنيين الصادقين الذين اتضامن معهم واشد على يدهم في معركتهم، أو منافيهم، ان يخرجوا منها بوثيقة واضحة، فلنقل انها تسحب البساط من تحت حزب الله يا اخي!

من أجل سورية عزيزة، حرة، كريمة، يسقط المأجورون في المعارضة، يسقط المجرمون في السلطة، عاشت سورية الشعب، سورية العشرة آلاف ربيعاً من الحضارة، سورية الخارجة إلى الكرامة، باللغة العربية الفصحى، رغم أنف الأسد، ورغم أنف غليون أيضاً.

*عن مدونته “مواطن جوعان”.
http://kharej-alserb.com/archives/4725/

December 9th, 2011, 6:21 pm

 

ann said:

Syrian official says his country is subject to “media war” – 2011-12-10

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2011-12/10/c_122403760.htm

DAMASCUS, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) — Syrian Foreign ministry spokesman said Friday that his country is subject to a “media war” and accused the U.S. media of misquoting Syrian President Bashar al- Assad by taking parts of his interview with the ABC network out of context.

Jihad Makdessi said that most of Assad’s speech has been distorted by the ABC and the United States as well, indicating that the channel has the right to make montage but not to distort facts.

“They try to demonize Syria … it’s a media war,” said Makdessi.

The spokesman aired parts of the Syrian President’s interview with the ABC News, noting that the interview lasted about 45 minutes but only 15 minutes of it was aired.

“They tried to target Syria economically, politically, and even in the sectarian field,” he said, stressing that all sanctions would be of no avail.

Makdessi said President Assad has mentioned figures about civilians who were killed and the way in which they were killed, ” but nothing has been broadcasted other than the phrase ‘far from reality and irrationality.'”

President Assad is “appalled and saddened” by the ongoing violence in the country, said Makdissi, noting that Assad has promised accountability.

Makdessi said President Assad has given instructions since the beginning of the protests not to shoot at any person, adding that the president has given orders only to implement the law and the constitution stipulates that it is prohibited to use guns.

He said the use of automatic rifles by anyone is considered as a violation of law, and quoted Assad as saying that there were violations in some cases and those held responsible have been punished.

He also quoted Assad as saying: “No order has been given to anyone to kill or be brutal … we don’t have any institution that gives orders to commit brutal acts.”

On Friday, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said “If he (Assad) is sincere (in denying that he had ordered any crackdown), he will immediately punish these murderers. He will accept Arab League (AL) observers and help change the situation,” he told reporters in Turkish capital Ankara on Friday.

Syria’s spokesman said Damascus has received the response of the AL chief Nabil El-Arabi on the message sent earlier by Damascus on the protocol, adding that the answer is still under discussion.

El-Arabi has reportedly sought Iraq’s mediation to convince the Syrian leadership to sign the protocol.

Makdessi said Syria is ready to cooperate and stressed that the Syrian opposition is asked to believe in dialogue.

“We are appealing to the outside world and our brothers in the Arab world to help Syria through their good offices and to stop incitement, channeling weapons to Syria, sending al-Thuraia phones (satellite phones), pressuring, sanctioning, cornering Syria … this is not helping Syria,” he said.

“We want the others, all the others to support the Syrian evolution … we don’t want them to support the armed confrontation in Syria,” he added.

“We will go with diplomacy to the end of the road,” he stressed.

December 9th, 2011, 6:26 pm

 

jad said:

Ammar Qurabi
محضر اجتماع كلينتون – غليون
خلافا لبيانات المجلس الوطني والتي تشبه بيانات سانا “الكاذبة” سأتحدث لكم عن لقاء غليون وصحبه مع الوزيرة كلينتون واعذروني عن عدم إرفاق محضر الاجتماع
حضر اللقاء د.برهان غليون – عبد الاحد اصطيفو- عبد الباسط – وائل ميرزا – نجيب الغضبان – بسمة قضيماتي ( لم يحضر هيثم المالح كما تم الترويج)
اللقاء تم بعنوان بين كلينتون ووفد المعارضة السورية وليس المجلس الوطني علما ان اللقاء تم بناء على طلب المجلس
استمر اللقاء 16 دقيقة تحدث فيها غليون لوحده عدا مداخلة واحدة من السيدة قضيماتي.
د. برهان كان له طلب واحد فقط وهو الاعتراف بالمجلس الوطني كممثل شرعي ” وفق كلامه حرفيا”
جواب كلينتون كان حرفيا ” إننا نتابع عمل المجلس الوطني كما نتابع أطراف أخرى مهمة جدا في المعارضة السورية ( لاحظولي أطراف أخرى مهمة وجدا ) وتابعت ” مازالت هناك أعمال أخرى بانتظاركم للحصول على الشرعية المطلوبة وأذكركم هنا بضرورة الانفتاح والحوار مع كل أطراف المعارضة وتوحيد صفوفها وعدم نسيان الأقليات في سورية فلا مستقبل للأكثرية دون إعطاء الأقلية كامل حقوقها” .
برهان يرد حرفيا ” هذا ما نسعى ونعمل عليه في القاهرة مع هيئة التنسيق بالتعاون مع الجامعة العربية أما موضوع الأقليات فهم ممثلون بيننا والسيد عبد الباسط سيدا هنا ممثل عن الأكراد ” ( والقضية هنا برسم الأكراد إن كان فعلا سيدا ممثلهم أم أن المؤتمر الكردي الوطني وغيره من أطياف المعارضة الكردية )
عندها كلينتون أحرجت برهان ثانية بقولها ” الأقليات في سورية لا تقف عند القومية الكردية ” …ثم استمرت بإعطاء برهان دروسا في معنى الأقليات وكيفية إشراكها بالقرار ولماذا ؟
أما السيدة قضيماتي فأبت إلا وان تجرب حظها فقالت ” أيضا حرفيا ” إننا لاننتظر الكثير من مجلس الأمن بقدر ما ننتظر من الولايات المتحدة راعية الحرية وحامية الحقوق في العالم ”
( يعني غريب ..لا ننتظر مجلس الأمن بل ننتظر الأمريكان…حتى كلينتون لم تصدق أن أمريكا راعية الحرية وحامية الحقوق في العالم ”
أخيرا..قال برهان بأنه يتحدث باسمه واسم الشعب السوري وباسم الثوار السوريين ..
كلينتون عادت إلى إحراجه بقولها ” إن شرعية المعارضة يتوقف على مدى نجاحها وقدرتها على تنظيم وتوحيد صفوفها “..وللحديث بقية

December 9th, 2011, 6:29 pm

 

jad said:

كيلو: على النظام السوري أن يقبل بحل الأزمة وإلا ستكون النتيجة كارثة للجميع
(دي برس)

قال الكاتب السوري المعارض ميشيل كيلو الجمعة 9/12/2011، إن المبادرة العربية هي مبادرة قدمتها المعارضة السورية في الداخل، وبالتالي لا تستطيع رفضها، وهي حريصة على تطبيقها كاملة، وليس فقط توقيع بروتوكول المراقبين.

وأضاف ميشيل كيلو في اتصال مع قناة “العربية” الإخبارية “أن المعارضة لا تستطيع رفض المبادرة”، معرباً عن اعتقاده بأنه “إذا طبقت المبادرة فعليا بشكل كامل فيجب أن ترفع العقوبات”.

وأوضح كيلو “أن روسيا قدمت مقترحات لحل الأزمة، كما أن هناك تقارير غير مؤكدة عن مفاوضات روسية-أمريكية لتخطي الأزمة وإخراج الإقليم كله من الأزمة الحالية”، وشدد كيلو على “ضرورة أن يقبل النظام بحل، وإلا ستكون النتيجة كارثة للجميع”.

وحول الحديث عن تسليح روسيا لسورية، قال كيلو “إن هذا يعني توجه للتدويل، ويعني أن الوضع قد ينفجر لصراع تدويل على سورية والمنطقة”، وأوضح “أن الروس يريدون أن تصل الأمور لحل مقبول للجميع”.

وجدد كيلو الدعوة لحل مقبول على أن يكون عربياً ويتم عن طريق الجامعة العربية، موضحاً “أن المعارضة توافق على نظام انتقالي بوجود ضمانات عربية ودولية”.

المصدر: http://www.dp-news.com/pages/detail.aspx?articleid=105592#ixzz1g5FNFbfG

December 9th, 2011, 6:37 pm

 

jad said:

شهادة الأم أغنيس على أحداث حمص الدامية الأسبوع المنصرم… الصورة الكاملة
———————————————————————————-
الأم أغنيس: لدي الكثير من إشارات الاستفهام أضعها أمام ضمير الإنسانية…
معلومات خطيرة كشفت عنها تلك الراهبة المتنسكة اكدت من خلالها ان جرائم الارهابيين في سورية هي حقيقة واقعية رغم الحملات الاعلامية الطاغية التي نجحت في تسفيه هذا الواقع .
الأم أغنيس مريم الصليب عادت في السادس من ك 1 ديسمبر الى حمص ، ليلتين قضتهما الراهبة التي وجدت نفسها وجها لوجه امام حملة عدائية شنتها عليها ادوات القمع الاعلامي القطرية والاميركية والسعودية والتركية واللبنانية.
في طريقها من حمص الى بيروت التقينا بها في دمشق وكان لنا معها هذا الحوار .
– بداية نرحب بك في موقع “عربي برس”، هلا حدثتنا عن حمص التي وصلتي منها للتو؟
“وصلت حمص البارحة (الاثنين الخامس من الشهر الحالي) في الثالثة ظهرا وتحديدا إلى منطقة باب السباع وعند الثالثة والربع كان علينا الاختباء حيث رأينا الجميع يدخلون بيوتهم واستضافتنا إحدى العائلات التي أخبرتنا عن المعاناة المستمرة هناك منذ 6 أشهر وقالوا لنا أن مسلحين مجهولين يسيطرون على أحياء كاملة في حمص وهم يوميا عند الثالثة ظهرا يبدأون بإطلاق النار حتى يدخل الناس بيوتهم ويسرحون بدورهم حتى الساعة السابعة صباحاً وهذا هو حالهم اليومي.
أما في الليل فهناك جهتان تتحاربان حرباً حقيقية أحد أطرافها الظاهرة لنا والتي نعرفها هي قوات حفظ الأمن والجيش ولكن الجهة المقابلة غير ظاهرة أو معروفة حيث يحكى عن مسلحين وعناصر دخلت سوريا من جهات مختلفة كذلك يحكى عن جيش منشق وسمعنا معارك طاحنة في عدة أماكن من المدينة بشتى أنواع الأسلحة الخفيفة والمتوسطة وأحيانا كنا نسمع أصوات قنابل”.
تتابع الأم أغنيس :
” في صباح اليوم الثاني بدأنا جولتنا وتحدثنا مع السكان وطلبنا أن نرى آثار معارك الأمس حيث كانت المدارس تعمل بشكل ضئيل جدا لأن الناس والطلاب يخافون التنقل من حي لحي ومن شارع لشارع وتحدثنا مع المعلمات الذين أخبرونا عن مسلحين يعيثون فساداً في حمص، وتساءلوا كيف أن السلطات الأمنية لا تستطيع أن تؤمن حماية أكثر للمواطنين، كما أخبرونا عن عمليات الخطف التي تحصل والتي باتت اليوم لطلب الفدية كسائق خطف مقابل مليون ليرة”.
تضيف الأم أغنيس: “اليوم 6 كانون الأول كان يوم دامي في حمص حيث سقط 100 قتيل، وبينما كنا نتجول من الحي القديم إلى الحي الجديد ناحية وادي السايح وكل الأحياء والممرات التي توصل لدوار تدمر وبابا عمر وفي كل شارع يقول لنا الناس “هنا قتل أحدهم” و”هنا كان كمين” و رافقناهم إلى وادي السايح وأمام أحد المدارس كان هناك بركة دماء قالوا لنا أهالي المنطقة أنه كان هناك بالأمس رجال ملثمون يرتدون ملابس الجيش أوقفوا سيارة وقتلوا على الهوية 9 أشخاص ودارت معارك ريثما وصلت إلى الموقع تعزيزات أمنية، وعندما وصلت الملالة العسكرية قابلوها بقنابل (آر بي جي) حيث ردت الملالة على المصدر وأصابت طابق في المنزل وعندما جلست مع أصحاب المنزل قالوا بأنهم استهدفوا من الجيش دون سبب فهم يعتبرون أن من يقتل المدنيين هم الجيش لأنهم يرتدون ملابس الجيش، وهناك من قال أنه قد يكون جيش منشق أو دخلاء أي عناصر مندسة أو مسلحين مجهولين إلى الآن لم نعلم من يقتل ويذبح” .
تتابع الأم أغنيس: “انتقلنا بعد ذلك من وادي السايح نحو المستشفى الوطني في حمص حيث رأينا في الطريق سيارتين محروقتين إلى جانب محل محروق وعلى باب المحل يوجد جثة مقطعة لا يظهر منها إلا الرأس والناس مجتمعون حول الجثة، وسمعت شخص يتحدث على هاتفه أظن أنه يتحدث مع قناة الجزيرة ويقول “هكذا فعلت كتائب الأسد السوداء”.
ثم تابعنا طريقنا إلى المستشفى الوطني ونزلنا إلى براد الجثث في المستشفى حيث كان المكان يعج بالجثث ولا مكان لمزيد منها في البراد مما اضطرهم إلى وضع عدد كبير منها على الأرض كذلك المشهد كان في استقبالنا عند الدخول من باب المستشفى فالجثث منتشرة في الصالة وليس لها محل لتدخل البراد فالمولد الذي يجلب كهرباء للبراد لم يعد يكفي ؟!
وتضيف: “اليوم إذا لم نعرف من يقوم بهذه الأفعال فذلك شيء يصرخ بضمير الإنسانية والسيناريو الذي أراه كالتالي إذا كانت قوات الأمن هي من تقتل فهل قوات الأمن على اتصال مع الجزيرة حتى توصل لهم صورة الشخص الذي قتلوه لتقوم الجزيرة بدورها باتهام قوات الأمن بقتله وتنزل عقوبات عالمية على هذا النظام؟، نعم هناك عدد من السكان يعتقدون أن هذا السيناريو وليد الدولة وأنا أسأل نفسي ليس دفاع عن أحد ولكن ذلك سبب لي انفصام شخصية فهل هناك دولة جهنمية تحارب نفسها؟ وثانياً هذه الدولة لماذا تقطع وتفظع في الجثث وتتفق مع الجزيرة لتقول لها ما تفعل؟ وهل لدى الدولة عقدة الاضطهاد؟”.
الأم أغنيس أضافت: “لا أفهم ما يجري وأطلب من أي شخص خاصة ممن يسمون أنفسهم معارضة سلمية أن تتفضل وتأتي لترى ما رأيته اليوم، أنا كشخص محايد لا زلت أقول جهات غير معروفة ولكن الجثث التي رأيتها لا أتمنى أن تكون أخي وأخوك وأمي وأمك وأبي وأبوك و…مثلا ساري ساعود الذي قتل من فترة وهو حفيد حجار الدير الذي أقطن فيه “أبو طوني الجمال” الذي قالو أن الأمن قتله لكننا ذهبنا وسمعنا أمه الثكلى التي قالت لو أن الأمن كان موجود لما كان قتل ساري، أين هو ضمير الإنسانية والعرب والغرب والناتو وحلف الأطلسي من هؤلاء الأولاد والمواطنين فليتفضلوا بالنزول ليستنتجوا ما يحدث على الأرض.
وعندما وصلت إلى المستشفى ورأيت لوائح من “الفيس بوك” وضعتها تنسيقيات حمص يتهمون فيها أطباء المستشفى بقتل الجرحى يعني ذلك أن هناك استغلال “مصنع استغلالي” يقتلون ويستغلون القتل في بداية الأمر وعندما يصلون إلى المستشفى يتهمون الأطباء بأنهم من يقطعون الجثث وأصبحوا يغتالون الأطباء أيضاً”.
– س : الأم أغنيس تعرضتي لاتهامات كثيرة من طرف المعارضة بأنك أداة للنظام ماذا تقولين في ذلك؟
أنا لست مع النظام ولا مع أحد غير النظام، أنا راهبة عزل حرة أريد أن أعرف الحقيقة وكل نقطة دم أضعها تسفك في سوريا أضعها علامة استفهام على ضمير الإنسانية فما الذي يحصل، ولماذا يسمون هؤلاء عناصر مسلحة مجهولة، لماذا لليوم مجهولة؟؟
وحول من يتهم الأم أغنيس بذلك قالت: “رأيت موقع يدعي all4syria يقول بأن لديه تسجيل صوتي بأنني أعترف أن منبع المعلومات الخاصة بي أعطاني إياه الأمن السوري والمخابرات السورية، لكنني اليوم كنت في حمص وشاهدني الناس هناك حتى أنني نزلت بدون إذن لأنهم رفضوا منحي الإذن خوفاً على حياتي إلا أنني لم أبالي وسافرت وتحدثت مع كثير من الأشخاص واعتقلت من قبل الجيش، وأرادوا أخذ الكاميرا من الصحفي المرافق لي وهو فرنسي لأنهم قالوا أنه سيصور ويستعمل الصور ليتهم الأطباء الشرعيين بأنهم يقتلون الجرحى الذين يصلون للمستشفى كما فعل غيره”.
تتابع الأم أغنيس: “ها أنا هنا موجودة ومستعدة من يريد أن يقصدني فأنا مستعدة ومن يريد فلينزل إلى حمص فحمص لم تعد مخفية على أحد لقد أصبحت مدينة مأساوية ولابد أن تقوم قوة ردع عربية إذا كان ذلك صعبا على الجيش بالنزول ومواجهة الملثمين الذين يعيثون فساداً وتضيف: أنا لا أحمل على أحد كل إنسان وضميره لكن السكان يتحدثون عن أشخاص بلباس الجيش وهيئتهم مخيفة ويضحكون بشكل مستمر ولا يخافون من شيء .

أنا بجولتي أستمع للأهالي الذين يخبرونني أوجاعهم، ويسوع يقول لنا “كنت جائعاً فأطعمتموني، وكنت عطشاً فسقيتموني، وكنت مريضاً فزرتموني، وكنت ميتاً فشيعتموني”، وهذا ما أفعله أنا أنزل وأرى الشعب المريض ولدي رغبة بمعرفة الحقيقة وإلى اليوم لم آخذ موقف، فأنا مع المعارضة التي تطالب بديمقراطية وحرية ومساواة ولدي الكثير من المطالب وكتبت كتابا مفتوحا للسيد الرئيس ولكنني ضد أي شخص مهما كانت ملته أو دينه يفعل ما يحصل للسكان الأبرياء، فما ذنب هؤلاء وسبق لي أن قلت أن الشعب مرهون هو قيد الرهن هكذا رأيته بالقصير وبحمص وفي مناطق أخرى ولابد من نزول أقطاب المعارضة فليتفضلوا ويشاهدوا ويستنتجوا لأن الكلام والاتهام من بعيد وطرح نظريات أمر في غاية السهولة وبعدها يتهمون الذي ينزل على الأرض ويخاطر بحياته
لقد زرت أحياء المعارضة وسمعت منهم أن هذا الذي يحصل سيناريو قام به النظام ولم أقل لهم لا، لابد من أن ننزل كلنا ونرى لعل هناك طابور خامس أو أن المعارضة مخترقة ولا تدري لا أعرف لماذا ندع التاريخ يتهمنا غدا أننا كنا نعلم وصمتنا؟
– ما الحل في حمص والمسلحون كما تقولي يتعمدون لبس ثياب الجيش؟
السلام لا يأتي إلا بالكشف عن المجرمين، نعم رأيت حواجز أمنية صغيرة هي مراكز أمنية مثل مكاتب واحتجزت بأحدها هي مبنى وأمامه سواتر ترابية وشاهدت ملالة زهرية اللون مكتوب عليها شرطة وهذا لا يعني أنه لا يوجد غير ذلك لكن هذا ما شاهدته، وقال لي الناس أ نه من يومين وصلتهم على هواتفهم رسائل نداء للدفاع عن الجيش حيث حاصر ثلاثمئة مسلح مجموعة عناصر من الجيش صغار السن يؤدون الخدمة العسكرية وظل العناصر يدافعون عن أنفسهم ساعتين متواصلتين حتى وصلت الملالات العسكرية.
وحول موقف الأم أغنيس السياسي قالت: أنا لا آخذ موقف سياسي وإنما أريد حماية المدنيين، فلا بد من وضع حد للوضع وإذا كانوا يعتبرون أني إذا تحدثت هكذا فأنا ضد المسيح فأنا أقبل”.
– هل يمكننا وصف ما يجري في حمص بأنه حرب أهلية طائفية؟
ذهبت إلى الزهراء وهي من طائفة معينة وأخبرونا كيف يتعرضون لأمور رهيبة من قتل وخطف ولم أسمع أن هذه الطائفة تكن حقد لطائفة أخرى وزرت الطائفة الثانية وقالت أنه قد يحدث باسم طائفتنا ذبح وقتل ونحن نعتبر أن هناك جهة ثالثة تريد أن تشعل الفتنة بيننا، أي أن النسيج السوري المجتمعي لا يوجد فيه حقد متبادل ولكن هناك مشروع حرب طائفية إلا أنها لم تبدأ في سوريا بعد .
وعمن يغطي ما يدعى “الجيش السوري الحر” تحدثت الأم اغنيس: “هناك نسبة ضئيلة من السكان تغطي مسلحين يسمون انفسهم الجيش السوري الحر ولكن قليلون جدا، فإذا كان هناك جيشان فهي ليست حرب أهلية، وإذا كان هناك مسلحين وجيش هذه أيضاً ليست حرباً أهلية لكن عندما تكون طائفة ضد طائفة تصبح كذلك وهذا لم أراه في المجتمع المدني”.
تضيف الأم أغنيس: “الجيش السوري الحر البيئة الحاضنة له هي بيئة وهابية متطرفة لليوم وأتساءل لماذا تريد المعارضة أن تأخذ هذا المنحى؟
لماذا يريدون أن يتلونون بهذا اللون ؟ لماذا نعمل شيء سياسي تحت لون ديني لا أعرف نحن تحترم المواقف لكن لابد من أن تسأل من يقوم بذلك لماذا يأخذون هذا المنحى نحن مجتمع مدني من يريد مجتمع آخر فليقل لنا كي نفهم ما يريده.

– الأم أغنيس في سطور؟
والدي فلسطيني من مهجري 48 ووالدتي لبنانية، عشت في لبنان فترة ثم ترهبت بعمر صغير ودخلت حبيسا لواحد وعشرين عاما، ثم اكتشفت دعوة للتجذر أكثر في المحيط الشرقي يعني الكنيسة الشرقية وأتيت إلى سورية واكتشفت دير أثري بطور الاضمحلال هو دير “مار يعقوب المقطع” وطلبت من المطران ترميمه وأنا أرممه إلى اليوم وأسسنا جماعة رهبانية للتعايش والوحدة بين المسيحيين وللحوار والمحبة بين كل أطياف المجتمع السوري والشرقي وكما أننا نهتم بالتراث ونستقبل أشخاص من كل العالم في الدير حيث وصل عددهم إلى 25 ألف زائر خلال عام يأتون لممارسة رياضات متنوعة ويتعمقون بالروحانيات ويتعبدون الله ومن كل الطوائف، والآن داهمتنا الأحداث ونحن لا نستطيع الوقوف مكتوفي الأيدي لقد أحسست أن من واجبي إعالة المجتمع المدني والتعرف على تطلعاته، وأكيد تطلعاتنا حرية وديمقراطية ولكننا لا نتدخل بالسياسة وبدأ عملي هذا عندما بدأ الدم يسفك حينئذ أصبحت أتساءل من يقتل من؟ وأردت مساعدة الضحايا وطلبت ولا زلت أطلب من المرصد السوري لحقوق الإنسان وغيره من المراجع إعطائنا لوائح القتلى من المعارضة كي نذهب ونعيلهم ونكرم ذكراهم حتى لا يقولون أننا منحازون لطرف دون الآخر وإلى اليوم لم يجبني أحد وهذا لا يعني أنني لا أعترف بوجود ضحايا من كل الأطياف لكن الضحايا الذين أراهم أبكي عليهم وأريد أن أعرف من قتلهم وإذا كان هناك خطأ مني أرجو أن يكتبوا لي ولكن دون أ ن تكون بطريقة الذم كي نساعد بعضنا طالما أن النوايا الحسنة موجودة عند الجميع فقد أكون مخطئة، لذلك أرجو ممن لديه نية حسنة الاتصال بي لأذهب معه فقد كنت في القصير عند المعارضة ورأيت وتحدثت مع مسلحي الجيش السوري الحر وزرت بابا عمر وباب السباع وبستان الديوان للاستماع لمطالب الأهالي وقلت أن الناس يضعون ما يجري بذمة النظام …

آلاء زيني – دمشق – عربي برس

December 9th, 2011, 7:08 pm

 

Ya Mara Ghalba said:

From the Financial Times dated 7 Dec 2011:

“The last time the Syrian pound came under this kind of pressure was in April of this year, when it dropped 15 per cent against the US dollar on the black market. Then, the government succeeded in stabilising the currency by tightening capital controls, raising interest rates and pumping foreign currency into the system. The governor of the Syrian Central Bank said in October that he had spent $3bn defending the pound and financing trade since the start of the unrest this year. Since the beginning of November, however, the pound has slid about 14 per cent against the dollar on the black market, and there is no sign of government intervention. According to The Syria Report, a newsletter, the government is even intending to cancel planned foreign exchange auctions. Christopher Phillips of the Economist Intelligence Unit says “I don’t think they want to spend their foreign currency reserves to defend [the Syrian pound] at this point.” Ayham Kamel of Eurasia, a consulting group, suggests that a rate of SYP60 to the dollar, while pushing up prices of imported goods, is unlikely to be considered unacceptably high by the regime.” http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/984dd544-20b6-11e1-816d-00144feabdc0.html#ixzz1g57okqLS

That news item about the Syrian pound being under pressure reminds me that Syria’s new 30% tariff on Turkish imports helps to defend the exchange rate of the Syrian pound at the present time. It greatly reduces Syria’s imports from Turkey, which is to say it greatly reduces the outflow of foreign currency from Syria to Turkey. Yesterday I read that Şanlıurfa in Turkey near the Syrian border “mainly exports cement” to Syria (my source at #129 above). I was surprised about that since cement is something that the Syrians can and do produce themselves. The 30% tariff helps cement producers inside Syria. No doubt many other Syrian industrialists can benefit from the tariff. As we all remember, Syria in September, in order to protect the exchange rate of the Syrian pound, temporarily suspended a wide range of imports but very soon found out that the suspension was unworkable and impractical. This tariff is workable and practical. By its contribution to supporting the Syrian pound it contributes to keeping down the price of all non-Turkish imported goods in Syria, which is of some benefit to Syrian consumers. The people who are penalized by the tariff the most are my friends the decent and competitive Turkish exporters, who should blame their Turkish government.

On 1 Dec 2011, just after Turkey announced its sanctions against Syria and a couple of days prior to Syria announcing it’s counter-sanctions, the leader of the largest Turkish opposition party, Kemal Kilicdaroglu of the Republican People’s Party (CHP) condemned the Turkish government’s economic sanctions on Syria, saying “these acts don’t benefit Turkey”. He was right, and he was even more right the couple of days later.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-12/02/c_131283086.htm

December 9th, 2011, 7:17 pm

 

jad said:

نصائح مجانية في السياسة الخارجية:
لا تجوز التضحية بوحدة الثوار في سوريا لطمأنة كلينتون

هيثم مناع

تشكل مشاعر السلطة بطبعها عنصر اضطراب للأشخاص، حتى لو كانت ابنة عملية تعويم إعلامية ودبلوماسية خارجية تتطلبها الأوضاع السورية. ورغم ثقتنا بأن أحدا من شركائنا في المعارضة السورية يتعاطى حبوب الهلوسة، لم يعد بعض إخوتنا في المواطنة يقفون على الأرض، وإن لم ينجحوا كذلك في اعتلاء العرش، فقد صار القوم مثل آلهة أبيقور، معلقين بين السماء والماء، يعتقدون أن معاملات الاستلام والتسليم من آل الأسد قد تمت بنجاح. وكون دورهم في الثورة لم يتعد اللقاءات الإعلامية والدبلوماسية وتلقي المدائح والمساعدات السخية وإرسال رسائل غزل للشبيبة الثائرة، لا يستغرب أن يتبسموا أحيانا وهم يتحدثون عن آلاف الضحايا من قتلى وجرحى، قبل أن يوزعوا صكوك الغفران لهذا المعارض أو تلك التنسيقية، ولهيب النيران لذاك الطرف الإقليمي أو الحزبي. أليسوا الممثل الشرعي والوحيد للثورة والشعب وقريبا الدولة؟
شعور كبير بالسعادة يتملك «المسؤول» القادم عندما يعلم بأن يافطة قد رفعت في غفلة عن المتظاهرين تذم وتمدح. أليس من يقرر أيام الجمع يقرر أسماء الوزراء في الحكومة الانتقالية؟ أليس المثقف المطالِب بكوريدور إنساني صدى لصوت الشعب والثورة؟ ألم يتحدث أحد أشاوس العلمانية السورية في الهلال الشيعي؟ ألم يطالب أحد المعارضين بالقطع المنهجي مع نهج المقاومة «المدمر»؟ ألم يلتحق بقدرة قادر من طالب برنار هنري ليفي بالابتعاد عن الملف السوري، بأهم أطروحاته حول المقاومتين الفلسطينية واللبنانية مع «كوكتيل كوشنر» في الكوريدور الإنساني؟ ألم يصل الابتذال إلى تغييب القضايا المركزية للثورة كالعودة من الانتشار الأفقي إلى البؤرية ومن الحراك الواسع إلى الفئوية مع تعامل غير واضح خجول مع التسلح والتطيف؟ ما معنى الركون لأسماء في يوم الجمعة تشكل موضوع تفرقة وخلاف وزراعة وهمٍ في صفوف المجتمع الأهلي الحامي والمشارك في الثورة (من أحرار الجيش والجيش الحر والحـظر الجوي وتجميد العضوية وطرد السفراء والمنطقة العازلة… إلخ). ثم هل أنجزنا مهامنا الداخلية من تحديد معالم الجمهورية السورية الثانية والعـقد المؤسس للدولة المدنية الديموقراطية إلى أشكال ضمان حقوق المواطنة والأقليات والموقف الوطني الواضح من قضية الجولان وقرابة مليون نازح ونصف مليون لاجئ لنتحدث في الأمن والاستقرار لتركيا والويل والثبور لإيران وتحديد موقع حماس في الخارطة الفلسطينية؟ إلى غير ذلك من أوراق مجانية للقوى الخارجية، باستعارة تعبير سمير عيطة.
يمكن القول ان السياسة الخارجية مرآة لصحة الجسد، أي الذات السياسية أو السيادة. وهي تعبير جوهري عن فكرة الدور، وترجمة النظرة للنفس والآخر. السيادة هنا، باعتبارها الشرط النظري لسيرورة تسلم الناس مصائر حياتهم بأنفسهم، أي السلاح الحقوقي والاستراتيجي المشبع بالقدرة على التعبئة الداخلية التي تسمح بسياسة خارجية فاعلة: الثقة بالذات التي تنبع عادة من شرعية سياسية – ثقافية وشعور بالأصالة المجتمعية، تمنح السياسة الخارجية الكبيرة دورا كاريزمياً لا يتطابق بالضرورة مع الحجم الفعلي للقوة المعبرة عنه كما تمسخ السياسة الصغيرة أصحابها مع ما يترتب على ذلك لمستقبل الوطن. وأخيرا، لا يمكن أن نترك أساسيات العلاقات الخارجية لرغبات بعض المتظاهرين في مقاطعة دولة منديلا أو البرازيل أو الهند وحمل أعلام دول غير ديموقراطية؟ العلاقات الخارجية لأي ثورة أو دولة تقوم على وعي عميق للعلاقة بين النحن والآخر، بمعنى التصور السياسي والاقتصادي والثقافي لطبيعة العلاقات بين الدول والشعوب وثنائيات التفاعل بين الإنساني: العزلة – التدخل، العمل الفردي – العمل الجماعي، القيم – المصالح، الحياد – الانحياز، المثالية – البراغماتية، المشاركة – الهيمنة، التعاون – السيطرة .. وما من شك في أن المساحات الرمادية بين هذه الثنائيات تحتل الهامش الأكبر في حقيقة السياسة الخارجية لدولة أو حزب أو منظمة غير حكومية. وفي السياسة الخارجية، كما في المجتمع، لا يغتفر للمرأة بيع شرفها لأول عابر سبيل.
نقرأ في صفحة الويب الرسمية للخارجية الفرنسية الجملة التالية: «ترتكز السياسة الخارجية الفرنسية على تقليد دبلوماسي قائم منذ عدة قرون، وعلى بعض المبادئ الأساسية: حق الشعوب في تقرير مصيرها، واحترام حقوق الإنسان والمبادئ الديموقراطية، واحترام دولة القانون والتعاون بين الأمم. وفي هذا الإطار، حرصت فرنسا على الحفاظ على استقلالها الوطني دون أن تكف عن العمل على تنمية أشكال من التضامن الإقليمي والدولي». بالطبع لا يمكن لأي باحث في العلوم السياسية أن يأخذ على محمل الجد هذا المقطع. فالثورة الفرنسية التي حملت بضعاً من هذه المبادئ لا يزيد عمرها على قرنين وعقدين تخللتها ردات وانقلابات ونظم عسكرية واحتلال ألماني. ومن الصعب القول ان فرنسا بكل مكوناتها السياسية التي وصلت الحكم عملت بهذه المبادئ. فقد خسر الشعب الجزائري أكثر من مليون من أجل استقلاله، وآثرت معظم الحكومات الفرنسية العلاقة مع الحكومات التي تربطها بها علاقات استراتيجية ومصلحة قومية عليا، بغض النظر عن طبيعتها الديموقراطية. وقد امتنعت الحكومة الفرنسية عن إدانة ضم إسرائيل لأراض سورية محتلة كما دعمت عسكريا عدة حكومات موالية لها في افريقيا لا تمثل شعوبها بحال. وفي حين يتحدث آلان جوبيه عن أيام بقيت في عمر الدكتاتورية السورية، ويحدد من يمثل الشعب ومن لا يمثله في صفوف ثورة الكرامة، لم يجرؤ وزير الخارجية الفرنسي في حياته السياسية على أن يوجه نقدا للسياسة السعودية ولو تعلق الأمر بقيادة المرأة للسيارة في مملكة الصمت؟ فما معنى أن نتحدث عن ثوابت عمرها قرون؟
لكن ثمة بالتأكيد منطقا مرجعيا قد يكون قراءة المصلحة القومية العليا عند رجل الدولة، أو مراعاة خلفيات الوعي الجمعي، كذلك استنباط التوجهات الأساسية في المجتمع السياسي والمدني وترجمتها في سياسة خارجية تعبر عن الهموم الرئيسية للناس. لكن هناك أيضا بالتأكيد لغة تجمعات الضغط والمصالح الاقتصادية التي تترجم حاجياتها في خطاب للسياسة الخارجية يتحدث عن الحكم الرشيد والديموقراطية من دون أن ينوه بحال للخلفية الحقيقية للموقف السياسي المعلن.
صحيح أن العولمة قد عززت نسبية السيادة وحددت من نطاق سيادة الأصغر وتعبيرات أشكال ممارستها في السياسة الخارجية خاصة في السياسات الإقليمية، ووضعت الهيمنة الغربية قواعد تحدد أوليات الدول الغنية في القانون الدولي. فحركة البضاعة لا تجوز مراقبتها، أما حق البشر في التنقل فهو مقيد بكل المعاني. إعلان الحليف حالة الطوارئ جزء من ضرورات دولة القانون، وقيام دولة مارقة بهكذا إجراء هو انتهاك لحقوق الإنسان… إلخ. إلا أن هذه النسبية لا تنسينا الدرس الكبير في أن من ينطلق من موقع دوني لا يمكن أن يرفع رأسه عاجلا أو آجلا، ومن يبدأ صغيرا لا يمكن أن يكبر.
حتى اليوم، الدولة الحديثة، التي بنيت على مفهوم الأمن، أكثر منه على أساس إقامة العدل، وبكل أحجامها، ما زالت ضرورية لعملية حفظ التوازن الشكلي للعلاقات الخارجية بين الدول. ويمكن القول اليوم ان من النتائج المباشرة للحرب على الإرهاب والعدوان على العراق، تعزز مفهوم السيادة الافتراضية virtual للدول الضعيفة على حساب نظرية السيادة المباشرة للدولة العظمى. فقد أدى ضرب السيادة العراقية (إلغاء الجيش وحل المؤسسات الأساسية للدولة) إلى خلق وضع كارثي غير قابل للسيطرة، عزز فكرة أميركية بديلة تقول بضرورة تحديد معالم الدور والنطاق والتصور للسياسة الخارجية للبلدان الحليفة كما للبلدان الخارجة عن المنظومة، مع بقاء المفهوم التقليدي للأمن الداخلي للدولة. وهكذا تغير أسلوب الخارجية الأميركية في الحديث مع الحكومات أو المعارضات المعدة من الخارج بحيث تعطي الضوء الأخضر لمساعدتها ماديا وإعلامية ودبلوماسيا أو تحجب عنها النعم. وتعتبر من واجبها أن توجه لها الملاحظات سواء تعلق الأمر بهياكلها الداخلية أو العامة أو بسياساتها المزمعة.
في غياب الشرعية السياسية الداخلية، شكلت السياسة الخارجية أحد مصادر الشرعية للسلطة التنفيذية. فالصراع العربي الإسرائيلي والتوازن الاستراتيجي العربي الفارسي والجهاد ضد الغزو السوفياتي لأفغانستان أصبحت في أوقات مختلفة مصدر التعبئة الوطنية وبديل الدولة المواطنية. الأمر الذي أدى إلى كوارث كبيرة عندما نسيت الدول الأطراف أنها لا تتمتع بقوة داخلية (شرعية سياسية داخلية) تسمح لها بدور خارجي إلا ضمن رضا القوى العظمى. ما نراه جليا في اطمئنان الرئيس العراقي صدام لاحتلال الكويت بعد حربه مع إيران، أو غياب أي مبرر لاستمرار الوجود العسكري السوري في لبنان بعد تحرير الجنوب. مع ما حققت هذه التصرفات من نتائج كارثية على صعيد سيادة دول المنطقة، نتائج توضح مدى خطورة غياب الشرعية السياسية الداخلية على هوامش السياسة الخارجية. لكنها أيضا تحمل كل مخاطر الجنوح المقابل: أي شعور من استقوى من الضحايا بأنه قوي بالفعل. أي أن تتصرف مثلا إمارة الكويت كقوة إقليمية لمجرد قيام تحالف دولي واسع لإعادتها للوجود، أو يتحدث بعض المعارضين السوريين في الخارج بوصفهم راسمي معالم الشرق الأوسط الجديد. هنا تتم ولادة سيادة افتراضية مضخمة تحمل كل مخاطر التحطيم الذاتي.
لا يمكن أن نتعامل مع السياسة الدولية والإقليمية بمستوى القذافي أو عبد الجليل عندما نكون في دولة مواجهة مباشرة مع الإسرائيلي، وليس بالإمكان التضحية بوحدة الثوار لإرضاء الباب العالي أو طمأنة السيدة كلينتون. هناك صورتنا عن أنفسنا كمشروع ثورة ديموقراطية لا مجرد سماسرة إقليميين، وهناك الزمان والمكان والحاجة الوطنية الفعلية وقوة الموضوع في الوعي الجماعي أو قدرته على الاستقطاب الشعبي وقدرة أعدائه على تحجيمه أو ضربه كعناصر متحركة من الضروري أخذها بعين الاعتبار عند كل موقف استراتيجي هام في العلاقات الخارجية لسوريا الغد الديموقراطية.

([) رئيس هيئة التنسيق الوطنية لقوى التغيير الديموقراطي في المهجر

December 9th, 2011, 7:20 pm

 

Tara said:

Bashar’s accomplishment this Friday:

46 civilians killed including 9 children and 3 women.

Actor Muhammad Al Rashee was detained today by the security forces.

December 9th, 2011, 8:08 pm

 

Haytham Khoury said:

jad#195.

If the FSA continues to attack the army, we won’t be able to keep the integrity of the army even after the fall of the regime. I have a good plan for the FSA. I am meeting with Ghalioun on the 21st of December. I will present it to him.

December 9th, 2011, 8:21 pm

 

Tara said:

Is this the beginning of political defection within the Syrian government? 

http://www.ocala.com/article/20111208/ZNYT03/112083023?p=4&tc=pg
….
A senior defector from the Syrian Foreign Ministry said in an interview that if outside countries armed the opposition rebels, it could inflict serious damage on the Assad government. The official, a former ambassador who fled to Istanbul from Syria last week, said Mr. Assad’s state security apparatus was operating in up to 50 locations in Syria. He argued that surgical strikes, in conjunction with a buffer zone inside Syria put into effect by Turkey, would prove fatal to the government.

Opposition officials said the Free Syrian Army, the Syrian National Council and the Turkish government had been engaged in talks in recent days over the formation of a buffer zone in the event of a huge number of refugees.

Since May, 20,201 Syrians have entered Turkey and 8,424 remain, according to the Ankara government.
….

December 9th, 2011, 8:27 pm

 

Haytham Khoury said:

December 9th, 2011, 8:28 pm

 

Tara said:

Waiting for Bashar Assad’s exit

http://arabnews.com/opinion/columns/article545596.ece

The Syrian leader seems to be living in an alternate reality of his own making

As bloodshed mounts in Syria, pundits argue, President Bashar Assad has finally realized that the security approach is a grave mistake. As tensions in Syria mount, it seems that the security-minded decision makers are on the retreat.

Soon, Assad is expected to confirm his agreement to form a national government that includes opposition and independents. This new government’s mission will be to oversee parliamentary elections and prepare for presidential elections. There will be no veto on any political party or person, elections will be internationally monitored, and the outcome will be honored. According to the new agreement, presidency will be a four-year term provided that a president cannot rule more than two terms. Should this initiative succeed, it will close a chapter of political history and turn a new leaf.

And yet, latest events reveal that there is a gap within the presidency between those who still believe in the security solution to the crisis and those moderates who make the case for the necessity of respecting the Syrian people and responding to their demands. From the beginning, moderates argued for a benign approach, a trial of officials responsible for escalation in Dar’a, and political reform.

This moderate trend was both isolated at the beginning of the crisis and accused of opportunism. Extremists believed that there was a plot and that employing force was a necessity. However, eventually, they all found out that the security approach has simply backfired as it created domestic tension and made a reform initiative difficult. On the other hand, now Assad is no longer calling the shots. The impact of the Syrian street, regional and international public opinion, and the Arab proactive stand now influence decision-making in Syria. Worse still, was when the cooperative relations with Ankara were transformed into enmity, as the probability of war increased and the chances of peace and diplomacy receded.

What all observers are wondering is: Will Assad step down? Will Syria transform into a democratic political system instead of this patriarchic and familial one? Will Assad leave Syria for its people without destruction, bloodshed, or civil war? Is Assad’s decision a Syrian one or a regional one in which Iran and Hezbollah also have a say? Will he flee the country undetected?

Many pundits also ponder the Iranian position. Interestingly, some even talk about Gulf diplomacy playing a part and a political reform package in the near future. Consultative councils in the Gulf will soon meet in Jeddah. Also, the former head of the Saudi intelligence, Prince Turkey Faisal, stressed that the Gulf states should stand up to external challenges. He also calls for a unified Gulf consultative council, common currency, and a common army. Additionally, Prince Muqrin bin Abdulaziz, the head of the Saudi intelligence, confirms that the Gulf states are very guarded because of the Iranian nuclear file. US Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta said at Brookings Institute that Iran should be a nuclear-free country, as Tehran is becoming a source of serious threat to the region. Indeed, Arab intellectuals warn against the perils of the Persian expansion in the region, should they go unchallenged.

Another senior official in the American National Security Council also confirmed that the Malki government is on its way out and a rearrangement of the political process in Iraq to restore its balance is under way. Maliki is moving in various directions to pre-empt this scenario and accordingly he signed strategic and security agreements with Iran. He also received the deputy of Waly Al-Faqih and supports Assad’s government. Meanwhile, Hezbollah is attempting to rebuild its relations with leaders of the Muslim Brotherhood, generously spend the Iranian money in Tunisia, Libya, and Egypt, and the party provides some presidential candidates blank checks to help them mobilize support in presidential and parliamentary elections in Tunisia and Egypt. Additionally, Iran is backing the Houthis in Yemen.

Apparently, a new political environment is in the making. America is retreating and civilized Islamic groups are on the ascendance. Also, there is a Western attempt to generalize a new model that is based on decentralization. This means a model that is based on a weak central government vis-à-vis the periphery.

The reorganization of the Syrian government will certainly have an impact on Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, and Jordan. It will reinforce the power of the Muslim Brotherhood and the civilized reform movements, particularly when the Brothers’ discourse is closer to the civil discourse as is the case in Tunisia and Egypt.

Now, we are all waiting on Assad’s next speech. But he may let us down and will come with pledges that cannot be implemented and in the context of buying time. In an interview with ABC’s Barbara Walters on Dec. 6, that he had requested, Assad vehemently denied ordering a deadly crackdown in Syria – a denial that is of paramount importance as it may cause more military defections.

“No government in the world kills its people unless it’s led by a crazy person,” he said in the interview. Which begs the question: Is Assad insane, a liar, or is he simply living in an alternate reality of his and his cronies’ own making, in which some “other” delinquent forces are to blame for the crisis? You decide.

(alibluwi@yahoo.com)

December 9th, 2011, 8:29 pm

 
 

irritated said:

#246 Tara

“A senior defector from the Syrian Foreign Ministry”

Another Bakkour but this time anomynous ?

December 9th, 2011, 8:37 pm

 

Syrian Nationalist Party said:

For your Saturday morning education, shut the t.v., no football, take your hand of all balls and watch this:

http://beforeitsnews.com/story/1475/358/Reptilians_And_Ancient_Nuclear_Wars.html

December 9th, 2011, 8:40 pm

 

Ghufran said:

Haytham ,
The FSA on paper was created to defend civilians,in reality,the FSA is on a mission to kill as many soldiers as possible,and the FSA supporters here publish daily reports bragging about the number of soldiers killed. I am afraid that you will be speaking to a group of deaf people,deaf by choice,and to a group of figure leaders who are unable to change things on the ground. My sincere advice to you and all like-minded people is to go public with your position and join the moderate opposition forces instead of trying to reform the SNC which is losing support slowly but steadily.
The consensus now,as far as I know,is to stop the blood shed and violence and form a national unity government that paves the way for fair and clean elections,and if the regime refuses to participate,then everybody will join in a legitimate and national campaign to dismantle the regime by all acceptable means.
Maqdisi was so focused on separating Assad from illegal actions taken by the security forces in an effort to shield Bashar from futurer questioning about crimes committed against unarmed Syrians but I have not heard of anybody who went to jail yet even after 9 months of blood shed,this is a tough sell to say the least.

December 9th, 2011, 8:40 pm

 

ann said:

250. irritated said:

Another Bakkour but this time anomynous ?

Must be one of the ganitors. You know how much ganitors like to remain anonymous

😀

December 9th, 2011, 8:41 pm

 

zoo said:

The SNC accuses the government to have blown up the pipeline in order to “create a pretext” for a final assault on “the peaceful protesters ” in Homs.

Syria forces poised for bloody Homs assault: SNC

(AFP) – 18 hours ago

DAMASCUS — Syria’s opposition warned Friday of a looming “massacre” as it reported thousands of regime forces and militiamen encircled the protest hub of Homs for an expected final assault to crush dissent.

The Syrian National Council issued the alert ahead of nationwide protests following the main weekly Muslim prayers called for in support of a campaign of escalating strikes starting on Sunday.

In a statement, the SNC said President Bashar al-Assad’s regime was using the pretext of what it called a “terrorist” attack on an oil pipeline to overrun Homs, which has already been besieged for months.

“The regime (is) paving the way to commit a massacre in order to extinguish the revolution in Homs,” said the organisation, a principle umbrella group drawing together Assad’s opponents.

Homs, an important junction city of 1.6 million residents mainly divided along confessional lines, is a tinderbox of sectarian tensions that the SNC said the regime was trying to exploit.

“The regime has tried hard to ignite the sectarian conflict using many dirty methods, which have included bombing and burning mosques, torturing and killing young men, and kidnapping women and children,” said the SNC.

“The regime also took a significant step… in burning oil pipelines in the neighbourhood of Baba Amr to blame what the regime calls ‘armed gangs’; in an attempt to crush the peaceful uprising on the pretext of a war on terrorism.”

Witnesses on the ground in the central city have reported a buildup of troops and pro-regime “Shabiha” militiamen in armoured vehicles who have set up more than 60 checkpoints, said the opposition group.

“These are all signs of a security crackdown operation that may reach the level of a total invasion of the city.

“We warn of the consequences of committing such a crime that could result in a massive number of casualties,” said the SNC.

“We hold accountable the regime, and behind it the Arab League and the international community of what could happen to innocent civilians in the next few hours or days, and the implications for the region as a whole in the near future.

“The Syrian National Council also calls on all relevant international organisations and human rights organisations to take immediate action to pressure the international forums to provide immediate protection to civilians in Homs in particular, and throughout Syria in general.”

The Assad regime’s crackdown on dissent since mid-March has hit Homs particularly hard and activists say a great number of defecting soldiers have set up camp there to protect the protest movement.

An explosion that tore apart a pipeline taking crude to an oil refinery in Homs from eastern Syria, in an attack the regime blamed on “armed terrorist gangs.”

But the Local Coordination Committees (LCC), which organises anti-regime protests, accused Assad’s government of deliberately destroying the pipeline which serves a region seen as staunchly opposed to his rule.

Activists reported at least 20 people killed in Thursday’s violence alone, the majority of them in Homs. The regime’s crackdown on dissent has killed more than 4,000 people in Syria, according to UN figures.

UN human rights chief Navi Pillay is due to address the Syria crisis on Friday and is expected to brief the UN Security Council by Tuesday at the request of France, Britain and German, diplomats said.

“It will be useful because it will allow the Security Council to examine its own responsibilities” in the crisis, said a UN diplomat speaking on condition of anonymity.

Diplomats said they notice signs of a shift in attitude by opponents of UN action against President Assad. However Western governments are waiting to see what impact Arab League sanctions have on Syria.

The Arab League is leaning on Iraq to persuade Syria to allow observers or else face more sanctions, but the regime has taken a defiant stance this week, with Assad himself denying responsibility for violence by his forces.

Syria’s foreign ministry said in a statement that it is studying a response from the Arab League to conditions sought by Damascus to accept a delegation of monitors.

Pro-democracy activists, meanwhile, urged citizens to rally on Friday in support of a “dignity strike… which will lead to the sudden death of this tyrant regime.”

The LCC has called on citizens to strike from Sunday with sit-ins at work and the closure of shops and universities, before the shutdown of transportation networks and a general public sector strike.

December 9th, 2011, 8:53 pm

 

Ghufran said:

لندن ـ باريس ـ ‘القدس العربي’ ـ رويترز: افتى الشيخ يوسف القرضاوي، الداعية والفقيه الاسلامي المعروف ان من حق السوريين الطلب من دول اجنبية وبدعم من الامم المتحدة التدخل في بلادهم في حالة فشل الدول العربية في وقف حمام الدم.
وقال القرضاوي انه كان ممن دعوا للثورات العربية قبل ان تبدأ وبعدها، وكان موقفه واحدا من اهم العوامل التي دعت الجامعة العربية لاتخاذ موقف متشدد من النظام السوري.
وقال القرضاوي في لقاء مع صحيفة ‘فايننشال تايمز’ البريطانية، ان طبيعة الثورات الشعبية في العالم العربي والتي بدت بدون قيادة هي صورة عن تغير من داخل الشعوب التي انتفضت ضد الظلم ‘واستجاب القدر لها’.
وطالب القرضاوي الدول العربية والإسلامية، ومن وصفهم بأحرار العالم، بالوقوف إلى جانب الشعب السوري، قائلا إن الثورتين اليمنية والسورية ستنتصران.
واعلن الشيخ القرضاوي أنه سيكون من حق السوريين طلب التدخل الدولي إذا لم يتمكن العرب من حمايتهم.
وكان القرضاوي ممن دعموا التدخل الاجنبي في ليبيا، ودعا في رسالة وجهها عبر قناة الجزيرة الجيش الليبي للتحرك وقتل الزعيم السابق معمر القذافي، لكن المراقبين لاحظوا انه لم يدع لقتل الرئيس السوري.
وفيما جاءت فتوى الشيخ القرضاوي بجواز طلب التدخل الدولي في سورية، قال برهان غليون زعيم المعارضة الرئيسية في سورية انه طلب من المنشقين العسكريين ان يقصروا عملياتهم على الدفاع عن المحتجين المناهضين للحكومة لكنه ابدى خشيته من الا يكون لديه النفوذ الكافي لمنع وقوع حرب اهلية.
وقال برهان غليون زعيم المجلس الوطني السوري انه حث قائد الجيش السوري الحر الذي ينضوي تحت لوائه المتمردون المسلحون على وقف العمليات بعد ان شنوا سلسلة هجمات على القوات الموالية للرئيس بشار الأسد. وقال غليون في مقابلة اجرتها معه رويترز في وقت متأخر الخميس ‘نشعر بالقلق من الانزلاق نحو حرب اهلية تضع الجيش الحر والجيش الرسمي في مواجهة كل منهما للاخر’. واضاف ‘نريد تفادي نشوب حرب اهلية بأي ثمن.’
وقال غليون انه طلب من قائد الجيش السوري الحر العقيد رياض الاسعد ان ‘يقصر انشطته على حماية المتظاهرين… وألا يشن مطلقا هجمات او عمليات ضد قوات الجيش السوري.’
وقال غليون ان الاسعد وافق على ذلك لكنه اصر على ان ما يقوم به الجيش السوري الحر هي ‘عمليات دفاعية’.
وأضاف غليون ‘آمل ان يفي بوعده وان من الضروري لنجاح ثورتنا الحفاظ على طبيعتها السلمية وهو ما يعني القيام بمظاهرات شعبية’. وتابع ‘لا نريد التحول إلى ميليشيات تحارب ضد الجيش’.

December 9th, 2011, 8:53 pm

 

Syrian Commando said:

I’m really embarrassed for the professor, extremely embarrassed.

Will we expect an update with Makdissi’s presentation:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7U4gcLvBW8

Of course not, that’s why facebook shut down the Syrian TV page and why Al Jazeera turned off the broadcasts.

Hahaha, you’re all so shameless. Even CNN, who is thinking of what is left of it’s long-term credibility, admitted to the huge ABC manipulation.

The whole world is spitting on you, put down the umbrella of lies and try to learn some humility.

It is YOU, who are in a parallel universe of your own creation.

December 9th, 2011, 8:55 pm

 

Ghufran said:

أبواق خادم الحرمين
لندن ـ ‘القدس العربي’: شنّ كتاب وصحف سعودية هجوما ضاريا ضد مجموعة من الاصلاحيين في المملكة كانوا أصدروا بيانا دعوا فيه إلى إلغاء أحكام بحق إصلاحيين معتقلين في جدة ودانوا التصعيد الأمني في القطيف.
وذهب رئيس تحرير صحيفة ‘الاقتصادية’ حديث التعيين سلمان الدوسري بعيدا بنعته موقعي البيان بـ’الانقلابيين’، واتهمهم بالتحريض على التدخل الخارجي في السعودية.
وقال الدوسري بأن دعوة البيان الاصلاحي لتشكيل لجنة لتقصي الحقائق حول أحداث القطيف التي راح ضحيتها أربعة شهداء برصاص عناصر الأمن ‘لا معنى لهذه الدعوة إلا أن تكون وسيلة لتدخل أطراف خارجية’.
من جهته اعتبر رئيس تحرير صحيفة ‘الجزيرة’ خالد المالك البيان بأنه مخل بأمن واستقرار الوطن ويمثل خروجاً على الضوابط وينم عن نوايا مسبقة ومبيتة اعتراضاً وإدانة لكل الأحكام القضائية.
ووصف المالك المطالب التي أوردها البيان الإصلاحي بأنها ‘إملاءات جاءت على شكل مطالب’.
وضمن كلمتها الافتتاحية التي يكتبها يوسف الكويليت بررت صحيفة ‘الرياض’ ضمنيا التجاوزات القانونية التي تجري في المملكة تحت ذريعة حفظ الأمن.
وقال الكويليت ‘مبدأ الأمن يأتي فوق الأولويات الأخرى’، مستشهدا بالتجاوزات الفاضحة في سجن أبو غريب وغوانتنامو والتصدي لأعمال الشغب في لندن ومواجهة المتظاهرين في وول ستريت.
ووصف اللواء السابق أنور عشقي الموقعين على البيان بأنهم ‘مرجفون في الأرض’.
وقال رئيس حملة السكينة المتخصصة في مناصحة المتهمين بقضايا الارهاب الشيخ عبدالمنعم المشوح بأن أهداف البيان الاصلاحي ‘واضحة بتوسيع الدائرة وخلط الأوراق’.
وبحسب صحيفة ‘الوطن’ تابع المشوح ‘هؤلاء المعارضون يسعون للإصلاح بالفوضى’.
أما الكاتب في نفس الصحيفة علي سعد الموسى فقال في اشارة لموقعي البيان ‘هؤلاء وقعوا في الفخ المشبوه’.
ونسبت الصحيفة للمحامي أحمد السديري وصفه الموقعين بأنهم ‘خائنون لوطنهم، ومن يؤيدهم خائن أيضا’.
الكاتب في صحيفة ‘الجزيرة’ محمد عبداللطيف الشيخ من جهته حذر الاصلاحيين بلغة بوليسية بالقول ‘أرجو أن يعي الموقّعون..الحسابات الخاطئة ورّطت كثيرين قبلهم والعاقل من اتعظ بغيره’.
أما الكاتبة في الصحيفة نفسها سمر المقرن فلم تجد في البيان الذي جمع اصلاحيين سنة وشيعة عدا وصف الموقعين السنة بأنصار تنظيم ‘القاعدة’ فيما وصفت الشيعة بأنهم أنصار ولاية الفقيه.
يشار إلى أن هذه تكاد تكون أوسع هجمة صحافية تطال دعاة الاصلاح في المملكة الذين اعتادوا كتابة البيانات المطالبة بالاصلاح والتي بلغت حد الدعوة لاقامة ملكية دستورية في السعودية.
وكان اكثر من 60 ناشطا سعوديا اصدروا بياننا طالبوا فيه بإلغاء الأحكام القضائية ‘بالغة القسوة’ الصادرة بحق الإصلاحيين المعتقلين في جدة ودانوا في الوقت نفسه التصعيد الأمني الذي أودى بحياة أربعة شبان في القطيف.

December 9th, 2011, 9:06 pm

 
 

Friend in America said:

Syrian Commando, Nice to see you back. We have been missing your humor.

December 9th, 2011, 9:45 pm

 

Ya Mara Ghalba said:

Atef Najeeb, a.k.a. Atef Najib, was the security chief in Daraa in March. Above at #224 I wrote off the top of my head that he was dismissed in April. But now, having gone back to look at the record, I see he was dismissed on or before 24 March.

On 24 Mar 2011 government spokesperson Bouthaina Shaaban said that President Assad had issued orders for live ammunition not to be used against protesters in Daraa. She also said that security forces may [or may not] have been unduly heavy-handed in reacting to the violence that was perpetrated by protesters in Daraa. She announced the formation of a committee of judges to work with the people of Daraa city to find out what happened, and bring to account government officials who may [or may not] have mishandled the protest situation in Daraa. This Committee was tasked with investigating the circumstances that led to the death or injury of citizens anywhere in the country in connection with anti-government protest events. It began its work at the end of March and traveled to Daraa, Lattakia and Banyas to meet the families of the deceased and listen to testimonies of witnesses. On 13 Jun 2011 the chairman of the Committee said that the Committee interviewed more than 100 people in Daraa alone. He pointed out that the Committee had banned Faysal Kalthoum and Brigadier General Atef Najeeb from traveling outside Syria, because they were still under investigation for mismanagement of the Daraa situation. Faysal Kalthoum is the former governor of Daraa province, and Atef Najeeb was the chief of security in Daraa city in March. Both men were dismissed from their posts in March. Atef Najeeb, a.k.a. Atef Najib, is a cousin of Bashar Assad.
http://www.sana.sy/eng/21/2011/06/13/352357.htm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12814530
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/mobile/world-middle-east-12856553
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/mobile/world-middle-east-12873053

By the way, the Grand Mufti Ahmad Hassoun said on Al-Jazeera TV on 26 Mar 2011: “Any citizen has the right to protest and call for freedom, but I will tell you, all those behind the bloodshed will be penalized. There are no army officials who opened fire at protesters, they only retaliated out of self-defense. After what happened, there should be reconciliation between the people. There are some corrupters in the country and the corrupters should be penalized”. That was in 100 percent agreement with the government’s position at the time. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbXu-Yh2Qc8

December 9th, 2011, 9:48 pm

 

Ghufran said:

That was not a good week for the CIA,first Lebanon and now this:
واشنطن- اعلن البنتاغون ان خبراء اميركيين يقومون بتحليل الصور التي بثها التلفزيون الايراني وقال انها لطائرة اميركية بدون طيار اسقطتها ايران في اراضيها.

واعلن الناطق باسم البنتاغون جون كيربي “شاهدنا الصور ولدينا موظفون يقومون حاليا بمراجعتها”.

وردا على سؤال حول هويتهم رفض جون كيربي الادلاء باي تعليق مكتفيا بالقول انهم “ليسو فقط” عسكريين.

وبث التلفزيون الايراني مساء الخميس صورا قال انها لطائرة “خفية” من دون طيار بدت في حالة جيدة لا تكاد تظهر فيها اضرار.

وظهر في الصور اثنان من قادة سلاح الجو في حرس الثورة يتفحصون الطائرة التي يميل لونها الى الابيض.

وقد بدت وزارة الدفاع الاميركية مرارا محرجة منذ ان اقرت بانها فقدت طائرة بدون طيار في غرب افغانستان لكنها لم تعترف بانها سقطت في شرق ايران وبانها تابعة لوكالة الاستخبارات المركزية “سي اي ايه”.

وكشفت صحيفة نيويورك تايمز الخميس ان الطائرة بدون طيار كانت تقوم بمهمة رصد مواقع برنامج ايران النووي.

والطائرة من دون طيار من طراز ار.كيو-170 سنتينل هي بمثابة جناح طائر مسير عن بعد وهي قادرة على تجنب الرادارات وتحلق على ارتفاع كبير وتستعمل للاستكشاف والمراقبة وقال الايرانيون انهم اسقطوها.
I suspect the Iranians will give the spy plane to Russia.

December 9th, 2011, 9:48 pm

 

Ya Mara Ghalba said:

According to BBC News, early last Spring, on Sunday 27 Mar 2011 “some 100 lawyers marched in the southern mainly Druze town of Sweida to demand the lifting of martial law, an investigation into the deaths of Syrians and an end to the crackdown in Deraa.” http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/mobile/world-middle-east-12873053 . Although the BBC doesn’t cite its source for that report, the report sounds plausible enough to me, whereas if the BBC were to report a comparable sort of protest march as happening nowadays it would be utterly implausible. The utter implausibility of it today wouldn’t be because the BBC’s credibility on Syria has been shot to smithereens (although that’s true too). It’d be because virtually all lawyers, Sweida residents, and especially Sweida lawyers, are now unequivocally allied with government against the rebels.

December 9th, 2011, 9:51 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Three things
1- the picture of Erdogan and Qatar prince, is worisom.
2- The plane that Iran showed is intact, this is against what has been said that it was downed.
3- American official said Maliki is on his way out

December 9th, 2011, 10:10 pm

 

Haytham Khoury said:

Ghufran#252.

“Maqdisi was so focused on separating Assad from illegal actions taken by the security forces in an effort to shield Bashar from futurer questioning about crimes committed against unarmed Syrians”

Indeed, this is an intentional attempt to protect him, because Russia is brokering a deal that permit to Bashar to leave Syria safe in exchange for relinquishing power. The deal reached very advanced stage. Hopefully, we will see stop of bloodshed soon.

December 9th, 2011, 10:19 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Haytham
Would Bashar leave without his family and cousins and the officers who support him,who will take over?

December 9th, 2011, 10:31 pm

 

Tara said:

No backtrack.  Davutoglu wants Bashar to punish the murdered whom killed protestors

Foreign Minister waits solid steps from Syria on unrest
ANKARA – Hürriyet Daily News

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/foreign-minister-waits-solid-steps-from-syria-on-unrest.aspx?pageID=238&nID=8869&NewsCatID=338

Ankara calls on Syrian President al-Assad to punish those responsible of civillian crackdown if he is sincere in his recent remarks that he does not order bloodshed, saying that he still has time to do that

Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu chaired a meeting with senior officials over Syrian refugee camps along the border while also urging Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad to accept Arab League observers and punish “murderers.”

Interior Minister İdris Naim Şahin, National Intelligence Organization (MİT) chief Hakan Fidan as well as military officials and representatives of the disaster emergency agency took part in the meeting in Ankara on Dec. 9.

“They discussed the camps in Hatay. It was an evaluation and coordination meeting concerning solely with internal security,” a Foreign Ministry source said. 

The authorities have said earlier they planned to move some of the 8,000 refugees from Hatay to the neighboring province of Kilis.Speaking earlier at a meeting with the Diplomatic Correspondents Association (DMD), Davutoğlu said that Al-Assad’s remarks to ABC television, in which he drew a distinction between himself and the military, amounted to “a sort of confession that he does not fully control the [state] system.” He accepts the security forces might have committed mistakes outside his control. If he is sincere, he must immediately punish those murderers, accept the Arab League observers and change the atmosphere. He still has the opportunity,” Davutoğlu said. Referring to main opposition leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu’s accusations that Ankara’s flourishing ties with Damascus had changed “overnight” under Western influence, Davutoğlu said “this could be true if he has just awakened after going to bed in January.” “If internal developments in other countries affect us and pose a security risk, we do not have the luxury to just wait and see,” he said, brushing aside criticism that Ankara’s policy against Syria amounted to meddling. 

Turkey made its first reform calls to al-Assad in 2005, as it hoped improved economic ties would help strengthen a Syrian middle class that would itself initiate democratic transformation, the minister said. “As a democratic country we cannot stand by an autocratic regime. [But] there was no bloodshed in Syria last year,” he said, defending Ankara’s close ties with the regime until recently. On the possibility of renewed Syrian support for Kurdish militants, he said, “We don’t believe they will have the courage to make such a mistake. They have past experience with us on this.” Davutoğlu said Syrian turmoil was high on the agenda when he met twice this week with Iranian counterpart Ali Akhbar Salehi at international gatherings in Jeddah and Bonn. “Our ties are in their peak era. We confirmed that mutually. Those who want to foment discord between Turkey and Iran will not succeed. We may have disagreements, but the way to reduce them is to meet and talk more,” he said.

SYRIAN CONSULATE IN TURKEY CLOSED
GAZİANTEP – Doğan News Agency

The Syrian Consulate in Turkey’s southeastern province of Gaziantep will be permanently shut down as of Dec. 26, according to a statement posted to the consulate building. The consulate was closed temporarily beginning Dec. 2 as the tension between Ankara and Damascus escalated due to the Turkey’s sanctions. The statement signed by Consulate General Muhammed Necdet Şehit was written in Arabic

December 9th, 2011, 10:37 pm

 

Haytham Khoury said:

Majedkaldoun 265.

The deal will let Bashar go by himself. His wife already left to England with the kids. The deal includes transfer of power to the vice president (according to the constitution). However, it is a government composed from the opposition will lead the transition and prepare for a parliamentary election.

December 9th, 2011, 10:58 pm

 

Haytham Khoury said:

By the the whole Barbara Walters interview was for that purpose.

December 9th, 2011, 11:01 pm

 

Ghufran said:

The wild card is the armed groups especially those who lost loved ones by either side. The urge to revenge is deep in many subcultures in Syria regardless of their sectarian identity,another critical factor is an army of loyal alawi officers who are able to spoil any deal that marginalizes them or expose them to future prosecution. A lot of work needs to be done,it is possible that Clinton’s words to Ghlioun were not entirely empty.
The silence of the AL and west today can not be aimless,they seem to give a green light to the regime to launch a final assault on Homs,I hope I am wrong,I am sickened by the blood shed.

December 9th, 2011, 11:47 pm

 

Ghufran said:

Majed,
It looks like Erdogan is sicker than what many thought.Qatar is about to be reduced to its real size and Iran may have to deal with a new regime in Syria that brings back much needed balance between competing powers when it comes to their influence in Syria.
Syrians disagree on a lot of things but most agree on the need for a better government that does not treat its citizens like furniture.
I hope the rumors about a possible political deal are true
يكفي الناس ما أصابهم من خراب و رعب و موت

December 10th, 2011, 12:02 am

 

majedkhaldoun said:

There will be demonstrations in Russia against Putin.
The deal is unlikely,bashar will not leave peacefully.
Yes Erdogan look sick.
The best plan is what Dr.Haytham Khoury is going to present to SNC

December 10th, 2011, 12:08 am

 

Ghufran said:

I agree that Bashar will only leave under intense pressure
الحربايه جنبلاط يدلي بتصريحات جديده
This guy does not change his color until he senses that the wind is blowing a certain way.

December 10th, 2011, 12:25 am

 

SALAH ADDIN said:

The Syrian exiles can be compared to the Cuban exiles who have been fanning the flames against Castro’ regime and conspiring to topple it since the fifty’s, including the bay of pigs debacle, the maritime blockade, the clandestine sabotage operations, all the assassinations, embargo, all the sanctions and everything you could ever think of, the exiles and the CIA carried out over fifty years.
The Castro regime is still standing, with the defiant middle finger to all the Cuban exiles and their mighty supporters.
Here is an interview of Fidel Castro with Barbara Walters.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbUgUJuI6Ak

December 10th, 2011, 12:25 am

 

Ghufran said:

Salah is right that the opposition in exile is more hawkish than the one inside Syia.
I still believe that the SNC will have less influence in the future unless there is a direct foreign intervention in Syria which seems unlikely as of now.

December 10th, 2011, 12:33 am

 

ann said:

France Says Russia & China Didn’t Want Syria Briefing But “Obliged to Accept”

http://www.innercitypress.com/syria3pilfrance120911.html

UNITED NATIONS, December 9 — The day after France was accused by several other UN Security Council members of “grandstanding” on Syria, Inner City Press asked French Ambassador Gerard Araud on his way into the Council if they thought there will be a procedural vote, as Araud had requested or threatened, about scheduling a briefing on Syria by High Commissioner on Human Rights Navi Pillay.

After Araud requested the briefing and threatened the procedural vote on Thursday, Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin came out and told Inner City Press that “before anything happened they spread the rumor that Russia and China were against, and they start writing that Russia and China are against it. We almost had a deal on how to do it. The usual culprits were as usual all confused about things.”

Friday morning Araud answered Inner City Press’ question of if he expected a procedural vote (in fairness we transcribe in full) –

“No, I don’t think, actually, because by asking for a procedural vote, everybody had to reveal its position, so the opponents saw they were in the minority so they will be obliged to accept, that was the whole of what I’ve tried. Of course we were not going to a procedural vote. But it meant that Russia and China who didn’t want to hear Mrs. Pillay have been obliged to discover they were ready to accept it. So we will have Mrs. Pillay. I am sure that today they will say they accept to have it but in consultations.”

Consultations are closed to the press and public. Inner City Press asked, so you mean a closed briefing?

“Yes,” Araud said.

Previously, after French foreign minister Alain Juppe said he had charged Araud with pushing for consultations in the Security Council about France’s proposal of humanitarian corridors in Syria, Churkin told Inner City Press that Araud in his bilateral meeting with Churkin as December’s Council president had not even mentioned Syria.

While the Pillay briefing may well now take place, some wonder if pre-picking fights and gloating about winning a fight that, according to Churkin, was illusory or misrepresented is the best way to actually seek Council action on Syria, or is simply… grandstanding, as several Council members put it on Thursday. We’ll see — watch this site.

December 10th, 2011, 12:45 am

 

ann said:

Explaining Russia’s Policy Towards Syria – Analysis – December 9, 2011

http://www.eurasiareview.com/09122011-explaining-russias-policy-towards-syria-analysis/

Some observers of the Moscow-Damascus relationship point out that arms sales and the strategic positioning of a loyal Kremlin client are the main reasons behind Russia’s persistence of supporting the regime of Syrian President Bashir Assad. Besides arms contracts worth $4bn including MiG 29 fighter jets, Yak-130 jet trainers, Pantsir and Buk air-defense systems, P-800 Yakhont anti-ship missiles, Russia’s investment in Syrian infrastructure, energy and tourism amounts to $19.4bn in 2009. Stroitransgaz is building a natural gas processing plant 200km east of Homs and is providing the technical support for the Arab gas pipeline.

The Tatarstan-based Tatneft began pumping Syrian oil last year and in January announced that it would spend $12.8m drilling wells near the Iraqi border. However there may be other reasons behind this relationship that need to be brought to the forefront to better understand the factors at play.

First, is the issue of Russian pride. Russia lost Libya even thought Moscow tried to play both sides and now the Kremlin sees that Syria may slip always too. The Kremlin announced that Russia would be sending the aircraft-carrying missile cruiser, Admiral Kuznetsov, and two escort ships on a two-month tour of the Mediterranean and would be dropping in on the Syrian port of Tartus. Six hundred Russian technicians are currently working there to renovate it as a base for Russian ships. A consignment of Russian Yankhont anti-ship cruise missiles also arrived in Syria. But behind these military movements, there is another reason. Moscow is opposed to the idea of international action and regime change imposed from outside of a country. The reason is based on a deep paranoia that the same remedy could be applied to the countries of the former Soviet Union—or indeed Russia itself. Consequently, Russia has taken a sympathetic stance towards the civil unrest and continued bloodshed and supported the Assad government. The Kremlin has remained staunchly against sanctions aimed at debilitating the vehement Assad government, and filibustered countless efforts by the UN and other international bodies to criticize the violence. Consequently, Syrian protesters have publicly burned the Russian flag in fury at Moscow’s obstruction.

The issue of pride is also present in some doctrinal aspects of Russian thinking about her place on the world stage. Increasingly what we are witnessing is the possible implementation of the “Russian Doctrine” or the “Sergius’ Project” begun in 2005 (St. Sergius of Radonezh is considered “the eternal protector and patron of Russia at times of hardship.”) around the start of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s second term. The proponents of this idea are writers, publicists, historians, and philosophers from the conservative Orthodox milieu. Understanding their arguments might help explain where we are now and what may happen next. The doctrine seemed to function as a rational for the Russian invasion of Georgia in 2008.

Basically, the “Russian Doctrine” seeks to illuminate Russia’s role in the world and represents a swing back to pan-Slav nationals who see Russia as “The Third Rome” in the name of Russian Orthodox Christianity. They regard the West as corrupt and dismiss Western styles of democracy. This school is now ascending over the second camp, known as Westernizers, who seek a European-style democratic state in which culture, rather than military force, plays a central role. I n such a system the state would not be allowed to become stronger than society.

What is important to understand is that these ideas are not new but steeped in Russian history and are being brought forward into the 21st century and beyond. For the authors, Russia is emerging from an unequal fight against the West where Russia played by foreign rules leading to havoc (smutnoye vremia) at the end of the 20th century that threatened Russian “spiritual sovereignty.” Both Russian President Dmitri Medvedev and Prime Minister Putin seek to reverse this decline—an idea both men have been nurturing since 1 January 2000 when Boris Yeltsin resigned and the 21st century began. Some Russian academics argue that there will not be a global order dominated by several civilizations or superpowers. Instead, the “Northern civilization” will present an alternative to the West and will replace its dominance in the world. Other countries and peoples will gravitate towards the “Northern civilization.” Russian academics see Russia as the last center of the world –the Third Rome– until the end of humanity. They reiterate the idea that Russia has been raised above other countries by God and, therefore, God demands more from the Russian Nation than from other nations. What is happening in the Near East now is part of God’s design and Moscow feels to be the “Un-NATO” when regarding Syria as a special, unique, calling.

Second, is the fact that there is a population of Circassians living in Syria who still hold direct ties to their relatives in the Northern Caucausus. Syria is home to approximately 150,000 Circassians about half of whom live in Hauran province who retain their linguistic characters from Adyghe in the Northern Caucausus. The Circassians are considered a warrior class and participated in many Syrian military campaigns and police actions over the decades. They are secular and supporters of the Assad regime and generally before the outbreak of violence in Syria, fared well with the other faiths found in the country. Russia is clearly interested in the safety and security of this population as it does not want to have more violence break out in its territory if this population becomes agitated throughout its diaspora. To further illustrate the point, Russia’s fears about a civil war developing in Syria are geostrategic. According to Russian Near East experts, they compare Syria to Russia’s own region of Dagestan in the North Caucasus. In Dagestan is patchwork of competing tribes, religions, ethnicities and loyalties. Other Russian regions are also susceptible including Kabardino-Balkaria. Russian fears of a Lebanese-style civil war breaking out in Syria, with the country fissuring on sectarian lines. Thus, Russian support to the Syrian government takes into consideration the Circassian community.

Third is the personal relationship between the Assad family and Moscow. Vladimir Putin and Bashar al-Assad met in January of 2005. Following this meeting in Moscow, relations seemed to improve dramatically. A personal connection was made between Assad and Putin. At this point Syrian debt to Russia was as high as $13.4 billion and thus Moscow wanted to make sure that she anchored herself strongly with the Assad regime. Moscow agreed to write off 73 percent of Syria’s debt to Russia with the remaining $3.618 billion to be paid off in installments, with Syria paying $170 million on the debt in 2005 with only $1.5 billion of the remaining sum will be repaid in ‘cold cash’ over the next 10 years. The Syrian side will invest the rest in joint projects within Syria. Bilateral security relations grew as well and Syrian expats now work in the Russian Federation in numerous industries. This relationship is tight enough that some Moscow-based observers feel that Assad and his family may be given sanctuary in Russia.

In conclusion, Russia will continue to fight hard against any type of intervention in Syria and try all her might to prevent the toppling of the Assad regime. For Moscow, Syria represents a frontier that cannot be lost because of the broader implications for the Russian Federation itself. For the GCC, the above findings need to be taken into consideration when trying to understand Russia position on Syria and specifically. The roughing up of the Russian Ambassador to Qatar at the Doha International Airport signals that tougher times are ahead for Russian-GCC relations as Syria moves towards the brink of disaster.

December 10th, 2011, 1:11 am

 

ann said:

France pushes Syria meeting at divided UN council – Sat Dec 10, 2011

The U.N. Security Council agreed on Friday to France’s request for a briefing on Syria’s rights crackdown from the U.N. human rights chief, overcoming resistance from Russia, China and Brazil, Western envoys said.

http://in.reuters.com/article/2011/12/10/syria-un-idINDEE7B901R20111210

Russian U.N. Ambassador Vitaly Churkin, president of the Security Council this month, said Navi Pillay’s closed-door briefing would probably take place on Monday.

He dismissed suggestions from Western envoys that Russia had opposed the briefing, although he acknowledged Moscow and others had reservations.

“We expressed a position, a concern, which also some other members of the Security Council had … that there is a division of labor,” he told reporters, adding that Russia believed the Security Council was “intruding on the affairs of the Human Rights Council.”

The rights council is based in Geneva. Russia, China, Brazil, India and South Africa, which have resisted Security Council action on Syria, have argued that complaints about Syrian rights abuses should be dealt with in Geneva, not New York.

France, Britain, Germany and the United States have been pushing for the council to take up the issue of Syria again. Last month, Russia and China vetoed a European-drafted resolution that would have condemned Damascus’ crackdown on pro-democracy protesters and threatened possible sanctions.

Pillay reiterated to reporters in New York on Friday that more than 4,000 people had been killed in the crackdown against protesters that began in March.

She also dismissed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s suggestion in an interview with an American television station this week that the United Nations lacked credibility.

Pillay said the U.N. information was “very credible,” and she repeated her appeal to let U.N. investigators into Syria.

‘HEATED’ DEBATE BEHIND CLOSED DOORS

One Western diplomat told Reuters that Friday’s closed-door discussions on whether Pillay should brief the council grew “very heated” at times. French Ambassador Gerard Araud had threatened to demand a “procedural vote” if the council could not agree on his proposal for Pillay to brief the council.

There are no vetoes in procedural votes on whether the council should take up an issue. But the need for such a vote was avoided once council members agreed to invite Pillay.

Churkin said some council members pointed out that since the agenda item under which Pillay would brief the council was the “situation in the Middle East,” it would be appropriate for her to speak about the situation in the Palestinian territories.

One council diplomat told Reuters that the United States, France and Britain were among those that opposed having Pillay discuss the Palestinian question during a briefing on Syria.

A Western diplomat said it was “pretty disgraceful that Russia and China tried to exploit the cause of the Palestinians and conflate two important issues with the clear aim of taking pressure off Syria.”

Another Western diplomat said Russia, China and Brazil were putting up the strongest resistance to action on Syria on the 15-nation Security Council.

Brazil’s position has angered the Syrian opposition. Syrian National Council leader Burhan Ghalioun told the Estado de Sao Paulo newspaper in Brazil this week that the Brazilians were “creating serious obstacles.”

December 10th, 2011, 1:33 am

 

ann said:

After China Asks Palestine Briefing with Syria, “Middle East” is Topic Monday

http://www.innercitypress.com/syria5pilchina120911.html

UNITED NATIONS, December 9 — China’s proposal that if Navi Pillay briefs on Syria, she should briefing on Palestine as well hit home in the Security Council Friday afternoon.

An hour after Inner City Press first reported the proposal, Russian Ambssador Vitaly Churkin emerged to read a short Council statement. He explained that Pillay’s briefing Monday at 3 pm on “the Middle East” is understood to include Palestine as well as Syria.

Inner City Press asked Churkin if the briefing would be closed, and if Pillay would be questioned about Palestine. Churkin said he expected Pillay would hear what he was saying and that, yes, the briefing would be closed.

He said with a smile that at one point Russia proposed the briefing be open, but that those who had initially wanted it open then decided that it should be closed.

After Churkin was about Russia’s resistance to a briefing of Syria — he replied that such opposition had been alleged before Russia said anything — Inner City Press asked if the breakdown in the Council opposing Pillay briefing on Palestine was the same as those not supporting Palestinian membership in the UN.

Churkin said there is “overlap,” but didn’t want to get into the vote or position breakdown. Watch this site.

December 10th, 2011, 2:02 am

 

Juergen said:

Ya mara ghalba

As much as I enjoy arab music, those Basharlovesongs are amongst a variety of songs no one will will miss one day. Ity funny how its common in the arab countries to write the silliest poems and songs about their leaders. Just a reminder of a song which was written for Saddam:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7q3V0m62xco&feature=related

@Amir

I wonder if an Sana style Interview would serve the purpose. I am sure they could not find any hardasking journalist in the country, its just not their style.

December 10th, 2011, 2:14 am

 

Revlon said:

This Shabbeeh cofesses to killing 7 civilians and gives names and other details, including the presence of an electricity cable that crosses the border from Syria to Lebanon to feed Hisballah activities.
اعترافات الشبيح خالد القيق بقتل المتظاهرين 6-12-2011م.mp4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=JW4RYLiSo68
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=h1Q3e-BA9Hg&NR=1

Transcription of confession
Khaled AlQiq
I was born 1982 in Midan, Damascus, Regiter No 5
I worked as Shabbeh for Kiram, Mudar, and Somar Al Assad
I have killed the following civilians:
1. Fares Malin
2. Mohammd Malin
3. Mahmoud Malin
I killed the above mentioned in Dummar suburb of Damascus, using a 10.5mm silenced handgun.

4. Mhahmoud AbuShaar
5. Mohammad Abu Shaar
6. Fayez Daaboul
I killed the above named in Tall suburb of Damascus, upon orders of Al ASSADS.
I was paid 20,000 Syrian pounds (USD 400) per kill. The money was handed to me by Kiram Al Assad.

7. I finished of the gravely wounded young man Ali AlMosalli at Muassat Hospital.

I was later given a mission outside the country, by Colonel Hafez Makhlouf of the General Directorate of Intelligence to assassinate FSA members in Jordan.
My entry into Jordan was illegal, and was facilitated by the Assad gang.
I was given poison to introduce into their drinking water which would lead to destruction of their brain cells.
In return I would get a financial reward as well as a flat in Harasta residential project.

He shows Eagle Tatoo of Asad Shabbeeha on his right arm.

I regret what I did.

I witness that Mahdi fighters entered Syria coming from Iraq.

Hizballah fighters entered Syria from a point at the border near Zabadani.
It is the spot at which an electricity cable from Syrian network enters Lebanon to feed Hizballah activities.

December 10th, 2011, 4:41 am

 

Revlon said:

Like the millions of Syrians who suffered from the Asad era, I would rather see a more fitting end to Asad-Makhlouf clan than an asylum in Russia!

ما سيحدث بعد إنتصار الثورة السورية

December 10th, 2011, 4:49 am

 

Ya Mara Ghalba said:

Here’s a two hour live music concert by Rabia Hamdi (voice) and Talal Al-Daawar (keyboards) in Aleppo in year 2005. They call it Dabke Music but I say a lot of it can be better called Aleppo Blues. It is a 664 megabyte download at Youtube. In addition to the fine music, if you’re a foreigner you can get an educational eyeful of Syria’s Finest Real Halabis as concertgoers. No one in the crowd at this concert supports the rebels today (or he or she is an isolated traitor). The live audio has been mis-sync’ed with the visual but it doesn’t matter.
ربيع حمدي و طلال الداعور – حلب 2005
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=2DW8lAlC1CA#t=118s

If you decide to watch and listen to it, a sociological question to tuck in the back of your mind while you’re listening is whether any of the lyrics at such a concert could possibly be explicitly political and if so would they be pro-Establishment or what. If you want an answer to that question but don’t like the music enough to listen to two hours of it, let me know.

December 10th, 2011, 5:19 am

 

Amir in Tel Aviv said:

Tara,

Some thing’s wrong with your linking to YT clips. It’s not the first time. Please, recheck it.

Commando,

JL already responded to Makdisi’s nagging, a.k.a. Parallel Universe.

Ya Mara Ghalba,

The music you posted is now playing on my LT in the background, and I like it. I’m sure that with some adjustments to the Israeli ear, they could do well in Tel Aviv.
What makes you sure that the audience in this concert is comprised of mnhebaks? Is it because that it’s boys mixed with uncovered girls, dancing? Do dancing singing and even smiling show that they are politically content? This is so narrowminded and patronizing.
.

December 10th, 2011, 7:28 am

 

Tara said:

Amir

Hi. Thanks for bringing it to my attention. It opened fine on my iPad. I ‘ll try it from a laptop later to try to figure the problem. It was a song for Ibrahim Qashush that was not heard before, linked by NZ on Heetan. The lyrics and music were great.

And BTW, my girl smiles, dances, and mingles with little boys all the time and she is vehemently anti-regime.

December 10th, 2011, 7:48 am

 

Revlon said:

A group of offciers and ranks defect Asad army, form Dir3 AlHaq Phalange, and join FSA in Idlib.
شام ادلب انشقاق مجموعة من الضباط الشرفاء وانضمامهم للجيش الحر كتيبة درع الحق
Uploaded by SHAMSNN on Dec 9, 2011

“We call upon our comrades who are still serving in Asad army to quit.
Otherwise they are liable to be charged with high treason.
We heretofore consider all Asad army and security units to be enemies of the Syrian People and they shall be legitimate targets for our attacks”.

December 10th, 2011, 9:06 am

 

Revlon said:

Defection of a few ranks of Asad police force and army.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zk5nq3GL9MQ&feature=player_embedded
9/12 حمص الزعفرانة انشقاق بعض العناصر اثناء المظاهره

The 9 months of brutal onslaught of Asad regime has lead to the killing and imprisonment of tens of thousands of demonstrators, including an unknown, yet probably large proportion of its civilian leaders.

The battered leadership of civilian activists of the revolution is gradually taking the backseat to the increasingly more visible, vocal and daring defectors of the army and police force.

The revolution appears to have adapted to the intensification of the crackdown and the loss in its civilian leadership by embracing armed forces defectors as their saviours as well as leaders; militerisation of its leadership.

The FSA’s plea and pledge to keep civilians out of combat activities is holding for now, preventing the revolution from full militerasation.

It is necessary that the FSA assumes autonomy in its combat operations and remains loyal only to its founding goal; the protection of the revolution.

I do hope that the next SNC president be the representative of the Local Coordination Committees of the Syrian revolution.
Such change of leadership is bound to make SNC policies more faithfully reflective of the pulse of the revolution on the one hand and to command more respect and allegiance from the ground forces!

December 10th, 2011, 10:02 am

 

Shami said:

Assad qiq studio mara ghalba ,this kind of tasteless music is badly considered as honorable and it’s not aleppine at all.
more sheikhat,nawari,ghajari style.

December 10th, 2011, 10:56 am

 

Revlon said:

Business district in down town homs is completely shut, today, Saturday

حمص اضراب عام في الاسواق والاحياء 10 12 2011

December 10th, 2011, 11:10 am

 

Bronco said:

A dialog of deafs: the different layers of the Syria uprising..

In my view, there are three layers or agendas to the uprising in Syria, a local, regional and international.

This is why it is very difficult to have one position on the subject. Each person gives a priority to one agenda over the others. In addition as these three agendas are imbricated, the conflict is more complex to deal compared with other countries,

The local layer is clear, the political system in Syria is obsolete it needs a serious overhaul . While the socialist Baath ideology is valid for a country like Syria, it has been abused and corrupted. This is what the majority of Syrians believe and some have actively joined protest with the intention of achieving this goal. For them this is the priority of the uprising.

The second layer is regional taking root on the eternal antagonism between Shia and Sunnis. Since the Iran islamic revolution,the Shias who were the poorest and less estimated group in Arab countries have raised their head and do not accept anymore to be treated as second class or persecuted anymore. The Sunnis, with Saudi Arabia leading them, is refusing to allow Iran and all Arab Shias to increase their demand for power sharing and their influence the region. The Sunnis have allied with the western power who, for other reasons, are not in favor of the growth of Iran in the region. This rejection of Shias has motivated many Syrians Sunnis to protest against the Alawites, assimilated to the Shia, who are holding the power in Syria in order to topple the regime and build another one where Sunnis will be in control of the country. They demonstration reflects this ambition and the are financially supported by rich gulf countries and Turkey, another Sunni power.
The third layer is international. The US and some western allies have been adamant in weakening and neutralizing any country opposed to Israel. Two countries in the Arab world are openly at war with Israel, Lebanon and Syria. Therefore there has been a relentless efforts from the US to neutralize both countries.
After repeated failures, like the 2006 war that did not neutralize Hezbollah, the uprising in Syria offered the best opportunity to achieve the destruction of Syria from within. This is why the media campaign, the funding of the opposition and a whole plot was set up to use the two other layers as a launching pad for a total soft war against Syria.
Many Syrians are working consciously or unconsciously toward this plan and their goal is to break the country by removing all possible support it may get from its allies, namely Iran and Lebanon.

Average people will accept of reject the development of the events in Syria according to the priority they give to any of these agendas.
The Syrian government insists on the third one, the international, and would give a less importance and priorities to the two others.
The opposition is divided. The Syrian local oppositions follows the local agenda and would compromise to prevent the second and the third agendas to be executed.
The SNC is following the local and international agenda and while officially rejecting the regional, it is secretly encouraging it. The LCC and the FSA are following the local and regional agendas and ignore the existence of the third one.
Each individual in the SC favors one or more of these agendasa nd ignore the others. This is why sometimes it looks like a dialog between deafs.

December 10th, 2011, 11:37 am

 

Bill said:

الاسد دكتاتور وراثي ولى التاريخ عنه وعن امثاله. قبل عده ايام احتفل الشيعه عاشوراء والتي تحي استشهاد الحسين بن علي (رضي الله عنهما, ورضي الله عن ابي بكر وعمر وعثمان). الحسين استشهد وهو يعارض دكتاتريه وراثيه عندما اراد معاويه ان يورث الخلافه لابنه يزيد. لو كان سيد الشهداء الحسين حيا, لكان مع ثوار سوريا الاحرار الذين يستشهدوا وهم يعارضوا بشار-الدكتاتور الوراثي. نفاق نصر الله وايران لا يخفوا على احد. الحريه لسوريا ولفلسطين!
The shi’a celebrated a few days ago Ashura, which commemorates the martyrdom of a-Hussein ibn Ali while opposing Mo’awiah’s hereditary dictatorship (Mo’awiyah wanted his son, Yazid, to succeed him). Al-Hussein was justified in opposing an emerging hereditary dictatorship. Had he been alive today, he would have supported the Second Great Syrian Revolt against Bashar’s HEREDITARY and murderous dictatorship. The SECTARIAN hypocrisy of Hasan Nsar-allah and Iran have been exposed. Free Syria, Free Palestine, No hypocrisy!For more, please see: http://arabspring2011.wordpress.com/

December 10th, 2011, 11:39 am

 

irritated said:

#288 Revlon

“Business district in down town homs is completely shut, today, Saturday”

I thought the call for a strike was for Sunday. Is there any other reason why it is closed?

December 10th, 2011, 11:40 am

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Maliki Changed his position,he may be lying
المالكي يدعو العالم لوقف اضطهاد الحكام الجلادين لشعوبهم
He was quoted in Al Quds

90 city witnessed demonstrations in Russia against Putin

December 10th, 2011, 11:47 am

 

irritated said:

Bill #290

“If Hossein alive today, he would have supported the Second Great Syrian Revolt against Bashar’s HEREDITARY and murderous dictatorship.”

Maybe he would have supported also the Shias in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia revolting about the HEREDITARY and UNELECTED corrupted regimes there.
And he would have supported the Syrian government in its fight against the Western hegemony on the Arabs and the alliance supporting Israel.

December 10th, 2011, 11:48 am

 

zoo said:

Nothing new is going on in Homs: local activist
West warns Syria against storming rebel city
Sat Dec 10, 2011 11:44am EST

http://ca.reuters.com/article/topNews/idCATRE7B90F520111210?pageNumber=2&virtualBrandChannel=0&sp=true

“The opposition Syrian National Council said in a statement about Homs on Friday: “News reports, videos and information from activists indicate that the regime is preparing to commit a massacre in the city to extinguish the flame of the revolution and ‘discipline’ the rest of Syria’s cities.”

However, some activists questioned whether the SNC statement was intended principally to galvanize international action.

One campaigner in Homs, a city of 1.5 million, saw little sign of an imminent offensive on Saturday: “I have been hearing this since yesterday. I did a tour around the city and I did not see anything unusual.

“It’s the same checkpoints and the same number of soldiers.”

December 10th, 2011, 12:13 pm

 

Revlon said:

289. Dear Bronco,
((A dialog of deafs: the different layers of the Syria uprising..
…Each individual in the SC favors one or more of these agendasa nd ignore the others. This is why sometimes it looks like a dialog between deafs))

These agendas are neither mutually exclusive nor driven by conspiracy.
No coutry exists in vacuum.
Governments of countrys, near or far apart have interests that serve their people if democratic or perpetuate their tyrant’s power in case of dictatorships or oligarchies.

Like any country, including Syria itself, regional and international powers have political and economical interests with neighbouring countries.

Syria has had such interests and badly interfered in the affairs of three of its neighbours, namely Turkey, Iraq, and Lebanon.
Likewise, Syria’s neighbours have had their own interests and agendas.

The US has a vested interest the impending change in Syria in the aim to further contain Iran to safeguard the Oil of the Gulf as well as to attend to the interests of Israel by curtailing Hizballah.

Russia has a vested interest in interfering in the Ïnternal affairs” of Syria by supporting the Government regarded as illegitimate by the majority of Surveyed Syrian people in order to Gurantee its economical and military interests.

Just because regional and international powers have their own agendas does not mean that the Revolution should not have started or should not continue until achieving freedom from Asad-Makhlouf clan.

The Revolution, represented by their political body the SNC, has the legitimatimate authority to negotiate with regional and international powers a new set of mutually benificial political and economical ties, congruent with its mission in achieving freedom, justice, and democracy.

December 10th, 2011, 12:43 pm

 

Ghufran said:

جهاد مقدسي
فتّش الاسد جيداً , على شخص , يملك الكاريزما , فـ وجد ضالته به , و بـ سرعة غير معهودة على سُلّم النظام السوري , صعد جهاد و تصدّر الشاشات , كـ ناطق رسمي بـ اسم الخارجية السورية ,,

و الظاهر , أنه و في ما تبقى من عمر حكم الاسد , سيكون جهاد مقدسي , متعدد الاستعمالات : توضيح , تصحيح , تلميع ,,,,,

عن جهاد مقدسي ,,

بدأ طريقه السياسي مع وزارة الخارجية في الـ 98

إجازة في اللغة الفرنسية ، دراسات عليا في العلاقات الدولية والإدارة , ماجستير في الدبلوماسية من جامعة / وستمنستر البريطانية / ، ومؤخراً دكتوراة في الدراسات الإعلامية من الجامعة الأمريكية – لندن ,,

على مستوى الموالين , و لـ تعرف حقيقة نظرتهم لـ وليد المعلم و غيره , عليك أن ترى لهفتهم و فرحهم , بـ سطوع هذا ” النجم الجديد ” , فـ أنشؤوا له الصفحات , و بدأت اقواله و ” بوستاته ” تنتشر بـ كل غبطة , على صفحاتهم , و أكثر ما تم نشره , هو عبارته , التي وجهها الى المتحدث بـ اسم الخارجية الامريكية , مارك تونر قائلاً : أرجو من الناطق الرسمي الأميركي , توخي الدقة , و أن يبقى مهنياً في تعاطيه , و أن لا يلجأ إلى تسجيل نقاط في أهداف فارغة , نحن لدينا معهد دبلوماسي , و مستعدون لـ أن نرسل لـ الناطق , كُتيبات لها علاقة بـ المهنية , و يمكن أن نرسلها له بـ البريد الدبلوماسي ,,

يُعرف بـ أنه العضو الاكثر نشاطاً , في السفارة السورية , في لندن , و يُشاع أنّ  ترشيحه جاء , من اسماء الأخرس , او والدها  , لكي يتخلّى بشار عن إرث أبيه من الاصنام و الأفكار , في محاولاته الاخيرة , قبل التخلّي عن الرئاسة , طوعاً أو كراهيةً ,,

December 10th, 2011, 12:48 pm

 

zoo said:

Turkish PM doesn’t have cancer: doctor

(AFP) – 1 day ago

ANKARA — A surgeon who operated on Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan last month said the polyps removed from his intestines were not cancerous, media reported Friday.

Erdogan, 57, who underwent laparoscopic gastrointestinal surgery nearly two weeks ago, “certainly does not have cancer,” Professor Mehmet Fuzun was quoted as saying by the Sabah daily. “The polyps removed were benign.”

December 10th, 2011, 12:49 pm

 

Revlon said:

Louay Husein, leader of the movement for Development of Syria to Al Arabia: Al Assad is responsible for atrocities of the security forces.

معارض سوري لـ”العربية.نت”: الأسد مسؤول عن انتهاكات القوى الأمنية
دمشق – عامر عبد السلام
السبت 15 محرم 1433هـ – 10 ديسمبر 2011م KSA 06:59 – GMT 03:59
http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2011/12/10/181723.html

أكد المعارض السوري لؤي حسين، رئيس تيار بناء الدولة السورية، لـ “العربية.نت” أن الرئيس السوري يتحمل المسؤولية الكاملة عما نفذته أجهزة الأمن من انتهاكات بحق المواطنين السوريين، وذلك في تعليق له حول الحديث الذي أدلى به الأسد لشبكة تلفزيونية أمريكية ونفى فيه أن يكون قد أصدر أوامر بقتل محتجين.

وقال حسين: “نحن تعودنا من السلطة السورية تقديم عبارات تحتمل تفسيرات عديدة، لكن بغض النظر عن التفسير، فإن رئيس الجمهورية في سوريا هو القائد الأعلى للجيش والقوات المسلحة، أي أنه قائد كافة القوى الموجودة، وبالتالي فهو يتحمل المسؤولية الكاملة عن ما تقوم به هذه الأجهزة تجاه المواطنين من قتل وتعذيب واعتقال”.

وتابع: “وإذا كان الأسد لم يأمر عناصر جيشه بأن يعذبوا ويعتقلوا ويسرقوا، فإن ذلك لا يعفيه من مسؤولية أنه لم يقل لهم أن لا يقتلوا ولا يعذبوا ولا يعتقلوا ولا يسرقوا، فالسلطة مسؤولة دوماً عما تقوله وما لا تقوله، وعما تفعله وما لا تفعله خلافاً للمعارضة التي تكون دوما مسؤولة عما تقوله وتفعله فقط”.

وفي سياق آخر، توقع المعارض السوري ألا تنقلب الطائفة العلوية على السلطة، مشيراً إلى أمله في “مشاركتهم بالحراك السوري، أو بالحد الأدنى أن لا يعملوا ضد المتظاهرين”.

وأشار إلى أن “المظاهرات حينما بدأت في درعا لم تكن موجهة ضد السلطة، لكن السلطة أضرت بالناس حتى تحملوا مسؤولية إسقاط النظام، كما أن السوريين في حماة لم يحاسبوا السلطة على أحداث ارتكبتها عام 82، لكن السلطة قامت بمواجهة أهالي حماه بمدرعاتها حتى حمّلها الناس وزر أحداث 82″، لافتاً إلى “أن السلطة لا تملك آليات صنع القرارات بشكل واضح، ولا تعرف مصالحها التي كانت تستوجب ألا تلوث أركان السلطة بدماء السوريين، وكان من الممكن أن تحل القضية ببساطة”.

مخاوف من الإسلاميين

وعن رأيه بوجود الكثير من المخاوف لدى معظم الأقليات الإثنية والعرقية في سوريا من الحراك الشعبي السوري، أكد حسين أنه يعتقد بأن “لهم الحق في بعض المخاوف لكنها ليست نابعة من وجود إمكانية لأن تطيح الأكثرية العددية سواء كانت طائفية أو قومية بالأقليات العددية الموازية”، مشيراً إلى أنه يعتقد أن “الإسلاميين لا يستطيعون السيطرة على سوريا إلا بقدر علمانيتهم”.

واعتبر أنه “لا مانع من وجود حكومة إسلامية في سوريا تلتزم بتيار علماني”، مؤكداً في الوقت نفسه عدم وجود إمكانية لإقامة دولة إسلامية في سوريا الجديدة.

وشدد المعارض على أنه لا يعتبر “أن للإخوان المسلمين الحق في الفعل السياسي كونهم بالأساس جماعة وليسوا حزبا، وتسميتهم بالجماعة يعني أنهم يخصون المسلم فقط، وبالتالي لا يمكن لحزب فئوي أن يحكم الجميع”.

وأشار إلى أن “الإخوان تنظيم قديم وقوي ويحظى بدعم مالي دولي بغض النظر عن الجهات التي تموله وهي بالغالب خارج سوريا، وهم يستطيعون دوماً عقد المؤتمرات والاجتماعات والندوات خلافا للتيارات والأحزاب الأخرى”.

وقال إن “القوى السياسية في سوريا لن تقبل إلا بوجود تيار إسلامي علماني دون التيار الإسلامي الديني”.

وأوضح المعارض السوري أن “السلطة السورية غير جادة في موضوع التوقيع على المبادرة العربية، وانها تتلاعب بالجامعة وتستفزها حتى تنهي العمل بالمبادرة”، لكنه جزم بأن “النظام السوري سيوقع بالنهاية وسيتم الاتفاق مع الجامعة على البروتوكول، لأن المجتمع الدولي راغب في أن تكون المبادرة العربية هي الحل”.

وقال رئيس تيار البناء: “في حال تم إدخال مراقبين، يجب أن نبادر نحن بتشكيل آليات لحماية المدنيين وأنا مستعد للإدلاء بشهادتي الشخصية أمامهم، وعلى جسمي من الندب والآثار الكافية لوجود انتهاكات ونتمنى على الآخرين أن يتعاونوا معنا”.

وحول الدور العسكري التركي، أوضح أن “تركيا لم تصرح في أي مرة بشكل مباشر بأنها مع التدخل العسكري، وإنما المعارضين السوريين بالخارج هم من يحمّلون تركيا هذا الدور، لكن ربما يحاول الأتراك الاحتفاظ ببعض الأوراق لحماية حدودهم في المناطق الكردية”.

December 10th, 2011, 12:56 pm

 

Bronco said:

Revlon #296

“The Revolution, represented by their political body the SNC, has the legitimatimate authority to negotiate with regional and international powers a new set of mutually benificial political and economical ties, congruent with its mission in achieving freedom, justice, and democracy.”

Is so, why is the SNC has already taken a negative position against Iran and Hezbollah before they are even in the leadership of the country or even legitimated by the Syrians or any other country?

It is clear to me that the SNC is been manipulated to use the local agenda to promote the international one. In my view they are weak, already corrupted and not trustworthy.

December 10th, 2011, 12:58 pm

 

Ghufran said:

الطبخه الروسيه
بنود صيغة  , فك الارتباط بين الاسد , و حكم سوريا ,,,

* تنازل بشار الاسد عن الحكم , و عملاً بـ الدستور السوري  , يسلّمه لـ نائبه فاروق الشرع , و اذا تعذر ذلك سلمياً , فـ سيتم سحب صلاحياته بـ الكامل , و اعطائها لـ مجلس عسكري ” الحالة المصرية ” , على أنّ يكون نصف ضباط المجلس , هم ممن تربطهم علاقات وثيقة مع روسيا ,,

* تشكيل حكومة وحدة وطنية , مناصفةً بين معارضة الخارج , و الداخل , من شخصيات وطنية مستقلة , و التركيز على شخصيات لها خبرة في الحكم , ممن اشتهروا بـ نظافة يدهم , و سمعتهم الحسنة ,,

* تشكيل لجنة مستقلة , من كافة  مكونات المجتمع السوري , لـ  وضع دستور جديد , و قانون انتخابات وقانون احزاب , و نهج الانتقال لـ سوريا الجديدة ,,

* وضع برنامج زمني , لـ اجراء الانتخابات , البرلمانية و الرئاسية ,,

* تفكيك الاجهزة الامنية , و محاسبة كل الاطراف المسؤولة عن اراقة الدم ,,

* دخول مراقبين من الجامعة العربية و الامم المتحدة , لـ المساعدة في تخطّي النزاعات , و الوصول لـ المصالحة الوطنية الشاملة ,,

______________________

الدول العالمية الكبرى , و الخليج , و شخصيات سياسية سورية مستقلة , قد أنهت هذه المبادرة , و هيَ الآن في طريقها لآذان اطراف المجتمع السوري , بـ أديانه و طوائفه , و أعراقه , لكي يتم تجهيز الارضية لـ تلك المرحلة ,,

و يُشاع أنّ بشار على دارية بما وصل اليه المجتمع الدولي , و كلّ تلك المُهل , هي ترتيبات , لـ الاملاك و العائلة و أمور أخرى ,,
Please remember that Syria is more important than the regime and that the army is too valuable to be sacrificed. Assad and his family do not represent the Alawis in Syria,and minorities rights are better protected by a government that’s elected and accountable to its people than a corrupt dictatorship.

December 10th, 2011, 12:58 pm

 

Mango said:

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/iran-shows-crashed-cia-drone-national-tv-data-intact-article-1.988737

A picture released by the official website of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards shows what what they claim is a high-altitude U.S. reconnaissance drone that the Iranian military brought down.

A view of the CIA drone that was shown on Iranian TV.
Iran warns U.S. over retaliation talk
Weinthal: This time, Obama must do more to support Iran’s protesters
Bam vows to punish Iran over assassination plot
Analysis: Obama’s options vs. Iran are limited
Iranian plot to kill Saudi ambassador foiled: AG
Koch bros. sold oil equipment to Iran: report
An American drone that crashed deep in Iranian territory last week has turned up – on Iranian television.

Iranian officials claimed they brought down the unmanned stealth CIA aircraft after detecting it over the eastern town of Kashmar.

American officials have acknowledged losing the drone, but have not said if it was shot down or malfunctioned and crashed on its own.

The Iranian government used the drone as a giant public relations tool.

In its appearance on Iran’s state TV, the plane seems intact, and the semi-official Fars News Agency reported that the drone had not destroyed data as it was programmed to do.

There was no way to verify that claim.

Fars also bragged that the “blow has been so heavy that the U.S. officials do not still want to accept that Iran brought down the plane by a cyberattack.”

Iranian officials said the aircraft was controlled in two stations – one in Afghanistan and one in the U.S. — via satellite, according to The Associated Press.

While many of the Iranian claims are dubious, The New York Times reported that the drone was part of a surveillance program that sends the unmanned aircraft to hard-to-reach suspected nuclear sites.

American officials had considered going to Iran to get the drone back, but that was quickly nixed as too risky, The Times said.

Some officials are nervous that Iran could sell the drone to the Chinese, according to the report.

“Maybe Iran figured out a way to interfere with the guidance system,” former American ambassador John Bolton said on Fox News. “That would be even more troubling, but here is no doubt they now have access to very sensitive American technology. That means the Chinese and the Russians will probably have access to it, so it’s bad news.”

Others played down the incident, saying the drone was too damaged to do much harm.

“The cat’s already out of the bag with stealth technology,” John Pike, director of GlobalSecurity.org, a website for military policy research, told the Los Angeles Times last week.

“The materials have already been widely disseminated. One little drone isn’t going to make a difference either way.”

December 10th, 2011, 1:02 pm

 

Revlon said:

299. Dear Bronco,
((Revlon #296
“The Revolution, represented by their political body the SNC, has the legitimatimate authority to negotiate with regional and international powers a new set of mutually benificial political and economical ties, congruent with its mission in achieving freedom, justice, and democracy.”

If so, why is the SNC has already taken a negative position against Iran and Hezbollah before they are even in the leadership of the country or even legitimated by the Syrians or any other country?))

Statements of Mr Ghalioun to the WSJ have been badly misunderstood by some quoters either due to their poor English reading skills or to their using of a poor Arabic translation

He called for giving priority to relations with Arab countries over those with Iran. Are you against that Bronco?

He called for a new set of relations with iran built on mutual economical and political benefits and condusive to stability in the Region. Are you against this bronco?

Here is Mr Ghalioun’s response that I assume you were refering to as “negative position”:
المراسل: لسوريا حالياً علاقات إستراتيجية مع إيران و حزب الله، كيف ستقوم حكومة سورية جديدة بمواجهة هذه الحكومات؟ وما هو مصير تلك العلاقات؟

برهان غليـون: العلاقة الحالية بين سوريا وإيران علاقة غير سوية، ولم يسبق وأن حدثت في تاريخ سياسة سوريا الخارجية. سوريا الجديدة ستكون جزءاً أساسياً من الجامعة العربية وستعمل على تحسين دور الجامعة العربية وعلى دور الدول العربية إقليمياً، خاصة بعد ما اتخذوا قراراً تاريخياً وغير مسبوق بدعم الشعب السوري.

سوريا هي قلب المشرق العربي، لا يمكنها أن تعيش بعيداً عن علاقاتها بشبه الجزيرة العربية، وبدول الخليج العربي، وبمصر وغيرها. نحتاج إلى دعم اقتصادي واستثمارات من إخواننا العرب في المستقبل، فمستقبلنا في حقيقة الأمر مرتبط بالعالم العربي وبالخليج العربي بشكل خاص، في المستقبل سنحتاج إلى الكثير من الدعم المالي والاقتصادي الجدي لإعادة بناء سوريا.

سيتم إعادة النظر بعلاقاتنا مع إيران كأي دولة في المنطقة، وفقاً لمصالح التبادل الاقتصادي والدبلوماسي، وفي سياق تحسين الاستقرار في المنطقة ولن يكون هناك علاقة خاصة. لن يكون هناك علاقة خاصة مع إيران.

المسألة الجوهرية هنا هو– التحالف العسكري. ثم إن كسر العلاقات الاستثنائية يعني كسر التحالف العسكري الإستراتيجي، ولا نمانع بوجود علاقات اقتصادية.

المراسل: هل هناك تفكير بكيفية التغير الذي سيطرأ على دعم حزب الله وحماس؟

برهان غليـون: ستكون علاقتنا مع لبنان علاقة تعاون، واعتراف مشترك وتبادل بين المصالح بالإضافة إلى السعي مع اللبنانيين إلى تحسين الاستقرار في المنطقة. وبما أن علاقتنا مع إيران ستتغير، كذلك فإن علاقتنا مع حزب الله. لن يكون حزب الله كما هو بعد سقوط النظام، لن يتم استخدام لبنان كما تم استخدامه في عهد الأسد كساحة لتصفية الحسابات السياسية.

حماس انتقلت إلى سياسة جديدة وهي الآن تعمل مع منظمة التحرير الفلسطينية بهدف توحيد كل الأطراف الفلسطينية. فلم تعد حركة حماس مدعومة من قبل النظام السوري، وعلاقتنا معها ستكون من خلال علاقتنا السياسية مع منظمة التحرير الفلسطينية والمجتمع المدني الفلسطيني

http://the-syrian.com/archives/56008

December 10th, 2011, 1:26 pm

 

Mango said:

http://arabic.ruvr.ru/2011/12/09/61897910.html
بلدان مجموعة بريكس ترفض التدخل الخارجي في شؤون سوريا

أكدت مجموعة دول “بريكس” التي تضم كل من روسيا والصين والهند والبرازيل وجنوب أفريقيا، عن رفضها القاطع للتدخل الخارجي في الشؤون السورية.

جاء هذا الموقف في رسالة ارسلها فيتالي تشوركين المندوب الروسي الدائم إلى الامين العام للامم المتحدة بان كي مون يوم امس الخميس .ونصت الرسالة على مطالبة المجموعة بمنع أي تدخل لا يتوافق مع ميثاق الأمم المتحدة. وأكدت على أن “الخيار الوحيد لحل الأزمة الداخلية في سورية يتمثل في البدء الفوري بعملية الحوار بين الأطراف المعنية، كما أوصت
مبادرة جامعة الدول العربية، مع الأخذ بالاعتبار تطلعات الشعب السوري”.

==================================================================
http://arabic.ruvr.ru/2011/12/10/61981194.html
لجنة جامعة الدول العربية تجتمع في الدوحة للبحث في شروط دمشق الخاصة بموافقتها على نشر المراقبين في اراض سوريا

10.12.2011, 20:17

تعقد لجنة جامعة الدول العربية الخاصة بسوريا جلسة لها في الدوحة اللبحث في شروط دمشق حول نشر المراقبين العرب في اراضي الجمهورية . وكانت الحكومة السورية قد وافقت على نشر المراقبين للبلاد لكي يتابعوا تنفيذ بنود خطة الجامعة العربية بشأن تسوية الازمة في البلاد، الا انها ربطت موافقتها بضرورة الغاء العقوبات المفروضة عليها من قبل الجامعة سابقا وتتوقع جريدة السفير انه سيتم الإعلان في الدوحة عن فشل الجهود العربية لتسوية القضية السورية ، كما أشارت الى ان الغرب يواصل تشديد ضغوطه على الجامعة العربية ويسعى لمنع التوصل إلى اتفاق بين الطرفين. بدأت الاحتجاجات المناهضة للحكومة في سوريا في حمص – ثالث أكبر مدينة- وهي كانت تعتبر سابقا مركزا صناعيا و نموذجا للتعايش السلمي بين الاديان.

December 10th, 2011, 1:28 pm

 

Revlon said:

Jr may tbe following up on his threat to Turkey
مصادر تركية: رسالة من أوجلان إلى الاسد لإرسال الف مقاتل
Currently under scrutiny is a letter intercepted by Turkish intelligence carried an offer from Ocalan to support Asad crackdown with PKK fighters.

http://www.levantnews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=10194:2011-12-10-04-07-20&catid=66:syria-politics&Itemid=118
موقع أخبار الشرق – السبت، 10 كانون1/ديسمبر 2011 06:00 بتوقيت دمشق
سورية اليوم – سياسة

ذكرت صحيفة “الشرق الاوسط” اللندنية، نقلاً عن مصادر تركية قولها إن الاستخبارات التركية عثرت على رسالة، موجهة من زعيم “حزب العمال الكردستاني” عبد الله أوجلان المعتقل في تركيا؛ إلى قيادة النظام السوري يعرض فيها إرسال 1000 مقاتل لدعمه.

وأوضحت المصادر إن الاستخبارات التركية “تدرس بتمعن وحذر شديدين وثائق حصلت عليها قبل أسبوعين خلال مداهمتها لأحد مراكز “الكردستاني”، مشيرة إلى أن “إحدى هذه الوثائق هي رسالة موجهة من عبد الله أوجلان شخصياً إلى القيادة السورية يعرض فيها على الرئيس السوري بشار الأسد إرسال 1000 مقاتل لينضم إلى مسعى النظام في إخماد الانتفاضة، بالإضافة إلى مساعدته في منع تفجر أي أزمة في الأوساط الكردية”.

وأشارت المصادر إلى “أن تركيا لم تجد ما يفيد بنوعية الرد السوري، لكنها تنظر إلى الأمر على أنه تهديد خطير”، مشيرة إلى أن “غالبية قيادات “الكردستاني” الحاليين هم من أصل سوري”، بالإضافة إلى وجود كبير لمقاتلين أكراد من أصل سوري في جبال قنديل داخل الأراضي العراقية، والتي انطلقت منها الهجمات الأخيرة ضد تركيا.

وكانت تركيا حذرت “الدول المجاورة” من دون أن تسمي سوريا أو إيران، مما سمته “اللعب بورقة الإرهاب”، مشيرة إلى أن من يلعب بهذه الورقة “ستحترق يده في نهاية المطاف”.

December 10th, 2011, 1:30 pm

 

Mango said:

http://www.kermalkom.com/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=115
الأسد امام وفد لبناني: انتصرنا والاحداث في نهاياتها و لا أحد يستطيع محاصرة سوريا

كرمالكم الاخبارية نقلت صحيفة “الانباء” الكويتية عن مصادر الوفد اللبناني الدرزي الذي التقى الرئيس السوري بشار الأسد قبل ايام اشارته الى ان إن الرئيس الأسد بدا مرتاحا وواثقا من وضعه، وأكد للوفد بأن سوريا انتصرت على المؤامرة الخارجية، وأن الأحداث أصبحت في نهاياتها، وكل الأمور تحت السيطرة، وهناك رسائل تأتينا من الذين ناصبوا سوريا العداء بأنهم سيعودون قريبا الى سوريا. وتساءل الرئيس الاسد قائلا: “حسب ما نقله أعضاء الوفد “شو بدهم يعملوا” لا يستطيعون فعل أي شيء، وكل ما يجري مؤامرة خارجية، غامزا من قناة دول الخليج”، مضيفاً: “بعض دول الخليج الداء الوحيد للعرب”. وأكد الرئيس الأسد أن “لا أحد يستطيع محاصرة سوريا،…

نشر بتاريخ : 10 Dec 2011

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حزب الله يكشف شبكة المخابرات الامريكية في لبنان بالاسماء والتواريخ

كشف حزب الله اللبناني النقاب عن الهيكل التنظيمي للمخابرات الامريكية (سي اي ايه) في لبنان بالاسماء والتواريخ والاسماء الحركية والية العمل واهداف التجنيد وذلك في برنامج بثه تلفزيون المنار مساء يوم الجمعة.

وبحسب “رويترز” كان حزب الله اتهم الولايات المتحدة الشهر الماضي بالاعتداء على السيادة اللبنانية والامن القومي وخرق القانون الدولي وذلك بعد اعتراف امريكي بوجود محطة لوكالة المخابرات الامريكية (سي اي ايه) في بيروت تمارس اعمال التجسس.

وكان مسؤولون أمريكيون حاليون وسابقون قالوا الشهر الماضي انه في انتكاسة للمخابرات الامريكية في مواجهة أعداء بارزين لواشنطن نجح حزب الله اللبناني في كشف واعتقال مخبرين بين صفوفه يتعاونون مع (سي.اي.ايه.)

وكشف حزب الله في تقرير مفصل وزعه يوم السبت عن “النشاط الاستخباري لجهاز (سي اي ايه) انطلاقا من محطة متمركزة بشكل دائم في احد المباني التابعة للسفارة (الامريكية) في عوكر والتي تتولى ادارة وتشغيل شبكات واسعة من المخبرين المنتشرين على الاراضي اللبنانية في قطاعات سياسية واجتماعية وتربوية وصحية وأمنية واعلامية وعسكرية عدة.”

ويحدد التقرير الهياكل التنظيمية لتلك المحطة “بدءا برئيسها ضابط الاستخبارات دانيال باتريك ماكفيلي الذي حل محل الرئيس السابق للمحطة لويس كاهي والذي ترك عمله في بداية العام 2009.”

وسمى التقرير مجموعة من الضباط العاملين كما اشار الى أن ضباط الاستخبارات يستخدمون أسماء وهمية يقدمون أنفسهم بها ويلفت التقرير الانتباه الى ان محطة الاستخبارات الامريكية في لبنان تنفذ عمليات تجنيد تطال مختلف شرائح المجتمع اللبناني.

ويسلط التقرير الضوء على اهداف (سي اي ايه) في لبنان ولا سيما الاستطلاع والاستخبار عن كل ما يتعلق بأفراد حزب الله والمقاومة من العناصر والمسؤولين وأرقام هواتفهم وعناوين أماكن سكنهم وعناوين المدارس التي يتعلم فيها أولادهم ومشاكلهم المالية.

ويضم التقرير أسماء مسؤولي حزب الله في القرى والاسلحة التي بحوزتهم ومخازن الصواريخ والبنى اللوجستية للمقاومة والكوادر المعروفين بأنهم مطاردون من قبل العدو الاسرائيلي بهدف اغتيالهم.

ولم يتسن الاتصال بالسفارة الامريكية في بيروت للحصول على تعليق ولم يصدر اي رد فعل عنها.

وقالت جريدة السفير التي نشرت مقتطفات من التقرير ان حزب الله بدا من خلال هذه الخطوة انه “اراد ايصال رسالة للامريكيين وربما لسفارات دول اخرى تمارس الدور نفسه اي العمل بصفة مخبر عند الاسرائيليين بان عين المقاومة ساهرة على الامن الوطني وان ما توصل الى هذه الداتا من المعلومات قادر على بث معلومات اخرى قد تكون اخطر بكثير في التوقيت الذي يختاره من ضمن الحرب الخفية او الباردة المفتوحة بين المقاومة والاجهزة الاستخباراتية التي تعمل عند الاسرائيليين.”

وكان نائب حزب الله في البرلمان اللبناني حسن فضل الله دعا الحكومة اللبنانية الى تحرك فوري واتخاذ الاجراءات الامنية والقانونية لوقف هذه الانشطة الجاسوسية ووقف هذه المحطة عن العمل وتفكيك منشاتها.

وتطور حزب الله الذي تأسس بمساعدة ايران خلال الحرب الاهلية اللبنانية بين عامي 1975 و1990 من ميليشيا قاتلت الاحتلال الاسرائيلي لجنوب لبنان الى واحد من أقوى الاحزاب والميليشيات في لبنان.

(رويترز)

December 10th, 2011, 1:38 pm

 

Norman said:

I wonder if Turkey is being led to a trap of interference in Syria that would bleed her economy and militery to make her weaker than Israel in the Mideast, we have to remember that Turkey was giving hard time to Israel recently and flexing it muscles about the blockade of Gaza, any thoughts,?

December 10th, 2011, 1:41 pm

 

Revlon said:

حملة اعتقالات واسعة في الجيش السوري شملت ضباطاً كباراً.. وتصفية جماعية في سجن تدمر
A crackdown on officers suspected of nonloyalty to Asad.
A list of names of 64 officers detained in Sidnaya prison was provided to the Syrian leage for the defense of human rights in Syria.
Heavy shooting and unusual movement in and around the the infamous Palmyra prison were reported raising concerns of a massacre of prisoners.

موقع أخبار الشرق – الإثنين، 05 كانون1/ديسمبر 2011 16:52 بتوقيت دمشق

المجتمع المدني – حقوق الإنسان

كشفت الرابطة السورية للدفاع عن حقوق الإنسان أن أجهزة المخابرات السورية قامت مؤخرا باعتقال عدد كبير من الضباط وصف الضباط والمجندين السوريين ونقلتهم إلى سجن صيدنايا العسكري ضمن حملة أمنية كبيرة استهدفت وحدات الجيش السوري العاملة لتطهيره من العناصر المناوئة للنظام.

وأوضحت الرابطة التي أوردت أسماء 64 عسكرياً ممن اعتقلوا في الحملة بينهم ضباط برتبة عقيد وضباط آخرون برتب مختلفة وجنود؛ أن هذه الحملة طالت مئات العناصر من مختلف الوحدات العسكرية.
وحسب المعلومات التي وردت إلى الرابطة السورية للدفاع عن حقوق الإنسان فإن “عمليات تصفية جسدية جماعية جرت في سجن تدمر العسكري للكثير من المعتقلين بداية الشهر الماضي حيث أفاد العديد من الشهود بسماعهم لإطلاق نار كثيف ومتقطع داخل السجن رافقته حركة كثيفة وغير طبيعية في محيطه عند ساعات الفجر الأولى”.

وأعربت الرابطة السورية للدفاع عن حقوق الإنسان عن قلقها الشديد “من قيام السلطات السورية بعمليات تصفية للسجناء الموجودين داخل السجون بشكل جماعي”، ودعت “المجتمع الدولي للتحرك العاجل للضغط على الحكومة السورية لفتح سجن تدمر العسكري وسجن صيدنايا العسكري وبقية مراكز التوقيف والاحتجاز السرية التابعة للمخابرات السورية أمام المنظمات الإنسانية الدولية وبشكل خاص اللجنة الدولية للصليب الأحمر وتمكينها من الوقوف على أوضاع السجناء والموقفين داخل هذه السجون الذين يعانون من أوضاع إنسانية متردية نتيجة السياسة الانتقامية التي يتعرضون لها والتي تشكل تهديدا جديا على حياتهم في ظل غياب كامل لأي ضمانات قانونية تكفل حقوقهم”.

وأرفقت اللجنة بيانا بقائمة ببعض أسماء الضباط وصف الضباط والمجندين المعتقلين في سجن صيدنايا العسكري:
1. العقيد الركن عبد الحسيب عبد الله الباردي – 1962 – حمص
2. العقيد ياسر محمد الزهري اللواء 113
3. المقدم محمد مصطفى عبود من الأكاديمية العسكرية العليا
4. المقدم مروان احمد علي – الفرقة 11
5. الرائد أحمد محمد العبد الله – الفرقة 17
6. الرائد عبد المؤمن محمد حمدو
7. الرائد منصور غازي الجهماني
8. النقيب تامر احمد رحال – من اللواء 80
9. النقيب سليمان خيرو مرعي – 1981 – حمص
10. النقيب عبد الكريم حسين صطوف الفرقة 15
11. النقيب علي مجد أيوب من حلب
12. النقيب عماد صادق حمودي اللواء 110 – بحرية
13. النقيب محمد نور شعب تلاوي – 1978 – حمص
14. النقيب مصطفى محمد البشير – 1979 – إدلب
15. الملازم أول احمد خليل مرعي الفرقة التاسعة
16. الملازم أول احمد عماد الدين الكيروان – الكلية الجوية
17. الملازم أول أسامة محمد حسيبة – من الفوج 101
18. الملازم أول حسام محو العليوي من الفرقة14
19. ملازم أول سيلمان صالح قسوم من اللواء 61
20. الملازم أول علي احمد عيسى
21. الملازم أول عيسى احمد وقا
22. الملازم أول محمد علي عرعور من البحرية
23. الملازم أول محمد فرج عبد المعين الديو
24. الملازم أول هيثم محمود حميدو اللواء 12
25. الملازم أول محمد هشام عيسى
26. ملازم الأول زهير عبد الرحمن خولي – 1985 – حمص
27. الملازم الأول علاء الدين محمد عبيد العبد الله – 1986 – حمص
28. الملازم الأول محمد أحمد النعيم – 1985
29. الملازم الأول محمد خليف القاعودي – 1982 – درعا
30. الملازم الأول محمد شريف أحمد عبارة – الفرقة 34
31. الملازم الأول محمد مالك يونسو – الفوج 53 – قوات خاصة
32. الملازم الأول مؤيد سخيط العثمان – 1988 – دير الزور
33. الملازم احمد توفيق الكاشف اللواء 84
34. الملازم محمد نور مروان الخالد
35. الملازم باسم يوسف رحمون – 1986 – إدلب
36. الملازم سلطان جبر الحميدي الفرقة 11
37. الملازم سليمان عبد السلام السيد – من الفرقة 14
38. الملازم عبد المعطي بكور من اللواء 59
39. الملازم المجند محمد موسى العليوي – 1982 – إدلب
40. الملازم المجند احمد معروف فلاحة ادلب
41. الملازم المجند باسل عبد القادر
42. الملازم المجند عبدو الخليف الحسين – 1983 – حلب
43. الطالب الضابط عبادة سليمان بربور – الكلية الجوية
44. الطالب الضابط محمد باسم الديك – حمص – الكلية الحربية
45. الرقيب خير محمد عيد عبد الجليل
46. الرقيب عايش أحمد الخلف
47. الرقيب المجند إياد بشير القداد – 1990 – حمص
48. الرقيب المجند هشام عصام رجب – 1985 – إدلب
49. المجند أحمد حاتم الخرفان – 1990 –
50. المجند احمد محمد سعيد الابراهيم
51. المجند أسامة حسين الهلال – 1980 –
52. المجند عبد الكريم عبد القادر بلحوب – 1991 – اللاذقية
53. المجند علي محمد صباغ – 1991 – اللاذقية
54. المجند بشار حسن علي – 1971 – جبلة
55. المجند حسن عبد الله العبد الله الحسكة
56. المجند حسين المهدي خير الله حمص
57. المجند زهير يوسف حبوش – 1991 –
58. المجند عبد اللطيف احمد عثمان ادلب
59. المجند علي محمد رشيد – 1982 –
60. المجند عمر محمد شعبان – 1991 –
61. المجند محمد عبد الكريم صمادي – 1987 –
62. المجند محمد وفيق جعفري
63. المجند محمود عمر وردة – حمص
64. المجند هيثم حمود – 1990 – حماة

December 10th, 2011, 1:43 pm

 

Mango said:

http://www.kermalkom.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=25919:%D8%9F&catid=47:?&Itemid=142
البنتاغون يقر بأن بقايا رفات 274 جنديا أمريكيا ألقيت في القمامة

Friday, 09 December 2011 11:36
واشنطن- (رويترز): تعرضت القوات الجوية الأمريكية لانتقادات شديدة الخميس بعد الكشف عن إلقاء بقايا رفات ما لا يقل عن 274 جنديا أمريكيا في مقلب للقمامة بولاية فرجينيا.

وأقرت القوات الجوية بالاجراء المثير للجدل الشهر الماضي وقالت إنها أوقفته في عام 2008. لكنها لم تكشف عن عدد الجنود الذين ألقيت بقايا رفاتهم في القمامة إلا بعد تحقيق أجرته صحيفة واشنطن بوست.

والقوات الجوية الامريكية مسؤولة عن التعامل باحترام مع رفات الجنود في قاعدة دوفر الجوية وهي نقطة الدخول الرئيسية لقتلى الحرب الامريكيين في حربي العراق وأفغانستان.

وهاجم راش هولت وهو عضو ديمقراطي في الكونغرس إدارة القوات الجوية للامر ووصف الاجراء بأنه “تدنيس واضح”.

وطبق هذا الاجراء في دفن أشلاء جنود أمريكيين قتلوا في انفجارات كبيرة وعثر على بقاياهم بعدما كانت أسر الجنود قد تسلمت جثثهم.

وقالت القوات الجويةإن أسر 274 جنديا قتيلا أعطت الجيش الاذن بالتعامل مع أي بقايا لكنها أضافت أن الاسر لم تكن على علم بأن هذه الرفات سينتهي بها الحال في مقلب للقمامة بعد حرقها.

ودافع رئيس اركان القوات الجوية الامريكية نورتون شوارتز عن قرار عدم إقالة أي شخص على خلفية الاجراء لكن وزير الدفاع الامريكي ليون بانيتا طلب من القوات الجوية إعادة النظر في العقاب الذي ستفرضه بسبب ما حدث.

وأمر بانيتا أيضا بمراجعة مستقلة لاجراءات الدفن الحالية في دوفر.

December 10th, 2011, 1:51 pm

 

Revlon said:

Young Dr Ibrahim Nahel Othman was killed by Shabbeeha near the Turkish border.

10 12 2011 Turky syrian Border أوغاريت الحدود التركية السورية استشهاد الدكتور ابراهيم ناهل عثمان من حماة برصاص الأمن والشبيحة

__________________________________________________________________
Nurse, Maha was gravely wounded in the head while attempting to rescure a child who later died along with his companion and her own brother.

09 12 2011 AL doumair, Damascus أوغاريت الضمير ريف دمشق ، اصابة الممرضة مها عرفات بالرأس و واستشهاد اخيها وطفل كانت تسعفه ومرافقه

AlFati7a upon their souls,
May God bless their families with solace and empower them with fortitude.

December 10th, 2011, 2:02 pm

 

mjabali said:

Shami Comment 287

شو فهم الدبب بأكل الكبب

شو فهمك بالموسيقا السورية الأصلية؟ عندما تنعت هذه الموسيقا السورية الأصلية الآتية من صلب سوريا بأنها موسيقا نور وغجر نستدل على انك لاتفقه شيئاً بالموسيقا أو بالتراث السوري.

لاحظ الدقيقة السادسة عشر في الفيديو عندما يتقدم عازف البزق وينغم قليلاً ويعزف عزفاً منفرداً ليأتي بعده المطرب ربيع حمدي ويلقي موالاً عن آمر ما فهذه يافطحل الفطاحل وسليل الاغوات موسيقا سورية ينطرب لها المسيحي السوري ويعتبرها تراثه وكذلك الكردي والعلوي والسنة من آهل الريف وكذلك الاسماعيلية والدروز… كل هؤلاء يعتبرون هذه الموسيقا تراثهم الريفي الاتي من تاريخهم السحيق يافطحلنا الفذ… حظرتك نعتت تراث كل هؤلاء من مكونات المجتمع السوري بأنه غجر ونور… من أتيت بهذه النتيجة يافطحلنا الكبير؟

أنا بإنتظارك أن تقول بأنك معتدل ومن هواة العيش المشترك؟

December 10th, 2011, 2:03 pm

 

N.Z. said:

Bronco, a very thoughtful comment.

Revlon’s answer and your response to him, is very constructive, it is these kinds of discussion that will move us forward. These discussions that do not paint the protesters in any negativity is the only way to move forward.

We all know, and very well so, that with out these brave men and women the most honourable of all Syrians who sacrificed everything for the collective, without them we will not be discussing these issues. We owe them respect, they will never be forgotten. Their blood and sacrifices must be the cornerstone in every discussion, neither SNC or any other body will hijack our true heroes.

Syrians have proved, once and for all they are not racist, not sectarian and not stupid. We are a loving people that have been hijacked by many hostile forces from the outside and, unfortunately from within. We cannot afford, but remain united. Accusations are not productive.

Imagine how the future generations will compare and contrast us with our forefathers, who were able to defeat invaders over the centuries, yet remain united. This family mafia will be overcome by our unity as a nation, we will not destroy ourselves for Assad-Makhlouf and their proxies. We will prevail because this uprising is noble.

It is people like Bronco, Revlon, Tara, Ghufran, Majedkhaldoun…. that never lost hope in what Syria is all about, her people.

December 10th, 2011, 2:05 pm

 

Revlon said:

B Al Assad agrees to sign the AL agreement, gives orders to shoot at any demonstrator to incite fear ahead of the arrival of the mission and orders the closure of the Embassy in Ottawa.
عاجل جدا : بشار الاسد يوافق على التوقيع على مبادرة الجامعة ويامر

بقتل المتظاهرين ويغلق سفارتنا بكندا ؟

مراسل المحليات : كلنا شركاء
http://all4syria.info/web/archives/41021
ذكر مصدر قريب من القصر الجمهوري ” ان الرئيس بشار الاسد قد وافق على التوقيع على مبادرة الجامعة العربية وتم ايفاد يوسف الاحمد السفير السوري المعتمد لدى الجامعة للتوقيع عليها اليوم ” ونعتقد ان هذا الامر قد تم من اجل كسب الوقت وتهدئة الراي العام الدولي والردود السلبية التي حصلت بعد مقابلته الفاشلة , واضاف المصدر ” ترافق ذلك مع اعطاء الرئيس الاوامر للجهات الامنية باطلاق الرصاص وقتل كل متظاهر اينما وجد مباشرة من اجل ارعاب الناس وانهاء التظاهر قبل وصول المراقبين “.

وتابع المصدر ” بدأت حركة الانشقاقات بالديبلوماسيين السوريين اذ عرض تقرير من مكتب الامن القومي على الرئيس يتضمن ان الديبلوماسيين في السفارة السورية باوتاوا ( كندا ) بشار آقبيق وكسرى محمد يتعاطفان مع المتظاهرين , اضافة لذلك وحيث ان الجمهورية العربية السورية كانت قد رشحت كسفير لها بكندا السيد حسن خضور ورفضت وزارة الخارجية الكندية الترشيح فقد أمر الرئيس باغلاق السفارة السورية بكندا ”

وتابع المصدر “وافق الرئيس على اقتراح وزارة الخارجية السورية باغلاق القنصلية السورية بغازي عنتاب ( تركيا ) “.

December 10th, 2011, 2:09 pm

 

Mango said:

http://topwar.ru/8975-perspektivy-rossiysko-tureckih-otnosheniy.html
Signing by Ankara in September 2011 г agreements with Washington on placing of elements of the American system of the ABM in Turkish territory. Turkey in plans атлантистов, can play туже a role that Ottoman empire in the XVIII-beginning of XX centuries in the Big Game of London and partially Paris, against the Russian empire played.

– Ankara has supported aggression against Libya in which Russia had certain interests. Still Turks play the big role to preparation of aggression against Syria, there is a probability that in overthrow of a mode of Bashara Asada they can play a key role. And in Syria Russia has strategic interests: Damascus our ally, the buyer of the weapon, the partner in the field of military-technical cooperation, in territory of the Syrian republic is our naval advanced post, in the country live ten thousand former citizens of the USSR and Russia. Moscow insists on legality of the Syrian government and necessity of the decision of the internal conflict behind a negotiating table. Besides if Syria “will smooth out”, war will approach to our borders even more close. After Syria and Iran, will “shake” Central Asia, caucasus, Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia. The preparatory stage already goes.

– In the field of economy the competition between projects of delivery of natural gas European the country – «the Southern stream» (it Russia supports) and “Nabukko” (it Turkey supports) becomes aggravated.

Therefore for the period approximately 2015-2020 Russia and Turkey can have a military conflict. Russia should carry out some actions on this direction: first, перевооружить aircraft of the Black Sea fleet and incorporated strategic command (ОСК) “South”, our Air Forces on this direction should be stronger Turkish and if necessary to neutralize Military-air forces of Azerbaijan and Georgia; secondly, strengthening of the Black Sea fleet – one more heavy cruiser to an available rocket cruiser Moscow (probably, it is necessary to buy from Kiev and to complete “Ukraine”), 2 frigates, 3-4 corvettes, 4-6 НАПЛ is necessary for it, some rocket boats, thus not to write off available ships, if necessary to carry out their major repairs and modernization; Thirdly, Russia should have some mountain brigades in the North Caucasus, including connections in Abkhazia, South Ossetia, Armenia – it is necessary to prepare and arm them under «the mountain program», they should be ready to conduct operations in mountain conditions. In such conditions, Ankara hardly will dare at the military conflict.

December 10th, 2011, 2:10 pm

 

Uzair8 said:

I hope the sanctions weaken the regime fatally.

As for those who ignore the sanctions like Lebanon, Iraq, India etc, I say “enjoy the closing down sale”.

December 10th, 2011, 2:12 pm

 

mjabali said:

Mr. Shami you called the music Ya Mara Ghalba linked us to as “Gypsy”

Here is a song by a Gypsy band and let us know if you may change your mind and love Gypsy music?

December 10th, 2011, 2:15 pm

 

Syrian Nationalist Party said:

“…….Turkish PM doesn’t have cancer: doctor
ANKARA — A surgeon who operated on Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan last month said the polyps removed from his intestines were not cancerous, media reported Friday.
Erdogan, 57, who underwent laparoscopic gastrointestinal surgery nearly two weeks ago, “certainly does not have cancer,” Professor Mehmet Fuzun was quoted as saying by the Sabah daily. “The polyps removed were benign.”

Have they checked for cancer in his brain? we know the cancer is in his soul not his butt.

December 10th, 2011, 2:35 pm

 

Mango said:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/29/AR2010102907404.html
The war recovery?
David S. Broder
Sunday, October 31, 2010
When the midterm election cycle began, the prevailing opinion was that Barack Obama was cleverer and more inspirational than anyone else on the scene. As it ends, nothing appears to have changed.

OH, YES, I know that Democrats have fallen into a peck of trouble and may lose control of Congress. But even if they do, Obama can still storm back to win a second term in 2012. He is that much better than the competition.

In what respects is he enduringly superior? Let’s start with the basics. He is much smarter than his challengers in either party, better able to read the evidence and come to the right conclusions.

Over time, his conclusions are likely to stand scrutiny better than those of other politicians.

The crucial case in point is his analysis of economic forces. No one would pretend that this is anything but a daunting situation. The nation is suffering simultaneously from high and persistent unemployment, lagging investment, massive public and private debt, and a highly inefficient tax system.
The steps that have been ordered so far in Washington have done nothing more than put the brakes on the runaway decline. They have not spurred new growth.

But if Obama cannot spur that growth by 2012, he is unlikely to be reelected. The lingering effects of the recession that accompanied him to the White House will probably doom him.

Can Obama harness the forces that might spur new growth? This is the key question for the next two years.

What are those forces? Essentially, there are two. One is the power of the business cycle, the tidal force that throughout history has dictated when the economy expands and when it contracts.

Economists struggle to analyze this, but they almost inevitably conclude that it cannot be rushed and almost resists political command. As the saying goes, the market will go where it is going to go.

In this regard, Obama has no advantage over any other pol. Even in analyzing the tidal force correctly, he cannot control it.

What else might affect the economy? The answer is obvious, but its implications are frightening. War and peace influence the economy.

Look back at FDR and the Great Depression. What finally resolved that economic crisis? World War II.

Here is where Obama is likely to prevail. With strong Republican support in Congress for challenging Iran’s ambition to become a nuclear power, he can spend much of 2011 and 2012 orchestrating a showdown with the mullahs. This will help him politically because the opposition party will be urging him on. And as tensions rise and we accelerate preparations for war, the economy will improve.

I am not suggesting, of course, that the president incite a war to get reelected. But the nation will rally around Obama because Iran is the greatest threat to the world in the young century. If he can confront this threat and contain Iran’s nuclear ambitions, he will have made the world safer and may be regarded as one of the most successful presidents in history.

December 10th, 2011, 2:54 pm

 

Khalid Tlass said:

Ghufran, If the regime launches an all-out assault on Homs, they won’t be able to do much damage to the FSA ( or the armed criminals as you prefer to call them), the FSA will simply melt away into the night, escape and resurface in a couple of days in some other city, just like they did during AlRastan siege. They are smart, not suicidal, they know the value to this uprising and they would rather retreat from the fight and live to fight another day, or rather kill 100 shabbiha another day.

What I’m worried about are the unfortunate unarmed people especially women and children, the regime will take their full revenge on them..

And Revlon, don’t you think its high time Ghalioun got his act together ? If he can’t muster enough international support and God forbid there’s a massacre in Homs with 500-600 ppl dead, how will he ever show his face again ? i think he is useless, he is a liabilty rather than an asset, he forced Col Riyad to abandon offensive operations and hence adversely affected the morale of the FSA troops, YET he can’t muster enough international support to force the regime to back down. Its apparent that as long as Ghalioun and his boring team can’t muster enough REAL international support, offensive operations by FSA is the only way.

If this goes on it won’t be long before the FSA commanders inside Syria start undercutting Col. Riyad’s authority, as they are almost doing now. And it isn;t Riyad al Asad’s fault, uts all the fault of Ghalioun and the other peaceniks on the SNC who feel compelled to suck up to Clinton.

December 10th, 2011, 3:15 pm

 

Khalid Tlass said:

JUERGEN,

Looks like a sick life in East Germany !!! Is it really true the Stasi used to wire up every person’s home ? That means the Stasi officers could learn about the intimate private lives of every citizen including even their sex life, every part of their daily routine, etc. ? Thats just horrible !

Also, Juergen, why didn’t the people of East Germany rise up and revolt against the Party and Honecker , as all the Arab people are doing now ? Why did you wait for 45 years, from 1946 till 1989 ?

Also, can u tell me what was the attitude of the Stasi towards Christianity, especially the Lutheran Church ? Were practising Christians treated differently ?

Did the Statsi ever deliberately commit blasphemy against the Christian faith, such as destroying Churches ?

December 10th, 2011, 3:23 pm

 

Bill said:

# 293 IRRITATED

I respect your right to be an apologist for a murderous regime that has killed over 4000 innocents, including more than 250 children (according to a recent U.N. Human Rights Council’s report). As a Palestinian, I am confident that Syrians, who are now revolting against Bashar’s and his family’s terror, are NOT puppets of Israel and the West. I do not buy Hasan Nasr-Allah’s and other apologists’ claims regarding “conspiracy against Syria.”

However, I AGREE with you that Imam al-Husain رضي الله عنه would have also opposed hereditary rule in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. He also would have opposed Iran’s suppression of its people-those from the Green movements and Sunnis (who are NOT allowed to built mosques in all of Iran).
Be consistent, No hypocrisy. Have a nice weekend!

December 10th, 2011, 3:35 pm

 

SYRIAN HAMSTER said:

يا موسكو حنا معاكي للموت

December 10th, 2011, 4:22 pm

 

Juergen said:

Khalid

Life was seen for many in East Germany as normal, i would say the majority adopted with the regime. See, they did not wiretape every house, but if you came on their radar, it could well be that they do so. Some folks told a joke in a pub, others said something to the teacher, others were really opposing the regime. There were not many phones when i grew up, if you had one and you called your family members in West Germany you needed to call an operator to make an appointment, and they taped those calls regulary as well as the mail between the two countries. There was a heavy revolt in 1953, it started in Berlin and spread soon all other the country. The regime was soo frightend that they ordered the russians to come and break down the revolt. They came with tanks and many highly armed soldiers. Numbers of protesters vary from 400.000 to 1.5 mio. About 30 people were killed in the protests, and 2 were executed afterwards, around 2000 imprisoned, some of them for 15 years. There were many who were younger than 18 years, who were imprisoned.

Khalid, the biggest difference i see comparing with Syria was that the people always remained highly political. People talked a lot about politics, and there was an art to it, you may said one thing but meant the total opposite.

People in the 70s and 80s watched more and more western tv, so it was common for us children to grew up with silly regime broadcastings and still watched Denver Clan at night.

I assume that there were also some progressive streams within communism in the beginning, especially after seeing what Hitler had done to the country, there were many who believed in the beginning that they are living in the better part of Germany. Also there was a more rigid denazification, in the East every teacher, every judge who holded the same position under Hitler lost his job. In the west we had not such a denazification, there were many who remained in positions. That lead in the west to the 68 movement which revolted against the culture of nazism which lasted in some parts of society. Well still it took more than 40 years before the regime had bigger problems. It actually started in one sector the regime may never thought it would happen. As there was a starting green movement for the care of the envireonment in West Germany, in the East it was starting as well about 1984. You must know that there were vast areas which were highly polluted, in some areas there was a lower life expectancy. I was born near the river Elbe, and i was told when i was a kid, dont fall into the water, if you do we have to bring you to the hospital. The pollution was so high because my country needed a lot of foreign money to survive, so they produced so cheap and fast with no respect of the people nor the envioronment. So the revolution started when local groups would meet up in the chrurches to discuss those matters. The people thought it was the safest place to meet this spy filled country. From there the groups would come from this subject to the matter of freedom, and of free expression, which lead later on to the so called monday prayer meetings which helped tremendously to the revolution of 1989. The role of the church was a dounlesided. On the one hand the church always tried to stay neutral and offer an heaven for its flock from the regime. On the other hand it tried to make arrangements with the regime. We know that the catholic church was more distant and it was difficult for the regime to control them from within. The lutheran church was highly infiltrated with spies. Many people went out of church because the regime made pressure on them. F.e it was almost not possible to get any higher education if you were a loyal member of the church. Many like my parents got their children baptized but kept a distance to the church for giving the chance to their children to visit higher schools.

The regime destroyed many churches, as late as 1987 they destroyed an landmark church in East Berlin, they always would argue that the chruch was too old to restore, or it caused an danger to the surrounding buildings. One church they never builded it up, the Dresden Frauenkirche was left in ruins from the war as an memorial. I was quite impressed as an boy seeing the enormous amount of debris in an rebuild city, only aftzer the fall of the regime the church was rebuild.

December 10th, 2011, 4:31 pm

 

jad said:

ميشيل كيلو يؤكد ضرورة التفاوض مع النظام السوري بدون تدويل الازمة

اكد الكاتب والناشط السوري ميشيل كيلو في حديث لقناة “روسيا اليوم” من باريس السبت 10 ديسمبر/كانون الاول انه “ضد التدويل بكل معنى هذه الكلمة وانه يجب تركيز الجهود على اولوية الوضع الداخلي من اجل الحرية والديمقراطية بينما يجب ان يكون الدور الدولي مساندا وليس العكس”، مشيرا الى ان “التدويل سيلغي وسيضعف من الدور الداخلي”.

واشار كيلو الى ضرورة “العودة الى اصالة الحراك الشعبي الذي بدأ في آذار والعودة الى فكرة الشعب الواحد وهدف الحرية والديمقراطية والمواطنة والدولة المدنية وان يتم قطع جميع الطرق على الاقتتال الداخلي لاي سبب كان خاصة اذا كان له طابع طائفي”.

وبالنسبة الى السياسة الخارجية اعتبر كيلو انه “يجب بلورتها انطلاقا من الوضع الداخلي وحاجات النضال وليس العكس لانه لا يمكن تحرير سورية من الخارج بينما يمكن ان تصبح حرة اذا بقي مجتمعها متماسكا ومطالبا بالحرية وبقي هناك تحالف حقيقي بين المجتمعين الاهلي والمدني ودعم دولي يعتمد على القانون الدولي ومنظمات الانسان وحقوقه”.

ونوه ميشيل كيلو بضرورة “الانفتاح على فكرة النظام الانتقالي والتفاوض لوجود حاجة لان يدرك بعض رموز النظام ان هناك سبلا مفتوحة امامهم لكي يساهموا في ايجاد حل للازمة الوطنية بدلا من وضع الجميع في سلة واحدة والمطالبة باسقاطهم جميعا علما ان “المجلس الوطني السوري” غير في الآونة الاخيرة من سياسته واعلن موافقته على التفاوض حول مرحلة انتقالية، بل وعلى التعاون مع المؤسسة العسكرية”.

واكد صوان ان “هذا الطرح له شعبية واسعة في سورية، بينما طوال ما تكون هناك جهة ما تقول انها تمثل الشعب والثورة لن يكون هناك اتفاق”.

واكد الناشط السوري ان الدعوة الى “عصيان مدني حق مطلوب ومشروع للشعب الذي يجب ان يطور من ادواته لتفادي وقوع الضحايا وممارسة اكبر قدر من الضغط على النظام”.

للمزيد يمكنكم الاطلاع على تسجيل الحديث
http://arabic.rt.com/news_all_news/news/573788/

December 10th, 2011, 4:34 pm

 

louai said:

Syrian refugees now where??? ……..in LIBYA !!!! 🙂

I really hope, between you and yourselves-at least- you do Lough when reading this news, what a hopeless meaningless shameless claim!!!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/8947419/Syrian-refugees-seek-shelter-in-Libya.html

December 10th, 2011, 4:37 pm

 

Juergen said:

Just saw an article in our biggest tabloid newspaper. So does anyone has similar reports that the AL is discussing with Assad exile plans?

Assad is planning a massacre in the protest stronghold?

THE NEWS FROM HOMS ARE THREATENING TO OPPOSITION FEARS A HORRIBLE MASSACRE – THE DIPLOMATS MAY FINALLY ASSAD TO TRANSITION INTO EXILE TO TALK?

Bloody Friday in Syria, but this Saturday could be much worse!
The opposition feared that the forces of President Bashar al-Assad (46) could prepare a massacre in the protest stronghold of Homs.

Syria’s tyrant Bashar al-Assad (46): When he finally gives up?

The city is protesting for months against the regime in Damascus, Assad’s troops sealed off completely by now, said one activist, the news agency dpa.
On the access roads towards Homs: more than 75 checkpoints. No electricity, no water, no gasoline and no medication for the many wounded who are still in the city.
The Syrian opposition National Council is sure: There is a massacre prepared!
After the army had shot repeatedly in Homs and abducted people suggested everything on a “final step” to break the resistance against Assad finally, says the London-based representative of the Panel, Bassam Dscharaa.

BEHIND THE SCENES: NEGOTIATIONS ON EXILE-ASSAD

Meanwhile, the pan-Arab newspaper “Al-Hayat” reports about efforts of the Arab League to persuade Assad to withdraw and move into exile. The United Arab Emirates are ready to take him and his family, the paper writes, citing informed sources.
Eastern European countries are also in this conversation. Furthermore, should the President be granted amnesty, it said.

Since the beginning of the protests against the Assad regime to the United Nations estimates more than 4,000 people have died. Because of the stifling of the media reports from Syria are difficult to verify.
Alone on Friday to protest at least 41 civilians have been killed by police.
As the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights told the women and several children and adolescents aged ten to 14 years were among the victims.

http://www.bild.de/politik/ausland/syrien-krise/syrien-plant-assad-ein-massaker-in-der-protesthochburg-homs-21499228.bild.html

December 10th, 2011, 4:43 pm

 

jad said:

Louai,
They must be the families of the terrorists who are getting weapons and financial support form the Libyans, besides, it seems that Libyan are busy fighting today

أفادت قناة “الجزيرة” عن أن “أنباء وردت عن سقوط قتلى باشتباكات بين قبيلتي المشاشية والزنتان بالجبل الغربي بليبيا”.

أفادت قناة “العربية” عن وقوع “اشتباكات في طرابلس الغرب بين سرايا الزنتان والجيش الوطني الليبي”، مشيرة إلى محاولة اغتيال رئيس القوات البرية للجيش الوطني الليبي اللواء خليفة حفتر.

December 10th, 2011, 4:45 pm

 

N.Z. said:

320. SYRIAN HAMSTER,

Hamster, Russians are out in the streets thanking God for snow, while Syrians thank Him for rain.

December 10th, 2011, 4:49 pm

 

Khalid Tlass said:

When the regime destroyed Churches, why didn’t the Christian people protest ?

Also, was there a chance that a practising Christian was specifically targetted by the Volkspolizei or stasi, like in Syroa nowadays having a beard means 100 % chance of ending up in prison or even dead, did the authoroties try to monitor people who were a bit too religious ?

Also, what was the official position of the regime School education, in school textbooks, to such German historical legacy as Martin Luther, the Reformation, Ninety-Five Theses, Diet of Worms, Wartburg Castle, etc ? Were these religious histories mentioned ?

Also what was the regime official position on Otto von Bismarck, the Hohenzollern dynasty and the German Empire ?

December 10th, 2011, 4:57 pm

 

Bronco said:

302 Revlon

“Here is Mr Ghalioun’s response that I assume you were refering to as “negative position””

The interview was in english and he said “the relation between Iran and Syria is abnormal”. Sorry this is a negative, demeaning and disrespectful assessment and it is not the SNC who has no legitimacy other than from France and Libya to emit such judgmemt and make any decision on behalf of Syria.
Sorry Revlon, you will not make me change my mind about the SNC. They seem to be a non cohesive bunch only linked by their desire to topple the current government.
In any case they have not got any recognition, neither from Egypt, nor Qatar, nor Tunisia, nor any Arab country. Obviously they have not been able to inspire trust and seriousness.

December 10th, 2011, 5:01 pm

 

Amir in Tel Aviv said:

A Homsi YouTube channel that I follow. The guy who runs this channel is doing a great work. It gives you a sense of how life looks in Homs these days. A hell.
http://www.youtube.com/user/homshoms2011?feature=watch
.

December 10th, 2011, 5:10 pm

 

Tara said:

France:  “Save the Syrian people”

http://gulfnews.com/news/region/syria/syria-warned-on-homs-raid-1.948519

Dubai: France called on world powers to “save the Syrian people” yesterday as it joined the US and Britain in raising an alarm that President Bashar Al Assad’s forces may be about to storm the rebel stronghold of Homs.

In Damascus, the government denied any crackdown, while accusing its opponents of taking up arms and warning the rebels’ supporters in the West that Syria could count on Russia, China and others to oppose any foreign intervention in its affairs.
“France is extremely concerned about information of a massive military operation being prepared by Syrian security authorities against the city of Homs,” French Foreign Ministry spokesman Bernard Valero said, echoing concerns raised in Washington, London and neighbouring Turkey.
As international pressure mounted on Syria to allow monitors into the country security forces fired on protesters killing at least 50 people during the past 24 hours.
… 
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least 41 civilians, including seven children, were shot dead by Syrian security forces in the capital Damascus and the restive central city of Homs on Friday, while nine civilians were killed yesterday.
….
In Oslo, the head of the Nobel Peace Prize selection panel said yesterday Al Assad would succumb to a “wind of history” blowing through the Arab world and be forced to accept democratic change. Awarding this year’s prizes in Oslo to three women who include a Yemeni activist whose Arab spring protests helped undermine her country’s veteran leader, Thorbjoern Jagland said.
……

—With inputs from Reuters

December 10th, 2011, 5:16 pm

 

irritated said:

#329 Amir

It looks like the kids are having fun. If you call that hell, go and visit the poor areas of Cairo or New-york, that is hell.

December 10th, 2011, 5:17 pm

 

irritated said:

Tara #330

“Assad would succumb to a “wind of history” blowing through the Arab world and be forced to accept democratic change.”

He has already.

December 10th, 2011, 5:19 pm

 

Amir in Tel Aviv said:

Juergen,

Are you from Berlin?
I visited Berlin 3 times for vacations, and LOVED it. I’m planning to go again this summer in August.
.

December 10th, 2011, 5:21 pm

 

Khalid Tlass said:

Amir, Homsi children are the cutest, don’t you think so ?

And to make matters worse OTW has virtually banned ABOUD from his blog and we can’t get any update about Homs.

December 10th, 2011, 5:24 pm

 

Amir in Tel Aviv said:

Irritated,

You are so disgusting. A little empathy with your people that are suffering, (if you’re at all a Syrian), even if you don’t agree with them, will not make you less mnhebak.
.

December 10th, 2011, 5:26 pm

 

Amir in Tel Aviv said:

Khalid,

Homsi kids, and actually Syrian kids in general, are adorable and so cute and when they smile it melts your heart.

OTW banned aboud OMG???? Do you have more details? What happened there?
.

December 10th, 2011, 5:30 pm

 

Juergen said:

KHALID

Well there were protests, but not very big ones, most got visits by the police or the Stasi beforehand warning them not to make problems. Such preemptive visits were common, and also such visits were paid to the ones who would not come and vote if there was an election, i assumed they were afraid of the result, which was decided already. Everybody who was in church was targetted, there were lists of religious people, and the monitored closely how many would go to sunday services. They infiltrated the churches, and outspoken ministers would be silenced either by givig pressure on their bishops or they would intimidate directly. There was one case of a protestant minister who burned himself in front of the church as a protest.

There were areas where the church played an prominent role, and the party could never really gain much power over the hearts of the people there, but public display of religion was not tolerated.

History was always a very tricky issue for the regime. We always learned fe. that in history there was always a fight of the poor underpriviledged against the mighty and rich. We did learn that the Spartacus revolt, the farmers revolution in the middle ages are have to be seen in the light of socialism. It was funny when they talked about Luther, it was said like that he fighted against the omnipresent church, but still was not perfect because he was loyal to his faith, we had more figures like Thomas Muentzer who was a farmer who led serious unrest in the southern area following the reformtation time. Bismarck, and the Hohenzollern were gatekeepers for Hitler and the brutal regime. We never heard the word Nationalsocialism as the movement among Hitler was called, we always would say they were fascists, i guess the part socialism in Nationalsocialism was too close to their own ideals.

The regime was strong on education and getting hold of every mind and soul. It was common that children would be in an early kindergarten from the age of 6 months to 1 year, so the women could work immediatly after the birth. The children would then after entering school join the pioneers an free youth organization promoting boy scout style education mixed with paramilitary excercises. If you dont join them as some religious families would do, you risked that you will never see a university from inside. The aim was clearly to eliminate the control of the parents and make the children into real sociallistic citizens. There was an extra subject in the school, you learned the ideology of marxism and leninism, it was the worst subject because those teachers really were 150% loyal to their regime. Every school had a room where you would meet up with the organizations for meetings and there were always paintings and statues of Lenin, Marx, Engels and of course our leader Honecker. For those days you had to wear a special uniform.

Propaganda was always present, we had a job in the classroom to propagate everyday what was in the news, how much the west is lying about our country, ect. But we never left our culture behind us , Goethe and Heine remained sources of hideaways from such indoctrination.

December 10th, 2011, 5:32 pm

 

Juergen said:

Amir

Jupp I am from Berlin. If you up for i can show you my favorite nargileh cafe besides sightseeing… Berlin develops to be an favorite spot for Israelis. Many get apartments here too.

December 10th, 2011, 5:35 pm

 

jad said:

#Syria عشرة مقاربات فرنسية لما بعد الانسحاب الأميركي من العراق ومستقبل الأوضاع في سورية ..

بقلم نضال حمادة

يروي مصدر صحافي فرنسي كان على متن الطائرة التي أقلت وزير الخارجية الفرنسية (آلان جوبيه) في إحدى رحلاته إلى العاصمة الروسية موسكو لبحث الموضوع السوري،
يروي عن الوزير الفرنسي قوله إنه لم يشهد “المسؤولين الروس غاضبين بهذا الشكل منذ الحرب مع جورجيا” التي توسط الرئيس الفرنسي نيكولا ساركوزي باسم الغرب لوقفها، وبالتالي أوقف الزحف الروسي نحو العاصمة الجورجية تبيليسي.

ويضيف الصحافي الفرنسي أن “فرنسا الدبلوماسية التي تعيش منذ اندلاع ما يطلق عليه هنا تسمية (الربيع العربي) نشوة العودة إلى الساحة الدولية من منطق القوة العظمى الضاربة عسكريا والمقررة سياسيا، وهي تتعامل في الموضوع السوري بالتحديد ومنذ أيار الماضي، على أن الفيتو الروسي أمر واقع وهي، انطلاقاً من هذه المعرفة، تصعد سياسيا ودبلوماسيا وعينها على تركيا التي يريد منها الغرب أن تخوض الحرب العسكرية ضد سورية”.

فالأوروبيون، يقول الصحفي، الذين لا يطيقون السوريين لا يحبون الأتراك أيضاً، وقد يتخلصوا من الاثنين معا وكلنا نعرف المواقف الفرنسية من دخول تركيا للاتحاد الأوروبي فضلا عن الخلافات الكبيرة بين ساركوزي ورئيس الوزراء التركي رجب طيب أردوغان وآخرها التراشق الكلامي حول المذابح الأرمينية.

المصدر الصحفي الفرنسي يقول إن “اليأس الغربي من تركيا بلغ ذروته الأسبوع الماضي وذلك على خلفية معلومات تدور في الأوساط الدبلوماسية الفرنسية ومفادها أن تركيا قد تغير موقفها جذريا من سورية في حال في تدهور الوضع الأمني في العراق بعد الانسحاب الأميركي منه، حيث يخشى الأتراك صراعا طائفيا تكون فيه المنطقة الوحيدة الآمنة هي إقليم كردستان العراق ما يعزز نفوذ الأكراد في المنطقة ويسهل عملية استقلالهم الذي هو عمليا قائم منذ العام 2003″، ينتهي هنا كلام الصحافي الفرنسي.

في هذا السياق، وفي متابعة للوضع الفرنسي والأوروبي الداخلي المتعب اقتصاديا وبالتالي اجتماعيا، لا بد لكل من هو على قرب من هذه الأزمة ويعيشها أن يلحظ أن التهديدات بتدخل عسكري في سورية لا يمكن أن تأتي إلا من خلال عملية ضغط سياسية ونفسية.
ثم إنه ليس من قدرة حقيقية على خوض حرب مكلفة على عكس ما كانت عليه الحرب الليبية رغم تطوع السعودية وقطر بدفع تكاليف الحرب المادية لكن الغرب حساباته أكبر من تخيلات بعض الدول الخليجية الصغيرة التي تعيش قوة الاستثمار حالياً.

ومن هنا تكمن المقاربة الفرنسية للوضع بعد الانسحاب الأميركي من العراق وفي سورية في عشر نقاط هي التالية:

1– اعتبار الموقف الروسي الداعم لسورية أمرا واقعا ونهائيا ويقتضي العمل تحت سقفه والضغط عليه التفافا آو مباشرة.
2 – العمل مع العرب وتركيا على لجم النفوذ الإيراني في العراق بعد الانسحاب الأميركي منه ومنع تدهور الوضع الأمني حتى لا ينتقل لدول الجوار من اليمن حتى لبنان مرورا بالسعودية.
3 – التعامل مع صعود الإخوان المسلمين في الدول العربية كمصلحة إستراتيجية غربية خصوصا في السعي لحصار النفوذ الإيراني في العراق.
4 – تركيا هي الدولة الوحيدة القادرة على خوض حرب برية في سورية، ومن دون تعاونها لا نتيجة ترجى.
5 – الوضع الاقتصادي الفرنسي والأوروبي لا يسمح بخوض حرب في منطقة الشرق الأوسط سوف تطال إسرائيل وتشعل أسعار النفط.
6– لن ترسل فرنسا أية قوات برية إلى سورية، وهذا هو موقف الولايات المتحدة أيضا.
7- سياسة الحصار الاقتصادي نفسها طويل الأمد ويجب تعاون العراق ولبنان والأردن لنجاحها.
8 – يجب الضغط على إيران في الملف النووي، حتى نشغلها عن دعم النظام السوري .
9- يجب تجنب تأثر لبنان بما يحدث في سورية وبالتالي تحييد حزب الله حاليا على الأقل، وطمأنته لناحية عدم حصار حكومة ميقاتي.
10– يتم العمل على سلاح حزب الله بعد سقوط النظام في سورية.

http://www.almanar.com.lb/adetails.php?eid=147076&frid=51&seccatid=161&cid=51&fromval=1

December 10th, 2011, 5:45 pm

 

Khalid Tlass said:

But I heard that the East German communist regime was infiltrated thoroughly by ex-Gestapo and ex-SS officers ? How else can u explain the extreme anti-semitism of the East German regime ?

Also, traditionally, East Germany and Prussia was a reservoir for Nazi officers.

December 10th, 2011, 5:46 pm

 

Khalid Tlass said:

Amir, ABOUD had a slanging match with Husam and some others over Zionism, etc. They accused him of Zionism and Aboud lost his cool. OTW put him on moderation, and you know how Aboud is, he won’t visit the blog until the moderation is lifted.

Amir, do you think RPG-7 HEAT rounds can destroy the Tanks that the Syrian Army uses ?

December 10th, 2011, 5:48 pm

 

Juergen said:

You are right when it comes to the establishment of the Volkspolizei(police forces) and the Volksarmee( armed forces). Here the denazification was lousy or sometimes they integrated top notch officers in order to build up the forces. Antisemitism was more a result of copying the soviets. The was a strong position among the communists against the creation of the jewish state, i assume that Zionism was also seen as an rival of some sort to the communist ideology, and the state was in the beginning very much alike any other socialist country, at least from the ideology. Jews were nonevertheless discriminated and synagoges were as closely watched as chruches, i think they always believed that a jew would work for the enemy state Israel. But overall antisemitism was not bigger than in West Germany. In the regimes propaganda Israel was always the agent provocateur and the willing excecutor of US plans in the region.
But there were of course also the good jews, I remember that f.e Ofra Haza was often performing in Berlin.

As long as I can remember Jassir Arafat and Colonel Gaddafi were present at any large demonstration for the regime, and i had to turn 14 to hear that those two were also Muslim. The religious side of them was well hidden for us in the GDR.

December 10th, 2011, 6:04 pm

 

Amir in Tel Aviv said:

Khalid,

You asked me before and I answered you. Any way, RPG-7 can definitely damage and even paralyze any tank that has no active protection system. Depends on where the tank is being hit. As far as I know, Syrian tanks have no such systems. More importantly, think about the tank crews. Unlike in the Merkava, that is designed to accommodate the crew for days (food drink air sleep special-lavatory), the Syrian tanks have no such facilities. Think about the tank crew who knows there are RPG7 around the tank.

Juergen,

Yes, Berlin became a hub for Israelis. Quite a phenomenon, if you ask me… Any way, I have a question for you, if it’s OK. This visit, I want to focus on the slams parts of Berlin. The neighborhoods that the tourist information will not recommend visiting. Can you tell me what part of Berlin could be considered as slams? Just write the name of a street, so I can Google map it. Thanks.
.

December 10th, 2011, 6:07 pm

 

zoo said:

Arab League to meet this week on Syria-agency
Sat Dec 10, 2011 4:06pm GMT

CAIRO Dec 10 (Reuters) – Arab League foreign ministers will meet in Cairo at the end of the coming week to discuss a response to Syria’s conditional acceptance of an Arab peace plan, Egypt’s MENA news agency quoted a League official as saying on Saturday.

Syria faces sanctions from Arab nations in response to its violent crackdown on protests against President Bashar al-Assad.

The Arab League has repeatedly extended deadlines for Syria to agree to a plan that would see Arab monitors oversee its withdrawal of troops from towns. The latest expired on Dec. 4.

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem wrote to the League saying Damascus was prepared to sign an ageement that would allow League monitors into Syria, but only if certain conditions were met, MENA quoted the unnamed official as saying.

MENA quoted Arab League Secretary General Nabil Elaraby as saying the foreign ministers would have to agree before responding to Moualem’s letter.

“We have once again called on Syria to sign the monitors agreement,” MENA quoted the official as saying. (Reporting by Patrick Werr; Editing by David Cowell)

December 10th, 2011, 6:12 pm

 

Juergen said:

Robert Fisk: Bankers are the dictators of the West

Writing from the very region that produces more clichés per square foot than any other “story” – the Middle East – I should perhaps pause before I say I have never read so much garbage, so much utter drivel, as I have about the world financial crisis.

But I will not hold my fire. It seems to me that the reporting of the collapse of capitalism has reached a new low which even the Middle East cannot surpass for sheer unadulterated obedience to the very institutions and Harvard “experts” who have helped to bring about the whole criminal disaster.

Let’s kick off with the “Arab Spring” – in itself a grotesque verbal distortion of the great Arab/Muslim awakening which is shaking the Middle East – and the trashy parallels with the social protests in Western capitals. We’ve been deluged with reports of how the poor or the disadvantaged in the West have “taken a leaf” out of the “Arab spring” book, how demonstrators in America, Canada, Britain, Spain and Greece have been “inspired” by the huge demonstrations that brought down the regimes in Egypt, Tunisia and – up to a point – Libya. But this is nonsense.

The real comparison, needless to say, has been dodged by Western reporters, so keen to extol the anti-dictator rebellions of the Arabs, so anxious to ignore protests against “democratic” Western governments, so desperate to disparage these demonstrations, to suggest that they are merely picking up on the latest fad in the Arab world. The truth is somewhat different. What drove the Arabs in their tens of thousands and then their millions on to the streets of Middle East capitals was a demand for dignity and a refusal to accept that the local family-ruled dictators actually owned their countries. The Mubaraks and the Ben Alis and the Gaddafis and the kings and emirs of the Gulf (and Jordan) and the Assads all believed that they had property rights to their entire nations. Egypt belonged to Mubarak Inc, Tunisia to Ben Ali Inc (and the Traboulsi family), Libya to Gaddafi Inc. And so on. The Arab martyrs against dictatorship died to prove that their countries belonged to their own people.

And that is the true parallel in the West. The protest movements are indeed against Big Business – a perfectly justified cause – and against “governments”. What they have really divined, however, albeit a bit late in the day, is that they have for decades bought into a fraudulent democracy: they dutifully vote for political parties – which then hand their democratic mandate and people’s power to the banks and the derivative traders and the rating agencies, all three backed up by the slovenly and dishonest coterie of “experts” from America’s top universities and “think tanks”, who maintain the fiction that this is a crisis of globalisation rather than a massive financial con trick foisted on the voters.

The banks and the rating agencies have become the dictators of the West. Like the Mubaraks and Ben Alis, the banks believed – and still believe – they are owners of their countries. The elections which give them power have – through the gutlessness and collusion of governments – become as false as the polls to which the Arabs were forced to troop decade after decade to anoint their own national property owners. Goldman Sachs and the Royal Bank of Scotland became the Mubaraks and Ben Alis of the US and the UK, each gobbling up the people’s wealth in bogus rewards and bonuses for their vicious bosses on a scale infinitely more rapacious than their greedy Arab dictator-brothers could imagine.

I didn’t need Charles Ferguson’s Inside Job on BBC2 this week – though it helped – to teach me that the ratings agencies and the US banks are interchangeable, that their personnel move seamlessly between agency, bank and US government. The ratings lads (almost always lads, of course) who AAA-rated sub-prime loans and derivatives in America are now – via their poisonous influence on the markets – clawing down the people of Europe by threatening to lower or withdraw the very same ratings from European nations which they lavished upon criminals before the financial crash in the US. I believe that understatement tends to win arguments. But, forgive me, who are these creatures whose ratings agencies now put more fear into the French than Rommel did in 1940?

Why don’t my journalist mates in Wall Street tell me? How come the BBC and CNN and – oh, dear, even al-Jazeera – treat these criminal communities as unquestionable institutions of power? Why no investigations – Inside Job started along the path – into these scandalous double-dealers? It reminds me so much of the equally craven way that so many American reporters cover the Middle East, eerily avoiding any direct criticism of Israel, abetted by an army of pro-Likud lobbyists to explain to viewers why American “peacemaking” in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can be trusted, why the good guys are “moderates”, the bad guys “terrorists”.

The Arabs have at least begun to shrug off this nonsense. But when the Wall Street protesters do the same, they become “anarchists”, the social “terrorists” of American streets who dare to demand that the Bernankes and Geithners should face the same kind of trial as Hosni Mubarak. We in the West – our governments – have created our dictators. But, unlike the Arabs, we can’t touch them.

The Irish Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, solemnly informed his people this week that they were not responsible for the crisis in which they found themselves. They already knew that, of course. What he did not tell them was who was to blame. Isn’t it time he and his fellow EU prime ministers did tell us? And our reporters, too?

http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/fisk/robert-fisk-bankers-are-the-dictators-of-the-west-6275084.html

December 10th, 2011, 6:18 pm

 

zoo said:

KSA set to face widespread uprising: watch 21th Muharram

The protesters are angry with the government troops killing anti-regime protesters in the Eastern Province.

The killings have sparked protest rallies in several cities, including Awamiyah and Qatif.

Saudi activists named this week’s march “Loyalty to the Martyrs”.

Al Ahmed: In Riyadh for example, the Saudi monarchy is at its weakest. If we witness on the 21rst of Muharram large gathering, you would see that the regime and the security forces will be reluctant to use brutal force against the protesters and they will be forced to capitulate and that is the key challenge now for activists is to amass large number of people in Riyadh on the 21rst of Muharram.

They have already started, they have their own facebook account, their twitter account so we have seen people on YouTube using and calling for bringing more people on that day.

So you have sisters and mothers of detainees, 30 thousand plus detainees, political detainees and even young men who are on YouTube saying let’s go, let’s unite to bring freedom to the prisoners and to bring change to our country.

So I am hoping this will happen on the 21rst of Muharram.

http://www.presstv.ir/detail/214945.html

December 10th, 2011, 6:19 pm

 

Juergen said:

Amir

well there are three areas i would say, Lichtenberg in the eastern part, Wedding in the northern part and where i live in Neukölln.

Lichtenberg- landsbergerallee and surroundings, especially in those social housing areas

Wedding Muellerstrasse, mostly folks with an foreign backgound live here, most come from Turkey, Lebanon ( we have about 50.000 of them, most of them are Palestininans)

Neukölln, the most famoust hotspot, known in all Germany. 170 different national backgrounds live more apart from each other than together. Hotspots are: Rollbergstrasse, Hermannplatz, and the parc Hasenheide-famous for the drugdealing… Near where i live we have two salafi mosques, so sometimes i joke with my syrian friends that my area may host more salafis than Syria does…

December 10th, 2011, 6:31 pm

 

Tara said:

Another deadline by the AL? 150 more to die until then.

If AL has regional agenda, why then postponing a decision from one ultimatum to the other? I hope we are not fooled by the AL’s apparent “concerns” in regard to the Syrian people. Bashar is perceiving these multiple ultimatums as a permission to kill in an attempt to finish off the revolution. November was the bloodiest month. December appears to be even bloodier. Syrians unfortunately are all alone…I do not care about Hamad any more. He did not stay the course, or may be I misconstrued the course to start with. This is disappointing.

December 10th, 2011, 7:20 pm

 

jna said:

This is a big negative, in my estimation, for the Assad regime. They’re going backwards. The Red Cross is a strictly humanitarian, not political, organization. The government is hiding what’s going on inside the prisons.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/red-cross-halts-some-monitoring-inside-syria/2011/12/08/gIQAZqFKgO_story.html

The International Committee of the Red Cross has suspended efforts to monitor treatment of detainees inside Syria because of difficulties working with the regime, ending one of the few independent efforts to investigate allegations of violence and torture inside the country.

The decision by the Geneva-based organization, confirmed Thursday, came amid new reports of sabotage near the restive city of Homs, including what opposition groups described as a successful attack on a major oil pipeline near the city. The official Syrian Arab News Agency blamed the bombing on “terrorists,” suggesting that it was carried out by one of several groups that have recently launched attacks against the government of President Bashar al-Assad.

The ICRC had sought permission to make regular visits to makeshift detention centers where Syrian authorities reportedly are keeping as many as 14,000 people who have been locked up since the uprising began nine months ago. But after managing only a single, carefully choreographed visit to one facility in September, the group decided to halt the effort, Red Cross officials said.

“In order to obtain an objective view on the conditions and treatment of detainees, certain conditions have to be met during the ICRC’s visit to detainees,” said Simon Schorno, a spokesman for the ICRC in Washington. “Its delegates must be able to tour the facilities, talk in private with the detainees of their choice and repeat visits as often as deemed necessary.”

Such a public spat is rare, as the ICRC generally keeps its disputes with governments private to preserve a neutral posture while ensuring continued access to detainees, war refugees and others in conflict zones.

At a news conference in Geneva, ICRC President Jakob Kellenberger described the situation in Syria as “extremely serious” but said it had not risen to the level of civil war, as the agency defines the term. The ICRC routinely assesses violent conflicts to determine whether they qualify as civil wars subject to the rules of the Geneva Conventions.
…..read on……

December 10th, 2011, 7:21 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Amir
I am a physician, and never had experience in Tanks, but I was told that tanks limitations are Muddy soil,damage to the belt and the needs of the crew do you agree?

December 10th, 2011, 7:24 pm

 

Norman said:

Zoo,

God welling, God welling,

Tara,

150 is many but better than 50,000 if there in an invasion of Syria. Syria is 5 times the population of Libya,

December 10th, 2011, 7:31 pm

 

Norman said:

The Mideast including Turkey is heading toward a civil war and by now everybody knows it , the only way out is for significant crack down on the opposition in Syria, in return forcing the government in Damascus to have special dates for elections

——————————————————————————–

العلويون في تركيا يخشون سقوط نظام بشار الأسد

أ. ف. ب. GMT 13:00:00 2011 السبت 10 ديسمبر

أنطاكية: في مدينة أنطاكية التركية الصغيرة، الواقعة عند تخوم سوريا، لا تحظى مواقف أنقرة ضد نظام دمشق بالإجماع. فالعلويون، الذين يشكلون مجموعة كبيرة في المدينة، يدافعون عن الرئيس بشار الأسد، وهو علوي، ويخشون سقوط نظامه.

وقال علي يرال رئيس جمعية “أهل البيت” للعلويين في أنطاكية “نعلم جيدًا أنه لا يوجد قمع في سوريا. بالتأكيد هناك بعض المشاكل الصغيرة (…) لكن يجب إعطاء الوقت لنظام الرئيس بشار الأسد لينفذ الإصلاحات الديمقراطية”.

وأضاف “إن ملايين الناس ينزلون إلى الشارع لدعم إصلاحاته. لكن بعض التلفزيونات، وخاصة (قناة) الجزيرة، تسعى بكل قواها إلى طمس هذا الأمر، وتظهر على عكس ذلك 200 أو 300 عنصر من منظمة إرهابية دموية يتظاهرون”.

والعلويون مسلمون أقرب إلى الشيعة، ويقدر عددهم بحوالى مليوني شخص في سوريا، حيث يحظون بتمثيل قوي في صفوف الجيش وحزب البعث الحاكم.

وفي تركيا، يقدر عدد العلويين الناطقين بالعربية بمئات الآلاف، يعيشون خصوصًا في محافظة أنطاكية، ويقيمون علاقات وثيقة مع الجانب الآخر من الحدود. وينبغي عدم الخلط بينهم وبين العلويين في الأناضول الناطقين بالتركية والكردية.

وقالت سهيلة كوتشاك الممثلة في المسرح البلدي في أنطاكية، التي كانت فرقتها الأولى، التي تعدّ مسرحية بالعربية في تركيا، ولعبت مرات عدة في سوريا، “إن كل شيء هادىء في المدن (السورية). وفي اللاذقية (شمال غرب) لا شي يحدث. الناس الذين يأتون إلينا يقولون إنهم يعيشون كالمعتاد”.

وأضافت الفنانة العلوية “فأين تقع الحوادث؟ في مناطق نائية، حيث الناس جهلة، وحيث ينفعلون بسهولة. ففي أماكن كهذه يقاتلون ويتقاتلون”.

ويرى يوسف متلو، وهو صاحب مطعم، أن مثيري الاضطرابات هم حركة الإخوان المسلمين، المحظورة في سوريا، التي قمعها الجيش بعنف في 1980 في جسر الشغور (شمال غرب) بالقرب من الحدود التركية، ثم في 1982 في مدينة حماه (وسط).

وقال متلو، وهو علوي أيضًا، وينظر بتعاطف إلى اللاجئين السوريين، المقدر عددهم بحوالى 7500 في محافظة أنطاكية، وإلى رواياتهم المريعة عن العمليات التي يقوم بها الجيش السوري، “فهل يتعلق الأمر بالجيش أو بالأحرى بحزب الإخوان المسلمين؟. في كل الأحوال فإن أولئك الذين يتسببون بحوادث هم من الإخوان المسلمين”.

هذا الرجل غير مقتنع هو الآخر بدعوات أنقرة إلى استقالة الأسد، وفرض عقوبات اقتصادية لإرغام النظام السوري على وقف قمع حركات المعارضة، الذي أوقع أكثر من أربعة آلاف قتيل في خلال تسعة أشهر، بحسب الأمم المتحدة، بعدما كانت العلاقات بين البلدين في أحسن حالاتها قبل سنة.

لكنه يخشى خصوصًا من أي دمج للمجموعة العلوية بالنظام.

وقال “بصفتي علوي، جرحني ذلك بعمق (…) أن يقوم مسؤول في الجمهورية التركية بالتمييز الطائفي”، منددًا بتصريحات لنائب رئيس حزب العدالة والتنمية (الإسلامي المحافظ) الحاكم حسين تشيليك، أكد فيها في مطلع أيلول/سبتمبر على دور العلويين في أجهزة الحكم السوري، لأن هذا الدمج يخفي وراءه تهديدًا بأعمال انتقامية من المجموعة في سوريا وغيرها، كما قال علي يرال.

وأضاف الأخير “في حال الإطاحة بالأسد من المؤكد أن العلويين سيتعرّضون لمجزرة. وبعد ذلك، سيكون حزب الله اللبناني الهدف، ثم العراق، ثم إيران، وسيمتد ذلك إلى تركيا والمملكة العربية السعودية…”.

http://www.elaph.com/Web/news/2011/12/701472.html

إغلاق النافذة

December 10th, 2011, 7:45 pm

 

ann said:

Aggression Is Closing On Syria – 10. Dec, 2011

“When plunder becomes a way of life for a group of men living in society, they create for themselves, in the course of time, a legal system that authorizes it and a moral code that glorifies it.” Frederic Bastiat, French thinker (1801-1850).

_____________________________________________

The U.S. and its allies are preparing for aggression against the Syria as part of the U.S.-Israel destabilisation agenda in the region. The pretext is, as usual; the “protection of civilians” and installing of Western-style “democracy”. But in reality, nothing could be further from the truth. The aim is to topple the current Syrian government and replace it with a puppet government subservient to U.S.-Israel Zionist interests.

It should be note that because of Syria’s support for the Palestinian and Lebanese resistance to Israel’s terror and Syria’s ties with Iran, the Syrian government of President Bashar al-Assad deemed a ”threat” to U.S. and Israel interests. Hence, a Syrian regime subservient to U.S.-Israel dictates is vital to isolate Iran and ignores Israel’s Zionist expansion.

The ongoing foreign interference in Syria’s internal affairs is a reminder of the recent criminal foreign interference in Libya, which began with the imposition of a “no-fly” zone over Libya that was an illegal military invasion of Libya. Media reports show that the U.S. and Israel have hired Saudi and Lebanese elements to foment unrest in Syria and create a rift between the government and the Syrian people based on sectarian divisions.

The demonization campaign by the U.S. and its allies to delegitimize the Syrian government is similar to the demonization campaign that was carried out in Libya. On 25 November 2011, the Arab League – a collection of illegitimate despots controlled by Saudi Arabia and other Gulf oil fiefdoms – suspended Syria’s membership in the Arab League and called for economic and diplomatic sanctions against the nation of Syria. Like Libya, the suspension of Syria from the Arab league provides the U.S. and its allies with a fig-leaf to attack Syria and wage war against another Muslim nation.

The Arab League has a long history of betrayal and has become irrelevant. “ It is Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) that have helped hijack the League. The GCC is comprised of the Arabian Gulf petro-sheikhdoms of the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, and Saudi Arabia. None of these countries are model states, let alone democracies. Their U.S.-installed leaders have betrayed the Palestinians, helped attack Iraq, support Israel against Lebanon, demolished Libya, and now they conspire against Syria and its regional allies”. He added; “[The Arab League] has been hijacked and serves Washington and its NATO allies instead of any genuinely Arab interests”. Like the GCC, the Arab league is a tool of U.S. imperialism. Its shameful act against Syria (a rehearsal of its shameful act against Libya) is an act of war against another Arab nation.

The most shameful of all of this is the role of the U.S.-backed Arab despots lead by Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates. It is ironic that these despots are motivated by concern for human rights and democracy in Syria. Decades of repression, embezzlement of the peoples’ wealth and resources by these despotic regimes led to high levels of inequality and corruption. Despite their wealth, they remain backwards indulging in Western decadence and turning away from Islam as a way of life. They espouse and practise an extremist (Islamic) sect that is destroying Islam as a great religion. They are unelected, illegitimate rulers and do not tolerate any opposition to their tyrannical rule.

Saudi Arabia, of course, is the world’s most repressive regime. It is also the U.S. closest ally. It is an absolute monarchy which sees freedom and human rights as a threat to its corrupt ruling class. Ordinary Saudi women are excluded from employment, which is very high (40%) among young men and women. Saudi Arabia’s so-called “anti-terror” law criminalises dissent as “terrorist crimes” and allows for long detention of people without charge. Dissent in Saudi Arabia is dealt with brutally. On 21 November 2011, Saudi troops opened fire on a peaceful demonstration in Qatif in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province, killing more than four demonstrators and injuring more. Saudi rulers don’t even tolerate dissent in their neighbouring countries.

In March 2011, Saudi forces invaded Bahrain and brutally crushed pro-democracy protesters. The invasion was encouraged and supported by the U.S. administration. The recent report by the King of Bahrain appointed commission, Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) was an orchestrated whitewash designed to enforce the rule of the despotic monarchy. Nevertheless the report found “systematic abuses of human rights” during the government attacks on pro-democracy protests. The 500-page report outlines various abuses committed by King Hamad Bin Isa al-Khalifa’s despotic regime. According to the report, detainees – including medical staff whose only crimes were to treat injured protesters – were tortured and sexually abused. The report was immediately buried by Western media before it saw daylight.

Step by step, the Libyan model is being implemented in Syria. On 28 November, the UN – the right arm of U.S. imperialism – accused Syrian forces of “crimes against humanity” in their defence of the Syrian nation against Western-sponsored armed gangs and terrorists. The so-called ‘UN Human Rights Council’ report is entirely based on lies fabricated by expatriates in London, Paris and Washington. While the report accuses the government of “committed atrocities”, the report has completely omitted the death and torture of thousands of Syrians, including soldiers and police by the armed gangs. The report main purpose is to demonise the Syrian government and justify Western armed aggression. The report was immediately disseminated by Western propaganda organs, including the BBC, CNN, Fox News, Al-Jazeera and the print media led by the Murdoch Press.

The report was a carbon copy of the UN reports on Iraq and Libya before they were invaded and destroyed by the U.S.-NATO militaries. The same pack of lies that were used to justify U.S barbaric aggression against Iraq has been recycled against Syria. The report is a prelude to a U.S.-NATO aggression against Syria. Where was the UN Human Rights Council when the U.S. perpetrated genocide in Iraq? It is evident that the UN is playing the role of a facilitator of Western-perpetrated war crimes. Disinformation is important and effective in manipulating public opinion and creating an atmosphere of war.

While the UN is busy manipulating world’s public opinions on behalf of U.S.-NATO armies, British Prime Minister David Cameron and the Qatari despot, Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem al-Thani, pledged to support (i.e., shipment of arms and money) the Syrian “opposition groups” in an attempt to shore up “democracy”. Of course, David Cameron and the Qatari despot love for democracy is evident in their violent destruction of Libya. Today, Libya is a mirror image of Iraq, looted, ruined and mired in violence. Tens of thousands of Libyans (and Africans) have been murdered, thousands are languishing in torturous prisons and a third of the population is displaced.

Still blood-thirsty, French President Nicolas Sarkozy has called for the creation of a secure “humanitarian zone” to protect civilians similar to the Libyan “humanitarian zone” where thousands of innocent civilians were murdered by U.S.-NATO armies. The pretext of “human rights” to justify war of aggression has been around since the rise of Adolf Hitler’s Germany. The German Nazis used the pretexts of “protecting civilians” to justify military invasions and violence. Indeed, since the early 1990s, the world has witnessing the rise and rise of Anglo-American fascism invading and terrorising defenceless nations and leaving them in complete ruin on the pretext of “protecting civilians”.

According to the Turkish daily newspaper, Milliyet (28 November 2011): “France sent its military training forces to Turkey and Lebanon to coach the so-called Free [Syrian] Army — a group of defectors operating out of Turkey and Lebanon — in an effort to wage war against Syria”. Foreign mercenaries have been pouring through the border with Lebanon. As mentioned earlier, they are armed and financed by the CIA, Britain’s MI6, Israel’s Mossad, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan.

It is important to remember that, the armed insurrection – financed and armed by the U.S., Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey, Israel, Lebanon and Jordan – against the Syrian government has been confined to smaller cities and towns along the borders with Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey. (For more, see my Target Syria ). The overwhelming majority of Syrians support President Bashar al-Assad, particularly in major population centres, such as Damascus, Latakia and Aleppo . Recent pro-government demonstrations in these major cities have attracted millions of al-Assad supporters.

Meanwhile, Turkey is exploiting the violence to serve Turkey’s and NATO imperialist interests. Turkey has been promoting the creation of “a buffer zone” in Syria to train and arm the so-called “Syrian resistance” to the Syrian government. In its flagrant interfere in Syrian domestic affairs, Turkey has sponsored several conferences aimed at building an opposition to the Syrian government and Turkey was instrumental in creating the so-called Syrian National Council (SNC), a fractious coalition of expatriates and armed extremists. Their leaders have already indicated that they will cut Syria’s ties with Iran and with the Palestinian and Lebanese resistance movements once they are in a position of “power” in Syria. In a recent interview with the Wall Street Journal , the SCN spokesman , “Burhan Ghalioun, was forced (and there is no other explanation for it) to come clean about the nature of the payback required of the Syrian opposition by its US, Turkish, Gulf, and European supporters”, observed Ibrahim al-Amin , editor-in-chief of al-Akhbar news. Large quantities of weapons have been smuggled into Syria from Turkey to foment civil war in the country. Turkey is even contemplating an invasion of Syria if Ankara receives the green light from Washington. Turkey is not interfering in Syria’s internal affairs because “White Turks” suddenly began to care about human rights and democracy in the Arab World, Turkey’s interference is self-serving and on behalf of U.S.-Israel Zionist interests.

Turkey pretends to be an even-handed “mediator” in the region, a “bridge” between the West and Muslim nations. In reality, White Turks are subservient to Western imperialism and have been performing the role of an imperialist proxy since the rise of Kamal Ataturk. While Turkey prides itself of being a Muslim nation, Turkey espouses a Western-oriented “Calvinist Islam”, which clearly conflicts with Islamic principles. Turkey’s decades-long relationship with the Zionist state of Israel and Turkey’s participation in U.S.-NATO (Turkey is a NATO member) wars against Muslim nations are anti-Islam. Indeed, many ordinary Turks have condemned Turkey’s role in the U.S.-NATO destruction of Libya and the mass murder of Libyan civilians. Furthermore, Turkey’s decision to allow the U.S.-NATO to deploy nuclear missiles “shield” on its soil that is directly aimed at Iran and other Muslim nations is an outright hypocrisy and a betrayal of Islam.

Turkey’s recent posturing as a champion of Palestine is an opportunistic rhetoric designed for domestic and regional consumption. If White Turks really care about human rights, they will end Turkey’s cooperation with Israel and impose economic sanction against the Zionist state. White Turks should be concern about human rights in their own backyard. The Arabs should and must reject Turkey’s new role as a gendarme on behalf of imperialism and Zionism.

U.S. interference in the affairs of sovereign nations, including Arab nation is well-documented. The U.S. is the greatest enemy of democracy, human rights and international law. Regarding democracy, U.S. ruling class prefers what Hillary Clinton called: “The kind of democracy that we want to see”. The kind of democracy in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Iran under the torturer Shah Reza Behlavi, Egypt under the tyrannical Mubarak and Chile under the fascist regime of Augusto Pinochet. In fact, it would be very difficult to name a single murderous dictator that was not (put in power) financed and armed by the U.S. and its allies. The U.S. has long love affairs with murderous dictators and fascists.

Furthermore, U.S. agencies and think-tanks, such as the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), George Soros’ Open Society Institute (OSI), the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and many more are directly involved in financing opposition groups in the Arab world and beyond. The New York Times (14 April 2011) revealed, “ a number of the groups and individuals directly involved in the revolts and reforms sweeping the [Middle east], including the April 6 Youth Movement in Egypt, the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights and grass-roots activists like Entsar Qadhi, a youth leader in Yemen, received training and financing from groups like the International Republican Institute, the National Democratic Institute and Freedom House, a non-profit human rights organization based in Washington”. In Syria, NED is directly involved in financing the armed insurrection in Syria through its partner, the Damascus Centre for Human Rights Studies, an anti-Syrian government organisation. In the case of Egypt, the U.S. supported the Mubarak regime to the end. Once Mubarak was ousted, the U.S. switched sides and has begun promoting divisions and sectarianism. At the same time, the U.S. continues to work with its faithful client, the Egyptian Army to manipulate the “revolution” to serve U.S.-Israel Zionist interests. However, if regime change cannot be achieved through what is so-called “colour revolution” and economic sanctions, the U.S. uses military intervention (illegal aggression) to achieve its goal. It happened in Iraq, Yugoslavia, Libya and it is closing on Syria.

Finally, Syria is not a perfect country. Like in every country, Syria has internal oppositions of several parties. T hey are against violence and foreign interference in their country’s affairs. The Syrian people want real reforms – economic and political reforms – that serve their interests. The Syrian people have suffered greatly in the last decade. As a result of economic sanctions imposed by the U.S. and more than 2 million Iraqi refugees, the Syrian economy has stagnated and living conditions have deteriorated. The Syrian people don’t want U.S.-sponsored regime change. An opinion poll conducted in March 2009 revealed that more than two-thirds of the Syrian population viewed the U.S. unfavourably. The decision to change the current Syrian government and political system remains in the hands of the Syrian people.

With powerful forces gathered against them, the Syrian people are facing violent aggression to destroy and plunder their nation. There is no excuse to remain on the sideline, complicit in war crimes and crimes against humanity. The struggle to uphold international law and oppose aggression must continue.

December 10th, 2011, 8:12 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Does Bashar the Booha understand the consequences of bounding Homs,it certainly means he no longer has days but hours,It will only take few hours for his planes to fall and his tanks with the soldiers will be completely destroyd,and his life and his family will be close to the end.
It will be the biggest mistake he did through out all his life ,when some one makes a mistake like this, he is committing suicide,
A mistake of such magnitude where 1.3 million life in danger,is so huge his advisers better tell him the truth.
Is he that stupid?like Nero of Rome.

December 10th, 2011, 8:32 pm

 

Syrian Nationalist Party said:

353. annsaid:

Aggression Is Closing On Syria – 10. Dec, 2011

“When plunder becomes a way of life for a group of men living in society, they create for themselves, in the course of time, a legal system that authorizes it and a moral code that glorifies it.” Frederic Bastiat, French thinker (1801-1850).

The U.S. and its allies are preparing for aggression against the Syria as part of the U.S.-Israel destabilisation agenda in the region. The pretext is, as usual; the “protection of civilians” and installing of Western-style “democracy”. But in reality, nothing could be further from the truth. The aim is to topple the current Syrian government and replace it with a puppet government subservient to U.S.-Israel Zionist interests.
________________________________________________________

Only one person you can blame for Syria’s trouble: BASHAR ASSAD, he got 12 years of wasted time, even worse: 9 months of dilly-dally and playing the power game. It would take him about 2 days to pass all the Presidential decrees to put Syria on the right track.

December 10th, 2011, 8:33 pm

 

ann said:

Under the Flag of Islamism – December 10, 2011

http://hpronline.org/world/under-the-flag-of-islamism/17061/

Christian minorities in the Middle East fear new regimes

In early October of this year, 24 Egyptian demonstrators died in the country’s worst episode of violence since Mubarak’s fall in February. The clash between Coptic Christians and government forces highlights the religious diversity of region many assume to be monolithic. Copts took to the streets of Cairo to protest an attack on a Coptic church, only to be considered—mistakenly or otherwise—as a potentially aggressive force, leading to the fatal confrontation.

As many countries, newly free from decades-long authoritarian rule, begin to form new democratic systems, Christians face an uncertain role in social and political life. Many fear the emergence of political parties and movements as the prominent face of Islamism: itself a political ideology that believes the values of the state should reflect those of Islam. The increasing prominence of Islamism in the Middle East has caused alarm in some Christian communities, forcing them to evaluate their place in society and the role they hope to play in any new political system. Theirs is not misplaced apprehension; the rise of Islamism and its potential consequences for Christians remains a valid concern, given the prominent role many Islamist parties assume in the new political discourse.

Historical Legacies

Like many other aspects of sociopolitical and economic life in the Middle East, Western imperialism shaped Christians’ position in the region. Given the mission civilisatrice aspect of French and British colonialism, Christians often enjoyed certain privileges that their Muslim counterparts lacked. “There was this idea of…the obligation of the French and the British to protect the Christian minorities,” explains Harvard Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations Professor William Granara. Christian support for their foreign rulers, tacit or otherwise, proved a double-edged sword. As European empires crumbled, many Christians vocally supported the cause of Arab nationalism in an effort to stave off the advances of Islamism, a movement angry at the elevation of their Christian neighbors and eager to return to a more fundamentalist approach to Islam in government.

Harvard Visiting Professor Kirk Beattie explains, “For Christians, Arab nationalism was a political ideology they could pin their hopes on, in a way they obviously wouldn’t want to do with an Islamist formula.” The secular nature of Arab nationalism provided an outlet for Christian political expression and promised equal citizenship in a way Christians felt Islamism could not. Christians recognized the potential threat of conservative Islamist movements to their standing in society, and retreated into secularism to prevent it.

The Revolutionary Fight

In Egypt, Christians participated in the February revolution just as actively as did Muslims. “Copts felt the heavy hand of the state in the same way Muslims did,” comments Beattie. Six decades worth of repression gave way to popular uprisings. As active participants in those uprisings, Christians— like the rest of the population— expected unthreatened recognition of their equality as citizens. The right to participate in government without fear of repression, religious or otherwise, proved as primary a revolutionary motivation for Christian revolutionaries as it did for Muslims.

Nonetheless, the October clash in Cairo illustrates some Christians’ wariness of their new government’s real intentions. For decades, permits to build Christian churches required special permission from the government, while building mosques proved a much simpler affair. The transitional government has promised to aid church building, but has taken no action. The military’s violent response to the Coptic protests and its perceived hesitancy in turning over power to a civilian government have led Christians—and many Muslims—to express concern over the direction of Egypt’s future. Whether this military transitional government is specifically hostile to Christian political freedom or to political freedom in general, such an arrangement would nonetheless be a setback for Christian sociopolitical life.

The Rise of Islamism

Though Christians, like others in the Middle East, support the right to freedom of political expression so advanced by the revolutions, several experts note the prevalent worry that Islamism will restrict those very rights. In particular, analysts express concern about the imposition of Islam-based laws and implicit government policies supporting. No matter how great the desire for freedom, “there is a fear in the minds of a lot of people that the beneficiaries might end up being the Islamists,” says Beattie. Islamists could in turn attempt to consolidate their power by playing to the sentiments of a majority Muslim constituency, without turning to the voices of the Christian community.

The case in Syria presents a stark example of Christians’ fears of what could happen after authoritarian regimes fall. There has been surprising reluctance among Christians to support the fight against Bashar al-Assad. “The [Syrian] Alawite government has done a lot to protect other minorities,” says Granara. Indeed, given that al-Assad comes from a minority sect himself, his Ba’ath party has proven relatively accommodating. Though they may be critical of its totalitarian aspects, many Christians still support the Assad regime, given the protections they have been afforded. Christians in Syria look to Iraq as an example of the effects of sectarian tension. After Saddam Hussein’s fall in 2003, large numbers of Christians left the country, fearful of the persecution ensuing from sectarian strife.

Demographic Chages

Political turmoil, the rise of political Islamism, and general concern for the future have all prompted a troubling trend: the emigration of Christians from the Middle East. Habib C. Malik, in his book Islamism and the Future of the Christians of the Middle East, describes this emigration as an “exodus of individuals, families, and communities [that] proceeds unabated,” moving to Europe and the United States. Fearful of the possibility of secondary status in countries filled with sectarian strife or strong Islamist parties, Christians are preempting their concerns simply by leaving the area. This emigration of Christians could easily affect the structure or composition of new government systems. Their paucity could skew the representative structures that were ostensibly set up to provide fair and equal governance in countries that had not enjoyed such for decades.

All of these factors have combined to sow anxiety in the Christian communities of the Middle East. It is reasonable to predict that a conservative Islamist government could lead to clear delineations between Christians and Muslims. Whether that separation is explicitly embodied in law or implicitly embodied in tacit government practices, the Christian fear of living as not-quite-equals in countries purporting equality will have been vindicated. It may be that the rise of moderate, pluralist Islamist parties, such as Ennahda in Tunisia, and liberal democratic coalitions will be the saving grace for Christians, a middle ground between the authoritarianism of the regimes of the past and the discrimination of fundamentalist Islamism. If such governments fail to emerge, however, Christians could soon look back on the Arab Spring with some regret.

December 10th, 2011, 8:40 pm

 

Tara said:

http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/qatar/174949-nasrallahs-double-deal.html

Nasrallah’s double deal
08 December 2011 04:56

 Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah’s speech last week, after Prime Minister Najib Mikati announced the decision to transfer Lebanon’s share of the funding to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, was a big giveaway that the organisation is at its most desperate, given the uprising in Syria and the tightening of sanctions against Iran for its nuclear programme and increasing diplomatic row with the West after the recent attack on the British Embassy in Tehran.

In his speech, Nasrallah kept harping about the threat of sectarianism not only in  Lebanon but in Syria too. He said: “Some media outlets are trying to show that there is a sectarian conflict there.” He added: “Some are insisting that there are 3,000 fighters and that thousands of fighters from the Iraqi Mahdi army have entered Syria.” He declared that to be work of Hezbollah’s rivals and called on his followers for “self-restraint and avoiding sectarian rhetoric.”

This is radical change of tone for Nasrallah. We are not surprised, though, because we know that Nasrallah wants to show to his people that he is not, and will not be, a part of a possible sectarian conflict in Syria.

Nasrallah, however, didn’t forget to criticize former prime minister Saad Hariri accusing him and the March 14 parties for compromising on the Special Tribunal for Lebanon for “the sake of staying in power” only.
In all fairness, however, what Nasrallah termed “compromise” was actually a great personal sacrifice by Hariri for the sake of the Lebanese government’s stability. He put Lebanon’s national interest ahead of justice for his father’s killing.

Nasrallah also complained about Hariri’s lack of action during his time as prime minister which we really find funny. He complained that Hariri did not do anything during his short tenure while conveniently forgetting to mention that the Assads, who have been ruling Syria for over a decade, did precious little in terms of reforms or improvement like other dictators who were overthrown by the Arab Spring uprising. This only goes to show how biased his judgment is.

Also in his speech, Nasrallah questioned the legality of the payments made to the special tribunal, since Prime Minister Mikati used the budget of the Higher Relief Committee to fund the special tribunal. But I am wondering: could that be possible without the tacit approval of Hezbollah? It could have easily been done during Hariri’s government. And let’s not forget that the funding for the special tribunal could also be done through outside sources or donations. So why did this solution come only now?

Could it possibly be because Hezbollah tacitly agreed to it because of its current weak position since its allies, Syria and Iran, are facing problems of their own?

If this is the case, Nasrallah’s speech could only show him to be politically pragmatic.

If Mikati’s government had failed because of the dispute over the tribunal funding, Hezbollah and Syria would have been in a more difficult situation. And surely, neither Hezbollah nor Syria want the Mikati government to fail since it will be against their best interest.

Had it failed, Syria would be in a situation worse than it already is, since it would entail formation of a new Lebanese government and there is a big possibility that government might not be as friendly with Syria as the current one.

And with the sanctions recently passed by the Arab League, Syria faces bigger economic difficulties, and the situation would surely worsen if Mikati’s government falls, and Hariri or other rivals of Hezbollah come back to power and cut economic ties with Syria.

Hezbollah, by implicitly approving the tribunal funding, is trying to buy time and wait for the situation in Syria to improve and the Arab Spring uprising to die down, although in his speech, Nasrallah showed to the public that he was still against the funding of the tribunal.

I have little doubt this issue will be raised again next year. If the situation in Syria improves and the Arab Spring revolts cool down, Nasrallah would easily refuse funding the tribunal without seemingly changing his instance.

And finally, we should highlight that the only person benefitting from all this, is Prime Minister Najib Mikati. He comes out as the hero whatever the outcome of the tribunal funding has been.

First, if funding was not approved, he would have resigned as he had clearly announced, and would become the hero to the Sunni party for standing his ground.

Secondly, if the funding was approved, as it came to happen, he would still be a hero for being able to strike a deal that was once so difficult with Hezbollah on the special tribunal issue.

At the end of the day, it all boils down to survival. It is not surprising, therefore, if Hezbollah, Hamas, Brotherhood, Iran or whatever group it is, suddenly changes its tone when its survival is threatened. Ideologies are pushed aside when people are pushed into a corner and become pragmatic in order to survive.
the peninsula

December 10th, 2011, 8:44 pm

 

ann said:

Syrians stage candlelight vigil in memory of unrest victims, clashes still on – 2011-12-11

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2011-12/11/c_122405584.htm

DAMASCUS, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) — As fresh tensions were palpable between government forces and armed groups in the flashpoint city of Homs, some 2,000 Syrians gathered on Saturday evening for a candlelight vigil at a main square in the capital Damascus, in a show of solidarity with President Bashar al-Assad and in memory of the victims of the nearly nine-month-old unrest.

Holding candles and photos of al-Assad, the crowd in the Sabe Bahrat Square were chanting pro-government slogans.

Al-Assad has lately said that some 1,100 policemen, security agents and military personnel had been killed by the alleged terrorist groups in the country. However, the United Nations put the death toll in the past nine months at as high as 4,000.

Also on Saturday, in violence-roiling Homs, some 160 km north of Damascus, new tensions were mounting, as the state-run SANA news agency said that government forces had clashed with armed groups during the day and managed to release 14 people who were kidnapped a week ago by armed groups.

Meanwhile, Governor of Homs Ghasan abdul-Al dismissed media reports claiming that the government had cut off telecommunication in the city, SANA reported.

However, on the other side, activists were quoted by some Western media as saying that nine people were killed Saturday by security forces’ gunfire in Homs, southern Daraa and northern Idlib provinces. But there has been no independent confirmation of the latest deaths.

These reports said that Saturday’s death toll followed a bloody day in which around 40 people were killed in several Syrian cities, mostly in Homs.

Some broad-based opposition activists have accused Damascus of preparing a large-scale military offensive against Homs in a bid to stamp out the anti-government movement, which in some cases have turned into an armed rebellion. Their fears were echoed by France, which on Saturday called on the international community to “save the Syrian people.”

The Syrian government has been blaming the armed groups backed by a foreign conspiracy in the nationwide unrest and charges that it is subject to a “media war.”

On Friday, Syrian Foreign ministry spokesman Jihad Makdissi said that “They (the West and their backers) are trying to demonize Syria… it’s a media war.”

He also quoted President al-Assad as saying that “no command has been given to anyone to kill or be brutal … we don’t have any institution that gives commands to commit brutal acts.”

“We are appealing to the outside world and our brothers in the Arab world to help Syria … and to stop incitement, channeling weapons to Syria … pressuring, sanctioning, cornering Syria …, ” he said, stressing that “this is not helping Syria.”

Makdissi said that Syria is still studying the Arab League (AL) ‘s message concerning sending observers to Syria to monitor the country’s turmoil on ground.

December 10th, 2011, 8:49 pm

 

ann said:

Have you noticed how the supporters of islamist fanatic mercenary terrorists, their israeli allies and the anti Syria propaganda media doubled the number of the population of Homs from 700,000 to 1.3 million!

As if the entire population of Homs is anti government islamist fanatic terrorists.

December 10th, 2011, 9:05 pm

 

Tara said:

I would’ve preferred an educational “Tintin and the festival of Ashuraa” than plain old “Tintin in Tehran”

http://www.iranian.com/Arts/2002/November/Tintin/

Honestly, I am not trying to be disrespectful, but it is time for people to forget a death that occurred 1400 years ago, stop bloodying themselves, and move on already.

How come Mr. Tintin was never featured in Syria?  I am jealous.

December 10th, 2011, 9:06 pm

 

Dale Andersen said:

Memo To: NORMAN

RE: “… if there in an invasion of Syria. Syria is 5 times the population of Libya…”

Big deal! Unlike Libya, Syria is a crazy-quilt conglomeration of tribes, ethnicities, religions, you name it. The only thing they have in common is their deep distrust of one another. Dollars to doughnuts, if there’s a foreign invasion, half of Syria will put out a welcome mat and the other half will grab their guns and head for the hills…

December 10th, 2011, 9:07 pm

 

Dale Andersen said:

Memo To: ANN

RE: “…islamist fanatic mercenary terrorists, their israeli allies and the anti Syria propaganda media doubled the population of Homs from 700,000 to 1.3 million…”

As usual, you’re wrong, Ann. The 700,000 number is the population of metropolitan Homs. The 1,300,000 includes the suburbs. If you don’t believe me, go check it out on page 17 of Syria For Dummies, 3rd edition. I’m sure you have a copy. You’re a dummy, so you must have one…

December 10th, 2011, 9:16 pm

 

Shami said:

Mjabali i like Flamenco very much (which find its roots in the andalusian culture of the muslim era).
What i\’m criticizing is Mara ghalba\’s stupid stance ,who take pride of the propaganda songs made for killers of a dictatorship.

December 10th, 2011, 9:16 pm

 

Bill said:

Reply to IRRITATED # 293

I had sent you a reply before, but it hasn’t been published! Why? I don’t know. Maybe because I am anti-Syrian regime commenting on a blog that’s generally pro-Bashar. In any case, and I don’t mean to irritate you, I both agree and disagree with you.
I agree with you that Imam Hussain Ibn Ali would have opposed the hereditary monarchies in both Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. However, it is a great injustice to Imam Husain and to the people of Syria to suggest that he would have supported the HEREDITARY and murderous dictatorship of Bashar. That the Syrian people’s revolt for justice and dignity is an American/Israeli/Saudi “conspiracy,” is a big insult to the intelligence of rational people. I am a Palestinian-American, and I have no doubt that a free Syria would be on the side of Palestinians and oppose any Israeli invasion of Lebanon. The sectarian hypocrisy of Hasan Nasr-Allah and Iran (whose theocratic regime does not allow Sunnis to build mosques in Iran) would not make free Syria welcome an Israeli invasion of southern Lebanon. Free Syria, Free Palestine, Free ALL, No hypocrisy!
P.S., I speak Arabic and I watched Bouthaina Sha’aban’s press conferecne and Bashar’s speech to his fraudulent parliament last March. Ms. Sha’aban hinted that her regime’s strategy would be religous-sectarian: to scare non-Sunnis from Sunnis. As to Bashar’s speech it was arrogant and delusional. Otherwise, how could he laugh when hundreds of his people were killed and injured (as of last March)?

December 10th, 2011, 9:17 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Ann
wikipedia it says Homs is 1.5 million http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homs

December 10th, 2011, 9:22 pm

 

ann said:

dale (i’m not jewish) anderson,

You already know the credibility of your propaganda on this blog is zero. Get a real job you little creep.

December 10th, 2011, 9:34 pm

 

Dale Andersen said:

Ooooh, touched a nerve on spammie annie.

Ann, a word of advice. No one reads those long crappy data dumps you unload on SC. They’re too long, too badly-written, too delusional. It would help if you READ THEM before you hit the “post” command. Come to think of it, it would help if you could read English….

Oh and by the way, it’s “Andersen.” That’s another of your shortcomings. You need to learn to spell.

December 10th, 2011, 9:50 pm

 

abbas said:

majed, stop asking for advice from Israelis on how to disable Syrian tanks, what’s wrong with you man, don’t you have anyone in your family martyred while fighting them?
on the lighter side, every one must watch this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rd-CV2fPCno
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wf3is0Wt2U
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojjwnY20Qsc

December 10th, 2011, 9:51 pm

 

Bronco said:

#369 Tara

Sorry, but you are disrespectful to Shias and Christians and other religions and to everyone who commemorate loved ones who died violently. Commemoration of the dead, especially if they were saints or died violently, is a natural rite on all religions and culture, even 2000 years after.
The ceremony of commemoration vary in each cultures and no one sufficiently educated is supposed to emit a judgment on the rite, unless it presents a danger to the community or if it is forced.

In Iran, hurting oneself and bleeding during the Ashura ceremonies is forbidden by law. In other countries it is allowed or tolerated.
Similar ceremonies exists in the Christian religion and others with manifestations of self punishment. It is a cathartic experience that allows strong emotions to be expressed openly without censorship. I guess it may help people to heal from personal griefs by projecting them on the martyr. For many it is a transcendental spiritual experience.

Sunni religion does not have such ceremonies and looks down on them as devilish manifestation of idolatry.

December 10th, 2011, 10:22 pm

 

irritated said:

#373 Bill

Your hatred for Iran and Shias is so obvious and overwhelming that I prefer not to comment to any of your points.

December 10th, 2011, 10:31 pm

 

Bill said:

NO, I do NOT hate Iran and Shi’as. I hate Iran’s regime and I wish its people freedom and prosperity. As to Shi’as, I respect all religions and sect. I only hate the hypocrisy of SECTARIAN Shi’a leaders like Nasr-Allah, who has become the chief apologist for a murderous regime (Bashar’s).
As to you not commenting on my reply, it’s because of my “hatred” (I don’t hate Iran and Shi’as, but I hate hypocrites and apologists for murderers), you can’t engage in an intellectual debate with me because your bias in favor of a murderous regime is so overwhelming that it has disabled your intellectual horizons! Don’t blame me, blame yourself! Good night, and good luck!

December 10th, 2011, 10:48 pm

 

Bill said:

My previous reply # 380 was a reply to IRRITATED, who seems irritated, # 379

December 10th, 2011, 10:52 pm

 

irritated said:

Bill

Aggressivity, hatred and revenge are your motors, not mine.
Good night.

December 10th, 2011, 10:54 pm

 

Tara said:

Bronco

“Sorry, but you are disrespectful to Shias and Christians and other religions….”

“Disrespectful to….religions”?  How so?  Hurting oneself is a sin in Islam and in Christianity too.  My comment can not possibly be disrespectful to a religion, any religion …but may be disrespectful to a Mulah’s interpretation of a religion.  

Consciously inflicting pain whether on oneself or on others is not a religious rite, it is rather a man-made celebration of the dead, i.e. it is a cultural practice, therefore expressing an opinion about it, whatever that opinion might be,  is a good way to perhaps come to appreciation of it’s value.

I think time has come for people to talk about taboos openly and freely without accusing each other of being disrespectful or uneducated.  No?         

December 10th, 2011, 11:06 pm

 

Shami said:

Mr “secular” ,you are also not obliged to be irritated when this theocratic shiite regime in Iran is criticized.
Btw this js a very typical behavior from assad(secular) soldiers on syria comment for them secularism in Iran means kufr.

December 11th, 2011, 12:12 am

 

N.Z. said:

#373 Bill,

I agree with your statement “free Syria would be on the side of Palestinians and oppose any Israeli invasion of Lebanon” but will add, that only a free people can help an oppressed people.

Hypocrisy is not akin to Iran and Nasrallah. It is a scare tactic that is intended to control the masses, Sunnis vs Shiites. A win win for both the Mullahs of the Shiites and the Sheiks of the gulf region. Their is a mixture of both sects in each Islamic country, why now?

December 11th, 2011, 12:12 am

 

ann said:

dale (i’m not jewish) andersen,

you are a legend in your own little creepy mind. your mastery of the English language is not helping improve you lonely, bitter and miserable life.

try taking a bath every now and then. might help you get a date with a real woman.

December 11th, 2011, 12:33 am

 

ann said:

Archbishop fears for Christians in Middle East – 9 December 2011

Christians in the Middle East are “more vulnerable” than they have been for centuries, the Archbishop of Canterbury has warned.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-16111973

Dr Rowan Williams said that many Christians were leaving countries such as Iraq and Egypt in the face of persecution.

Many others had been forced to retreat to enclaves for their safety, he said.

Dr Williams added that the treatment of Christians would be the “litmus test” of the success of the Arab Spring.

The head of the world’s Anglicans made his claims in the House of Lords.

He said: “At the present moment the position of Christians in the region is more vulnerable than it has been for centuries.

“The flow of Christian refugees from Iraq in the wake of constant threat and attack has left a dramatically depleted Christian population there.”
Segregated

Those who chose to stay in the country had often withdrawn to segregated enclaves for their safety, he said.

“Many recognise with heavy hearts things may come to such a pass that there are few, if any other options that will actually guarantee the safety of Christians there,” the Archbishop said.

“But they still feel, surely rightly, that the creation of enclaves would be the yielding of a vitally important principle.”

Besides Iraq, Dr Williams lamented the fact that many Coptic Christians were leaving Egypt, despite the faith having had a presence in the country for many centuries.

He said: “In a way that would have been unthinkable even a very few years ago, they are anxious about sharing the fate of other Christian communities that once seemed securely embedded in their setting.”

Turning to the impact of the Arab Spring in the Middle East, Dr Williams said: “My contention has been that the security and wellbeing of the historic Christian communities in the region is something of a litmus test in relation to the wider issues of the political health of the region.”

He added: “No-one is seeking a privileged position for Christians in the Middle East, nor should they be.

“But what we can say, and I firmly believe that most Muslims here and in many other places would agree entirely, is that the continued presence of Christians in the region is essential to the political and social health of the countries of the Middle East.”

December 11th, 2011, 1:12 am

 

ann said:

Assad interview – 09 December 2011

http://www.sundayszaman.com/sunday/columnistDetail_getNewsById.action?newsId=265304&columnistId=65

A veteran American presenter’s interview with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was an important event. The very fact that he agreed to talk to the US press for the first time since the uprising began in March is noteworthy. His decision to talk to an American broadcaster also proves that he was determined to persuade the US and to reach out to the world through American public opinion.

It’s not hard to guess that many journalists, especially European ones, watched this important interview with jealousy. Assad has proven once again that he doesn’t fully trust Europeans, and maybe he is not so wrong. It is also understandable that he didn’t chose to talk to a Turkish journalist, as tension between Turkey and Syria has been escalating constantly recently.

It may not be appropriate to make diplomatic analyses only by looking at Assad’s choice of the interviewer’s nationality, but in countries where there are no NGOs, no civil society organizations and no free press, leaders often act according to old paradigms. So we may very well say that a journalist does not represent its country or government, but leaders like Assad still believe that journalists’ nationality is an important variable.

Bashar al-Assad clearly indicated that it is useless to look at his country through the glasses of democracy because he said he never claimed Syria was a democracy. He implicitly admitted that the current regime is not the best option for his country. In other words, he probably tried to say that he is aware of the need for change but is hesitant as he is also aware that democracy means the end of his rule.

One of his most important remarks was that he is not the owner of the country or of the security forces. He probably tried to emphasize that the old guard of the Ba’ath regime is still influential and that he is not the sole ruler but just the spokesperson of a ruling elite. This is a way of saying that “I’m not responsible of the carnage, ‘they are.”

There are reasons to believe that this is not completely wrong. I remember the result of an hours-long discussion he made a few months ago with Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu. During that meeting he insinuated that he personally prefers to engage Syria with the West through Turkey, but that his circle doesn’t allow him to do so. The problem, however, is that he doesn’t hold the hands of those who try to help him out.

In closed regimes like Syria, it is not easy to understand what is really going on in the country’s power circles; however, we can make some guesses from between the lines of this interview. The Syrian president stated more than once that he is not the only one responsible for what is going on in his country, and by doing this, he conveyed a message to the international community targeting the members of the regime but not him. Targeting them also means targeting the foreign countries that support these cadres. By saying he, too, is unhappy with the ongoing violence, he also tried to say he still remains the only guarantee to prevent his country from sliding into civil war.

During the interview, he used every opportunity to argue that any kind of international intervention will only reinforce the Ba’ath regime. He also claimed that if there is government change through civil war, the new Syrian government will not be necessarily “friendly.” Is there anyone in the world that doesn’t know what does that means? In brief, he is saying, “If I go, Islamists will replace me, and that is bad news for both the West and Israel.” Asking the foreign powers to target his staff but to support him and to be careful about the people’s real demands is nothing but a direct challenge addressed to Turkey.

December 11th, 2011, 1:59 am

 

ann said:

Economic woes may eat away AK Party’s support – 09 December 2011

http://www.sundayszaman.com/sunday/columnistDetail_getNewsById.action?newsId=265266&columnistId=105

The data released this week for inflation, which jumped to 9.48 percent from 7.29 percent in November of last year, must have rung alarm bells for the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government in Turkey.

It seems double-digit inflation is now almost certain by year-end. Coupled with that, the whopping current account deficit (CAD) and rising unemployment figures show that the prospect of keeping voters’ confidence looks gloomy for the AK Party government.

Private sector debt has increased to $202 billion — 65 percent of Turkey’s total debt — from $26 billion in 1996 and is exposed to currency risks. The financial liability for private companies was $20 billion in 2003. Today it is $120 billion. This creates vulnerability for banks because a possible crisis in real industry may have an impact on banks’ balance sheets in the future. Last but not least is the rising unemployment, which was 9.2 percent as of August. But unemployment among young people aged 15-24 is at 18.3 percent in 2011.

December 11th, 2011, 2:20 am

 

Mango said:

334. JAD
It is for a long time according to the logic of technology put in Libya !

December 11th, 2011, 3:33 am

 

Tara said:

Bronco

I was annoyed with the accusation so I neglected to mention that your interpretation of the “rite” was outstanding, a Pino-style.

Kandahar,

“Tara who is only good at doing Mehshi”. Wrong perception! Tara is good in few other things too, just few. Take my word for it.

December 11th, 2011, 3:34 am

 

Mango said:

Наркотиками США война против России велась из азиатских опоры
Нил Никандров | 10.12.2011 | 00:00
США разведывательного сообщества начал свою первую атаку против наркотиков России в начале 1990-х годов, эпохи, когда кардинальные реформы были кровотечения России в правоохранительные органы и границах ранее изолированные страны стало легко кресте за посланниками западных наркокартелей. Россия таможенных и пограничных служб, которые унаследовали от советской эпохи очень ограниченный опыт работы с наркоугрозой были совершенно не готовы принять вызов и партий кокаина и героина потекли легко в Россию из далекого континента. Ослабление страны рассматривается как потенциального противника путем распространения наркомании среди населения – молодые люди, военные, интеллигенция – это приоритет империи, которая стремится к сокращению человеческого потенциала России.

Большинство лекарства, поставляемые в Россию составил ее из Колумбии, где история подозрительно бесплодной американской антинаркотической деятельности является возраст долго. При посредничестве США свободно путешествовать режима, предусмотренного Россия и Колумбия – в частности, один из первых сделок Москвой рода – безусловно, помогли наркобаронов и их темным покровителям принести новые незаконным оборотом наркотиков маршруту онлайн. Сообщения средств массовой информации в то время часто показали конфискованные колумбийских поставки наркотиков, замаскированный под бананы, рыбные консервы, или сувениры. Вскоре, наркотики также начали приходить в Россию из Мексики, Доминиканской Республики, и Боливии. Соблазн заработать красиво ценой краткого риска доказали привлекательным для многих сотрудников в России государство. Разведывательное сообщество США постоянно помогал наркокартелей, отчасти за счет вовлечение в сотрудничество россиян, которые затем стала роль в распространении наркотиков на территории России и в том, чтобы их послать в Европу.

США «войны с террором» и НАТО оккупации Афганистана самоходные наступление США препарат против России беспрецедентная level.Over всего несколько лет, препарата выводится в Афганистане выросло почти в 50 раз и достиг эквивалента 190-200 млрд. доз героина в год, число приблизительно в 30 раз больше, чем населения земного шара. нарколабораторий иногда превосходят оборудование для мировых фармацевтических компаний распространились по всему Афганистану под защитой НАТО и США DEA. В то же время, НАТО, Пентагона, и DEA горе стойкий против предложения России для совместных кампаний по ликвидации . Неискушенных аргументы вызываются представители западной коалиции, как предполагается, звук “гуманистические”: искоренение якобы оставить афганских фермеров мака без средств к существованию, окунуться в Афганистане общего голода, и укрепить позиции талибов в стране. Официальные представители НАТО придерживаются оптимистического взгляда, что ситуация улучшится автоматически при жизнеспособной сельскохозяйственной альтернативы потреблению наркотиков обрезка предлагают афганским крестьянам. Для подавления недовольства пивоваренной Москвы, США сделали запустить несколько антинаркотических рейдов в Афганистане в сотрудничестве с Россией, но, конечно, еще не изобрели до даты какие-либо альтернативы сопоставимой рентабельности на выращивание опиатов.

Чуть менее 50% производимого в Афганистане героина поставляется через так называемый северный маршрут, который проходит республик Центральной Азии в Россию и далее в Европу. Количество героина в продаже в России неуклонно растет, и ситуация вызывает ранней стадии развития в Мексике, которая в конечном итоге вышло во внутренние наркотиков в стране и ужас войны .

Стратегия империи заключается в создании условий, при которых война с наркотиками в “партнера”-стране вспыхивает ближайшее, а затем, чтобы партнеры полностью зависит от поддержки США в этом конфликте. Поставки Вашингтона огнестрельного оружия и гранатометов в Мексике соперничать наркокартелей четко отражают стратегию управления войны с наркотиками в стране. Десятки мексиканских военных и сотрудников правоохранительных органов – наряду с США пограничников, таможенников, и DEA оперативников – умереть в конфликте.

Мексиканское правительство не в состоянии справиться с проблемой наркотиков по себе и пойти на серьезные уступки в Вашингтон, который в результате пользуется неограниченной свободой маневра в Мексике. Например, персонал набирается для мексиканских правоохранительных органов и специальных сил США под надзором. Эти люди принимают полиграфе тесты, пройти обучение в соответствии с Пентагоном стандартов, а учат безраздельной преданности США. Зомби с готовностью принимают заказы и убийства вряд ли забота, которых они убивают – мексиканцы, Гватемалы, Гондураса, или американцев. Борьба за мировое господство, империя ставит этот тип технологии для работы во всех частях мира.

Недавно США помощник государственного секретаря по международной борьбе с наркотиками и правоохранительной деятельности (INL) Уильям Р. Браунфилд гастролировал Таджикистана, Кыргызстана и Kazakhstan.Brownfield “с личным рекордом богат эпизоды связаны с операциями Вашингтона против вызывающего режимов. Иногда попытки окончились с захватывающими неудач, как в Венесуэле, где Чавес прямо предупредил Браунфилд, который пытается организовать заговоры и цветных революций не будет допускаться. Изолированные и назвал клоуном, Браунфилд пришлось покинуть Венесуэлу с чувством поражения.

Что Браунфилд доставлены республик Центральной Азии, план под названием Центральной Азии по борьбе с наркотиками инициатива (CACI), которая сильно напоминает План Колумбия (Браунфилд служил послом США в Колумбии в 2007-2010). Чрезмерно уверенных в себе техасский быстро убедил своих центральноазиатских партнеров, что победа над общим врагом – незаконный оборот наркотиков -. Бы в пределах досягаемости Частью плана является наличие оперативных групп, созданных в Казахстан, Кыргызстан, Таджикистан, Туркменистан и Узбекистан аналогичные тем, которые уже организованы в Афганистане и России . США обещания финансирования проекта, но и сумму, подлежащую заливается в своем начальном этапе – $ 2-3м – кажется скромной на фоне миллиарды долларов, потраченные на План Колумбия. Браунфилд открытие пограничных и таможенных комплекс на границе между Таджикистаном и Афганистаном, как витрина США и Центральной Азии сотрудничество.

В беседе с его партнерами в Душанбе, Бишкек и Астану, Браунфилд решил не остановиться на более широкую повестку дня США в регионе, что подразумевает глубоких внутренних преобразований в пяти центрально-азиатских республик. Цели Вашингтона в Центральной Азии включают в себя укрепление проамериканских режимов и ликвидации какого-либо влияния Москвы до сих пор в этой части постсоветского пространства . Браунфилд, также не объяснить, что миссии оперативных групп будет поручено в рамках плана. Заслуживающий доверия гипотеза, что те будут по образцу Мексики и Колумбии эскадроны смерти и которые будут использоваться в серьезных военных действий в Центральной Азии. День может прийти, когда группы будут оказываются пограничные войска Империи который надеется увековечить свое присутствие в Центральной Азии с целью проведения Россией и Китаем под дулом пистолета.

December 11th, 2011, 3:37 am

 

Mango said:

US Drug War Against Russia Waged From the Asian Foothold
Nil NIKANDROV | 10.12.2011 | 00:00
The US intelligence community launched its first drug attacks against Russia in the early 1990ies, an epoch when drastic reforms were bleeding Russia’s law enforcement agencies and the borders of the formerly insulated country became easy to cross for envoys of Western drug cartels. The Russian customs and border-guard services which inherited from the Soviet era a very limited experience of dealing with the drug threat were completely unprepared to face the challenge, and the shipments of cocaine and heroin started flowing easily into Russia from a distant continent. Weakening the country regarded as a potential enemy by spreading substance abuse among its population – the younger people, the military, the intellectuals – is a priority of the Empire which seeks to reduce Russia’s human potential.

The majority of drugs supplied to Russia reached it from Columbia where the history of the suspiciously fruitless US anti-drug activities is ages long. The US-brokered free-travel regime introduced by Russia and Columbia – notably, one of Moscow’s first deals of the kind – certainly helped drug barons and their shadowy patrons bring the new drug-trafficking route online. Media reports at the time frequently showed confiscated Columbian drug shipments disguised as bananas, canned fish, or souvenirs. Shortly, narcotics also started coming to Russia from Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and Bolivia. The temptation to earn handsomely at the cost of a brief risk proved irresistible to a lot of Russia’s state employees. The US intelligence community permanently assisted the drug cartels, in part by luring into cooperation the Russians who then became instrumental in disseminating drugs across Russia and in having them forwarded to Europe.

The US “war on terror” and the NATO occupation of Afghanistan propelled the US drug offensive against Russia to an unprecedented level.Over just a few years, Afghanistan’s drug output rose by almost a factor of 50 and reached the equivalent of 190-200 billion of heroine dozes annually, the number roughly 30 times greater than the global population. Drug laboratories occasionally superior in equipment to global pharmaceutical companies proliferated across Afghanistan under the protection of NATO and the US DEA. In the meantime, NATO, the Pentagon, and DEA mount staunch opposition to Russia’s proposals for joint eradication campaigns. The unsophisticated arguments invoked by representatives of the Western coalition are supposed to sound “humanistic”: eradication would allegedly leave Afghan poppy farmers without means of existence, plunge Afghanistan into total starvation, and strengthen the positions of the Taliban in the country. NATO officials stick to the optimistic view that things would improve automatically when viable agricultural alternatives to drug cropping are offered to Afghan peasants. To quell Moscow’s brewing discontent, the US did launch several anti-drug raids in Afghanistan in cooperation with Russia, but of course has not invented up to date any alternatives comparable in profitability to opiates cultivation.

Slightly under 50% of heroin produced in Afghanistan are supplied via the so-called northern route which traverses the Central Asian republics to Russia and further on to Europe. The amounts of heroin on offer in Russia are growing steadily, and the situation evokes the early phase of the developments in Mexico which eventually spiraled into the country’s internal drug and terror war.

The Empire’s strategy is to create the conditions under which a drug war in a “partner”-country erupts imminently and then to make the partners totally dependent on the US support in the conflict. Washington’s supplies of firearms and grenade launchers to Mexico’s rivaling drug cartels clearly reflect the strategy of managing the drug war in the country. Dozens of Mexican military and law-enforcement officers – along with US border guards, customs officers, and DEA operatives – die in the conflict.

The Mexican government is unable to cope with the drug problem on its own and has to make serious concessions to Washington which as a result enjoys unrestricted freedom of maneuver in Mexico. For example, personnel is recruited for Mexican law-enforcement agencies and special forces under US oversight. These people take polygraph tests, receive training in accord with the Pentagon standards, and are taught undivided loyalty to the US. The zombies readily take assassination orders and hardly care whom they are killing – Mexicans, Guatemalans, Hondurans, or Americans. Wrestling over global dominance, the Empire puts this type of technology to work in all parts of the world.

Recently US Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) William R. Brownfield toured Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan.Brownfield’s personal record is rich in episodes linked to Washington’s operations against defiant regimes. Occasionally, the efforts ended with spectacular failures, as in Venezuela where Chavez bluntly warned Brownfield that attempts to orchestrate conspiracies and color revolutions would not be tolerated. Isolated and dubbed a clown, Brownfield had to leave Venezuela with a sense of defeat.

What Brownfield delivered to the Central Asian republics was a plan titled the Central Asia Counternarcotics Initiative (CACI) which strongly resembles Plan Colombia (Brownfield served as the US ambassador to Columbia in 2007-2010). The overly self-confident Texan promptly convinced his Central Asian partners that triumph over the common enemy – the drug trafficking – would be within reach. Part of the plan is to have operative groups set up in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan similar to those already organized in Afghanistan and Russia. The US pledges funding for the project, but the amount to be poured into its initial phase – $2-3m – appears modest against the background of the billions of dollars spent on Plan Colombia. Brownfield inaugurated a border-guard and customs complex at the border between Tajikistan and Afghanistan as a showcase of the US-Central Asia cooperation.

Talking to his partners in Dushanbe, Bishkek, and Astana, Brownfield chose not to elaborate on the wider US agenda for the region, which implies profound internal transformations in the five Central Asian republics. Washington’s objectives in Central Asia include the fostering of pro-US regimes and the elimination of any influence Moscow still has in this part of the post-Soviet space. Brownfield similarly did not explain what missions the operative groups would be charged with in the framework of the plan. A credible hypothesis is that those are going to be modeled on Mexico’s and Columbia’s death squads and to be used in serious military offensives in Central Asia. The day may come when the groups will turn out to be the frontier forces of the Empire which hopes to perpetuate its presence in Central Asia with the purpose of holding Russia and China at gunpoint.

December 11th, 2011, 3:39 am

 

Syria no kandahar said:

Tara who is only good at doing mehshi
In Islam you can’t hurt people but you can kill them

الرئيسة
اعرف نبيك
العلماء وطلبة العلم
أفكار دعوية
مكتبة صيد الفوائد
المكتبة الصوتية
الأنشطة الدعوية
زاد الـداعـيـة
زاد الخـطـيـب
العروض الدعوية
للنساء فقط
ملتقى الداعيات
رسائل دعوية
الفلاشات
– القصص
مقالات
واحة الأدب
منوعات – مختارات
الملل والنحل
الطبيب الداعية
بحوث علمية
تربية الأبناء
جهاد المسلمين
محمد بن عبدالوهاب
صفحات مهمة

 
1- حديث الْمِقْدَادِ بْنِ الأَسْوَدِ (هُوَ الْمِقْدادُ بْنُ عَمْرٍو الْكِنْدِيُّ) أَنَّهُ قَالَ لِرَسُولِ اللهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم: أَرَأَيْتَ إِنْ لَقِيتُ رَجُلاً مِنَ الْكُفّارِ، فَاقْتَتَلْنا، فَضَرَبَ إِحْدى يَدَيَّ بِالسَّيْفِ قَقَطَعَها، ثُمَّ لاذَ مِنّي بِشَجَرَةٍ، فَقالَ أَسْلَمْتُ للهِ، أَأَقْتُلُهُ يا رَسولَ اللهِ بَعْدَ أَنْ قَالَها فَقالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم: (لا تَقْتُلْهُ، فَقالَ يا رَسُولَ اللهِ إِنَّهُ قَطَعَ إِحْدى يَدَيَّ ثُمَّ قَالَ ذَلِكَ بَعْدَ ما قَطَعَها؛ فَقالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم: لا تَقْتُلْهُ، فَإِنْ قَتَلْتَهُ فَإِنَّهُ بِمَنْزِلَتِكَ قَبْلَ أَنْ تَقْتُلَهُ، وَإِنَّكَ بِمَنْزِلَتِهِ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَقولَ كَلِمَتُه الَّتي قَالَ).
2- حديث أُسامَةَ بْنِ زَيْدٍ رضي الله عنهما قَالَ: بَعَثَنَا رَسُولُ اللهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم إِلى الْحُرَقَةِ فَصَبَّحْنَا الْقَوْمَ فَهَزَمْنَاهُمْ، وَلَحِقْتُ أَنَا وَرَجُلٌ مِنَ الأَنْصارِ رَجُلاً مِنْهُمْ، فَلَمّا غَشِينَاهُ قَالَ لاَ إِلهَ إِلاَّ اللهُ، فَكَفَّ الأَنْصارِيُّ عَنْهُ، وَطَعَنْتُهُ بِرُمْحي حَتّى قَتَلْتُهُ؛ فَلَمّا قَدِمْنَا، بَلَغَ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقالَ: (يا أُسامَةُ أَقَتَلْتَهُ بَعْدَما قَالَ لا إِلهَ إِلاَّ اللهُ، قُلْتُ كَانَ مُتَعَوِّذًا؛ فَما زَالَ يُكَرِّرُها حَتّى تَمَنَّيْتُ أَنّي لَمْ أَكُنْ أَسْلَمْتُ قَبْلَ ذَلِكَ الْيَوْمِ).

الشرح:
في حديث المقداد دليل على احترام الكافر وعدم التعرض له إذا نطق وصرح بالشهادتين وذلك لأن المرء إذا نطق بذلك صار مؤمنا معصوم الدم والمال والعرض. وهذا يدل على عظم كلمة التوحيد وشدة أثرها وترتب الأحكام عليها في الدنيا والآخرة. وقد أجمع أهل السنة على أن الكافر يصير مؤمنا بالنطق بالشهادتين قاصدا مختارا. وهذا المعنى جاء مقررا في جملة من النصوص وعمل به النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم حين زار الغلام اليهودي وهو يحتضر فلما نطق بالشهادة أقره وأثبت له الإيمان ، وكذلك إذا نطق بكلام يدل على دخوله في الإسلام كقوله أسلمت بالله أو آمنت بما جاء به الرسول محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم. ويجب الكف عنه حينئذ مهما فعل قبل ذلك من الجناية والنكاية بالإسلام وهذا يدل على رحمة هذا الدين وتشوفه لهداية الخلق. وقول النبي : (فإن قتلته فإنه بمنزلتك قبل أن تقتله وإنك بمنزلته قبل أن يقول كلمته التي قال). يعني: إن قتلت هذا الرجل بعد إسلامه فأنت تصبح كحاله قبل الإسلام مباح الدم لأنك ارتكبت جناية توجب القصاص وهو يصبح كحالك قبل أن تقتل معصوم الدم وهذا فيه زجر وتخويف من ارتكاب هذه الفعلة الشنيعة التي تساهل فيها بعض الغلاة في هذا الزمان. وفيه مشروعية بيان الواعظ حكم الذنب وعقوبته للجاهل والغافل. وفي حديث أسامة حين قتل الرجل الذي نطق بلا إله إلا الله إنكار النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم عليه قتل المعصوم والتشديد عليه في الإنكار. ولم يؤاخذه النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم ويوجب عليه قصاصا لأن معاذا كان متأولا بشبهة في وقت نزول الفرائض وقد خفي عليه ذلك. وأما الكفارة والدية فقد سكت الحديث عنهما والأصول العامة تقتضي وجوبهما وعدم سقوطهما. وفيه وجوب معاملة الإنسان بالظاهر وقبول إسلامه وعدم الخوض في الأسباب والتشكيك في نيته مهما كانت القرائن فمن أظهر الكفر عاملناه به ومن أظهر الإيمان عاملناه به ولهذا لم يلتفت النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم إلى قول أسامة إن هذا الرجل غير صادق في إسلامه وإنما قالها فرارا من القتل وردد عليه حرمة قائل الشهادة على سبيل الإنكار وفي رواية قال: (أفلا شققت عن قلبه حتى تعلم أقالها أم لا). حتى شق ذلك على أسامة فتمنى أنه لم يشهد تلك الوقعة حال إسلامه وإنما فعها حال كفره ثم أسلم لأن الإسلام يجب ما قبله . وهذا هو مقتضى العدل أن نأخذ الناس بظاهر أقوالهم وأفعالهم ونكل سرائرهم إلى الله عز وجل لأنه وحده المطلع على ما تخفي الصدور. وفي الحديثين إشارة إلى عظم جهود الصحابة رضوان الله عليهم في القتال في سبيل الله ونصرة الدين حتى انتشر في المعمورة.

خالد بن سعود البليهد
عضو الجمعية العلمية السعودية للسنة
binbulihed@gmail.com
الرياض:21/7/1431

 

December 11th, 2011, 3:44 am

 

Mango said:

Turkey Blue Berets sent to Syria border
Turkish President Abdullah Gul has reportedly ordered the deployment of army forces on Turkey’s border with Syria to prevent any act of violence along the border.

The troops, known as Blue Berets in the Turkish Army, are set to establish a security region to deal with possible confrontations along the border with Syria, Turkish newspaper Sabah reported.

The deployment came after Syria earlier this week sent tanks to its border with Turkey, saying they are to confront with terrorist elements attempting to cross into the Syrian territory via Turkey.

On Friday, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said Ankara would not hesitate to insulate the region’s security from the situation in Syria. Turkey shares a 560 mile border with Syria.

“Turkey has no desire to interfere in anyone’s internal affairs. But if a risk to regional security arises, then we do not have the luxury of standing by and looking on,” Davutoglu said.

Syria has been experiencing a deadly unrest ever since mid-March, with demonstrations being held both against and in support of President Bashar al-Assad’s government.

Hundreds of people, including members of the security forces, have been killed in the turmoil.

Damascus blames “outlaws, saboteurs and armed terrorist groups” for the unrest, saying it is being orchestrated from abroad.

Confessions by Syrian rebels in which they admit to carrying out armed activities and killing people as well as security forces prove that recent developments in the country are to be seen as parts of an attempt to overthrow the current government and replace it with a US-backed regime.

Syrian opposition groups have also been interviewed by Israeli news outlets over the past months. The interviews clearly show the future Syria they envision, which will be developing relations with Tel Aviv.

This is while the Arab League resolution adopted against Syria has increased the unity of Syrians. Figures show that over the past weeks, nearly 12 million people have demonstrated in support of Syrian President Assad.

December 11th, 2011, 3:45 am

 

Mango said:

http://www.strategic-culture.org/news/2011/11/29/the-legal-regime-being-formed-against-syria-by-the-arab-league-snc-and-r2p.html

The Legal Regime being formed against Syria by the Arab League, SNC, and R2P
Mahdi Darius NAZEMROAYA (Canada) | 29.11.2011 | 00:00

The Arab League coupled with a proxy group called the Syrian National Council (SNC) that is the creation of a tactical alliance between the Syrian branch of the Muslim Brotherhood, Washington, NATO, Israel, and the Persian Gulf’s petro-monarchs is being used within the framework of false pretences of humanitarianism for a plan to oust President BasharAl-Assad from power and install a new client government in Damascus.

The Arab League: A Chamber of Treachery and Cowardice

The Arab League is a dysfunctional and largely ceremonial body of hyperbole that has been utterly stripped of any value it once had when it was originally founded in 1945. It has been hijacked and serves Washington and its NATO allies instead of any genuinely Arab interests. The League’s ultimatums against Syria are fully in tune with the regime change plans against Damascus.

Libyawas suspended from the Arab League before NATO started its war. The League was used to give cover to the Pentagon and NATO for their war and regime change agenda against Qaddafi. It is Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) that have helped hijack the League. The GCC is comprised of the Persian Gulf petro-sheikdoms of the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, and Saudi Arabia. None of these countries are model states, let alone democracies. Their foreign-installed leaders have betrayed the Palestinians, helped attack Iraq, support Israel against Lebanon, demolished Libya, and now they conspire against Syria and its regional allies.

In a blatant act of hypocrisy, the unelected despots of these petro-sheikhdoms have announced that Qaddafi’s regime was “illegitimate” and now are making similar statements about Syria. This is while the Saudi and Bahraini regimes themselves kill and terrorize their own unarmed citizens who are protesting in the streets of Saudi Arabia and Bahrain for fair treatment, basic rights, equality, and freedom.

The GCC has forced the Arab League to support the de-legitimization of the Libyan government and the war against Libya in the form of sanctions and no-fly zones. Now it wants to impose political and economic sanctions on Syria and to cause the country to internally implode, while it tries to fashion an Arab League mandated no-fly zone as a counter-movie to the Chinese and Russian vetoes at the U.N. Security Council. The U.S., Britain, France, and Turkey are also preparing to help it in this regard.

The Syrian National Coordination Committee versus the Syrian National Council

The mainstream media, such as the BBC and Al Jazeera, in the NATO countries and Arab monarchies are willing to print, publish, or broadcast anything that will degrade Syria and support regime change through sectarian, unprofessional, false, and inflammatory reporting. They are not to be trusted in regards to the facts on the ground in Syria. The mainstream media in the NATO countries and the GCC continuously play with words, provide no verified reports, and cite recently created foreign-based groups as their sources. Amongst these group is the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which ironically endorses Saudi rulers while it claims to espouse democratic ideals.

Protests demanding reforms and democratization have taken place in Syria. Other protests against corruption and linked subsidy price changes also have taken place, but not on the scale and magnitude that NATO and the GCC portray.Initially there was a forceful crackdown that coincided with attacks by armed groups that had taken advantage of the protests. The problem was compounded by unidentified attackers who attacked both Syrian civilians and Syrian security forces that ignited instability. As tensions built, this all became further complicated by internal fighting amongst the elite families that form the oligarchies in Damascus. The Syrian branch of the Muslim Brotherhood has also tried to capitalize and armed wings of it, with help from foreigners, have tried to stroke the flames of violence to topple Bashar Al-Assad.

The situation in Syria is complicated, because there are several competing trends of opposition. This includes the opposition forces in Syria, which range from government lackeys to individuals that genuinely want reform. Aside from the Syrian Muslim Brotherhood, what most of the internal opposition has in common is that they are against violence, any form of foreign intervention, and want reform instead of regime change. It is this opposition that forms the Syrian National Coordination Committee (SNCC), which critics calls a regime appendage.

Members of this domestic opposition have been beaten and killed in Syria. This includes Mashaal Tammo, a Syrian Kurd opposition figure. Although there are over a dozen unrecognized Kurdish political parties in Syria, his murder according to Kurdish leaders was an act aimed at fomenting violence in the Kurdish areas of Syria. Several Kurdish leaders immediately denounced the murder as the work of those who want to frame the Syrian government and unleash chaos in Syria between Kurds and Arabs. Other internal victims include the cartoonist Ali Farzat who was kidnapped by unidentified gunmen and brutally beaten in late – August – 2011. There is a chance that undisciplined members of the Syrian internal forces could have been behind the attack, but the attacks could have been designed to frame Damascus.

Outside of Syria, Washington and its allies have done everything to co-opt the SNCC or silence the voices of the SNCC and other internal opposition forces that are against foreign intervention and the use of violence. When a delegation of the SNCC arrived in Cairo to hold talks with the Arab League, it was immediately attacked and beaten by a mixed crowd of SNC supporters that were waiting for them. The Arab League too has opted to recognize the SNC, which is not popular internally in Syria.

In reality, the SNC is controlled by the Syrian branch of the Muslim Brotherhood and several Salafist groups. Some of the people listed as SNC members were also not consulted before they were added and play no real role in the organization. In this regard, the Muslim Brotherhood is being promoted as the alternative to Bashar Al-Assad by Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the GCC.

The SNC, which was formed in Istanbul a month after another Syrian transitional council was formed in Ankara, cannot be trusted. They have blatantly lied countless times about their internal support and events in Syria. Nor do they provide any form of a viable alternative to the Syrian regime. Their roster is filled with shady individuals with close ties to foreign governments and organizations that serve the interests of the United States and the European Union. According to Ayoob Kara, a Likud parliamentarian from the Israeli Knesset, the Syrian opposition was in contact with Tel Aviv to help oust the Syrian regime. Kara also made it clear in a speech to the Knesset that Israel must intervene in Syria as a means of fighting Iran and its allies.

Begging for Intervention: Parallels between the Transitional Councils in Libya and Syria

In Libya the Transitional Council was used to supplant the Jamahiriya in Tripoli. Now the SNC is being used is illicitly try to takeover Syria. The SNC will transform Syria into a docile client state divided and managed by Turkey, Israel, Jordan, and the Saudi-led GCC states on behalf of Washington. The recognition of the SNC by the Arab League and Turkey is part of this objective.

Before NATO’s war in North Africa, the Transitional Council in Libya was begging for military intervention by the U.S., Britain, France, and NATO. Likewise, the SNC and the individuals who form it have been begging for NATO military intervention against Syria. The SNC has even posted the coordinates of defensive infrastructure in Syria that they want bombed by the Pentagon and NATO. Members of this opposition have also posted maps of Syrian Air Force bases and Russian naval infrastructure to help NATO identify military targets. What is very telling about the orientation of the SNC is that these facilities have very little to do with internal politics or crowd control and a lot to do with Syrian national defence.

It is in this context that a failed attack by the so-called “Free Syrian Army” was launched on the intelligence wing of the Syrian Air Force in Damascus. This was not an act of protest, but a badly organized act of war that was intended to weaken Syria’s defensive aerial capabilities in case it was attacked. The Free Syrian Army in reality is a front organization that is controlled and manned by the GCC, Turkey, Jordan, and NATO with mercenaries and groups that can loosely be called “Al-Qaeda.” This should come as no surprise in an era when the U.S. Congressional Armed Services Committee has been told by Admiral McRaven that covert operations with U.S. Special Forces involvement are vital to the Pentagon’s modern wars.

The Orwellian Responsibility to Protect (R2P): A Tool of Trans-Atlantic Wars

The Syrian Arab Republic now faces the “Responsibility to Protect” (R2P) as a threat. R2P was not used in Libya, but it was mentioned a lot. The frequent mentioning of the R2P was brinkmanship for future wars.

R2P is being prepped to be wielded as a weapon by Washington and NATO. It is a neo-imperialist device under the cover of sheep’s skin that appropriates the language of humanitarianism. Where is R2P against Israel in Palestine or when it attacked Lebanon in 2006? Where is R2P against the foreign-imposed dictators of Bahrain and Saudi Arabia? Where is R2P when it comes to the brutal Moroccan occupation of Western Sahara? Where is R2P in the Democratic Republic of Congo? These are all places where R2P will never even come to be mentioned, because it is against the interests of Washington and its allies.

It is a diplomatic concept constructed in Canada by the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) through the International Commission on Intervention and State Sovereignty (ICISS) in 2000. The concept essentially posits that a country’s independence is not a right and can be taken away by the international community when the need arises. The international community under the R2P paradigm has the responsibility to intervene in any independent country to order to protect that country’s citizens.

Who can decide when to use R2P? Also, what is this “international community” that gives it legitimacy and what countries form it? How and who defines the international community? The international community is much more than the NATO countries. Clearly, most the world was against the Anglo-American invasion of Iraq in 2003, but Washington and Britain claimed that the “international community” was with them. The term “international community” is actually a widely misrepresented concept and term. Washingtoncontinuously gets a series of small states that are virtual dependencies, satellites, and unrepresentative governments to add their names to all the lists it constantly produces for its military coalitions and initiatives and calls this the “international community.” These lists on the surface can sound impressive, but in reality they are hallow mirages meant to produce a deceiving appearance of international support and consensus. For example, Washington’s “Coalition of the Willing,” which was forged to invade Iraq in 2003, included Columbia, NATO-occupied Afghanistan’s Hamid Karzai, Georgia, El Salvador, and Iceland. If not U.S. satellites, the governments of these countries were either bribed or coerced into joining against the wishes of their populations.

Now, both the universities and civil society in the form of NGOs inside NATO countries have a big role to play in the dissemination of the R2P paradigm. They are pushing for its normalization in international relations and its use in Syria. Together with the recognition of the unrepresentative SNC and the mirage of Arab legitimacy provided by the undemocratic collection of GCC despots that have hijacked the Arab League, R2P will be utilized to create an international legal regime that will work to isolate, cripple, and subjugate Damascus.

December 11th, 2011, 3:53 am

 

Ya Mara Ghalba said:

Tomorrow 12 Dec 20111 Syria is holding Local Council Elections. 42,889 candidates are registered to compete for 17,588 seats distributed among 1,337 administrative units nationwide.
http://www.sana.sy/eng/21/2011/12/11/387431.htm

Syria last had Local Council Elections in August 2007, when 32,058 candidates were registered to compete for 9,697 local council seats distributed among 653 local councils. The official voter turnout was 50 percent.
http://www.sana.sy/print.html?sid=136607&newlang=ara

Under the local administration law enacted in 2005 and first carried into effect in the elections of 2007, the members of all local councils (including governorate, district, and subdistrict councils) are freely elected for four-year terms in fully competitive elections. In the years prior to 2005, to compete in the popular election, the candidates had to first get themselves onto a candidate list approved by the National Progressive Front. Prior to the 2005 legislation, the executive officers of each local council were picked by the central government from among the local council’s popularly elected members. Today the executive officers are elected by the local councils. The local councils are the decisionmakers on a variety of local issues but they don’t control money. All government expenditures are included in one national budget produced by the ministry of finance; the local governments receive all their operating funds from the central government. Lack of control of money greatly limits the decisionmaking power of the local councils.
http://carnegieendowment.org/files/Syria_APS.doc

December 11th, 2011, 4:22 am

 

Ya Mara Ghalba said:

@ “Twerp in Tel Aviv” (“you ain’t no amir”) #291: You forget that 95% of Syrians voted for Bashar in the 2007 referendum. On that 2005 concert video, you didn’t stay with it all the way through, or else you weren’t paying attention. At time 1:40:30 the singer says: “Cheers for the Syria of Assad, Bashar and Hafez Assad!” The camera remains on the singer and doesn’t show you the crowd cheering, but just 15 seconds beforehand, at time 1:40:15, the camera shows the crowd clapping for a related political attitude. The live audio is mis-synchronized with the visual by approx 3.3 seconds at that point in the video.

By the way, and although it’s off-topic, Twerp is wrong to suggest that that music I linked to would sell in Tel Aviv. The Jewish-descent people of Israel, with few exceptions, don’t listen to Arabic music. I’ve verified that by looking at several kinds of indicators on the Internet. On the other hand, that Arabic music genre is very popular among Palestinians. One of the more popular exponents of it is Naser Al-Fares, who is based in Ramallah (NaserAlFares.com).

December 11th, 2011, 4:29 am

 

Syria no kandahar said:

التاريخ يعيد نفسه
This is why beduins are behind all the diseases in the Arab world.
Half a century ago:a beduin kangaroo asking for destroying of Egypt,Syria and establishing Kurdish state in Iraq.Today the SA snake has different skin,but injecting the same poison:

نص رسالة الملك السعودى / فيصل بن عبد العزيز إلى الرئيس الأمريكى ليندون جونسون قبل حرب 1967
هذه الرسالة منشورة فى كتاب ( عقود من الخيبات ) للكاتب حمدان حمدان الطبعة الأولى 1995 عن دار بيسان على الصفحات من 489- 491 0
وأعرض لكم الآن نص الرسالة :
تقول الرسالة التى بعثها الملك فيصل إلى الرئيس جونسون ( وهى وثيقة حملت تاريخ 27 ديسمبر 1966 الموافق 15 رمضان 1386 ، كما حملت رقم 342 من أرقام وثائق مجلس الوزراء السعودى ) ما يلى:-
من كل ما تقدم يا فخامة الرئيس ، ومما عرضناه بإيجاز يتبين لكم أن مصر هى العدو الأكبر لنا جميعا ، وأن هذا العدو إن ترك يحرض ويدعم الأعداء عسكريا وإعلاميا ، فلن يأتى عام 1970 – كما قال الخبير فى إدارتكم السيد

كيرميت روزفلت – وعرشنا ومصالحنا فى الوجود 0
لذلك فأننى أبارك ، ما سبق للخبراء الأمريكان فى مملكتنا ، أن اقترحوه ، لأتقدم بالاقتراحات التالية : –
– أن تقوم أمريكا بدعم إسرائيل بهجوم خاطف على مصر تستولى به على أهم الأماكن حيوية فى مصر، لتضطرها بذلك ، لا إلى سحب جيشها صاغرة من اليمن فقط ، بل لإشغال مصر بإسرائيل عنا مدة طويلة لن يرفع بعدها أى مصرى رأسه خلف القناة ، ليحاول إعادة مطامع محمد على وعبد الناصر فى وحدة عربية 0
بذلك نعطى لأنفسنا مهلة طويلة لتصفية أجساد المبادئ الهدامة، لا فى مملكتنا فحسب ، بل وفى البلاد العربية ومن ثم بعدها ، لا مانع لدينا من إعطاء المعونات لمصر وشبيهاتها من الدول العربية إقتداء بالقول ( أرحموا شرير قوم ذل ) وكذلك لإتقاء أصواتهم الكريهة فى الإعلام 0
– سوريا هى الثانية التى لا يجب ألا تسلم من هذا الهجوم ، مع إقتطاع جزء من أراضيها ، كيلا تتفرغ هى الأخرى فتندفع لسد الفراغ بعد سقوط مصر 0
– لا بد أيضا من الاستيلاء على الضفة الغربية وقطاع غزة ، كيلا يبقى للفلسطينيين أي مجال للتحرك ، وحتى لا تستغلهم أية دولة عربية بحجة تحرير فلسطين ، وحينها ينقطع أمل الخارجين منهم بالعودة ، كما يسهل توطين الباقى فى الدول العربية 0
– نرى ضرورة تقوية الملا مصطفى البرازانى شمال العراق ، بغرض إقامة حكومة كردية مهمتها إشغال أى حكم فى بغداد يريد أن ينادى بالوحدة العربية شمال مملكتنا فى أرض العراق سواء فى الحاضر أو المستقبل،
علما بأننا بدأنا منذ العام الماضى (1965) بإمداد البرازانى بالمال و السلاح من داخل العراق ، أو عن طريق تركيا و إيران 0
يا فخامة الرئيس 0
إنكم ونحن متضامين جميعا سنضمن لمصالحنا المشتركة و لمصيرنا المعلق ، بتنفيذ هذه المقترحات أو عدم تنفيذها ، دوام البقاء أو عدمه 0
أخيرا 00
أنتهز هذه الفرصة لأجدد الإعراب لفخامتكم عما أرجوه لكم من عزة ، و للولايات المتحدة من نصر وسؤدد ولمستقبل علاقتنا ببعض من نمو و ارتباط أوثق و ازدهار 0
المخلص : فيصل بن عبد العزيز
ملك المملكة العربية السعودية
انتهى نص الرسالة كما ورد فى كتاب ( عقود من الخيبات ) وأظن أننا جميعا نعرف ما تم تنفيذه من مقترحات الملك ، قرأت الرسالة وأردت أن يقرأها غيرى لتزول عنا الغشاوة عن حقيقة بعض الشخصيات ونوع الأدوار التى قاموا بها على مسرح الأحداث 0
عمرو صابح

December 11th, 2011, 4:50 am

 

Juergen said:

Abbas
thanks for the videos you shared, good to watch something like that.

December 11th, 2011, 6:10 am

 

Uzair8 said:

@189 Syrian Commando said:

“Welcome to the New Syrian Century. You played with the gate of the Sun, now you will feel the flames of hell.”

Sound like the last words of a regime cyborg.*

*(RE: Bladerunner)

December 11th, 2011, 6:44 am

 

Uzair8 said:

Vision 2020

The fantasist Menhabeks will be praying the opthalmologist Mafia Boss can achieve agreement with the opposition, compete and win a presidential election in 2012 followed by the completion of two four-year terms (limit) ending in 2020. After this perhaps an altogether new figure acceptable to all.

Surely it is shortsighted optimism to expect the opposition to come to agreement. So far the regime hasn’t given them an offer they can’t refuse.

Christmas Turkey

PM Erdogan’s recent surgery may have been the dress rehearsal for the removal of the cancer affecting the southern neighbour. The minorities will be assessing their situation. For christians, at Christmas dinner the bird on the table may not be the only Turkey at the centre of discussion.

Christmas dinner around the Assad family table will be particularly tense. Assad, in an uncontrolable rage, wildly carving up the Turkey while his children look on in silent terror.

Instead Turkey may be doing the carving this christmas. Will the Turkey be succulent, delicious and perfectly cooked? Or, will Turkey ruin christmas?

Futility of the survival instinct

The Assad family members and different parts of the regime may have become closer and more united due to the survival instinct. However, if they percieve the fall to be inevitable they may start looking out for their own individual interests and gradually drift apart. The longer the situation continues the more likely it is that individuals and parts of the regime become distant from each other and the greater the likelihood of the minorities breaking away, a coup, an assassination, a split(s) etc.

December 11th, 2011, 7:55 am

 

Pirouz said:

352. AMIR IN TEL AVIV said:

Amir, the Syrian Army recently received upgrade kits for their T-72 tanks from Russia (mentioned in a linked article I posted here on Syria Commen)t.

Added protection against RPGs is coming from the application of ERA. I previously posted a video of a T-72 applied with ERA to its side skirts. Here is another:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moiwvoM9aZA&feature=player_embedded

Turkish unit identified in the press as depliying on Syrian border is likely 3rd Commando Brigade. It’s actually based at Siirt.

December 11th, 2011, 8:09 am

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Right now there is a battle between FSA and Assad troops,God bless the FSA God Bless FSA God Bless FSA

Some one must write the names of Shops that did not comply with the strike for dignity, those are coward .

December 11th, 2011, 8:43 am

 

Revlon said:

Jr and his mob are watching their bastion, the army dintigrating piecemeal by the day, and they are unable to do a damn thing about it.

Fighting units and ranks rapidly disappear soon after engaging civilians in restive cities.

The army has been entertwined with the intelligence system to an extent that interpersonal trust between commanders and their ranks or their superiors has become equal to nill.

Therefore, the only coup d’eta with any potential for success is the one that would be thought off, planned, and executed single handedly by one, unmarried officer!

For the same reasons, the chances for major defections at the level of a briagade or larger to happen are negligable.

It follows, that the ongoing stream of defections in the lower ranks shall not lead to the collapse of the army. It will merely force Jr to merge depleted units, as he has done a couple of months ago.

In time, such trend shall lead to significant loss in Asad army’s fighting power as a result of the relentless defection of Sunni ranks, coupled with increasing mistrust in the remaining, non-defected Sunnis elements.

Not before long, the sectarian nature of the army will come into focus; tha armed confrontation shall become between the thusfar purely Sunnis FSA and the increasingly largely 3lawis Asad army.

__________________________________________________________________
إعلان إنشقاق مجموعة من الضباط والعسكريين وإعلان تشكيل سرية الشهيد مضر الشريف وإنضمامهم الى كتيبة أسامة ابن زيد
Defection of a unit from Asad army and announcement of formation of Mudar AlSharief Unit, of Usama Bib Zaid of the FSA.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7s4oFHzc7s&feature=player_embedded Uploaded by AljizahNews on Dec 10, 2011

December 11th, 2011, 9:08 am

 

Mango said:

اتفاق بين الجزيره و فوكس نيوز ضد روسيا
في ديسمبر – 11 – 2011
شريط مزيف بثته\”فوكس نيوز\” وادعت أن أحداثه جرت في موسكو!؟
قال مسؤولون إعلاميون روس إن قناة”الجزيرة” أبرمت اتفاقا للتعاون الاستراتيجي مع قناة ” فوكس نيوز” التي تمثل اليمن المحافظ المتطرف واللوبي الصهيوني الليكودي في الولايات المتحدة لبث حملات إعلامية منظمة ضد روسيا. وجاء هذا الاتهام لـ”الجزيرة” بعد معلومات تلقتها موسكو من أوساط داخل إدارة ” شبكة الجزيرة” تفيد بأن القناة أدرجت على جدول أعمال برامجها وأخبارها حيزا لشن الحملات التحريضية ضد روسيا في العالم العربي على خلفية موقفها من ليبيا ثم سوريا ، وكذلك على شاشتها الناطقة بالإنكليزية. كما وجاء بعد إقدام قناة” فوكس نيوز” على بث صور مفبركة عن أحداث عنف وشغب ضد الانتخابات الروسية زعمت أنها حصلت في موسكو ، لكن تبين أنها حصلت في اليونان ، وأن القناة تلاعبت بالفيلم حين دمجت بين شريطين أحدهما صور في روسيا فعلا ، والثاني جرت أحداثه في أثينا خلال الاحتجاجات ضد إجراءات التقشف ، حيث استخدم المتظاهرون زجاجات المولوتوف ضد الشرطة و المحلات العامة .
وكانت قناة”الجزيرة” بدأت حملة إعلامية ضد روسيا استهلتها بالتحريض على استخدام العنف ضد المركز الثقافي الروسي بدمشق . حيث زعمت أن متظاهرين احتشدوا أمام المركز للاحتجاج على الموقف الروسي ، لكن تبين أن الخبر كان بمثابة “أمر عمليات” ، حيث بدأ عشرات المتظاهرين بالتجمع أمام المركز بعد ساعتين على بث الخبر (!؟)، فيما أقدمت امرأتان من المتظاهرين على إطلاق النار في الهواء من مسدسين كانتا تحملانهما، الأمر الذي أدى إلى دب الزعر في أوساط الأطفال الذين يتلقون دروسا في اللغة الروسية والموسيقى والأنشطة الفنية الأخرى في المركز!
وبحسب أوساط المستوى السياسي والإعلامي في موسكو ، فإن الحكومة الروسية باتت تخشى أن تقدم قطر ، ودول خليجية أخرى ، على تسليح وتمويل المنظمات الإسلامية المتطرفة في جمهوريات آسيا الوسطى التي تقطنها جاليات روسية كبيرة ، وفي جمهوريات روسيا نفسها ، لشن حملات إرهابية منظمة ضد المصالح العامة الروسية، على غرار ما تقوم به في ليبيا وسوريا والعراق وتونس وأماكن أخرى.
وكانت موسكو سحبت مؤخرا سفيرها في قطر وخفضت العلاقات الديبلوماسية معها إلى مستوى القائم بالأعمال بعد إقدام الاستخبارات القطرية ، بمساعدة رجال استخبارات أميركيين كما يبدو ، على استخدام العنف ضد السفير الروسي وطاقم السفارة في مطار الدوحة ومحاولة السطو على مغلف من البريد الديبلوماسي القادم للسفارة من موسكو!

December 11th, 2011, 9:13 am

 

Mango said:

ويكيليكس: شركات اتصالات فرنسية تجسست على الجزائر
ف يديسمبر – 7 – 2011
نشر موقع ويكيليكس وثائق سرية تتضمن قائمة شركات اتصالات عالمية على رأسها فرنسية تقوم بالتجسس بشكل غير معلن على كافة الاتصالات فى الجزائر.
وذكرت صحيفة لوفيجارو الفرنسية، أن هذه الوثائق، تضمنت قائمة كاملة بأسماء الشركات المختصة فى مجال الأمن المعلوماتى، واختراق الاتصالات السلكية واللاسلكية، مثل شركة ”أميسيس” التابعة للمجمع الفرنسى العملاق “بيل”، وشركة “هيوليت باكارد” المعروفة باسم “إتش بى” المتخصصة فى مجال الاتصال، كذلك شركة تالاس التى تشرف على دراسة ملفات طلبات تأشيرة دخول “الفيزا” إلى دول فضاء تشنجن بالجزائر.
وأوضحت الصحيفة أنه وفقا لخبراء فى قضايا الأمن الالكترونى، فإن هذخ الأجهزة مرتبطة بشكل غير مباشر مع أجهزة استخبارات غربية، لا تتيح فقط للأنظمة السياسية التى تقوم بشرائها إمكانية مراقبة المعارضين، بل إنها تسمح لشركة تسويق المنتجات بالحصول على نسخ من المعطيات المتحصل عليها بعد عمليات التجسس، وهو ما رجحت الصحيفة أنه حدث مع نظام القذافى مع الثوار المعارضين، وفقا لموقع اليوم السابع.
وكان القضاء الجزائري قد حكم قبل ثلاثة أشهر بالسجن عشر سنوات مع النفاذ عسكريين سابقين ومهندسًا معلوماتيًا بتهمة التجسس لحساب فرنسا، حيث حكم على الجنديين بوشرمة خميسى (41 عاما) ورضا هروال (29 عاما) والمهندس المعلومانى أم كيما نصر الدين، بتهمة “الخيانة لمصلحة دولة ثالثة” و”دعم مجموعة إرهابية”.
وحكم على شقيقة رضا هروال بالسجن ستة أشهر مع وقف التنفيذ بتهمة “عدم الإبلاغ بالجريمة”، وذلك بعد أن كان المدعى طلب عقوبة الإعدام للرجال الثلاثة والسجن خمس سنوات مع النفاذ للمرأة.

December 11th, 2011, 9:15 am

 

Revlon said:

Rumors has it that the Minister of interior, Mohammad Ibrahim AlShaar may have disappeared!

Does any one has more on the matter?

December 11th, 2011, 9:16 am

 

Syria no kandahar said:

Rethloon
Yes he is playing دق زهر with mr Bakour who your terrorists rats vanished
شعار فسا
الارهاب فرض والاغتيال سنه

December 11th, 2011, 9:26 am

 

Revlon said:

النظام السوري يقتل أحد أهم أطباء الثورة السورية المعروف باسم خالد الحكيم (مع فيديو)
The regime kills the founder of the local coordination committee for Doctors of Damascus, Dr Ibrahim Nahel Othman while attempting to escape to Turkey.

موقع أخبار الشرق – الأحد، 11 كانون1/ديسمبر 2011 05:09 بتوقيت دمشق
http://www.levantnews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=10211:2011-12-11-03-13-59&catid=77:civil-society-human-rights&Itemid=78

المجتمع المدني – حقوق الإنسان

قتلت قوات النظام السوري الناشط وأحد مؤسسي تنسيقية أطباء دمشق الدكتور إبراهيم ناهل عثمان، المعروف إعلامياً باسم “خالد الحكيم”.

ويعتبر الدكتور إبراهيم عثمان أحد أهم أطباء الثورة السورية، حيث عالج مئات الجرحى في دمشق وخارجها، إضافة إلى حديثه وشهادته شكل متكرر حول نشاط الثورة في دمشق عبر الفضائيات ووسائل الإعلام. وقد استشهد قرب الحدود التركية برصاص عناصر من جهاز المخابرات الجوية عندما كان يحاول مغادرة سورية بعد تضييق الخناق عليه.

وقد أظهر تسجيل فيديو نشر على اليوتيوب الشهيد عثمان وهو ممداً على أرض ترابية جثة هامدة بعد إطلاق الرصاص عليه.
وهذه شهادة بالشهيد الدكتور ابراهيم عثمان عليه رحمة الله ممن عرف نشاطه عن قرب
“من لم يعرف إبراهيم لم يعرف ما معنى الثورة…
عندما كانت حمص تحت القصف احتجنا لاطباء فاتصلت به في وقت متأخر آخر الليل لأخبره بضرورة تأمين أطباء لهناك فقال لي بالحرف: أعطني ساعة اودع أهلي وأذهب لعلي لا أرجع….
هو مؤسس تنسيقية أطباء دمشق والناطق الاعلامي باسمها وأحد أشجع أطبائها… في يوم الجمعة العظيمة عالج ما يفوق المئة جريح هو وأحد الأطباء الآخرين.. نهاره وليله كان ثورة… هوسه الجانب الانساني… على يده أنقذ حياة العشرات.. عندم ضربت الرستن كان بداخلها فقط يداوي الجرحى ويقوم بالعمليات…. نصبوا له العديد من الكمائن لكن ذلك لم يثنيه عن المضي في الثورة….
من أجلك يا إبراهيم تقوم الثورات… ولروحك الحرة الصادقة كل الهتافات… فأنت سورية وعدت لأرضها وأبت سورية أن تخرج منها عندما ضاقت بك الأمور واضطررت للخروج فأبقتك شهيدا داخلها أثناء رحلة الخروج. – احمد بقدونس”

December 11th, 2011, 9:27 am

 

Mango said:

بالفيديو قطر المقطور أسفلها تثير الجدل بعرضها خريطة لـ فلسطين تعترف فيها باسرائيل ولـ المغرب بدون الصحراء الكبرى في افتتاح دورة الألعاب العربية 2011 !
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6cilaRD9CE
أثار حفل افتتاح دورة الألعاب العربية مساء أول من أمس جدلاً واسعاً في أوساط المشاهدين والشباب العربي، جراء عرض خريطة غير مكتملة لـفلسطين تحتوي على الضفة الغربية وقطاع غزة فقط.

وأشارت الخريطة التي تم عرضها مساء الجمعة، خلال حفل الافتتاح، إلى 22% من خريطة فلسطين المتعارف عليها، واعتبرها متابعون اعترافًا صريحًا بدولة الاحتلال، وتنفيذًا لمخطط أمريكا بالشرق الأوسط الجديد.

وغصت صفحات شبكات التواصل الإجتماعي مثل الفيسبوك والتويتر والمنتديات الرياضية والسياسية على حد سواء بانتقادات عديدة للدولة المضيفة قطر، كما استهجن رواد هذه الشبكات صمت رئيس السلطة الفلسطينية محمود عباس الذي تابع الحفل، كما اعتبروا صمت الوفد

الفلسطيني المشارك وعدم انسحابه بمثابة قبول رسمي بما عرضته قطر.

وطالب العديد من متصفحي المواقع الإلكترونية بعثة فلسطين بالانسحاب من الدورة، والمطالبة بالاعتذار العلني لإهانة دولة فلسطين ، احتجاجا على ما وصفوه اعتراف دولة قطر بــ”إسرائيل”.

كما أسقطت الخارطة المعروضة الصحراء المغربية من خارطة المغرب أيضا، مما أثار احتجاجات مغربية، ودعوات بالانسحاب من الدورة.

واحتجت الجماهير المغربية عبر مجموعة من المواقع الإلكترونية أيضا، فيما لزم الجانب الرسمي المغربي الصمت.

December 11th, 2011, 9:36 am

 

irritated said:

Majedalkhaldoon

“Some one must write the names of Shops that did not comply with the strike for dignity, those are coward .”

Yes, they should be burned and their owner tortured. That’s what the opposition calls freedom of expression.

December 11th, 2011, 9:42 am

 

Mango said:

قـراءة سيكولوجية مستقبلية لإستراتيجية أوباما الجديدة
فيمارس – 3 – 2011

من المسلم به ان المصالح الاستراتيجية الاميركية محكومة بضوابط مؤسساتية صارمة. لكن ذلك لايعني تجاهل اثر الفرد في المؤسسة. فالرئيس الاميركي الجديد يدخل البيت الابيض ومعه طاقمه الخاص الذي يضم حوالي الالفي شخص. ولاشك بان ظروف الحملة الانتخابية ونوعية قوى الضغط التي دعمت الرئيس يلعبان اكبر الاثر في اختيار هذا الفريق وهذا الامر ينطبق على أوباما كما على الرؤساء السابقين له. لكن ظروف ادارة أوباما مختلفة عن ظروف أية إدارة سابقة بما يبرر توقع تحول هذه الادارة الى مـرحلة تسجيل السوابق التي ستفرضها ظروف المتغيرات العالمية في ظل الازمة الاقتصادية. وهو ما سيحرم الإدارة الجديدة من كسب اي وقت بحجة الفترة الانتقالية كونها إدارة منتخبة في ظل أزمات جاهزة ومتفجرة. والأهم تضخم التوقعات من هذه الإدارة ليس داخلياً فقط بل خارجياً أيضاً. بما يحفز امكانيات اصابة الداخل الاميركي والعالم بالخيبة في حال تعثر خطط الإدارة الجديدة. مما يضعنا في اجواء نفسية خاصة حيث للسيكولوجيا دورها الرئيسي. سواء على صعيد الايحاء التوقعي او الشائعات او توجهات البورصة وتوقعات اسعار الاسهم والفائدة او حتى على صعيد السياسة الخارجية. وبذلك يكون السؤال الاول حول كيفية مواجهة الادارة الجديدة للعواصف القادمة إضافة الى مواجهتها للأزمات الموروثة عن بوش. فمهام إدارة أوباما تمتد الى أعادة تنظيم جديدة لأميركا والعالم. وهو ما يقتضي متابعة الملفات المطروحة على الادارة الجديدة.
طاقم أوباما.
الداخل الاميركي.
العـودة للثوابت الاستراتيجية الأميركية.
عـودة القطبية ونهاية الآحادية الأميركية.
وقف عمليات البحث عن عـدو.
العـودة لسياسة الأحلاف.
إعـادة إنتاج المنظمات الدولية والإقليمية.
تجاوزات الضرورة والجرائم المبتكرة.
الأزمـة العراقية.
الأزمـة الأفغانية.
الحـرب على الإرهاب.
المـواجهة مع إيـران.
المـواجهة مع روسيا.
الأوبـامية الجـديدة.
ومع ما ينطوي عليه الاختصار من فتح الأبواب عريضة امام سوء الفهم فاننا سنلجأ الى الروابط على الانترنت لتعويض هذا الاختصار.
طــاقم أوباما
رغم خصوصية المرحلة فان انتخاب أوباما خضع للظروف والآليات التقليدية للإنتخابات الاميركية بما يضع الرئيس الجديد ضمن خانات التصنيف التقليدية للرؤساء الاميركيين. حيث تبين متابعة الحملة الانتخابية وسلوك أوباما خلالها الى إنتمائه لفئة “المنفعل الإيجابي” يمتاز هذا النمط بأنه مساير ومتعاون أكثر منه صاحب شخصية وحيوية قوية مع مسحة تفاؤل مهيمنة على سلوكه. وهذا النمط يفاوض بشكل جيد، ولكنه يحيط نفسه بأصدقائه القدامى الذين يجلبون له العار. ومن أمثلة هذا النمط هوارد تافت وكلينتون وريغان، ” الذي يقول عنه سيمونتون: “ها نحن نجد ريغان يوقع صفقة أسلحة مهمة وفي الوقت نفسه تنفجر حوله الفضائح في كل مكان”. كما ينتمي الى هذا النمط الرئيس كلينتون.
للإطلاع على تصنيف الرؤساء الاميركيين http://mostakbaliat.com/presidents.html
وبمراجعة منهجية تركيب طاقم أوباما نجد انه سرب فعلاً بعض مساعديه في ادارة حملته الانتخابية وبعض أصدقاء العائلة الى الفريق. وهم سيشكلون الأصدقاء القدامى المحيطين بالرئيس ونقطة ضعفه الشخصية. كما ان الانتخابات دفعت أوباما للتخلي عن بعض صداقاته القديمة وبخاصة منها الصداقات مع عرب ومسلمين. اما عن التركيبة العامة للفريق فقد إعتمدت على مباديء دراسة السلوك والسوابق. حيث وضعت الكفاءات التي تجد صعوبة في عمل الفريق في مناصب استشارية. وحيث تم الاحتفاظ ببعض أعضاء فريق بوش القادرين على التكيف مع منطلقات الادارة الجديدة. فإذا ما نظرنا الى تعقيد الملفات المطروحة على الادارة وصفتها الطارئة أمكننا استبعاد تأثير الاشخاص والعوامل الشخصية في ادارة أوباما. حيث الظروف الطارئة تفرض برمجة الطاقم وفق حسابات بعيدة عن العامل الفردي. وهذه البرمجة سوف تؤثر على مستوى الإنسجام داخل الفريق بما يبرر توقع إقالات وإستقالات وتجميدات وتغييرات سريعة في الطاقم وكذلك في السلوك المعهود لبعض أفراده. ومن هنا ضرورة استبعاد كل التوقعات التي تقوم على اساس معرفة السلوك السابق لأعضاء الادارة.
الــداخل الاميركي.
يقـوم نمط الحياة الاميركي على استبدال محركات الشخصية بقوالب او بانماط سلوكية محددة يمكن للاشخاص اعتمادها وتبنيها بمعزل عن الشخصية الاساسية. مما يحفظ للفرد عالمه الداخلي ويقولب تصرفاته وعلاقته بالآخرين وفق شروط محددة ومقبولة. وبذلك كانت الاقليات الاميركية تخوض كفاحها من اجل توسيع امكانيات انصهارها في البوتقة الاميركية. والسماح لها بإتباع هذه الانماط وتوفير الشروط لذلك. لكن تغييرات عميقة تنامت مع الوقت مدعومة بظروف الآحادية الاميركية بعد نهاية الحرب الباردة. ففي البداية كانت الجماعات الاميركية ساعية للانصهار. لكن بعضها كان يتميز بحس انتماء متطور جعلها تبقى مصرة للحفاظ على خصوصياتها. ومن هذه الجماعات اليهود (يصرون على الانغلاق بوصفهم الشعب المختار) والصينيون (بسبب تطور حسهم القومي). بالاضافة الى الفقراء المنعزلين في احياء الصفيح من لاتينيين وافارقة وغيرهم. الا ان الامور تعقدت بعد نهاية الحرب الباردة بحيث باتت فضائح الاستغلال اليهودي للحكومة الفيديرالية سبباً لانبعاث حركة الميليشيات الاميركية البيضاء (الآرية – النازية الجديدة) وتنفيذها لتفجير مكتب الاف بي آي في اوكلاهوما العام 1995. لكن هذه الحركات الآرية عادت للإصطفاف خلف ادارة بوش بعد حوادث سبتمبر وردود الفعل الاميركية الفاشية عليها. لكن فشل الفاشية الجديدة البوشية أعاد هذه الحركات الى الواجهة خاصة مع تولي أوباما “الملون” منصب الرئاسة. ومهما بلغت سذاجة محاولات اغتيال أوباما فانها تعكس موقف الآريين أوالنازيين الجدد من ادارته وهو موقف يستحق المتابعة. بل هو انطلاقة للإنشطار الأميركي على أسس عنصرية. كما ان فشل سياسات بوش وحروبه قد أيقظ عاملاً إنشطارياً آخر هـو “عقدة فيتنام” إذ أضيفت اليها “عقدة العراق” و”عقدة أفغانستان” بعد هوام تكرار كارثة 11 سبتمبر مما أحدث تغييرات عميقة في بنية المجتمع الاميركي وانماط علاقاته. ثم جاء إنفجار الأزمة المالية ليفقد الموزاييك العرقي الاميركية مادته اللاصقة الاساسية وهي الوفرة المادية. فهذه الوفرة هي المصلحة التي جمعت الأقليات العرقية الاميركية ووحدتها جاعلة من الرخاء المادي أساساً لنمط الحياة الاميركية. وبفقدان هذا الرخاء يفقد المجتمع الاميركي احد أهم عناصره الجمعية. خاصة بعد ان طال هياج بوش العسكري أصول ورموز الجماعات الاتنية والعرقية الاميركية. حيث عادى بوش الإسلام في حروبه المضادة للارهاب. وعادى العرب بحرب “الصدمة والترويع” التي تجاوزت العراق لترويع كل العرب. كما سجل بوش اولى نوبات هياجه ضد الصين في ابريل 2001 بتكثيف الطلعات التجسسية على الصين فكانت حادثة الطائرة الشهيرة. وما لبث ان احتل أفغانستان مهدداً التخوم المباشرة للصين في محاولة خنق جيوبوليتيكية لن تغفرها الصين. أيضاً فان هياج بوش لم يوفر اميركا اللاتينية وهو طال أوروبا عن طريق الإبتزاز الاقتصادي الذي قادها الى حالة إختناق إقتصادي عبر سياسة الدولار الضعيف والنفط الغالي التي اتبعها بوش في السنة الاخيرة من ولايته في محاولة لتأجيل انفجار الإقتصاد الاميركي الى ما بعد نهاية ولايته. وهذه الوقائع غذت الحنين الى الأصول لدى الجماعات الاميركية. وبذلك يتوضح تدريجيا عجز الذات الأميركية عن مكاملة وتركيب مجموعاتها الدينامية. اذ يزداد بروز عوامل الاختلاف بين هذه المجموعات حيث تتبدى اليوم الفوارق بين هذه المجموعات على الاصعدة المختلفة ( العرقية واللغوية والدينية والمذهبية والقومية …الخ). حتى امكن القول ان انفجار اوكلاهوما وقبله حوادث ليتل روك ولوس انجلوس وبعدها حوادث سينسيناتي لم تكن سوى مظاهر لبداية تفكك الذات الأميركية . على طريق تحويلها الى فتات من الأقليات المتنافرة. وهذا الملف الداخلي هو أكثر الملفات التي تواجه ادارة أوباما خطورة وهي تصل لغاية احتمال اغتياله شخصياً.
للإطـلاع على التحليل النفسي للشخصية الاميركية http://mostakbaliat.com/link36.html
العـودة للثوابت الاستراتيجية الأميركية.
وفق إعلاناته المسبقة يمكن التأكيد أن أوباما قرر العودة للثوابت الاستراتيجية الاميركية التي إنقلب عليها بوش. وهي محاولة إعادة تنظيم سياسية تعتمد مبدأ النكوص الى ما قبل الفوضى. وأولى خطوات هذا النكوص تكمن في التخلص من “مبدأ بوش” المعروف ب “الحرب الإستباقية” التي أكدت فشلها الذريع وعدم قابليتها للإعتماد كمبدأ إستراتيجي. ولعل أهم الإنقلابات الاستراتيجية لإدارة بوش هو خروجها التام على مبدأ الإحتواء و إستبداله بمبدأ إستخدام القوة العسكرية بالصورة المباشرة. وهو ما بينته الحرب العراقية المتناقضة تماماً مع السلوك الإستراتيجي العسكري لكل الإدارات السابقة. فقد تخلت هذه الحرب عن معظم الثوابت الاستراتيجية الأميركية في الحروب. ومن هذه الثوابت المتخطاة القيام بإعلان الحرب بدون الحصول على موافقة مجلس الأمن الدولي ورغم معارضة الناتو لها. بما يشكل تخطياً للاستراتيجية الجديدة للناتو إضافة للتخلي عن مبدأ إشراك الأصدقاء وتوريطهم في الحرب. كما تخطت مبدأ عدم خوض حربين متزامنتين (الحرب الأفغانية غير منتهية إضافة الى الأزمة الكورية المهددة والمحرجة) وكذلك مبدأ عدم خوض الحروب مفتوحة النهايات. إضافة لإغتصاب موافقة الكونغرس بصورة مساومة على الأمن القومي. وإستخدام أسلحة محرمة دولياً وأخرى جديدة ( الحرب القذرة غالية الثمن الاستراتيجي). والدخول في الصدام الحضاري الذي طالما تجنبته الإدارات السابقة.
وبما أن عملية النكوص تتم من الأحدث نحو الأقدم فان أوباما يركز على الخروج من حرب العراق بسبب فداحة ثمنها الاستراتيجي ومخالفاتها المذكورة أعلاه. وذلك بحيث يبدو ثمن الحرب الأفغانية ضئيلاً بالمقارنة معها. والإنسحاب من العراق سيتيح لإدارة أوباما إصلاح كل الأخطاء المشار لها أعلاه مع الحفاظ على المصالح الاميركية في العراق والمنطقة. وهو يقتضي عدم ظهور الانسحاب على شكل هزيمة عسكرية مباشرة أو غير مباشرة لأصدقاء واشنطن العراقيين بما قد يؤخر الانسحاب.
بالإنتقال الى انعكاسات النكوص السياسي على السياسة الخارجية الاميركية فانها تعني العودة الاميركية لسياسة الأحلاف. وتالياً العودة لقبول مباديء الشراكة وعدم تجاوز الحلفاء والأصدقاء ومصالحهم كما فعلت ادارة بوش. مع امكانية توظيف الازمة الاقتصادية لتحويل العدو من التهديد العسكري الى التهديد الاقتصادي. وهو ما تطل بشائره مع الاعلان في 23/12/08 عن تأسيس أوبك الغاز بمشاركة روسية لأطراف معادية مثل فنزويلا وايران. حيث جاء تصريح الرئيس بوتين حول نهاية عصر الغاز الرخيص هدية ثمينة ومقصودة للرئيس الاميركي الجديد. / للإطلاع على الإنقلابات الاستراتيجية لادارة بوش: http://www.albasrah.net/maqalat_mukhtara/arabic/1004/nablsi_211004.htm
عـودة القطبية ونهاية الآحادية الأميركية.
نجحت روسيا بوتين بالتسلل الى المشهد السياسي العالمي ببراعة الكي جي بي المعهودة. حيث أكدت المخابرات الروسية بقاءها على قيد الحياة بعد موت الاتحاد السوفياتي. وهي لعبت أدواراً متفاوتة على المسرح السياسي العالمي. حتى جاء الاعلان عن بروز القوة الروسية الصاعدة من جديد بمناسبة حرب جورجيا. ومعها الإعلان عن إستعداد روسيا لخوض حرب نووية للحؤول دون إكتمال مشروع الدرع الصاروخي الاميركي في أوروبا الشرقية. بما يجعل الولايات المتحدة عاجزة عملياً عن دفع الثمن الاستراتيجي لنشر صواريخها في أوروبا. وبالتالي نهاية المشروع الأساسي للرئيس بوش الإبن حيث من المؤكد أن ادارة أوباما ليست في وارد الإستمرار في هذا المشروع وتحمل أعبائه. علماً بان المشروع شكل أحد وجوه الإنفاق الرئيسية لإدارة بوش.
ونهاية الدرع الصاروخي تعني عملياً نهاية حلم إكمال السيطرة العسكرية الاميركية على العالم وهي بالتالي المدخل للعودة الى التعددية القطبية. بل هو بداية الإعلان عن فوز روسيا بموقع “القطب البديل” الذي إحتار الباحثون واختلفوا في تحديده. حيث توالت الترشيحات لهذا الموقع منذ سقوط الاتحاد السوفياتي. فرشح الاتحاد الاوروبي والصين وروسيا والهتد لتفوز روسيا بالموقع بعد فراغ ملأته حروب بوش التي دعمت الصعود الروسي وحسنت فرص إستعادة القوة الروسية وسط أوهام النهايات الاميركية. حيث تشير العودة الروسية الى سذاجة هذه النهايات من نهاية التاريخ حتى نهاية القوميات وقبلها الايديولوجيات. فالعودة الروسية ترتدي ثوب القومية الارثوذوكسية المذهب. وهي سوف تشجع عودة القوميات وتدعم الإيديولوجيات الدينية في ظل أزمة مصيرية للبراغماتية الاميركية.
هذا وتشكل العودة الى التعددية القطبية العالمية سبباً إضافياً للعودة الاميركية الى سياسة الأحلاف. بل أن ترشيح الصين للإنضمام الى المشهد سيعيد لحلف الناتو مبرراته التي فقدها كحلف دفاعي عقب سقوط الاتحاد السوفياتي. وفي رأينا الشخصي ان الإنفتاح الاميركي لتوسيع نادي الدول الصناعية الكبرى وعقد قمة العشرين في واشنطن في نوفمبر الماضي هو إعلان ناجز عن نهاية الآحادية الاميركية. ويكفي لذلك ان نذكر إصرار واشنطن على إبقاء روسيا خارج هذا النادي لسنوات ومن ثم قبولها كمراقب حتى انفجار الأزمة الاقتصادية العالمية.
وقف عمليات البحث عن عـدو.
لاحظ صموئيل هنتنغتون في مقالته “تآكل المصالح الاميركية” (1996) أن الولايات المتحدة ومنذ قيامها توجه مصالحها واستراتيجيتها في الاتجاه المضاد لاعدائها. فهي كانت تتوجه عكس القارة القديمة (اوروبا) لغاية الحرب العالمية الثانية عندما تحولت الى معاكسة للنازية ومن ثم لمعاداة الشيوعية. ويتابع هنتنغتون بأنها فقدت وجهة مصالحها بعد نهاية الحرب الباردة لانه لم يعد لديها اعداء توجه نفسها بالنسبة اليهم!. وفسر هنتنغتون قيام اميركيين بتفجير أوكلاهوما على انه بسبب فقدان العدو. إذ طرح السؤال عما اذا كان هذا الانفجار ليحدث لوكان لأميركا عدو ما؟. وبهذا أوضح هنتنغتون الثمن الذي تدفعه الولايات المتحدة بسبب خسارتها للعدو وبالتالي ضريبة وراثتها للعالم الحر. وفي رأينا ان هذه الوراثة كلفت الولايات المتحدة غالياً اذ حملتها وزر القاء قنبلتين ذريتتين على اليابان. ومعهما مشاعر الذنب وتوقع الانتقام ورهاب المحاكمة واحتمالات إنقلاب الادوار. الأمر الذي يجعل المواطن الاميركي غير مقتنع بانه يعيش في وطن نهائي. حيث بدأت التكاليف الباهظة للمحافظة على هذه الوراثة تتبدى مع حروب فيتنام وكوريا ومع تهديدات الحرب الباردة وغيرها من التكاليف التي ولدت عقدة فيتنام الاميركية. ومعها رفض الاميركيين للتضحية باولادهم من اجل مكاسب استراتيجية بعيدة عن الارض الاميركية. وعاد هذا الرفض فتجلى في حرب كوسوفو عندما ادرك كلينتون عجزه عن دفع الثمن الاستراتيجي للانزال البري في كوسوفو فرفضه. والواقع ان حرب كوسوفو أوضحت الفهم الاميركي لوراثة العالم الحر. والذي نلخصه بالمعادلة التالية: “التفوق العسكري الاميركي بتضحية اوروبية لحماية مباديء العالم الحر”. ومن الواضح ان اوروبا لم تكن موافقة على هذه المعادلة. وهي أبرزت رفضها لها عبر رفضها مشاركة بوش في حرب العراق مما إضطر الأميركيين لتقديم التضحيات البشرية تحت إصرار بوش على ممارسة فعلية للقوة. وها هي حروب بوش تعيد تفجير المخاوف الاميركية من الحروب ومعها مخاوف الصراع الخفي عبر تهديدات التجسس الروسي والصيني والاسرائيلي ومعهم تهديدات الارهاب الأميركي الداخلي الذي بات متعدداً بتعدد الجماعات المكونة للموزاييك الاميركي. فبالإضافة للإرهاب الآري هناك تهديد الكاثوليك اللاتين والاصولية الاسلامية اضافة لتهديد السود الذي قد يتصاعد لو أصابهم أوباما بخيبات باتت منتظرة. وكان الرئيس الاميركي نيكسون قد نبه لهذه المخاوف ولاحتمالات الخطر الفعلي فيها اذ كتب في مذكراته: … لو سألني مواطن أميركي عن البلد الذي يمكنه أن يضمن له مستقبلا مستقرا” لاولاده لنصحته باوستراليا!.
واليوم تقدم روسيا لأوباما عدواً جاهزاً ينقذ تآكل المصالح الاميركية بحسب وصف هنتنغتون وبالتالي يقلل من احتمالات الخطر الداخلي. كما سيكون باستطاعة أوباما وضع الحدود لسياسة التهافت على عداوة الاشخاص التي اعتمدها بوش. اذ حول العداوة الاميركية نحو أشخاص فبات مرشحي العداء للدولة الاعظم اشخاص مثل اسامة بن لادن وهيغو تشافيز وصدام حسين وغيرهم. وعليه فان الرئيس أوباما سيوقف البحث عن عدو لاميركا وسيتخلى عن عداوة الاشخاص. وهو ما يفسر انفتاحه على التفاوض مع كل عداوات الاشخاص بمن فيهم طالبان الإرهابية. وإن كانت المصادر تشير الى رغبته في تحقيق نصر ما على هذا الصعيد يساعده على اغلاق ملف عداء الاشخاص. وهو ما يفسر التوقعات الاستخبارية عن عمليات إغتيال قد تنفذه المخابرات الاميركية. سواء في فنزويلا أو كوريا الشمالية أو بوليفيا حيث بدأت المحاولات الاستخبارية قبل تسلم أوباما للحكم. وكأن بوش يسابق أوباما على هذه العمليات. وإن كان كلاهما يفضل الحصول على رأس بن لادن.
العـودة لسياسة الأحلاف.
كان تعديل استراتيجية حلف الناتو بتغييره من حلف دفاعي الى حلف هجومي في 26/4/99 بداية التراجع الاميركي عن العولمة والعودة لسياسة الأحلاف رغم انعدام وجود الحلف المقابل. ويقول التعديل بان من حق الدول الأعضاء ان تشن هجمات في مناطق أخرى من العالم في حال تهديد مصالحها. بما يعادل شيك على بياض لحروب اميركا. وهنا نذكر بأن التعديل حصل أيام كلينتون وكانت كوسوفو هي نموذج الحروب الاميركية. وعندما تحول النموذج من كوسوفو الى العراق اختلفت المعايير فخرجت إدارة بوش على حلف الناتو وشنت حربها دون موافقته. وبمعنى آخر فان حلف الناتو بات بحاجة لتعديلات وضوابط جديدة لإنقاذه من تجاوزات بوش. بما يقتضي عودة أميركية كاملة لسياسة الأحلاف. وهو ما يطرح السؤال عن الموقف الاوروبي من هذه العودة؟. وهو موقف مرتبط بمخالفات ادارة بوش لقواعد تحالف الناتو وللتفاهمات الاوروبية الاميركية في عهد كلينتون. حيث بدأ كلينتون نفسه بمخالفة إتفاقية الغات بدعمه لصناعة الفولاذ الاميركية ملحقاً الضرر بمثيلتها الأوروبية. ثم جاءت مخالفات بوش للإتفاقيات العالمية من اتفاقية كيوتو للمناخ لغاية المحكمة الجنائية الدولية. اما على صعيد حلف الناتو فقد تراجع بوش عن وعد كلينتون لأوروبا بتمرير إنشاء القوة الاوروبية للتدخل السريع ومنعها بقسوة ناعتاً أوروبا بالقارة العجوز. ثم جاءت تصرفات بوش المهينة للزعماء الاوروبيين في فترة الاعداد للحرب العراقية وبخاصة في اجتماع البرتغال. حيث اتخذ قرار الحرب في النهاية من خارج حلف الناتو وبعدم اكتراث اميركي بالحلف وبالشركاء فيه. وختم بوش عهده بسياسة اقتصادية قادت الاتحاد الاوروبي الى الاختناق.
المراجعة الاوروبية للشراكة مع الولايات المتحدة لا تشجع الاوروبيين على قبول العودة للتحالف معها. وهو الموقف الالماني المعلن في أكثر من مناسبة والممكن الإستشفاف من مواقف المانيا من محاولات التصدي للأزمة المالية العالمية. حيث اعلنت بصراحة رغبتها باستخدام قدراتها لانقاذ افتصادها بعيداً عن مشاريع التعاون الاقتصادي المقترحة. وبخاصة مشروع الرئيس الفرنسي ساركوزي لانقاذ الاقتصاد الاوروبي. حيث تتبدى وجهة المصالح الالمانية مخالفة لوجهة المصالح الفرنسية الميالة للدخول في حلف اميركي جديد او متجدد يدعم مصالحها في شمال افريقيا وطموحها للعودة الى واجهة السياسة العالمية ولو عبر تكليفها بمهام محددة. وهي مسائل بعيدة عن الاهتمام الالماني. خاصة وان الحلف المتجدد سيكون على حساب الاتحاد الاوروبي ومصالحه. وفي النهاية فان مصالحات أوباما للأوروبيين لن تنتج تعديلاً وفاقياً ناجحاً لاستراتيجية الناتو كذلك الذي حصل عليه كلينتون في العام 1999.
للإطلاع على إنبعاث سياسة الاحلاف: http://www.mostakbaliat.com/link82.html
إعـادة إنتاج المنظمات الدولية والإقليمية.
بعد سقوط الاتحاد السوفياتي إعتمدت الادارة الاميركية مبدأ إضعاف المؤسسات الدولية والاقليمية لتأمين بسط سيطرتها الآحادية الجديدة. وهو ما إنعكس في إتمام السيطرة الاميركية على الامم المتحدة ومجلس الامن الدولي ومؤسساتهما. لغاية بدء المطالبة الاميركية بتعديل قوانين مجلس الامن بما يتوافق والواقع العالمي الجديد. وإنتقل المبدأ الى المؤسسات الاقليمية حتى حرمت جامعة الدول العربية من مجرد دور وساطة شكلي في مسألة الانسحاب العراقي من الكويت قبيل حرب تحريرها. وجاء الحضور العسكري الاميركي في المنطقة عبر إحتلال العراق ليطرح ضرورة التخلص من هذه المؤسسات ومعها إنهاء اية سيطرة للقوى الاقليمية. حيث تعرضت هذه القوى للتهديدات الاميركية وصولاً للتهديد بتقسيم السعودية الصديقة. وفي الاطار كان استصدار قرارات أممية بالانسحاب السوري من لبنان وفتح الملف النووي الايراني وأيضاً قلمت أظافر السعودية في الخليج عبر اقامة واشنطن لعلاقات ثنائية مباشرة مع دوله. حيث تم تحويل البحرين الى مملكة مقابل قاعدة للأسطول الاميركي الخامس. مع إستضافة قطر قاعدة العيديد الاميركية مقابل حمايتها من السعودية وغيرها من التدخلات الاميركية المباشرة في الخليج على حساب السعودية. ومع تعقد الوضع في العراق تمكنت السعودية من استرداد بعض نفوذها تدريجياً عبر التبني الاميركي لزعامتها لمجموعة الاعتدال العربي كما عبر دعم نفوذها في لبنان والعراق وفلسطين. وفي هذا الوقت تم تدجين الجامعة العربية بعد تحجيم الدور المصري الاقليمي. في حين تصاعدت الضغوط الاميركية والاقليمية ضد المحور السوري الايراني. وهكذا فان قرار الانسحاب الاميركي ،ولنقل التراجع، في العراق يستتبع اعادة الامور الى نصابها ما قبل احتلال العراق. وهو ما يعني عودة المؤساات الاقليمية ولكن وفق معادلة التدجين الجديدة. وكذلك عودة القوى الاقليمية وفق المعادلة نفسها. وهو ما يمكن السعي اليه بعقد صفقات اميركية منفردة مع القوى الاقليمية. وان كان هذا السعي يتعرقل بعدم امكانية فك التحالف السوري الايراني.
وعليه فان اعادة انتاج المؤسسات الاقليمية وإقامة مؤسسات جديدة وفق معادلة مناسبة للمصالح الاميركية ستكون احد اهداف الادارة الاميركية الجديدة. وفي رأينا ان مؤتمر حوار الاديان المنعقد في الامم المتحدة بحضور اسرائيلي ان هو الا محاولة لسبر امكانيات إقامة مؤسسات اقليمية من نمط جديد غير مألوف في المنطقة. ليبقى الاهم العمل لإبقاء كل مشاريع منظمات التعاون الإقليمي تحت السيطرة الأميركية. اما بالنسبة للمؤسسات الدولية فهي سوف تستعيد آلياتها المعتادة بعد العودة الى نظام التعددية القطبية. للإطـلاع على مستقبل الدور الاميركي في الشرق الاوسط http://mostakbaliat.com/damasmea.html
تجاوزات الضرورة والجرائم المبتكرة.
تجاوزات الضرورة تطرح احتمال لجوء المخابرات الاميركية الى الأسلوب الذي إعتمدته في تشيلي في السبيعينيات حين واجهت واشنطن الاختراق الشيوعي لحديقتها الخلفية عبر انتخاب سلفادور الليندي. الذي واجهته المخابرات الاميركية بسلسلة من العمليات القذرة التي أحرجت النظام الاميركي. وبمقارنة الخطر الذي يتعرض له مئات آلاف الجنود الاميركيين في العراق وافغانستان مع الخطر الشيوعي في اميركا اللاتينية نجد ان العمليات المخابراتية القذرة مرشحة بقوة للعودة للإعتماد تحت ذريعة “تجاوزات الضرورة”.
ان القراءة الدقيقة لما يتسرب عن مراكز الدراسات الاميركية يوحي بتنامي احتمالات إعتماد الحرب السرية لتعويض تعليق القوة العسكرية وفق استراتيجية الادارة الجديدة. وبالنظر الى تعاظم احتمالات تعرض المصالح الاميركية في المنطقة ،وبخاصة القوات الاميركية في العراق وأفغانستان، لضربات كبيرة فان الاستعدادت يجب ان تعتمد مبدأ تجاوزات الضرورة مع اللجوء الى الجرائم المبتكرة لمواجهة هذه الأخطار عبر الحرب السرية. حيث يمكن لاسرائيل تقديم خدمات من الدرجة الاولى في هذا المجال.
وبالنظر الى غموض معالم هذه الحرب السرية فاننا نستدل عليها من خلال مراجعة فصل الاغتيالات في الحرب السرية الاميركية خلال السنوات الاخيرة. ويضم الملف محاولات اغتيال والرئيس البوليفي والرئيس الكوري الشمالي في ديسمبر 2008 وقبلها محاولة اغتيال هاشمي رفستجاني في تفجير شيراز والمحاولات المتكررة لإغتيال الرئيس الفنزويلي تشافيز.
لكن هذا النمط من العمليات مورس ايام بوش وتكشف عن فضائح كثيرة منها مؤجل الكشف الى ما بعد خروج بوش من البيت الأبيض. وعليه فان العمليات القذرة القابلة للتنفيذ في عهد أوباما يجب ان تكون اما من نوع الجرائم المبتكرة وإما من نوع الجرائم البدائية. والاكثر خطورة ان ادارة أوباما قادرة على اشعال النزاعات الاهلية في المناطق الحساسة بما يعطيها ورقة اضافية بالمساومة على اشعالها.
الأزمـة العراقية.
شركاء واشنطن في حرب العراق كثر وبعضهم متورط مباشرة مثل بريطانيا والدول المشاركة في الحرب. وبعضهم تورط بصورة غير مباشرة مثل الكويت التي دخلت قوات التحالف عبرها. كما تورط البعض بالواسطة مثل ايران التي قدمت التسهيلات لإحتلال العراق بصفتها مستفيدة من اسقاط نظام صدام والانتقام منه. وايضاً السعودية التي تدخلت عبر العشائر العراقية لإنشاء الصحوات في مواجهة القاعدة العراقية. وأخيراً هنالك المتورطون بمفعول رجعي مثل فرنسا التي دخلت متأخرة في البازار العراقي. وعليه فان واشنطن ليست وحيدة في ورطتها العراقية. فهذه الدول مجبرة بطريقة أو بأخرى على مساعدة واشنطن للخروج من العراق بالصورة المناسبة للمصالح الاميركية.
وبالاضافة لهذه الأوراق الاستخبارية العسكرية تملك ادارة اوباما في العراق أوراقاً جيوبوليتيكية. حيث قيام الدولة الكردية يشكل كارثة بالنسبة لتركيا وايران وسوريا. وهو قد يغري تركيا باجتياح شمال العراق الكردي وتخليص اميركا من أعبائه والتزاماتها فيه. اما قيام دولة الجنوب العراقية الشيعية فهو كارثة لدول الخليج التي تعدم قيام اقاليم متعددة وغير متجانسة في الجنوب لتجنب قيام الدولة الشيعية الواحدة.
كما ان النزاعات الاهلية العراقية باتت جاهزة للتفجير بين الاطراف التالية: المقاومة العراقية الصافية للأميركيين والمقاتلين العرب في العرق والميليشيات المدعومة من ايران وميليشيا الصدر ذات الميل العروبي المعارض لتفريس العراق وأخيراً القوى العشائرية المدعومة من السعودية.
وهكذا إختار اوباما تصفية تركة بوش العراقية أولاً لملكيته الكافي من الأوراق بخصوصها. فهو يملك ورقة الاتفاقية الأمنية وينتظر ورقة قانون النفط والغاز الذي يتيح للشركات الاميركية السيطرة على النفط العراقي. كذلك فهو يعطي للمخابرات فرص دفن التجاوزات وفضائح التعذيب والانتهاكات الانسانية التي ارتكبتها قواتهم في العراق. ليبدأ بعدها مفاوضاته مع ايران بخطوة ارسال وزيرة خارجيته ومع سوريا بزيارته لها تمهيداً لصفقات مقبولة معهما. وبعدها يصبح مؤتمر الجوار العراقي مدعوماً بالخبرة الاميركية مسؤولاً عن ايجاد التفاهمات الاقليمية لحل المسألة العراقية بالتفاهم بين دول الجوار وفروعها العراقية. وهو ما يشبه الى حد بعيد الحلول اللبنانية. على ان تبقى القوات الاميركية ضامنة لوحدة العراق لحين اتمام هذه التفاهمات. ومن غير المتوقع تمامها في مهلة الثلاث سنوات التي تحددها الاتفاقية.
الأزمـة الأفغانية.
بدأت المخابرات الاميركية خطوات نقل تجربة الصحوات العراقية الى افغانستان بتسليح القبائل الأفغانية. وتأتي الخطوة بعد شكوى كرزاي في مقابلة لصحيفة اميركية من لجوء القوات الاميركية الى العصابات المحلية لتنفيذ عملياتها القذرة. وهو ما لم تعد هذه القوات تنكره بعد التاكد من عجزها عن الحسم العسكري في أفغانستان. كما أن التهديد بتقسيم أفغانستان يوازي ورقة التهديد بتقسيم العراق وهي في مقدمة الاوراق التي ستوظفها دبلوماسية أوباما كمدخل للحل الأفغاني. لكن فريق أوباما بتركيبته المدروسة قد لا يصمد امام التجربة الأفغانية. ذلك ان أوباما يسجل عودة لسياسة كلينتون بتجنب استخدام اسلحة ذات ثمن استراتيجي. في حين تتركز خطط وزير الدفاع غيتس على إستخدام ذخائر من اليورانيوم المشبع وحتى قنابل نووية ميدانية في افغانستان. إذ انه من المعلوم ان غيتس يؤيد حتى استخدام القنابل النووية الميدانية لضرب مواقع طالبان والقاعدة. وهو تغير نوعي يجب ان يرافق خطة زيادة القوات ليدعمها. وهنا يتوقع الخبراء نشوب خلافات حادة بين أوباما وغيتس بعد فترة قصيرة من تولي اوباما مهامّه الرئاسية. وهو ما يفتح احتمالات حدوث تغييرات مبكرة في ادارة أوباما. ووفق البراغماتية الاميركية المعهودة فان هذه التغييرات ستتيح للإدارة الأوبامية التراجع عن الكثير من خططها ووعودها المعلنة. وهذا يعني إضطرار أبواما للجوء الى الجنرالات الذين عارضوا الهياج العسكري لبوش. أو ربما الى العسكريين النادمين التائبين من أمثال كولن باول.
بالإنتقال الى صعيد الهوامات المخابراتية ونقول هوامات لأن المخابرات تطرح دائماً الحلول غير المألوفة لمعرفتها أن نصيحتها لاتطلب الا بعد نفاذ الحلول المألوفة. ومن هنا إحتواء الحلول الاستخبارية على جرعة من الخيال واللامألوف الذي يبرر تسميتها بالهوامات. والهوام الأميركي في أفغانستان يقوم على اعادة احياء التحالف مع طالبان ،والقاعدة ضمناً، شرط تحويل مسرحها من المنطقة الاوردية الى القوقاز الروسي. وتتحدث هذه الاوساط الاستخبارية عن سمكة كبيرة تكون ثمناً لهذه الصفقة. وتطرح تحديداً تضحية القاعدة بأيمن الظواهري لإتمام هذه الصفقة.
الحـرب على الإرهاب.
بروز روسيا على المسرح العالمي وتهديداتها التسليحية والعسكرية المباشرة اضافة لمطالبها المحددة ومناطق نفوذها المطلوبة تستتبع أول ما تستتبع الغاء التعريف الاميركي للعديد من المصطلحات وفي مقدمها تعريفات الديمقراطية وكذلك الارهاب. فالارهاب لن يعود كل عمل يضر بالمصالح الاميركية. بل سيتشطر هذا التعريف الى ارهاب يضر بالمصالح الاميركية وارهاب يضر بالمصالح الروسية. والخلاف بين القطبين سيمنع توحيد مفاهيم المصطلحين. وبذلك يميل التعريف الاميركي للارهاب الى انه العنف ضد مباديء الحرية والديمقراطية الاميركية المفهوم. اما التعريف الروسي للإرهاب فهو سيستوحي مفاهيم التحرر والثورة على الاضطهاد.
هذا الانشطار وانقلاب المفاهيم المصاحب له سيحول الحرب الاميركية على الارهاب الى نوع من الكاريكاتور بسبب نشوء مرجعيات محددة ومعروفة داعمة لكل نوع من أنواع الارهاب. وهكذا ستسعى كل جماعة تسمى اليوم بالارهابية للإنضمام الى احد التعريفات المستجدة التي تخرجها من تصنيف الارهاب وتضعها في جبهة مقابلة للعدو المفترض. اما المنظمات الارهابية غير العقائدية فهي ستجد طريقها للشرعنة بالانحياز الى احد الأطراف. وهنا لا بد من التذكير بالتحالف الذي دام على مدى عقود بين المخابرات الاميركية ومنظمة المافيا.
المـواجهة مع إيـران.
سبق القول ان تضخيم الملف النووي الايراني جاء نتيجة الحاجة الاميركية لإحتواء القوى الاقليمية المؤثرة والحد من نفوذها. وهنا لا بد من مراجعة تهمة اسلحة الدمار الشامل المفبركة التي بررت حرب العراق. وعليه فان مقاربة الملف النووي الايراني لا بد لها من ان تأخذ في الاعتبار أنه مجرد واجهة لصراع المصالح الاميركية الايرانية في المنطقة. وان خلفيات الملف بعيدة عن الموضوع النووي. وهو ما تبدى واضحاً لدى ظهور التقرير الاستخباري المؤكد لعدم ملكية ايران للسلاح النووي ولتأخر قدرتها على انتاجه. وبمراجعة ظروف صدور هذا التقرير وانعكاساته ندرك ضآلة الموضوع النووي قياساً الى موضع المصالح. فتعقيد المسالأة الإيرانية يعود لتعقيد العلاقات الاميركية الايرانية مضافاً اليها مستجدات التنافس السعودي الايراني على النفوذ في المنطقة. والطرفان مستعدان لتقاسم هذا النفوذ وفق المعادلة التي سادت أيام شاه ايران. ومن هنا سعي أوباما للحوار مع ايران وفق استراتيجية صفقة متدحرجة تعيد تقاسم النفوذ الايراني السعودي وفق معادلة جديدة. ولعل ملف الشيعة العرب أعقد ملفات هذه المعادلة.
مهما يكن فان اعتماد سياسة الامتناع عن دفع أثمان استراتيجية وعدم استخدام اسلحة استراتيجية المعتمدة من أوباما انما تؤكد نهاية التهديد بضربة عسكرية لايران. سواء مباشرة او عن طريق اسرائيل وغيرها.
المـواجهة مع روسيا.
العودة الى ما قبل ولايتي بوش وهياجه تبين عدم رغبة روسيا في أية مواجهة تعيق طموحاتها المتحولة الى قومية والمقتصرة على اعادة إحياء روسيا القيصرية. وإستيعاب الآثار الجانبية السامة لسقوط الاتحاد السوفياتي وتخطي الفقر الناجم عن سياسات المرحلة الشيوعية. ولعل أخطر ما واجهته الطموحات الروسية خلال النصف الثاني من العام 2008، هو بداية الأزمة المالية واستفحالها، وما حملته من تساؤلات عن قدرة الشعب على الاحتمال. أزمة قد تبدّد الانتصار الروسي في حرب جورجيا، على الأقل لناحية حماية مصالحها، بانتظار عودة فلاديمير بوتين للرئاسة.. وكما قال بوتين في إحدى مقابلاته التلفزيونية: «لقد عدّوا يوماً ما ياسر عرفات إرهابياً، ثم منحوه في النهاية جائزة نوبل للسلام! معنى ذلك أن كل شيء ممكن، وعلينا التحلّي بالصبر».. ويمكن القول إن خلفية الحرب كانت عبارة عن مواجهة أميركية – روسية. فبسيطرة جورجيا، حليفة الولايات المتحدة، على أوسيتيا الجنوبية، تكون واشنطن قد نجحت في الاقتراب أكثر من الفضاء الروسي، الأمر الذي تراه الأخيرة خطاً أحمر.. واعترف بوتين بأن «الاقتصاد الروسي لا يعاني عواقب انهيار النظام المالي العالمي فحسب، بل من الانخفاض الحادّ لأسعار سلع التصدير الأساسية الروسية، مثل النفط والغاز والمعادن والمنتجات الكيميائية». وخلال الشهرين الماضيين، صدّق مجلس الدوما على طرح مدفيديف، تعديل الدستور وتمديد ولاية الرئيس من أربع إلى ست سنوات، خطوة تمهّد لعودة بوتين إلى سدة الرئاسة خلال عام على الأكثر، بحجة أنه الأقدر على التصدي للأزمة الاقتصادية. توجد نكتة قديمة في روسيا، بعنوان «القادة السوفيات على قطار». حين توقف القطار فجأة، أطلق ستالين النار على المحرّك، وظل القطار يمشي. بريجينيف أمر رجاله بإغلاق النوافذ وهز القطار ليثبت أنه لا يزال يتحرك. أما بوتين، فلن يدّعي أن القطار لا يزال يعمل، بل سيكتفي بتقديم المال للركاب، لإسعادهم. في المقابل فان روسيا بوتين لن تُدافع عن أيديولوجية سياسية أو اقتصادية أو فلسفية، بل ستُدافع عن القومية الروسية والأمة الروسية، ووجود روسيا ذاتها. فعندما سقطت أيديولوجية الاتحاد السوفيتي الماركسية لم تسقط الأمم، بل سقطت الأيديولوجيا فقط. وتشير نظرية الإستقراء التاريخي الى احتمال معاودة انبعاث الايديولوجيا بعد جيلين. وهي نظرية وجدت تطبيقها في الفاشية مثلاً. حيث نشهد اليوم انبعاث الفاشية الجديدة. ومهما يكن فان روسيا لا تستند فقط الى طموحات نظرية او معطيات سياسية بل هي تستند أيضاً الى قوة عسكرية وملفات علاقات تاريخية لا يمكن بحال تجاوزها. وهي ستطرح نفسها بقوة خلال السنوات القادمة. وهو حضور سيتدعم العام 2015 باكتمال مسيرة التنمية الصينية واستعداد الصين في حينه للدخول الى مسرح السياسة الدولية في حلف مع روسيا يجد هيكليته غير المتشكلة Amorphe بعد عبر “تحالف شنغهاي” الاقتصادي.
الأوبـامية الجـديدة.
الفشل يتيم ومرحلة بوش كرست فشلها ويتمها مما يضع العالم في كادر معاكس تماماً للكادر الإفتراضي لو نجحت مخططات بوش ومنها تنفيذ تهديد هنري كيسينجر في السبعينيات حول إحتلال منابع النفط. أمام هذا الواقع فإن مسؤولية أوباما تتجاوز التعامل مع الواقع العالمي المستجد الى إصلاح أخطاء إدارة بوش وفي مقدمها جرعات العداء لأميركا التي بررتها تصرفات هذه الإدارة وسلوكها في السياسة الخارجية.
لا بدّ أولاً من التذكير بأن صناعة القرار الخارجي في الولايات المتحدة فعل مؤسّساتي لا فعل شخص واحد هو شخص الرئيس. لجان الكونغرس والأمن القومي، إضافة الى مجلس الأمن القومي ووزارتي الخارجية والدفاع ووكالة المخابرات المركزية، إضافة الى الهياكل ذات الطابع غير الرسمي، كمراكز الدراسات، تلعب دوراً في توجيه السياسة الخارجية عبر مراكز الضغط وجماعات المصالح وأبرزها جماعات المجمّع الصناعي العسكري الأميركي وجماعات اللوبي الإسرائيلي. والديمقراطيون كما الجمهوريين حريصون على تكريس السيطرة الأميركية على العالم، ولكن الخلاف يتركّز على طرق التعامل مع الفرص والمخاطر معاً. وتتركّز هذه الطرق داخل الكونغرس، وداخل مراكز الضغط قبل أن تصل الى السلطة التنفيذية. والملفّات المطروحة بقوّة على الفريق الأوبامي الجديد هي: ملف أفغانستان، ملف العراق، ملف الهند وباكستان، الملف النفطي، ملف كوريا الشمالية، بالاضافة الى الملف الاقتصادي ـ المالي وملفّات التجارة العالمية، والنظام النقدي العالمي، وضبط التسلّح وانتشار السلاح النووي، وقضايا البيئة والمناخ… وما إليها. ومن الواضح حتى الآن، أن الادارة الأميركية الجديدة سوف تنتهج سياسة مغايرة في مقاربة هذه الملفّات، لكنها سوف تلتزم، مثلها مثل الادارات السابقة جميعها، بالخطوط الاستراتيجة العريضة ومنها وضع أمن إسرائيل قبل أي اعتبار آخر. خاصة وان الانسحاب العسكري الاميركي من المنطقة يعيد احياء الدور الوظيفي لإسرئيل كخط دفاع أميركي اول في المنطقة.
على المدى القريب أو المباشر فان جملة إصلاحات شكلية تفرض نفسها على أوباما دون ان تحدد ملامح استراتيجيته المعتمدة. وهذه الخطوات والإصلاحات هي:
1- إغلاق معتقلات التعذيب الأميركية: حيث كشف أوباما عن تغييرات هيكلية في السياسة الخارجية الأميركية عموماً وفي مسار الحرب الأميركية على الارهاب تحديداً. مشيراً لعزمه على اغلاق معتقل غواتنانامو الذي يضمّ 250 سجيناً تسبّب حتى الآن باستياء عالمي كبير من وسائل التعذيب الاميركية. كما جاء الكشف عن الانتهاكات التي يتعرّض لها السجناء في «أبو غريب» مايو 2004 وتسرّب معلومات حول وجود سجون سرّيّة تديرها وكالة الاستخبارات المركزية الأميركية في العالم ليزيدا صورة اميركا سواداً. وسيكون إغلاق المعتقل وإخضاع من فيه لمحاكمة عادلة خطوة أوبامية في الاتجاه الصحيح.
2- إغلاق الملفات الفاسدة في السياسة الخارجية: حيث تتّفق وزيرة الخارجية كلينتون مع أوباما على ضرورة سحب القوّات الأميركية، أو معظمها، من العراق، وعلى ضرورة إنهاء هذه الحرب. ورغم اختلاف هيلاري عن أوباما حول طريقة التعامل مع إيران فإن التحاور مع إيران وكوبا وسوريا يشكّل جزءاً أساسياً من استراتيجية الادارة الجديدة، قبل أن تتقرّر الخطوة التالية، أي خطوة ما بعد الحوار، وهنا يبدو التوافق قائماً حول ضرورة منع إيران من امتلاك أسلحة نوويّة تهدّد إسرائيل، والدفاع عن إسرائيل في حال تعرّضها لأي خطر إيراني. وتتّفق هيلاري مع الرئيس الجديد على أن أفغانستان هي الجبهة الأولى للحرب الأميركية على الارهاب، وعلى حشد المزيد من القوّات هناك لهذا الغرض، ومن ضمن مقترحاتها تعيين مبعوث خاص للتحرّك بين كابول وإسلام آباد لمساعدة البلدين في القضاء على التمرّد المسلّح الذي يتمثّل في طالبان و«القاعدة». لكن الذين عملوا مع هيلاري عندما كانت سيّدة البيت الأبيض، وبصفتها سيناتوراً في مجلس الشيوخ، يؤكدون أنها سوف تبحث عن حلول عملية لقضايا السلام في الشرق الأوسط، وبرنامج إيران النووي، ومستقبل العراق السياسي، ومشاكل أخرى سوف تواجهها العام 2009. ويقول إيفان باي السيناتور الديمقراطي عن ولاية إنديانا: أول ما تحتاج الى معرفته عن هيلاري كلينتون هو أنها براغماتية وأنها تبحث دائماً عن الحلّ الناجح. إنها تؤمن بالمساعي الديبلوماسية والحلول متعدّدة الجوانب، لكنها لن تتورّع في استخدام القوّة عندما تكون القوّة الفرصة الوحيدة لحماية أمن الولايات المتحدة القومي.
3- إنهاء عسكرة السياسة الخارجية: حيث تضخمت صلاحيات البنتاغون وتدخله في السياسة الخارجية وصولاً لإنشاء جهاز مخابراته الخاص. وقد وعد أوباما بانهاء عسكرة السياسة الخارجية التي أساءت للولايات المتحدة. عبر اعتمادها الحلّ العسكري بدلاً من القوّة الناعمة في معالجة الأزمات الدولية. والمسألة تختصر في تحويل السياسة الخارجية من طابعها الهجومي الى تفعيل الدور الديبلوماسي الأميركي والمساعدات الاقتصادية وإعادة الاعمار، فضلاً عن عمليات التدريب لأغراض التنمية. إذ رتّب الأسلوب العسكري خسائر فادحة، اقتصادية وأخلاقية معاً على مستوى الداخل الأميركي، كما أوجد كمّاً كبيراً من الكراهية للولايات المتحدة في العالم كلّه. مع الاحتفاظ بقوّة محدودة لمواجهة الأخطار المستقبلية الناتجة من العمليات الارهابية.
وهذه التغييرات معدة لإعلان احتفالي ودعائي يهدف لتحسين صورة اميركا في العالم ولتشجيع إعادة التجمع حول الرئيس الجديد بصفته عقلاً مغايراً لعقل بوش. ولكن ماذا عن استراتيجية اوباما في مواجهة التحديات؟. والإستحقاقات أمامه كثيرة ومتفجرة. فهل يقف أوباما عند حدود التخلي عن استراتيجية الفوضى البناءة الفاشلة في دول القوقاز وفي اوروبا الشرقية حيث عادت الاحزاب الشيوعية للحكم وفي الدول العربية حيث خلفت دولاً فاشلة في العراق ولبنان وفلسطين. وهو ما يعني العودة الى الفوضى التقليدية والتهديد بها كبديل للتهديد بالتدخل العسكري الاميركي. حيث يمكن اعتبار حرب اسرائيل على غزة نموذجاً لفوضى أوباما الجديدة. فهنالك انقسام فلسطيني يصل الى حدود الحرب الأهلية. وفي تكرار لتحالف فريق لبناني مع اسرائيل والاستعانة بها لتحقيق اجتياح لبنان العام 1982 جاءت محاولة اجتياح غزة محاولة لإختبار تكرار تجربة الاجتياح اللبنانية. وهذه الفوضى التقليدية يمكنها تهديد الداخل في قائمة طويلة من الدول العربية وغيرها بدون أي تدخل عسكري اميركي. بل انها تحول هذا التدخل الى انساني على غرار تدخل المارينز في لبنان العام 1981 فهل هذا فعلاً ما يمكن توقعه من بشرى الرئيس الاسود الاول في اميركا؟.

December 11th, 2011, 9:45 am

 

Mango said:

العامل السوري في معادلة التفوق الاستراتيجي العسكري
في نوفمبر – 15 – 2011

نشرت المواقع الالكترونية التابعة للناشطين والجماعات والمنظمات المدنية المناهضة لحلف الناتو تقريراً تحليلياً حمل عنوان (سوريا: بوابة الغرب الاستراتيجية من أجل التفوق العسكري العالمي)، هذا وتجدر الإشارة إلى أن التقرير التحليلي تم إعداده بواسطة ريك زوف الخبير في شؤون الحلف، وبرغم صدوره اليوم الثلاثاء 15 تشرين الثاني (نوفمبر) 2011م، فقد شهد تداولاً مكثفاً بواسطة المواقع الالكترونية: فما هي طبيعة أهمية تأثير العامل السوري على معادلة التفوق الاستراتيجي العسكري العالمي بالنسبة للبلدان الغربية وحلف الناتو؟
* تقرير ريك زوف التحليلي: توصيف المعلومات
يقع تقرير الخبير ريك زوف في ثلاثة صفحات من القطع المتوسط، وتم نشر التقرير التحليلي صباح اليوم على موقع أوقفوا حلف الناتو، وتضمن النقاط الآتية:
• علقت الجامعة العربية عضوية سوريا في يوم 12 تشرين الثاني (نوفمبر) 2011م، وذلك على غرار ما فعلت مع ليبيا في يوم 22 شباط (فبراير) 2011م الماضي.
• سعت سوريا والجزائر إلى معارضة إجراءات الجامعة العربية ضد ليبيا، ولكنهما كفتا عن المعارضة لصالح الإجماع العربي الذي تكون داخل الجامعة بفعل تكتل السعودية ـ قطر ـ البحرين ـ الكويت ـ الإمارات ـ سلطنة عمان ـ الأردن ـ المغرب.
• سعت مؤخراً كل من الجزائر ولبنان واليمن لجهة التصويت ضد قرار تعليق عضوية سوريا في الجامعة العربية، مع امتناع العراق لأسباب خاصة.
• تقول التسريبات، بأن دول مجلس التعاون الخليجي الستة (السعودية ـ الكويت ـ قطر ـ الإمارات ـ سلطنة عمان ـ البحرين) إضافة إلى الأردن والمغرب، إضافة إلى ليبيا، سوف تسعى مجتمعة خلال المراحل القادمة لجهة استهداف عضوية الأطراف العربية الآتية:
1 ـ لبنان: تصعيد الذرائع المتعلقة بملف المحكمة الدولية إضافة إلى القرارات الدولية السابقة، سوف تشكل مجتمعة عناصر الملف الذي سوف تتم عملية بنائه لاستهداف عضوية لبنان.
2 ـ اليمن: استخدام التطورات المتعلقة بتصاعد العنف السياسي كوسيلة لبناء ملف استهداف اليمن.
3 ـ الجزائر: تجري حالياً فعاليات إدخال الجماعات والعناصر المسلحة إلى داخلها، وعندما تنفجر الأوضاع سوف يتم استخدام ملف العنف السياسي كوسيلة لاستهداف عضويتها.
• توجد حالياً أربعة دول عربية ذات علاقات مؤسسية قوية مع البنتاغون (وزارة الدفاع الأمريكية) وحلف الناتو، وهي: قطر والإمارات المتحدة إضافة إلى المملكة الأردنية ـ المملكة المغربية.
• بنود مبادرة تعاون اسطنبول الخاصة بحلف الناتو، التي أسفرت عن ارتباط قطر والإمارات بحلف الناتو.
• المملكة المغربية والإمارات العربية هما الدولتان العربيتان اللتان دخلتا في شراكة عملية عسكرية مع حلف الناتو، وحالياً تساهم الدولتان بالقوات في بعثة الناتو العسكرية في أفغانستان.
• بعد إنفاذ عملية اغتيال الزعيم الليبي معمر القذافي، زار الجنرال راسموزين الأمين العام لحلف الناتو ليبيا، والتقى بقيادة المجلس الوطني الانتقالي، حيث تم الاتفاق على قيام الروابط وعلاقات التعاون بين حلف الناتو وليبيا.
• التعاون بين حلف الناتو وليبيا سوف يتضمن قيام حلف الناتو بالإشراف الكامل على تأهيل وتدريب وتسليح قوات الجيش الليبي الجديد، وفق برامج إعداد على غرار برامج الناتو العسكرية إزاء قوات الجيش العراقي الجديد، وقوات الجيش الأفغاني الجديد.
• ارتباط ليبيا المؤسسي بحلف الناتو سوف يبدأ خلال الفترة القادمة بإدخال ليبيا كطرف في ما يطلق عليه تسمية “حوار الناتو المتوسطي”، وهو الشراكة التي تضم كل من المغرب ـ مصر ـ تونس ـ الجزائر ـ موريتانيا ـ الأردن وإسرائيل، ضمن إطار حلف الناتو.
تشير المعطيات الجارية إلى أن اكتمال هذه الحلقات، يتوقف على مدى قدرة حلف الناتو من القضاء على ثغرة سوريا ـ لبنان، وحالياً تتمركز سفن حلف الناتو الحربية باتجاه السواحل اللبنانية والسورية، وذلك على أمل أن يتم حسم الاحتجاجات السورية باتجاه انهيار دمشق ثم القضاء على المقاومة اللبنانية وضم سوريا ولبنان إلى حلقات حلف الناتو، ومن ثم يكون البحر الأبيض المتوسط قد أصبح بحيرة حصرية لحلف الناتو.
* النظام العسكري العالمي الجديد: تأثير الحلقة السورية
على أساس اعتبارات خارطة الانتشار العسكري الكلي، يمكن ملاحظة الآتي:
• تقع سوريا في منطقة تقاطع القيادات العسكرية الأمريكية الإقليمية الأكثر حساسية، وهي: القيادة الأوروبية ـ القيادة الوسطى ـ القيادة الأفريقية.
• جميع خطوط حلف الناتو وأيضاً الخطوط الأمريكية تقوم على أساس اعتبارات أن الممر الاستراتيجي السوري هو العامل الحاسم لجهة تحقيق التفوق العسكري الجيو ـ استراتيجي في كافة مسارح العمليات في مناطق الشرق الأدنى وشرق المتوسط وشمال أفريقيا، والبحر الأحمر وصولاً إلى القرن الأفريقي إضافة إلى مناطق الجزيرة العربية والخليج وآسيا الوسطى والبحر الأسود ومناطق القوقاز الجنوبي والقوقاز الشمالي.
• إن عدم إدماج الممر الاستراتيجي السوري ضمن خارطة السيطرة العسكرية الجيو ـ استراتيجية الأمريكية ـ الغربية سوف يخلق ثغرة ونافذة انكشاف بالغة الخطورة في كافة الحسابات المتعلقة بالتوازن الاستراتيجي العسكري العالمي، وذلك لأن الممر الاستراتيجي السوري، يتيح الوصول السريع إلى كافة المناطق الاستراتيجية المحيطة به.
سوف تستمر الضغوط المكثفة بواسطة الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية وبلدان حلف الناتو، وشركائهما الشرق أوسطيين والخليجيين، من أجل إنجاز سيناريو انهيار دمشق، بما سوف يؤدي بالضرورة إلى جعل الممر السوري متاحاً لحلف الناتو، وفي هذا الخصوص تقول التسريبات بأن الممر السوري سوف لن يشمل أراضي الجمهورية العربية السورية والجمهورية اللبنانية وحسب، وإنما سوف يشمل الأراضي الفلسطينية، وفي هذا الخصوص تقول التسريبات بأن الزعيم الفلسطيني محمود عباس قد انخرط في تفاهمات أكد من خلالها موافقته بأن تتولى قوات حلف الناتو المسؤولية عن ما أسماه بـ”حماية الأراضي الفلسطينية”. الأمر الذي يعني بكلمات أخرى نشر الحلف لقواته وقدراته العسكرية في الأراضي الفلسطينية!
الجمل ـ قسم الدراسات والترجمة



December 11th, 2011, 9:54 am

 

Haytham Khoury said:

Homs
Who is responsible?

الجثث المجهولة تزداد وعمليات الخطف تنتظر من يوقفها … نقص في الغاز بحي وادي الدهب … وقلة مازوت في حي النزهة …. وغياب للطحين عن أحياء الزهراء والمحيط بها …. والخوف من المسلحين يزداد عند أهالي الخالدية والنازحين ومدرسات يغبن عن مدارسهن …. والمراكز الصحية تعج بالمنقولين والمنقولات … قرى ومناطق تقطعت بها الأوصال عن المدينة … فقدان للأمن والأمان في معظم أرجاء المدينة والطرق الواصلة إليها غير آمنة … غياب للحلول الناجعة ولا مبالات من كادر إداري يتحكم بالمدينة وفق مزاجيات ومصالح آنية وشخصية …. عشرة أشهر تعبت خلالها حمص … وأتعبتني كشخص من عشاقها …. واليوم أعلن إستسلامي للمدينة التي أحببت ولحجارتها السوداء وأهاليها الطيبين

وأقدم أعتذاري عن المتابعة بعد أن عجزت عن إيصال الصوت
لأصحاب القرار ونقل الصورة كما هي في حمص …

December 11th, 2011, 9:58 am

 

Norman said:

It is time for the Syrian Arab army to take over the capital of the revolution, Homs, and clean it up once and for all,

The Syrian Arab army stopped the civil war in Lebanon and can do that in Syria before it spills over to the rest of the Mideast,

December 11th, 2011, 10:02 am

 

Bronco said:

#383 Tara

“Hurting oneself is a sin in Islam and in Christianity too”

I don’t know where you got that. It is totally wrong, just read more before making such a generalized statement
Self punishment has always existed in cultures and in religious practices. The proof is in front of you, the Shia celebrations and the self punishment that priests and monks practice and the huge ceremonies in Spain and France where people submit their body to pain in commemoration of a religious events or just to expiate their sins.
Obviously no only you have a problem understanding that it is valid expression of faith but you also reject it in the name of some narrow principles.
I am sure you reject the whirling derwish and the sufis because these practice abstinence and fasting…
I guess you reject circumcision as an anachronic practice and unrelated to religion.

Your “modern” prism to view cultures, religions and traditions is limiting seriously your ability to see, accept and respect the diversity and richness of the human expressions of faith and spirituality.

December 11th, 2011, 10:03 am

 

Syria no kandahar said:

HK
You are responsible .you are supporting the terrorists and you cry when they kill people.MB,Salafis,any Allah Akbar movement will give you Kandahar.use your brain if you have any.

December 11th, 2011, 10:07 am

 

Mango said:

415-
Who invited to this theatre ? Hilari Clinton asks not to combine the weapon!And someone executes wishes of this Lady!

December 11th, 2011, 10:07 am

 

Syrian Nationalist Party said:

“…………It is time for the Syrian Arab army to take over the capital of the revolution, Homs, and clean it up once and for all,
The Syrian Arab army stopped the civil war in Lebanon and can do that in Syria before it spills over to the rest of the Mideast,……..”

It is the best thing happened for Assad in this mercenary action, he is using it to his own advantage and he is laughing instead of stopping it, it is his insurance policy to insure that all minorities and even majority of Sunnis are behind him. Despite repeated calls for his action on this front, he is laughing, he is on no hurry to do so. At the same time, the idiots using this method of sectarian attacks have lost the support of the Syrian masses and are only living on foreign handouts and support. The hope that Syria’s enemy will start civil war is feeble, Assad knows that and he keeps it under control, just enough to show Syrians what will happen if he left and using the mercenaries own deeds and strategy to fails them.

It is obvious, the interests of genuine Syrian reformers and those mercenaries are in collusion and not in cohesion, one acting to the determent of the other, so it is a definite losing strategy for those oppositions promoting sectarian conflict, as well as for those foreign backed 3 letters fronts popping up as cash cow scheme, for these fronts having any relation with militants committing this genocidal sectarian atrocity is a given. It proves that they are not after real goals but cash.

December 11th, 2011, 10:29 am

 

Mango said:

بقلم غالب قنديل
فلسفة “النأي” و ردع المتورطين

المعلومات الصحافية المتداولة حول وجود بؤر مسلحة للمعارضات السورية في أكثر من منطقة لبنانية تشير إلى حقيقة الخطة الأميركية الهادفة مجددا إلى تحويل لبنان لمنصة تستخدم في خطة التخريب الجاري تنفيذها في سورية ، وهذا أمر بات يقتضي نقاشا حول مسؤولية مجلس الوزراء عن رسم خطة قانونية وسياسية وأمنية وإعلامية تترجم باتخاذ إجراءات وتدابير ضد أطراف وجهات لبنانية متورطة لردعها عن محاولة جر البلاد إلى وضع ينذر بتداعيات مؤذية على جميع الصعد المنية و السياسية.

أولا: من الواضح أن سعد الحريري يريد أن يقوم بكل ما من شأنه سياسيا وإعلاميا وأمنيا أن يفعل خطة التخريب في سورية من لبنان وهو أوكل إلى فريقه داخل المؤسسات الرسمية بالإضافة إلى نواب المستقبل في الشمال والبقاع وبعض الموظفين في دوائر أخرى ، مهمة تنظيم إيواء وخدمة أوكار التخريب الجاري إقامتها على الأراضي اللبنانية.

بات معروفا أن وسائل إعلام الحريري تشارك في الحرب على سورية و تستخدم لغة و مفردات الناطقين بلسان مجلس اسطنبول ومشروعه السياسي ، وهو ما يخرج عن جميع الأصول القانونية والمهنية الناظمة للعمل الإعلامي في لبنان ، وهذا أمر يشمل مؤسسات إعلامية أخرى تملكها قوى 14 آذار أو تمولها أو تشتري بعضا من مساحاتها كما يشمل أيضا إعلام الجماعة الإسلامية التي حولت إذاعتها خلافا لقواعد الترخيص القانونية إلى منبر للتحريض موجه نحو سورية للحض على المزيد من الاضطرابات والصدامات وباستعمال مفردات لغة الفتنة والحرب الأهلية في التعامل مع الحدث السوري.

ثانيا: الأمر الأميركي نفسه ، يحرك قوى 14 آذار كما يدير حكومة الوهم العثماني في تركيا لتقديم القواعد والشبكات اللوجستية والبيئة السياسية الحاضنة للجماعات الإرهابية السورية المتورطة في الأحداث ، بل والأخطر أن ذلك الأمر يقضي بحشد جماعات التكفير في لبنان وتركيا من أي مكان متاح في المنطقة وفي العالم الإسلامي ، وهذا ما يفسر التقارير والمعلومات المتعلقة بزيارة الليبي عبدالقادر بلحاج إلى تركيا ، وبيان الجماعات التكفيرية العراقية وبالتالي فان عجز الحلف الأطلسي عن شن الحرب على سورية وعجز أردوغان عن أخذ القرار بتحريك الجيش التركي للاعتداء على سورية ، يجري العمل لتعويضهما بالإشراف الأميركي على تنظيم حرب بالواسطة من لبنان ومن تركيا ، تشنها جماعات التكفير التي يعاد استعمالها من قبل المخابرات الأميركية وتمد بالأموال القطرية والسعودية والليبية لتنظيم إدخالها إلى سورية بهدف ارتكاب المجازر وإثارة الاضطرابات والفوضى داخل سورية و لتحويل سورية إلى ساحة لحرب مديدة ، بين الدولة الوطنية و عصابات التكفير و الإرهاب العالمية التي يعاد استعمالها و تنشيطها ، كما حصل في أفغانستان خلال القرن الماضي و في زمن الحرب الباردة العائدة من النافذة السورية بكل وضوح .

ثالثا: الوقائع السورية تشير إلى أن كل ما كان يدعى احتجاجات قد اختفى واقعيا وعصابات القتل والإرهاب هي الشكل الواقعي لحضور المعارضات على الأرض بينما يتركز حضورها السياسي في صالونات الداخل والخارج تنظيرا سياسيا لا يحمل القليل من المصداقية في غالب الأحيان ، و تجمعات مشهدية لمحازبي الأخوان و شركاهم في بلدات و قرى نائية من المحافظات السورية ، لا يتعدى الغرض منها حدود الحفاظ على الصورة الإعلامية.

مجلس اسطنبول كشف القناع عن وجهه القبيح كأداة استعمارية لتركيع سورية من خلال إعلان رئيسه الافتراضي برهان غليون الذي يفضح التورط في التزامات قدمتها المعارضات لكل من إسرائيل والولايات المتحدة بينما معارضة الداخل خاضعة كليا لابتزاز الخارج في موقفها من الحوار و من الإرهاب المسلح الذي تنكر وجوده أحيانا، و على الرغم من اتضاح طبيعة المواجهة التي تفترض تبني مشروع إصلاحي واقعي ينطلق من قاعدة التصدي للمخطط الاستعماري الذي يستهدف سورية.

رابعا ما تتعرض له سورية لم يعد يخص السوريين وحدهم وهو لم يكن بالأصل كذلك منذ البداية فالمطلوب في الخطة الأميركية بجميع مستويات آلياتها الأوروبية والعربية والتركية هو تدمير القوة السورية الاستقلالية في المنطقة والنيل من قوى المقاومة وليس غريبا أن يعبئ مرتزقة مجلس اسطنبول الذين تحدثوا إلى صحيفة الأخبار بمضمون سياسي واضح أنه بعد إسقاط النظام في سورية ستكون مهمتهم ضرب المقاومة اللبنانية.

تلك هي الهوية الإسرائيلية الواضحة للقوة التي يحتضنها سعد الحريري على الأرض اللبنانية والتي تسخر في خدمتها وسائل إعلام لبنانية ومواقع لبنانية رسمية وحزبية ولم نعد نجد مبررا للميوعة الحكومية في التعامل مع هذا الواقع ، وفلسفة “النأي” التي ابتكرها رئيس الحكومة وفريقه في التعامل مع الموضوع السوري تفترض ردع المتورطين بإجراءات وتدابير وليس بمواعظ ، فإذا كان المطلوب فعلا النأي بلبنان عن مخاطر تداعيات الأحداث الجارية في سورية ، فذلك يفترض تكليف الجيش اللبناني بتصفية البؤر المسلحة التي تقيمها ميليشيات المستقبل وتحميها في وادي خالد وفي البقاع ، كما تردد مؤخرا ، ويفترض أيضا تطبيق القوانين بحق جميع المتدخلين في خطة تخريب سورية من موقع مسهم بالأمن اللبناني سواء هربوا السلاح إلى سورية أم قدموا الحماية للجماعات الإرهابية أم سخروا وسائل إعلام لبنانية للتحريض و لإثارة الفتنة داخل لبنان وفي الداخل السوري.

بيد رئيس الجمهورية ورئيس الحكومة حسم هذا الأمر بوضع جدول خاص لجلسة طارئة يعقدها مجلس الوزراء شعارها رد الاعتبار لاتفاق الطائف .

حين تكون سورية مستهدفة بخطة أميركية إسرائيلية ، تقضي الأخلاق و المبادئ بأن يتصرف لبنان على أنه معني بحماية و تحصين ما تمثله سورية في معادلات المنطقة ، وما مثلته وما تزال كقوة ارتكاز حاسمة في منظومة المقاومة التي حمت لبنان وحررت أرضه .

إذا كانت مساومات السياسية وحسابات العصبيات والتوازنات تضع الأمور دون هذا المستوى و قد طوحت بجميع اعتبارات الخلاق و المبادئ في السياسة ، فعلى الأقل لا يستطيع أي مسؤول أن يبرر التغاضي عن وجود قواعد عسكرية داخل لبنان لجماعات تقوم بالتخريب في سورية ، كما لا يستطيع أي مسؤول أن يبرر وجود إذاعات غير مرخصة موجهة للتحريض في سورية تحت حمايات أمنية وسياسية لبنانية ، وبديهي ألا يستطيع أحد تبرير أو تغطية مخالفة القوانين والأنظمة اللبنانية في الإعلام إذا كان بعض السياسيين يعتبرون أنفسهم محصنين ضد الدستور وضد القوانين في ما يقولون خلافا لمضمون اتفاق الطائف والتزامات الدولة اللبنانية المعروفة التي طالما تشدقوا بالحرص عليها.

December 11th, 2011, 10:43 am

 

Norman said:

SNP,

president Assad is not interfering in Homs out of trying to avoid the the human cost, he is not trying to show that the Syrian army can not control one of the Syrian cities which will give an excuse to the West to call for an intervention, The Syrian army is trying to attract the militant to Homs then to surround them and get rid of them,

I just want the opposition to declare victory and join the election process that is comming tomorrow,before it is too late and the government win on the battlefield and is not in a mode of compromise.

December 11th, 2011, 10:43 am

 

Mango said:

بقلم ناصر قنديل
فرنسا تدير الحرب على سورية من شمال لبنان

عندما يقول جورج مالبرونو الصحافي في صحيفة لوفيغارو الفرنسية في تقرير ميداني له أن حكومة الرئيس نيكولا ساركوزي تدعم لوجستيا مسلحي المعارضة السورية في شمال لبنان، فهذا إعلان لا يقبل النفي .

كلام مالبرونو جاء بعد تقرير نشرته صحيفة لوكانارد انشينيي بالمضمون ذاته.

التقريران يؤكدان أن الحكومة الفرنسية قررت نفي أي معلومات بهذا الصدد منعا من تأثيرها الانتخابي ومن رد فعل سورية على ذلك .

جماعة التحريض ضد سورية في شمال لبنان ينفون التورط بالعمل المسلح ضد سورية لكنهم يصرون على بناء مخيمات لمن يسمونهم النازحين .

قائد مجموعات المعارضة المسلحة في تركيا يعلن أن القواعد التي يستند إليها موجودة في تركيا بدعم حكومي، وفي شمال لبنان بدعم طرف محلي .

هذا يعني :

– ان الحلف المتورط بالحرب على سورية يستخدم شمال لبنان كإحدى فرضيات المناطق العازلة المحتملة، وعلى الحكومة اللبنانية التصرف بجدية هذه المرة، خصوصا بعد سقوط ذريعة تمويل المحكمة .

– ان الفريق اللبناني المتورط ينظم حملة دعائية عن عمليات خطف مزعومة للمعارضين ويتهم حلفاء سورية بدور أمني ليثير الغبار على تورطه ويخفيه.

– ان فرنسا تعيد فتح الذاكرة الاستعمارية لدورها، بما يجعلها خصما مباشرا للعرب، بعد دورها الإجرامي في ليبيا .

– أن ما يجري في حمص وإدلب ترتيب استخباري واحد، تديره المخابرات الفرنسية من شمال لبنان، والثاني تديره المخابرات التركية من وراء الحدود .

December 11th, 2011, 10:48 am

 

Syrian Nationalist Party said:

@NORMAN

That is classic thinking when it comes to Syria, he may be trying to corral them to Homs, but you cannot discount the benefits he is receiving from their murderous action. I mean, he devastated the oppositions in the majority of Syrians opinion by keeping them operating. Although, hate giving constructive advise to losers, but there are some decent people in the opposition movement even the 3 lettered ones, maybe this will open their eyes and part company with those that are serving the enemies interests. Start own movement and distance themselves from the action of the traitors. The point I needed to stress in that comment more than Bashar action is this part:

“It is obvious, the interests of genuine Syrian reformers and those mercenaries are in collusion and not in cohesions, one acting to the determent of the other, so it is a definite losing strategy for those oppositions promoting sectarian conflict”

December 11th, 2011, 10:56 am

 

ann said:

At UN, Pillay Says Deferring Sri Lanka Visit Until LLRC Report, Will not Count Deaths!

http://www.innercitypress.com/pillay1sri120911.html

UNITED NATIONS, December 9 — When High Commissioner on Human Rights Navi Pillay appeared at the UN on Friday, Inner City Press asked her about inaction on the killing of civilians in Sri Lanka, including the performance of the UN and certain high UN officials. Inner City Press also asked how many civilians she believed had been killed in Sri Lanka, and if she was seeking a second terms of HCHR.

Pillay declined to provide any estimate of the number of dead, just minutes after saying that over 4,000 have been killed in Syria, to which her access is decidedly limited.

December 11th, 2011, 11:13 am

 

Syrian Nationalist Party said:

Despite the recent public rhetoric, at the time of Arar’s deportation, Syria was working closely with the United States government in their “War on Terror“. In November 2003, Cofer Black, then counterterrorism coordinator at the US State Department and former director of counterterrorism at the CIA, was quoted as saying “The Syrian government has provided some very useful assistance on al Qaeda in the past.” In September 2002, George Bush opposed the enactment of the “Syria Accountability Act” citing effectiveness of current sanctions and the ongoing diplomacy in the region. In addition, the administration noted the cooperation and support by Syria in fighting al-Qaida as a reason for its opposition to the “Syria Accountability Act”.

December 11th, 2011, 11:18 am

 

Syrian Nationalist Party said:

Recap by S. Edmonds:

The Syrian regime was the regime of choice for the US government when it came to rendition and torture practices. Arar was not the only US detainee sent, handed-over to Syria; others did not have the benefit of second western citizenship privileges. This was not about looking the other way. It was the US government’s tacit approval of the Syrian regime’s dictatorial torture practices. The US and the Syria regime worked very closely and shared intelligence-police-military information with each other.

The US media has conveniently forgotten all about our government’s approval and support of the Assad regime’s dictatorial and torture practices, and its partnership with this same regime in its dark and illegal operations. Our media seem to have gone into their highly characteristic amnesiac mode. They don’t want people to know about the past. In fact, they don’t want people to know about the present either. For instance, they have been hard at work trying to twist and falsify the US government’s position and role in the recent uprising in Syria. Based on the fictional concoction they’ve been pouring out, Americans are under the false impression that we began our support for these rebels after the uprising, and as a reaction to the Assad regime’s retaliation against these freedom seekers. When in fact we started our operation last April-May, and actually manufactured-created this highly-coordinated and managed uprising and violence.

December 11th, 2011, 11:25 am

 

zoo said:

A civil war “accross” Syria?
Syria’s Local Administration Councils Elections on Monday
(Dp-news – Sana)

SYRIA- 42889 candidates compete for 17588 seats at 1337 administrative units, including 154 cities, 502 towns and 681 municipalities, in the framework of the Local Council Elections, scheduled on Monday in all the provinces.

The number of election centers is 9849, two ballot boxes in each, where electors vote for their candidates for the administrative unit, and an election committee consisting of a head and two members supervises the process.

The Interior Ministry distributed bottles of the special ink to prevent fraud and ensure the honesty of elections.

Assistant Interior Minister for Civil Affairs, Hassan Jalali, said in a statement to SANA that the electors will be using the identity card for voting, according to Decree No. 125 for 2011 for those who are 18 years of age and above.

The candidates’ personal data indicates an increase in the number of the holders of university and higher education certificates among the candidates in all provinces compared to former elections.

In Damascus Countryside, the number of candidates reached 4138 competing for 1927 seats, and the electoral centers are 703.

The number of candidates in Damascus is 425 competing for 100 seats, while the number of electoral centers is 585.

In Aleppo, the number of candidates reached 7805 competing for 2283 seats. The number of electoral centers is 818 in the city of Aleppo and 1202 in its countryside.

The province’s data indicate that 1286 candidates hold university certificates, MAs and PhDs.

In Quneitra Province, 812 candidates, 262 holding university certificates, are running the elections to win 330 seats.

In Hama, 3667 candidates are to compete for 1997 seats, more than 55% of whom are holders of university or intermediate institutes’ certificates.

In Tartous, the numbers of candidates are 3107 competing for 950 seats.

In Sweida, 1603 candidates, half of them hold university certificates, are participating through 302 electoral centers to win 645 seats.

In Lattakia, 3440 candidates are participating in the elections through 846 electoral centers.

In Daraa, the number of candidates reached 1873, with 410 electoral centers and 1043 seats.

In Homs, 3500 candidates are running the elections through 611 electoral centers to win the 1496 seats allocated to the province.

In Raqqa, 2500 candidates are to compete for 487 seats through 459 electoral centers.

Deir Ezzor has 3314 candidates, 1362 seats and 599 electoral centers.

Candidates in Idleb are 2468 competing for 1907 seats, and the number of electoral centers is 898.

In Hasaka, elections at 850 electoral centers will decide who, out of 4353 candidates, will occupy the 1742 seats.

December 11th, 2011, 11:27 am

 

zoo said:

Revenge of the Sunnis
What the Arab Spring is really about.
BY EDWARD LUTTWAK | DECEMBER 7, 2011
http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2011/12/07/revenge_of_the_sunnis?print=yes&hidecomments=yes&page=full

The last decade has been marked by the rise of the Shiites in the Middle East. Through the bullet and the ballot box, Shiite parties have risen to power from Baghdad to Beirut — thereby extending Iran’s reach into the heart of the Arab world. Sunni rulers have viewed with much anxiety the new “Shiite crescent” that extends from Iran all the way to Lebanon.
But as a popular — and now military — uprising in Syria becomes more powerful, the Shiite ascendancy is coming to an end. With every day that passes, President Bashar al-Assad’s grip on power seems to weaken: The United Nations assessed on Nov. 1 that Syria had entered a state of civil war and the country’s economy is projected to contract by a disastrous 12 percent to 20 percent this year. And now, the regional Sunni powers are hoping to exploit the turmoil to launch a counteroffensive that could reverse their losses.

Shiite empowerment in the Middle East began with the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq, which had the perfectly predictable effect of strengthening Iran — not only its ruling theocracy as such, but also its hegemony over “Twelver” Shiites across the Arab world. In Iraq, most importantly, the Shiites have long outnumbered the Sunnis, but were marginalized and persecuted by the Ottoman Empire and then by all subsequent Arab regimes, down to the initially secular Saddam Hussein, who became a Sunni paladin after launching his war against Iran in 1980. Today by contrast, the U.S.-imposed democratic system virtually guarantees a Shiite-dominated government, with a natural affinity for the fellow Shiites of Iran.

In Lebanon, likewise, the Shiites have long been more numerous than the Christians or the Sunnis, but they were altogether weaker politically — indeed, for most of Lebanon’s history, they were more ignored than opposed. Today, by contrast, it is the emphatically Shiite movement Hezbollah — which modestly calls itself the “Party of God” — that is by far the most powerful party in the current Lebanese government, and its armed militia is stronger than the national army.

Then there is the very special case of Syria, where the Sunni majority is subjected by a nominally secular regime run by extremely heretical Muslims, chiefly backed by non-Muslim minorities both Christian and Druze.

The ruling Assad family’s control of Syria has been a strategic boon to Iran due to its readiness to act as if they were fellow Shiites — thereby connecting Iran, Iraq, and southern Lebanon into a contiguous “Shiite crescent,” in the words of an alarmed Jordanian King Abdullah II. That is richly ironic, because President Bashar al-Assad and his inner core of followers who dominate the security forces are Nusayris, only re-branded in the 1920s as Alawites (“followers of Ali”) to better claim a Muslim identity as Shiites (“partisans” of Ali), but whose very un-Islamic doctrines would expose them to murderous repression in Iran — just ask a member of the post-Islamic Bahai community.

For ultra-Sunni Saudi Arabia, as well as its smaller neighbors — Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates — the Shiite advance has been most unwelcome. Religious differences have greatly widened in recent years: Shiite devotions, particularly in Iran, have increasingly focused on the hidden Twelfth Imam, whose actively implored world-ending return leaves Muhammad himself by the wayside. Equally, Shiite pilgrimages to the Hassan and Hussein shrines in Iraq — idolatrous for rigorous Sunnis — inherently compete with the Mecca pilgrimage.

Least important doctrinally, but perhaps most important in reality, has been the greater visibility of practices and rituals that are suspect or even disgusting to Sunnis. These include the dubious “temporary marriage,” invented by Iran’s clerics, who use it liberally in lieu of prostitution; the rhythmic Shiite prayer drill that seems un-Islamic and downright menacing to Sunnis; and the more extreme Ashura rituals. They are far from new, but it is only now that many Sunnis are exposed to the spectacle of processions of self-flagellators over pavements slippery with their blood and of Shiite mothers proudly cutting their babies’ foreheads with razor-blades to bleed them in memory of the martyrdom of Hassan and Hussein.

It is, however, the crescent’s potential to extend southward that has transformed it into a strategic threat to Saudi Arabia and Sunni neighbors. Shiites outnumber Sunnis not only in Bahrain and Kuwait, but also — and most importantly — in Saudi Arabia’s oil-producing Eastern Province, where the money comes from. New protests have broken out in the region in recent weeks, resulting in the deaths of several protesters.

From the Saudi point of view, the damage inflicted by the United States in 2003 by destroying Saddam’s military strength was compounded by the failure to defend deposed President Hosni Mubarak’s government in Cairo. The Egyptian regime had other merits for the Al Saud family, including a respectable rate of economic growth, which is now a receding memory. Its chief virtue in Saudi eyes, however, was Mubarak’s systematic opposition to Iran and its allies, and even the Shiites as such. Egypt’s post-Mubarak rulers are hardly likely to embrace either Iran or its doctrine — the country is solidly Sunni — but there is no guarantee that they will emulate Mubarak’s very active anti-Iran policy, which was strengthened by pragmatic cooperation with Israel. Indeed, the first act of the post-Mubarak interim regime was to call for the restoration of diplomatic relations with Iran — even if to no great effect so far.

But having greatly damaged the Sunni front by sweeping away Mubarak, the “Arab Spring” is now greatly helping it by weakening the Assad regime in Syria. The rulers of Qatar and of Saudi Arabia are untroubled by the obvious contradictions in their policy toward this year’s Arab revolts: They are defending Bahrain’s ruling family against the majority Shiite population while loudly criticizing and sanctioning the Assad regime for oppressing its own majority Sunni population. And they are demanding democratic rule in Syria while accepting none of it at home.

Qatar’s Al Jazeera television channels have, from the start, sided with Assad’s Sunni Arab enemies. But Qatari policy has followed the more cautious Saudi lead. The Saudi and Qatari rulers only demanded action by the Arab League after months of bloody repression in Syria — when the death toll exceeded 3,500 — and even then delayed their actions in light of Assad’s “promise” to stop using force against his own population.

That was a trap, of course. Assad was left with only two choices: Stop using force, lose control, and at best flee the country; or else suppress the opposition with lethal force, losing Arab League support and provoking increasingly severe sanctions. The latter option was Assad’s preference, and the Saudi and Qatari rulers duly reacted by calling for Arab and international sanctions, while probably supplying money to Syrian resisters who happen to be almost entirely Sunni.

It is obvious that the Gulf monarchies of absolute rulers are not in the fight for the sake of a future Syrian democracy. For Saudi Arabia and its Gulf allies, the purpose of overthrowing Assad is to break the “Shiite crescent”: bringing Damascus under Sunni rule, repudiating its alliance with Iran, and cutting off Hezbollah from its logistic base in Syria, thereby allowing Lebanon’s Sunnis to regain power along with their Christian allies. A further aim is to provide backing for Iraq’s outnumbered Sunnis, just across the border. A broader goal to be achieved by denying Tehran its only Arab ally is to reduce Iran’s acceptability to Arab populations everywhere.

Achieving these aims would add up to a winning “knight’s move,” restoring the Sunni ascendancy after the setbacks of recent years. And as Assad does not have the mettle of his father — who silenced his own Sunni-Islamist opponents by massacre — it is easy enough to predict the victor. Democracy may not be the winner, but the Sunnis certainly will be.

December 11th, 2011, 11:43 am

 

Khalid Tlass said:

NORMAN,

Do not forget that to end the civil war in Lebanon the Syrian Arab Army had the OFFICIAL GREEN LIGHT from USA, and Arab League. And beung a Christian you should know that the end of the Civil war in Lebanon meant end of Christian relevance in Lebanese politics.

Also the Syrian Arab Army was fighting a group of 3,000 men, all of them Christians and all of them concentrated and boxed in within the cinfines of Baabda Presidential Palace. 60 % of Lebanon was controlled by Syria’s allies Hezbollah and Amal and the other Christian militias like Gegaea weren;t sympathetic to Aoun either.

And as I said before, the FSA will simply retreat from Homs and live to fight another day. Already the whole civilan population of Khaldiya, Bayada, Bab Assbaa3 and Baba Amr have been evacuated to safer parts and many have fled to Rastan and some are heading south. You can;t do ANYTHING, realize that.

December 11th, 2011, 11:48 am

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Bronco
It is forbidden to hurt yourself in Islam
http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090305060502AAkNVGf
Besides, it is stupid

December 11th, 2011, 11:49 am

 

irritated said:

SNP

“The US media has conveniently forgotten all about our government’s approval and support of the Assad regime’s dictatorial and torture practices, and its partnership with this same regime in its dark and illegal operations”

The whole US establishment ( media and government) have a very bad memory when it comes to admitting their stupidity and their mistakes. The whole US foreign policies are short term , this is why they flip so quickly when things turn against their interests. The US is a totally unreliable ally.

December 11th, 2011, 11:51 am

 

Amir in Tel Aviv said:

Juergen,

Thank you for the Berlin information! I saved it, and for sure will visit the places you recommended. When I’m in Berlin this summer, a beer and a vegan restaurant on me 🙂

All,

I’m not an expert on tanks, tank protection and vulnerability.
.

December 11th, 2011, 11:56 am

 

Norman said:

Zoo,

I think we all one way or another said that from the beginnings,

Khalid,

Syria saved the Christians of Lebanon and when they sided with Israel it was time to beat them and i am glad she did,
being in power is serve only the leaders of any community, the rest of the people just want safety and equal rights, it is unfortunate that people die for the sake of their leaders.

December 11th, 2011, 12:12 pm

 

Dale Andersen said:

Memo To: REVLON

RE: “…Rumor has it that the Minister of Interior, Mohammad Ibrahim AlShaar, may have disappeared! Does any one has more on the matter…”

Not to worry. Syria’s top cop has taken a short leave of absence and will be back soon, bashing in the heads of protestors and their families. Right now, he’s in Oregon at a sex change clinic. As he told his best friend, Farook, “I’ve always felt that, deep down, I am female.” When he returns next week, he’ll want you all to call him by his new name, Baseema…

December 11th, 2011, 12:29 pm

 

Bronco said:

430. majedkhaldoun

“It is forbidden to hurt yourself in Islam”

It did not know it was haram in Islam. Yet it seems that in practice it is not followed scrupulously by the Shias. Although in Iran they don’t hurt themselves really, it is purely a symbolical gesture.
This is not the only ‘haram’ of Islam that is not followed by the majority. There are many: dancing, listening to music, gender mixing, female singers, the use and production of alcohol in moslem countries etc….
While smoking that is the most common damaging self harm for pleasure is not ‘haram’.

In Christianity and other religions, self harm for religious reason exists and is not forbidden. In fact, Christianity have very few instructions on what is allowed and forbidden. There are only some basic tenets. There is a greater responsibility assigned to the individual to make his own choices.

December 11th, 2011, 12:39 pm

 

Khalid Tlass said:

NORMAN, Syria got the green light in Lebanon from USA and GCC in exchange for joining Operation Desert Storm against Iraq. And during operation Desert Storm, it was actually the Syrian Army along with Saudi and Egyptian Army who “liberated” Kuwait from Iraqi Army, which means the Syrian Arab Army actively engaged in combat the Iraqi Army, and worse, fought side-by-side and shoulder-to-shoulder with the “puppet, pro-western” Armies of Egypt and KSA.

December 11th, 2011, 12:46 pm

 

Khalid Tlass said:

NORMAN, already the entire civilan population of Khaldiye, Bab Amr, Bab Sbaa3 and Bayada in Homs have been evacuated by the FSA to safer locations, many of them in fact gone to underground bunkers and many have fled into the desert. If the FSA is outgunned even they will retreat like they did in Rastan and will regroup and again go back to homs, like they did duirng the wek of Eid al Adha in Baba Amr. they are not suicidal, they are smart, they will live to fight another day.

The FSA will continue to ruthlessly attack all shabbiha, loyalist Army, civilan collaborators and any regime loyalist.

And you haven;t taken into account the FSA units in Idlib, Dara’a, Hama. retribution will be swift and ruthless.

At this moment, Dr. Norman, do you have any message to give to the FSA ?

December 11th, 2011, 12:52 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Bronco said
This is not the only ‘haram’ of Islam that is not followed by the majority. There are many: dancing, listening to music, gender mixing, female singers, the use and production of alcohol in Bronco
moslem countries etc….
While smoking that is the most common damaging self harm for pleasure is not ‘haram’.

Bronco
Dancing and listening to music is not Haram in Islam,The prophet listened to music and attended dancing during marriage ceremony,
Female singer and gender mixing are not haram in Islam,what is Haram in Islam as far as gender mixing is if it was done secretely only
Production of alcohol is not Haram in Islam,drinking Alcohol for pleasure is Haram.
Smoking is recent habit,there was no smoking at the time of the prophet,The reason Alcohol is forbidden is because it alter the mental status,people behave irresponsible after few drinks.

December 11th, 2011, 12:58 pm

 

Tara said:

Bronco @ post 417

Thank you for crediting me with emotions I don’t have and for replying to #391 (in case you missed it) with harshness.

December 11th, 2011, 1:06 pm

 

syria no kandahar said:

Majedzawahri
in islam it is ok to dance,listen to music,produce alcohol,mix sexes,have female singers and dancers…woo you are really enjoying your special form of islam doctor.it is forbidden to hurt your self smarty but it is ok to hurt your country:
-economical sanctions
-no flights from or to your country
-no mazoot to heat houses for your fellow sub-citizens while you ralax next to your fire place in the us listening to rihan:dont you wish yourgirlfriend was hot like me.
tfo all heek tractor.

December 11th, 2011, 1:10 pm

 

Mango said:

Courtesy: United States Air Force, 30th Space Wing Public Affairs

12/3/2010 – The X-37B sits on the Vandenberg Air Force base runway during post-landing operations Dec. 3. Personnel in SCAPE (Self-contained atmospheric protective ensemble) suits conduct initial checks on the vehicle and ensuring the area is safe
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JFI9gIIC8s

The S-500 is a new generation surface-to-air missile system, designed for intercepting intercontinental ballistic missiles and for defense against Airborne Early Warning and Control and jamming aircraft.

With a planned range of 600 km (373 mi), the S-500 would be able to detect and simultaneously engage up to 10 ballistic supersonic targets flying at a speed of 5 km/s[3][4] and will have a flight ceiling of 40 km.

December 11th, 2011, 1:23 pm

 

Mina said:

Pakistan-Iran relations warm as ever?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-16131824

December 11th, 2011, 1:26 pm

 

newfolder said:

the full 46 minute ABC interview with Bashar, see for yourself how the bumbling idiot puts his foot in it, and no amount of spin by Jihad Maqdisi can hide that fact.

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/video/bashar-al-assad-interview-15125366

December 11th, 2011, 1:45 pm

 

Haytham Khoury said:

A friend of mine, his name is Albert Ibra Kassam, who is a physician and Christian wrote this.
من دون سياسة…حماه ليست كما تظنون ..!!؟
من غير الوارد أن تجد سورياً واحداً (يفرح) لرؤية شلالات الدم في بلده..فنحن لسنا شعباً همجياً كما يحاول أن يصور البعض و لسنا قتلة و مصاصي دماء و لم يقتل فينا واحداً جاره لأجل نص أو آية ..لعشر سنوات و أنا أمارس مهنتي كجراح تجميل في حماه مدينتي (( و هو اختصاص دقيق و حساس كون معظم المرضى سيدات و في مدينة يقال أنها محافظة..))..لم أتعرض يوماً لأي شكل من أشكال التمييز (كوني مسيحي) أو النبذ أو العزلة بل كنت أكثر زملائي قبولاً و عملاً و دخلاً و حتى أن بعض شيوخ جوامعها كانوا يرسلون لي مرضاهم الخاصين و أقرباءهم..!؟؟مع بعض الأصدقاء نأكل و نمرح و نسهر ..و نسكر مع بعضهم الآخر..و …و مع بداية المظاهرات في حماه كنت لا أزال موجوداً هناك فما كان من جيران عيادتي من أهل السوق الا و يحسبون أمنهم أمني و سلامتهم سلامتي فيسارعون لتحذيري عند ورود ما يقلق صدرهم…و حماه تعرف في سوريا أنها بلد الفقير و تجارها الأكثر ذمة و الأقل فساداً…طبعاً لا تخلو حماه كأية مدينة من المساوئ و قلة قليلة من بعض الغلاة و لكن ذلك ليس من طبع أهلها و من الظلم أن يوصفوا بالسلفيين ((بل على العكس هي أكثر من تأذى من حركة الاخوان التي لم تكن يوماً حركة ذات شعبية كبيرة فيها كما تحاول الحركة نفسها أن تصور ))…ألم ينطلق أكبر حزب اشتراكي يساري و بشعبية كاسحة ((أكرم الحوراني))..من حماه ليرسم معالم الدولة في سورية في حقبة ما ..!!!؟؟؟
تذكروا فقط أن حكام سورية لا بد أن يمروا من حماه..أو يتعمدوا في عاصيها .. أو يعمدوه ..!!!؟؟

December 11th, 2011, 2:09 pm

 

Tara said:

The strike was massive, even in Damascus
For those of you who persistently mocked previous attempt of strike: enjoy.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/8949609/Assad-regime-hold-on-Syria-more-tenuous-as-thousands-take-part-in-general-strike.html

Assad regime hold on Syria more tenuous as thousands take part in general strike

The Syrian government’s increasingly tenuous hold on power weakened further as rebels struck military targets across the country and thousands of businesses shut down in response to an opposition-called general strike.

By Ruth Sherlock, Beirut6:17PM GMT 11 Dec 2011

Video footage from Dera’a, the southern city where the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad first erupted in March, showed row after row of shuttered shops.

Defying the threat of reprisals, even traders in the capital Damascus, the regime’s principal stronghold, observed the strike, prompting opposition activists to declare that their call for industrial action had been a triumph of unexpected proportions.
“It is amazing so far,” said Omar al Khani of the Syrian Revolution General Commission, a nationwide group that organises protests, speaking from Damascus.
“We didn’t expect it would be this big. Even some of the street markets in central Damascus are closed.”
Infuriated by so widespread a display of impudence, Syrian soldiers and pro-regime “Shabiha” militiamen demonstrated their impotent rage by firing their guns into the air, banging angrily on the shop shutters and forcefully prizing them open – to no avail.
“In one street they forced the owners to reopen their shops,” an activist in Deraa said. “The men opened them briefly and closed them again as soon as soon as the Shabiha left.”
With the government already facing severe financial strictures as a result of international sanctions, sustained industrial action could prove highly effective at weakening the regime, observers say. The support of Syria’s Sunni merchant class has proved a vital mainstay for Mr Assad but there is growing evidence that it is wavering as the economy deteriorates.
As importantly, the strike also served as a show of unity for Syria’s fractured opposition, which has been subject to criticism for its perceived failure to coordinate action at a nationwide level.
Protest coordinators said they would call for more strikes in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, army defectors launched a series of assaults, setting military vehicles ablaze in both the south and north of the country. Though still small, Syria’s rebel outfits are growing in size and mounting increasingly bold attacks against the armed forces.
At least eight people were killed in the latest violence, which comes amid growing fears that the army is planning a major offensive against Homs, the country’s most restive city and scene of some of the worst bloodshed of the uprising.
Alain Juppe, France’s foreign minister, meanwhile said Syria was behind attacks on its troops in Lebanon earlier this week – five French peacekeepers were wounded.
“We have strong reason to believe these attacks came from there (Syria),” Mr Juppe said. “We think it’s most probable, but I don’t have proof.”
When asked if he believed Hizbollah had carried out the attack on behalf of Damascus, Mr Juppe said: “Absolutely. It is Syria’s armed wing (in Lebanon).”

December 11th, 2011, 2:11 pm

 

Khalid Tlass said:

438.MAJEDKHALDOUN said:

“Dancing and listening to music is not Haram in Islam,The prophet listened to music and attended dancing during marriage ceremony,
Female singer and gender mixing are not haram in Islam,what is Haram in Islam as far as gender mixing is if it was done secretely only
Production of alcohol is not Haram in Islam,drinking Alcohol for pleasure is Haram.
Smoking is recent habit,there was no smoking at the time of the prophet,The reason Alcohol is forbidden is because it alter the mental status,people behave irresponsible after few drinks.”

Dr. Khaldoun , can you come up with any references from Qur’an or Ahadith about your statements ?

December 11th, 2011, 2:15 pm

 

Haytham Khoury said:

فالبرغم من أن الموقف الروسي يتغير و يلين و لكن تغيره بطئ، و يلزمه من يدفعه إلى الأمام -إذ يموت على الأقل كل يوم 60 مواطن سوري- فالروس أصبحوا مقتنعين أن نظام الأسد غير قابل للحياة، و لكنهم يؤخرون نهايته حتى يحصلون على تعهدات بأنه سوف يتم مراعاة مصالحهم و خصوصاً العسكرية من قبل الدول الغربية، لهذا هي عملياً تريد أن تشارك بأي وجود ذي طابعٍ عسكري في سوريا، و هي بعثت برسائل إلى الغرب – على حد قول الأدميرال فيكتور كرافتشينكو- مفادها “إن وجود قوى أخرى غير الناتو سيكون مفيداً للمنطقة لأنه يمنع إندلاع أي نزاع مسلح”، و لكننا لا نعرف ما هو رد الدول الغربية عليه، إذ منذ أن حصل التدخل الغربي في كوسفو في عام 1999 و الناتو إنفرادي النزعة في عملياته. فهل سيتركوننا ننتظر كثيراً و نحن نعدّ قتلانا؟
http://haytham-khoury3.blogspot.com/2011/12/blog-post_11.html

December 11th, 2011, 2:19 pm

 

Khalid Tlass said:

Haytham,

Can you provide links to any facebook group of anti-regime Syrian Christians ? I think there was an Armenian group like this.

December 11th, 2011, 2:22 pm

 

Tara said:

Khaled

I will turn the question back to you and ask you: can you come up with any reference from the Quraan to suggest otherwise? Not interested in Hadeeth at this time as authenticity can’t be verified.

Also, for anyone who knows, in regard to the article posted by Zoo, in the 7th paragraph, what is the Shiaa’ prayer drill that supposedly annoys Sunni?

December 11th, 2011, 2:23 pm

 

Khalid Tlass said:

TARA,

Ahadith from Sahih al Bukhari and Sahih Muslim are ALL authentic.

However, I will not post any Quranic verses or Ahadith on these prohivtions, bcoz it will only incite more voyeuristic urges among the Islamophobes here.

December 11th, 2011, 2:37 pm

 

Syrian Nationalist Party said:

Courtesy: United States Air Force, 30th Space Wing Public Affairs

12/3/2010 – The X-37B sits on the Vandenberg Air Force base runway during post-landing operations Dec. 3. Personnel in SCAPE (Self-contained atmospheric protective ensemble) suits conduct initial checks on the vehicle and ensuring the area is safe
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JFI9gIIC8s

The S-500 is a new generation surface-to-air missile system, designed for intercepting intercontinental ballistic missiles and for defense against Airborne Early Warning and Control and jamming aircraft.

With a planned range of 600 km (373 mi), the S-500 would be able to detect and simultaneously engage up to 10 ballistic supersonic targets flying at a speed of 5 km/s[3][4] and will have a flight ceiling of 40 km.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txNOXivEwvQ

_____________________________________________________________

Nothing owned by U.S. Israel, Iran or Russia can match what Syria can own and in fact have locally the means to produce it. But what is all that for? Syria hope for the future is striking a peace accord, not launching a war. For defensive retaliation, just stock up on boxes of match sticks and blow up the dam oil fields as far wide as you possibly can, send crude price to the $300 PBL and the World’s economy to 300 feet below waterline for a hundred year.

These 4 countries systems are impressive, but obsolete in my knowledge about what can be done to make them worthless. They focus the design on awesome offensive capabilities or whatever task designed for, but don’t pay much attention about the defense of the system itself.

December 11th, 2011, 2:38 pm

 

Haytham Khoury said:

There are many Christian facebook pages supporting the revolution. These are some of them
http://www.facebook.com/SyrianChristians
http://www.facebook.com/Christian.rebels
https://www.facebook.com/groups/259970707370236/
http://www.facebook.com/SyrianArmenians
http://www.facebook.com/syrian.christian.revolution
http://www.facebook.com/Christians.Against.Luka.Khoury
http://www.facebook.com/syrienrev.juljula

http://www.facebook.com/pages/%D8%B3%D9%83%D9%88%D8%AA_%D9%87%D9%88%D9%84-%D8%AB%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D9%85%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%AD%D9%8A%D9%8A-%D9%88%D8%A3%D8%AD%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%B3%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A7-%D8%B6%D8%AF-%D8%A8%D8%B4%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D8%B3%D8%AF-Jesus-Revolution/205462722815680

http://www.facebook.com/pages/%D9%8A%D9%88%D9%85-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D8%AD%D8%AF-%D9%85%D9%86-%D9%83%D9%84-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%A8%D9%88%D8%B9-%D9%84%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%AD%D9%8A%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B4%D8%B1%D9%81%D8%A7%D8%A1-%D9%85%D8%B8%D8%A7%D9%87%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%AD%D8%AA%D9%89-%D8%B3%D9%82%D9%88%D8%B7-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%D8%B8%D8%A7%D9%85/258292080850118

http://www.facebook.com/pages/%D8%AA%D9%86%D8%B3%D9%8A%D9%82%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%B9-%D9%88-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D8%B5%D9%88%D8%B1-%D9%88-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%A8-%D8%AA%D9%88%D9%85%D8%A7-%D9%88-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%AC%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AB%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A9-2011/308600529158394

http://www.facebook.com/pages/%D8%A3%D9%86%D8%A7-%D9%85%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%AD%D9%8A-%D9%88-%D9%85%D9%88%D9%82%D9%81-%D8%B1%D8%AC%D8%A7%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%83%D9%86%D9%8A%D8%B3%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%A4%D9%8A%D8%AF-%D9%84%D8%A8%D8%B4%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D8%B3%D8%AF-%D9%84%D8%A7-%D9%8A%D9%85%D8%AB%D9%84%D9%86%D9%8A/315674551779382

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Assyrians-for-Existence-and-Freedom-%D8%A2%D8%B4%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%88%D9%86-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%A3%D8%AC%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%88%D8%AC%D9%88%D8%AF-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A9/160962127310170

December 11th, 2011, 2:43 pm

 

Juergen said:

Filming Syria’s Women
‘It Is Difficult Making Anything Critical of the Regime’
A still from Lina Alabed’s documentary “Yearning,” filmed in Damascus, Syria.
Zoom
Lina Alabed

A still from Lina Alabed’s documentary “Yearning,” filmed in Damascus, Syria.

In an interview with SPIEGEL ONLINE, the maker of a new film about two women in Syria discusses the role females have played in the Arab Spring, the equalizing effect of street protests and why it is hard to make documentaries that are critical of the regime in Damascus.
Info

It all started for documentary filmmaker Lina Alabed when her beloved push bike was taken away. The reason? Puberty. In Syria, where the half Palestinian, half Egyptian woman, who holds a Jordanian passport, grew up, being on a bicycle was apparently no place for a young woman.

This led the journalist, now 31, to begin a filmed, 50-minute investigation of how Syrian women deal with living in a repressive, male-dominated society. Her documentary “Yearning,” which recently premiered at the third annual Doha Tribeca Film Festival in Qatar, was the result. In the film, Alabed, who trained as a journalist in Damascus and whose previous work on similar subjects had won her awards in Syria, conducts exhaustive and thorough interviews with two Syrian women who, on the surface, could not be any more different.

One, Asmaa Kuftaro, is the granddaughter of influential Syrian religious figure Ahmed Kuftaro, who was the Grand Mufti of Syria, the highest official among Sunni Muslims in the country, until his death in 2004. Kuftaro wears a veil and lives according to Islamic principles, as does her affluent family. Meanwhile, Lina Chachati, an upper-middle class Christian woman in her late forties, runs a fashion boutique, smokes and drinks and wears low-cut outfits while telling her life story to the filmmaker.

Both subjects go into detail on camera about intimate aspects of their lives — and although their experiences are often divergent, they share many telling similarities.

As filmmaker Alabed notes, “It’s not about religion, it’s about society and societal norms.” Both Kuftaro and Chachati talk about how they knew almost nothing about sex before they married, how their family lives were dominated by male wishes and how they both had to be careful when expressing the desire for equality that they shared.

In an interview with SPIEGEL ONLINE, Alabed discusses her film, the role Syrian women are currently playing in the revolution in that country and how the Arab Spring is changing the lives of women across the Middle East and North Africa.

SPIEGEL ONLINE: Ms. Alabed, there are a lot of clichés about women in the Middle East region that a Western audience expects to hear — namely that they are repressed, under-educated and don’t enjoy the same rights as men. Do Arab women really want more rights or are Westerners imposing our views of freedom on them?

Alabed: This isn’t about wanting what Western women have, it’s about basic human rights. I don’t think Arab women want to be like Western women. There are problems for women in the West too, but I do sometimes think that Arab women see them as an example of what it would be like to live a life that is freer. The issue, whether they are Western or Oriental, Christian or Muslim, is about women having the right to determine their own destiny.

SPIEGEL ONLINE: Has your documentary been shown in Syria?

Alabed: No. There are censorship issues, and I also wouldn’t want to create any problems for Lina and Asmaa. They were very honest and they’re brave women. I’d have to ask them first. There are also safety issues. I spent over a year looking for subjects for the documentary and asked over 100 women. We were supposed to shoot it with four women in the beginning, but one pulled out a week before we began. And we were forced to cut out the third woman after filming because her brother found out she was involved in the documentary and threatened to kill her. I’m not sure he actually would have done that, but he was very threatening.

SPIEGEL ONLINE: What sort of role are Syrian women playing in the revolution there? In many traditional Islamic societies, women are generally expected to stay home and not take part in events like public demonstrations.

Alabed: Syrian women are certainly playing a role. There are people like Razan Zaitouni (a lawyer and founder of a Syrian human rights organization) who is very courageous. Such overtly activist women tend to be exceptions though. You’ll also find women in the suburbs and rural areas who are not as educated but who will still do things like prepare sandwiches for the protestors or help hide people who may be in trouble.

SPIEGEL ONLINE: How has the Arab Spring changed conditions for women — both in countries that have seen their leaders overthrown and others that have not gone as far? And should women’s issues take a back seat to general political ones at the moment?

Alabed: It’s all related. It’s not like we can only speak about freedom and forget about women’s rights. In general, though, I don’t think you can talk about women’s rights and freedoms in a society that has no say in — or no ability to make decisions about — its own future and is not free. These kinds of mobilizations must have an impact on society in general. For example, this is something I was really thinking about when the Syrian revolution began: In my film, there is a section about how Syrian men are allowed to look at women in a bad, almost sexually predatory, way. But these same men are the ones who are going out and calling for freedom. And these men won’t be thinking about what a woman is wearing, her body or her sex when she is standing with him on the street. It’s a very sexist and macho society, but I think when these taboos are swept away, we will be a better society. I believe what is happening now is making a difference.

SPIEGEL ONLINE: You moved to Beirut around a year ago. Do you still have your contacts in Syria?

Alabed: Yes, my family is there and my friends, some of whom have been in prison. What I really hope for is an end to the violence. Something else I’ve noticed is the courageous attitude of the Syrians who are protesting. It’s very surprising.

SPIEGEL ONLINE: Why surprising?

Alabed: Because they don’t seem to be afraid. It is not easy to live under the Syrian regime, but the protestors seem to have no fear. They keep going into the streets. They will stay on there until they get their freedom.

SPIEGEL ONLINE: What do you think has enabled Syrian protestors to shed their fears?

Alabed: It’s a question of human dignity. Once it’s gone, once you have lost a father or a son, you have nothing left to lose.

SPIEGEL ONLINE: Apart from the last lines in your documentary, where you talk about how no one can ever be free in a society that is afraid of itself, you make few overtly political statements. Even though you now live outside Syria, at times it feels like you held back in the film.

Alabed: It is very difficult to make anything that is critical of the Syrian regime, even in Beirut. The situation there is confusing and difficult and there is a lot of pressure on the Lebanese government, because certain parties there support the Syrian regime. You have to be careful about what you say.

Interview conducted by Cathrin Schaer

http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,800854,00.html

December 11th, 2011, 2:54 pm

 

Khalid Tlass said:

SNP,

Syrua does not have any significant defence industry. All the heavy weaponry come from Russia, Iran and North Korea. Even AK 47 are all imported from Russia, only cartridges and gas masks and helmets are produced locally.

Syria is way behind even Saddam;s Iraq. Iraq produced completely locally and indigenously – Tabuk 7,62 mm Assault Rifle; and most importantly the Asad Babil Tank, which was an Iraqi indigenously manufactured variant of Soviet T-72 Tank. Iraq also had a huge defence industry which produced pistols, grenades, RPGs by licence from Russia, gas masks, and mustard gas and nerve gas.

Even Egypt has developed its own indigenously manifactured Assault Rifle (Maadi) i.e the AKM assault rifke under license from Rusia and uts indigenously produced Armoured vehicle,

And even KSA have produced their own indigenously manufactured armoured vehicle (Fahd Infantry Fighting vehicle)

Syria is waaay behind, and you are dreaming of producing S-400 and S-500 missiles locally ? Not a single pistol, rifle, tank or Artillery piece is produced in Syria.

December 11th, 2011, 3:19 pm

 

Norman said:

Khalid,

The Syrian Arab army liberated Kuwait, period, and GOD welling will liberate Palestine one day, hopefully soon,

I would tell the FSA, surrender your arms and join the political process and help build better Syria, i would say that to all Syrians. only peaceful reform will lead to better Syria.

December 11th, 2011, 3:28 pm

 

Juergen said:

We respect the deserters

Burhan Ghalioun, 66 years old, Chairman of the Syrian opposition National Council on the requests from the Council on the regime in Damascus and the Internationl community.

Spiegel: Do you want an military intervention as in Lybia ?
Ghalioun: No, we are far from exhausted all diplomatic options.

Spiegel: But you call for the establishment of a humanitarian corridor along the border with Turkey.

Ghalioun: But that must not be done by military means.

Der Spiegel: The Syrian army deserters have targeted military facilities.

Ghalioun: We respect the Deserteurs. who are just disobeying orders to fire on civilians. But the “Free Syrian army” can not play a proactive role, they must remain defensive. This is what we agreed on with their leaders.

Spiegel: Isn`t the support of the regime by the citizens still large?

Ghalioun: I do not think so. But to keep low the risk of injury or death, the majority of Syrians want to preserve the peaceful character of the revolution. We share this concern, so we are working to ensure that protests remain nonviolent.

Spiegel: Is it possible with this regime still a peaceful solution?

Ghalioun: The opposition is not willing to negotiate with murderers. But she is willing to talk with military and civilian officials who represent the institutions but not the regime. We do not want to repeat the mistakes which were happening in Iraq. We want to keep the state institutions and thus preserves the order and social peace in the country. It concludes with a military intervention, there will be no change in the military hierarchy, only within political posts.

Spiegel: What is your attitude towards Israel?

Ghalioun: My position is that of the whole Syrian people: the return of the Golan Heights, which are Syrian territory, are the condition for the restoration of the sovereignty of Syria. Without the return of the Golan, there is no compromise.

Spiegel: Israel to recognize the right of existence? Would you negotiate with the government in Jerusalem?

Ghalioun: The entire Arab world has accepted the existence of two-states Israel and Palestine, already implemented by the Saudi Arabian royal family. Syria will not represent any position other than the Arab League.

out of the new issue of DER SPIEGEL 12/12/11
translated

December 11th, 2011, 3:28 pm

 

Juergen said:

France Suspects Syria Behind Lebanon Bombing

Published December 11, 2011

| Associated Press

PARIS – France’s foreign minister says he suspects that Syria was behind a bombing that wounded five French troops in Lebanon.

A Lebanese bystander was also hurt in Friday’s attack on a vehicle carrying the U.N. peacekeepers.

Alain Juppe told RFI radio on Sunday that France had “strong reason to think that this attack comes from there.”

He said France believes Hezbollah was involved but has no proof.

The force known as UNIFIL is deployed to keep the peace along Lebanon’s southern border with Israel.

The explosion comes amid fears that violence in neighboring Syria — where President Bashar Assad is brutally crushing an uprising against his rule — might spread into the tiny Mediterranean nation. Damascus dominated Lebanon for three decades until it withdrew its troops in 2005.
http://www.foxnews.com/world/2011/12/11/france-suspects-syria-behind-lebanon-bombing/

December 11th, 2011, 3:36 pm

 

Norman said:

France should know that when it rains on Syria it will pour on France and it’s soldiers in Lebanon what goes around comes around and if you play with fire do not complain when you get burned.

http://www.alquds.co.uk

مصادر سورية: لا نستبعد محاولة اغتيال بشار

الكويت ـ د ب أ: قالت مصادر قريبة جدا من الرئيس السوري بشار الأسد “ألسنة الفتنة لن تحرق سورية فحسب بل لبنان والكويت والعراق والسعودية والبحرين والمنطقة برمتها، وعندها سيكون من الصعب إطفاء الحريق”، غير مستبعدة “محاولة اغتيال بشار”.
وقالت المصادر لصحيفة “الرأي” الكويتية في عددها الصادر الاحد، إن بشار سيلقي خطابا، وصفته بـ “المهم” قبل عيد الميلاد، يتناول فيه الدور السلبي لدول الجامعة العربية ولبعض الأطراف اللبنانية حيال الأحداث الجارية في سورية.

ونقلت هذه المصادر عن الأسد قوله إن “مجازر حقيقية حصلت أخيرا لاسيما في حمص”، متحدثا عن “وجود عدد لا يستهان به من المسلحين في أنفاق في حمص ارتكبوا هذه المجازر”.

وقالت المصادر إن “الرئيس السوري يخشى انزلاق الأوضاع إلى حرب طائفية، وهو غير مرتاح لدور العلماء المسلمين لمساهمتهم في التحريض، ويعمل على حض علماء السنة والشيعة على التعاون لوأد الفتنة”.

وأشار الأسد، بحسب المصادر القريبة منه، إلى أن “ألسنة الفتنة لن تحرق سورية فحسب بل لبنان والكويت والعراق والسعودية والبحرين والمنطقة برمتها، وعندها سيكون من الصعب إطفاء الحريق”.

ولفتت هذه المصادر من العاصمة السورية إلى أن “الأسد يقر بأخطاء حصلت في أداء بعض المسؤولين السوريين، وبضعف الإعلام الرسمي غير المهيأ لمجابهة حملة شرسة يشارك فيها اكثر العرب مع الغرب وإسرائيل لإسقاط النظام”.

وقالت المصادر إن “الأسد يحرص في مجالسه على التأكيد انه لم يفاجأ كثيرا بحجم المؤامرة ضد سورية، وخصوصا بعد اتهامها من إسرائيل وحلفائها بمساعدة المقاومة خلال حرب الـ33 يوما في تموز (يوليو) 2006، وتوعد سورية بأنها ستدفع الثمن”.

واعتبر الأسد، بحسب تلك المصادر أن “دور بعض الدول العربية غير مستغرب، لكونها تقوم بما هو مطلوب منها في الضغط عليه للتنحي”، كاشفا عن دولة بعينها “اتصلت بدول عربية عدة شاركت أخيرا بالتصويت ضد سورية لإرغامها على هذا التصويت عبر تهديدها بأن الدور سيأتي إليها إذا لم تقف مع العقوبات ضد سورية”، لافتا إلى أن “بعض تلك الدول اتصلت بنا موضحة موقفها الحقيقي، ومعلنة أنها لن تلتزم بقرار العقوبات رغم موافقتها عليها”.

وتحدثت المصادر عن أن الرئيس السوري لن يتهاون مع الدور التركي في المس بأمن بلاده واستقرارها، رغم انه يدرك أن “سياسة (رئيس الوزراء رجب طيب اردوغان) و(وزير خارجيته احمد داود اوغلو) لا تتماشى مع آراء كل السياسيين الاتراك”، لافتا إلى أن “تركيا خسرت الساحة الاقتصادية السورية وستخسر قريبا ساحات أخرى مهمة جدا لها بسبب الموقف الموحد لدول الممانعة”.

ونقلت المصادر عن الأسد قوله إن “الوضع في سورية لم يخرج عن السيطرة”، من دون أن ينفي وجود “تيارات مناوئة للنظام ما زالت تعمل في مدن عدة”، وهو – أي الرئيس السوري – لم يفقد السيطرة على الوضع رغم دعم الغرب للمعارضة في شكل أو آخر من دون التدخل المباشر على الأرض.

غير أن المصادر رأت في دور البعثات الدبلوماسية بعض أوجه الدعم الغربي للتيارات المناوئة للنظام، وأدرجت عودة بعض السفراء الغربيين (الأمريكي والفرنسي) إلى دمشق في إطار تقديم جرعة دعم مستقبلية من “الادرينالين” للمعارضة التي تحتاج وبحسب وجهة نظر الغرب إلى إعادة تنظيم تتيح لها فعالية اكثر على الأرض في إطار خطتها لزعزعة النظام.

ولم تستبعد المصادر القريبة جدا من الأسد لجوء المستفيدين من سقوط النظام السوري إلى اغتيال الرئيس بشار لقلب الأدوار وضعضعة الوضع الداخلي، لكنها تستطرد ، قائلة: “بغض النظر عن واقعية هذه الفرضية واحتمالها والإجراءات الاستثنائية التي اتخذت لحماية الأسد، فان فشل مثل هذه العملية أو نجاحها لن يغير من خط سورية ولن يأتي بالمعارضة إلى الحكم”.

وختمت المصادر بقول الرئيس الأسد انه لم يستعمل حتى الآن ما لديه من أوراق “كالجولان ولبنان والأكراد والعراق والعلويين الأتراك وكل قوى الممانعة من المحيط إلى الخليج”.
t3

December 11th, 2011, 3:48 pm

 

Norman said:

For all of you in the opposition who claim that Israel wants president Assad to survive, you are just what the surrender camp wants ,

باراك: سقوط نظام الاسد سيكون “نعمة” لمنطقة الشرق الاوسط

فييناـ ا ف ب: ذكرت وكالة الانباء النمساوية ان وزير الدفاع الاسرائيلي ايهود باراك اعلن الاحد ان سقوط نظام الرئيس السوري بشار الاسد سيكون “نعمة” لمنطقة الشرق الاوسط وضربة لـ”محور ايران حزب الله”.
وقالت الوكالة ان باراك اعلن خلال مؤتمر في فيينا ان “سقوط الاسد سيكون نعمة لمنطقة الشرق الاوسط”.

واضاف الوزير ان “اسرة الاسد محكوم عليها ولا احد يعلم ماذا سيحصل لاحقا”
.

December 11th, 2011, 3:52 pm

 

AIG said:

“France should know that when it rains on Syria it will pour on France”

Norman,

Did you give this advice to Assad when he meddled with other countries and supported terror organizations attacking other countries? Assad is going to get the punishment he deserves and so are his supporters.

December 11th, 2011, 3:58 pm

 

Syrian Nationalist Party said:

@Norman,

Israel prefer Assad and the Baath party to stay in power so that the Golan front stay quite for another 40 years, but it is real preference and ultimate goal is to never have worry about handing it out ever and to add few more miles of Syrian land into Greater Israel. Gallioun and MB Company are hired and paid to bring that outcome. A chaotic Syria, under civil war will insure Israel interests. Otherwise, you would have seen more planning for an orderly transition of power in Syria enforced and supported. You don’t see that, only mercenaries to launch an internal war are supported and equipped. We do hold Bashar personally responsible for the outcome, he is the President of Syria, he imposed himself and stated that he is the Majority choice for leadership, that is fine, but you cannot when the sh**t hit the fan claim that others “ABSTRACT” are in charge. If there are others in charge, making decision, we need to know who are the ones placing Syria in danger, so they can be held accountable, when their actions fails to maintain Syria independence, territorial integrity and peaceful outcome.

December 11th, 2011, 4:17 pm

 

Tara said:

Bronco,

Hurting oneself not only forbidden in Islam, it is also forbidden in Christianity.

http://www.openbible.info/topics/self_mutilation

December 11th, 2011, 4:19 pm

 

ann said:

*** barak IS ANOTHER PAPER TIGER ***

Israel: End of Assad would be ‘blessing’ – 2 hours ago

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iRcEMS71GIgmRnw96-okd8msPcZA?docId=a9258ce7c2a3425facb02e25d0db316a

Israeli officials have recently toned down increasingly strident warnings that their country may be planning to strike at Iran’s nuclear facilities in an attempt to cripple a program that can be used both for civilian and military purposes. But they say force remains an option, if diplomacy fails to end Tehran’s nuclear defiance.

On Sunday, Barak avoided mentioning the military option, telling the meeting he thinks there still is “time for urgent, coherent, paralyzing sanctions” on Iran’s leadership and its energy sector, effectively throttling exports and imports of oil and related products by Tehran.

December 11th, 2011, 4:27 pm

 

Tara said:

Bashar’s accomplishment during the first day of the massive strike:

26 dead.

December 11th, 2011, 4:28 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Khaled Tlass
In Quraan it clearly says that
Do not date them secretly,the word secretely is there for a reason,Quraan did not say do not date them,
I am sure you are aware that women participated with men in war, and women did not have to wear Hijab then, even 3aesha was mixed with men in battle.
If you read IBN AL KATHEER, He said in it the story about the prophet when he attended a marriage ceremony, he enjoyed it and stay there to the end, in it there was music singing and dancing.
I repeatedly said in the past, the Imams who explained Quraan were more strict than Quraan and Hadith, and WE NEED NEW INTERPRETATION OF QURAAN, in the past to know how to read was limited to few, but now we all know how to read and many things in Quraan were interpreted wrong.

Hijab in Quraan is to cover the chest,the word “ILLA MA ZAHAR” means to me and many is the head hands and feet,to cover the head was only at the time of the prophet to protect Musslem women.

Khaled
Please there is no time to explain the invalidity of many things Extremists in Islam has done,It was mentioned in SC in the past and I am not to bore every one by repeating them.

Bukhari was not Arabic, arabic language to him was secondary language just like you and many,he could have made mistakes.

December 11th, 2011, 4:30 pm

 

Bronco said:

Majedalkhadoon

“Female singer and gender mixing are not haram in Islam,what is Haram in Islam as far as gender mixing is if it was done secretely only”

This is why universities in Saudi Arabia are segregated, there is no one single Saudi female singer and they have beer factories in Saudi Arabia, while any one who drinks is punished with lashes.Come on…
You practice a very ‘altered’ islam, no wonder, you live in the USA and not in Saudi Arabia.
Anyway I think that each moslem has a different view of Islam, of what is haram and what is not, so there is no arguing possible.

December 11th, 2011, 5:19 pm

 

Bill said:

Watch out Bashar (hereditary dictator) al-Assad because Vladimir (Forge Elections) Putin may dump you sooner or later! http://arabspring2011.wordpress.com/2011/12/03/syria-in-the-post-assad-era-end-hizb-allah-iran-strategic-ties/

December 11th, 2011, 5:27 pm

 

ann said:

Fast Change in Syria of Concern to Iraq — and UN Envoy Kobler?

http://www.innercitypress.com/iraq1syria120611.html

UNITED NATIONS, December 6 — When Iraq was discussed in UN Security Council meetings Tuesday, both public and behind closed doors, several Ambassadors told Inner City Press it was “pretty routine” or even “same old, same old.”

But tucked in paragraph 23 of UN Envoy Martin Kobler’s statement to the Council was a reference to Syria: “unfolding events in Syria are of concern to many of my interlocutors who fear their possible repercussion in Iraq.”

One major Iraq interlocutor, Prime Minister Nuri al Maliki, has offered himself as a mediator between Syria’s Bashar al Assad and his opponents, while Iraqi President Jalal Talabani has said “we are worried that radicals may replace the old (current) regime.”

When Inner City Press asked Kobler about this, he said that we — presumably the UN — and the Iraqi government “share the same aim, stability in the country.” He spoke against “unquiet.” Video here, from Minute 3:19.

That Iraqi Shiite leaders might be concerned about particular Sunni leaders replaced Assad in Syria may be understandable. But does the UN envoy in Iraq have to “share this same aim”?

A Council representative complained to Inner City Press that Kobler “focused so much on Camp Ashraf.” This occupies page 13 to 16 of his statement, and most of his opening remarks at the stakeout.

Earlier, Inner City Press asked Iraq’s Permanent Representative why he hadn’t even mentioned Syria in the Council. “Can’t mention everything,” he answerd, noting that since Kobler devoted so much of his statement to Camp Ashraf, he had too as well.

Inner City Press asked him about his statement that 900 Camp Ashraf residents have dual citizenship: where did he get that figure? He said, from the UN.

When Kobler come out of Council consultations, Inner City Press asked him about the 900 dual citizens claim. He said “that has been certified in only a few cases.” He is asking Iraq to extend the December 31 deadline it has sent for closing Camp Ashraf. We’ll see — watch this site.

December 11th, 2011, 5:36 pm

 

Bill said:

Dear ANN # 467

Unfortunately, thanks to George W. Bush’s misinformed and misguided vision of a “new Iraq,” Iraq is now Iran’s puppets. Iran’s puppets (al-Maliki, al-Sadr, and al-Hakim) are voicing support for the murderous hereditary dictator of Syria. Their support may reach that of Bashar’s apologist/supporter in Lebanon, Nasr-Allah. Once the United States is no longer in charge of Iraqi airspace, Iranian air supplies may directly connect Tehran’s revolutionary guards with Maher al-Assad’s 4th division. It would be easier to transfer tools of repression from Iran/Iraq to Bashar. However, I still hope that the Arab League would authorize a Turkish-Arab intervention in Syria in order to stop Bashar’s war crimes and END his murderous hereditary regime.

December 11th, 2011, 5:42 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Bronco
In Suret Al Baqara verse 170, God said do not follow what people say,your parent and grand parent say, follow what Quraan says
and in Verse 143
So we made you moderate people(WASATA) it clearly means NO EXTREMISM in Islam those extremist are not true Musslems
In Saudia Arabia they follow People interpretation,Not what Quraan says.
I believe I am true Musslem, in the middle,I am not extremist,Extremists are not true Musslem, and I follow Quraan.

December 11th, 2011, 5:43 pm

 

Tara said:

Assed Shawkat killed by Ali Mamluk?   

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4160178,00.html

Syrian opposition sources: Defense minister killed
Published: 12.11.11, 21:12 / Israel News

Syrian opposition officials in London reported that Deputy Minister of Defense of Syria Assef Shawkat husband of Bushra Assad was killed during an argument with his aide General Ali Mamlouk.
 
According to the report, which has yet to be confirmed by official sources, Shawkat was secretly rushed to hospital in Damascus where he died of his wounds. Other sources claim he’s in a coma.

December 11th, 2011, 5:47 pm

 

Bronco said:

#461 Tara

You are confusing intended self harm with self punishment in a religious context.
Christianity and Islam has a very different view of sin and guilt and how to repent and be forgiven. It is a long and complex subject but sorry, it it very hasty to qualify self punishment in a religious context as ‘stupid’ or ‘taboo’.

Sorry I did miss your reply and did not understand what is pino-style. I did not mean to be harsh, but I thought you had a much more curious and tolerant mind than your reply revealed.

December 11th, 2011, 5:56 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Tara
You mentioned that Assef Shawkat was killed by Ali Mamlook
Revlon said Minister of Interior is no where to be found.\
Is there something going on?
There are many rumors

December 11th, 2011, 5:57 pm

 
 

Darryl said:

450. KHALID TLASS said:

“TARA,

Ahadith from Sahih al Bukhari and Sahih Muslim are ALL authentic.

However, I will not post any Quranic verses or Ahadith on these prohivtions, bcoz it will only incite more voyeuristic urges among the Islamophobes here.”

Bism Allah AlRahman AlraHeem

The reality Khalid, you know very very little about Islam and now hiding behind the Islamophobes statement.

Khalid, Did you know that the Besmelah above is Syriac or Aramaic Christian in origin and is still used in the Syriac Church and exchangeable with “in the name of God, the Son and Holy Spirit”.

Did you know that the Messenger and Companions did not use it in their prayers and it was added later on and to this day Islamic scholars are divided around the Bismelah even though it is in the Qur’an?

How about you Dr Khaldoun, do you know any of this?

December 11th, 2011, 5:59 pm

 

zoo said:

Another call for massive strike fails?

The “massive” strike was limited to Deraa, Homs and Douma. No news about the other hot spots, Idlib and Deir el Zor.
Damas, Aleppo and all the other cities did not follow the strike. Note that on Sunday christian shops are closed anyway.

http://news.yahoo.com/syria-activists-call-strike-homs-fears-grow-092203939.html
“The general strike was being “very widely observed” in Daraa province, cradle of the revolt against President Bashar al-Assad that broke out in mid-March, activists said.

In Homs, all markets and shops on the city’s main streets were closed, according to the Observatory, which also reported that the strike spread to some nearby towns while some schools were closed in the region.

In towns near the capital, security forces tried to open shops by force and carried out arrests, said the rights watchdog and other activists. But “90 percent” of businesses in Douma were closed.”

December 11th, 2011, 6:06 pm

 

son of Damascus said:

@ Tara Post 470:

I read the same thing on Watan. They give a little more details about the incident than Ynetnews, worth a read but unverifiable.

http://watan.com/أخبار/13983-أنباء-عن-مصرع-صهر-الأسد-آصف-شوكت-داخل-مكتبه-على-يد-مرافق-الجنرال-مملوك.html

December 11th, 2011, 6:09 pm

 

newfolder said:

watch the video inside the Syrian embassy in Amman Jordan, security and staff beating up activists

December 11th, 2011, 6:20 pm

 

ann said:

ANALYSIS: Saving Egypt – Monday, December 12, 2011

As expected, the so-called Egyptian Revolution has thrown up unexpected results causing a panic in western capitals not to mention quickly degenerating into Islamist-Secularist and Muslim-Christian conflict. Wait till Syria is ‘liberated’. What will follow in Syria will be infinitely worse than Egypt.

Be that as it may, it is important for all to realise that now the best course of action is to make the best out of a bad situation. Let us first take a few things off the table. The idea of a secular democratic Egypt, which is neutral to religion, is a non-starter after the recent polls as the poisonous tree planted in January is now bearing fruit. The choice is between a mildly theocratic state and a religious dystopia, which is very much in the realm of possibility. The Muslim Brotherhood and the Salafis hold up to 65 percent of the seats in the legislature-cum-Constituent Assembly. The Muslim Brotherhood with its Islamic roots in Rashid Rida and Hasan al-Banna has evolved into a relatively mainstream party. Yet a reader in Pakistan is more likely to identify the Brotherhood with moderate Jamaat-e-Islami rather than a mainstream party in Pakistan. Unlike the AKP, which had to play within the rules set by the Turkish establishment to come to power, the Muslim Brotherhood is now riding the Islamic tiger to parliament. Therefore, it is naïve to expect them to transform on their own into an inclusive political movement.

There is, however, one very important consideration. There is an alliance of convenience between the Muslim Brotherhood and the secularists for whatever their differences, nothing is quite as acerbic as the battle over common turf of religion, which is what the Brotherhood is engaged in with the Salafis. Unfortunately for the secularists though, given their poor showing, they would be junior partners in this alliance. As things stand right now, two truths are self-evident in terms of what the Egyptians want: 65 percent of the Egyptians want an Islam-oriented government but by the same token 75 percent do not want a Salafi straitjacket. This means a definite role for Islam and perhaps a role well in advance of what the Egyptian constitution already envisages. In other words, the final settlement between the Muslim Brotherhood and the secularists will attempt to find that elusive balance between the idea of a modern democracy with an Islamic flavour. We in Pakistan have toyed this with very limited success since the passing of the Objectives Resolution.

What could be that elusive permutation? It would be to have a state that gives equal rights of citizenship to all its citizens and adopts a simple repugnancy clause saying that no legislation can be repugnant to fundamental rights and Islam. Here, the most important gain for the secularists will be to ensure that the determinant of repugnancy to Islam is the mainstream constitutional court and not some body of ulema or a specific Shariat Court. Secondly, by placing certain fundamental rights such as freedom of religion and freedom of speech as absolute and unfettered even by religious consideration would ensure that the irreducible minimum of a modern democratic state would be achieved and an open society, albeit one that respects Islam and establishes its church, would become possible.

Other than the intra-Islamist conflict, there are some external factors at play that may allow Egypt’s secularists to play the same role that Pakistan’s religious Right played in the 1970s. Despite their numbers, it is the Brotherhood that needs the secularists and not the other way around — not just as a bulwark against the Salafis but also as a link and contact to the capitalist west trade, which is what Egypt will have to depend on to create a vibrant economy. It is here that the secularists can, as a small minority, still manage to secure a more inclusive and pluralistic Egypt.

The secret weapons in the secularist arsenal are the Nubians and Copts. The secularists must bargain a consociationalist compromise on their behalf to allow them to live as equal sons of the Nile. This means seeking a mandatory share in power, economic life and society. Most importantly, all minorities should be exempt from the application of Islamic law. Lessons may be drawn from the experience in Malaysia and Indonesia to this effect. In Malaysia, for example, parts of Islamic law are strictly enforced for Malays but not the Chinese or Indian minorities. Indonesia has sought to solve the religious question by making several state religions. For Egypt it would not be a bad idea to also officially adopt the Coptic Church in addition to Islam.

December 11th, 2011, 6:25 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Darryl
I am aware that you do not say Bismi allhi alrahmani alrahim when you pray, you can say it quietly.
Your explanation is not valid ,however.

December 11th, 2011, 6:40 pm

 

Dale Andersen said:

I will bet you a new Mercedes Benz that Spammie Annie hasn’t a clue what “consociationalist” means…

December 11th, 2011, 6:44 pm

 

Juergen said:

Tara

i am quite sceptical, this Assef Shawkat guy was always an aim for wishful thinking, i remember back in 2007 i think it was there were reports that he staged an coup d`etat and was house arrested… But one never know if the overall brutality and inhumanity would not enter their very homes…

Anyone heard something about ongoing negotiations that Assad is undergoing for an possible stepdown and exile with the AL?

December 11th, 2011, 6:44 pm

 

Norman said:

SNP,

Better to have a quiet Golan without peace and that is not my favorite status to have peace that does not get Arab rights back.

Sooner or later and when Syria is ready, a long war will be the way to get our rights back, as Israel can not take a long war lasting years, until then, we should prepare .

December 11th, 2011, 6:53 pm

 

Tara said:

Majedkhaldoun and SOD

The news is not verifiable. We all heard about Farouk Al Sharaa killing at the beginning of the revolution and about Asmaa being slapped by Maher. All were just rumors.

What I know for sure is a “historical fact”. Assef was never liked by Hafez and Basel. Papa Hafez agreed to the marriage after Basel died because Bushra was very depressed over not being allowed by the family to marry Assef who was married before her and had 5 children. Papa Hafez, having been a good- hearted dad did not want Bushra’s depression to get worse and finally gave his blessing. It was Auntie Buthina who introduced Bushra to Assef and auntie buthbuth who approached Al Akhrass family of Hafez’s intention to get Besho married to Asma.

Hope this was entertaining enough. I like stories like these.

December 11th, 2011, 6:54 pm

 

Juergen said:

Norman, sorry to interrupt your panarabic dreams, but who should fight with Israel? Dont you think that any military option is obsolete and suicidal after what they possess?

December 11th, 2011, 6:56 pm

 

Juergen said:

Tara
I really hope there is soon an episode like this one of Saddam about Beshos clan :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SL5vEub7m-Y&feature=related

working title: The Assads -love in deny

December 11th, 2011, 7:00 pm

 

Bronco said:

#445. Tara

“The strike was massive, even in Damascus”

After this ridiculous article you can read herein, I am convinced that the Telegraph journalists are under some kind of drug, so their credibility is zero. I don’t bother read them anymore.. Ruth Sherlock in Benghazi is in an altered state of consciousness
“Syrian refugees seek shelter in Libya”
Thousands of refugees fleeing the escalating violence in Syria are seeking shelter in Libya, a country still recovering from its own civil war. ”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/8947419/Syrian-refugees-seek-shelter-in-Libya.html

December 11th, 2011, 7:01 pm

 

irritated said:

Tara

Resorting to false news passed to Israeli newspaper to supposedly affect the moral of the regime is a sign that the opposition is seriously running out of options, isn’t?

December 11th, 2011, 7:02 pm

 

zoo said:

Elections on Monday, even in Homs and Hama, show a crowd of candidates.

Syria’s Local Administration Councils Elections
(Dp-news – Sana)
http://www.dp-news.com/en/detail.aspx?articleid=105755

SYRIA- 42889 candidates compete for 17588 seats at 1337 administrative units, including 154 cities, 502 towns and 681 municipalities, in the framework of the Local Council Elections, scheduled on Monday in all the provinces.

The number of election centers is 9849, two ballot boxes in each, where electors vote for their candidates for the administrative unit, and an election committee consisting of a head and two members supervises the process.

The Interior Ministry distributed bottles of the special ink to prevent fraud and ensure the honesty of elections.

Assistant Interior Minister for Civil Affairs, Hassan Jalali, said in a statement to SANA that the electors will be using the identity card for voting, according to Decree No. 125 for 2011 for those who are 18 years of age and above.

The candidates’ personal data indicates an increase in the number of the holders of university and higher education certificates among the candidates in all provinces compared to former elections.

In Damascus Countryside, the number of candidates reached 4138 competing for 1927 seats, and the electoral centers are 703.

The number of candidates in Damascus is 425 competing for 100 seats, while the number of electoral centers is 585.

In Aleppo, the number of candidates reached 7805 competing for 2283 seats. The number of electoral centers is 818 in the city of Aleppo and 1202 in its countryside.

The province’s data indicate that 1286 candidates hold university certificates, MAs and PhDs.

In Quneitra Province, 812 candidates, 262 holding university certificates, are running the elections to win 330 seats.

In Hama, 3667 candidates are to compete for 1997 seats, more than 55% of whom are holders of university or intermediate institutes’ certificates.

In Tartous, the numbers of candidates are 3107 competing for 950 seats.

In Sweida, 1603 candidates, half of them hold university certificates, are participating through 302 electoral centers to win 645 seats.

In Lattakia, 3440 candidates are participating in the elections through 846 electoral centers.

In Daraa, the number of candidates reached 1873, with 410 electoral centers and 1043 seats.

In Homs, 3500 candidates are running the elections through 611 electoral centers to win the 1496 seats allocated to the province.

In Raqqa, 2500 candidates are to compete for 487 seats through 459 electoral centers.

Deir Ezzor has 3314 candidates, 1362 seats and 599 electoral centers.

Candidates in Idleb are 2468 competing for 1907 seats, and the number of electoral centers is 898.

In Hasaka, elections at 850 electoral centers will decide who, out of 4353 candidates, will occupy the 1742 seats.

December 11th, 2011, 7:11 pm

 

Darryl said:

479. MAJEDKHALDOUN said:

Dr Khaldoun, it is OK we do not have to use it anymore as we should not step on each others toes and cause more confusion. It is good enough that we helped you along the way to become more pious. What would be even more fantastic, if we can just be pals and put religion aside and here and there maybe just head to a pub and have a few beers or Arak with lots of maza, like humans use to huddle around a camp fire :-).

December 11th, 2011, 7:15 pm

 

Norman said:

Juergen,

With the landscape that we have and the proximity of Syria to major Israeli cities, Israel will not use nuclear weapons and if Syria can sustain a long war that will force Israel to have it’s army in full alert, the Israeli economy will fail as most of the Israeli army is from the reserve.

If Syria can transfer the war to Israel proper, Israel will collapse and the Israeli will be heading to the airports,

December 11th, 2011, 7:20 pm

 

louai said:

‘’activists’’ attack Syrian diplomats in the of Syrian embassy in Jordan

عمان ، الحقيقة( خاص): اقتحم حوالي عشرة من المعارضين السوريين “الإسلاميين” مبنى السفارة السورية في عمان صباح اليوم بعد أن “تنكروا” بصفة مراجعين. وقالت مصادر محلية لـ”الحقيقة” إن المقتحمين عمدوا إلى خلع ملابسهم الخارجية بعد دخولهم المبنى لتظهر ” هويتهم السياسية كمعارضين” ، حيث كانوا يرتدون ملابس تحمل العلم السوري في ظل الانتداب الفرنسي ، والذي يعتمده الآن بعض الجهات والمجموعات في المعارضة السورية. وقالت هذه المصادر إن بعض هؤلاء ، وبشكل خاص المدعو أحمد بن مصطفى الشريقي وشقيقه حسين، وهو من نشطاء جماعة ” الأخوان المسلمين” السورية، أقدموا على ضرب عناصر حرس السفارة حين تدخل هؤلاء لإخراجهم ، فضلا عن ضرب المستشار في السفارة محمد أبو سرية الذي أغمي عليه ، وكذلك القنصل العام تمام غانم والموظفين الأردنيين محمد الأحمد و محمد الرفاعي و محمد هنيدي .
بالتزامن مع ذك ، كانت مجموعات من المتظاهرين الإسلاميين السوريين والأردنيين تؤازر “مجموعة الاقتحام” في الخارج بالهتافات والشتائم المقزعة التي طالت السفير السوري بهجت سليمان و ” أمه وأخته” ، وتحاول اقتحام الحواجز التي وضعتها الشرطة الأرنية في محيط السفارة.
هذا وقامت الشرطة الأردنية باعتقال ثمانية من المهاجمين عرف منهم غالب صفوان دركوش و صفوان غالب ، بينما لم يزل أحمد بن مصطفي الشريقي ” محتجزا” داخل السفارة ، حيث تجري اتصالات لتسليمه إلى الشرطة الأردنية. وهناك معلومات لم نستطع التقين منها بعد تفيد بوجود متظاهرين آخرين لمّا يزالوا “محتجزين” داخل السفارة مع أحمد الشريقي.

http://www.syriatruth.org/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D8%AE%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1/%D8%A3%D8%AE%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%AA%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%B1%D8%A3%D8%AE%D8%B1%D9%89/tabid/94/Article/6146/Default.aspx

December 11th, 2011, 7:32 pm

 

Tara said:

Bronco @471

I was expressing an opinion in regard to my understanding of Islam’s and christianity’s views to inflicting physical pain on oneself   I was not trying to be disrespectful.  I try not to be narrow minded and I did not say it was stupid.

Self punishment is different from physical harm.  I have been in a self punishment mode since July 19….     

You were harsh.  I usually either ignore or reciprocate. With you, I can’t do either and this is unfair.  

December 11th, 2011, 7:39 pm

 

jad said:

BFP Exclusive- Developing Story: Hundreds of US-NATO Soldiers Arrive & Begin Operations on the Jordan-Syria Border

Report: Foreign Troops Begin to Spread Near the Villages of Al-Mafraq
Update 1: Today at 12:00 P.M. we contacted DOD Press Office via two voicemail messages and one e-mail asking for comment(s) on this story. As of 6:00 P.M. EST we have not heard back.
Update 2: Another journalist with a major mainstream media publication was told by his editors that there would be no coverage or follow up on these developments.
According to first-hand accounts and reports provided to Boiling Frogs Post by several sources in Jordan, during the last few hours foreign military groups, estimated at hundreds of individuals, began to spread near the villages of the north-Jordan city of “Al-Mafraq”, which is adjacent to the Jordanian and Syrian border.
According to one Jordanian military officer who asked to remain anonymous, hundreds of soldiers who speak languages ​other than Arabic were seen during the past two days in those areas moving back and forth in military vehicles between the King Hussein Air Base of al-Mafraq (10 km from the Syrian border), and the vicinity of Jordanian villages adjacent to the Syrian border, such as village Albaej (5 km from the border), the area around the dam of Sarhan, the villages of Zubaydiah and al-Nahdah adjacent to the Syrian border.
Another report received from our source in Amman identified an additional US-NATO Command Center in “al-Houshah,’ a village near Mafraq.
Our Iraqi journalist source in London provided us with the following related information:
“Some of the US forces that left the Ain al-Assad Air base in Iraq last Thursday, did not come back to the USA or its base in Germany, but were transferred to Jordan during the evening hours.”
The above information was further corroborated by our correspondent and advisor Nizar Nayouf who interviewed an employee in the London-based office of Royal Jordanian Airlines:
“At least one US aircraft carrying military personnel landed in the Prince Hassan Air base located about 100 km to the east of the city of Al-Mafraq.”
Earlier last week, Jordanian news websites disclosed that “Western officials have requested the King to allow establishing an electronic spy station in the north of Jordan (near the Syrian border) in order to access the Syrian army and contact Syrian high-rank officers for convincing them to make a military coup or (at least) rebel against the regime”.
Nizar Nayouf, BFP advisor and correspondent on Syria in London, had the following statement on Al-Mafraq:
“The al-Mafraq air base, which now includes Air Force Academy, was a starting point for “conspiratorial activities” by Jordan, The UK and Israel against Syria in the past, particularly in the 1960s. In September 1968, a Syrian commando Major, Salim Hatoom, who fled to Jordan with a number of officers after a failed coup attempt, established a camp from which he started a rebel military against the then left-wing government of Syria under president Nureddin al-Atassi and Salah Jadid. By the end of 1970s and early 1980s, the Syrian Islamic Brotherhood and their military wing “At-Taleeah al-Islamiyyah al-Muqatilah” (the Islamic Militant Vanguard) used the same base for its military struggle against president Hafez a-Assad regime, in which they were being trained by the Jordanian and Israeli intelligence agents, and cars were being bombed before they were sent to the streets of Syrian cities for the killing of innocents and undermining state facilities.”
Mr. Nayouf went on to emphasize the irony of the situation:
“I guess history repeats itself but as farce…Last spring, that tens of Syrian soldiers, who fled to Jordan, were transferred to a camp west of the Jordanian city of “Salt”, in which officers from Israeli military intelligence (AMAN) began the investigation with them under the supervision of the Jordanian military intelligence. This was to extract information from them on issues related to the development of the Syrian army, weapons and training, especially after 2006.”
We contacted our expert sources on US media and intelligence-military and were told that the US media has been told not to report on this latest development until Tuesday, December 13. Boiling Frogs Post is the first news website to report on these latest developments.
This story is developing and we await further details and confirmation from our sources in Turkey and Jordan. For additional Boiling Frogs Post Syria coverage see here and here.

واشنطن تمنع الإعلام من تداول تقرير”الحقيقة”حول الانتشار الأميركي في الأردن .. قبل الثلاثاء!؟

المخابرات العسكرية الأميركية تؤكد لموظفة الـ”إف بي آي” سيبل إدموندز ، ضمنا ، صحة تقرير “الحقيقة” وتكشف لها أنها منعت وسائل الإعلام من نشره قبل يوم الثلاثاء القادم!؟

واشنطن ، الحقيقة ( خاص): أثار التقرير الذي نشرته “الحقيقة” صباح اليوم اهتمام و “قلق” الجهات الرسمية الأميركية ، لاسيما العسكرية والاستخبارية . وجاء هذا الاهتمام و”القلق” بعد أن قامت موظفة “مكتب التحقيق الفيدرالي “الأميركي السابقة سيبل إدموندز بترجمة تقرير “الحقيقة” على الموقع الرسمي لوكالتها الإخبارية ، وإجراء مقابلة مع الصحفي السوري المعارض نزار نيوف ، الذي كان سرّب لـ”الحقيقة” ما جاء في تقريرها المذكور.

وكانت”الحقيقة” كشفت في تقريرها المشار إليه ، والذي نشر في ساعة مبكرة من صباح اليوم ، عن انتشار قوات عسكرية أجنبية يعتقد أنها أميركية في منطقة “المفرق” شمال الأردن ، وعن أن بعض الوحدات العسكرية الأميركية التي جرى سحبها من العراق ليلة الخميس ـ الجمعة الماضية جرى نقلها سرا إلى قاعدة ” الأمير حسن الجوية” في محافظة المفرق.

وقالت سيبل إدموندز في اتصال مع “الحقيقة” من واشنطن إنها راجعت مصادر خبيرة في وسائل الإعلام الأميركية و في المخابرات العسكرية بالجيش الأميركي حول تقرير”الحقيقة”، لكن الجواب أتاها بأن الحديث عن الأمر في وسائل الإعلام ” محظور قبل بعد يوم غد الثلاثاء” دون تقديم أية إيضاحات! وأضافت إدموندز القول “علمت من اتصالاتي مع مصادر في وسائل الإعلام الأميركية أن هذه التطورات ( التي كشف عنها موقع “الحقيقة”) ممنوع الحديث عنها قبل يوم الثلاثاء 13 كانون الأول / ديسمبر”. وفي تفسيرها لهذا “الحظر” ، قالت سيبل إدموندز لـ”الحقيقة” إن حظر نشر الأنباء على هذا النحو “غالبا ما يكون مرتبطا بتطورات أمنية أو عمليات عسكرية ينوي الجيش الأميركي القيام بها ، فيعمد إلى منع الحديث عنها قبل حصولها”!

يشار إلى أن سيبل إدموندز ، التي كانت وراء اكتشاف ” أنشطة و اتصالات ووثائق مشبوهة لضباط مكتب التحقيق الفيدرالي سمحت بتنفيذ هجوم 11 سبتمبر 2001 من قبل منظمة القاعدة “، كشفت لصحيفة “ميللييت” التركية الأسبوع الماضي عن أن الأميركيين يدربون مسلحين سوريين في قاعدة ” إينجرلك” الجوية الأميركية في تركيا ، وفي مناطق أخرى محاذية للحدود السورية، منذ أيار / مايو الماضي وليس منذ وقت قريب. وقد استندت في ذلك إلى مصادر استخبارية أميركية وتركية.

السؤال الآن : هل تحضّر واشنطن وحلفاؤها لعمل عسكري أو أمني ضد سوريا قريبا!؟

من الصعب التنبؤ بذلك الآن ؛ إلا أن ثلاثة تطورات هامة وخطيرة حصلت اليوم تستدعي التوقف عندها. فمن جهة أولى ، اتهم وزير الخارجية الفرنسية آلان جوبيه سوريا بالوقوف وراء العملية الإرهابية التي استهدفت الوحدة الفرنسبة العاملة في إطار قوات الأمم المتحدة في جنوب لبنان يوم أمس ، لكنه أقر بأن فرنسا ” لا تملك أي دليل على ذلك”. ومن جهة ثانية ، حصل اشتباك عسكري عنيف في ساعة مبكرة من صباح اليوم بين الجيش السوري و مجموعة مسلحة يعتقد أنها تسللت من الأردن ، بالنظر لأن المواجهة كانت في منطقة ملاصقة للحدود مباشرة! أما التطور الثالث فهو الإعلان عن إنشاء ” مخيم للاجئين السوريين” شمال الأردن تبلغ مساحته عشرة آلاف متر مربع ، رغم أنه لا توجد مبررات لهذا الأمر في الوقت الحالي. الأمر الذي يستدعي إلى الذاكرة قيام السلطات التركية بخطوة مماثلة حين أقدمت على إنشاء مخيم في لواء اسكندرونة المحتل .. حتى قبل اندلاع الانتفاضة السورية!!؟

ثمة ” تطور” رابع أيضا ، وإن يكن جاء من مسؤول إسرائيلي قلما صدق في أقواله وتوقعاته ، وهو وزير الدفاع الإسرائيلي إيهود باراك. فقد أكد اليوم في العاصمة النمساوية فيينا أن نظام الأسد ” سيسقط خلال أسابيع”! وإذا أخذنا بعين الاعتبار أنه لا يوجد مؤشرات جدية داخلية حتى الآن على ذلك ، يبنغي التفكير بـ”عامل خارجي ما”!؟

يشار في هذا السياق إلى أن وزراء الخارجية العرب المعنيين بالمسألة السورية كانوا ألغوا اجتماعهم يوم أمس في الدوحة ، وقرروا عقده في 16 و 17 من الشهر الجاري بمقر الجامعة العربية في القاهرة ، دون تبيان الأسباب!؟ فهل ينتظرون شيئا ما!؟

December 11th, 2011, 7:41 pm

 

Syrian Nationalist Party said:

@NORMAN

My private intelligence source, the bible, specifically omits Syria in the list of nations that will attack Israel in the coming big war, I mean BIG. This could be because Syria, as a country, no longer exists, it is weak, it is ruled by peaceful bunch who favor not wars, or it is already at peace with Israel at the conflict time and don’t join the alliance of nations against Israel. This intelligence source is very trust worthy. For some it is called prophecy, but it maybe that some persons can login unto another dimension and get information from it. Or it may be conveyed to Bible writers by advanced form of life entity that has access to past and future. All are within the roam or possibilities according to what we know about scientifically today, not last year, and not a decade ago, that old knowledge is practically obsolete. Knowledge is now advancing at the rate your cell phone, laptop and the internet advancing.

December 11th, 2011, 8:00 pm

 

ann said:

Syrian opposition calls for national unity gov’t as violence ramps up in Homs – 2011-12-11

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2011-12/11/c_131300443.htm

DAMASCUS, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) — A Syrian opposition front at home called for forming a national unity government as the sole solution to end the nearly nine-month-old crisis, as the ongoing violence in central Homs region is ramping up unabatedly.

“There is no substitute for a national unity government, whose main task is to combine all the honorable spectra of the Syrians to defend the homeland and the national unity in the face of all conspirators whether they are hiding within the regime or publicly announcing their attachments with the West,” the Popular Front for Change and Liberation (PFCL) said in a press conference Sunday.

“Such government is capable of playing down the rift and building trust between the state and all spectra in the community, ” it said, calling on the Syrian regime to deal seriously and swiftly with “this demand.”

It also urged the “national opposition” to react positively to the demand of national unity government “because the homeland is more important than who’s with and who’s against.”

Adel Nai’sseh, member of the PFCL, made it clear that “under these circumstances, I think what we are calling for is the only substantive outlet to the crisis and any other solutions might complicate the situation and prolong the current crisis at the expense of the Syrian blood.

Commenting on the broad-based opposition’s calls for a general strike in Syria, Qadri Jamil, head of the PFCL, said such calls would reverberate negatively at the livelihood of the Syrian people and won’t hurt the regime.

He lashed out at Burhan Ghalioun, the leader of Syrian National Council (SNC), for the concessions that he had offered to the West to assume power.

In an attempt to placate Western countries, Ghalioun, head of the fledgling Turkey-based SNC, told the Wall Street Journal that the council will “cut Syria’s relations with Iran, the Lebanese Hezbollah and the Islamic Hamas movement once it assumes power in Syria.”

The opposition calls for general strike were met with deaf ears among Syrians particularly in the heart of the capital Damascus as the shops were all opened and the daily life was normal.

However, some suburbs of Damascus on Sunday, particularly Harasta, a hotbed of dissent and in some cases armed confrontation with government forces, witnessed a general strike as shops were all closed, a witness said.

A resident of Harasta told Xinhua that some shops were forcibly closed in that area out of fear of reprisal from armed thugs that threatened retribution if shop owners didn’t comply with the strike.

Syria has blamed armed thugs paid by the West and their backers in some Arab countries for fueling sectarian rivalries in a country that constitutes of a complex mosaic of sects and ethnicities.

Earlier in the day, private Al-Watan newspaper said that the central province of Homs went through a “new bloody” day on Saturday as a number of militants and civilians were killed and some others were kidnapped.

The paper added that clashes have continued between army members and armed groups especially in the central province of Hama and the northern city of Idlib.

Quoting medics at Homs, al-Watan said at least 20 corpses were dumped in Homs streets.

Also, the paper said Syrian authorities have succeeded in releasing 15 people, including three women, who were recently kidnapped at al-Houla area in Homs, adding that 10 wanted gunmen have been arrested.

Clashes left three officers and two gunmen killed in Homs.

In Hama, Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) said engineering units dismantled at least five explosive units.

On the other hand, the Doha-based al-Jazeera TV cited opposition activists as saying that about 14 Syrians were killed Sunday in a new wave of violence.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has recently said that about 1, 100 members of the armed forces were killed during the unrest, while the United Nations put the number of the upheaval’s victims at 4,000.

In a related development, the Arab League (AL) foreign ministers will hold an extraordinary meeting at the end of this week to discuss the Syrian situation.

The AL’s special ministerial committee following the Syrian situation will also convene to decide on the Arab response to Syria’s recent positive stance toward the AL observer mission.

In a message sent by Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem to AL chief Nabil al-Arabi earlier this week, Syria welcomed monitoring by observers, but proposed some minor amendments that would not affect the protocol’s essence.

Syrian foreign ministry spokesman Jihad Makdissi has recently said the minor amendments included that the protocol should be signed in Damascus, and that all the decisions and sanctions against Syria should be considered “null and void once the two sides signed the protocol.”

On Nov. 27, the pan-Arab body, which officially suspended Syria ‘s membership on Nov. 16, decided to immediately impose sanctions against Syria, as the violence-hit country failed to sign a protocol over the visit of an AL observer mission.

December 11th, 2011, 8:00 pm

 
 

Norman said:

SNP,

I am not religous and I do not believe in Armageddon .

December 11th, 2011, 8:23 pm

 

Tara said:

Agree that ‘soft power’ is much dominating than ‘harsh power’. 

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/series-boost-turkish-soft-power-in-region.aspx?pageID=238&nID=8919&NewsCatID=381
Series boost Turkish ‘soft power’ in region
ISTANBUL – Hürriyet Daily News

Turkish soap operas are being watched in over 20 countries, creating revenues as well as supporting the ‘soft power’ of Turkish diplomacy
 
Turkish TV series, such as the hugely popular ‘Magnificent Century’ and ‘Forbidden Love,’ are breaking viewer records in the Middle Eastern and North African countries, bringing in much-needed foreign currency while raising Turkey’s clout in the region through the promotion of the Turkish lifestyle. 

Turkey earned more than $60 million only this year from exporting TV series. More than 100 Turkish TV series have been watched in over 20 countries this year. 

“We have begun to be broadcast in the Balkan countries this year,” said Fırat Gülgen, chairman of Calinos Holding, which makes 80 percent of TV series exported from Turkey, as he spoke to the Anatolia news agency Dec. 10. Gülgen said TV series are exported to many Central and Eastern European countries including Serbia, Croatia, Czech Republic, Romania, Poland and Hungary. In the Far East, buyers include Malaysia, Indonesia, Taiwan, Thailand, Singapore, Japan and Vietnam.

Gülgen said prices for an episode of a given series ranged between $500 and $ 15,000. A TV channel in Japan has also prepared a documentary about Turkish soap operas, he said, adding that the documentary focused mainly on the effects on tourism and export. 

In a recent issue, Time magazine described the export of soap operas as the “secret of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.” Series such as “Aşk-ı Memnu” (Forbidden Love) and “Yaprak Dökümü” (Falling Leaves) are among the most popular series. 

Commenting on the links between Turkish soap operas and the rising Turkish influence abroad, Nilüfer Narlı, a sociologist at Bahçeşehir University, said Turkey has increased its “soft power” in the Middle East and Balkan countries.

“As the circulation of soap operas in the international arena has increased, learning Turkish language and culture have become very important in the Arab and Balkan countries. This is what we call ‘soft power’ within the context of the culture industry,” Narlı said, speaking to the Hürriyet Daily News on .

Last year, the final episode of Turkey’s rags-to-riches soap opera “Noor” clocked 85 million viewers from Syria to Morocco, according to the dailybeast.com website. “These serials have a huge impact,” said İzzet Pinto, the chief of Turkey’s Global Agency, which distributes “Magnificent Century” and “1001 Nights,” another Turkish blockbuster set in modern-day Istanbul. 

“In the Balkans, newborns are being named after 1001 Nights characters,” Pinto said, adding that the secret to success is familiarity.

“Neither the characters nor the subject matter, nor the featured locations are foreign [to viewers],” said Kemal Uzun, the director of Noor. “They do not feel like outsiders to what is taking place. We are close cultures, close geographies; we have close ties.” 

A full 78 percent of respondents in the Arab world and Iran report that they have watched Turkish soap 
operas. Indeed, these TV programs have taken the region by storm, with Turkish TV stars becoming pop idols,” a report by Paul Salem, titled “Turkey’s image in the Arab World,” said. These soap operas have the effect of “creating attachment, understanding and affection for Turkish identity, culture, and values” in the region, the report said. “Like Egyptian TV and cinema creating a prominent cultural place for Egypt in previous decades, Turkish television has made similar inroads in Arab [and Iranian] popular culture,” the report said, adding that this has been complemented by a wave of tourism to Turkey in which Arabs and Iranians from various classes and walks of life have visited Turkey, which has become the most popular tourist destination.

December 11th, 2011, 9:07 pm

 

Syrian Nationalist Party said:

Do you have any other long article you like to post now TARA?

December 11th, 2011, 9:17 pm

 

aldendeshe said:

Am I still banned, and why, what for?

December 11th, 2011, 9:27 pm

 

Syrian Nationalist Party said:

@Norman

Yes of course I know that, you are a secular Baathist that believe in Arab as one Nation and that Syria will one day march on Israel and liberate not just the Golan, but Palestine as well, then give it to the Palestinians and unite all Arabs under “One United Arab Nation with One Eternal Mission” , something to that effect is the motto. However, as you admitted, you are not ready to do that yet, and 50 years past, that was not enough, so Arab Syria must keep preparing until the preparations are complete and the time is right, to Syria advantage. Where did I hear this before? OH YA, back in kindergarten, the Nuns at the Jesuit school dressed us up in Napoleon Bonaparte costumes and had us march like a French army unit, each dangling a basket from the neck, holding a white pigeon that we suppose to release in front of visiting President of the United Arab Republic Jamal Abdul Nasser, barking his usual 4 hours long speech from the balcony of Homs Saraya. That was the first time I heard this long ISTWANI, اصطوانة . The local newspaper featured me in a huge photo on the front page with a headline, “no matter how much he kicked and poked it, his pigeon refuse to get of the basket and fly”. Then in 6th grade, Monpair Sara, frustrated, he order us herded out of school to stand in front of his Excellency President Nour Alddine Al Atassi in Homs, and I heard the same ISTAWANA. Then in 10th grade, we were forced out of Abdul Hamid Zehrawi High School in Homs, and again, we stood for hours in front of the old الأركان AL-Arkan building balcony to listen to the same ISTWANA by another great Baath Arab Socialist Leader, President of the Syrian Arab Republic, Hafez Assad. Luckily, by that time when Hafez delivered his 2 hours long ISTWANA, we are old enough and chasing girls, it was fun day. But the ISTWANA kept on playing, for 30 more years, non-stop man, his Excellency Bashar Assad played it so bad, I tell you, it is now scratched up and non playable anymore.

Sorry to disappoint you Norman, give up the pipe dream, the ISTWANA is now sadly broken and can’t be played anymore, maybe you can start a digital one that you can play for your own sake and satisfaction because even Syria’s MB are for peace with Israel.

How about the Baathists and Arab Nationalists publish new ISTWANA about Liberating Iskenderun and give it all back to Syria, your countrymen, or is that ARAB that you consider your countrymen, ok, gives it back to the Arab countrymen in Qatar or Egypt. Here is lord and savior Jamal, he will be proud of you if he was here, but again he may not, he may too have done Sadat and seek to retire in Tel Aviv Shores Resorts

December 11th, 2011, 9:28 pm

 

John Khouri said:

@473 – Haytham u are still in denial. You cannot use a facebook page to prove the christian support for the revolution. Are u a child or a professional. Why dont u go and visit the christian suburbs and villages of syria and u will wake up to urself about the reality on the ground. Why dont u come and travel to australia, usa,canada,sweden,south america,france, germany and find out how much hate the syrian christians have for the extremist revolution. Wake up u freak. I can be one of u extremist and setup 10000 christian facebook accounts, to pretend christians r with the revolution.

December 11th, 2011, 9:30 pm

 

Bronco said:

Tara

I did not mean to be harsh. I may have over reacted but I read in your statement a covert criticism and demeaning of the Shia ceremonies of Ashura and for me this is not acceptable because these ceremonies have a deep historical, spiritual and emotional meaning for the Shias that you may not be aware of or understand.
Christians have similar emotional ceremonies commemorating the passion and the death of Jesus Christ.

In addition most Sunnis in this blog do not hide their despise for the Shias and keep ridiculing their traditions, probably the result of a deep brainswashing from their religious teachers and their family.
I object to such attacks that only show ignorance and intolerance.

I expected from you, an educated and open minded person, that you would avoid to make hasty judgments and interpretations on such complex and sensitive subject.

December 11th, 2011, 9:40 pm

 

Darryl said:

Dear SNP, mate some of your post make me laugh (like 501 and a few others) and others are based on good history then you switch to religion. I am all confused about you now is this intentional? Is SNP some kind of a cult (serious question)?

December 11th, 2011, 9:45 pm

 

Bronco said:

#469

469. majedkhaldoun said:

“In Saudia Arabia they follow People interpretation,Not what Quraan says.
I believe I am true Musslem, in the middle,I am not extremist,Extremists are not true Musslem, and I follow Quraan.”

Do you mean the Saudis are not true moslem? The Salafists are not true moslem?

As I said before, each Moslem has his own interpretation of Islam and each believes that he/she is a true Moslem and the others are not. It is impossible to find out what is true Islam anymore.

December 11th, 2011, 9:52 pm

 

N.Z. said:

#493, Ironically the report was gathered by Nizar Nayouf: that foreign troops are on the borders between Jordan and Syria.

Who is Nizar Nayouf?

Nizar Nayouf, a former Syrian journalist, was sentenced to 10 years in prison in 1992 for disseminating “false” information. He was Editor-in-Chief of Sawt al-Democratiyya (Democracy’s Vote) and Secretary-General of the Committee for the Defence of Democratic Freedom. He was freed from prison on 6 May 2001 but there are still charges against him. Nizar Nayouf was awarded the 2000 Golden Pen of Freedom, the annual press freedom prize of the World Association of Newspapers, who carried out this interview with him to mark World Press Freedom Day 2002.

The Interview,

What were the general conditions of your detention?

My colleagues and I were arrested at the end of 1991, and I was sentenced to ten years of hard labor on 17 March 1992. As the founder and Chairman of the organisation, and the Editor-in-Chief of the Sawt al-Democratiyya, I got the harshest sentence.

I spent most of my detention time in solitary confinement. During the first two months of my arrest, I was subjected to daily torture, which left me partly paralyzed.

Despite my solitary confinement, I could develop “friendly” relationships with other prisoners and some of my jailers. On the other hand, many other necessary things were impossible to get without bribes. This is how an important amount of information and letters reached me. I also smuggled out hundreds of pages I wrote in prison.

…..You were regularly asked to sign a document saying that you promised to give up any criticism against Syrian authorities in exchange for your release, and you systematically refused to do so: did you ever think of surrendering? Actually, I decided to commit myself to the cause of democracy about five years before I was arrested, but the arrest and the scathing experience I suffered reinforced that decision.

Here is the link to the full interview:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2002/may/03/pressandpublishing.observercampaignpressfreedom1

This is Syria’s Baath. Shame on anyone who utter a word in defence of the father, the son or the Baath.

December 11th, 2011, 9:54 pm

 

Norman said:

This one is for all of you especially Tara,

Turkey sets terms for backing Free Syrian Army: Bow to Muslim Brotherhood group

Special to WorldTribune.com

WASHINGTON — Turkey, aligned to the Muslim Brotherhood, has cracked
down on the rebel army in Syria.

Opposition sources said the government of Prime Minister Recep Erdogan
has frozen Free Syrian Army bank accounts in an effort to pressure
the rebels to recognize the authority of the Brotherhood-aligned Syrian
National Council.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Erdogan. /Adem Altan/AFP/Getty Images

“The popularity of the Free Syrian Army inside Syria is a sore issue with Erdogan and the MB,” the Reform Party of Syria said. “From a strategic point of view, control of the Free Syrian Army by the MB is an essential component for which it must not fail.”

The Washington-based opposition movement asserted that Ankara imposed sanctions on FSA on Nov. 30 after the secular rebel army refused to take orders from SNC. FSA, based in Turkey, was said to be entirely dependent on Ankara for safe haven of its fighters as well as training and logistics.

The sources said FSA attacks on Syrian military installations and
convoys increased the credibility of the rebel force, particularly with NATO. They said Britain and France were persuaded to cooperate with FSA, which consists of thousands of deserters from the Syrian Army.

For its part, SNC has been strongly supported by Arab opponents of
Assad. They were said to include Qatar and Saudi Arabia, deemed primary
financiers of the revolt in Syria.

“Tensions are also rising over the little financial aid the FSA is
getting from Saudi Arabia and Qatar whose aim is to control the organization
to serve the MB,” RPS, which supports the secular opposition, said.

In late November, Turkey hosted the first meeting of the leadership of
FSA and SNC. Following the session in the southwestern town of Hatay, SNC
said FSA agreed to end all but defensive operations in Syria.

RPS president Farid Ghadry said SNC contains elements of the Palestinian
insurgency group Hamas. Ghadry cited Ahmed Ramadan, identified as a leading
operative and, until May, news director of the Hamas television
station in Beirut.

“Ahmed Ramadan today is one of the behind-the-scene operatives of the
SNC providing capital, logistics and advice,” RPS said. “That’s a known and
public fact to many Syrians, including two RPS supporters who attended the
first meeting.”

RPS said Turkey has directed French military aid to Islamic fighters who
posed as defectors from FSA. RPS said Erdogan sought to recruit Western
support for the Brotherhood, targeted as a future proxy for Turkey in Syria.

“The MB military wing would become Turkey’s proxy against the Kurds,”
RPS said.

Share10

December 11th, 2011, 10:31 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Bronco
you said
” It is impossible to find out what is true Islam anymore.”
Read Quraan,this is what true Islam,it is the best religion
Extremism is not true Islam,in KSA they are far from true Islam
There are many Fatwas they ruin Islam, in KSA they follow those Fatwas.
Shiaa are similar to Christianity, christian believe God is a man and has son and they worship jesus, Shiaa believe God has Wali they worship Ali and Hussein, even that in Quraan in the last verse in ISRAA sourah, it very clearly says God has no Wali,and in Sourah Zummar God says those who worship wali are liars and Kuffar.

December 11th, 2011, 10:40 pm

 

Syrian Nationalist Party said:

@DARRYL

It is obvious isn’t it? Sort of a cult, but more like a secret society with 1000 years plan, just like Zionism. All the tale tale and little drop off here and there are to work slowly on an agenda, to get you thinking. It is honest and forward, unlike the “Hidden One” plan.

Listen carefully to these words:

December 11th, 2011, 10:42 pm

 

Norman said:

Majed,

You are wrong,

Christians do not believe that God is a man and has a son,

It is more complicated than that and it is more of spiritual story.

I do not know about the shia.

December 11th, 2011, 10:53 pm

 

Bronco said:

Majedalkhaldoon

Do you mean that God said that because they “worship a wali” Christians and Shias are liars and kuffar?
What about Druzes and Alawites? Are they liars and kuffar too?

December 11th, 2011, 10:54 pm

 

jad said:

Bronco,
I didn’t notice your comment #297 until now, you summarized the situation in an excellent way.

December 11th, 2011, 11:06 pm

 

jad said:

One more article from ‘Nayouf’s’ site (you can skip it #506), it’s about the manipulation of the Syrian martyrs’s numbers by the Syrian Human Right Observatory in London and Aljazeera. This report claims that they are faking the numbers, maybe the ‘credible’ ‘resources’ of Pokemon are not as ‘objective’ as he thinks, instead, they are ‘corrupted’.

“الهيئة العامة للثورة السورية” تنهي فقاعة رامي عبد الرحمن : محتال يزوّر أعداد الشهداء!؟

“الهيئة” تقيل ” المحتال والمزوّر” وتنصّب مكانه أحد ” لصوص المال العام” ؛ ومعلومات “الحقيقة” تشير إلى صراع كلبي على مبالغ مالية استفرد بها عبد الرحمن لنفسه وبعض الناشطين معه!؟

دمشق ، لندن ـ الحقيقة ( خاص): فيما يبدو أنه “انقلاب ميلشياوي” شبيه بما كان يحصل بين زعران الميليشيات في أزقة بيروت خلال الحرب الأهلية اللبنانية ، أصدر المكتب الإعلامي لما يسمى ” الهيئة العامة للثورة السورية” بيانا مساء أمس الأحد وصف فيه رامي عبد الرحمن ـ بما معناه ـ بأنه كذاب ومزوّر يتلاعب بأعداد الشهداء ، وبأنه يجمع أسماء الشهداء وأعدادهم من صفحات “الفيسبوك” ، داعيا إلى ” وقف التعامل معه ” قبل أن يصفه بـ”المدير السابق” للمرصد السوري لحقوق الإنسان. وقال البيان الذي تلقت”الحقيقة” نسخة منه ” تود إدارة المكتب الإعلامي للهيئة العامة للثورة السورية لفت عناية جميع الأخوة المنخرطين في ركاب الثورة السورية إلى ضرورة عدم التواصل مع المدعو رامي عبد الرحمن واسمه الحقيقي أسامة علي سليمان المدير السابق للمرصد السوري لحقوق الإنسان “. وفي حيثيات سرده الأسباب التي وقفت وراء هذا القرار ، عزا البيان ذلك إلى قيام عبد الرحمن بـ”بمحاولة الإساءة المُتعمدة إلى مصداقية المكتب الإعلامي للهيئة العامة للثورة السورية ولجنة شهداء 15 آذار خصوصاً وذلك من خلال التلاعب بأعداد الشهداء الأبرار واتهام الهيئة العامة للثورة السورية ولجنة شهداء 15 آذار بأن بعض أسماء الشهداء التي توردها هم أحياء للطعن في مهنية فريق الهيئة العامة للثورة السورية التي يعمل في عدادها الآلاف من المخلصين الذين يتمتعون بأعلى مستوى من المهنية ، على الرغم من أن المدعو رامي عبد الرحمن لم يقم على الإطلاق سابقاً بنشر أي اسم من أسماء الشهداء الأبرار حيث يكتفي فقط باعتبارهم أرقاماً ، وحينما يُسأل عن الأسماء يجيب بأنه مستعد لتقديم الأسماء للجان التحقيق فقط وليس لوسائل الإعلام لأنه في حقيقة الأمر لا يمتلك أي أسماء حقيقية حيث يقوم باصطياد الأخبار من صفحات شبكة Facebook ، ومن بعض الجاهلين على الأرض”. وسرد البيان أسبابا أخرى مثيرة للسخرية أشبه بروايات العجائز الخرفات نعفّ عن ذكرها ، فضلا عن أن بعضها ينطوي على وقاحة سوقية غير مسبوقة ، إذ وصف شهداء الجيش بـ”القتلى” حين اتهم البيان عبد الرحمن بـ” تسويق (…) أعداد حقيقية من القتلى بين عناصر الجيش”! علما بأن عبد الرحمن لم يبدأ بالإشارة إلى شهداء الجيش إلا قبل أسابيع قليلة فقط ، وكان يتجاهلها تماما منذ انطلاقة الانتفاضة السورية … إلا حيثما يكون الحدث كبيرا لا يمكن تجاهله ، مثل مجزرة جسر الشغور التي راح ضحيتها أكثر من 120 عنصرا من عناصر حفظ النظام . وحين بدأ الحديث عنهم ، ولو من باب الخجل ، راح يربط أخباره بكليشة ثابتة تقول ” سقطوا على أيدي مجهولين يعتقد أنهم جنود منشقون”!؟

هذا ودعا البيان ما أسماهم “جميع المخلصين من أبناء الثورة السورية الذين عملوا سابقاً من رامي عبد الرحمن في المرصد السوري لحقوق الإنسان” إلى ” “الانفضاض عنه كلياً وتعليق عضويته في المرصد السوري لحقوق الإنسان بناء على تصويت ديمقراطي بين جميع أعضاء المرصد السوري لحقوق الإنسان الذين صوتوا بالإجماع كذلك على الانضمام بكامل فريق المرصد السوري لحقوق الإنسان إلى جسم الهيئة العامة للثورة السورية”. وشدد البيان على”ضرورة وقف أي من أشكال التعامل مع رامي عبد الرحمن المدير السابق للمرصد السوري لحقوق الإنسان سواء بشكل مباشر أو غير مباشر”.

يشار إلى أن “الحقيقة” كانت ، ومنذ انطلاقة الانتفاضة، أول من لفت الانتباه إلى النصب والاحتيال الذي يمارسه رامي عبد الرحمن من خلال التعامل مع شهداء الانتفاضة كأرقام ، وإلى أنه عاجز عن توثيق تسعة أعشار الشهداء الذين يتحدث عن سقوطهم. كما وكشفت “الحقيقة” استنادا إلى مذكرة رسمية أرسلها أحد أعضاء مجلس إدارة ” قناة الجزيرة” إلى ديبلوماسي أوربي حول عمليات “النصب والاحتيال التي تمارسها القناة” أن عبد الرحمن ” ينسق مع قناة الجزيرة مساء كل يوم خميس عدد الشهداء الذين يجب الحديث عنهم في اليوم التالي ـ الجمعة، فيجري الاتفاق على رقم معين ، كأن يكون 20 أو 25 .. إلخ ، لتعمد القناة إلى تبنيه لاحقا”!

على صعيد متصل ، قالت مصادر مقربة من “المجلس الوطني السوري” لـ “الحقيقة” إن هذا الأخير قرر ” تنصيب بسام جعارة رئيسا جديدا للمرصد المذكور خلفا لعبد الرحمن. وكان جعارة ، طبقا لوثائق رسمية أعدتها هيئة الرقابة والتفتيش المالية السورية قبل سنوات ، فر من عمله الرسمي بعد أن “استغل وظيفته واحتال على الدولة بمبلغ كبير من المال بدعوى معالجة زوجته المريضة في بريطانيا”. ومن المعلوم أن جعارة عمل في مكتب رئيس الوزراء السوري ومكتب وكالة “سانا” السورية في المغرب لأكثر من خمسة عشر عاما قبل أن ” يختفي” سنوات طويلة ليعود إلى الظهور مجددا مع اندلاع الانتفاضة السورية وركوبها مثل المئات من النصابين والمنافقين وتجار الأزمات والحروب!

وقالت مصادر كردية مقربة من الناشطة هيفين كاكو ، التي تنشط مع عبد الرحمن في لندن من خلال ترجمة بياناته إلى الإنكليزية، إن الخلاف بين عبد الرحمن و خصومه ، وإن ارتدى طابعا”سياسيا ومهنيا” ، سببه الحقيقي “يعود إلى صراع على اقتسام مبالغ كان حصل عليها المرصد من قناة الجزيرة وجهات مالية أوربية أخرى”. غير أنه كان أنه كان متعذرا علينا توثيق ذلك. ومن المرجح أن يفلش الطرفان أوراقهما وفضائحهما ، المالية وغير المالية ، قريبا على صفحات الشبكة العنكبوتية!

يشار أخيرا إلى أن رامي عبد الرحمن عمد إلى تقديم نفسه كـ” مسلم سني ” في أول ظهور علني له على قناة”الحوار” قبل أسابيع . وهذه أول مرة في تاريخ منظمات حقوق الإنسان يحصل أن يقدم ناشط نفسه بصفته الدينية أو المذهبية أو القومية!؟ لكن الأكثر مدعاة للأسى ، وربما للسخرية أيضا ، أنه وصف نفسه بصاحب ” تاريخ نضالي”، دون أن يوضح ما إذا كان صنع هذا التاريخ حين كان مجندا “شبيحا” من عناصر “القوات الخاصة” في حماة ، أو بعد أن بعد أن استهل مشواره النضالي من ” زواريب رفعت الأسد” في لندن حيث كان شريكه يبني هو الآخر مجده النضالي الخاص، أو من عالم المافيوزي تاجر الحديد” هـ. ب” الذي كان يصرّ على اصطحاب رامي عبد الرحمن معه إلى أسواق لندن عندما يريد شراء ساعة ثمينة كهدية لماهر الأسد!!؟

December 11th, 2011, 11:19 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Bronco
You understand English, go back and read what I wrote
Druze are musslems but they do not pray fast ,pay Zakkat and they do not perform Haj
Alawite are Kuffar.

Norman
Can you tell us about chrisianity that you believe in,do you or you do not believe Jesus is son of God?

December 11th, 2011, 11:19 pm

 

Bronco said:

MajedalKhaldoon

I read English and this is the summary I have gathered of what you wrote

– Christians are kuffar.
– Shias are kuffar although they perform zaqqat, go to haj and pray.
– Alawites are kuffar.
– Druzes do not perform zaqqat, they don’t go to hajj and they don’t pray but they are moslem.

That’s a very interesting. I wonder if many ‘true moslems’ share your point of view.

December 11th, 2011, 11:38 pm

 

Norman said:

Majed,

As i said before , I am not religous, i grew up in a place where there were no churches, I learned Christianity from school, thank to the baath education system,

In general, the story goes like this, When Adam and Eve disobeyed GOD and ate from the apple tree, he threw them out of heaven and told Eve, that she will suffer with child birth and to Adam, he said that he will have to work for a living,

Then he told them that he will send his son to die for their sins so they will be able to rise after death and will be accepted in heaven, that is if they were good in their life.

please do not ask anything more of me about religion, I am not that religous.

December 11th, 2011, 11:42 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Bronco
I believe in freedom, and every one has the right to have his own religion, ,in Quraan LA IKRAHA FI ALDEEN,no one should be persecuted because of his religion,religion is between you and God, we should learn to co exist and live togather and no one has the right of killing because of religion.

Norman
you said I am wrong ,that is why I responded

December 11th, 2011, 11:50 pm

 

syria no kandahar said:

Majedkarfan
if you are saying that christians believe that jesus is a man then you are idiot.Even Qurani when talking about jesus said :we blow our spirit in him,Mohammad did not get that.If islam is the best religion around why do you live between christians?

December 11th, 2011, 11:58 pm

 

jad said:

Please go and check the names in the published list of the victims of this bloody struggle, the list can’t be more questionable, it claims that the latest number is 4360 until Dec 6th.
http://www.syrianmartyr.com/ar/15-0

The list is done by ‘The committee of Martyrs of the Syrian Revolution’ with the collaboration of ‘the Syrian Human Rights Committee’ in London, they state this on their site:

“Our committee is independent and does not solely depend on the other organization or political party. However, we do seek to coordinate the efforts of these different parties such as the Syrian Human Rights Committee, to identify, in the most authentic way, the crimes perpetrated by the Syrian regime against its people.”

“و تؤكد لجنة شهداء ثورة الخامس عشر من آذار على استقلالها التام فنحن لا نتبع لأي حزب سياسي سوري كان أم غير سوري, و كذلك فإننا لا نتبع لصفحة الثورة السورية على الفيسبوك. لكننا نسعى عبر التواصل مع مختلف الأطراف و مع اللجنة السورية لحقوق الإنسان إلى تنسيق الجهود من أجل توثيق جرائم القتل التي ترتكبها السلطات السورية بحق الشعب السوري الأعزل.”

Regardless of that statement the list includes combination of names proved not to be killed by the regime, for example they put the names of the Palestinians killed by the Israeli soldiers in the Jolan heights. Why do they want to cover the Israelis’ crimes?

Also, the list includes many names of the victims of sectarian crimes committed by radicals/criminals and many names of Syrian soldiers and officers as well as some FSA soldiers but not the names of the air force officers killed by the FSA last month!

It’s a very strange list, that needs to be compared to reality instead of taking it as facts.
No wonder many people are questioning the numbers, the names and the credibility of those who publish these lists, why the need to distort facts in this damaging immoral way.

December 12th, 2011, 12:16 am

 

Syrian Nationalist Party said:

@Norman

You left out the little white feather winged baby angels from your Christian reality, how could ya, OH MY GOD< KAFFER.

http://www.jesusneverexisted.com/

December 12th, 2011, 12:16 am

 

jad said:

I don’t know what to believe anymore, it can’t get more confusing than this:

سوريا | العربي عاد من بغداد بخفّي حنين والوساطة العراقية رهن إلغـــاء العقوبات
أميركا تخلّت عن إسقاط الأسد!

الأزمة السورية تشهد تغييرات دراماتيكية، على ما يبدو، عنوانها التسليم بالعجز عن إسقاط الرئيس بشار الأسد، بعدما ظهر أن وسائل الضغط المتوفرة غير فعّالة، فيما الأدوات المطلوبة، بينها العقوبات العربية ويتقدمها الحصار، ثبت أن تطبيقها مستحيل

إيلي شلهوب
واشنطن تخلّت عن هدفها اسقاط الرئيس بشار الأسد. هي باختصار خلاصة رسالة أميركية نُقلت، مباشرة أو عبر وسطاء، إلى الأطراف المعنية في المنطقة ومنها سوريا، حيث ابلغت السفارة الاميركية الجهات المعنية بهذا الموقف، على ما تفيد مصادر قريبة من دمشق ومعلومات متقاطعة من أكثر من عاصمة إقليمية، أوضحت أن «الأميركيين يعملون على إعادة العلاقات مع الأسد، ولعل هذا ما يفسر عودة السفير الأميركي إلى دمشق الاسبوع الماضي». وبالتالي، تضيف المعلومات نفسها، إن المنطقة على وشك الدخول في مرحلة جديدة من «تهدئة اللعب» على أكثر من مستوى بفعل «المأزق» الذي وضعت نفسها فيه الإدارة الأميركية، ومعها حلفاءها من دول الاعتدال العربي.

مصادر دبلوماسية عربية ترى أن عوامل متعددة تضافرت للوصول إلى هذه النتيجة، في مقدمها «صمود الرئيس الأسد ونظامه في وجه أعتى حملة تستهدفهما» مذ وصل الحكم في العام 2000. هناك أيضاً عجز ثلاثي أحبط المعسكر الأميركي التركي العربي: الأول، عجز عن تأليب ما يكفي من الشعب السوري لإسقاط النظام، رغم تجنيد الإعلام العربي لهذه الغاية ورغم كميات الأموال والسلاح التي وزعت في سوريا. والثاني، عجز عن اللجوء إلى الخيار العسكري بوجود إيران وروسيا، ثبتته تطورات الأسابيع الماضية وبينها المناورات العسكرية السورية وإسقاط «الشبح» الأميركية التجسسية في إيران. أما الثالث فهو العجز عن فرض العقوبات التي اتخذتها جامعة الدول العربية، والذي حسمته زيارة أمينها العام نبيل العربي الاسبوع الماضي إلى سوريا. «هذا من حيث المعطيات العملانية»، تضيف المصادر، «الأهم أن واشنطن اقتنعت بأن حلفاء دمشق في لبنان والعراق، البلدين الأساسيين لضمان فرض الحصار، هم الطرف المسيطر في هذين البلدين، وأنهم حلفاء استراتيجيون وليسوا تكتيكيين، لا يمكن تغيير مواقفهم لا بعصا ولا بجزرة، ما معناه أن لا صفقات على حساب دمشق ولا خناجر تطعنها في ظهرها». وتختم بالقول إن «التحالف ضد سوريا وصل إلى ذروته. ماذا يمكن أن يفعلوا بعد؟ حتى الرهان على حرب أهلية بات يبدو خاسراً، ومعه الرهان على استمالة القواعد الاقتصادية الأساسية المؤيدة للأسد، والرهان على الضغط الإعلامي الذي لا يمكن أن يستمر إلى ما لا نهاية. ربما كان الخطأ في تصوير المرونة السورية حيال العرب على أنها ضعف، وهذا هو الثمن».
المعلومات الواردة من بغداد تؤكد أن العربي غادرها بـ«خفّي حنين بعدما سمع كلاماً قاسياً من الأطراف كلها، خاصة في خلال الاجتماع الذي عقده مع رؤساء الكتل البرلمانية». مصادر شاركت في هذا الاجتماع تقول إن «العربي افتتح حديثه بطلب خلاصته انتقاد لموقف العراق من القرارات العربية حيال سوريا ومطالبة بالالتزام بالاجماع العربي، أي بصيغة أخرى: المشاركة في الحصار الذي تسعى الجامعة إلى أن تفرضه على دمشق». وتضيف أن «مواقف الكتل كانت متطابقة، وقد عبر عنه بشكل رئيسي (رئيس الوزراء السابق ابراهيم) الجعفري». ويفيد هذا الموقف بأنه «إذا أردتم أن تكون الجامعة قوية ولها هيبتها وقادرة على أن تمون علينا، فعليها أن تتوقف على أن تكون لطرف عربي دون آخر. ما لك نراك تنطق بلسان (رئيس الوزراء القطري الشيخ) حمد. تريدون حراكاً لمصلحة بعض العرب، هذا لا يمكننا المشاركة به». ويضيف «هل تستطيع أن توضح لنا لماذا هللتم للحراك الشعبي من تونس إلى مصر فليبيا واليمن، ولما وصلتم إلى البحرين خرست الألسن والأفواه. تحوّل المحتجّون البحرينيون إلى شيعة وإيرانيين. لماذا الازدواجية في المعايير؟ تتحدث اليوم عن سوريا، نعم نحن مع الحوار الداخلي في سوريا وسندعمه بكل السبل. أما أن تطلب مشاركتنا في الحصار فهذا ضد الشعب السوري وضد الشعب العراقي واستحالة أن ندخل هذه اللعبة. بل أكثر من ذلك، تريد منا محاصرة الدولة التي رعتنا واحتضنتنا يوم كنا معارضين لصدام حسين. وبالنسبة إلى قرارات الجامعة، عندما تسري على الجميع، عندها أهلاً وسهلاً بك في بغداد لمناقشتها وتطبيقها». وتقول المصادر إن «هذا المنطق تحدث فيه جميع الحضور، وفي مقدمتهم حسن علوي ويونادم كنا وحتى اسامة النجيفي».
وفي اجتماع العربي مع المالكي، أكد له هذا الأخير الموقف نفسه الذي عبرت عنه الكتل، مشدداً على أن «الجامعة العربية أصبحت طرفاً في الأزمة السورية وليست حكماً، وبالتالي فقدت تأثيرها. دعونا، نحن جاهزون للتدخل، ولكن على قاعدة أن الحل الوحيد بالحوار لا بالحصار. نحن جاهزون لأن نقوم بوساطة بين النظام وبين المعارضة في سوريا، ولكن شرط رفع العقوبات المفروضة على هذا البلد أولاً». وكان المرجع علي السيستاني قد رفض استقبال العربي الذي طلب موعداً لزيارته. وتقول المصادر إن «هذا الرفض نابع من واقع أن سماحة السيد لا يستقبل سياسيين في الوقت الراهن».
المصادر نفسها، في توضيحها للموقف العراقي، ترى أن «العراقيين، وخاصة الشيعة بينهم، يعتقدون أنهم المستهدفون مما يجري في سوريا. يرون أن الدور التالي عليهم. أنه بعد إسقاط الأسد وإقامة نظام سني إخواني موالٍ للغرب وحليف للسعودية، ستكون الخطوة التالية استعادة العراق من محور الممانعة». وتضيف أن «العراق وازن جداً في الأزمة السورية. فإضافة إلى وزنه الاقتصادي وقدرته على استيعاب كل الصادرات السورية، العراق يتحكم بخط التجارة التركي والأردني إذا أريد تجنب الخط السوري»، مشيرة إلى أن «الأردن تمت تسوية وضعه، خاصة بعدما أبلغ أن حاجته من النفط التي يأخذها من العراق بأسعار رمزية سيدفع ثمنها كاملاً إذا شارك في الحصار على سوريا. أما تركيا، فالعراقيون مصممون على توجيه صفعة قوية إليها. الاتجاه قوي لرفض التصديق على الاتفاقية الاقتصادية العراقية التركية في البرلمان العراقي». وتتابع أن «الاتصالات السورية العراقية مفتوحة على مصراعيها، والحركة نشطة بين الطرفين، والتنسيق على أعلى المستويات». وتتوقع هذه المصادر أن «تحتل سوريا حيزاً كبيراً من زيارة المالكي إلى واشنطن ولقائه (الرئيس باراك) أوباما، خصوصاً أن بغداد أبلغت الأميركيين رفضها لطلبات جوزف بايدن».
http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/27484

December 12th, 2011, 12:19 am

 

jad said:

Homs, the tragedy continues:

حمص: روايتان تلتقيان على إقصاء الآخر

مع استمرار الأزمة السورية، وجد سكان حمص أنفسهم مضطرين إلى معايشة ظواهر جديدة، بعدما انتشر الخطف كـ«معادلة ردع»، واستعر الصراع المسلح في ساعات من «غيبوبة العقل». كل ذلك يجري من دون وجود رواية موحّدة للأحداث. فلكل شي في حمص روايتان

زياد الرفاعي
أطلق عليها اسم «عاصمة الثورة»، بعد تحول الأنظار نحوها. الإحصاءات المتداولة عن عدد ضحايا الأحداث في سوريا تشير إلى أن ما يقارب ثلثهم تقريباً سقطوا في حمص التي خرج منها عدة رؤساء للجمهورية، وكثيراً ما يردد المعارضون، بنشوة الواثق من إسقاط النظام، أن الرئيس القادم من حمص.

هي المدينة التي بلغ التوتر فيها مستوى جنون الدم، حيث عاشت ساعات من غيبوبة العقل قبل نحو أسبوعين، وسقط عشرات القتلى في حوادث قتل انتقامية عبر الأحياء، فجّرها إعدام أربعة من أهالي حي الزهراء بالقرب من جامع خالد بن الوليد، في الوقت الذي كانت تبث فيه فضائيات عربية أنباءً غير صحيحة عن تعرّضه للقصف.
الجريمة تزامنت مع هجمات على معظم الحواجز الأمنية، ما قطع حركة التنقل بين الأحياء، لتغزو أخبار القتل والخطف النفوس المحتقنة لمن فقدوا أقارب، وتسبّب حالة هياج تشهدها المدينة لأول مرة، بلغت على أثرها حصيلة القتلى 51 ضحية، نصفهم تقريباً سقطوا في حي الزهراء ومحيطه. وهو ما عبّر عنه احد إعلاميي المدينة بالقول «قتل كل من كان موجوداً في الزمان الخطأ، في المكان الخطأ».

روايتان لكل شيء

في حمص روايتان للأحداث تتطابقان في كل شيء ما عدا الأسماء والمسؤولية. فكل طرف اضطر إلى الخطف لتحرير بناته وأبنائه المخطوفين، وكل طرف يرى أن الطرف الآخر هو من يقتل، وكل طرف هو الوطني المتمسك بالوحدة الوطنية وغريمه لا، والقتلى الأبرياء هم أبناء حيّه أو طائفته فقط.
المفارقة أن عميداً في الجيش قتل مع طفليه وطفل شقيقه أثناء مروره في حي ساخن، تختلف الروايتان على انتمائه الطائفي؛ مؤيّدون يرون أنه قُتل على أيدي التكفيريين لأنه من طائفة غير طائفتهم، ومحتجّون يقولون إنه من عائلة التلاوي الحمصية، وقتله الأمن لاتهام المحتجين وتشويه سلميّتهم، ويصل الأمر مع البعض إلى تأكيد أنه قتل بسبب رفضه إطلاق النار على المتظاهرين.
الرواية الثالثة العقلانية تتنحّى في ظل الاستقطاب الحاد. العميد الشهيد قُتل لأن سيارته عسكرية فقط، رغم وجود أطفاله معه، ومن قتله قد لا تعنيه طائفته، بل يعنيه توجيه ضربات موجعة إلى السلطة تستفزّها وتفقدها صوابها، وتستدرج قمعاً أشد، وجرّ الاحتجاج إلى ساحة مختلفة تحت وقع القمع والدم، لكنّ هذا الصوت صارخ في برية لا صدى له في حمص.

في الخالدية

الصور الليلية الزاهية لما يسمّيه المحتجون «مسائيات» حيث الكاميرا ضعيفة الدقة مركّزة على مئات من المحتجين، يتمايلون مع أهازيجهم، لا تشبه البتّة مشهد الحي نهاراً. أكوام القمامة تنتشر في كل مكان، رائحة الخراب والدم، وجدران مرّت عليها ألوان طلاء مختلفة لشعارات وشعارات مضادة، فيما اللون الأسود أخيراً يلقي بثقله على كل كلام في السياسة. مجنّدون بعمر الزهور خلف متاريسهم الرملية أيديهم على الزناد وعيونهم تخشى رصاصة قناص أو قذيفة آر بي جي كثيراً ما تسقط بعيدة عنهم عشرات الأمتار.
الشعارات على جدران الشوارع الرئيسة، وقد طُلي فوقها باللون الأسود، تشي بأنها مناهضة للنظام. وفي الشوارع الفرعية يمكن تلمّس الكثير منها، وهي تتراوح بين الشتائم البذيئة والخطاب السياسي المتّزن.
شبان في مداخل الحارات والشوارع الفرعية يلتقطون كل حركة مريبة. محاولات الحديث معهم فاشلة، «لن يصحّ إلا الصحيح»، و«الله يفعل ما يريد». الشكوك والمخاوف من هوية محدّثهم تدفع إلى إجابات تلقي كلّ شيء على الإرادة الإلهية: «الله معنا ومع الحق ولن يخذلنا».
حسان الذي يملك أهله محلاً في سوق المدينة، ويقارب كل القضايا بفكاهة، اندفع في الحديث «كل ما جرى هو من فعل النظام. كانت التظاهرات سلمية، ومطالبها واضحة، هو استخدم العنف وأحضر شبان الطوائف الأخرى لقمعنا، وهذا الأمر حساس بالنسبة إلينا، ولا يمكن أن نقبل القتل ونسكت، وقد انقلب السحر على الساحر».
لا يقبل حسان الحديث عمّا بعد النظام أو سبب كون ما سمّاه «شباب الطوائف الأخرى» خارج الحراك، وفوق ذلك هم أداة السلطة للقمع وفق تعبيره، «نسقط النظام وبعدها مرحلة انتقالية مثل مصر وتونس»، قبل أن يعود إلى الفكاهة ضاحكاً «والرئيس القادم من حمص حتماً، وبغير ذلك لن نرضى».
يؤكد أحد الناشطين المعارضين، وهو من سكان الحي، أن «الجرائم الطائفية التي ارتكبت في حمص هي من فعل الأمن، لتفجير فتنة بين السنيين والعلويين». ويتابع «فشروا، الثورة السورية السلمية مستمرة، ولن تنجر إلى الفتنة، وسنسقط نظام بشار الأسد بالعصيان المدني، ويوم الجمعة المقبل سيكون إضراب الكرامة شاملاً في حمص». لدى الناشط يقين لا يساوره أدنى شك في أن «جميع من قتلوا في حمص من الطائفة الأخرى سقطوا على أيدي الأمن وعصاباته، من أجل دفع طائفتهم إلى الرد وقتل أبناء طائفته، التي وصف ثوراها بـ«اليقظين لمحاولات جرّهم إلى الفتنة الطائفية».
كلام الناشط يربط لسان أسامة، وهو متخرّج في معهد طبّي مؤيّد للنظام، ثم يردد «الفتنة الطائفية صارت حقيقة منذ قتل تمام المحمود ورفيقيه بعد إجباره على الاعتراف بأنه أحضر قناصة من حزب الله إلى حمص وحماة»، مؤكداً أن «عشرات الجرائم الطائفية منذ بداية الاحتجاج قام بها مسلحون تُعتبر التظاهرات حاضنتهم، وكل المتظاهرين يعرفون أن هؤلاء هم من يقتل الآخرين ويقيم الحواجز ويخطف منذ قتل العميد عبدو التلاوي وأطفاله في نيسان حتى اليوم».

الخطف معادلة ردع

قبل استعار الصراع المسلح لم تحدث حوادث خطف. الخطف تفشّى مع ظهور المسلحين وفرض سيطرتهم على الشوارع، واعتقال الكثير منهم. في الوقت نفسه اكتملت دائرة الخطف بقبول الطرف الآخر المؤيّد للنظام قوانين اللعبة :الخطف مقابل الخطف.
لا أرقام موثوقة عن أعداد المخطوفين، لكنّ قضيتهم هي القضية الرقم واحد في حي الزهراء وتوابعه، وتتراجع أهميتها في بقية أحياء المدينة حيث يغلب المعارضون أو الموالون على حدّ سواء.
يشرح ضابط متقاعد القضية، فيشير إلى أن «المسلحين أرادوا ليّ ذراع السلطة عبر خطف المؤيّدين لها من أحياء طائفة أخرى، بعد فشل حوادث خطف عناصرها والتهديد بقتلهم ثم تنفيذ ذلك، وقتل الكثير من العناصر والجنود». ويضيف «السلطة لن تنصاع لهم حكماً. لا يوجد سلطة تقبل معادلة كهذه، ولو جرى قتل عناصرها، الأمر الذي أدى بالمسلحين إلى خطف مؤيّدين ونساء حتى، من طائفة أخرى». وسيم إبراهيم، شاب خطفت ابنة عمه المقيمة في حي الزهراء، وحُرّرت بعد أقل من يومين. يتحدث بثقة «هل ننتظر الدولة لتعيد لنا بناتنا وشبّاننا وهي لا تستطيع أصلاً حماية عناصرها وتحريرهم؟». ويضيف «ببساطة خطفنا بنتين من حي جب الجندلي فجرى تحريرها، وإذا خطفوا لنا بنتين فسنخطف لهم خمسة، والبادئ أظلم».
حوادث الخطف بما هي وسيلة للضغط ومعادلة «رعب» بين معسكرين، خلقت دوراً رفيعاً لشريحة جديدة، هي «الوجهاء». عبارة تسلّل ذكرها إلى الإعلام الرسمي الذي بات يتحدث عن تحرير مخطوفين بمساعي الجهات المختصة، ويقصد بها أجهزة الأمن والوجهاء.
الإعلام الرسمي تحدث عن تحرير أب وابنيه من عائلة كنيار خطفوا في بابا عمرو خلال حضورهم لتفقّد منزلهم الذي اضطروا إلى مغادرته إثر تفاقم أعمال العنف بعد مساع بين وجهاء حي عكرمة، ووجهاء حي بابا عمرو.
ولا ينكر أحمد، وهو طالب جامعي، أنه يوجد في حيّه المؤيد للنظام من خطفَ وقتلَ مواطنين من الفريق الآخر، ولكنه يعتبر ذلك رداً على القتل، وفي فورة دم أو خطف لتحرير بنات وشباب مخطوفين لدى الجهة الأخرى، مشيراً إلى أنه «عندما لا تحمينا الدولة ونصبح مكسر عصا، فسنحمل السلاح وندافع عن أنفسنا». ويضيف «إذا اعتقلت الدولة مطلوباً من المسلحين أو المعارضة، يخطفون بناتاً وشباناً من طائفتنا للمقايضة بهم. هذه هي الثورة السورية على حقيقتها. مشكلتكم مع النظام نحن ما ذنبنا؟ ثم تعيبون علينا أننا نقف مع النظام».

بابا عمرو

لا يمكن الدخول إلى حي بابا عمرو إلا مع صديق. فشلت محاولة الاستعانة بصديق، ولم يبق سوى الاستعانة بسائق من المنطقة نفسها. لا يمكن إخفاء هوية صحافي عنه. من قَبل موضوع الصحبة إلى بابا عمرو، أعلن عدم مسؤوليته عن أي خطر وهو «محدق بكل غريب». راكان سائق من بابا عمرو نصح بعدم الذهاب دون ضمانة من «الثوار»، وأنكر معرفة أي منهم. وأوضح «نحن نريد الأمان، أمرّ على حاجز للثوار فأقول لهم الله يحميكم وينصركم، ثم أصل إلى حاجز الجيش فأقول لهم الله يحميكم وينصركم، وبغير هذا لا أضمن سلامتي».
ثم يروي السائق قصة جاره الذي اشترى سيارة سياحية من شخص ينتمي إلى طائفة أخرى، وتبيّن أن صاحبها السابق مطلوب لما سمّاه «جهاز أمن الثورة». في المرة الأولى «أوقفه مسلحون، وانهالوا عليه بضرب مبرح، معتقدين أنه المطلوب من الطائفة الأخرى. وسرعان ما أثبت لهم أنه من سكان بابا عمرو، فتركوه». ويضيف راكان «المرة الثانية لم يوقفه أحد ولكن انهمر الرصاص على السيارة التي كان يقودها ابنه في بابا عمرو، الحي الذي يقيم فيه. لم يقتل ولكنه أصيب بعدة رصاصات». يسخر الشاب من الأمر قائلاً «يبدو أن الضحية تعرض لرصاص جهاز أمن ثورة آخر».
ويواصل تبرّمه من الوضع المزري الذي وصلت إليه حمص: «يا أخي نحن إخوة من أين جاءتنا الطائفية؟ طيب، الذي اشترى السيارة ما ذنبه؟ ولو كان الأمر عكس ذلك، ما ذنب شخص من عكرمة اشترى سيارة شخص مطلوب من بابا عمرو». وينهي كلامه «الله يلطف فينا ويخلصها على خير».
نور الدين يعيش في حي جب الجندلي الذي يسيطر عليه المسلحون يقول «لا يمكن رأياً حر أن يستمر هنا. السلمية وحلم التغيير وإنهاء الاستبداد تحوّلت إلى كابوس حملة السلاح الذين قدموا أنفسهم كحماة للتظاهرات». ويضيف «يستهدفون الجيش والأمن، وذات مرة استهدفوا صهريجاً يملأ المازوت للمواطنين من طائفة أخرى، أطلقوا عليه النار وقذيفة آر بي جي أصابت أحد البيوت ولم تصبه. تخيّل لو أنهم أصابوه، كانت حصلت كارثة كبرى». ويضيف «لا أحد يريد أن يصدق قصة المسلحين حتى يقتلوا أحد أبنائه بالخطأ أو قصداً، لقد أصبحت حياتنا جحيماً بسببهم». وينهي كلامه ساخراً «إنهم لا يصيبون شيئاً. اشتهيت أن تصيب قذيفة آر بي جي أي هدف. منذ بداية الأزمة قرأت عن أكثر من 50 هجوماً وإبادة لحاجز دوار الفدعوس القريب من بيتي، وهذا لا يدل على كذبهم فقط ومبالغاتهم، بل على أنهم ليسوا منشقين، بل مجموعة من أرباب السوابق والمغرر بهم».
كلام نور الدين لا يثير سوى امتعاض صديقه المعارض العلماني الآخر ياسر، «الأمن مسؤول عن كل شيء، هو من لعب الورقة الطائفية لمنع التظاهرات من الازدياد، ووجود مسلحين في بداية الأزمة كان يحتّم عليه أن ينصاع لمطالب الشعب». ويشكّك الشاب في الإعلام السوري، «على النظام أن يفتح سوريا للإعلام الحر لنقل ما يجري بدقة، والكف عن اللعب بالحساسيات الطائفية»، لافتاً إلى أن «الحراك تَبِعَ الشيخ العرعور لأنه منذ البداية وقف مع الثورة»، من دون أن يغفل توجيه انتقاد حاد إلى كل وسائل الإعلام التي «تعتّم على نشاط العلمانيين واليساريين، وخصوصاً تجمّع نبض للشباب المدني الذي له دور كبير في حمص، ويشارك في التظاهرات، ويخفف من الاحتقان الطائفي».
أبو خالد من عشيرة البكارة الشهيرة والكبيرة في سوريا، ترك حلب للإقامة في حمص منذ عشرين سنة، وتحديداً في حي البياضة، يقول «ببساطة، هؤلاء زعران لا أكثر ولا أقل، أصبحوا يرفعون لافتات تطالب بالحماية من مقاتلي مقتدى الصدر وأعضاء حزب الشيطان، وأنا اعتذر للكلمة، ولكن هم يصفون حزب الله بحزب الشيطان أو اللات، ويرفعون لافتات تحيّي تيار المستقبل. يبدو أنه تصلهم أموال منه».
ويضيف «أنا أعرف تماماً أن هذا هو محض كذب وافتراء، ولكن هل يجرؤ أحد منا على مناقشتهم؟ هم يرون أن كل ما يقوله عدنان العرعور، ويعرضه لهم من فيديوات مفبركة ومضحكة، هو كلام منزل، مهما كان سوقياً أو عارياً من الصحة». ويتنهّد ثم يقول «أنا إنسان عادي. فرحت لسقوط مبارك لأنه عميل، ولكن بشار إنسان جيد وهو وطني وضد إسرائيل، وعندما يشتمون حسن نصر الله في الحي أنا أحزن وأقول سامحنا يا نصر الله». ثم يقول بلا تردد «أنا مؤيّد للرئيس بشار وأرفض شتمه، لكن عندي أن شتم نصر الله هو من الكبائر، لأنه رجل مختص بمحاربة إسرائيل، ولا يشتمه إلا عميل أو مجنون».

… وللإضراب روايتان

عشية انطلاق إضراب الكرامة الذي دعت إليه التنسيقيات المؤيّدة للاحتجاجات السورية بهدف دفع النظام إلى الاستجابة لعدد من المطالب، قام سكان مدينة حمص بحملة تموين كبيرة نتج منها إفراع المتاجر من السلع الغذائية والضرورية.
وهنا أيضاً تستمر الروايتان بالانفصال والتضاد المطلق، في محاولة لتفسير أسباب الإقبال الكبير لسكان المدينة على تأمين الاحتياجات الغذائية لأسرهم.
معارضون منتشون بحركة الأسواق يوم السبت للدلالة على أن ذلك استعداد من الأهالي للتزوّد بما يلزم، لأن إضراب الكرامة سيكون شاملاً وطويلاً، وخصوصاً أن من بين أهدافهم الطويلة المدى الوصول إلى حالة العصيان المدني.
أما المؤيّدون فيرون أن الإقبال الكبير على شراء السلع ليس سوى استعداد للعملية الأمنية التي تتردد الشائعات القوية عن عزم الجيش القيام بها لتخليص حمص من «المسلحين العراعرة الذين يفرضون الإضرابات بقوة السلاح، ويعيثون فساداً في المدينة».

http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/27494

December 12th, 2011, 12:27 am

 

Darryl said:

508. MAJEDKHALDOUN said:

Dr Khaldoun, when I read things you say, then it compels me to believe in the Qur’an, to rephrase it ” We have put blinkers on some peoples eyes and We sealed their heart”, Sadaqa Allahu Al-Azhim.

Allah in the Qur’an says that he has mislead certain people and you are truly one of those people. I would have thought an educated person like you would do a bit more research about other beliefs.

December 12th, 2011, 12:38 am

 

Syrian Nationalist Party said:

واشنطن تخلّت عن هدفها اسقاط الرئيس بشار الأسد. هي باختصار خلاصة رسالة أميركية نُقلت، مباشرة أو عبر وسطاء، إلى الأطراف المعنية في المنطقة ومنها سوريا، حيث ابلغت السفارة الاميركية الجهات المعنية بهذا الموقف،

Washington had no say in this Syrian revolution, it attempted to hijack it and turn it violent, the planning was so sickening and ill wishing for Syrians (purely Zionist) it miserably failed. But now it has own momentum and will continue swinging unless Bashar take leadership command and bring up a new formula to govern. It really boils down to Basher starts using Presidential Decrees to get things done, and thereafter deliver an ultimatum to the criminals and Moslem Wahabis extremist to take their arm and hitch one way ride down south to liberate oppressed Arabs from those pilfering the Moslem Nation Treasury.

December 12th, 2011, 12:54 am

 

Son of Damascus said:

@ Majed Khaldoun

Jesus holds a very important and sacred place to Christians. Your best resource to understand Christianity is by starting with the Bible, you will be pleasantly surprised at the similarities that we Muslims share with Christians (Especially the Old Testament).

From my understanding Jesus is not only considered the son of God, but as God the Son. The Christian doctrine is build upon the Holy Trinity which consist of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost/Spirit. I will not attempt to explain the meaning of the Holy Trinity for I cannot do it any justice, but will say that the belief Christians have in the Holy Trinity is what essentially makes them Christian.

Disclaimer:

Explaining faith based issues is always tricky, especially when it is not your own faith. I hope I was respectful and correct with my explanation, and would welcome any correction that our fellow Christian commentariat would like to add.

December 12th, 2011, 2:42 am

 

Khalid Tlass said:

MAJED KHALDOUN,

You doubted the authenticity of Sahih al Bukhari, let me tell you that doubting Al Bukhari is a sign of KUFR according to all major Sunni scholars.

December 12th, 2011, 2:52 am

 

Tara said:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/dec/11/inside-syria-rebels-call-arms?intcmp=239

Exclusive: With Syrian rebels desperate for arms, Ghaith Abdul-Ahad finds smugglers doing a roaring trade selling guns and bullets

In his second exclusive report, Ghaith Abdul-Ahad crosses the border with the smugglers supplying weapons to Syria’s fighters
guardian.co.uk, Sunday 11 December 2011 10.11 EST

Syrian rebels are desperate for arms, striking deals with Bedouin smugglers for any weapons they can lay their hands on. Photograph: Ghaith Abdul Ahad
The route across the Syrian border was marked by a single shining piece of string. It stretched from the road on the Turkish side for a few hundred metres to the steel and razor-wire fence that ran along the boundary.

The smugglers followed it silently and quickly, jumping from one stone to another in the moonlight. Each man carried a thick, plastic-wrapped load on his back. The plastic bundles rattled and clinked as they ran along.

Beyond the fence the shadows of men and animals moved. “Do you have money?” asked a Turkish voice.

“Next shipment,” the Syrian replied.

A man with a scarf wrapped around his face held the coils of barbed wire flat while the cargo was passed across and loaded on to the backs of the waiting mules. Then the men hurried the animals away from the border and up into the mountains of northern Syria.

The smugglers paused on a cliff to examine the cargo. Inside the plastic packages were small boxes filled with pistols and bullets of different calibres.

One of the men broke off to answer his mobile phone. It was one of several lookouts keeping watch for Syrian security forces. There was a government patrol on the mountain: the men had to split up and move quickly.

“Grab the mule’s reins and run along next to it,” a smuggler hissed. In this fashion we climbed further into the mountains, playing cat and mouse with the Syrian patrol.

At the edge of a small village we lay in a ditch and waited. A man whistled and a white truck appeared. It had come to collect the cargo.

After eight months of vicious crackdowns by the regime of President Bashar al-Assad, Syria’s revolution is sliding towards civil war. Many in the opposition who have seen their friends and family members disappeared, tortured or shot by the Syrian security forces are looking for ways to fight back.

The smugglers, sensing a business opportunity, have been quick to respond. In the south the weapons come from Lebanon. Here in the north, they are flowing in from Turkey and Iraq.

“We used to smuggle cigarettes coming from Lebanon via Syria,” a portly man told me the night before in Turkey as he channel-hopped between Egyptian chatshows. Since the Syrian uprising began new business opportunities had opened up. “Now we only do weapons,” he said. “Three shipments per day.”

After crossing the border into the north Syrian province of Idlib, we travelled to meet the revolutionary command council with Muhyo, a fighter, and Abu Salim. Abu Salim had made it his job to find weapons and ammunition for the rebels after running out of bullets during a firefight with the regime. .

“When the army came to [the town of] Benish last time, we ambushed a bus filled with security people,” he said. “I had a pistol and eight bullets, but after a few minutes of shooting I had run out. I stood there watching those dogs but had no ammunition. That’s when I decided I would arm every man in my town.”

Now he spends his days driving through villages and deserts, meeting smugglers and weapon dealers, scavenging bullets and old rifles. Each day he comes back with a gun or two and few bags of ammunition. “The last time the army attacked Benish there were 30 Kalashnikovs in the town,” he said. “Now we have more than 600.”

In this part of Syria, the young men tell how they have sold their wives’ jewellery, their cars and even their furniture to buy weapons and ammunition. “A man would rather sleep with his Kalashnikov than his wife,” they say in Idlib.

Were they getting any support from outside Syria? Abu Salim laughed. “There is no outside support,” he said. “You have seen how hard it is to get ammunition: the price of a bullet is $2, and an old Kalashnikov is $2,000.”

To avoid the checkpoints around Benish, we left the road just before reaching a roadblock of four Syrian army tanks and drove on muddy dirt roads. In the villages, we passed children chanting revolutionary songs. Graffiti that read “the people want to topple the regime” and “Freedom” was painted over Ba’ath party slogans on school walls.

We climbed into hills covered in stubby olive trees. The army was unable to reach the fighters’ hideouts on the mountain, so they harassed the people in the lower-lying villages to try to stop them helping fighters with food and assistance.

Driving up a narrow street in one village, Abu Salim stopped the car and froze. Ahead of us, less than 100 metres away, was a long army and security convoy: three green army trucks, two military jeeps, six civilian SUVs, two buses and a couple of armoured vehicles.

Abu Salim swerved and entered the backyard of a house. Women were sitting outside sifting wheat and rice, but they moved their chairs to the entrance of the yard to cover for us, strangers avoiding a military convoy. Minutes later they gave us the signal to leave.

We followed the convoy from a distance. The commander of the village, a veteran jihadi from the Iraq war, drove ahead on a motorbike, his Kalashnikov slung on his back. He and a few of his gunmen escorted us to the safe house where members of the revolutionary command council would convene later in the day.

From the window, the mountains folded away towards the horizon. Around 20 fighters sat in the different rooms, chatting, eating, praying or sleeping. The walls of each room were piled with blankets, mattresses and gym bags. Towels and jackets hung from nails on the walls. Muhyo sat with an older fighter, in his late 50s, exchanging stories of torture. The man had been detained by the security forces in President Assad’s father’s era, when Muslim Brotherhood fighters roamed the mountains and the countryside in Edlib.”Each day they would leave the food for us in the middle of the prison yard where one of us had to fetch it. They would beat him on the way out and on the way back.”

A teenager in a black tracksuit sat listening and cleaning guns. He dismantled each weapon and then with a towel dipped in petrol cleaned every joint and bolt.

Late that night, the revolutionary leadership gathered in a small room. A dozen men sat around a kerosene heater whose fumes mingled with cigarette smoke to make a stuffy atmosphere. They were an eclectic mix of tribesmen, farmers and city people, Islamists and nationalists, young and old, bearded and clean-shaven.

“We started the revolution because we wanted to be treated like humans, we are looking for our humanity,” said Amar, a commander with a short beard and thick arms. “All my life I have been treated like an inferior, a human being of the 10th class, while Assad and his people controlled this country. We also have a right in this country.”

One of the council members seemed to carry more authority than the others. He was thin and angry, his face creased like an old leather chair. “This revolution was led by the kids, the children,” he said. “It’s their revolution. This is the generation that didn’t see the horrors of the 80s. If it was up to us we would have never started the revolution. We have been burned once. But they are brave. They led and we followed.”

Who was in charge of it? The people inside Syria or the Syrian National Council based in Turkey? “We don’t have a Benghazi so the revolution has two arms. The people outside, who have no weight on the ground, and the people inside, who are actively leading. But the people inside are scared. They can’t talk in public. No one knows who they are because they are afraid and we don’t have a safe haven.

“Look at all these men in this room,” he said, gesturing towards them. “I didn’t know any of them before March and they didn’t know me. I don’t trust them and they don’t trust me. I know one of us is a spy and this is why we take all these precautions. This is an evil regime. It has converted Syria into a big prison where everyone is a spy.

“I don’t count on major defections in the army because all the big commanders are Allawite. But if there was a safe haven, a protected zone or a no-fly zone, people would defect. Low-ranking officers and NCOs, the backbone of the army, would defect.”

When two short, delicate Bedouin tribesmen entered the room, the fighters sprang to their feet. Abu Ali and his companion were two smugglers from the Iraqi border. Their tribe, the Shamar, stretches from eastern Syria to Mosul in northern Iraq and south to Saudi Arabia, and they move freely between these countries in pick-up trucks, ferrying goods and sheep and smuggling weapons and fuel. They laid out their wares on the floor: 10 old Kalashnikovs, two rusty RPGs, six rockets for the RPG and one medium machine gun.

The revolutionaries fell on the rusty old weapons and carried them to the boys sitting behind the commanders. The boys stripped each gun to its bolts and springs in a few minutes, cleaned them and put them back together. They cocked them and pulled the triggers. The weapons gave a metallic click.

Abu Ali, who spoke in a thick Bedouin accent, began. “I swear by Allah, I told our Iraqi brothers that these weapons are going to help our brothers in their fight and they should help us because we are fighting for the sake of god.”

“How much?” asked Ammar.

Abu Ali told Ammar he knew him and had worked with him before and trusted him: “Wallah for your eyes each one of the Kalashnikovs is $1,600. The RPGs are $5,000 with two rockets. The machine-gun is $5,000.”

There were gasps. “Abu Ali, you are a charity,” said one of the commanders sarcastically. “The Syrians have mined the border,” said Abu Ali. “We have to walk for miles each way carrying them on our backs.”

“We have emptied Mosul; no more guns there,” said his companion.

The bargaining proved irrelevant; the men had snatched their guns and were now counting out thick slabs of money.

“What about ammunition,” said an old man. “We need bullets. I can’t send them to fight with one magazine each.”

“Tomorrow, inshallah,” said Abu Ali.

The fighters packed the guns and left, each taking a different route, leaving nothing to chance.

To defect or not to defect?

Hussam is a soldier in the Syrian army. His brother and two cousins are fighting for the rebels.

“I would defect tomorrow if you could protect my family,” Hussam said. “But if I defected they would arrest my father and my brothers and the whole family would have no income. The regime is still in control.

“I am as low as I can be, my morale is below zero. I don’t know what to do, my family and people are getting killed – yet still there are no defections in the army.

“When they say the Syrian army is an ideological army they are right. The political officers and the Ba’ath party and the Assad family control the army. Even if a general did defect, he wouldn’t defect with his tanks and soldiers, he would defect on his own. So arming of the revolution is a mistake, it will not be strong enough to stand against the army and resist properly.

“With my artillery unit I could sweep through Benish in one hour. When the officers and the regime tell the soldiers that the villagers are armed, they will come in scared and shoot at everything.

“But when soldiers know that they are facing unarmed civilians, they are human beings after all. How many bullets were fired when they toppled Mubarak? Zero. Now everyone is armed, fine. But what’s next?

“If you want officers to defect give them a no-fly zone, give them a safe haven, where they can take their families.”

Hameed defected from the Syrian army three months ago.

“We were fighting in Rastan. They gave us the order to shoot and I could see we were shooting at civilians. Then the demonstrators started shooting back. There was chaos and I ran away down an alleyway heading towards the edge of town, but I saw the town was surrounded so I turned back. I walked through the dark streets knocking at doors, but no one would let me in. They saw me in my military uniform carrying a gun and they must have thought I was there to search or detain people. Then Allah sent me one man who opened his door. I told him I had run away and he took me in gave me fresh clothes and kept me inside.”

Three days later Hameed arrived back in his village. From there he was smuggled over the mountains into Turkey where he claimed asylum and was hosted in a refugee camp for defected officers. He later joined the Free Syrian Army under the command of Colonel Reyadh Assad.

“We did nothing there [in Turkey], just sat in our tents and watched TV and sometimes gave press interviews. I told them I hadn’t defected to sit in a tent, I wanted to fight. They kept telling me to wait, that they had a plan, but nothing happened.”

After three months in Turkey Hameed ran away again; this time he arranged for the rebels to smuggle him back into Syria.

“There is no such thing as a Free Syria Army,” he said. “It’s a joke. The real revolutionaries are here in Syria in the mountains.”

On Zawiya mountain, I met another defected officer. He had taken leave from the army to see his family, and when he reached his village he joined the fighters in the mountains.

“The regime can’t reach my family,” he said. “That’s why I could run away.” Most soldiers couldn’t defect because they feared for their families if they did. “The army is under the strict control of the political officers, who ensure we live in cocoon where we can’t see what’s happening outside.” Soldiers were not allowed to watch the Arabic news channels, just the propaganda served up by state TV, he said. “The political officers tell us every day that we are fighting armed gangs paid by the Americans and the Saudis.

“If only they would impose a no fly zone,” he said, “then the whole army would split.”

December 12th, 2011, 4:50 am

 
 

Mina said:

Saudi woman beheaded for ‘sorcery’
A Saudi woman was beheaded Monday after being convicted of practising sorcery, which is banned in the ultra-conservative kingdom
AFP , Monday 12 Dec 2011
Print Send

Amina bint Abdulhalim Nassar was executed in the northern province of Jawf for “practising witchcraft and sorcery,” the interior ministry said in a statement carried by SPA state news agency.

It is not clear how many women have been executed in the desert-kingdom, but another woman was beheaded in October for killing her husband by setting his house on fire.

The beheading took to 73 the number of executions in Saudi Arabia this year.

In September, Amnesty International called on the Muslim kingdom where 140 people were on death row to establish an “immediate moratorium on executions.” The rights group said Saudi Arabia was one of a minority of states which voted against a UN General Assembly resolution last December calling for a worldwide moratorium on executions.

Rape, murder, apostasy, armed robbery and drug trafficking are all punishable by death under Saudi Arabia’s strict interpretation of Islamic sharia law.

Amnesty says Saudi Arabia executed 27 convicts in 2010, compared to 67 executions announced the year before.

http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/8/29121/World/Region/Saudi-woman-beheaded-for-sorcery.aspx

December 12th, 2011, 6:25 am

 

SYRIAN HAMSTER said:

Khaled

kindly quote the verse of Quran that states the name of Bukhari and makes his words equal to those of God. It would also be kind if you can show the other verses of Quran verifying the credibility of every single person quoted in Bukhari as having heard a hadith from Muhammad.

Learned Sunni and Shia scholar finishes their words with the disclaimer “Wallahu A’alam” (والله اعلم) (god knows best), which is nothing less than a declaration of ones fallibility. So now you and a few fossils want to tell us that these guys, who accepted their fallibility, are wrong in doing that and that they are equal to GOD. Who is being Kafer here….? Why doesn’t everyone stick to their own religion and stop teaching others what their religion means. It one of the the most retarded things to do, and you all have become masterful retards.

December 12th, 2011, 6:37 am

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Khaled Tlass
No I do not doubt the authenticity of all Bukhari,only 1-2% of it
Any Hadith that does not conform to Quraan I question it,Quraan is 100% accurate
Some Ahadiths were related over seven people,A said he heared B who heared C who heared D and who heared F and so on when the message go through seven people,I believe it could change a bit and so the meaning is possibly changed
Some Ahadiths are related through children Aisha was a child early when she married the prophet,she could have misunderstood the prophet.
Language is another problem Bukhari was from Bukhara, his mother language was not arabic, in Arabic a change fron 3an(on) to FI(in), could change a meaning a lot,example for those who are 3an salatihem sahoon,and those who are Fi salatihem sahoon,the meaning is completely different.
As I said 98% of Bukhari is accurate,He did a magnificent job thanks God.
I think you will agree that Sahih Musslem and Sahih Bukhari there is some difference,Why?

What SNP says is not important, it goes directly to the trash can.

December 12th, 2011, 6:45 am

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Please , the word Kafer is not an insult, it means that what you believe is different from what my community believe

December 12th, 2011, 7:21 am

 

SyrianSpring said:

455. Juergen

Der Spiegel became in the last years part of the german Tabloid press. Its playing a leading rolle to backbite Syria.
In fact there are only very few german papers which take an objective stance when its about Syria.
The burdens of the history still hang heavy over Germany.

December 12th, 2011, 7:35 am

 

turks said:

Turkish govenment’s mistakes in politics to Syria led to big damage in Turkish economy, especailly in border cities of Turkey, such as Gaziantep, Hatay…

“Syrian crisis costs Gaziantep valuable cross-border trade” -Today’s Zaman

http://www.todayszaman.com/news-265395-syrian-crisis-costs-gaziantep-valuable-cross-border-trade.html

December 12th, 2011, 7:48 am

 

Juergen said:

Syrianspring

May I ask which german newspaper you find trustworthy? I am really interessted to hear which ones you prefer.

Der Spiegel is defianatly sometimes tabloid, but overall we owe a lot to this magazine, it has raised questions, stirred social debates and caused many government members resignitions. I believe such an magazine is vital to a democracy, and i do not see that they have a special stand towards Syria, if any they critizise what every democratic country will critizise about Syria. The only blame i have for this magazine are the antireligious tendencies, neither Christianity nor Islam get a good standing, the old owner and founder believed that religion in all kinds are more a hinderance than a blessing, a true Voltarian standpoint.

December 12th, 2011, 7:54 am

 

Syrian Nationalist Party said:

530. majedkhaldounsaid

SC Bloggers, don’t miss a word MAJDKHALDOON says in here, each word is golden eggs and must be preserved just as the Quran words are meticulously preserved, don’t changes his verses or toss half it in trash like they did to the Quran, it must retain its original form so you can toss it back in his face soon and he will read it online for the next 10 years. Hopefully he and the MB’s don’t go crazy when they find out about the deal cooked.

December 12th, 2011, 8:32 am

 

Syria no kandahar said:

Majedkafer
Thank you so much for your explanation which will make you kafer. Why do you call for killing of الكفار if that is the case,just because they have another opinion,Dr Kafer.

December 12th, 2011, 8:48 am

 

Tara said:

Exclusive: With Syrian rebels desperate for arms, Ghaith Abdul-Ahad finds smugglers doing a roaring trade selling guns and bullets
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/dec/11/inside-syria-rebels-call-arms?intcmp=239

In his second exclusive report, Ghaith Abdul-Ahad crosses the border with the smugglers supplying weapons to Syria’s fighters
guardian.co.uk, Sunday 11 December 2011 10.11 EST

Syrian rebels are desperate for arms, striking deals with Bedouin smugglers for any weapons they can lay their hands on. Photograph: Ghaith Abdul Ahad
The route across the Syrian border was marked by a single shining piece of string. It stretched from the road on the Turkish side for a few hundred metres to the steel and razor-wire fence that ran along the boundary.

The smugglers followed it silently and quickly, jumping from one stone to another in the moonlight. Each man carried a thick, plastic-wrapped load on his back. The plastic bundles rattled and clinked as they ran along.

Beyond the fence the shadows of men and animals moved. “Do you have money?” asked a Turkish voice.

“Next shipment,” the Syrian replied.

A man with a scarf wrapped around his face held the coils of barbed wire flat while the cargo was passed across and loaded on to the backs of the waiting mules. Then the men hurried the animals away from the border and up into the mountains of northern Syria.

The smugglers paused on a cliff to examine the cargo. Inside the plastic packages were small boxes filled with pistols and bullets of different calibres.

One of the men broke off to answer his mobile phone. It was one of several lookouts keeping watch for Syrian security forces. There was a government patrol on the mountain: the men had to split up and move quickly.

“Grab the mule’s reins and run along next to it,” a smuggler hissed. In this fashion we climbed further into the mountains, playing cat and mouse with the Syrian patrol.

At the edge of a small village we lay in a ditch and waited. A man whistled and a white truck appeared. It had come to collect the cargo.

After eight months of vicious crackdowns by the regime of President Bashar al-Assad, Syria’s revolution is sliding towards civil war. Many in the opposition who have seen their friends and family members disappeared, tortured or shot by the Syrian security forces are looking for ways to fight back.

The smugglers, sensing a business opportunity, have been quick to respond. In the south the weapons come from Lebanon. Here in the north, they are flowing in from Turkey and Iraq.

“We used to smuggle cigarettes coming from Lebanon via Syria,” a portly man told me the night before in Turkey as he channel-hopped between Egyptian chatshows. Since the Syrian uprising began new business opportunities had opened up. “Now we only do weapons,” he said. “Three shipments per day.”

After crossing the border into the north Syrian province of Idlib, we travelled to meet the revolutionary command council with Muhyo, a fighter, and Abu Salim. Abu Salim had made it his job to find weapons and ammunition for the rebels after running out of bullets during a firefight with the regime. .

“When the army came to [the town of] Benish last time, we ambushed a bus filled with security people,” he said. “I had a pistol and eight bullets, but after a few minutes of shooting I had run out. I stood there watching those dogs but had no ammunition. That’s when I decided I would arm every man in my town.”

Now he spends his days driving through villages and deserts, meeting smugglers and weapon dealers, scavenging bullets and old rifles. Each day he comes back with a gun or two and few bags of ammunition. “The last time the army attacked Benish there were 30 Kalashnikovs in the town,” he said. “Now we have more than 600.”

In this part of Syria, the young men tell how they have sold their wives’ jewellery, their cars and even their furniture to buy weapons and ammunition. “A man would rather sleep with his Kalashnikov than his wife,” they say in Idlib.

Were they getting any support from outside Syria? Abu Salim laughed. “There is no outside support,” he said. “You have seen how hard it is to get ammunition: the price of a bullet is $2, and an old Kalashnikov is $2,000.”

To avoid the checkpoints around Benish, we left the road just before reaching a roadblock of four Syrian army tanks and drove on muddy dirt roads. In the villages, we passed children chanting revolutionary songs. Graffiti that read “the people want to topple the regime” and “Freedom” was painted over Ba’ath party slogans on school walls.

We climbed into hills covered in stubby olive trees. The army was unable to reach the fighters’ hideouts on the mountain, so they harassed the people in the lower-lying villages to try to stop them helping fighters with food and assistance.

Driving up a narrow street in one village, Abu Salim stopped the car and froze. Ahead of us, less than 100 metres away, was a long army and security convoy: three green army trucks, two military jeeps, six civilian SUVs, two buses and a couple of armoured vehicles.

Abu Salim swerved and entered the backyard of a house. Women were sitting outside sifting wheat and rice, but they moved their chairs to the entrance of the yard to cover for us, strangers avoiding a military convoy. Minutes later they gave us the signal to leave.

We followed the convoy from a distance. The commander of the village, a veteran jihadi from the Iraq war, drove ahead on a motorbike, his Kalashnikov slung on his back. He and a few of his gunmen escorted us to the safe house where members of the revolutionary command council would convene later in the day.

From the window, the mountains folded away towards the horizon. Around 20 fighters sat in the different rooms, chatting, eating, praying or sleeping. The walls of each room were piled with blankets, mattresses and gym bags. Towels and jackets hung from nails on the walls. Muhyo sat with an older fighter, in his late 50s, exchanging stories of torture. The man had been detained by the security forces in President Assad’s father’s era, when Muslim Brotherhood fighters roamed the mountains and the countryside in Edlib.”Each day they would leave the food for us in the middle of the prison yard where one of us had to fetch it. They would beat him on the way out and on the way back.”

A teenager in a black tracksuit sat listening and cleaning guns. He dismantled each weapon and then with a towel dipped in petrol cleaned every joint and bolt.

Late that night, the revolutionary leadership gathered in a small room. A dozen men sat around a kerosene heater whose fumes mingled with cigarette smoke to make a stuffy atmosphere. They were an eclectic mix of tribesmen, farmers and city people, Islamists and nationalists, young and old, bearded and clean-shaven.

“We started the revolution because we wanted to be treated like humans, we are looking for our humanity,” said Amar, a commander with a short beard and thick arms. “All my life I have been treated like an inferior, a human being of the 10th class, while Assad and his people controlled this country. We also have a right in this country.”

One of the council members seemed to carry more authority than the others. He was thin and angry, his face creased like an old leather chair. “This revolution was led by the kids, the children,” he said. “It’s their revolution. This is the generation that didn’t see the horrors of the 80s. If it was up to us we would have never started the revolution. We have been burned once. But they are brave. They led and we followed.”

Who was in charge of it? The people inside Syria or the Syrian National Council based in Turkey? “We don’t have a Benghazi so the revolution has two arms. The people outside, who have no weight on the ground, and the people inside, who are actively leading. But the people inside are scared. They can’t talk in public. No one knows who they are because they are afraid and we don’t have a safe haven.

“Look at all these men in this room,” he said, gesturing towards them. “I didn’t know any of them before March and they didn’t know me. I don’t trust them and they don’t trust me. I know one of us is a spy and this is why we take all these precautions. This is an evil regime. It has converted Syria into a big prison where everyone is a spy.

“I don’t count on major defections in the army because all the big commanders are Allawite. But if there was a safe haven, a protected zone or a no-fly zone, people would defect. Low-ranking officers and NCOs, the backbone of the army, would defect.”

When two short, delicate Bedouin tribesmen entered the room, the fighters sprang to their feet. Abu Ali and his companion were two smugglers from the Iraqi border. Their tribe, the Shamar, stretches from eastern Syria to Mosul in northern Iraq and south to Saudi Arabia, and they move freely between these countries in pick-up trucks, ferrying goods and sheep and smuggling weapons and fuel. They laid out their wares on the floor: 10 old Kalashnikovs, two rusty RPGs, six rockets for the RPG and one medium machine gun.

The revolutionaries fell on the rusty old weapons and carried them to the boys sitting behind the commanders. The boys stripped each gun to its bolts and springs in a few minutes, cleaned them and put them back together. They cocked them and pulled the triggers. The weapons gave a metallic click.

Abu Ali, who spoke in a thick Bedouin accent, began. “I swear by Allah, I told our Iraqi brothers that these weapons are going to help our brothers in their fight and they should help us because we are fighting for the sake of god.”

“How much?” asked Ammar.

Abu Ali told Ammar he knew him and had worked with him before and trusted him: “Wallah for your eyes each one of the Kalashnikovs is $1,600. The RPGs are $5,000 with two rockets. The machine-gun is $5,000.”

There were gasps. “Abu Ali, you are a charity,” said one of the commanders sarcastically. “The Syrians have mined the border,” said Abu Ali. “We have to walk for miles each way carrying them on our backs.”

“We have emptied Mosul; no more guns there,” said his companion.

The bargaining proved irrelevant; the men had snatched their guns and were now counting out thick slabs of money.

“What about ammunition,” said an old man. “We need bullets. I can’t send them to fight with one magazine each.”

“Tomorrow, inshallah,” said Abu Ali.

The fighters packed the guns and left, each taking a different route, leaving nothing to chance.

To defect or not to defect?

Hussam is a soldier in the Syrian army. His brother and two cousins are fighting for the rebels.

“I would defect tomorrow if you could protect my family,” Hussam said. “But if I defected they would arrest my father and my brothers and the whole family would have no income. The regime is still in control.

“I am as low as I can be, my morale is below zero. I don’t know what to do, my family and people are getting killed – yet still there are no defections in the army.

“When they say the Syrian army is an ideological army they are right. The political officers and the Ba’ath party and the Assad family control the army. Even if a general did defect, he wouldn’t defect with his tanks and soldiers, he would defect on his own. So arming of the revolution is a mistake, it will not be strong enough to stand against the army and resist properly.

“With my artillery unit I could sweep through Benish in one hour. When the officers and the regime tell the soldiers that the villagers are armed, they will come in scared and shoot at everything.

“But when soldiers know that they are facing unarmed civilians, they are human beings after all. How many bullets were fired when they toppled Mubarak? Zero. Now everyone is armed, fine. But what’s next?

“If you want officers to defect give them a no-fly zone, give them a safe haven, where they can take their families.”

Hameed defected from the Syrian army three months ago.

“We were fighting in Rastan. They gave us the order to shoot and I could see we were shooting at civilians. Then the demonstrators started shooting back. There was chaos and I ran away down an alleyway heading towards the edge of town, but I saw the town was surrounded so I turned back. I walked through the dark streets knocking at doors, but no one would let me in. They saw me in my military uniform carrying a gun and they must have thought I was there to search or detain people. Then Allah sent me one man who opened his door. I told him I had run away and he took me in gave me fresh clothes and kept me inside.”

Three days later Hameed arrived back in his village. From there he was smuggled over the mountains into Turkey where he claimed asylum and was hosted in a refugee camp for defected officers. He later joined the Free Syrian Army under the command of Colonel Reyadh Assad.

“We did nothing there [in Turkey], just sat in our tents and watched TV and sometimes gave press interviews. I told them I hadn’t defected to sit in a tent, I wanted to fight. They kept telling me to wait, that they had a plan, but nothing happened.”

After three months in Turkey Hameed ran away again; this time he arranged for the rebels to smuggle him back into Syria.

“There is no such thing as a Free Syria Army,” he said. “It’s a joke. The real revolutionaries are here in Syria in the mountains.”

On Zawiya mountain, I met another defected officer. He had taken leave from the army to see his family, and when he reached his village he joined the fighters in the mountains.

“The regime can’t reach my family,” he said. “That’s why I could run away.” Most soldiers couldn’t defect because they feared for their families if they did. “The army is under the strict control of the political officers, who ensure we live in cocoon where we can’t see what’s happening outside.” Soldiers were not allowed to watch the Arabic news channels, just the propaganda served up by state TV, he said. “The political officers tell us every day that we are fighting armed gangs paid by the Americans and the Saudis.

“If only they would impose a no fly zone,” he said, “then the whole army would split.”

In his second exclusive report, Ghaith Abdul-Ahad crosses the border with the smugglers supplying weapons to Syria’s fighters
guardian.co.uk, Sunday 11 December 2011 10.11 EST

Syrian rebels are desperate for arms, striking deals with Bedouin smugglers for any weapons they can lay their hands on. Photograph: Ghaith Abdul Ahad
The route across the Syrian border was marked by a single shining piece of string. It stretched from the road on the Turkish side for a few hundred metres to the steel and razor-wire fence that ran along the boundary.

The smugglers followed it silently and quickly, jumping from one stone to another in the moonlight. Each man carried a thick, plastic-wrapped load on his back. The plastic bundles rattled and clinked as they ran along.

Beyond the fence the shadows of men and animals moved. “Do you have money?” asked a Turkish voice.

“Next shipment,” the Syrian replied.

A man with a scarf wrapped around his face held the coils of barbed wire flat while the cargo was passed across and loaded on to the backs of the waiting mules. Then the men hurried the animals away from the border and up into the mountains of northern Syria.

The smugglers paused on a cliff to examine the cargo. Inside the plastic packages were small boxes filled with pistols and bullets of different calibres.

One of the men broke off to answer his mobile phone. It was one of several lookouts keeping watch for Syrian security forces. There was a government patrol on the mountain: the men had to split up and move quickly.

“Grab the mule’s reins and run along next to it,” a smuggler hissed. In this fashion we climbed further into the mountains, playing cat and mouse with the Syrian patrol.

At the edge of a small village we lay in a ditch and waited. A man whistled and a white truck appeared. It had come to collect the cargo.

After eight months of vicious crackdowns by the regime of President Bashar al-Assad, Syria’s revolution is sliding towards civil war. Many in the opposition who have seen their friends and family members disappeared, tortured or shot by the Syrian security forces are looking for ways to fight back.

The smugglers, sensing a business opportunity, have been quick to respond. In the south the weapons come from Lebanon. Here in the north, they are flowing in from Turkey and Iraq.

“We used to smuggle cigarettes coming from Lebanon via Syria,” a portly man told me the night before in Turkey as he channel-hopped between Egyptian chatshows. Since the Syrian uprising began new business opportunities had opened up. “Now we only do weapons,” he said. “Three shipments per day.”

After crossing the border into the north Syrian province of Idlib, we travelled to meet the revolutionary command council with Muhyo, a fighter, and Abu Salim. Abu Salim had made it his job to find weapons and ammunition for the rebels after running out of bullets during a firefight with the regime. .

“When the army came to [the town of] Benish last time, we ambushed a bus filled with security people,” he said. “I had a pistol and eight bullets, but after a few minutes of shooting I had run out. I stood there watching those dogs but had no ammunition. That’s when I decided I would arm every man in my town.”

Now he spends his days driving through villages and deserts, meeting smugglers and weapon dealers, scavenging bullets and old rifles. Each day he comes back with a gun or two and few bags of ammunition. “The last time the army attacked Benish there were 30 Kalashnikovs in the town,” he said. “Now we have more than 600.”

In this part of Syria, the young men tell how they have sold their wives’ jewellery, their cars and even their furniture to buy weapons and ammunition. “A man would rather sleep with his Kalashnikov than his wife,” they say in Idlib.

Were they getting any support from outside Syria? Abu Salim laughed. “There is no outside support,” he said. “You have seen how hard it is to get ammunition: the price of a bullet is $2, and an old Kalashnikov is $2,000.”

To avoid the checkpoints around Benish, we left the road just before reaching a roadblock of four Syrian army tanks and drove on muddy dirt roads. In the villages, we passed children chanting revolutionary songs. Graffiti that read “the people want to topple the regime” and “Freedom” was painted over Ba’ath party slogans on school walls.

We climbed into hills covered in stubby olive trees. The army was unable to reach the fighters’ hideouts on the mountain, so they harassed the people in the lower-lying villages to try to stop them helping fighters with food and assistance.

Driving up a narrow street in one village, Abu Salim stopped the car and froze. Ahead of us, less than 100 metres away, was a long army and security convoy: three green army trucks, two military jeeps, six civilian SUVs, two buses and a couple of armoured vehicles.

Abu Salim swerved and entered the backyard of a house. Women were sitting outside sifting wheat and rice, but they moved their chairs to the entrance of the yard to cover for us, strangers avoiding a military convoy. Minutes later they gave us the signal to leave.

We followed the convoy from a distance. The commander of the village, a veteran jihadi from the Iraq war, drove ahead on a motorbike, his Kalashnikov slung on his back. He and a few of his gunmen escorted us to the safe house where members of the revolutionary command council would convene later in the day.

From the window, the mountains folded away towards the horizon. Around 20 fighters sat in the different rooms, chatting, eating, praying or sleeping. The walls of each room were piled with blankets, mattresses and gym bags. Towels and jackets hung from nails on the walls. Muhyo sat with an older fighter, in his late 50s, exchanging stories of torture. The man had been detained by the security forces in President Assad’s father’s era, when Muslim Brotherhood fighters roamed the mountains and the countryside in Edlib.”Each day they would leave the food for us in the middle of the prison yard where one of us had to fetch it. They would beat him on the way out and on the way back.”

A teenager in a black tracksuit sat listening and cleaning guns. He dismantled each weapon and then with a towel dipped in petrol cleaned every joint and bolt.

Late that night, the revolutionary leadership gathered in a small room. A dozen men sat around a kerosene heater whose fumes mingled with cigarette smoke to make a stuffy atmosphere. They were an eclectic mix of tribesmen, farmers and city people, Islamists and nationalists, young and old, bearded and clean-shaven.

“We started the revolution because we wanted to be treated like humans, we are looking for our humanity,” said Amar, a commander with a short beard and thick arms. “All my life I have been treated like an inferior, a human being of the 10th class, while Assad and his people controlled this country. We also have a right in this country.”

One of the council members seemed to carry more authority than the others. He was thin and angry, his face creased like an old leather chair. “This revolution was led by the kids, the children,” he said. “It’s their revolution. This is the generation that didn’t see the horrors of the 80s. If it was up to us we would have never started the revolution. We have been burned once. But they are brave. They led and we followed.”

Who was in charge of it? The people inside Syria or the Syrian National Council based in Turkey? “We don’t have a Benghazi so the revolution has two arms. The people outside, who have no weight on the ground, and the people inside, who are actively leading. But the people inside are scared. They can’t talk in public. No one knows who they are because they are afraid and we don’t have a safe haven.

“Look at all these men in this room,” he said, gesturing towards them. “I didn’t know any of them before March and they didn’t know me. I don’t trust them and they don’t trust me. I know one of us is a spy and this is why we take all these precautions. This is an evil regime. It has converted Syria into a big prison where everyone is a spy.

“I don’t count on major defections in the army because all the big commanders are Allawite. But if there was a safe haven, a protected zone or a no-fly zone, people would defect. Low-ranking officers and NCOs, the backbone of the army, would defect.”

When two short, delicate Bedouin tribesmen entered the room, the fighters sprang to their feet. Abu Ali and his companion were two smugglers from the Iraqi border. Their tribe, the Shamar, stretches from eastern Syria to Mosul in northern Iraq and south to Saudi Arabia, and they move freely between these countries in pick-up trucks, ferrying goods and sheep and smuggling weapons and fuel. They laid out their wares on the floor: 10 old Kalashnikovs, two rusty RPGs, six rockets for the RPG and one medium machine gun.

The revolutionaries fell on the rusty old weapons and carried them to the boys sitting behind the commanders. The boys stripped each gun to its bolts and springs in a few minutes, cleaned them and put them back together. They cocked them and pulled the triggers. The weapons gave a metallic click.

Abu Ali, who spoke in a thick Bedouin accent, began. “I swear by Allah, I told our Iraqi brothers that these weapons are going to help our brothers in their fight and they should help us because we are fighting for the sake of god.”

“How much?” asked Ammar.

Abu Ali told Ammar he knew him and had worked with him before and trusted him: “Wallah for your eyes each one of the Kalashnikovs is $1,600. The RPGs are $5,000 with two rockets. The machine-gun is $5,000.”

There were gasps. “Abu Ali, you are a charity,” said one of the commanders sarcastically. “The Syrians have mined the border,” said Abu Ali. “We have to walk for miles each way carrying them on our backs.”

“We have emptied Mosul; no more guns there,” said his companion.

The bargaining proved irrelevant; the men had snatched their guns and were now counting out thick slabs of money.

“What about ammunition,” said an old man. “We need bullets. I can’t send them to fight with one magazine each.”

“Tomorrow, inshallah,” said Abu Ali.

The fighters packed the guns and left, each taking a different route, leaving nothing to chance.

To defect or not to defect?

Hussam is a soldier in the Syrian army. His brother and two cousins are fighting for the rebels.

“I would defect tomorrow if you could protect my family,” Hussam said. “But if I defected they would arrest my father and my brothers and the whole family would have no income. The regime is still in control.

“I am as low as I can be, my morale is below zero. I don’t know what to do, my family and people are getting killed – yet still there are no defections in the army.

“When they say the Syrian army is an ideological army they are right. The political officers and the Ba’ath party and the Assad family control the army. Even if a general did defect, he wouldn’t defect with his tanks and soldiers, he would defect on his own. So arming of the revolution is a mistake, it will not be strong enough to stand against the army and resist properly.

“With my artillery unit I could sweep through Benish in one hour. When the officers and the regime tell the soldiers that the villagers are armed, they will come in scared and shoot at everything.

“But when soldiers know that they are facing unarmed civilians, they are human beings after all. How many bullets were fired when they toppled Mubarak? Zero. Now everyone is armed, fine. But what’s next?

“If you want officers to defect give them a no-fly zone, give them a safe haven, where they can take their families.”

Hameed defected from the Syrian army three months ago.

“We were fighting in Rastan. They gave us the order to shoot and I could see we were shooting at civilians. Then the demonstrators started shooting back. There was chaos and I ran away down an alleyway heading towards the edge of town, but I saw the town was surrounded so I turned back. I walked through the dark streets knocking at doors, but no one would let me in. They saw me in my military uniform carrying a gun and they must have thought I was there to search or detain people. Then Allah sent me one man who opened his door. I told him I had run away and he took me in gave me fresh clothes and kept me inside.”

Three days later Hameed arrived back in his village. From there he was smuggled over the mountains into Turkey where he claimed asylum and was hosted in a refugee camp for defected officers. He later joined the Free Syrian Army under the command of Colonel Reyadh Assad.

“We did nothing there [in Turkey], just sat in our tents and watched TV and sometimes gave press interviews. I told them I hadn’t defected to sit in a tent, I wanted to fight. They kept telling me to wait, that they had a plan, but nothing happened.”

After three months in Turkey Hameed ran away again; this time he arranged for the rebels to smuggle him back into Syria.

“There is no such thing as a Free Syria Army,” he said. “It’s a joke. The real revolutionaries are here in Syria in the mountains.”

On Zawiya mountain, I met another defected officer. He had taken leave from the army to see his family, and when he reached his village he joined the fighters in the mountains.

“The regime can’t reach my family,” he said. “That’s why I could run away.” Most soldiers couldn’t defect because they feared for their families if they did. “The army is under the strict control of the political officers, who ensure we live in cocoon where we can’t see what’s happening outside.” Soldiers were not allowed to watch the Arabic news channels, just the propaganda served up by state TV, he said. “The political officers tell us every day that we are fighting armed gangs paid by the Americans and the Saudis.

“If only they would impose a no fly zone,” he said, “then the whole army would split.”

December 12th, 2011, 8:53 am

 

SYRIAN HAMSTER said:

Egg

SNP @ 535

OK, you got a golden egg, go sit on it, may be it’ll hatch one of those reptile overlords of yours.

December 12th, 2011, 9:00 am

 

Revlon said:

513
I am back!
I start from where I left

In your earlier comment on the leaked document of the Directorate of General Intelligence, which provided a detailed plan to quell the revolution, you posted Al Haqiqa critique of the document.
December 7th, 2011, 10:47 pm

The writer of the post, among other things had this to say about a colleague of his, in in the profession of Human Rights:

(( من كتبه لا يختلف عن الجحش في أي شيء
He Who wrote it is “Jack Ass Donkey”
رضوان زيادة النصاب
The Cheat Radwan Ziyade
يشبه في أسلوبه وأسلوب فهمه للنظام ما جاء في كومة الخراء هذه التي يسميها”وثيقة”!
His style and understanding resembles the pile of shit that he calls document
من كتبها أحمق حقيقي ولا يختلف عن البغل في شيء ،
He Who wrote is is a true muel head
فهل رأيتم في حياتكم بغلا على هذه الدرجة من الحيونة؟ نعم
Have you ever seen more myuel than this one?))

One just can not utter so much indecency and hold so much disrespect and contempt towards a fellow Human being and still claim to be a Human rights advocate!

Your source (Al Haqiqa) said:

الحقيقة تكشف بالأدلة كيف جرى تزييف وثيقة منسوبة للمخابرات العامة عن “خطة لإثارة الفتنة”، أما قناة”
الجزيرة التي دخلت على خط نشر الأكاذيب ففضيحتها عن طالب كلية العلوم الذي ” قتل” .. لا تقل خزيا
The writer describes the publication of the document as a plan to incite sedition!
Notice that he is levelling the same charge against the revolution as Jr did as early as late March 2011.

مناسبة هذا الحديث اليوم “الوثيقة” المزيفة التي وزعها النصاب رضوان زيادة المقيم في الولايات المتحدة ، وأحد المرتبطين بضابط الاحتياط في الموساد نير بومس ، الأمر الذي كنا كشفنا عنه سابقا ( اضغط هنـــا).
Blank link: I used the link and got me to Al Haqiqa website; there is no title or subject in that page related to the allegation!

رضوان زيادة ، هذا، الذي يسمي نفسه دكتورا وباحثا ، وفي وقاحة ممزوجة بالغباء لايحسد عليها ، تبنى اليوم هذه “الوثيقة” بشكل صريح لا لبس فيه في حديث مع قناة”الحرة”. ( لدينا رسالة رسمية من أحد الصحفيين العاملين في قناة”الحرة” تؤكد أن رضوان زيادة هو من زور الوثيقة ، وهو من أرسلها إلى القناة المذكورة وطلب منها لاحقا الإدلاء بحديث إليها حول الأمر).
Hearsay! There is no supporting document or video!

“الوثيقة” المزعومة تتحدث عن خطة وضعتها المخابرات العامة لإثارة النعرات الطائفية والمذهبية ( إلخ) في سوريا ، وتحمل تاريخ 23 من الشهر الماضي. وهي بالمناسبة تكاد تكون نسخة محررة عن وثيقة مباحث أمن الدولة في مصر التي ضبطت خلال اقتحام المتظاهرين لمقرات هذا الجهاز في مصر الشهر الماضي!!
Hearsay! No link to the alleged intercepted Egyptian document.

ولكي لا نطول بالشرح ، نعرض أدناه “الوثيقة ” المزعومة ( اضغط عليها من أجل صورة مكبرة) ، ومكامن التزوير ، قبل أن نقارنها بوثيقة أصلية صادرة عن الإدارة نفسها.
The source claims detailed knowledge in the lay out of the stationery of the various Intelligence Apparatuses in Syria!

مكامن التزوير:
أولا ـ في شكل “ترويسة” الورقة . فهي مكتوبة بطريقة عادية على الكومبيوتر ، بينما الأوراق الرسمية لإدارة المخابرات العامة مطبوعة بنظام “أوفست” المطبعي التقليدي ، مع وجود ” شعار الجمهورية” ( النسر) في أعلى ووسط الورقة. هذا مع الإشارة إلى أن الإدارة تستخدم الخط ” الثلث المشكل” والخط “الفارسي” حصرا في ترويس مطبوعاتها.( قارن مع نموذج عن الترويسة الحقيقية منشور جانبا).
نموذج من ترويسة لإحدى وثائق المخابرات العامة ، وقد امتنعنا عن نشرها كلها كيلا يستفيد النصابون منها مستقبلا لتزوير أوراق أخرى
The Guy refrained from presenting a sample of the genuine Stationary fearing that it could be used by cheaters to forge intelligence documents!
This guy cares much more for the welfare of the intelligence apparatus than for revealing the truth that he claims to represent.

ثانيا ـ كافة أختام المخابرات العامة وفروعها شكلها بيضوي ، وتتضمن اسم المخابرات العامة ( بالخط الفارسي) في الجزء العلوي من الخاتم ، بينما يتضمن جزؤها السفلي رقم الفرع ( الفرع 285 ، الفرع 251 .. إلخ). وهو ـ بالمناسبة ـ نظام موحد مع شعبة المخابرات العسكرية ، لأن المصصم والمصنّع جهة واحدة ( مطابع وزنغوغراف الجهة نفسها التي تطبع وثائق الدولة الخاصة وتصنّع أختامها). وحين تكون الوثيقة صادرة باسم قيادة الإدارة ، وليس باسم فرع من فروعها، يكون الجزء العلوي متضمنا اسم “الجمهورية العربية السورية” ، أما جزؤها السفلي فمكتوب عليه عبارة” إدارة المخابرات العامة”.
ثالثاـ جميع الأختام الرسمية العائدة لإدارة المخابرات العامة (والأجهزة لأخرى) تتضمن شعار الجمهورية العربية السورية في المنتصف ( النسر الذي يتجه رأسه نحو يمين الصورة).
More knowledge in the details of the genuine intelligenhce stationary!

رابعاـ و هو ما كان طرف الخيط الذي قادنا إلى اكتشاف التزوير عبر الفحص ببرنامج فتوشوب، فإن المزور( رضوان زيادة؟) ، الشديد الغباء كما يبدو ،عمد إلى قص الخاتم المستطيل المفبرك ولصقه على الورقات الثلاث . وما يؤكد ذلك أن درجة ميلان الخاتم واحدة ومتطابقة تماما في الورقات الثلاث!! وغني عن البيان أن أي إنسان لا يمكن له أن يمسك خاتما ويختم به ثلاث ورقات ، ولا حتى ورقتين، ويحافظ على زاوية ميلانه نفسها في عملية ختمها! فهذا مستحيل على أي بشري أن يقوم به ، إلا إذا كنا نتحدث عن عالم الجن والعفاريت!( ليجرب أحد منكم ذلك بنفسه). هذا فضلا عن أن درجة كثافة الحبر هي نفسها في الأختام الثلاثة ( كما أظهرها التحليل). وهذا مستحيل أن يحصل في الحالة الطبيعية!
Early in the revolution there were so many similar outrageous claims about the non-authenticity of the ID card brandished by the first republican Guard defector, Walid Al Qash3ami. Her is a sample of what Jr’s supporters and a sample of their websites had to say then
May 1st, 2011, 9:19 pm
http://www.youtube.com/user/HananNoura#p/u/0/iGjowbwCTWM

Now, nearly 7 months later, thousands of soldiers have followed AlQash3ami footsteps; hundreds have shown ID’s similar to AlQash3ami.

In summary:
Your source’s language is more fitting for a Shabbeeh than a human rights activist.
Your sources knowledge of the details of the intelligence apparatus’s stationary points to strong links to Mukhabarat.
Your souce’s counter claims on the false nature of the leaked documents can not be verified as he did not publish the genuine version of the stationary.

Your sources other claims can not be verified as he provided no accessible links.

December 12th, 2011, 9:00 am

 

Ya Mara Ghalba said:

11 dec 2011. Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak: “The Assad family is doomed and no one knows what will happen afterwards…. We have been witness in the past few days to battles between those loyal to the Assad family and rebel forces.” http://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/22970-barak-assad-downfall-would-be-a-blessing-for-mideast

That is, as they say in English, “wishful thinking”. I’ll bet Ehud Barak didn’t take time to try to witness Sunday’s would-be General Strike that the Syrian rebels called for. I’m satisfied from my surfing on the Internet that the General Strike was a total failure except in just a few bad neighbourhoods where, as Xinhua put it, “some shops were [semi-] forcibly closed in that area out of fear of reprisal from armed thugs that threatened retribution if shop owners didn’t comply with the strike.”

According to Reuters 11 dec 2011: “In the southern city of Deraa, security forces and militiamen loyal to Assad broke up the strike. One witness said, “They started pulling up the shutters of shops in the main Hanano and Martyrs streets in Deraa city to force shops to open.” ” That’s an absurd witness, because the General Strike idea was for the shopkeepers to not turn up at their shops on Sunday at all. Furthermore the forces of law and order would never ever be asked to do such a thing. Reuters also says: “Official state media made no mention of Sunday’s strikes.” On the contrary, SANA’s website on Saturday (the day before the event) had a news story advertising the planned General Strike — http://www.sana.sy/eng/21/2011/12/11/387394.htm

December 12th, 2011, 9:12 am

 

Tara said:

Bronco@486

I think the Telegraph underestimated the breadth of the strike. Aleppo’s strike marked the participation of the city in the Syrian revolution. The pics of multiple neighborhoods in Aleppo participating in the strike was feature on Alarabya yesterday. Those neighborhood were not christian.

December 12th, 2011, 9:29 am

 

Ya Mara Ghalba said:

Bashar Assad on 9 Oct 2006 in reply to a question in an interview with ITV, a British TV channel: “Everybody cares about his reputation, but we care more about the reality. Reputation is a matter of perception so the question [about our reputation in the West] is: Do some in the West perceive the reality in our region as it is, or as they want?” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PwFBqiH6As

And the answer then and now is: Some in the West do not perceive the reality, and that “some” is the great majority.

The West is powerful and arrogant, confident about their perceptions and the framework of their thinking. One of the main pillars of their framework is that it’s virtuous to increase global dominance of Western values and Western thinking, and anything that decreases such dominance is not virtuous. They are so deeply committed to that, that they let it distort their perception of reality. It is possible in theory to be committed to that judgemental framework and still be careful enough to perceive the reality correctly, but they fail to do so. They want to find a depravity or lack of virtue in the Assad regime, and they mistakenly find it where it doesn’t exist.

December 12th, 2011, 9:30 am

 

Revlon said:

Special task force unit of the martyrs Phalange of the FSA has made the following announcement:

We Ambushed the security checkpoint of AlSadd Road, in Dar3a on 09/12/2011 in the aim of releasing three ladies wh were taken hostages by the checkpoint force.
The attack resulted in killing all of its members and the release of the three hostages.

شام – حوران – بيان لكتيبة شهداء الحرية 2011 -11-12

December 12th, 2011, 9:44 am

 

Ya Mara Ghalba said:

In Aleppo yesterday during the would-be General Strike, normal life throughout the city. A few business owners said they saw people driving around really early in the morning, before 8AM, taking videos as bogus evidence of a General Strike, when none of the shops had opened yet. Christian shop owners, who normally close on Sundays, decided to open their stores as a show of support. Source: http://www.facebook.com/SyrianTruthEnglish?sk=wall

The dissidents have done that silly video thing for all earlier general strikes too. It’s pathetic. It fools some foreigners but it doesn’t fool Syrians.

According to AFP, as published by the UK Telegraph, “the opposition Syrian National Council said in a statement that the “dignity” general strike launched Sunday was widely observed in 12 provinces across Syria against “all expectations.” ” I’m glad to hear they’re bringing their expectations back to earth.

December 12th, 2011, 9:47 am

 

Bronco said:

Majedalkhaldoon

Thanks for the clarification. It is an interesting point of view that brings up some questions.
Are the Jews kuffar?
What does the Qur’an recommend to do with the Kuffars?
Also can you justify why if a Moslem convert to Christianity he is condemned to death. Does this apply also if he/she converts to Shia or Alawi or Druze or Jewish or any other religion ?

December 12th, 2011, 10:00 am

 

irritated said:

#544. Ya Mara Ghalba

It is fascinating that most media claim in the headline: “The call for strike was widely followed”.
Then when you read the whole article it says it was’ widely followed’ in Deraa, Edlib, and some areas of Homs and Douma.
Total silence about the large cities like Aleppo, Damascus, Tartous, Lattakias, Banyas. The only thing that was “wide” were the doors of the shops that were “widely” open in the large cities.

It really appears like another desperate and pathetic boost for the media to give some legitimacy to a peaceful movement that died off and has transformed into a wild and deadly armed confrontation.

December 12th, 2011, 10:10 am

 

Revlon said:

Defectors have formed a unit independent from the FSA.
It is uncertain whether such is an exception or a trend dictated by the need for independence and freedom of action.

Officer Zahe Kraiker, commander of Firqat Sulaiman Al Muqatila introduces some of his ranks, and announces the completion of the following:
– Thwarting Asad forces attack on the village of occupied Kafr Takahreem.
– A series of attacks on pooling centers for Asad shabbeha and security forces, including Baath party, municipality, cultural centre, and army recruitment buildings
– The attacks resulted in the following:
o Destruction of 14 military vehicles
o Killing of 85 and wounding 45 of Asad forces, 8 in grave condition.
o Confiscation of Machine guns, Klashnikovs, RPG’s and related ammo’s
o The army recruitment centre was completely evacuated; Its 57 personnel were taken in custody, including 3 officers, 7 sergeants, and the remaining were soldiers.
o Contrary to Addunya propaganda, our casualties were limited and included wounding of three and two martyrs; Majed Jabas and Mohammad Kokash.
– We call upon all of Asad army fighters to defect, otherwise they shall be legitimate targets for our attacks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qEe95TNdBM&feature=related
انشقاق عدد كبير من الضباط والمجندين 2011 11 12ج1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMkywwwX7vk&feature=player_embedded#!
انشقاق عدد كبير من الضباط والمجندين 11-12ج2

December 12th, 2011, 10:21 am

 

Revlon said:

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

بيان صادر عن الجيش السوري الحر كتيبة معاوية بن ابي سفيان
11 ديسمبر. 2011
http://www.freesyrianarmy1.com/ar/node/98
قامت كتائب الأسد وعصاباته بمحاصرة قطنا وبساتين الحلالة لمداهمة الناشطين والمنشقين مما أدى لتدخل إحدى سرايا كتيبة معاوية واشتبكت مععصابات الأسد فكانت حصيلة الإشتباكات 5 قتلى من الأمن والشبيحة وضابط من عصابات الأسد وتم إخلاء المنشقين وانسحاب الجيش الحر إلى خارج المنطقة واستهدفت عصابات الأسد المدنيين بعيد انسحابها وقتلت امرأة وهناك بعض الجرحى من مدينة قطنا

(( تحية من قائد كتيبة معاوية الرائد المظلي ماهر الرحمون إلى عناصر هذه السرية الأبطال كما يثني على جهودهم الجبارة ))
وما النصر إلا من عند الله العلي العظيم

December 12th, 2011, 10:25 am

 

Revlon said:

More defections in Jisr AlShughour and killing and wounding of 30 of Sahbbeeha and Asad security forces at the hands Salah Eddin Phalange of the FSA
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

بيان صادر عن الجيش السوري الحر كتيبة صلاح الدين
11 12 ديسمبر. 2011
http://www.freesyrianarmy1.com/ar/node/97

انشقاق عناصر حاجز في قرية الجانودية التابعة لمنطقة جسر الشغور وتم تأمينهم من قبل كتيبة صلاح الدين وحصل اشتباكات بينهم وبين العصابات الأسدية وتم قتل وجرح مابين 30 من عناصر الأمن والشبيحة
والنصر لشعبنا الأبي

December 12th, 2011, 10:29 am

 

Revlon said:

AlOmari Phalange of the FSA deflected an attack by Asad army and security forces on Busra city in Dar3a Governorate.
The long battle resulted in destruction of three Asad forces tanks.
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

بيان صادر عن الجيش السوري الحر كتيبة العمري
11/12/2011
http://www.freesyrianarmy1.com/ar/node/96

قامت الكتائب الأسدية بمهاجمة مدينة بصرى في محافظة درعا فتصدت لها كتيبة العمري ودمرت للعصابات الأسدية 3 دبابات بعد اشتباكات عنيفة ،كما حصل انشقاق من ثم انسحبت قواتنا خارج المدينة بعد تأمين المنشقين بشكل تكتيكي لكي لا يكونوا حجة لكتائب الأسد لضرب المدينة و إستهداف المدنيين
والنصر لشعبنا العظيم

December 12th, 2011, 10:32 am

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Bronco
read again # 517

December 12th, 2011, 10:34 am

 

Revlon said:

FSA unit ambushed an Asad army checkpoint in Tsil, in Horan governorate, resulting in complete destruction of the site and the killing of all its posted officers and soldiers.

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

عملية نوعية للجيش السوري الحر
11/12/2011
http://www.freesyrianarmy1.com/ar/node/95
تدمير حاجز عسكري بالكامل في حوران تسيل وحصل أشتباك بين عناصر الجيش السوري الحر و بين عصابات الأسد و مقتل جميع جنوده وضباطه
وكما حصل انشقاق في حاجز عسكري في درعا البلد على طريق السد وحصل أشتباك بين صفوف المنشقين وعصابات الأسد وتم مقتل خمس عناصر من الأمن والشبيحة وتم تأمين المنشقين
وعاشت سورية حرة أبية

December 12th, 2011, 10:35 am

 

ann said:

*** ISLAMIC FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY IN THE 21ST CENTURY ***

Saudi Arabia executes woman convicted of ‘sorcery’ – 2 hrs 16 mins ago

http://news.yahoo.com/saudi-arabia-executes-woman-convicted-sorcery-132159048.html

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Saudi authorities have executed a woman convicted of practicing magic and sorcery.

The Saudi Interior Ministry says in a statement the execution took place Monday, but gave no details on the woman’s crime.

The London-based al-Hayat daily, however, quoted Abdullah al-Mohsen, chief of the religious police who arrested the woman, as saying she had tricked people into thinking she could treat illnesses, charging them $800 per session.

The paper said a female investigator followed up, and the woman was arrested in April, 2009, and later convicted in a Saudi court.

It did not give the woman’s name, but said she was in her 60s.

The execution brings the total to 76 this year in Saudi Arabia, according to an Associated Press count. At least three have been women.

December 12th, 2011, 10:42 am

 

Syria no kandahar said:

ريفلون الكذاب
I will help you out with more lies
قامت كتيبة ابي عبد المطلب بهجوم لانقاذ بعض الحرائر اللواتي اختطفن من قبل الشبيحه وقدتم إنقاذهم جميعا وقتل جميع الشبيحه وكمكافاة للأبطال الاحرار قامت الحرائر بارضاع الأبطال في كتيبة ابي عبد المطلب. وعندما علم الأبطال في كتيبة معاويه بن سفيان بذالك جن جنونهم واعلنو تشكيل فيلق الجهاد لبلوغ الإرضاع اللذي يشمل أيضاً كتيبة سنتي هي النكاح
عاش شعبنا الغبي

December 12th, 2011, 10:51 am

 
 

Bronco said:

Majedalkhaldoon

“no one has the right of killing because of religion.”

That is reassuring. So according to you, Moslems should respect Kuffars and treat them like other Moslems?

So why a moslem who converts to a kuffar religion is condemned to death according to the Qu’ran?
Christians do not condemn to death anyone who convert to Islam.

December 12th, 2011, 10:51 am

 

ann said:

Syria arms missiles with chemical warheads, Turkish daily – 12 December 2011

http://www.ansamed.info/ansamed/en/news/nations/turkey/2011/12/12/visualizza_new.html_12797199.html

ISTANBUL, DECEMBER 12 – The Syrian regime, which has endured nine months of civil unrest spurred by the Arab Spring as it swept across the Middle East, has armed its medium-range missile arsenal with chemical warheads. According to a report published by the Sabah daily Sunday, and quoted by Today’s Zaman, Damascus armed 600 one-ton chemical warheads to use in the event of a foreign military intervention.

Furthermore, President Bashar al-Assad ordered the deployment of 21 missile launchers along its border with Turkey. Syria’s medium-range missiles that can be equipped with chemical warheads have a range of up to 1,300 kilometers and would include the southern and central provinces of Turkey. According to the daily, the Syrian military keeps its stockpile of chemical warheads in secret facilities in and around the capital city of Damascus. In mid-November, President Assad held a special meeting with top commanders of the Syrian army and argued over how to respond to a possible military intervention by the international community. Additionally, Russia, which stood by the Assad regime’s defiance of international pressure on Damascus, sent 3 million gas masks to the troubled country.

Most of those masks will be distributed to the regime’s loyalists, the families of soldiers and Baath supporters. The distribution of the masks is set to be completed by the end of December, according to the daily. Syria is believed to have had a chemical weapons arsenal for more than three decades.

December 12th, 2011, 10:53 am

 

irritated said:

Revlon

“- We call upon all of Asad army fighters to defect, otherwise they shall be legitimate targets for our attacks.”

Or you defect or we kill you. That’s an legitimate strategy for the FSA to convince soldiers to defect: Threats.

December 12th, 2011, 10:58 am

 

Tara said:

Bronco@556

What is the Shiaa views in regard to the Riddah?

December 12th, 2011, 11:01 am

 

Revlon said:

الصراع السوري يمزق عائلة الرائد هيثم محمد ويشتت أفرادها

2011/12/12نشر فى: أخبار محلية

الرائد المنشق هيثم محمد

ينعكس الاقتتال القائم في سوريا على الأسر المختلطة كأسرة هيثم محمد السني الذي يواجه حالة أسرية قد تصل إلى الانفصال عن زوجته العلوية.
Haytham,a Sunni officer has broken up from his Alawis pro-regime wife and two children to join the FSA.
He said that his wife, like all Alawis community believe firmly in the regime’s story and a sectarian war may be in full swing in two months in Homs.

http://all4syria.info/web/archives/41285
——————————————————————

بيروت:ايلاف

هيثم محمد، ضابط برتبة رائد انشق مؤخراً عن الجيش السوري ليلتحق بصفوف “الجيش السوري الحر” الذي يسعى للإطاحة بنظام الرئيس السوري بشار الأسد.

يعيش الرائد هيثم صراعاً وأزمة داخلية منذ أن قرر هجر أسرته والفرار من الجيش السوري ليلتحق بما بات يعرف بـ “الجيش السوري الحر” الذي يسعى مع المعارضة للإطاحة بنظام الأسد. وبعيدا عن منزل الأسرة، ينزوي الرائد هيثم الآن على الجانب اللبناني من الحدود في منزل صغير في عكار، وهي من المناطق التي باتت تشكل ملجأ ونقطة تجمع لسوريين آخرين غيره يلتقون فيها ليتعارفوا ويخططوا ويستعدوا للانقضاض على النظام السوري من هناك.

بينما كان الرائد هيثم محمد يستعد للعودة إلى سوريا من مخبأه في لبنان والقتال للإطاحة بنظام الرئيس بشار الأسد، اتصلت به زوجته مراراً على هاتفه الخليوي من داخل سوريا. لكنها لم تكن تتصل بزوجها لكي تحثه على القتال من أجل الحرية ضد نظام الأسد، أو حتى للاطمئنان عليه ولتوصيه أن يكون حذراً، بل كان الاتصال لسبب آخر مختلف كلياً.

في هذا السياق، اشارت صحيفة الـ “تليغراف” إلى أن الزوجة كانت تتصل بالرائد هيثم لتخبره أنه من المروع أن يقوم المتظاهرون “الإرهابيون”، كما تصفهم، بقتل الجنود العلويين.

الرائد هيثم من الطائفة السنية، وزوجته وأم أولاده من الطائفة العلوية التي ينتمي إليها الأسد. وقد اتصلت الزوجة بزوجها، لكي تصب جام غضبها على “الجيش السوري الحر”المنشق الذي التحق به زوجها لتوه، ولتعبر له عن حسرتها على حقيقة أنه تخلى عن أسرته وتركها لتواجه الأزمة لوحدها.

الرائد هيثم (42 عاماً) متزوج من زوجته العلوية منذ 15 عاماً، منذ وقع في حبها منذ اللحظة التي التقاها فيها أثناء ركوبهما الحافلة معاً.

في مخبئه السري المنعزل في عكار اللبنانية، تعود إلى هيثم ذكريات الشباب يوم راح يغازل فتاته الحسناء، لينجح في نهاية المطاف بإقناعها بالزواج منه سراً، مخاطراً بذلك بحياتهما معاً، فاستشاط أفراد عائلتها غضباً عندما علموا أن ابنتهم على علاقة بشاب من خارج الطائفة.

“إلا أن الحب الحقيقي هو الذي تغلب”، يقول هيثم من وراء الكوفية الحمراء التي غطّت كامل رأسه تقريباً، وتكلل حبهما بزواج أثمر طفلين: صبي (14 عاماً) وفتاة (11 عاماً).

يستعيد هيثم سنوات زواجه الأولى فيقول: “لقد عشنا بسعادة وهناء في حي علوي في مدينة حمص لمدة أربعة أعوام”.

لكن اللحظات الحلوة في تلك العلاقة تحولت إلى خريف بدأ مع أولى نسمات الربيع العربي التي هبت على المنطقة ووصلت إلى سوريا، حيث كان لحمص منها النصيب الأكبر، مقارنة بالمحافظات السورية الأخرى.

الخلافات الدينية بين الزوجين بدأت تترك آثارها على الأسرة مع مرور الزمن، وأخذت تعصف بالعلاقة بينهما لتمزقها في نهاية المطاف وتتشتت معها أسرة كانت حتى الأمس القريب تعيش بسعادة وهناء، بعيداً عن السياسة والطائفية.

يخشى الرائد هيثم الآن من أنه قد لا يتمكن أبداً من رؤية أسرته مرة أخرى، وإن حدث والتقيا فلن يكون اللقاء لقاء الزوج والأب المحب لزوجته وبأبنائه.

ويضيف: “زوجتى تحب الجيش، وتحب بشار الأسد. هي تشاهد تلفزيون الدولة، وتشعر بالحزن والأسى عندما ترى الجنود وعناصر الأمن التابعين للدولة يقتلون كل يوم”.

يقول الرائد هيثم إن زوجته، التي رفض الكشف عن اسمها “حماية لها”، تصدق كل ما يقوله التلفزيون الرسمي السوري عن الأحداث في البلاد، وكذلك تفعل أسرتها والطائفة أيضاً.

أما هو، وعلى الرغم من أنه ضابط كان يحظى بظروف معيشية جيدة وبمركز اجتماعي مرموق مقارنة بغيره من السوريين، فقد اختلف معها في نظرته إلى ما تشهدها البلاد من تطورات وأحداث، لاسيما وأنه رأى واقعاً مختلفاً في الشارع.

ويتابع الرائد هيثم: “في كل يوم كنت أعود فيه إلى البيت لأشرح لها ما يحصل على نقاط التفتيش. كنت أقول لها إن الشبيحة يقتلون المتظاهرين. لكنها لم تكن تفهم ما الذي يعنيه مفهوم الشبيحة، ولم تكن تتفق معي، بل كانت ترتبك وتقول إنها ضد القتل”.

مع تصاعد حملة القمع العنيفة، بات هيثم أمام خيار من اثنين: اتباع الاوامر بإطلاق النار على المدنيين، أو التعرض للقتل. فاختار الانشقاق عن الجيش والإنضمام إلى مجموعة “الجيش السوري الحر” لكن زوجته، التي لا تزال مقتنعة بأن المتظاهرين هم مجموعة من الإرهابيين، رفضت مرافقته ولم تتبعه إلى عكار.

يقول هيثم: “حاولت أن أصطحب زوجتي وطفلي معي الى لبنان. قلت لزوجتي: أنا آسف، لا استطيع العيش هكذا، أرجوك تعالي معي. لكنها رفضت وقالت: نحن بأمان أكثر هنا”.

ما بدأ قبل تسعة اشهر كاحتجاجات جماهيرية سلمية ضد نظام الرئيس بشار الأسد، تحول اليوم في حمص إلى معركة دامية من الهجمات الطائفية والعمليات الانتقامية.
وقول الرائد: “إذا استمر هذا الوضع، ستكون البلاد بأسرها في حرب طائفية في غضون شهرين”.

ويصف هيثم المشاعر الطائفية المستعرة في المدينة، مشيراً إلى أن حمص فوق فوهة برهان وعلى شفير الانفجار. وأضاف: “عندما كنت في حمص، كان الجميع يظنون اني من الطائفة العلوية، نسبة إلى زوجتي. في أحد الأيام، ذهبت إلى أحد المطاعم لأحضر الطعام الجنود، فسألني صاحب المطعم أين تتمركز نقطة التفتيش العسكرية في ذلك اليوم، فأعطيته إسم منطقة سنية. أجابني: “جيد، اغتصبوا نساءهم واقتلوهم جميعاً”.

يؤكد الرائد أنه مصمم على متابعة النضال والقتال، على الرغم من أنه يعلم أن مواصلة السير في ذلك الطريق يعني الحرب الأهلية بالنسبة للبلاد برمتها. وبالتالي فإن ذلك يعني أيضاً خسارته لأسرته للأبد.

ويختم الرائد هيثم حديثه للصحيفة بالقول: “أشعر وكأني خسرتهم، أنا أخاف عليهم، وهذا الأمر يبكيني كل يوم”.

December 12th, 2011, 11:05 am

 

Syrian Nationalist Party said:

“…Most of those masks will be distributed to the regime’s loyalists..”

That is a lie, we know few people that got masks for the whole family and they are just small time merchants, no affiliation to the rulling elite whatsoever.

December 12th, 2011, 11:06 am

 

ann said:

558. irritated said:

“Or you defect or we kill you. That’s an legitimate strategy for the FSA to convince soldiers to defect: Threats.”

What did you expect from cold blooded murder for hire mercenaries al-qaeda terrorist killers

December 12th, 2011, 11:09 am

 

Revlon said:

558. Dear irritated,
The FSA is the only legitimate armed forces in Syria in th eyes of the revolution and its supporters.

At least two surveys, one by the revolution and one by an American University have shown that the revolution command the support of over 87% of the Syrian people.

As such, Asad and his forces are illefgitimate and are outlaws. They must either surrender and join the FSA if they have a clean record, or take a cue number and wait to be called by the civil courts of justice.

December 12th, 2011, 11:13 am

 

Amir in Tel Aviv said:

Israeli channel 10 showed pictures and a video of Asma visiting Haleb, which it claims were taken today. Any confirmation?
.

December 12th, 2011, 11:18 am

 

ann said:

Local Elections Open New Chapter in Syria – Dec 12, 2011

http://www.plenglish.com/images/stories/Fotos/2011/diciembre/12/siria-elecc-sana.jpg

Damascus, Dec 12 – Syrians are voting on Monday to elect town councilors, mayors and provincial governors, an action that opens a new chapter in the political life of this country inhabited by 22.5 million people.

The new Electoral and Parties Laws, in accordance with the reform process, have made possible the creation of new organizations and their participation in the country´s political life.

The laws have also allowed the opposition to participate in the election process, an unprecedented event up to the present, as well as the presentation of 42,889 independent candidates competing for 17,588 administrative posts.

Nearly 11 parties are competing in the elections, while seven of them are part of the National Progressive Front (NPF), headed by the Arab Socialist Ba’ath Party, whose secretary general is President Bashar al-Assad and to which are associated the General Federation of Trade Unions (GFTU) and the General Union of Peasants.

An expert on Syrian issues warned that the elections are taking place under 1973 Constitution given that the new one is being devised and there is not much information about the new details that shape the political picture developing in Syria.

Nearly 9,849 polling stations were set up in 154 cities and 502 towns in the 681 municipalities of the country, the National Electoral Council (NEC) reported.

The preparation and development of the elections is controlled by the newly created National Electoral Council (NEC), which will endorse the results of the elections also supervised by the National Council.

December 12th, 2011, 11:19 am

 

Syrian Nationalist Party said:

@REVLON

You work hard, too bad all you doing is to undermine the very cause you are struggling for by the wrongful and violent means. You promised me a Mando Soda man, it does not look that you are going to fulfill this promise.

December 12th, 2011, 11:37 am

 

irritated said:

Revlon

“At least two surveys, one by the revolution and one by an American University have shown that the revolution command the support of over 87% of the Syrian people.”

If this was true I would expect 87% of the shops in Damascus, Aleppo, Banyas, Lattakia, Tartous to be following the call for strike that the SNC gave. Obviously in these major cities it is between 0 and 10% of the shops that were closed. For all Syria it may have been a maximum of 25%.
The reality is here, no need of surveys made by americans or by the SNC itself: Whatever they claim or try, the SNC has still no significant influence on the Syrian street.

December 12th, 2011, 11:40 am

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Bronco said
“So why a moslem who converts to a kuffar religion is condemned to death according to the Qu’ran?”
Quraan said LA IKRAHA FI AL DEEN at a time of peace,in a state of war it is different.Your interpretation of Quraan is wrong wrong wrong
Obviously you are not Musslem, you do not fight Christian or jews unless they fight you, it is up to God at judgement day to judge both, we on earth, and at a time of peace whoever convert it is up to him no one should be killed because he converted .Islam believe in freedom of religion

December 12th, 2011, 12:17 pm

 

Amir in Tel Aviv said:

The strike is a failure? No wonder
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBTvFP82fn8
Notice the Ninja Turtles looking shabbih..
.

December 12th, 2011, 12:20 pm

 

Ghat Al Bird said:

Notice what amuses the “chosen people” on their tv. especially the monkey puppet.

December 12th, 2011, 12:37 pm

 

Tara said:

Aboud was the first who cones the name Besho.  The name is going regional

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503543_162-57341297-503543/top-goon-puppet-show-takes-aim-at-syrias-assad/

Puppet characters from “Top Goon: Diaries of a Little Dictator.” Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad is on the right. (Credit: Masasit Mati) This post originally appeared on Global Post. It was written by Hugh Macleod and Annasofie Flamand.
BEIRUT, Lebanon – The whip cracks against the prisoner’s back as the man with the moustache and the military uniform repeats his accusation: “You want freedom, right? Freedom?”

The whip comes down again and the prisoner punches the wall in pain.

“What kind of freedom is it you want?” demands the torturer. The freedom the puppet protester seeks, he tells his torturer, is “one where you and I wouldn’t be here. You’d be with your kids and I’d be with my family.”

And then a reply that explains why this small scene from a series of dramatic vignettes played out by finger puppets is among the boldest works of art to have grown out of the unprecedented upheaval in Syrian society.

“You bastard!” retorts the man from Assad’s security services. “I am here because of you.” But the protester has understood the paradox: “You are here because you are not free,” he says. “You are imprisoned just like me. I’ll leave prison in a month or two. But you’ll stay here. Because you are afraid to take your freedom.”

Since its launch on YouTube two weeks ago, the series, “Top Goon: Diaries of a Little Dictator,” has received more than 40,000 views and garnered lavish praise and occasional furious outbursts from audiences stunned by its unprecedented and very personal lampooning of Syria’s struggling president, Bashar al-Assad. And, importantly for the country’s increasingly polarized society, by its refusal to indulge in easy answers.

In a Syria divided between regime and opposition, between mainly Sunni Muslim protesters and the Allawite Shiite Muslims who dominate Assad’s security services, between aggressor and victim, the perspective presented in this upcoming episode of Syrian theater group Masasit Mati’s groundbreaking drama is a rejection of black and white views.

The shabih, or pro-Assad thug, is seen not simply as the oppressor — though he most clearly is that — but also as another kind of victim of the regime, while the protester, though enduring a whipping, is by no means simply a victim, but rather a figure of strength, as he says, “a free Syrian who refuses humiliation.”

“The idea for this dialogue came from a real life example,” Jamil, Masasit Mati’s director told GlobalPost, which was shown a preview of the seventh episode of the series, due for release on Sunday.

“But it was actually the other way around: A friend of ours was in prison and heard the interrogator telling a prisoner, ‘Why are you doing this to us? You are forcing us to stay here. You are imprisoning us.’ We wanted to say that even the shabiha are brought up like slaves to serve the regime.”

A collaboration between a group of 10 artists from inside Syria and named after the straw used to drink mati, a herbal tea popular among Syrians who sip it over lengthy conversation, Jamil said the aim of Top Goon’s finger puppets was to bolster audiences in the best tradition of black comedy, even as blood continues to be spilled in the regime’s unrelenting crackdown on pro-democracy protesters.

“Comedy strips things bare and gives you the strength to fight. Of course, with black comedy the laughter gets stuck in your throat. It makes you laugh and cry at same time,” Jamil said. “But we will not allow the regime to turn us into victims that just cry and stay at home all the time.”

The emergence of Masasit Mati’s series comes amid a critical stage in what the International Crisis Group aptly describes as Syria’s “slow motion revolution,” by far the most drawn out of this year’s Arab uprisings.

The United Nations now estimates at least 4,000 Syrians have been killed since the crackdown began in mid-March, but human rights group Avaaz, which has researchers inside Syria, says it has registered more than 6,500 killed, with at least 20,000 arrested or disappeared, including last week a high profile 30-year-old female blogger, Razan Ghazzawi.

In a report released last month, Human Rights Watch said the regime’s crackdown against civilians in the central city of Homs, including systematic torture, constitutes crimes against humanity.

Last week Avaaz reported the kidnap of 14 Sunnis, including six women, in Homs as they traveled by bus near an Allawite neighborhood, with a senior Western diplomat in Damascus warning a sectarian war in the city is already underway.

Finding ways to make its largely Syrian audience laugh amid all the bloodshed and violence is no mean feat, but Masasit Mati has tapped a rich vein of satire in its portrayal of Syria’s president.

Bashar, or Beeshu — a kind of baby name he is known by in the series — swings wildly between the character of a child suffering attention deficit disorder and the spoiled autocrat in his nightcap, comforted to sleep by his most trusted thug, in the episode Bishou’s Nightmares.

“The regime has fallen,” cries Beeshu, waking from his nightmare as his shabih opens fire on unseen opponents. “Shabih you moron!” screams Syria’s dictator. “It was only in my dream!”

Later Beeshu is seen flying into a rage on a game show, Who Wants to Kill a Million?, angered that his assertion of crushing the protesters is not the right final answer. Later his son and daughter challenge him over the killing of Syrian children and he responds by calling on his goon to put down this domestic uprising.

“We only kill our own people, but on the Golan Heights [Syrian territory occupied by Israel] we are a peaceful army,” Beeshu assures his audience during the episode, Talk Show, modelled on a famous talk show on Al Jazeera.

The direct and confrontational story lines, seeking to expose the lies by which the Assad regime has depicted its 41-year dictatorship as the choice of the Syrian people and a sacrifice in the name of Palestinian freedom from Israeli occupation, has won Masasit Mati rave reviews.

“It’s so good it’s driving me crazy,” posted one fan on the group’s Facebook wall. “I want to see a Masasit Mati TV station.” “It’s very good work and we watch it with our kids,” posted another, adding irreverently: “All we want to know is which finger you put Bashar on.”

Not everybody has greeted the series with such acclaim, however. Among the outpourings of praise, a few viewers have taken deep offense and posted threats that are unpublishable but tend to center on sexual violence against the mothers and sisters of Masasit Mati’s members.

“It’s kind of obvious it comes from the security apparatus,” said Jamil, who uses a pseudonym and did not wish to reveal his whereabouts.

The threat to the safety of those who would ridicule Syria’s president in words or pictures is all too serious. In July, a man identified as Ibrahim Kashoush was found with his throat slit in Hama after leading carnival-like street songs ridiculing the president.

A month later masked gunmen attacked Syria’s best known political cartoonist days after he published a cartoon showing Assad hitching a lift out of town with Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi. The attackers fractured Farzat’s arm, left him with a black eye and symbolically broke two of his fingers.

In the Top Goon series, the voice of Bishou mimics the president’s lisping pronunciation of the letter S and shows the president giggling inappropriately and telling bad jokes while delivering rambling speeches on reforms, such as the Law of Gravity that he says will put an end to the so-called ‘flying protests’ — spontaneous and short demonstrations by the opposition.

The series got an unexpected boost last week with the broadcast of an interview with Assad on US network ABC in which the president denied all responsibility for the killing of protesters, telling ABC’s Barbara Walters that Syria’s security forces “are not my forces,” despite, as president, he is constitutionally sitting as commander of all Syria’s armed forces.

“We don’t kill our people,” Assad said. “No government in the world kills its people, unless it’s led by a crazy person. Most of the people that have been killed are supporters of the government.”

“We used to worry that people outside Syria might think the things we show in Top Goon are exaggerated,” Jamil said. “But after we saw Assad’s interview we decided to run it on its own as episode five and a half because the interview was more comic than we could have imagined. We didn’t even have to make something up.”

December 12th, 2011, 12:40 pm

 

Mina said:

You won’t hear that on CNN: the NY Jewish Brotherhood is trying to beat the Vatican in disgusting behaviour towards children.

Child sex abuse scandal rocks N.Y. Orthodox community, after 85 arrested

Brooklyn prosecutors say authorities have arrested 85 people in the Orthodox Jewish community on child sex abuse charges in the past three years, the New York Post reported Sunday, confirming earlier reports in the Forward.

Prosecutors in the office of Brooklyn District Attorney Charles Hynes told the Post that 38 of the sex cases had been closed so far, with 14 convictions.(…)
Among those accused is Andrew Goodman, 27, who worked for Ohel and other Jewish social-service agencies. The Post says he is charged with sexually abusing two Orthodox boys for years in Flatbush, and filming sex acts dating back to 2006, according to the 144-count indictment, which alleges numerous violations since 2006.
http://www.haaretz.com/jewish-world/child-sex-abuse-scandal-rocks-n-y-orthodox-community-after-85-arrested-1.400957

December 12th, 2011, 12:44 pm

 

ann said:

Syrians vote for municipal elections, violence buildup in violence-hit areas – 2011-12-13

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2011-12/13/c_131302348.htm

DAMASCUS, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) — Syrians on Monday headed to about 14,500 ballot boxes nationwide to take part in the municipal elections for the country’s 14 governorates, a move that is considered as a showcase of Syria’s new democracy at a time when the unabated violence in some flash points scores new victims.

The elections, held every four years, come at a time when Syria is facing unparalleled internal and external pressures and is struggling to hunt down what it called terrorist gangs messing with its security and stability and carrying out foreign agenda to spark chaos and instability in the country.

According to official statistics, 42,889 candidates were competing for 17,588 council seats, as some 14,500 ballot boxes have been distributed over 7,500 electoral center across Syria.

Minister of Local Administration Omar Ghalawanji urged Syrians to vote and practice their “constitutional right in choosing their representatives at the local administration council.” “The Syrian people are showing a determination to complete the construction of democratic life that is no longer a mere slogan but rather a genuine practice cherished throughout the past years,” state-run SANA news agency quoted Ghalawanji as saying.

He addressed the Syrians by saying: “the local councils which you will elect have an obligation to achieve your expectations.”

Khaled Kamel, head of local councils at the Local Administration Ministry, was quoted by SANA as saying that the ministry has ended its preparations, including secret rooms, “in a way that citizens would free during voting.”

For his side, Mohammad Habash, a parliamentarian, said the list of the National Progressive Front that combines 10 parties inside Syria mainly the ruling Baath party, has been replaced by a new list called the “List of National Unity,” which, he said, combines new candidates who don’t belong to the NPF parties.

“I don’t think that such cosmetic measures will end the crisis in the country,” he said, adding that “what is needed is to end the congestion and move towards a correct democratic state.”

A candidate was quoted by SANA as saying that the elections would give a “real example of democracy in Syria and would also be a miniature version of the parliamentary elections” that would be held in February.

Local councils provide social, educational and cultural services for citizens. They are elected every four years.

The election process has started at 7:00 a.m. and will continue till 10:00 p.m. The results are expected on Thursday.

On Aug. 23, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad issued the law of the local administration, providing for the decentralization of authority and concentrating power and responsibilities in the hands of the public.

The law provides for expanding and defining the authorities of local administration councils in a way that enables them to optimally perform their tasks of developing administrative units economically, socially and culturally.

The law also provides for upgrading local society and contributing to balanced growth and equality of opportunity among areas, in addition to simplifying measures to provide services for citizens through establishing a number of specialized service centers.

To quell the unprecedented 9-month-old crisis in the country, Assad has introduced a package of measures to ease up the government’s restraints on politics and economy, including lifting the controversial state of emergency imposed in the county for around 50 years and granting general amnesty.

As the new democracy show goes on, three law-enforcement forces were killed by the gunshots of armed terrorist groups at Sahem al- Golan in the southern province of Daraa, according to SANA.

It said four terrorists were also killed in the process and many others wounded during clashes with the group that has attacked the forces there “in a bid to undermine the process of municipal elections and spark tension.”

In central Homs province, Syrian forces clashed with a terrorist group, killed and injured a number of its members, said SANA, adding that the forces arrested the head of the group, who was held accountable for the assassinating of an engineer who ran a gas station on Saturday.

On the other hand, Arab TV stations cited activists as saying that about 13 people were killed in Syria by security forces gunfire. The report however couldn’t be independently verified.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has said that clashes took place Monday between Syrian soldiers and defectors in northern Idlib province and the southern province of Daraa, the birth place of the Syrian upheaval.

Syria has blamed armed thugs paid by the West and their backers in some Arab countries for fueling sectarian rivalries in the country that has a complex mosaic of sects and ethnicities.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad recently said about 1,100 members of the armed forces were killed during the unrest which started in March, while the United Nations put the number of the upheaval’s victims at 4,000.

After their failure to quell the Syrian crisis, the Arab League (AL) will hold emergency meetings on Saturday to discuss the Syrian situation, according to Egypt’s official MENA news agency.

There will be first a meeting of the AL ministerial committee in charge of handling the Syrian crisis and then another of foreign ministers, the agency quoted an Arab diplomat as saying.

The meetings will discuss the Arab response to Syria’s recent ” positive stance” toward the AL’s observer proposal, after the pan- Arab body decided to slap sanctions against Syria.

On Nov. 27, the AL, which officially suspended Syria’s membership on Nov. 16, decided to immediately impose sanctions against Syria, as the violence-hit country failed to sign a protocol over the visit of an AL observer mission.

The AL has said it insists on solving the Syrian crisis within the Arab framework and demanded the Syrian government sign the observer mission deal.

In yet another attempt to place more pressure on the Syrian government, French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe has recently accused Syria of being behind an attack on peacekeeping patrol of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) on Friday that led to the injury of five French peacekeepers.

In an interview with the government-run TV5 channel, Juppe said France has “strong reasons to think that the attack was from Syria. ” “There is no doubt that the attack was a message from Syria to France which mobilized international community to impose sanctions against (Bashar) al-Assad regime,” he said.

In response, Syria lambasted the French accusation and denied its involvement in the attack. Syria’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Jihad Makdessi said Monday that Syria “irrefutably denies any link to such condemned attack.”

Makdessi said such statements “lack any evidence and come in the context of beforehand French accusations that fabricate and distort facts about Syria.”

“It seems that the French foreign minister is now practicing the theory of conspiracy which he has accused others of adopting,” he said.

December 12th, 2011, 1:24 pm

 

jad said:

#539
“I am back!”
Ahleen! reito allah ma kan jab alghala!

“fellow Human being”
You mean Zibaleh, who is calling for Syria to be bombed and occupied by his masters, similar to what happened to Iraq. Sure he is so ‘human’ and deserves to be respected in the same manners as any other traitor to his country received in the ‘human’ history.

“Notice that he is levelling the same charge against the revolution as Jr did as early as late March 2011.”
Write to him about the way he should write the news so you can approve it.

‘blank link”
You think that I’ll bother and waste my time to find any link to prove you something. I have no reason to do so, it’s not worth the effort, you do it yourself, besides, in your lengthy reply, you couldn’t even refute any of the 9 points of that document being false and fake, not even one.

#whatever, at the moment, I’m not interested in exchange any conversation with you, you keep proving time after time that you are a radical and a violence supporter. Until you stop your message of hate and the support of spilling more Syrian blood, and replace this attitude with the minimum of ‘humane’ logic, I won’t consider changing my stand against anything wrong you write and I’ll keep exposing every lie your resources spread, when I have the time.

Salam!

December 12th, 2011, 1:28 pm

 

ann said:

Syria braces for military intervention as sectarian violence escalates

Monday 12 December 2011

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/syria-braces-for-military-intervention-as-sectarian-violence-escalates-6276053.html

A grisly wave of sectarian killings was threatening to lead to an outright military assault this evening as a 72-hour deadline passed for the return of nine civilians being held captive by a gang in Homs, a flashpoint city in central Syria.

With the entire city surrounded by tanks and troops, activists said they were worried the military would decide to storm restive neighbourhoods once the three-day deadline expired.

According to Wissam Tarif, from human rights organisation Avaaz, “the troops around Homs are more than enough to take the city” – though he added the government’s intentions were still unclear. The deadline also related to a demand that civilians hand over defected soldiers and surrender weapons.

Homs has been plagued by brutal cases of sectarian violence in recent months, with death squads kidnapping and murdering scores of civilians in a violent chain of tit-for-tat killings.

Nearly 180 people have died as a result of sectarian violence, according to Avaaz. Many have been tortured and mutilated, others reportedly hauled off buses and taken away to their deaths.

“My neighbour, who was a pilot in the army, was shot dead on his doorstep by a gang of five Sunni men,” said a retired army officer who spoke to The Independent by phone.

“I heard about some passengers on a minibus who were all kidnapped recently,” said the man, a member of the Shia Alawite sect from which the regime draws much of its top military and intelligence personnel. “They killed some of them, others disappeared.”

The source, who asked not to be named, said that people in Homs were now living in a state of paranoia. “Everybody avoids going through neighbourhoods that belong to the other side.”

Many members of the pro-regime shabiha militias, which are used by the government to suppress demonstrations, are drawn from the areas around Homs –a possible reason why the city has seen more sectarian killings than other areas around Syria.

The violence has pitted the city’s Alawite community, who account for around 13 per cent of Syria’s population, against Sunni Muslims, by far the country’s biggest religious group who make up about 75 per cent of the total.

A video uploaded onto YouTube today showed the dead bodies of a husband, wife and young child, all apparently from Homs. At one point the child’s tiny frame, tied-up in shiny green fabric, is picked up from the floor and presented to the camera.

An internet post claimed the family were killed by “regime forces”, but it is impossible to verify the footage.

Elsewhere around the country yesterday there were reported clashes between the military and defected troops.

Many former soldiers have banded together to form the so-called Free Syrian Army, a force of army deserters which has mounted attacks against the regime and claims to number 15,000 troops.

In spite of the continuing violence, the Baathist regime today pressed ahead with nationwide municipal elections, trumpeting the poll as an example of the reforms being carried out by President Bashar al-Assad. Opposition figures dismissed the elections as an irrelevance.

December 12th, 2011, 1:30 pm

 

ann said:

Obama concedes different view with Iraq on Syria – December 12, 2011

http://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Obama-concedes-different-view-with-Iraq-on-Syria-2397065.php

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama says Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s position on Syria — that he does not have the right to ask Syrian President Bashar Assad to step down — is based on what’s best for Iraq and not influenced by Iran.

The Obama administration has called for Assad to step down. Iraq abstained from Arab League votes suspending Syria’s membership and imposing sanctions. Those positions align Iraq more closely with Iran, a key Syrian ally.

Al-Maliki appeared in a news conference Monday with Obama.

Al-Maliki said he does not encourage economic sanctions because they hurt citizens of the targeted country.

Obama said he and al-Maliki may have different tactical views on Syria but that al-Maliki has the interests of Iraq in mind.

December 12th, 2011, 1:39 pm

 

ann said:

Obama heralds end of divisive Iraq war – December 12, 2011

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama heralded the end of the divisive Iraq war Monday, and warned Iraq’s neighbors that the United States would remain a major player in the region even as it brings its troops home.
_______________________

“Our strong presence in the Middle East endures,” Obama said. “And the United States will never waiver in the defense of our allies, our partners and our interests.” Speaking after a morning of meetings with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, Obama said other nations must not interfere with Iraq’s sovereignty. While he stopped short of mentioning any countries by name, U.S. officials are closely watching how neighboring Iran may seek to influence Baghdad after U.S. troops withdraw.

Early signs of how Iraq may orient itself could come from how it handles the troubles in Syria, where the United Nations says 4,000 people have been killed in a government crackdown on protesters. While Obama has called for Syrian President Bashar Assad to step down, Iraq has been more circumspect, with al-Maliki warning of civil war if Assad falls and abstaining from Arab League votes suspending Syria’s membership and imposing sanctions. Those positions align Iraq more closely with Iran, a key Syrian ally.

Obama said he and al-Maliki were both deeply concerned by the Syrian government’s assault on its own people. And Obama said he was confident that the Iraqi leader’s approach to dealing with Syria was based on his own nation’s interests.

“Even if there are tactical disagreements I have no doubt those decisions are made based on what’s best for Iraq, not considerations of what Iran would like to see,” Obama said. Al-Maliki’s trip to Washington came as the last American troops were preparing to leave Iraq ahead of a Dec. 31 deadline. Just 6,000 U.S. forces remain, down from a high of 170,000 at the war’s peak in 2007.

About 1 million U.S. troops have cycled through Iraq since the war began nearly nine years ago. Obama said the military can officially withdraw from Iraq “with honor and with their heads held high.” Later Monday, Obama and al-Maliki will remember the nearly 4,500 Americans who lost their lives in the war during a wreath laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.

Mindful of what he called America’s “enormous investment of blood and treasure,” Obama said the U.S. would seek to build a comprehensive relationship with Iraq, with the goal of making the war-weary nation a model of democracy in the region.

Al-Maliki said Iraq will still need U.S. help on security issues, combating terrorism, and training and equipping the Iraqi military, as well as other areas including education and developing its wealth. He said there were “very high aspirations” for the relationship between the two nations.”

The U.S. will maintain a significant presence in Iraq, with about 16,000 people working at the U.S. embassy in Baghdad. The size of the embassy has been a point of contention among some in Iraq, who see the massive mission as another way for the U.S. to wield influence in their country.

Obama defended the size of the embassy, saying there were special security needs required in a country fresh off a protracted war. “As president of the United States I have to make sure that anybody who is in Iraq trying to help Iraqi people is protected,” he said. “I’m putting civilians in the field. I want to make sure that they come home, because they are not soldiers.”

The White House has been eager to promote the end of the Iraq war as a promise kept for Obama. He was an early opponent of conflict, and pledged to bring the war to a close when he ran for the White House.

Obama thanked service members and their families for their sacrifices when he attended the annual Army-Navy football game Saturday, and will mark the milestone again on Wednesday when he speaks to troops at Fort Bragg in North Carolina.

December 12th, 2011, 1:45 pm

 

jad said:

If you don’t strike, your shop will be burned, or they will put an extra lock so you can’t open it or they will inject glue into the school lock so the janitor can’t open it in the morning and if all that doesn’t work, they will kill you.
Freedom and Democracy in it’s finest! yet people wonder why this uprising is not popular with the majority of Syrians, simply because it became UNETHICAL.

حرية حرية بحرق محلك اذا ما بتضرب الميدان دمشق
http://youtu.be/YITRGInSl34

December 12th, 2011, 1:55 pm

 

Mina said:

Obama: “…will never waiver in the defense of our allies…”
As Yemen’s Saleh is soon to fly for exile in the US, you mean the Gulf guys? These freaks who allow elderlies marry 12-years-old girls? Didn’t you sign a convention against child labour?

December 12th, 2011, 1:58 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Nouri Al Maliki in his statement today has signed his death sentence
He is stubborn and a puppet of Iran

December 12th, 2011, 1:58 pm

 

jna said:

580. majedkhaldounsaid:
Nouri Al Maliki in his statement today has signed his death sentence

Amazing the hubris of some of the Syrian opposition we find online. Not content with threatening the lives of Syrian leaders and apologizing the murder of non-oppositiion Syrians, we now see threats to the life of the elected Iraqi prime minister al-Maliki. What next for this wave of progress?

December 12th, 2011, 2:24 pm

 

Dale Andersen said:

Memo To: ANN

RE: “…The execution brings the total to 76 this year in Saudi Arabia, according to an Associated Press count. At least three have been women…”

At least three are women? It’d be four if you lived there. They’d charge you with pretending to be a journalist…

December 12th, 2011, 2:25 pm

 

N.Z. said:

The Strike for Dignity.

Damascus: Al-Midan, Barzeh, Alkaboun and Alkadam. In addition, a sizable number of university students did not attend in Damascus.

Aleppo: AlJamilieh, AlSakhour, Alashrafieh.

Yet in Deraa, “shabiha” and the “insecurity forces” were quick to brake into the stores. Why?

The protesters peacefulness, creativity and civility is in stark contrast with the brutality, stupidity and barbarity of the regime and their supporters.

The article that Tara #571 posted, Top Goon: Diaries of a Little Dictator, Summarizes the 41 years of Assad rule: “We only kill our own people, but on the Golan Heights we are a peaceful army, Beeshu assures his audience”

December 12th, 2011, 2:42 pm

 

N.Z. said:

#578, An Israeli official has the same opinion about the protesters as yours.

“Israel’s vice premier declared Monday that many Arab countries aren’t ready for democracy — a comment sure to rankle many in the Middle East, where thousands have died and thousands more have risked their lives in uprisings against brutal dictators.”

Here is the full article.

http://angryarab.blogspot.com/2011/12/he-is-right-arab-dictators-are-really.html

December 12th, 2011, 3:02 pm

 

Syrian Nationalist Party said:

“My neighbour, who was a pilot in the army, was shot dead on his doorstep by a gang of five Sunni men,” said a retired army officer who spoke to The Independent by phone….”

Homsi now run the streets with red stamps on forehead SUNNI.

December 12th, 2011, 3:12 pm

 

Tara said:

Zoo,

Come one…  I am posting all of the hurriyet daily news.  I hate to do that to you but you are becoming a bitكسلان
I am still very intimidated by you.
       
Iran renews threat to attack Turkey
TEHRAN
Iran again threatens to hit NATO’s missile defense system in Turkey if the US or Israel attacks the country, warning that the country has pre-studied plans

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/iran-renews-threat-to-attack-turkey.aspx?pageID=238&nID=8923&NewsCatID=352
 
Iranian FM Ali Akbar Salehi (L) speaks during a press conference alongside the Turkish FM Ahmet Davutoğlu in this file photo. An Iranian official says the NATO radar system aims to protect the Israeli regime, under the name of NATO.
An Iranian security official said if there would be any attack on Iran they will ‘definitely’ target the missile system which is planned to be stationed in the eastern province of Malatya as part of NATO’s missile defense project and they have a plan to counteract the shield.

“We are closely monitoring the relations with Turkey in the National Security Commission of the parliament. Iran has warned before Turkey that the deployment of the system will have grave consequences. General Hajizadeh’s remarks are entirely true and when we were attacked, it is our natural right to defend ourselves,” said vice-chairman of the Iranian parliament’s national security and foreign policy commission, Hossein Ibrahimi.

Ankara conveys uneaseness before
 “Our armed forces have pre-studied plans and tactics against the NATO system,” Ibrahimi told Farsi-language Shargh newspaper. “This system actually aims to protect the Zionist regime, under the name of NATO. This is a problem for Turkey who authorized the deployment of the system. Turkey shouldn’t do this,” Ibrahimi said, commenting on whether a possible strike would also pose a threat to Turkey because the system was stationed there, Doğan News Agency reported.

Ankara previously conveyed unease to Tehran over the remarks warning that Iran would target NATO missile defense installations in Turkey’s Malatya province if the U.S. or Israel attacked by Gen. Ali Hajizadeh, the head of the aerospace unit of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC). Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu conveyed to his Iranian counterpart Turkey’s disturbance over recent Iranian threats to attack installations in Turkey when the two met in Jeddah on Nov. 30. Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said the air force commander’s remarks did not reflect Tehran’s official position. Iranian officials have long criticized Ankara for deploying a U.S.-led NATO early warning radar system in its territories, but it was the first time a high ranking military official from Iran warned of a military act against Turkey.

TEHRAN WON’T RETURN DRONE

Iran will not return a U.S. surveillance drone captured by its armed forces, a senior commander of the country’s elite Revolutionary Guard said yesterday. Gen. Hossein Salami, deputy head of the Guard, said that the violation of Iran’s airspace by the U.S. drone was a “hostile act” and warned of a “bigger” response, Associated Press reported. Hossein Ibrahimi, a senior parliamentarian, underlined Tehran’s advanced technological capabilities and possibilities, and said the Iranian Armed Forces intend to simulate the design and reproduce the capture drone, Fars news agency reported. Iran has also summoned the Afghan ambassador to protest the violation of its airspace. 

Meanwhile, Iran’s foreign minister, Ali Akbar Salehi, reiterated yesterday that he regretted last month’s storming of the British embassy in Tehran, but asserted that the incident was “not foreseeable,” Agence France-Presse reported. “The incursion into the embassy was not foreseeable… The protest had the necessary permission and was supposed to be held within the law,” he said, according to the Mehr news agency.

December/12/2011

December 12th, 2011, 3:45 pm

 

Amir in Tel Aviv said:

What amuses the Chosen People is the both of you, Ghat and Shlomo.
Here’s a little tribute for you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvjbLYXnQmE
.

December 12th, 2011, 3:46 pm

 

jad said:

I don’t understand the mentality of those idiots claiming that they support everything without even thinking, like the usual hableh @ #584
Ya ‘mas6oul’ if I wrote against the act of intimidating others in a way to force them to do what you want, otherwise you will burn their properties or slaughter them, it should be ok, it’s not an attack against your ‘ideology’, it’s against the wrong methods, not the cause, open your close mind a bit to recognize right from wrong.
Besides, how is supporting threatening methods is going to make your calls popular or different than any other dictator thugs out there that you claim to oppose? Nothing. You both are in the same category.
These violence actions, not the strike call, will hurt your cause more than you think and it will make you nothing but another ugly version of the same scum you are against, think about it without consulting the Israeli scum you quoted.

December 12th, 2011, 4:01 pm

 

Majed97 said:

Yesterday’s strike turned out to be yet another big strike against the SNC and their masters. Clever how they scheduled the strike for Sunday, knowing very well that the Christian community, particularly Aleppo and Damascus, hardly ever work on Sundays. It’s a pathetic attempt to create the illusion that they have support in those quite cities. I grew up in Aleppo and know that city and its traditions very well. I heard that even some Christians in Aleppo opened their shops yesterday, a show of support for the government. I wonder what they will try next, and how they will spin their next failure

December 12th, 2011, 4:17 pm

 

syria no kandahar said:

jad
it is too late.terrorism poison has been mixed with honest revolution honey,and no one wants to taste it any more.Look at the mighty Aleppo standing like agiant in the face of the cowards,like a mountain not touched by any kind of wind.Aleppo was the engine of 1982 movement,in 2011 it has been like a big heavy rock attached to the legs of the islamic terrorists,preventing them from swimming and
killing every syrian fish,turning the beutifull syria pool into a bloody one.Aleppines are smart ,they know and can see beyond tomorrow.They hate Alaaroor and Alkaradawi(many homsis and hamawi turned into hatefull terrorists because of them).Aleppines love shiek Hassoun(Christians love him more tha moslems).100000 aleppines benifit from donations he collects from rich people.Stupid terrorists revolutionists knew that,they could not get him,they got his son ,but his love increased in the hears of Aleppines.
SARI HASSOUN AND SARI SAAOUD are as imporant as Hamza Alkateeb which has been used by the blood suckers as commercial material .
The boold of the moslem Sari and the christian Sari has mixed and will pave the way into a new Syria which will be grave for all the MB terrorists and Jihadists.

December 12th, 2011, 4:33 pm

 

ann said:

At UN as Pillay Briefs on Syria, 4000+ Killed, She Invites Questions on Palestine

http://www.innercitypress.com/syria6pilindia121211.html

UNITED NATIONS, December 12 — On Friday Security Council president Vitaly Churkin of Russia told the press that High Commissioner on Human Rights Navi Pillay’s briefing Monday at 3pm on “the Middle East” was understood to include Palestine as well as Syria.

But Western Council members, and the Spokesperson for Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. continued to describe her briefing as only about Syria.

A Western members’ Deputy Permanent Representative, when asked by Inner City Press if it was his understanding that the briefing would also be about Palestine, said “no.”

Inner City Press asked Indian Permanent Representative Hardeep Singh Puri if the briefing would be on Palestine too. “I think so,” he said. “On the Middle East — did Palestine move out of it?”

Navi Pillay declined to answer the question on her way in — she did say that “definitely more than four thousand” have been killed in Syria. But sources inside the Council told Inner City Press that Pillay briefed about Syria and then said she understood some were interested in the wider Middle East, and took questions on Palestine.

The Western Council members said they would be speaking to the press at the stakeout after the closed door meeting, presumably initially or only about Syria. Would the non-Western members similarly speak? Watch this site.

December 12th, 2011, 4:40 pm

 
 

newfolder said:

lol, this is how they voted in Qorieh Dier Ezzour today!!! awesome

December 12th, 2011, 4:53 pm

 

Darryl said:

568. MAJEDKHALDOUN said:

“Bronco said
“So why a moslem who converts to a kuffar religion is condemned to death according to the Qu’ran?”
Quraan said LA IKRAHA FI AL DEEN at a time of peace,in a state of war it is different.Your interpretation of Quraan is wrong wrong wrong”

Dr Khaldoun, It is the Sheikhs like Zugby, Hassan, Hwaynee?, Abu Ismaael etc (all Wahabi and Salafi Sheikhs) who say that anyone who leaves Islam must be killed.

Now history is on their side not yours, as the Califah Abu Bakr fought for two years against the Murtadeen (Apostates) after the Messenger died. Lots and lots of Muslims will leave Islam if you stop the killing as there are lots of people for whom Islam is not compatible with their life style and are trapped and live as hypocrites like Sheikh Khalid Aljundi suggests.

In my opinion Islam will become much better when you are left with pious people like yourself who are truly believers in its message. Unfortunately many Muslims dream that this will eventually happen (like Shami was day dreaming a few days ago) but not in your lifetime.

December 12th, 2011, 5:01 pm

 

newfolder said:

a must read for both sides:

http://kristof.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/12/12/damascus-on-the-edge/?src=tp

Damascus on the Edge

A young writer living in Syria’s capital city has agreed to share some observations of the uprisings and subsequent crackdowns happening across the country. Damascus so far has avoided much of the conflict, but hints of the ongoing instability taunt its citizens. We have withheld the writer’s name for security reasons.

–The Editors

Observers often comment that the Syrian uprising has not reached Damascus. It is true that businesses and restaurants are open in central Damascus, that the traffic is as messy and congested as ever, that fashionable shopping malls bustle in the early evening with well-coiffed teenagers who descend from chauffeured luxury cars.

Unlike Homs, or Deir Ezzor, or Deraa, there are no tanks in the streets of Damascus, not even the ones painted patchy blue in a flimsy attempt to disguise the army as police. But the myth of Damascus’ sustained invincibility is just that – a myth. The signs of turmoil in the Syrian capital may be subtle, but they are nonetheless alarming.

Few people live in central Damascus anymore. The privileged elite maintain mansions in the center of the city, and commercial life is clustered there, but the majority of the population has drifted to the more affordable outlying neighborhoods, like Zahira and Midan, and the ever-expanding working-class suburbs that hastily consume the former farmland encircling the city.

Of this greater Damascus, the inhabited, residential, teeming, swelling Damascus of the masses, Muadhamiya, Kisweh, Deraya, Harasta, Zahira, Hajar al Aswad, Kafr Suseh, Midan, Sbeina, and Qaboun – among plenty of other neighborhoods – have all participated in the uprising. Friday protests, persistent civil disobedience, and vandalism of government property are commonplace.

And a price has been paid, from curfews and raids, to the recent beating of Ali Ferzat, a well-known political cartoonist. Mr. Ferzat was grabbed off the street in central Damascus–from the same square that is home to the Ministry of Defense, the Armed Forces headquarters, and the state television building—severely beaten, then thrown from a car. “That was the last picture you’ll ever draw,” his assailants told him as they broke his hands, referring to his recent illustration of Syrian president Bashar al Assad trying to thumb a ride with fleeing former Libyan leader Muammar el-Qaddafi.

There are other, more quiet signs of disruption and discontent, too. All the lights are turned down, nearly off, in the first floor of the grand and modern Four Seasons Hotel Damascus, long devoid of guests. The graffiti scrawled along the walls of Deraya demanding the downfall of the president has not been painted over (other walls must be blackened daily to smother the reoccurring messages of dissent).

There are daily electricity cuts, even in Malki, an expensive, central district, and the prices of basic food items are rising. Shortages of cooking gas have led to hoarding and price gouging and the line for heating fuel can be eight hours long. The growing economic hardships are exacerbated by the rapidly plummeting value of the Syrian lira, which has lost 25% of its value since March.

But compared to the northern, central, eastern, and southern cities under siege, Damascus seems calm, even stable. A recent United Nations report described a systematic policy in Syria of arbitrary detentions, torture, rape, and executions of adults and children. It also reported that in Homs, security officers disguised as doctors have patrolled the hospitals to arrest or kill the wounded. And when Ferzat Jarban, a Syrian cameraman, was arrested recently for filming anti-government protests, the next day he was found dead, with his eyes gouged out.

Damascus is shaken, but the city remains isolated from the worst. There has been no Tahrir Square here. There couldn’t have been, with the army stationed strategically in Abaseen Square and busloads of men brandishing clubs around Merjeh Square. But revolutions don’t always look the same.

In the context of the capital’s relative isolation – exacerbated by severed communications in besieged cities, extremely limited media access, and a vigorous government propaganda campaign – many Damascenes exhibit a gauzy but aggressive optimism about the conflict. Just about everyone I talk to here, in and around Damascus and its suburbs, tells me that the uprising – or the revolution, or the “events,” depending on political sympathies – is nearly over. The estimates range from two weeks to two months to an unspecified date just beyond the horizon, but there is a near desperate, delusionally hopeful agreement, despite widely divergent political views, that the end must be in sight.

Wafaa is an upper-middle class homemaker, the wife of a well-known doctor and mother of four unnervingly precocious children. I saw her on the way home from her aerobics class, in a Damascus suburb. She explained that the disturbances were under control now, that justice and the reestablishment of order were at most a month or two away. She spoke of terrorists in Homs, tutting and shaking her head. “But it’s over now! It’s finished!”

We sat in her living room – Wafaa, Ulaa (her 15 year-old daughter), Sowsan (her 5 year-old daughter), and I. The Southeast Asian maid, who calls Wafaa “mama,” served chocolate cake and persimmons. In the midst of our gossip, Ulaa became increasingly agitated, until finally she interrupted, “I love Bashar al-Assad!” She actually pressed her hands to her heart. “I love him,” she confessed, again, with the same rapture that other teenaged girls reserve for pop and movie stars.

Ulaa joked about her classmates. A few have dared, since the beginning of the new school year, to express solidarity with the revolting cities of Deraa and Homs. “But we beat them up,” Ulaa reassured me, laughing. She was pleased that evening because school was cancelled the following day. “It’s not cancelled,” she admitted. “But no one is going to go because we’re all going to the rally.” She showed me pictures on her phone from the previous pro-government rally she had attended in downtown Damascus, posed with her family and friends, flags thrown across their shoulders and cheeks painted.

Between ballet classes and basketball practices, visits to the orthodontist, science homework, family trips to the mall, and all the other trappings and commitments of middle-class life, Wafaa’s family has little time to devote to worrying over the uprising. Any threat to the status quo – which has served them well over the past two decades – seems minor, for they watch the news on Syrian state television and their suburb, mostly Christian and Druze, remains peaceful.

But this obsession with the end of the uprising is not exclusive to pro-government factions. Ahmad is an enthusiastic, young pro-democracy activist from a wealthy and well-connected family who frequents those Damascus cafes that attract the prettiest women. He was recently released after 10 days in prison. He has insisted, each time I’ve seen him throughout the past several months, that the end of the revolution is two weeks away. The opposition is more organized, the protestors more numerous, and the regime ever weaker. “Two weeks, man,” he insists in English, over $5 lattes.

At this volatile, crucial moment in Syria’s history, a moment in which cooperation, conversation, and compromise have never been more important, it seems increasingly unlikely that any common ground will be found. Even the most basic facts are disputed by people who occupy similar positions in the webs of class, geography, religious affiliation, and age.

When mutilated corpses are discovered in the streets of Homs, some Syrians blame the government, while others credit terrorists and “armed groups.” When young men, broken and quivering, confess their horrific, violent crimes against the nation on state television, some see regime victory over cowardly foes, while others witness the desperate results of fear, coercion, and torture. Rumors circulate wildly – of sectarian killings and rapes, of mass army desertions, of arrests, of drug-crazed criminals, of foreign-trained militias, of maimed bodies dumped on mothers’ doorsteps. No one can agree on who is fighting, what they stand for, the names of the dead, or the names of their killers.

Despite the confusion, much of the evidence – recorded on mobile phones, documented by NGOs, and witnessed by journalists who’ve smuggled themselves into besieged cities – supports the claims of the Syrian opposition. The opposition may not be unified in its vision of the future, but in its analysis of the present – its body counts, its lists of the missing– it has proven largely reliable.

Yet the slow, painstaking emergence of facts seems to have made very little difference. Amidst the rumors and propaganda, the facts are paid little heed by those who cling to their own views. Assad’s tenacious supporters are proving problematic – unswayed by mounting evidence and unrelenting in their faith. They are an enigmatic bloc, and they tend to inspire one of two responses from opposition supporters and much of the outside world.

The first response is to dismiss regime loyalists as fearful, prejudiced, greedy, and ignorant. The American government, along with most of Europe and now the Arab League, has decided that Mr. Assad is an illegitimate ruler. Many Syrians agree with this assessment, but certainly not all of them.

Regardless of how we judge Assad, however, we must make the distinction between discrediting him and discrediting his supporters. We would be foolish to do the latter, for his supporters are a diverse group that demands our attention, not only because any self-designated pro-democracy movement must embody the democratic principle of inclusivity, but also because their numbers remain significant, and any stable, lasting solution to the violence must take them into account.

Just as the opposition includes Alawites, Christians, Druze, Sunni, the dispossessed, the wealthy, the educated, the old, and the young, many Syrians of diverse backgrounds continue to support the president. For example, Obaida is a working-class shopkeeper; he is Sunni, and very pious. On paper, he would represent the demographic increasingly filling Syrian prisons as part of the opposition. But he remains firmly supportive of the regime, convinced that its punishments are only inflicted upon the deserving. He is afraid. Although his prayer group used to pray for God’s assistance to the insurgents in Iraq, he refuses to acknowledge any injustices perpetrated by the regime.

The second response that regime supporters tend to inspire, especially among outsiders, is the uncritical acceptance of their predictions of sectarian warfare. The recent sectarian wars in Lebanon and Iraq – two of Syria’s immediate neighbors that have similarly diverse religious compositions – as well as post-revolution violence against Christians in Egypt, have heightened fears of religious conflict here. Rumors of protest banners bearing the slogan (which rhymes in Arabic), “Christians to Beirut, Druze to the coffin, Alawites to death” have been reported widely in the West, as has the growing incidence of Alawite deaths in the opposition stronghold of Homs.

But seriously considering the concerns of Assad’s supporters does not mean we should accept their interpretations of events. They may speak eloquently and accurately of their fears, but that does not mean they can speak truthfully to the motives of others. It is unwise to trust their accounts of an armed Salafi movement – one that even they don’t claim to have witnessed. Alawite deaths do not necessarily mean that Syria is slipping into a sectarian war any more than Sunnis deaths do.

Yes: There are certainly Sunni extremists protesting in the streets. But there are also atheists, communists, and feminists by their side. Although there have been pious individuals involved in the uprising, and even some who might envision a future religious state, this has never been a religious movement.

An Alawite scholar from Latakia recently decided to visit Homs, to test whether rumors of increasing sectarian hostilities were true. He was welcomed by the opposition there. He told them he was Alawite, and they welcomed him further. They led him on a tour through the neighborhoods under opposition control, and they escorted him to the last checkpoint when he left.

There have been reports of murdered Alawites, but protestors insist that they were not killed because they were Alawites, but because of their support of the regime. It is the government, not the protest movement, which seems to have conflated the Alawites and the regime, both through decades of government favoritism towards Alawites and their current, persistent sectarian rhetoric.

Saleh, a young Muslim man, is exemplary of the misunderstandings and exaggerated fears that are beginning to divide the Syrian people. He is a young Sunni Muslim who was arrested in the early days of the revolution, although he hadn’t participated in protests or spoken out against the government. He was beaten, deprived of food, and otherwise abused, although torture is so common here that people often forget to mention it in their prison accounts. (One Syrian, recently released from jail, joked about being electrocuted by saying he was grateful the guards had used only 110 volts rather than 220.)

When Saleh was released a few days later, his family encouraged him to take revenge. They knew the identity of the security agent who had arrested him, and they knew where he lived. But Saleh is a pious Muslim, and he refused to respond to violence with violence. Saleh did eventually join the protestors, but only when he was convinced that they were not taking drugs, using violence, or committing other crimes forbidden in Islam. He is a force for peace in the local protests, discouraging violence and vengeance.

Although the fears of the Christian, Alawite, and Druze minorities are not unfounded – there have been sectarian killings and continued threats – they seem to be exaggerated. The majority of the young revolutionaries and the older opposition leaders are demanding secular democracy. Saleh – in actuality a tolerant, pious, pacifist – represents the fanatic, Sunni, Islamist population that religious minorities are being told to fear.

Any resolution to this conflict will depend on the ability of these vastly diverse people to come together, to cooperate, to listen, to seek shared understandings, to empathize, to communicate, to trust. First steps may require greater efforts on the part of the Sunni opposition mainstream to assuage minority fears, but the most crucial need is information. Given the extreme restrictions on the media in Syria, impressive government propaganda campaigns, increasing restrictions on movement, long-held prejudices now inflamed by community leaders and irresponsible media outlets, the promise of dialogue seems ever dimmer. And yet, it remains the only hope.

My neighbors may profess to see the end in sight, but their actions bespeak a different story. It is hard to imagine that Wafaa has just installed a generator (for the nightly electricity cuts) because she thinks the uprising is subsiding. Though Wafaa insists that there is nothing to fear, that the government has already won, Ulaa told me she caught her mother worriedly watching Al Jazeera. Ahmad, for all of his optimism, hopes to go to Europe or America for the next couple years, until Syria is once again stable. Their denial is the first obstacle to conquer.

Any stable future for Syria begins with dialogue – not just speaking, but listening too – and dialogue requires the acknowledgment of alternative views and different goals. Plurality is the core of democracy, and accepting the reality of the revolution, and the reality of its detractors, is crucial.

December 12th, 2011, 5:29 pm

 

SYRIAN HAMSTER said:

Election
LOL Newfolder, that was probably the locality registering the highest turn out to vote.

I am waiting for SANA-TASS little helpers to jump with the characteristic righteous indignation and tell us that they got kids to vote?….. or that their ballots were not secret, or that everyone’s family was held hostage to participate in this historic vote.

Anyone knows what is the price of a lock in Syria?…. The revolution must be very wealthy to buy all these locks to close 25% of shops country-wide. Just think of 5% of shops in major cities as described by the constantly ITCHING.

December 12th, 2011, 5:36 pm

 

Majed97 said:

Reading the discussion about Islam on this board, and seeing how some people are working very hard to spin and twist the Shariaa law to make it suitable to meet today’s standards is rather amusing. It makes me wonder if I missed the announcement about the new and improved Shariaa, because the one I learned growing up as a Sunni Muslim was certainly more strict and clear about sins and punishments…
Do they not condemn Muslims to death anymore for apostasy (abandoning Islam)?
Do they not lash and behead people for adultery and sorcery?
Has the inheritance law been changed now to give men and women equal shares?
Does the Shariaa law now allow non-Muslims equal rights? Are non-Muslims now allowed to vote, and are they no longer required to pay protection tax? Are non-Muslims now allowed to recruit Muslims into their faith, as Muslims do?
Has the marriage and divorce law now been changed to allow women equal rights?
Has women status in court been upgraded now from half a witness to a full one, as a man?
Are people free now to drink alcohol and eat pork without being lashed?
Has the dress code been relaxed now to allow women to walk around without hijab?
Do they no longer sentence homosexual to death?
Would someone please post the new and improved version of Shariaa law

I look forward to the day when Muslims become more transparent and honest in presenting Islam as it is, without any trimming. We need to acknowledge it as a religion, not unlike any other religions, that has spiritual value for people to find comfort and peace. Pretending to believe strictly in the principles of any religious laws is a recipe for failure, evidenced by all those who tried. The common answer always used by hard core Muslims for such failure is: “They are not following true Islam”. Perhaps it’s time to question why it is for so many centuries that no Islamic government has been able to follow “true Islam”…Isn’t time we question the relevancy of Shariaa law itself to today’s rapidly changing world, instead of blaming ourselves for not succeeding in implementing its regressive laws? It’s time for Muslims to acknowledge their humanity and to stop living in a perpetual cycle of guilt resulting from their perceived failure to adhere to obsolete set of principles. I’d say Muslims did not really fail Shariaa, but rather Shariaa failed Muslims, as it chained them to rigid principles that failed the test of practicality in a rapidly evolving world…

December 12th, 2011, 5:43 pm

 

Dale Andersen said:

Memo To: JAD

RE: “…I don’t understand the mentality of those idiots claiming that they support everything without even thinking…”

If you occasionally took your head out of your arse, you might understand…”

December 12th, 2011, 5:44 pm

 

Juergen said:

Amir

i love this vid, very funny. As Kishon used to say, when Moses came down, the humor died… i wish all would take things a bit more on the light side…

December 12th, 2011, 5:59 pm

 

Ya Mara Ghalba said:

The voting hours for the election were scheduled to terminate at 8:00PM nationwide tonight but the supervisors in Damascus governate decided late in the day to extend the hours to 12:00 Midnight in that governate (source: SANA). I take that as an omen of high turnout. A blogger who lives in Latakia says turnout “exceeded expectations”. I suppose the expectations were 50%, which was the nationwide turnout in 2007.

@ syria no kandahar #590: Well said!

December 12th, 2011, 5:59 pm

 

Juergen said:

As much as I am not fond of small children behaving like adults, i kind of like this video, the sad story is that this young Omar who is just 4 years old lost his mother, she was killed in Syria.

December 12th, 2011, 6:05 pm

 

SYRIAN HAMSTER said:

SYRIO-NAZIS Strike Again

The boold of the moslem Sari and the christian Sari has mixed and will pave the way into a new Syria which will be grave for all the MB terrorists and Jihadists.

Your Syria, the one led by the laughing fool is already a grave to 5000 protesters (at least), A torture chamber to more than 50,000 Syrians, and a Jail Cell for more than 23,000,000. This is not counting those whose graves this filthy regime defended by filthy souls has murdered since the Mafiosos took over.

You rejoice in your sick image of grave-yard Syria al-athad. The Syrian People now work towards a free Syria that will only have graves for those who die naturally and not by the hands of the fool pretender, by the bullets and shells of his private army, or the electric shocks and torture contraptions of his sadist goons, aided by the words of his propaganda parrots such as you and those you keep exchanging pats on the back with.

December 12th, 2011, 6:17 pm

 

Tara said:

Juergen

Oh my God. The heart melt for this boy! He is so adorable.

December 12th, 2011, 6:30 pm

 

Tara said:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jrjr1s64JLxBjG4drgF-BGcUF7Bg?docId=82f0b17c15694b90bd71838bf8646da2

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — More than 5,000 people have died in the nine-month-long Syrian uprising, U.N. human rights chief Navi Pillay said Monday.
Pillay, the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, told reporters Monday that she told Security Council members of the dramatic increase in deaths during an afternoon briefing.
The death toll used by the U.N. in recent weeks has been around 4,000.
Pillay said she recommended that the council refer Syria to the International Criminal Court, the permanent war crimes tribunal, for investigation of possible crimes against humanity.
……
“History will judge harshly those who still choose to look the other way,” he said. “Inaction is not an option anymore.”

December 12th, 2011, 6:34 pm

 

Ya Mara Ghalba said:

An Australian journalist went to Syria in October along with a camera-man. A crowd of passers-by gathered around them in a shopping mall in Damascus. He asks the crowd: does anybody here support the opposition? Answer: none, nobody. He asks them: why is that? is there a problem with free speech if nobody can say they support the opposition? In reply to that question, one man in the crowd says: “They want to destroy everything we’ve built, and take away our security and our love for one another. Their intention is to ruin it all.” That illustrates the general conclusion of the Australian journalist namely that “fear and suspicion of the opposition is extremely high” in Damascus. When fear and loathing of the opposition is the prevalent view, the small minority of dissidents are driven underground by majority social pressure, which is why the foreign journalists can’t find people to speak against the regime on the streets (except in the relatively few bad neighbourhoods where the guys who want to destroy everything are a much larger minority — but the government generally doesn’t let the foreign journalists into those neighbourhoods). A link to the video is at http://friday-lunch-club.blogspot.com/

December 12th, 2011, 6:39 pm

 

Syria no kandahar said:

End of هدنه with the MB hamster
You are upset because I said Syria will be a grave for MB terrorists and jihadists,
You must be one.5000!!how many of them were killed by your coward blood hungry terrorists?Any way you are going below the Hamster level and acting at a level of scorpion or صرصور.Go to Homs and join your bearded terrorists friends inside the caves,join the jihadists implanted by SA imported from SA and libia.
I can guarantee you will get the 70 virgins.it is very simple you just have to do one غزوه.it can be on a سرفيس,you just stop it and let the holly Sunni people free
And you take the نصيريين and النصارا hostages and you then kill them or rape them.Aljazera and stupid Tara will report them as killed by الأمن السوريany way.
You will get double dip:you will go to heaven,have 70virgins and on top of that
You have already raped.Sky news and ABC and Aljazera will report you as freedom rapist.

December 12th, 2011, 6:45 pm

 

Darryl said:

606. SYRIA NO KANDAHAR said:

SNK, you forgot to mention the other great reward which is avoiding the enormously feared grave torture in this funny post. The grave torture scares the living crap of so many people, I wonder how Tara will cope with it? :-).

December 12th, 2011, 7:10 pm

 

SYRIAN HAMSTER said:

Rapists
Stoop down to the level of scorpion (عقرب) you illiterate half brain cell. Unfortunately, there is no benefit for me in being scorpion, nor a a snake for when such an insect or animal stings someone like you whose blood is poison, there will be no effect. So guess what, I’ll remain a hamster as long as that annoys you and your word thugs.

Your country as a Grave for someone you disagree with, that is an image you have no brain, neither class, not the education, nor the intellect to recognize it for the vulgar inhumane it is.

Keep bringing up the 70 virgins without even recognizing how Freudian of a confession your incessant obsession with it is. You have been right there on the psycho-analyst couch for nine months in front of all to see and read the plethora of sick images and insecurities turning your life into a hateful, vengeful, and pathetic sad story.

Be proud, your disease has been infectious, others have joined you. It is only a matter of time before the few cells left in their brains turn into a half cell. And then you can all sing cumbaya Bashaaaaaaaaaaaaar.

December 12th, 2011, 7:25 pm

 

Tara said:

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Society/2011/1212/Why-the-US-teen-birthrate-hit-a-record-low-in-2010

The decisionmaking process within the top Syrian leadership is notoriously opaque. However, it appears evident that the regime has opted for a forceful solution to the crisis. A senior diplomatic source in Beirut says that the “hard-liners are completely in charge now” in Damascus, the Syrian capital.

“Clearly, the policy in Damascus now is you cannot show any weakness, no concessions. You use brutal force and it will get you more respect,” the diplomat says.

According to a senior Palestinian official with a Syria-backed faction, a “rivalry” has emerged between Assad and his younger – and reputedly more hard-line – brother, Maher. The younger Assad heads the Syrian Army’s Republican Guard and Fourth Division, the latter of which has played a lead role in the crackdown against opposition activists.

“It is a difficult situation between them,” says the Palestinian official, who is based in Lebanon but travels frequently to Damascus. He adds that he believes the Syrian regime will overcome the crisis ultimately.

“It is illusions and dreams to think the Assad regime will fall,” he says. “Iran is supporting them, Lebanon is supporting them, Iraq is supporting them and so are Russia and China. Jordan is doing nothing. And not all countries will join [UN and European Union] sanctions against Syria.”

December 12th, 2011, 7:48 pm

 

Tara said:

Conflict hits Syria trade
GAZİANTEP
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/conflict-hits-syria-trade-.aspx?pageID=238&nID=9035&NewsCatID=345

The border problems between Turkey and Syria is hurting local businesses in Turkey’s Gaziantep province. Nearly one third of carpet exports from the province were sent to the Middle East through Syria. After a tax hike, trade has halted

 
This file photo shows a store in Gaziantep selling carpets with faces of famous Turkish and foreign people. The carpet exports from the city are affected by high taxes.
Closing of the border with Syria has drastically hurt businesses, according to local merchants’ complaints in Gaziantep, an industrially developed province in southern Turkey. 

Trade with Syria has been the “bread and butter” of local merchants who sold products like women’s textiles, electric heaters, electric home appliances, cosmetic products and kitchen products to Syrians across the border. 

“Turkish products were very popular over there. We had very strong sales, but unfortunately now there are no longer any buyers,” said Kilis Chamber of Commerce Head Mehmet Özçiloğlu. “Our trade is totally dependent on Syria. With the severing of relations with Syria, our trade has come to a complete standstill. Border trade is very important. It’s the only source of income for local merchants,” he told Anatolia news agency. 

Carpets are the local export from the region, according to statistics from the Southeast Anatolian Exporters Union (GAİB). “Thirty percent of our total carpet exports were sent through Syria to countries like Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Jordan. Now only those who can afford the $1,500 transit fee per truck can send their carpets through Syria,” said Selahattin Kaplan, head of the Southeast Anatolian Carpet Exporters Union.

Local exporters were now forced to transport the carpets via ships which could take 10 days to a month longer than land transport, Kaplan said.

Turkey and Syria had nearly $2.5 billion in trade volume in the last year, according to official data. Trade between the two countries is badly affected by the ongoing political disputes. 

Two borders checkpoints out of six between Syria and Turkey were closed when the Daily News went to print yesterday evening. 
December/13/2011

December 12th, 2011, 7:56 pm

 

Dale Andersen said:

Memo To: MAJED97

RE: “…the announcement about the new and improved Shariaa…”

Is this the shariaa that requires everyone to live in condominiums and smoke Turkish cigarettes…

December 12th, 2011, 8:32 pm

 

Bronco said:

559. Tara

“What is the Shiaa views in regard to the Riddah?”

The same as Sunnis.

December 12th, 2011, 8:39 pm

 

Tara said:

Bronco

“So why a moslem who converts to a kuffar religion is condemned to death according to the Qu’ran?
Christians do not condemn to death anyone who convert to Islam.”

Your question to Majedkhaldoon begs another question: why did you ask that particular question? What is it that you want to hear?

December 12th, 2011, 8:52 pm

 

N.Z. said:

#588,

You said: “it’s against the wrong methods, not the cause, open your close mind a bit to recognize right from wrong.”

Same mind set as Syria’s butcher, you both insist that terrorists and thugs — not pro-democracy protesters — are driving the nine-month-old uprising. Your line is the regime’s line.

The civility of the pro-democracy activists is in stark contrast with your likes. Thankfully, name calling will not break my bones, nor kill me, sticks and bullets will.

December 12th, 2011, 9:32 pm

 

Norman said:

I have a question for all of you,

What does it mean to you to be in power and what will you do and what will you change if you are in power,

December 12th, 2011, 9:54 pm

 

Norman said:

Some people think that if president Assad survive till the end of the year, when the American leave Iraq, he will survive and Syria will stay united,

December 12th, 2011, 10:00 pm

 

Syria no kandahar said:

برونكو

تارا سوف تقود وزارة ثقافة حكومة الاخوان والسلفيين اي سوال او مناقشه او رحلة عقل يجب ان تكون لها مسوغاتها والا فسوف تتهم بالزندقة وتجلد
وعندما تعلم انك سوف تجلد وان الجرذ الاخوانجي مدير دارة الامر بالمعروف والنهي عن المنكر سوف يحاسبك بكل فكره وكل حركة لسان غير ثوريه عندها سوف تعلم حدود الديمقراطيه الاسلاميه التي سوف
ترفعنا جميعا لمنزلة المواطن السعودي التي هي دون منزلة الابل

December 12th, 2011, 10:06 pm

 

jad said:

Dear SNK
“ترفعنا جميعا لمنزلة المواطن السعودي التي هي دون منزلة الابل”
Hilarious!

Dear ‘crazy’ NZ
Nobody wants to kill you or harm you in anyway (God forbid!) May you live happy, healthy and successful with all your beloved ones for many many many many years to come, and I’m very sincere in my wishes for you and for any honest Syrian brother and sister regardless of any political view differences we may have the most you will get from me is some meaningless name calling when you start the attack and compare me to a scum Zionist or a butcher, other than that I have no hard feeling at all toward you or anybody else on SC even when I strongly disagree and call your propaganda’s lies, it happened that I see things differently than you, that’s all, and be sure of that 🙂

December 12th, 2011, 10:31 pm

 

jad said:

HNN شبكة أخبار حمص

لقد قمنا بإنشاء قائمة بأسماء المخطوفين وذلك من أجل تتبع أمورهم وتحديد المناطق الأكثر خطرا في حمص ومن ثم نشر خريطة للمناطق الحمراء , وفي مايلي بعض التدابير التي تساعد في تفادي الخطف:

– تجنب التسوق او المرور بالمناطق المتوترة او دخول الاسواق المسقوفة او المحلات المخفية داخل الزواريب

– حاول دوما التنقل بوسائط النقل العامة ( الباصات ) وذلك لأنها تبقى أكثر امانا من التكسي, هذا وسوف نعمل بعد البحث عن طرق امنة على المطالبة بتغير خطوط السرافيس التي تمر ضمن المناطق المتوترة.

– عند استخدام التكسي اجلس في المقعد الذي يقع خلف السائق تماما واترك النافذة مفتوحة بالكامل على ان تكون يدك قريب على مسكة الباب لفتحها بسرعة في حالة الطوارىء .

– ابقى منتبها دوما للطريق الذي يسلكه السائق وعند ملاحظتك تغير الطريق اطلب منه انزالك فورا( لا تركب بالتكسي اذا كنت لا تعرف الطريق تماما ).

– ابقى صاحيا ومنتبها لاي اتصال هاتفي يجريه السائق وحاول ان تفسر او تفهم عن ماذا يتحدث و خصوصا عن حديثة بكلمات غير مفهومة ( انطرني انا جاي , معي صيد , جايبلك هدية و …. ) , كما انه من المفيد مراقبة حركة يدي السائق

– لا تسمح للسائق باصعاد راكب أخر مهما كانت الاسباب و إذا لم يوافق انزل فورا

نركز على موضوع التكسي لان الكثير من حالات الخطف تمت عبر التكاسي العامة

نحن لا نقول أن هذه التدابير تمنع الخطف ولكن هذا اضعف الايمان , ونرجوا مساعدتنا وتزويدنا بمزيد من النصائح

S
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AgcBgBbbRTCcdFZGNjNNdkM2bWpubmJCOWhKLXJVbHc&hl=de#gid=0
docs.google.com

December 12th, 2011, 10:45 pm

 

jad said:

This is the strongest support to Syria by Hamas so far:

مشعل يرد على القرضاوي : شيوخ السنة خذلونا ولم يقف معنا في مواجهة اسرائيل الا بشار الاسد والمستفيد الوحيد من فتاويك ضد سوريا هي اسرائيل
December 12 2011 21:15

أعلن رئيس المكتب السياسي لحركة المقاومة الإسلامية حماس الدكتور خالد مشعل المقيم في سورية عن استيائه واستغرابه لصدور مواقف عن الشيخ يوسف القرضاوي يدعو فيها السنة السوريين إلى الثورة .ودعا مشعل القرضاوي إلى أن يحكم ضميره ويتحرر من الضغوط التي تمارس عليه من قبل جهات يعتبرها هو موثوقة

وأضاف مشعل: إن حكام السنة في العالم العربي باعوا قضيتنا وأبرز شيوخ السنة تخلوا عن أهلنا ولم تجد حركة حماس سوى الرئيس بشار الاسد ليحميها ويدعمها ويقف إلى جانبها، وحين طردنا الحكام العرب السنة آوتنا سوريا وبشارها، وحين أقفلت ابواب المدن في وجهنا فتحت لنا سوريا قلبها وحضنت جراحنا ، لذا اقول للشيخ القرضاوي من منطلق المحب العاتب ، إتق الله يا شيخ بفلسطين فسوريا هي البلد الوحيد الذي لم يتآمر علينا ويدعمنا وما تقوله عن عن وحدتها الدينية يصيب قلب كل فلسطيني بالحزب ويخدم إسرائيل ولا احد غير إسرائيل

وتابع مشعل: إن الشيخ القرضاوي يتحدث عن الاحداث في سوريا كما لم يتحدث عن الاحداث التي جرت في مصر فهناك دعى إلى الوحدة بين الاقباط والمسلمين وبين السلفيين والاخوان وبين المذكورين وبين العلمانيين وهنا في سوريا يدعو إلى القتال بين السنة والمسلمين العلويين ؟؟ سبحان الله ….ما هكذا عرفنا الشيخ القرضاوي داعي الوحدة والمجاهد بالكلمة ضد إسرائيل وأميركا

وأضاف :إننا في حركة المقاومة الاسلامية حماس نشهد أنه لا مسلم قدم لفلسطين ما قدمه لها بشار الاسد ولا سني ضحى وخاطر بحكمه وببلده من أجل فلسطين ورفضا للتضييق على المقاومة الفلسطينية كما فعل بشار الأسد وعلى الشيخ القرضاوي إن لم يكن لديه معطيات حقيقية عن سورية أن يستمع إلى الشعب السوري وإلى علماء الدين من أبنائه ليعرف ان في هذا البلد يملك أهل السنة من الحرية والكرامة والعزة بالله ما لا يملكه غيرهم في بلاد يحكمها سنة ولكنهم ضعفاء أمام الامريكي ومتخاذلون عن نصرة فلسطين

http://74.208.163.97/atn/news_display.cfm?nid=10004

December 12th, 2011, 10:47 pm

 

Norman said:

I am glad that Hamas is standing by the only Arab state and leader that stands with the Palestinians,

December 12th, 2011, 11:02 pm

 

N.Z. said:

#620

“This is the strongest support to Syria by Hamas so far:”

Syria is not Assad, Assad is not Syria. Is it a typo? Or lost in translation?

December 12th, 2011, 11:02 pm

 

jad said:

يعني كيف تفجير خط غاز يعتبر عمل سلمي ناجح؟
أو الهجوم على مركز إنتخابي وإحراق صناديق الاقتراع عمل بطولي؟
وإذا سألنا يا ويلنا منصير نحناالمجرمين.

حمص : استهداف خط الغاز من قبل المجموعات المسلحة
http://youtu.be/m_XKfqrN5e0

ارهابيون يعتدون على مراكز الانتخابات في تل رفعت .
http://youtu.be/63DYlDU19x4

“كتيبة الفاروق” تفجّرخط الغاز في الرستن ، وتستهدف القسم الجنوبي من مصفاة حمص مساء أمس

أنبوب الغاز يزود محطة محردة لتوليد الطاقة الكهربائية ، والأسعد قرر اللجوء إلى السيارات المفخخة لنسف مصفاتي حمص وبانياس ومحطات الطاقة الكهربائية

دمشق / حمص ـ الحقيقة(خاص): أقدم مسلحون ينتمون إلى ما يسمى “كتيبة الفاروق” التابعة لـ”الجيش السوري الحر” على تفجير أنبوب الغاز الرئيسي ما بين الرستن وتلبيسة ( شمال حمص) عند حوالي الساعة 11 من مساء يوم أمس الإثنين بعبوة ناسفة قدر وزنها بعشرة كيلو غرامات. وقالت مصادر محلية إن الأنبوب المستهدف قادم من “حقل عمر” في دير الزور ، وهو مخصص لتزويد محطة كهرباء محردة ، ويبلغ قطره 18 بوصة / حوالي 25 سم . وطبقا لمصادر وزارة النفط ، فإن عملية التفجير لم تؤد إلى سقوط ضحايا بشرية، واقتصر الأمر على الجوانب المادية ، حيث اندلعت النيران في الأنبوب قبل أن تعمد السلطات المختصة إلى وقف ضخ الغاز من الحقل المذكور. وقالت الأنباء الواردة من الرستن إن النيران كانت لم تزل مشتعلة في الأنبوب ومحيطه في ساعة مبكرة من فجر اليوم ، ساعة نشر هذا الخبر.

وكانت مجموعة مسلحة من الجيش المذكور ، الذي يعتبر بمثابة الجناح العسكري لـ”المجلس الوطني السوري” ، أقدمت في الثامن من الشهر الجاري على تفجير أنبوب لنقل النفط الخام التابع للشركة السورية للنفط في منطقة السلطانية شمال غرب مصفاة حمص ما أدى إلى حدوث حريق في جزء من هذا الخط عند نقطة تفجيره.

وبالتزامن مع تفجير أنبوب الغاز في الرستن ، جرت محاولة لتفجير مصفاة حمص أيضا ، حيث أطلق مسلحون من ” كتيبة الفاروق” نفسها قذيفة ” آر بي جي” على المصفاة من جهتها الجنوبية ، الأمر الذي أدى إلى اشتعال النيران فيها ، وتحاول سيارات الإطفاء السيطرة على النيران. وكان مسلحون من المجموعة حاولوا الصيف الماضي أشهر تفجير مستودعات معمل الآزوت ( الأمونيوم) بعد فشلهم في الحصول على كميات كبيرة منها لاستخدامها في صناعة المتفجرات. ذلك قبل أن تتدفق الأسلحة والعبوات الناسفة إليهم من الخارج خلال الأشهرالأخيرة.

على صعيد متصل ، قالت مصادر مقربة من رياض الأسعد إنه أعطى أوامره لمسلحية بتفجير مصفاتي حمص وبانياس ، إلا أن الأمر يحتاج إلى إمكانيات تقنية ليست متوفرة بحوزتهم حتى الآن . وطبقا لهذه المصادر ، فإن نسف المصافي يحتاج إما إلى سيارة مفخخة بحشوة كبيرة من المتفجرات تستطيع الدخول إلى الأماكن الأكثر حساسية داخل المصفاة ، أو إلى انتحاري ، أو إلى مدفع ميداني يستطيع إيصال عدة قذائف من العيار الثقيل إلى المصفاة من مكان بعيد . وبالنظر لأن الخيار الأخير غير متاح ، والخيار الثاني لم يجر اعتماده حتى الآن من قبل المسلحين ، فإن الخيار الأول هو ما يجري العمل عليه حاليا. ولهذا يعكف “الجيش” المذكور على دراسة إمكانية إدخال السيارات المفخخة من خلال شراء ذمم الحراس أو أحد العاملين في المصفاتين من أجل ذلك، بالنظر لوجود حراسة مشددة عليهما ، وعلى بقية المواقع الاستراتيجية، منذ اندلاع الانتفاضة وركوبها من قبل المخربين والعملاء.

وتشمل خطة رياض الأسعد ،التي وضعها بالاتفاق مع مشغليه في الملحقية العسكرية الأميركية في أنقرة، تفجير محطات توليد الطاقة الكهربائية ، لاسيما الكبرى منها التي تزود الشبكات بالقسم الأكبر من الكهرباء ، وبشكل خاص المحطات العاملة بوقود الغاز كونها الأكثر حساسية والأسرع في تعرضها للتخريب ، مثل محطة جندر في حمص . ويعود هذا السلوك الإجرامي الذي قرر الأسعد ومشغلوه انتهاجه إلى قناعتهم بأن الطريقة الوحيدة لتأليب الشارع السوري بكليته ضد السلطة، وإرغام المدن الأخرى كدمشق وحلب والرقة وغيرها على الانضمام إلى الانتفاضة ، هي تدمير المؤسسات الاقتصادية ، لاسيما في قطاع الطاقة وتوليدها.

وكان ضابط برتبة نقيب يعمل مع رياض الأسعد كشف لـ”الحقيقة” أواسط الشهر الماضي أن هذا الأخير اتفق مع الضباط الذين التقاهم في الملحقية العسكرية الأميركية بأنقرة ، لاسيما الكولونيل رالف هانسن Ralph Hansen والكولونيل دين كاتسيانيز Dean Katsiyiannis ، على استهداف عمليات اغتيال للخبراء في مؤسسة معامل الدفاع و الطيارين وتخريب المنشآت الاقتصادية المرتبطة بقطاع الطاقة والوقود ، بالنظر لتأثيرها على حركة الجيش ودورها في تأليب الرأي العام على السلطة . وبعد ثلاثة أيام فقط من حديث الضباط المشار إليه ، جرى اغتيال الطيارين الستة شرقي حمص بينما كانوا في سيارة المبيت ، ثم استهداف زميلهم السابع في حمص بينما كان يوصل أطفاله إلى المدرسة ، لتتبعها حوادث تفجير أنابيب النفط!؟
( راجع حديث الضابط هنــا).

December 12th, 2011, 11:05 pm

 

Bronco said:

Tara #613

I was just chalenging Majedalkhaldoon on his assertions:
“No one has the right of killing because of his religion”

This is in contradiction with the death punishment for apostasy commonly found in Islam. I wanted him to admit it, that’s all.

“Islam believe in freedom, and every one has the right to have his own religion, ,in Quraan LA IKRAHA FI ALDEEN,no one should be persecuted because of his religion,religion is between you and God, we should learn to co exist and live togather and no one has the right of killing because of religion”

December 12th, 2011, 11:13 pm

 

jad said:

NZ
I think that you are the one mixing the two, you are the one who doesn’t see Syria beyond Assad, Syria and Syrians are the ones who paid for supporting the Palestinians, they are the ones who sacrifice, not Assad.
See NZ, the difference between us is that you can’t see beyond the crust and you are willing to sacrifice everything that Syria and Syrians did for the sake of getting rid of Bashar, you didn’t even see the critique against the criminal Alqaradawi in his sectarian and violence calls on all Syrians.
When Mishaal says such things he is not supporting Assad as you wrote, he support and appreciate every effort every Syrian did to Palestine, he is saving lives when he reject Alqaradawi calls.
Open up your soul’s eyes to see more than Bashar in Syria.
Look for Syria, that is all of us all of our families and friends, our beautiful culture, our traditions our religions and sects, our mixed ethnicity, our accents, the honesty of the average Syrian. Forget Bashar, he is going sooner or later, but we are all staying in our Syria forever. Try it! Open your eyes.

December 12th, 2011, 11:19 pm

 

jad said:

Hi Bronco,
What do you expect will happen next? I mean from your news readings, do you think that things are going toward a solution or more complication?

December 12th, 2011, 11:36 pm

 

N.Z. said:

My eyes are wide opened and not wide shut!

December 12th, 2011, 11:50 pm

 

jad said:

Good for you!

December 12th, 2011, 11:52 pm

 

jad said:

دماء حمص تغير وجه سوريا
سامي كليب
في حمص يذبح السوري أخاه. وفي حمص يصبح المذهب أهم من الجار ومن عشرة العمر وأهم من الدولة والدين الحنيف، فيكتب العلويون والسنة تاريخا جديدا ملطخا بدم المدينة المنكوبة. وعلى حمص وأهلها يراهن كثيرون لحسم معركة مصير. الأنياب كثيرة في الداخل والخارج، والمخالب تريد لذاك الوريد الحمصي أن يؤسس لخراب بلد.
هل كان كل ذاك المخزون الطائفي مخنوقا فعلا في القلوب؟ هل الصمت عن الطائفية والمذهبية طيلة تلك العقود كان بفعل الخوف لا النسيان؟ هل كانت العلمانية وأفكار البعث سبيلا لخنق الحقد، أم وقودا لنار طال وقت اشتعالها، ولما اشتعلت تكاد تحرق كل شيء؟
المتفجرات تقض مضاجع أهل حمص ليلا، والاقتتال والخطف والاغتصاب والذبح على الهوية يقضها طيلة النهار. يهرب بعض أهل المدينة المنكوبة إلى الفنادق الدمشقية، ويكمل بعضهم الآخر صوب لبنان، ويتكوم بعضهم الثالث على بضعهم في ما تيسر من ملاجئ أو في البيوت، بينما الأنياب والمخالب والسكاكين تحتل الشوارع.
من أين جاء كل هذا السلاح؟ ولماذا فشلت الدولة في منع الكارثة؟ وهل يستحق الإصلاح كل هذا الدم؟ ومتى تنتهي محنة المدينة التي عرفت أهم الحضارات عبر تاريخها الحديث منذ الألفية الثالثة قبل الميلاد. من يقتل باسم الدين أو باسم الدولة أو باسم من لا يريد لهذا الدين ولا للدولة أن يبقيا؟
يراد لحمص أن تهزم النظام، ويدرك النظام انه لو «سقطت» حمص فقد تصبح بنغازي سورية. لا المسلحون فيها من النوع الذي سيسلم سلاحه بسهولة، ولا السلطة ستقبل بان تتحول حمص إلى ثغرة أمنية خطيرة. الحسم ممنوع لأن عيون العرب والغرب مسلطة على المدينة والروس ينصحون بالتريث، والاستمرار على الوضع الحالي ينهك الجيش والأمن ويهدد بفتح ثغرات أخرى بدأت معالمها تظهر في ادلب وريفها. أما الحلول السياسية فالجميع عاجز عن اجتراحها. العقم السياسي سيد الموقف.
حاول النظام القضاء على مناهضيه والمسلحين في المدينة من دون اللجوء إلى وسائل الحسم النهائي. دخلها مرة وانسحب، عاد السلاح إليها بأقوى مما كان. لعل بعض من كان سابقا في أجهزة أمنية في المدينة قد ساهم في إيصال السلاح. هذه كانت من عيوب الفساد والرشوة سابقا حين كانت بعض المعابر الحدودية «تؤجر» لساعات بحيث Hن المسؤول كان يتقاضى رشوة TD مقابل عدم تفتيش العبور لوقت محدد. ويقال إن إدخال السلاح تم خصوصا من تركيا ولبنان.
فرنسا سارعت إلى تحذير القيادة السورية من دخول حمص. قال الناطق باسم الخارجية الفرنسية برنار فاليرو «يجب على المجتمع الدولي بأسره أن يحشد نفسه لإنقاذ الشعب السوري». تزامن الموقف الفرنسي مع موقف أميركي مماثل. قال المتحدث باسم الخارجية الأميركية انه «من المقلق للغاية انه في مناطق مثل حمص ثمة شيء ما يتم الإعداد له». لم ينفع نفي الحكومة السورية لمثل هذا الاحتمال في صد التصريحات الغربية. أما في الوطن العربي فتعددت التحذيرات حيال احتمال الدخول إلى حمص.
حصل الشيء نفسه سابقا في حماه. كان يراد للمدينة أن تستنبط التاريخ الحديث. أريد لها أن تبعث الدماء التي سالت في ثمانينيات القرن الماضي. ساد الاعتقاد بأن في حماه ما يكفي من الأحقاد المذهبية لتشتعل فيها الحرب. دخل الجيش السوري المدينة بحيلة أمنية حيث اصطنع انشقاقا فالتف حول المنشقين معارضون سرعان ما تم القبض عليهم. أما حمص فتبدو، على الأقل حتى الآن، عصية على كل الحيل الأمنية.
يستذكر بعض أهل حمص تاريخ مدينتهم. يقول بعضهم إنها كانت اقرب إلى علي بن أبي طالب منها إلى معاوية الذي بسط نفوذه عليها. يستعيدون مجد خالد بن الوليد الذي دخلها سلما ولا يزال قبره فيها شاهدا على التاريخ، ويستعيدون عهد عمر بن الخطاب الذي أسس فيها جند حمص. فيها استقر صحابيون، وفيها صكت النقود وازدهرت الزراعة والصناعة.
المدينة الغارقة اليوم بدماء أهلها، عرفت كل أنواع الغزوات والحضارات، من الرومان والسلاجقة والبيزنطيين والعباسيين والأمويين والصليبيين، إلى العثمانيين حين غزاها القائد التركي افتكين، وهم الذين دكوا سورها. وبحمص تغزل ابن بطوطة ومن صوفها وحريرها تزينت النساء.
الطامعون بحمص اليوم كثيرون. بعضهم يستنجد بالإسلام سلاحا. وبعضهم يحارب فيها الإسلاميين، وثالثهم يستنبط عهد الجنرال الفرنسي هنري غورو الذي جعلها تابعة لولاية دمشق، ورابعهم يعتقد أن الانتفاضة فيها تحاكي ثورتها ضد الفرنسيين. وخامسهم يريد محاسبة كل النظام على تاريخه. والنظام حائر بين الدخول بقوة، أو الانتظار ريثما تنضج الظروف. هو فخ جديد، ودماء جديدة.
تنحسر السياسة أمام الدماء. تصرخ الدولة أن في المدينة مسلحين يجب القضاء عليهم. يقول المسلحون إن الدولة ستنهزم في حمص. يحذر بعض المعارضة من السلاح. تدغدغ بعض المعارضة الأخرى أحلام الحسم العسكري فتحصل لقاءات مع قائد الجيش السوري الحر رياض الأسعد. تنتفض نخوة العرب دفاعا عن المدينة وفي ذهنهم إسقاط النظام أو إسقاط إيران. يرى الغرب في حمص فرصة نادرة لشد الخناق ولإقناع روسيا والصين بتعديل مسار الأمور في مجلس الأمن. «الأطلسي» متردد، لكن بعض دوله تنتظر مجزرة لتتحرك الآلة العسكرية على غرار ما حصل في ليبيا.
تبدو حمص حاليا عنوانا لمرحلة قد تعدل مسارات كثيرة وتدفع نحو خيارات عسكرية خطيرة ما دام العقم السياسي مستمرا. الجميع مسؤول عن هذا العقم نظاما ومعارضة وعربا. وبانتظار الحلول التي قد لا تأتي، يقتل الحمصي أخاه الحمصي، ويتقاتل الجيش مع المسلحين والمناهضين، فتغرق سوريا أكثر في اتون حرب مذهبية. لا احد يستطيع أن ينهزم في حمص، لا الدولة ولا المسلحون. قد لا يتأخر الأمر نحو حسم عسكري. الجميع مسؤول.

December 12th, 2011, 11:58 pm

 

ann said:

Blast hits gas pipeline in Syria’s central Homs province: report – 2011-12-13

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2011-12/13/c_131302419.htm

DAMASCUS, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) — An “armed terrorist group” blasted late Monday a gas pipeline in Syria’s central province of Homs, causing temporary halt of gas delivery, according to official SANA news agency.

The blast also led to the leakage of a large amount of gas which caused huge fire, SANA said, adding that there were no casualties in the explosion.

Monday’s blast was the second attack on the gas pipeline in Homs in a week, as a “terrorist group” blew up last Thursday a pipeline in the violence-hit province.

A number of pipelines have been targeted since the eruption of unrest in Syria in mid March. Syria held what it called “saboteurs ” responsible for the attacks.

In a separate incident on Monday, Syrian border guards thwarted an infiltration attempt of 15 gunmen, who tried to sneak into Syria from Turkey, and killed two of them, according to SANA.

Monday’s clash came following another infiltration attempt last week of 35 gunmen who tried to sneak into Syria, but the border guards forced them to return to Turkey.

Also on Monday, an “armed terrorist group” assassinated an army brigadier in a suburb of the northern province of Idlib, according to SANA.

Syria has blamed armed thugs for fueling sectarian rivalries in the country that has a complex mosaic of sects and ethnicities.

December 13th, 2011, 12:36 am

 

ann said:

At UN as Pillay Urges ICC Action on Syria and Palestine, Churkin Chides (French?) Emotional Outbursts

http://www.innercitypress.com/syria7pilpalicc121211.html

UNITED NATIONS, December 12 — When Navi Pillay emerged from briefing the UN Security Council on Monday, she told the press that Syria should be referred to the International Criminal Court.

Inner City Press asked her if she thought the ICC might usefully get involved in the Israeli – Palestinian conflict. Video here, from Minute 4:23. She said there has been a request, and that yes, she thought there should be an investigation, every place that these four serious crimes have occurred.

Moments later, representatives of four Council members from Europe, and US Deputy Permanent Representative Rosemary DiCarlo, took to the same microphone. The Palestine portion of Pillay’s briefing, or at least the request for it, was called a “red herring.”

French Ambassador Gerard Araud, who spoke first and had his spokesman run the entire Q&A* at the stakeout because he said he had requested the Syria briefing, insisted that he had not “opposed” the Palestine briefing, but rather had asked for 24 hours to consult with his capital.

While the French spokesman would not allow Inner City Press, which exclusively reported the Friday counter-moves in the Council, to inquire into this, moments later Inner City Press asked Council president Vitaly Churkin of Russia to respond. Video here, from Minute 1.

Churkin said “what opposed means may turn into something of a linguistic discussion… I saw every trick in the book being thrown at me, short of trying to strangulate the president of the Council.” He said there was “pretty strong resistance” to the briefing on Palestine, and presumably referring to Araud called unnecessary the “emotional outbursts.” Video here, at Minute 6:10.

It’s worth noting that Araud was talking about Russia and China opposing any Syria briefing, and saying he’d call for a procedural vote, before either acknowledges any opposition.

Syria’s Permanent Representative Bashar Ja’afari took to the microphone to denounce Navi Pillay as unfair, saying she would destroy the Human Rights Council just as the Human Rights Commission was destroyed. He repeatedly referred to the four European Council members, without mentioning the US.

Inner City Press asked him to explain omitting the US, despite DPR DiCarlo being at the stakeout, and US Ambassador Susan Rice issuing her own statement about Pillay’s briefing just after it ended. Did he think the US position was different? No, he said, adding that the US “disassociated itself” from the “European” war on Libya “once they saw the oil had already been stolen.”

By then even the Western spokespeople didn’t remain to hear what Ja’afari was saying. He said that a member most expressing concerning about Syria — again, presumably Araud of France — had opposed an open briefing in which Syria could also speak.

Tellingly, after it was all a non-Western member emphasized to Inner City Press that while Pillay at Friday’s press conference spoke of 4000 killed, including 1000 with the security forces, in Monday’s closed door briefing she raised the number to 5000, NOT including security forces. “It’s a bubble,” the non Western member said, deploying decidedly black humor. And so it goes at the UN.

Media footnotes: Ja’afari said that Barbara Walters had been allowed to interview Assad for 59 minutes but only broadcast 20 minutes, misleadingly. Even on ABC, a full hour is costly: check, for example, JPMorgan Chase’s recent info-mercial on NBC about its post-bailout charitable giving. Must Assad go that route? Don’t watch that site.

* – Some wonder of the wisdom of the other four Missions and Ambassadors, three of whom (US, Germany, UK) later send out transcriptions of their parts of the stakeout, letting the French spokesman control the Q&A by directing UN TV where the microphone should go for questions, given partiality. To each his own stakeout?

December 13th, 2011, 12:40 am

 

ann said:

Russia sees Syrian-led political process as “only way” to solve crisis – 2011-12-13

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2011-12/13/c_131302446.htm

UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) — Russia said here Monday that “the only way to resolve the situation in Syria is through a Syrian-led political process,” which means a joint effort by all parties in the Middle East country to put an end to the current political crisis through dialogue.

The statement came as Vitaly Churkin, the Russian permanent representative to the United Nations, was speaking to the press after Navi Pillay, UN high commissioner for human rights, briefed the UN Security Council behind closed doors on the current situation in the Syria.

“The only way to resolve the situation in Syria is through a Syrian-led political process,” which means dialogue, Churkin said.

Churkin said Russia stands for the efforts to resolve the current political crisis in Syria through dialogue, rather than driving to push for a regime change in the UN member state.

“I think that there is more in fact, in the council, that unites us than what divides us,” he said. “I think we’re all united by the fact that we’re greatly troubled by the tragic developments in Syria in the past few months.”

The international community “would like that to stop,” he said.

France, Britain, Germany and the United States have been pushing the 15-nation Security Council to take up the issue of Syria again. In early October, Russia and China, the two permanent members of the Security Council, vetoed a European- drafted resolution that would have threatened sanctions against Damascus.

“To us, (the) political process .. means dialogue, so what Russia has been urging has been dialogue,” Churkin said. ” Unfortunately, after that we saw some key members of the international community and some key members of the Security Council switch gears and turn into regime change mode… discouraging dialogue, discouraging dialogue within Syria, and discouraging dialogue between (the) Arab League and Syria.”

“We think this is very dangerous,” he said; “In fact, they make no secret of the fact that they want regime change, in numerous statements, you can trace that policy.”

During the briefing, Pillay told the Security Council that more than 5,000 people have been killed in the course of ongoing violence in Syria.

Pillay said “it is rather shocking that when I reported to the Security Council on the 18th of August, I reported that there were 2,000 civilians killed,” she said. “Today I’ve reported that the figure exceeds 5,000 and the number of children killed is more than 300.”

Tensions in Syria began in March when protesters took to the streets to call for the ouster of President Bashar Assad. The situation has since escalated, and Syrian security forces have been accused of firing on innocent protesters, reports said.

Syria has, from the beginning, blamed armed terrorist groups backed by a foreign conspiracy for being behind the turmoil with the aim of toppling the government of President Assad and replacing it with an Islamic rule.

On Wednesday, Assad blamed the violence in Syria on criminals, religious extremists and terrorists sympathetic to al-Qaida. He claimed that they are mixed with peaceful demonstrators.

Also on Monday, Bashar al-Ja’afari, the Syrian permanent representative to the UN, told reporters that his government, since the start of the political crisis in the Middle East country about eight months ago, has written 16 letters to the UN secretary- general, the president of the Security Council, the director- general of the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the UN high commissioner for human rights.

The Syrian ambassador, who took out the letters from his files and showed them to the press, said the information offered by his government was not included in Pillay’s briefing at the Security Council.

“She was speaking on behalf of the (Syrian) defectors,” he said, referring to what was missed in the council briefing by Pillay about the violence from the armed opposition.

December 13th, 2011, 12:49 am

 

ann said:

Syrians vote for municipal elections, violence buildup in violence hit areas – 2011-12-13

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2011-12/13/c_131302348.htm

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/photo/2011-12/13/c_131302882.htm

DAMASCUS, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) — Syrians on Monday headed to about 14,500 ballot boxes nationwide to take part in the municipal elections for the country’s 14 governorates, a move that is considered as a showcase of Syria’s new democracy at a time when the unabated violence in some flash points scores new victims.

The elections, held every four years, come at a time when Syria is facing unparalleled internal and external pressures and is struggling to hunt down what it called terrorist gangs messing with its security and stability and carrying out foreign agenda to spark chaos and instability in the country.

According to official statistics, 42,889 candidates were competing for 17,588 council seats, as some 14,500 ballot boxes have been distributed over 7,500 electoral center across Syria.

Minister of Local Administration Omar Ghalawanji urged Syrians to vote and practice their “constitutional right in choosing their representatives at the local administration council.” “The Syrian people are showing a determination to complete the construction of democratic life that is no longer a mere slogan but rather a genuine practice cherished throughout the past years,” state-run SANA news agency quoted Ghalawanji as saying.

He addressed the Syrians by saying: “the local councils which you will elect have an obligation to achieve your expectations.”

Khaled Kamel, head of local councils at the Local Administration Ministry, was quoted by SANA as saying that the ministry has ended its preparations, including secret rooms, “in a way that citizens would free during voting.”

For his side, Mohammad Habash, a parliamentarian, said the list of the National Progressive Front that combines 10 parties inside Syria mainly the ruling Baath party, has been replaced by a new list called the “List of National Unity,” which, he said, combines new candidates who don’t belong to the NPF parties.

“I don’t think that such cosmetic measures will end the crisis in the country,” he said, adding that “what is needed is to end the congestion and move towards a correct democratic state.”

A candidate was quoted by SANA as saying that the elections would give a “real example of democracy in Syria and would also be a miniature version of the parliamentary elections” that would be held in February.

Local councils provide social, educational and cultural services for citizens. They are elected every four years.

The election process has started at 7:00 a.m. and will continue till 10:00 p.m. The results are expected on Thursday.

On Aug. 23, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad issued the law of the local administration, providing for the decentralization of authority and concentrating power and responsibilities in the hands of the public.

The law provides for expanding and defining the authorities of local administration councils in a way that enables them to optimally perform their tasks of developing administrative units economically, socially and culturally.

The law also provides for upgrading local society and contributing to balanced growth and equality of opportunity among areas, in addition to simplifying measures to provide services for citizens through establishing a number of specialized service centers.

To quell the unprecedented 9-month-old crisis in the country, Assad has introduced a package of measures to ease up the government’s restraints on politics and economy, including lifting the controversial state of emergency imposed in the county for around 50 years and granting general amnesty.

As the new democracy show goes on, three law-enforcement forces were killed by the gunshots of armed terrorist groups at Sahem al- Golan in the southern province of Daraa, according to SANA.

It said four terrorists were also killed in the process and many others wounded during clashes with the group that has attacked the forces there “in a bid to undermine the process of municipal elections and spark tension.”

In central Homs province, Syrian forces clashed with a terrorist group, killed and injured a number of its members, said SANA, adding that the forces arrested the head of the group, who was held accountable for the assassinating of an engineer who ran a gas station on Saturday.

On the other hand, Arab TV stations cited activists as saying that about 13 people were killed in Syria by security forces gunfire. The report however couldn’t be independently verified.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has said that clashes took place Monday between Syrian soldiers and defectors in northern Idlib province and the southern province of Daraa, the birth place of the Syrian upheaval.

Syria has blamed armed thugs paid by the West and their backers in some Arab countries for fueling sectarian rivalries in the country that has a complex mosaic of sects and ethnicities.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad recently said about 1,100 members of the armed forces were killed during the unrest which started in March, while the United Nations put the number of the upheaval’s victims at 4,000.

After their failure to quell the Syrian crisis, the Arab League (AL) will hold emergency meetings on Saturday to discuss the Syrian situation, according to Egypt’s official MENA news agency.

There will be first a meeting of the AL ministerial committee in charge of handling the Syrian crisis and then another of foreign ministers, the agency quoted an Arab diplomat as saying.

The meetings will discuss the Arab response to Syria’s recent ” positive stance” toward the AL’s observer proposal, after the pan- Arab body decided to slap sanctions against Syria.

On Nov. 27, the AL, which officially suspended Syria’s membership on Nov. 16, decided to immediately impose sanctions against Syria, as the violence-hit country failed to sign a protocol over the visit of an AL observer mission.

The AL has said it insists on solving the Syrian crisis within the Arab framework and demanded the Syrian government sign the observer mission deal.

In yet another attempt to place more pressure on the Syrian government, French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe has recently accused Syria of being behind an attack on peacekeeping patrol of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) on Friday that led to the injury of five French peacekeepers.

In an interview with the government-run TV5 channel, Juppe said France has “strong reasons to think that the attack was from Syria. ” “There is no doubt that the attack was a message from Syria to France which mobilized international community to impose sanctions against (Bashar) al-Assad regime,” he said.

In response, Syria lambasted the French accusation and denied its involvement in the attack. Syria’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Jihad Makdessi said Monday that Syria “irrefutably denies any link to such condemned attack.”

Makdessi said such statements “lack any evidence and come in the context of beforehand French accusations that fabricate and distort facts about Syria.”

“It seems that the French foreign minister is now practicing the theory of conspiracy which he has accused others of adopting,” he said.

December 13th, 2011, 12:57 am

 

ann said:

Turkey’s risky brinkmanship with Syria – 12 December 2011

http://www.todayszaman.com/columnist-265471-turkeys-risky-brinksmanship-with-syria.html

It is difficult to reject a statement that Turkey may have rushed things a little bit with Syria, possibly out of guilt for the way it handled Libya. Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu argues that his government has done everything possible on a bilateral platform to stem violence and push for a peaceful change in Syria. Davutoğlu does not accept criticism on this issue as he does with many other foreign policy issues. His brinksmanship with Syria, and policy of burning all bridges of dialogue on the senior level — which took Turkish officials nine years to cultivate — has robbed Turkey of valuable leverage to play interlocutor in the future. Unfortunately it also destroyed other opportunities for diplomatic maneuvering by the foreign policy establishment in Ankara.

To compensate for this loss in diplomacy, Davutoğlu and his team are now bringing pressure on the Assad regime using regional and international coalitions. Turkey has pushed hard for the Arab League to adopt sweeping sanctions against Syria and it is working behind doors with the US, Britain and France for a strong resolution in the UN Security Council. On the regional level, there are serious differences between Turkey and Saudi/Qatar-led Arab initiatives to determine how the Syrian regime should be brought down. While the former refrains from openly advocating armed struggle against the Assad regime, the latter wants to arm the opposition to the teeth and is willing to spend lots of money to accomplish this goal.

Iran is a wild card in the regional calculations and may further complicate Turkish efforts to isolate Syria. Though Davutoğlu defends his engagement with Tehran, saying that there is no rift between the two countries and that both share similar concerns over Syria, the true picture is far from that wishful thinking. If one takes a hint from Iranian senior officials’ sour reaction after Turkey’s decision to host part of the NATO missile defense shield network, one can easily conclude that ties with Iran are not as rosy as Davutoğlu wants us to believe. When the Syrian authoritarian regime falls, Iran knows it will lose valuable footing in the Arab world. Moreover, the position of Iraq today on the Syrian crisis is more tilted towards Iran than Turkey.

On the international level, the Turkish position is very close to that of the UK and US but there is a divergence with France. While the US and UK have no appetite to become embroiled in Syrian affairs, France leads the effort to use a military force to establish a humanitarian buffer zone within Syria. Turkey does not think the time has come to call for that even though Ankara made it clear that it has drawn contingencies for a buffer zone in case of a massive refugee crisis on Turkey’s southern border. The so-called BRIC countries have also made it difficult for Turkey to proceed forcefully on the international level. Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa are all opposed to a foreign intervention in the Syrian crisis and they advocate dialogue for the resolution. Just last month Russia teamed up with China to veto a UN Security Council resolution condemning Assad’s government for using violence.

Under this difficult regional and international outlook, a drawn-out conflict with Syria may seriously hurt Turkish interests. It has already drained much of the revenue pouring into the Turkish provinces along the Syrian border and local economies have been dealt a heavy blow with what some argue has been a hasty decision on the part of the Turkish government to slap sanctions on the Syrian regime. The same impact can also be felt on the other side of the border, especially in the northern part of Aleppo, leaving the bitter taste of resentment among the Syrian public. Here we may have to question the wisdom of smart sanctions as retaliation quickly escalates into a full-blown crisis that engulfs the general public. The fear is that the Syrian public may turn against Turkey if sanctions continue for a long period of time.

As for the question of military interference by Turkey, I do not believe that the Assad regime will resort to terrorism lest it give Turkey the perfect excuse to intervene. Turkish officials have said that Ankara has already made preparations for such a contingency, drawing on the experience of the 1998 crisis with Syria, when both countries came to the brink of war over Damascus’ support for Kurdish terrorist attacks on Turkish soil. Faced with a certain defeat by the superior Turkish Army, Syria backed down and expelled the leader of a Kurdish terrorist group. The tension finally diffused. This time, however, there is an additional factor that could trigger a war with Syria. If the regime’s violent crackdown escalates into a full-blown humanitarian crisis with quite a high numbers of civilians who have perished at the hands of the Syrian army, Turkey may be forced to intervene militarily. Davutoğlu raised this possibility in Ankara last week.

It seems the cost-free foreign policy overtures for Turkey and free-rides with rhetoric are long over. Ankara has raised the expectations of Arabs on the streets, perhaps beyond its capacity to deliver. Now the Turkish public has to bear the brunt of consequences for its government’s foreign policy decisions. For the moment, those choices do not look very appealing.

December 13th, 2011, 1:12 am

 

jad said:

Zibaleh spoke…war garbage as usual:

المجلس السوري: نظام الأسد منهار والإعلان عن حكومة المهجر خطوة للاعتراف

طالب رئيس مكتب العلاقات الخارجية في المجلس الوطنى السوري رضوان زيادة، جامعة الدول العربية بـ”إحالة الملف السوري إلى مجلس الأمن الدولي لبحث الأزمة ووضع حد للقتل اليومي بحق المتظاهرين السلميين”.
وأوضح في حديث الى صحيفة “عكاظ” السعودية أن “الصعوبات التي تعترض الإجماع العربي حول الأزمة السورية، وقوف كل من العراق والجزائر ولبنان ضد تدويل الأزمة السورية”.
وكشف عن “إنعقاد مؤتمر موسع للمعارضة السورية في تونس في 17 و18 من الشهر الحالي”، مشيرا إلى أنه “في حالة إعلان المجلس الوطني لحكومة في (المهجر)، فإن ذلك سيؤدي إلى الحصول على اعترافات من بعض الدول”. واعتبر أن “للسعودية دورا محوريا في إيجاد حلول لقضايا المنطقة”.

The council also gave the states the war plan and where they should hit and bombard too, how peaceful and lovely of them

مجلس اسطنبول يسلم كلينتون خطته للتدخل العسكري ضد سورية
كشف تقرير صحفي عن تسليم ما يسمى بـ«المجلس الوطني السوري» لواشنطن خطة للتدخل العسكري ضد سورية تتضمن تحديداً للهيكلية العسكرية والأمنية السورية، والتي «نالت إعجاب المسؤولين الأميركيين».
وأكدت مصادر أميركية لصحيفة «الراي» الكويتية أمس أن «مجلس اسطنبول» سلم وزيرة الخارجية الأميركية هيلاري كلينتون أثناء اجتماعهما الأسبوع الماضي خطة أعدها المجلس حددت تصوره لشكل وكيفية التدخل العسكري ضد سورية. بدورها أوكلت واشنطن بحسب مصادر أميركية إلى المجلس «مهمة اختيار الخطوات المقبلة في كيفية التعامل مع الرئيس الأسد، بما فيها توقيت التدخل العسكري».
وقالت الصحيفة إن الإدارة الأميركية والمجلس تحيطان تفاصيل خطة التدخل المؤلفة من خمس صفحات، بالكتمان، لكنها أشارت إلى أن مسؤولي وزارتي الخارجية والدفاع الأميركيتين أعربوا عن «إعجابهم بالدقة والإلمام بالتفاصيل التي تضمنتها الخطة السورية (المعارضة)»، لافتة إلى أن معلومات أعضاء مجلس اسطنبول «تتطابق إلى حد كبير مع المعلومات التي بحوزة الاستخبارات الأميركية».
ومما ورد في خطة المجلس عرض مفصل لهيكلية القيادة السياسية والأمنية، وتحديد هوية المسؤولين السوريين ومسؤولياتهم وارتباطاتهم المالية والعائلية ببعضهم البعض. كما تطرقت الخطة، حسب المصادر الأميركية، إلى «العواقب الممكن أن تنتج عن توجيه ضربة عسكرية» للقوات السورية وردود الفعل المحتمل.
ومنذ تأسيسه في شهر تشرين الأول الماضي، طالب مجلس اسطنبول بالتدخل الخارجي وتدويل الأزمة في سورية.

المصدر: وكالات
http://www.aljaml.com/node/78874

December 13th, 2011, 1:50 am

 

jad said:

The hypocrisy of the west human rights false care is amazing, Hilary gave the ‘peaceful’ members of the MBs council of Istanbul to choose the time for the attack on Syria, what the American cares about are not the Syrians who they will murder but to put their hands on specific missiles!! I thought it was about freedom and human rights and democracy… apparently it’s not!

غليون قدم لكلينتون معلومات قيمة حول حزب الله وسوريا

ذكرت مصادر مطلعة أن “المجلس الوطني السوري” برئاسة برهان غليون قدم تصور المعارضة لشكل التدخل العسكري الدولي ومضمونه الى وزيرة الخارجية الاميركية هيلاري كلينتون خلال الاجتماع الذي تم الاسبوع الماضي بينهما في جنيف. ونقلت صحيفة “الراي” الكويتية اليوم عن مصادر رفيعة المستوى في العاصمة الاميركية واشنطن ان مسؤولين في وزارتي الدفاع والخارجية اعجبوا بتفاصيل التصور، وهو من خمس صفحات فولسكاب، خصوصا لجهة دقته وإلمامه بالواقع السوري واستناده الى معلومات جدية ممن سماهم الضباط المنشقين عن الجيش السوري وضباط آخرين موالين للمجلس الوطني انما ما زالوا على رأس عملهم وهؤلاء يمررون معلومات من الداخل تتطابق الى حد كبير مع المعلومات التي بحوزة الاستخبارات الاميركية، حسب وصف تلك المصادر. وتابعت المصادر أن الخطة شملت أيضاً عرضاً تفصلياً لعلاقة الأسد بإيران وبـ”حزب الله” وبعض التنظيمات الفلسطينية الصغيرة.

على سبيل المثال، تقول المصادر الاميركية، “ورد في الخطة عدد صواريخ سكود التي حاول الاسد تمريرها في الماضي الى حزب الله، وحددت بدقة مكان المخازن التي خرجت منها الصواريخ، وفي اي وقت عادت”.

ومما ورد في خطة المجلس الوطني السوري عرض مفصل لهيكلية القيادة السياسية والامنية لنظام الاسد، وتحديد هوية المسؤولين السوريين ومسؤولياتهم وإرتباطاتهم المالية والعائلية ببعضهم البعض. كما تطرقت الخطة، حسب المصادر الاميركية، الى “العواقب الممكن ان تنتج عن توجيه ضربة عسكرية لقوات الاسد وردود الفعل المحتمل”.

وأضافت المصادر الاميركية أن واشنطن قالت صراحة للمجلس، المطالب بتنحي الرئيس السوري بشار الاسد، أنها “أوكلت اليه مهمة إختيار الخطوات المقبلة في كيفية التعامل مع الاسد، بما فيها توقيت التدخل العسكري”، وأبدت كذلك قلقها من “أمور معينة قد تنجم عن إنهيار نظام الاسد”.

ومن أبرز النقاط التي تثير قلق واشنطن مصير صواريخ بحوزة قوات الاسد، روسية الصنع، من طراز “ستريلا 3” و”ايغلا”، وهي صواريخ ارض جو مضادة للطائرات

وتمنت وزيرة الخارجية الاميركية هيلاري كلينتون على اعضاء “المجلس الوطني السوري” ان يشرحوا تفاصيل تصورهم للاطاحة بالنظام واقامة البديل الديموقراطي لمختلف “الأصدقاء” في العالم ، وهو ما بدأ به غليون خلال جولته على عدد من العواصم الدولية.

http://diyar.charlesayoub.com/aldiyar-topic-article/127/11360

December 13th, 2011, 2:04 am

 

Uzair8 said:

Did you spot the references in post #402 (page 9)?

-The optometry and Mafia related references in the first piece.
-The play with the word ‘Turkey’ ( incl Turkey carving a buffer zone) in the second piece.

No? You must be shortsighted.

Anyway. Will Assad soon be sleeping with the speckle fishes?

December 13th, 2011, 2:04 am

 

Uzair8 said:

I was editing the last comment and ran out of time.

I was replacing “You must be shortsighted.” with:

‘I think it’s time for a visit to the opticians.’

If a mod can help I’d appreciate it. And you can delete this comment.

Thank you in advance.

December 13th, 2011, 2:19 am

 

jad said:

Don’t be too sad NZ, Hamas denied the news about Mishaal..Qaradawi is ok to call for anything he likes, go celebrate with him!

“حماس” تنفي تصريحًا منسوبًا لمشعل بشأن أحداث سورية

نفت قيادة حركة المقاومة الإسلامية “حماس” بشكل قاطع ما نشرته بعض المواقع الإلكترونية، ووصل إلى بعض وسائل الإعلام، من مواقف منسوبة إلى رئيس المكتب السياسي للحركة خالد مشعل بشأن الأحداث في سورية، وخاصة فيما يتعلق بفضيلة الشيخ يوسف القرضاوي، رئيس الاتحاد العالمي لعلماء المسلمين.

وقال الحركة في بيان صادر عن مكتبها الإعلامي، وصل مراسلنا نسخة عنه: “إننا ننفي نفيًا قاطعًا ما نشرته بعض المواقع الإلكترونية، من مواقف منسوبة إلى رئيس المكتب السياسي للحركة بشأن الأحداث في سورية، وخاصة ما يتعلق بفضيلة الشيخ يوسف القرضاوي، علمًا بأن موقف الحركة من الأحداث الجارية، عبّرت عنه في بيانها الصادر اليوم السبت.

وكانت حركة “حماس” أكدت وقوفها إلى “جانب الشقيقة سورية قيادة وشعبًا”، لافتةً إلى أنّ سورية بقيادتها وشعبها وقفت مع مقاومة الشعب الفلسطيني وحقوقه المشروعة، واحتضنت قوى المقاومة الفلسطينية وصمدت أمام كل الضغوط من أجل التمسك بدعم نهج الممانعة والمقاومة في المنطقة.

وقالت “حماس” في بيان لها صدر يوم أمس السبت (2\4) وصل مراسلنا نسخة عنه “إن سورية قيادة وشعبًا وقفت مع مقاومة الشعب الفلسطيني وحقوقه المشروعة، واحتضنت قوى المقاومة الفلسطينية، وخاصة حماس، وساندتها في أحلك الظروف وأصعبها، وأخذت الرهانات والتحديات والمخاطر الكبيرة، وصمدت أمام كل الضغوط من أجل التمسك بدعم نهج الممانعة والمقاومة في المنطقة، وإسناد فلسطين وشعبها ومقاومته بشكل خاص، والوقوف في خندق الأمة ومصالحها”.

كما اعتبرت حماس “ما يجري في الشأن الداخلي يخص الإخوة في سورية”، وأضاف البيان “إلا أننا في حركة حماس، وانطلاقًا من مبادئنا التي تحترم إرادة الشعوب العربية والإسلامية وتطلعاتها، فإننا نأمل بتجاوز الظرف الراهن بما يحقق تطلعات وأماني الشعب السوري، وبما يحفظ استقرار سورية وتماسكها الداخلي ويعزز دورها في صف المواجهة والممانعة”.

http://www.paltoday.ps/arabic/News-105479.html

December 13th, 2011, 2:19 am

 

Shami said:

Jad ,so all your SANA,addounia,mukhabarat news quoting job here is aimed at your love for the palestinian and syrian people.
Btw ,this is an old article that goes back to the begining of the uprising, which is most likely the work of qardahians or khomainists attributed to meshaal.

http://www.cyberpresse.ca/chroniqueurs/agnes-gruda/201112/01/01-4473389-les-amis-du-president-assad.php
Alex ,is playing his “minority” paranoia for the sake of assad regime.
,the people in the west are not as stupid than some here like to believe.
I dont understand the reason of this deep and crazy hatred towards the arabs and muslims and particularely the syrian muslims.
I was wrong to see in Alex a different character from the other islamophobs of syria comment.

December 13th, 2011, 2:35 am

 

jad said:

في مصائر الحرب الأهليّة العربيّة
عامر محسن
إنّ التّحدّي الأهمّ في عالمنا العربي، والقضيّة الأساس التي حرّكت الأحداث في العقود الأخيرة، لم تكن فلسطين ولا الديموقراطيّة ولا التنمية، بل هي حرب أهليّة عربيّة، تكوّنت ظروفها في السّبعينات وبانت معالمها في الثمانينات، ثمّ انفجرت في 1990، وها نحن الى اليوم نعيش نتائجها.
اذا قرأت الاعلام العربي اليوم وتمعنت في الانتاج الثّقافي المعاصر، فإنّك لن تجد أثراً للتناقض الأعظم الذي يحكم عالمنا العربي: نظامٌ اقتصاديّ ــ سياسي غير قابل للاستمرار، دفع مئات ألوف العرب حياتهم ثمناً لإبقائه قائماً. لخّص برهان غليون في 1992، في كتاب له عن أزمة الخليج، هذا التناقض بنحو موجز ومباشر: «من الوهم الاعتقاد بإمكانية استمرار التناقضات الصارخة داخل المنطقة العربية إلى ما لا نهاية، إذ يجتمع فيها أعلى دخل للفرد في العالم وأضعفه على الاطلاق، وحيث تتفاوت المصادر والثروات القطرية لدرجة تجعل أنماط حياة ومعيشة بعض الأقطار بمثابة الاستفزاز اليومي لسكان الأقطار المجاورة». حمّل غليون حكومات الخليج وسياساتها التنمويّة المسؤوليّة الأساس عن أزمة الكويت والانشقاق العربي الّذي نتج منها. اتّهم غليون الحكومات النفطيّة باتّباع «نهجٍ تقليديّ» يقوم على «تحييد القوى العربيّة» عبر «رشوة الدول والنخب أو ممارسة الضغط المالي عليها لاتباع سياسات اقليمية واقتصادية تعمل على تخليد وضع الاستنقاع العربي والتدهور المادي والمعنوي الراهن في الوطن العربي» (من كتاب «ما بعد الخليج وعصر المواجهات الكبرى»).
الباحثة الأميركيّة كيرين شاودري كتبت أنّ الحرب الأهليّة العربيّة قد عصفت بقوّة، لكنّها كانت وليدة الاقتصاد السياسي، لا المسارات الايديولوجية، وقد دُوزنت أحداثها على وقع أسعار النفط. ارتفاع سعر النّفط في السبعينات وعوائده الهائلة ــ الّتي لم تكن دول الخليج قادرة على استيعاب جزءٍ صغير منها ــ خلقا ما يشبه «السوق العربية المشتركة». بلا تخطيطٍ أو ارادة سياسيّة تحقّقت فجأة حالة من «التشاركيّة العربيّة» ــ بعدما كانت النّاصريّة قد حُوربت وهُزمت ودُفنت. وُلد فجأةً قطاعٌ اقتصاديّ جديد على مستوى المنطقة العربيّة يحوي ملايين العمّال من الدّول غير النّفطيّة يستقطبها الخليج، ورساميل خليجيّة فائضة تذهب في الاتّجاه المعاكس. حدثت العمليّة في تطبيقٍ مثاليّ لمدرسة الكلاسيكيين في الاقتصاد: اليد العاملة تنجذب من الدّول الغنيّة بها الى تلك الّتي ينقصها العمّال، والرّساميل تذهب في الاتجاه الآخر.
لم تكن العمالة الوافدة مسألة سياسيّة بعد، ولم تكن العمالة الآسيوية موجودة بما هي بديل جاهز ورخيص بعد. قبل السّبعينات، لم تكن عائدات النّفط بالأهمّيّة ذاتها، فشركات النفط العالمية كانت تسرقنا على المكشوف وكان النّفط، أصلاً، بخس الثّمن. كما أنّ الحكومات النّفطيّة قد امتهنت فنون الهدر والتبذير منذ أوّل أيّامها. يذكّرنا الباحث الأميركي روبرت فيتاليس في كتابه عن السعودية وأرامكو، بأنّ الملك اضطرّ في أواخر الخمسينيات الى الرضوخ لخطّة تقشّفٍ تحت اشراف صندوق النّقد الدّولي، من أجل موازنة مصاريف الدولة ودفع ديونها.
في تلك الأيّام، لم يكن الرّيع النّفطي خياليّاً، يسمح بالإنفاق على كلّ الجبهات، كان على الحكومة أن تختار بين الإنفاق على التنميّة وبين بناء القصور، فاختارت القصور. يروي روبرت فيتاليس، معتمداً على سجلّات شركة أرامكو، أنّ فئتي البناء اللتين استحوذتا على أكبر نسبةٍ من الطلبات والنفقات في الميزانيّة السعودية في أواسط الخمسينات كانتا القصور الملكيّة والمباني الحكوميّة. عن تلك الأخيرة، قال الاداري السّعودي الشاب ــ يومها ــ عمر السقّاف: «يعتقد الملك ومستشاروه الفاسدون أنّ صرف المليارات من الدولارات على بناء الوزارات في الرياض هو التّقدّم. انّ هذا في الحقيقة هدرٌ بلا معنى. انّ كلّ طواقم الوزارات، إذا جُمعت معاً، لن تملأ طابقاً واحداً من المباني الوزارية الّتي تُبنى في الرّياض». بمقاييس اليوم، بالطبع، تبدو أعمال الهدر تلك ــ من نوع بناء سكّة حديد لا توصل الى مكان، أو مطار لا يستعمله أحد، أو جامعة في بلدٍ بلا مدارس ــ بدائيّة، بل و فقيرة، ان قورنت بفنون الانفاق الّتي قيّضت لأشقّاء الملك سعود وأقرانهم من الحكّام، والّذين نزلت عليهم موارد ماليّة، لم يكن الملك سعود ليحلم بها.

السوق النفطية المشتركة

السّبعينات وأزمتها النّفطيّة غيّرت كلّ شيء. الارتفاع المهول في عائدات النّفط أعطى حكومات الخليج امكانات مادّيّة من نوع مختلف، وهيمنة سياسيّة مطلقة على المنظومة العربيّة، وهي كانت قد اتمّت للتّوّ هزيمة عبد النّاصر ومشروعه. يقول مالكولم كير، في كتاب «الحرب الباردة العربية» إنّ السّاحة الاقليمية العربية صارت مملّة، باهتة، بلا حماسة، بعد موت عبد الناصر وبدء العصر النّفطي. استعمل كير تشبيهاً ليبيّن الفرق بين التنافس العربي حتّى الستينات وبين ما جرى في السّبعينات، لو أردنا أن نترجمه بتصرّف يجيء كالآتي: «كانت السّياسة العربيّة تشبه مباراةً بين ريال مدريد وبرشلونة، تدور في يومٍ ربيعيّ جميل، فصارت كمباراة بين ناديي كابري وكومو، تجري في يومٍ ماطرٍ موحل».
التشابك الاقتصادي العربي في السبعينات جعل المنطقة ثاني أسرع أقاليم العالم نموّاً في عقدٍ كان الغرب يسبح فيه بالكساد. كانت العائدات النفطية كبيرة الى درجة أنّ أغلب الريع النفطي لم يكن يدخل الأرصدة العربيّة الّا بالمعنى النّظري: يدفع مصرف غربيّ ثمن عقدٍ نفطيّ ما، فيحوَّل المبلغ لحظيّاً الى حساب مصرف غربيّ آخر يستودع تلك الأموال ويستثمرها. فائض السيولة في السبعينات ــ وأغلبه من مصادر عربيّة ــ خلق ظواهر غير متوقّعة في الاقتصاد العالمي، ليس أقلّها «أزمة الدّين» في الثّمانينات ــ وهي نتجت من مصارف غربيّة صرّفت فوائض السيولة النفطيّة لديها على شكل قروضٍ لحكومات المكسيك ودول لاتينيّة أخرى موالية للولايات المتّحدة.
تلك الحركة الاقتصاديّة وذلك التشابك الاقليمي دارا في ظلّ نظامٍ عربيّ جديد، يسعى بدأب الى فرض حلٍّ سلميّ على فلسطين، وتصفية حركات المقاومة، وتأبين القوميّة العربيّة. فهمت نخب الخليج منذ الستينيات، وهذا لم يحصل بلا صراعات داخل البلاط، أنّ العروبة ليست في صالحها. المشروع الناصري كان يعد بمجتمعٍ عربيّ متآخٍ يشمل الجميع، يكون فيه كلّ من يتكلّم العربيّة ــ أو يمكن أن تعلّمه اللغة ــ مواطناً «عربيّاً» كامل الصّفات. لا طائفيات ولا قبليّات ولا مناطقيّات. لكنّ مفهوم الاشتراكيّة العربيّة ــ كيفما قلّبناه ــ كان يهدّد أيضاً بضرب النّخب النفطيّة في المكان الموجع: بالمفهوم القومي العربي، الحدود القطريّة لا قيمة لها، هي نتاج مخطّطات استعماريّة لا أكثر، والثّروات العربيّة هي ملكٌ للانسان العربي في كلّ مكان، لا لمن عيّنه الاستعمار وصيّاً وصنع له بلداً ليحكمه حتّى يصبح، بفعل الصدفة التاريخية لا أكثر، متسلّطاً على ثروات العرب.
شبح عبد الناصر لم يغادر قصور الخليج قط، حتّى بعد عقودٍ من وفاته. ومخاوف الأسر الحاكمة لم (ولن) تهدأ تجاه جموع العرب الفقراء الجائعين الذين يحيطون بهم، ويغارون من ثرائهم ويبغون أن يسلبوهم ما وهبه الله لهم. شبح عبد النّاصر ايقظ الملوك بقوّة في صيف 1990، حين عبر صدّام حدود الكويت بدبّاباته، ووضع نخب الخليج أمام أشنع كوابيسها.

الامبراطوريّة تضرب مجدّداً

تُظهر برقيّات وزارة الخارجية الأميركية من آب 1990 أنّ حكومة الولايات المتحدة قد صُدمت بردّ فعل السّلطات السعوديّة على الغزو العراقي للكويت. تقول برقيّة مؤرّخة في 9 آب 1990 إنّ السّفير الأميركي في الرياض كان يتلقّى اتّصالات محمومة من وزير الخارجيّة سعود الفيصل مستعجلاً ايّاه أن يوافيه بالرد الأميركي على «طلب الحكومة السعودية لاتفاق طارئ لإدخال القوات الأميركية الى السعوديّة». برقية أخرى من اليوم نفسه تتعجّب من أنّ الملك فهد قد استعمل لهجةً غير مسبوقة في خطابه الى الأمّة، شكر فيه مباشرة الولايات المتحدة وحلفاءها الغربيين، طالباً حمايتهم العسكرية بلا مواربة. علّق الدبلوماسي الّذي كتب البرقيّة «(الخطاب) يظهر كم أنّ الأزمة الحاليّة قد غيّرت المملكة السعوديّة والشّرق الأوسط». خلال أيّام، وقّعت حكومات الخليج جميعها اتّفاقيات «دفاع مشترك» مع دول الناتو الكبرى، اميركا وبريطانيا وفرنسا. هكذا اشتعلت الحرب الأهليّة العربيّة، وهكذا احتلّت اميركا الخليج.
تقول كيرين شاودري إنّ جذور حرب الخليج تكمن في انحسار أسعار النّفط الذي ابتدأ أواسط الثمانينات. أدّت سياسات النفط العالميّة الى زيادة المعروض بنحو كبير منذ أواخر السبعينات، وفي أواسط الثمانينات انهارت سوق النفط وانخفض سعره الى أقلّ من ثلث ما كان عليه في 1980. ضيّق تقلّص الرّيع النّفطي على ميزانيّات الدول الخليجيّة، التي كانت قد وسّعت انفاقها أيّام الطفرة ورتّبت على خزاناتها التزامات هائلة، بدءاً بصفقات السلاح الخرافيّة وانتهاءً بالاعانات الحكومية المكلفة الّتي تُصرف على دعم الطّبقة التجارية والمواطنين. أمام ذلك الواقع، اعتمدت الحكومات النفطيّة «سياسات تقشّف»، لم يعد بامكانها استقبال العمال العرب بالملايين ولا دعم ميزانيات الحكومات الفقيرة. عمّت الأزمة الاقتصاديّة المنطقة، عمّت البطالة، وارتفع منسوب التّوتّر بين دولها. لم يكن الخلاف حول استراتيجية انتاج النفط وأسعاره ــ وهو كان الفتيل الّذي فجّر الأزمة بين العراق والكويت ــ الّا وجهاً من أوجه الاستقطاب العربي الحاصل أواخر الثمانينات. في مقابل «سياسات انعزاليّة» بدأت تظهر في الخليج، كان أبرزها تكتّل الدول النفطيّة تحت مسمّى «مجلس التعاون الخليجي»، أسّس العراق «مجلس التعاون العربي» الّذي ضمّ أغلب الدول الفقيرة بالنفط والمصدّرة للعمّال. كان التّنافر بين المجلسين أوضح نذيرٍ للحرب العربيّة القادمة.
أكثر الأدبيّات العنصريّة التي يتراشق بها عرب المشرق والخليج هي من نتاج تلك الفترة. أدّت الحرب العربيّة الى تشظّي مفهوم الانسان «العربي» بنحو غير مسبوق. بدلاً من المفهوم النّاصري الشامل الجامع للعروبة، الذي يشدد على المساواة بين الخلق، ولدت تقسيمات جديدة تقسّم العرب الى مجموعات، وإلى عرب «درجة أولى» مقابل عربٍ «درجة ثانية»، وتدّعي اختلافاً جوهريّاً بينهما.
خرجَ كاتب مصريّ يومها بنظريّة «العرب الخضر» و«العرب الصّفر» للدلالة على ما يراه اختلافاً حضاريّاً عميقاً بين عرب الخليج والصحارى من جهة، وعرب الهلال الخصيب ووادي النيل من جهةٍ أخرى. خطاب صدّام حسين نفسه، غداة غزوه الكويت، حوى عناصراً من تلك الحرب الثّقافيّة الجارية. وصّف الديكتاتور العراقي خصومه الخليجيين على أنّهم «امّعات»، أفسدهم المال والطّمع وخسروا معنى الكرامة والشرف العربيّين، فباعوا سيادتهم للأجنبي.
بالمقابل، شهدت أقطار الخليج ما يسمّيه الباحثون «اللحظة الوطنيّة» بُعيد أزمة الخليج. ارتفع منسوب القطريّة الى نحوٍ غير مسبوق، وسارعت كلّ دولة الى اختلاق تواريخ وطنيّةٍ قطريّةٍ خاصّةٍ بها، تمييزاً لنفسها عن محيطها العربيّ. زاد الاحتفاء بالـ«نموذج التنموي» لتلك الدول الى مستويات تفوق بكثير تلك التي اشتكى منها برهان غليون في الثمانينات («معجزات اقتصاديّة» في دولٍ يكون عدد مواطنيها بمئات الآلاف وعائداتها النفطيّة بعشرات المليارات). قام بعض المفكّرين الخليجيّين بالتّنظير لتلك الفكرة القطريّة ومحاولة تشريعها. كتب المفكّر البحريني محمّد جابر الأنصاري، ردّاً على نظرائه المشرقيّين، أنّ الدّول الخليجيّة لها الحقّ بقرار مستقلّ لا يشاركها فيه أحد، وأن تفعل بالثروة الّتي تكمن تحت أرضها ما تشاء بلا مساءلة من أحد، شارحاً أنّ شعوب تلك الدّول قد اجتهدت وضحّت لتصل الى مستوى رفاهها الحالي ــ مستشهداً بأنّ والده قد عمل في آبار النّفط الأولى الّتي اكتشفت في البحرين.
انّ أفضل تعبيرٍ لحالة الانشقاق هذه كانت، بلا ريب، رواية الكاتب السّوري الرّاحل هاني الرّاهب «رسمتُ خطّاً في الرّمال». هو، كما يقول في القصّة وفي الواقع، «استسلم لإله الدّولار» وذهب للتعليم في الكويت، حيث شهد الغزو العراقي من الدّاخل. وهو نشر روايته بعد ردحٍ قصير من طرده من عمله في الامارة بتهمة تحريض الأجيال الطّالعة. الرّواية ممنوعة في الخليج قطعاً، ولم يسمع بها أغلب القرّاء العرب لأنّ الاعلام العربي طمسها، ولكنّني على يقينٍ من أنّها ستدرّس في المستقبل لمن أراد فهم تاريخ العرب الحديث.

فنّ إخفاء التّاريخ

أن تكون المسائل المصيريّة في بلادنا خارج اطار النّقاش الفكري ولا يسجّلها الاعلام هو ليس بالأمر المستغرب، وهو ليس عرضيّاً ولا يحصل بالصّدفة. اخفاء التاريخ هو من أبرز فنون الهيمنة، وإن تساءلنا عن سبب غياب تاريخنا الحقيقي عن التّداول بدأنا بالتّعرّف الى القوّة الّتي تكتب ماضينا. اليوم، لا يعرف المواطن العربي شيئاً عن صناعة النفط في بلاده، وتترك قراراتها لاستنساب الحكومات والشركات العالميّة ــ كأنّها مسائل «تقنيّة» وليست سياسيّة. هذا بعدما كان عبد الله الطّريقي ورفاقه يدعون، منذ الستينات، الى زرع مسألة النّفط في قلب الجدل السياسي العربي. في العراق اليوم، لا تكاد ترى أثراً للحصار ــ الجريمة الأكبر الّتي حلّت بالعراق ــ في الذّاكرة الجديدة الّتي تُبنى للبلد. كأنّما الحصار لم يحصل، أو أنّه كان كارثة طبيعيّة، لا سياسة مقصودة وقف خلفها أناسٌ استرخصوا الدّم العراقي الى حدّ المذبحة. كتمان التّاريخ ليس عرضياً، وثقوب الذّاكرة لا تولد بالصّدفة.
الحرب الأهليّة العربيّة كُتمت كما اشتعلت، على عجل، وان كانت عناصرها مستمرّة ونراها حولنا في الواقع السّياسيّ اليوميّ. اللغة العنصريّة للحرب الأهليّة تطلّ برأسها اليوم من جديد، خاصّة في الاعلام السوري بعدما دخل البلد في مواجهة مع جامعة الدّول العربيّة، وتلك الأخيرة صارت بوضوح احدى أدوات الحرب الأهليّة المذكورة. منظّمة تشبه الأمم المتّحدة الى حدّ بعيد: تسيّرها دولٌ تمثّل خمسةً بالمئة من الشّعب العربي، وتعرض نفسها وكيلاً للنّظام العالمي في المنطقة، تفرض ارادته وتفرض العقوبات. هنالك وقاحةٌ ستسجّل للتّاريخ في أن يطالب بعض العرب بحصار سوريا ونحن لمّا نثأر بعد لضحايا العراق. اذ تهتزّ منطقتنا من جديد، سؤالٌ قديمٌ يطرح نفسه مجدّداً: الى متى تراهن حكومات النّفط على أن التّاريخ سيسمح لها بإخضاع الأغلبيّة، واعانة الاستعمار عليها، بل وقتلها، من غير أن ترتدّ عليها عواقب تلك الأفعال؟
http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/27455

December 13th, 2011, 2:40 am

 

jad said:

Shami,
No. ‘love’ is your highness’ business, especially the one you have to Shia/Alawites.
BTW, are you related to Arour? Just wondering! because both of you have the same charismatic flare and the same holiness. Ma sha2 Allah!

December 13th, 2011, 2:55 am

 

ann said:

Syrian envoy, U.N. official clash on toll – Dec. 13, 2011

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2011/12/13/Syrian-envoy-UN-official-clash-on-toll/UPI-65221323778773/?spt=hs&or=tn

DAMASCUS, Syria, Dec. 13 (UPI) — Syria’s ambassador to the United Nations rejected the organization’s estimate of 5,000 deaths in anti-government protests, saying the toll wasn’t believable.

Ambassador Bashar Jaafari said the estimate was “incredible,” responding to a briefing by U.N. Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay, who told the Security Council Monday the situation in Syria had become “intolerable,” CNN reported.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights in London said security forces fired “indiscriminately” in the Syrian villages of Maarat Masreen and Kafr Bahmoul Tuesday, killing 11 and wounding scores of others. The opposition Local Coordinating Committees of Syria also reported gunfire in Idlib and violence in other cities.

At the United Nations, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov Tuesday accused opponents of President Bashar Assad’s regime of fomenting a humanitarian crisis to justify foreign military intervention.

“It seems to me that, beyond any doubt, the goal is to provoke a humanitarian catastrophe and get an excuse to demand foreign intervention in this conflict,” he said during a news conference.

He also said Syria should accept Arab League proposals for ending the violence and allow foreign observers into the country.

Pillay said Monday the Syrian population “continues to live in fear of further violent repression.”

Also Monday, the Syrian Observatory and a resident of Homs reported a gas pipeline erupted near the city, gunfire was heard and military airplanes were observed, CNN said. An opposition leader had said protesters had until Monday to lay down their arms or face government attacks — which has been denied by Syrian leaders.

Pillay said Monday “the nature and scale of abuses” indicated Syrian forces likely committed “crimes against humanity.” Citing reliable sources, she said more than 300 of the dead have been children “killed by state forces.”

December 13th, 2011, 3:40 am

 

Shami said:

Jad ,so according to your logic ,you are obliged to love the khomainists , bashar,rami ,maher in order to appear fine towards the shias.
Yalla Go back to assad,manar medias.

December 13th, 2011, 3:44 am

 

Ya Mara Ghalba said:

The UN Human Rights Council and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay have issued reports about Syria without having been in Syria (and without permission to enter Syria) and without having any reliable information. Their only sources for their reports are political dissidents who have an agenda of undermining the reputation of the government and who, as a
group, are provably unloyal to truth and honesty. Repeat of ANN # 631 and #632:

12 dec 2011. A non-Western member at the UN emphasized to Inner City Press that while Navi Pillay at Friday’s [9 dec 2011] press conference spoke of 4000 killed, including 1000 with the security forces, in Monday’s [13 dec 2011] closed door briefing she raised the number to 5000, NOT including security forces. “It’s a bubble,” the non Western member said.

12 dec 2011. Bashar al-Ja’afari, the Syrian permanent representative to the UN, told reporters that his government, since the start of the political crisis in the Middle East country about eight months ago, has written 16 letters to the UN secretary-general, the president of the Security Council, the director- general of the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the UN high commissioner for human rights. He said the information offered by his government in these letters was not included in Navi Pillay’s briefing at the Security Council about human right in Syria. “She was speaking on behalf of the [Syrian] defectors,” he said, referring to what was missed in the council briefing by Pillay about the violence from the armed opposition. http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2011-12/13/c_131302446.htm

Question for Syria commenters who agree with me that the UN Human Rights stuff is a a crock of shit: Do you think it’s a “bubble” that can burst?

December 13th, 2011, 5:39 am

 

Juergen said:

Ya Mara Ghalba
You ought to be smart enough to figure that given there is no admission for the comitee to come to Syria to hear both sides of the story they will think the regime is hiding serious crimes and will therefore pursue to alligate what you and others of the Baschar fan club dont like to hear. If and this is a big if all is as Assad and Bouthainia, Moallim are saying is true and they have evidence which would stand in any given court, then why was there until now no monitoring mission? Why are journalists who even have the rights to work in Syria are barred from towns and villages whom they would like to visit? Seriously i dare to compare Assads regime nowadays with the state of israel, they too have almost the same aggressive behaviour towards our world institutions like the UN human rights panel or the Red Cross. But i assume that the world is wrong an d Israel as well as Syria is just a victim of a media war.

December 13th, 2011, 5:59 am

 

Akbar Palace said:

Seriously i dare to compare Assads regime nowadays with the state of israel, they too have almost the same aggressive behaviour towards our world institutions like the UN human rights panel or the Red Cross.

Juergen,

The State of Israel was admitted to the Red Cross only in 2006 after decades of isolation thanks to Arab intransigence. In fact, Israel’s admission was made possible only if the Israelis accepted a symbol other than the Star of David for the same reason.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/5104680.stm

As far as “comparing the Assad nowadays with the state of israel”, I would wait until all Syrians have freedom of speech and free elections every 4 years. Just MHO.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elections_in_Israel

Syrian death toll exceeds 5000 and strangely, there’s no “occupation”. How is that possible?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-16154487

December 13th, 2011, 6:40 am

 

Tara said:

Bronco

“I want him to admit it”.

Had I not known you well, I would’ve said “Admission of guilt, or rather of having an inferior religion was what you were looking for”…

Then what is you interpretation of the verse in Quraan that states “لااكراه في الدين”?

Why focussing on one and not the other? When you see apparently contradictory concepts, which one do you believe?

December 13th, 2011, 7:06 am

 

Syria no kandahar said:

Tara bora
Any place you look it up will tell you that لااكراه if any is when you go in,once you are in,your only exit is headless(which some times does not make a difference):

ما مدى صحة الحديث القائل: ((من بدل دينه فاقتلوه)) وما معناه وكيف نجمع بينه وبين قوله تعالى: {لا إِكْرَاهَ فِي الدِّين} [البقرة: 256] وبين قوله تعالى: {وَلَوْ شَاءَ رَبُّكَ لَآمَنَ مَنْ فِي الْأَرْضِ كُلُّهُمْ جَمِيعاً أَفَأَنْتَ تُكْرِهُ النَّاسَ حَتَّى يَكُونُوا مُؤْمِنِينَ} [يونس:99] وبين الحديث القائل: ((أمرت أن أقاتل الناس حتى يشهدوا أن لا إله إلا الله وأن محمدًا رسول الله فإذا فعلوا ذلك عصموا مني دماءهم وأموالهم إلا بحقها وحسابهم على الله عز وجل))؟ وهل يفهم أن اعتناق الدين بالاختيار لا بالإكراه؟

الفتوى :

أولاً الحديث ((من بدل دينه فاقتلوه)) حديث صحيح رواه البخاري وغيره من أهل السنة بهذا اللفظ: ((من بدل دينه فاقتلوه)). وأما الجمع بينه وبين ما ذكر من الأدلة فلا تعارض بين الأدلة ولله الحمد؛ لأن قوله صلى الله عليه وسلم : ((من بدل دينه فاقتلوه))([1]) في المرتد الذي يكفر بعد إسلامه فيجب قتله بعد أن يستتاب، فإن تاب وإلا قتل، وأما قوله تعالى: {لا إِكْرَاهَ فِي الدِّينِ قَدْ تَبَيَّنَ الرُّشْدُ مِنَ الْغَي} [البقرة: 256] وقوله تعالى: {وَلَوْ شَاءَ رَبُّكَ لَآمَنَ مَنْ فِي الْأَرْضِ كُلُّهُمْ جَمِيعاً أَفَأَنْتَ تُكْرِهُ النَّاسَ حَتَّى يَكُونُوا مُؤْمِنِينَ} [يونس:99] فلا تعارض بين هذه الأدلة؛ لأن الدخول في الإسلام لا يمكن الإكراه عليه؛ لأنه شيء في القلب واقتناع في القلب، ولا يمكن أن نتصرف في القلوب، وأن نجعلها مؤمنة، هذا بيد الله عز وجل هو مقلب القلوب، وهو الذي يهدي من يشاء، ويضل من يشاء.

لكن واجبنا الدعوة إلى الله عز وجل والبيان والجهاد في سبيل الله لمن عاند بعد أن عرف الحق، وعاند بعد معرفته، فهذا يجب علينا أن نجاهده، وأما أننا نكرهه على الدخول في الإسلام، ونجعل الإيمان في قلبه هذا ليس لنا، وإنما هو راجع إلى الله سبحانه وتعالى لكن نحن:

أولاً: ندعو إلى الله عز وجل بالحكمة والموعظة الحسنة ونبين للناس هذا الدين.

وثانيًا: نجاهد أهل العناد وأهل الكفر والجحود حتى يكون الدين لله وحده عز وجل، حتى لا تكون فتنة.

أما المرتد فهذا يقتل؛ لأنه كفر بعد إسلامه، وترك الحق بعد معرفته، فهو عضو فاسد يجب بتره، وإراحة المجتمع منه؛ لأنه فاسد العقيدة ويخشى أن يفسد عقائد الباقين؛ لأنه ترك الحق لا عن جهل، وإنما عن عناد بعد معرفة الحق، فلذلك صار لا يصلح للبقاء فيجب قتله، فلا تعارض بين قوله تعالى: {لا إِكْرَاهَ فِي الدِّين} [البقرة: 256] وبين قتل المرتد؛ لأن الإكراه في الدين هنا عند الدخول في الإسلام، وأما قتل المرتد فهو عند الخروج من الإسلام بعد معرفته وبعد الدخول فيه.

على أن الآية قوله تعالى: {لا إِكْرَاهَ فِي الدِّين} [البقرة: 256] فيها أقوال للمفسرين منهم من يقول: إنها خاصة بأهل الكتاب، وأن أهل الكتاب لا يكرهون، وإنما يطلب منهم الإيمان أو دفع الجزية فيقرون على دينهم إذا دفعوا الجزية، وخضعوا لحكم الإسلام، وليست عامة في كل كافر، ومن العلماء من يرى أنها منسوخة بقوله تعالى: {فَاقْتُلُوا الْمُشْرِكِينَ حَيْثُ وَجَدْتُمُوهُمْ} [التوبة: 5] فهي منسوخة بهذه الآية.

ولكن الصحيح أنها ليست منسوخة، وأنها ليست خاصة بأهل الكتاب، وإنما معناها أن هذا الدين بين واضح تقبله الفطر والعقول، وأن أحدًا لا يدخله عن كراهية، وإنما يدخله عن اقتناع وعن محبة ورغبة. هذا هو الصحيح.
——————————-
([1]) رواه الإمام البخاري في “صحيحه” (8/50) من حديث ابن عباس رضي الله عنهما.
ـــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــ
مصدر الفتوى: المنتقى من فتاوى فضيلة الشيخ صالح بن فوزان بن عبد الله الفوزان – (ج 2/ ص 116) [ رقم الفتوى في مصدرها: 93]

December 13th, 2011, 8:01 am

 

Mina said:

They all have evidences of so much. But they live in completely isolated countries where neither foreigners, workers, journalists, atheists, or any minority has any right!!

http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/8/29208/World/Region/Syria-training-Bahrain-opposition-figures-King.aspx

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/with-friends-like-these–cameron-welcomes-king-of-bahrain-to-no-10-6276143.html

The West is drinking the blood of these innocent poors who got trapped into al Jazeera’s “great plan” for the middle east. I wish its journalists and the Qatari authorities the same fate for their traumatized children. As went the Hamas motto: you’ll open the gates of paradise with Qardawi’s head!!

December 13th, 2011, 8:04 am

 

ann said:

Syrian opposition: dying for foreign intervention? – 13 December, 2011

http://rt.com/politics/syria-moscow-lavrov-opposition-679/

Using the ‘Libyan scenario’ as their template for regime change, the Syrian opposition is provoking a humanitarian crisis in the country in order to win foreign intervention, Russia says.

Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said it appears that Syria’s armed opposition is attempting to trigger a humanitarian catastrophe in order to justify foreign military intervention in the Syrian conflict.

“It seems to me that, beyond any doubt, the goal is to provoke a humanitarian catastrophe and create an excuse to demand foreign intervention in this conflict,” Lavrov said at a press conference after talks with Algerian Foreign Minister Murad Medelci in Moscow.

The crisis in Syria should be overcome on the basis of efforts exerted by the Arab League, but without ultimatums, Lavrov said.

“Russia and Algeria confirmed the identity of their views concerning the situation in Syria,” he said. “The acute domestic crisis in that country should be overcome on the basis of efforts exerted by the Arab League, but without any ultimatums.”

UN human rights chief Navi Pillay reported on Monday that more than 5,000 have died in the nine-month Syrian conflict.

Syria’s UN ambassador Basar Ja’Afari, however, harshly criticized Pillay’s information-gathering methods, arguing that the human rights chief limited her conclusions to discussions her office had with Syrian defectors.

“[Navi Pillay] allowed herself to be misused in misleading public opinion by providing information based on allegations collected from 233 defectors,” the Syrian ambassador to the United Nations said. “Of course [the defectors] will give negative testimony against the Syrian government. They are defectors.”

Meanwhile, Russia, which accused NATO of overstepping its UN-mandated duties in Libya by taking the side of rebel forces against now-deceased leader Muammar Gaddafi, does not want to see another repeat of foreign intervention in the internal affairs of a sovereign state.

In an effort to achieve this end, Moscow is calling on the government of President Bashar Assad to sign an Arab League-proposed protocol that would give foreign observers a green light to enter the country, which has witnessed thousands of deaths since anti-government protests turned violent.

Lavrov reiterated Russia’s firm position that the resolution of the crisis must proceed according to “the supremacy of law” with respect to Syria’s sovereignty.

“We stick to the opinion that the supremacy of law in international affairs, as well as the right of nations to decide their destiny without outside interference, should be respected,” he stressed.

Meanwhile, Lavrov criticized the West for taking an “immoral” stance on Syria by raising the pressure on President Assad’s government while turning a blind eye to violent action by militants.

“Our draft resolution is on the negotiating table and if those who refuse to exert pressure on the armed and extremist part of the opposition accuse us of blocking the Security Council’s work, generally speaking I would call such a position immoral,” he said.

The Russian Foreign Minister then mentioned Russia and Algeria’s common stance on the ongoing Middle East crisis.

“Russia and Algeria have common approaches to the situation in the Palestinian-Israeli settlement, or rather to the absence of progress in the settlement,” he said. “Russia, as a member of The Quartet, and Algeria, as a member of the Arab League, are interested in getting the situation out of the impasse as soon as possible and in creating conditions for the resumption of the talks.”

We are certain that positive changes in the Palestinian-Israeli affairs would have a positive impact on the overall atmosphere in the region, Lavrov concluded.

December 13th, 2011, 8:08 am

 

Tara said:

Kandahar

In case you did not read my post, I want to know Bronco’s opinion and Bronco’s only. Is that “blunt” enough for you?…

December 13th, 2011, 8:22 am

 

Akbar Palace said:

Today’s Lesson: Assad is killing Syrians because of Palestinian-Israeli Affairs

The Russian Foreign Minister said:

We are certain that positive changes in the Palestinian-Israeli affairs would have a positive impact on the overall atmosphere in the region, Lavrov concluded.

I guess the Russian FM isn’t so certain about the “positive impact” free elections would have on the “the region”. I wonder why?

December 13th, 2011, 8:27 am

 

majedkhaldoun said:

SNK
LaIKRAHA FI ALDEEN Is in Quraan
The Hadith is man Baddal dinaho Faqtulooh, this is misunderstanding interpretation ,it came during Battles with the people against Muhammad,it was not meant to be at a time of peace,Quraan is the correct ,Hadith must not contradict Quraan,during war is completely different rule if someone fighting with you ,then deserted you and joined the enemy ,then you have the right to kill him,all those explanations you mentioned are due to lack of understanding of the enviroment during which the hadith came
Quraan says , Wa MA Arsalnaka Alayhim Hafeeza,Hafeeza means dictator order them to do things against their will.
there are several places in Quraan repeat this statement,
God said “Wa la ta3tado.
In peace you can change your religion

December 13th, 2011, 9:02 am

 

Tara said:

Majed

Is there any verse in the Quraan that says Alridah punishment is death?

December 13th, 2011, 9:17 am

 

Juergen said:

For all who adore this artistic group….

Top Goon: Puppet drama lampoons Syria’s Bashar al-Assad
Puppet show in Syria takes on the president and the revolution.

Hugh Macleod and Annasofie FlamandDecember 12, 2011 08:22

Some of the puppet characters featured in “Top Goon: Diaries of a Little Dictator.” Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is on the right. (Masasit Mati/Courtesy)BEIRUT, Lebanon — The whip cracks against the prisoner’s back as the man with the moustache and the military uniform repeats his accusation: “You want freedom, right? Freedom?”

The whip comes down again and the prisoner punches the wall in pain.

“What kind of freedom is it you want?” demands the torturer. The freedom the puppet protester seeks, he tells his torturer, is “one where you and I wouldn’t be here. You’d be with your kids and I’d be with my family.”

And then a reply that explains why this small scene from a series of dramatic vignettes played out by finger puppets is among the boldest works of art to have grown out of the unprecedented upheaval in Syrian society.

More from GlobalPost: Homs arms itself against a looming onslaught

“You bastard!” retorts the man from Assad’s security services. “I am here because of you.” But the protester has understood the paradox: “You are here because you are not free,” he says. “You are imprisoned just like me. I’ll leave prison in a month or two. But you’ll stay here. Because you are afraid to take your freedom.”

Since its launch on YouTube two weeks ago, the series, “Top Goon: Diaries of a Little Dictator,” has received more than 40,000 views and garnered lavish praise and occasional furious outbursts from audiences stunned by its unprecedented and very personal lampooning of Syria’s struggling president, Bashar al-Assad. And, importantly for the country’s increasingly polarized society, by its refusal to indulge in easy answers.

In a Syria divided between regime and opposition, between mainly Sunni Muslim protesters and the Allawite Shiite Muslims who dominate Assad’s security services, between aggressor and victim, the perspective presented in this upcoming episode of Syrian theater group Masasit Mati’s groundbreaking drama is a rejection of black and white views.

The shabih, or pro-Assad thug, is seen not simply as the oppressor — though he most clearly is that — but also as another kind of victim of the regime, while the protester, though enduring a whipping, is by no means simply a victim, but rather a figure of strength, as he says, “a free Syrian who refuses humiliation.”

“The idea for this dialogue came from a real life example,” Jamil, Masasit Mati’s director told GlobalPost, which was shown a preview of the seventh episode of the series, due for release on Sunday.

“But it was actually the other way around: A friend of ours was in prison and heard the interrogator telling a prisoner, ‘Why are you doing this to us? You are forcing us to stay here. You are imprisoning us.’ We wanted to say that even the shabiha are brought up like slaves to serve the regime.”

A collaboration between a group of 10 artists from inside Syria and named after the straw used to drink mati, a herbal tea popular among Syrians who sip it over lengthy conversation, Jamil said the aim of Top Goon’s finger puppets was to bolster audiences in the best tradition of black comedy, even as blood continues to be spilled in the regime’s unrelenting crackdown on pro-democracy protesters.

“Comedy strips things bare and gives you the strength to fight. Of course, with black comedy the laughter gets stuck in your throat. It makes you laugh and cry at same time,” Jamil said. “But we will not allow the regime to turn us into victims that just cry and stay at home all the time.”

The emergence of Masasit Mati’s series comes amid a critical stage in what the International Crisis Group aptly describes as Syria’s “slow motion revolution,” by far the most drawn out of this year’s Arab uprisings.

The United Nations now estimates at least 4,000 Syrians have been killed since the crackdown began in mid-March, but human rights group Avaaz, which has researchers inside Syria, says it has registered more than 6,500 killed, with at least 20,000 arrested or disappeared, including last week a high profile 30-year-old female blogger, Razan Ghazzawi.

In a report released last month, Human Rights Watch said the regime’s crackdown against civilians in the central city of Homs, including systematic torture, constitutes crimes against humanity.

Last week Avaaz reported the kidnap of 14 Sunnis, including six women, in Homs as they traveled by bus near an Allawite neighborhood, with a senior Western diplomat in Damascus warning a sectarian war in the city is already underway.

Finding ways to make its largely Syrian audience laugh amid all the bloodshed and violence is no mean feat, but Masasit Mati has tapped a rich vein of satire in its portrayal of Syria’s president.

More from GlobalPost: Stalwarts of the Arab Spring give Occupy Wall Street some advice

Bashar, or Beeshu — a kind of baby name he is known by in the series — swings wildly between the character of a child suffering attention deficit disorder and the spoiled autocrat in his nightcap, comforted to sleep by his most trusted thug, in the episode Bishou’s Nightmares.

“The regime has fallen,” cries Beeshu, waking from his nightmare as his shabih opens fire on unseen opponents. “Shabih you moron!” screams Syria’s dictator. “It was only in my dream!”

Later Beeshu is seen flying into a rage on a game show, Who Wants to Kill a Million?, angered that his assertion of crushing the protesters is not the right final answer. Later his son and daughter challenge him over the killing of Syrian children and he responds by calling on his goon to put down this domestic uprising.

“We only kill our own people, but on the Golan Heights [Syrian territory occupied by Israel] we are a peaceful army,” Beeshu assures his audience during the episode, Talk Show, modelled on a famous talk show on Al Jazeera.

The direct and confrontational story lines, seeking to expose the lies by which the Assad regime has depicted its 41-year dictatorship as the choice of the Syrian people and a sacrifice in the name of Palestinian freedom from Israeli occupation, has won Masasit Mati rave reviews.

“It’s so good it’s driving me crazy,” posted one fan on the group’s Facebook wall. “I want to see a Masasit Mati TV station.” “It’s very good work and we watch it with our kids,” posted another, adding irreverently: “All we want to know is which finger you put Bashar on.”

Not everybody has greeted the series with such acclaim, however. Among the outpourings of praise, a few viewers have taken deep offense and posted threats that are unpublishable but tend to center on sexual violence against the mothers and sisters of Masasit Mati’s members.

“It’s kind of obvious it comes from the security apparatus,” said Jamil, who uses a pseudonym and did not wish to reveal his whereabouts.

The threat to the safety of those who would ridicule Syria’s president in words or pictures is all too serious. In July, a man identified as Ibrahim Kashoush was found with his throat slit in Hama after leading carnival-like street songs ridiculing the president.

A month later masked gunmen attacked Syria’s best known political cartoonist days after he published a cartoon showing Assad hitching a lift out of town with Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi. The attackers fractured Farzat’s arm, left him with a black eye and symbolically broke two of his fingers.

In the Top Goon series, the voice of Bishou mimics the president’s lisping pronunciation of the letter S and shows the president giggling inappropriately and telling bad jokes while delivering rambling speeches on reforms, such as the Law of Gravity that he says will put an end to the so-called ‘flying protests’ — spontaneous and short demonstrations by the opposition.

The series got an unexpected boost last week with the broadcast of an interview with Assad on US network ABC in which the president denied all responsibility for the killing of protesters, telling ABC’s Barbara Walters that Syria’s security forces “are not my forces,” despite, as president, he is constitutionally sitting as commander of all Syria’s armed forces.

“We don’t kill our people,” Assad said. “No government in the world kills its people, unless it’s led by a crazy person. Most of the people that have been killed are supporters of the government.”

“We used to worry that people outside Syria might think the things we show in Top Goon are exaggerated,” Jamil said. “But after we saw Assad’s interview we decided to run it on its own as episode five and a half because the interview was more comic than we could have imagined. We didn’t even have to make something up.”

December 13th, 2011, 9:26 am

 

Tara said:

Majed

Is there any verse in Quraan about the punishment of Riddah or is it Hadeeth only?

December 13th, 2011, 9:27 am

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Tara
It is only Hadith, in Quraan freedom of religion is the rule

December 13th, 2011, 9:45 am

 

Tara said:

UN delegates say commissioners Syria report is horrifying
Turkmenistan News.Net
Tuesday 13th December, 2011

http://www.turkmenistannews.net/story/201808430/ht/UN-delegates-say-commissioners-Syria-report-is-horrifying
….
The briefing was described as shocking by UN ambassadors.

Britain’s ambassador to the UN, Mark Lyall Grant, called it “the most horrifying briefing that we’ve had in the Security Council over the last two years”, while German Ambassador Peter Wittig said his country is “shocked and appalled”.

Wittig said his government thinks it “unbearable” that the Security Council appears “condemned to remain silent on Syria.”
…..

December 13th, 2011, 10:07 am

 

Bronco said:

648. Tara

Each religion has its flaws, the question is whether one hides them, disguise them, or admit that they are flaws.
I don’t think there are any religion ‘superior’ to the other. Who has time to compare religions and decide which is the most suitable to oneself?
So one is born in a religion within a culture and unless one has a strong ‘revelation’ that draws him/her to another faith, people usually stay in the original one and just compose with it, compromising by ignoring the parts that they don’t like. This is why each one has a different filtered view of his religion.
It disturbs when people claim they are ‘true’ christian or ‘true’ moslem, or ‘true’ anything. Each one either build his/her own view of his religion or just follow blindly the majority by finding explanations and excuses to all the flaws that are obvious to everybody.
I think that admitting that a large part of all religions is man made is a first step to wisdom.
Christianity is almost 90% man-made because the holy books are just the story of Jesus Christ and his deeds. There are in it very basic yet important tenets of the Christian religion principally the necessity to love each other, to forgive, to share and to be humble. All the ‘laws’ and “do and don’t’ have come from the apostles who were not infallible and later by the institutions called the Churches. These ‘laws’ are gradually been either revised or dropped to adapt to the modern world.
Islam is much more rigid because the Qu’ran, the pillar of the religion, is much more specific on the “do and don’t”. While some moslems accept that is should be interpreted by the minds of ‘holy’ men, using the other “holy” books, we know none of these men is infallible. Other reject any interpretations. Therefore there a multitude of views of Islam in the practical life of a moslem.
Ultimately I think each one forms for oneself a “moral” behavior made of the religious teachings, rituals, education and culture and they call it their religion.

December 13th, 2011, 10:16 am

 

Amir in Tel Aviv said:

Majed #657,

With all due respect, you know that this is not true. I’m sure you know that according to Koranic traditions, later suras and commands retract previous ones. The Koran starts with ideas of tolerance and moderation, and ends with a militaristic and immoderate tone. Unfortunately, the later Suras are those that the Muslims are obliged to follow, while the first remain as a memory and as a monument of what the Koran could and should have been.
.

December 13th, 2011, 10:17 am

 

Observer said:

First to finish the debate about Riddah. The word came from the campaign of Abu Bakr to enforce the only islamic duty that is an obligation on the community to enforce and that is the paying of the alms to the poor.
Second the injunction and permission to wage defense was granted after the Quraish forced Muslims to renounce their faith. That is the origin of the meaning of Fitna being worse than killing. It is a permission to defend for freedom of belief and thought.
One can renounce the faith if he/she no longer feels that he has the belief. Muslims by definition are also Christians and Jews as the articles faith involve the belief in the one God and in his prohpets and books and messages and the angels and the day of judgment and the unforseen events beyond one’s control such as earthquakes and such.
Also the first Muslim is Adam and other muslims are mentioned in teh holy book even before Muhamad such that Mariam is a muslim and Abraham is a muslim for they accepted the unity of the faith in one deity who wants humanity to embrace life freeom justice the common good equity and prosperity. It is a kindgom of God on earth and not a pie in the sky.

There is no compulsion in religion.

Now more important stuff
There are numerous defections in the Syrian army with apparently entire units defecting in the north and in the south a series of caves and tunnels and smuggling routes are being bombed but the official army does not dare enter the area.

Mullaim is either under house arrest or is protesting that the security services forced on him the fake videos.

There is desperation in all of the news and I must point out that I disagree with Ehsani the interview with ABC is a panic driven attempt at restoring a damaged image.

December 13th, 2011, 10:23 am

 

Revlon said:

The largest defection on record!
An entire brigade defect in Jabal Al Zawiyeh, with their personal gear in Idlib.
The video is of a pro-revolution rally by defected officers and soldiers.
12/12/2011
انشقاق فرقة بضباطها وكامل عتادها سوريا جبل الزاوية
Uploaded by andrwmida on Dec 12, 2011

December 13th, 2011, 10:29 am

 

Bronco said:

#626 Jad

It is now a struggle of influence between some powerful Western countries and their middle eastern allies against Russia, Iran, Iraq and the BRICS.
Syria have become the proxy battle field of the large powers who cannot go at war against each others militarily. They use fake diplomacy, war or words, and all kind of manipulations of the media and human rights to escalate and create a harder situation for each other. Ultimately, either it will explode in a disaster for the region, or there would be a ‘ceasefire’ between the great powers.
The whole area is boiling from Libya to Syria. Western countries are worried about the impact of Islamism on Israel’s security, the US about Iran influence in Iraq, about the economical situation of Europe and the US that is shaking, Turkey about the Kurds growing unrest etc…
In my view the situation will stagnate far into 2012 and then it will gradually stabilize as the western countries will need to lessen their involvement in foreign countries and get busy with their own elections, the Islamic countries would have declared their real intentions and the economical situation would have become clearer.

In any war, there is a point where the two opponents admit there is no winner or looser and they agree on a ‘ceasefire”. Why this is not happening in Syria? Shouln’t be the goal of the Arab league to be the arbiter and call for a cease fire?

December 13th, 2011, 10:41 am

 

Revlon said:

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

بيان صادر عن الجيش السوري الحر
13 ديسمبر. 2011
http://www.freesyrianarmy1.com/ar/node/103

Busr AlHarir, Horan, witnessed massive defections at dawn yesterday.
It was followed by a battle with Assad army, Shabbeeha and security forces that lasted till 6 in the evening.
The battle left 300 of Asad forces wounded or killed and lead to destruction of 3 T54 tanks and arrest of large number of Asad forces who were taken to the FSA rocky hideout (Al Lajah), which is inaccessible by Asad tanks.
تقريرعما حصل من اشتباكات عنيفة في درعا
عناصر كبيرة من الجيش انشقت فجر أمس في المناطق العسكرية المجاورة لمدينة بصر الحرير في محافظة درعا, ودخلت منطقة اللجاة المجاورة لبصر الحرير من جهة الشمال والغرب.
و بعد الانشقاق الذي كان بأعداد هائلة وتزامن مع الاضراب العام في المحافظة, قامت قوات النظام الأمنية بما فيها “الشبيحة”, مدعومة ب¯”اللواء 12 دبابات” و”اللواء 115″ اللذان يتبعان الفرقة الخامسة المدرعة باجتياح بصر الحرير, “فعمد أبطال الجيش الحر لاستدراجها الى المنطقة الوعرة في اللجاة, واستمرت الاشتباكات منذ العاشرة صباحاً وحتى الساعة السادسة مساء”.
حيث أسفرت المعركة الضارية عن “مقتل وإصابة مايزيد عن 300” من قوات النظام, من جيش وأمن وشبيحة, إضافة إلى “تدمير ثلاث دبابات من نوع (ت 55 – عيار 105 مم) روسية الصنع, وأسر عدد كبير من هذه القوات تم اقتيادها الى منطقة اللجاة الآمنة للثوار والجيش الحر” و من المعروف أن “اللجاة هي أكثر المناطق أماناً لاختباء المنشقين لأن من الصعب على الدبابات والمشاة اختراقها, ففيها كهوف وممرات سرية وتمتد الى ريف دمشق”.
و بعدها , عمدت قوات النظام إلى استقدام تعزيزات من الفرقة التاسعة المرابطة في مدينة الصنمين المجاورة (عن طريق بلدة خبب), بهدف السيطرة على الأوضاع بعد تزايد الانشقاقات وانسحاب قوات النظام إلى منطقة الخوابي غرب بصر الحرير, حيث انتشرت التعزيزات حتى حدود معصرة الرحمن بالقرب من مدينة أزرع”.
و بسبب المعركة الكبيرة عمت الاحتجاجات في جميع مدن وبلدات درعا والتي فقدت الاجهزة الامنية السيطرة على بعضها بسبب ازدياد الانشقاقات

December 13th, 2011, 10:43 am

 

Mina said:

Democracy in the Middle East? Not in a million year…
http://www.arabist.net/blog/2011/12/11/how-lebanon-works-cont.html

December 13th, 2011, 10:46 am

 

mjabali said:

حجة Tara:

I am not really surprised with your little knowledge of your religion Islam. Most Muslims in the world are like you so do not get upset.

Here and after your repeated plights for answers, I could not stay put while you and the “doctor” are throwing smoke grenades trying to mask the violence Muslims had manifested throughout their history to those who renounced Islam; i.e. al-Murtad.

The Muslims always based their harsh treatment to those who renounced Islam on al-Quran in the first place, then on the Saying/Hadith of Mohammad regarding those who “switch” their religion. حديث من بدل دينه فإقتلوه

Al-Quran has it both ways as in many cases, which means it says in some instance that it is ok to follow and do what you want, then in other instances it says that those who do this are evil and should be killed.

al-Quran states in some instances that it has nothing to do with those who change their Muslim Faith, i.e Riddah (المرتد والردة) and it says that there is no forcing anyone to follow Islam لا إكراه في الدين

But then you have other verses that states that those changing their religion are evil and should be killed. An example about this attitude is this verse: ”
2- ويدل أيضاً على قتل المرتد قوله تعالي : } لئن لم ينته المنافقون والذين في قلوبهم مرض والمرجفون في المدينة لنغرينك بهم ثم لا يجاورونك فيها إلا قليلاً 0 ملعونين أينما ثقفوا أُخِذُوا وقُتِّلُوا تقتيلاً 0 سنة الله في الذين خلوا من قبل ولن تجد لسنة الله تبديلاً )

So as you see it is both ways in al-Quran.

They call this problem : الناسخ والمنسوخ

There is a famous saying about al-Quran; they say al-Quran carries many faces حمال أوجه، which means it is like a Supermarket (as many termed it) you can pick from it what suits your ideology.

So, if you are a peace loving Muslim you could reference to the verse that supports living together and happy go around with everyone, and if you are a dooms-day-express-taking-to-paradise kind of a person with a suicide belt strapped, you would follow the verse that says: ملعونين أينما ثقفو أخذو وقتلوا

December 13th, 2011, 10:47 am

 

Revlon said:

Syrian National Council المجلس الوطني السوري
http://www.facebook.com/TheSyrianNationalCouncil

إعلام و صحافة دولية
============
«الجيش الحر» يتحدث عن انشقاقات واشتباكات عنيفة على الحدود اللبنانية
أحد ضباطه لـ «الشرق الأوسط»: عناصرنا موزعة على كل الحدود
بعد الاشتباكات الأخيرة التي وقعت في منطقة «بصرى الحرير» في درعا بين الجيش النظامي السوري والمنشقين عنه، بات واضحا أن الحدود السورية على جبهاتها الثلاث؛ التركية والأردنية واللبنانية تشكل أرضا خصبة لإمكانية اندلاع أي معارك بين الطرفين في أي لحظة. وهذا ما يؤكده أحد الضباط المنشقين لـ«الشرق الأوسط» ويقول: «عناصرنا موزعة على كل الحدود، ونحن دائما في حالة استنفار، وبالتالي لا يمكننا القول إن حدودا أخطر بالنسبة إلينا من حدود أخرى.. فالممرات كلها في يد القوات الأمنية التي قد لا تتوانى عن استخدام سلاح الطيران في أي وقت». وآخر هذه المعارك كانت تلك التي وقعت، بحسب الضابط، في بلدة القصير، على الحدود اللبنانية، أول من أمس، عندما رفض أحد الضباط برتبة عميد ركن تنفيذ الأوامر بقصف المدنيين في البلدة بالمدفعية، فتمت تصفيته أمام أعين العسكريين، الأمر الذي أدى إلى إعلان أكثر من 30 منهم انشقاقهم، ووقعت اشتباكات ضارية بين الوحدات الخاصة والأمن العسكري، مضيفا: «لكننا لم نتدخل إلى حين انتهاء الاشتباك، وانضم بعد ذلك 22 من العسكريين إلى صفوف الجيش الحر الذي دمر أمس في منطقة القصير ناقلتي جند».
وفي ما يتعلق بالاشتباكات التي وقعت على الحدود الجنوبية، أكد الضابط أن «هذه الاشتباكات اندلعت بعدما سجل انشقاق عدد كبير من عناصر الجيش النظامي الموجود في منطقة بصرى الحرير في درعا، الأمر الذي دفع القطاعات إلى التحرك بنحو 6 آليات عسكرية وطوقتهم فوقع الاشتباك بين الطرفين وأسفر عن تدمير 3 دبابات ووقع عدد من القتلى والجرحى». ويلفت الضابط إلى أن «هذه الاشتباكات قد توقفت مساء الأحد بعدما فك الطوق وأبعدت الدبابات على مسافة أكثر من 500 متر، ولا نزال بالتالي في حالة استنفار». ويشير الضابط إلى أن «منطقة بصرى الحرير تبقى عصية على الاقتحام من قبل كتائب الأسد نظرا لطبيعة أرضها، وهي آمنة بالنسبة إلينا إذا ما واجهناهم بقوة السلاح الدفاعي الخفيف والمتوسط».
أما في ما يتعلق بالوضع على الحدود التركية في الفترة الأخيرة، فيقول الضابط: «سبق لكتائب الأسد أن هاجمت تجمعات (الجيش السوري الحر) في منطقة بديتا، لكنهم لمسوا عدم قدرتهم على المواجهة فعادوا وتراجعوا، والوضع اليوم لا يزال على حاله». وعن المعلومات التي أشيعت مؤخرا عن تهديد النظام المنشقين بتسليم أنفسهم أو سيعمد إلى اجتياح حمص، أكد الضابط أن «هذه المعلومات ليست جديدة، فالتهديدات نفسها لا تزال منذ 9 أشهر، وكيف لهم أن يهددوا باجتياح حمص مرة ثانية وهي محاصرة والجيش الأسدي في مناطقها منذ أكثر من 7 أشهر».(الشرق الأوسط).

December 13th, 2011, 10:50 am

 

zoo said:

Bye Bye Free trade with Turkey, Hello Free trade with Iran

Syrian-Iranian Follow-up Committee for Economic Cooperation
(Dp-news – Sana)

DAMASCUS- Activities of the 9th regular session of the Syrian-Iranian Follow-up Committee for Economic Cooperation started in Damascus on Tuesday co-chaired by Syrian Minister of Economy and Trade, Mohammed Nidal al-Sha’ar and Iranian Minister of Transportation and Urban Development, Ali Nikzad.

The two sides agreed on forming four committees to discuss means of enhancing economic, trade and investment cooperation between the two countries.

The Iranian Minister announced that the Iranian Islamic Shoura Council had endorsed the free trade agreement between Syria and Iran, expressing readiness to initialize it during the underway meetings of the Committee.
# Hindustan Petroleum Corp in talks to buy Syrian Crude
# Pipeline Attack & Sanctions on Syria
# Syria to promote its Products & protect its National Industry
# Syrian Cabinet approves a plan on Random Housing

Minister Ali Nikzad highlighted the deep-rooted relations binding Syria and Iran, particularly in the political level, indicating to his country’s standing by Syria and its keenness on enhancing the bilateral relations in various domains.

In a statement to SANA upon arrival at Damascus Airport to chair the Iranian side at the meetings of the Syrian-Iranian Follow-up Committee for Economic Cooperation, Nikzad said that prospects of mutual cooperation and means of developing it in the fields of housing, transportation and industry will be discussed during the visit, in addition to exchanging visits and experiences.
He added that a team of the Iranian merchants and industrialists in the domain of construction and housing had visited Syria before the visit of the delegation, and they held talks with the Syrian side as they reached positive outcomes that would be the basis for achieving satisfactory outcomes for both sides.
He pointed out that the Iranian Islamic Shoura Council had endorsed the law of free trade with the Syrian side, and the Iranian Cabinet had authorized the Iranian Minister of Trade to implement all the domains of cooperation with Syria.

Nikzad said that Presidents Bashar al-Assad and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad had previously agreed during their last meeting on going forwards in signing a free trade agreement between the two countries, and this is what has been done later to enhance the bilateral rapidly-developing relations.
He added that this visit will open the door for shedding light on what has been implemented of the previous agreements, in addition to strengthening the cooperation in the domains of transportation and housing as constructive talks will be held to reach an agreement in these two spheres.
He indicated that the Iranian and Syrian sides will exert every possible efforts during the activities of the committee to come up with positive outcomes that would serve the interests of the both sides, particularly during the current circumstances.

For his part, Minister al-Sha’ar said that the visit of Minister Nikzad and the accompanying delegation constitutes an important stage and reflects the close relations between Syria and Iran, saying “we build hopes on these talks”.
He indicated that endorsing the free trade agreement at the Iranian Islamic Shoura Council is very important step “and the agreement will directly come into force because the Syrian side had earlier approved the agreement… today we will try to put the suitable steps to accelerate the agreement in the best interests of the two countries.”
He added that the meetings of the Committee will discuss issues related to economy, trade, housing, transportation, tourism and banking, saying “We all hope that the talks will yield realistic and practical outcomes that can be translated on the ground through enhancing trade relations and establishing investment projects, in addition to developing the banking relations between the two countries.”

Earlier, Assistant Minister of Economy and Trade Khalid Salloutah told SANA that the two-day meeting will discuss prospects of cooperation in all domains in addition to following up the situation of the Iranian companies working in Syria and means of developing it.

The Syrian-Iranian Follow-up Committee for Economic Cooperation, which was emerged from the Syrian-Iranian Higher Committee, aims at bolstering ties of cooperation between the two countries and following up the implementation of the agreements signed between them.

December 13th, 2011, 10:54 am

 

Revlon said:

“طبيب الثورة السورية” إبراهيم عثمان تحدث مع الممثلة فدى سليمان هاتفياً قبيل مقتله بساعتين

http://www.levantnews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=10226:q–q———–&catid=66:syria-politics&Itemid=118

العربية. نت – الإثنين، 12 كانون1/ديسمبر 2011 21:05 بتوقيت دمشق

سورية اليوم – سياسة

“تذكرتني؟” قالت له “نعم، أنت ذو الوجه الأبيض والشعر الطويل” . قال “أنا ملاحق وفي وضع سيئ وفي مكان سيء وأحاول الهروب إلى اسطنبول”.

لعلها كانت آخر مكالمة هاتفية لـ”طبيب الثورة السورية إبراهيم ناهل عثمان، حينما اتصل بالفنانة فدوى سليمان في حمص، كما نشرت عبر صفحتها على فيسبوك، وبعدها بساعتين لقي حتفه على يد قوات الأمن السورية، بعد أن كان أول المطلوبين بسبب نشاطه الثوري.
وكان عثمان ولد في الرياض سنة 1985، وحصل على شهادة الثانوية، وكان ترتيبه الأول على المملكة العربية السعودية، وحصل على منحة من الملك آنذاك لدراسة طب الأسنان في السعودية، ولكنه اختار دراسة الطب البشري ليتجه بعدها إلى سوريا للدراسة في جامعة دمشق عام 2003 ويتخرج منها عام 2009.
“لماذا يا إبراهيم؟!”
وتواصل الفنانة فدوى سليمان حديثها عبر صفحتها على فيسبوك “كلمني قبل ساعات من استشهاده.. قال: ألم تتذكريني؟ أنا من كان محمولاً على الأكتاف في إحدى المظاهرات التي شاركتِ بها في دمشق.. قلت له تذكرتك، أنت صاحب الوجه الأبيض والشعر الطويل قليلاً.. فأجاب بنعم.. قال وضعي الآن سيء وأنا ملاحق وفي مكان سيء.. وسأسافر إلى اسطنبول بعد كم يوم.. لم يقل إنه كان ينوي السفر مباشرة”.
وتابعت “لماذا يا إبراهيم كلمتني قبل ساعات من استشهادك؟ وأية حكمة هذه في أن نتكلم وأتذكرك قبل ساعات من استشهادك!، ترى من كان إلى جانبك ليقدم لك الدواء يا إبراهيم وأنت الذي قدمت الدواء والحياة للمئات؟ رحمك الله.. ولن أنسى رنة صوتك التي كانت تقول: ماذا تريد حمص من دواء؟”.
من جانب آخر، ذكرت مصادر لـ”العربية نت” أنه قام بمساعدة طبيب آخر بمعالجة ما يفوق المئة جريح وإنقاذ حياة المئات في يوم الجمعة العظيمة، ومنذ بداية الثورة وهو يستغل مهنته الطبية لإسعاف الناس في القرى السورية حتى لو اتصلت به في أي وقت وعندما يسأل عن الخوف كانت كلمته المشهورة “الحامي الله”.
الأقرب لقلب والدته
تواجد طبيب الثورة السورية في بلدة الرستن بمحافظة حمص وقت هجوم الجيش، كما تواجد في حماه أول أيام رمضان، وكان في بلدة تبليسة بالقرب من حمص وقت الاقتحام.
وغطى بنشاطه معظم المدن السورية التي شهدت احتجاجات جماهيرية، وساهم بعلاج الجرحى تحت القصف والاقتحامات حتى غدا في مقدمة المطلوبين من قبل النظام السوري.
وأوضحت المصادر أن عثمان كان يعيش بالقرب من مدينة دمشق في حي برزة، ويصفه أصدقاؤه بأنه كان يحظى بشعبية من جميع طوائف سوريا, وأصيب والده بسرطان في الدماغ ليتفرغ ابراهيم لرعايته طيلة شهرين حتى وافته المنية.
يعتبر عثمان أصغر إخوانه الشباب والأقرب لوالدته لما يعرف عنه في محيطه من عقلانية في معالجة الأمور وحرصه على مصلحة أسرته.
كما يعتبر عثمان مؤسس تنسيقية أطباء دمشق والناطق الإعلامي باسمها وأحد أشجع أطبائها، منذ بداية الثورة وهو يجند مهنته الطبية لإسعاف الناس في القرى السورية ليلا نهارا.
وتحت الضغط والملاحقة من قبل قوات الأمن وبعد أن أصبح أحد أهم المطلوبين للأمن قرر أخيرا الهروب الى اسطنبول، إلا أنه أصيب بطلق ناري على يد عناصر من المخابرات الجوية على الحدود التركية مما أدى إلى وفاته.
دبي – علاء المنشاوي

December 13th, 2011, 11:05 am

 

zoo said:

Erdoğan voted least popular for Person of the Year

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/erdogan-voted-most-and-least-popular-for-person-of-the-year-.aspx?pageID=238&nID=9056&NewsCatID=338

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was voted as the most and the least popular person in Time magazine’s Person of the Year polls, Time magazine reported.

Erdoğan not only received a crushing 122, 928 votes in his favor, with his nearest competitor football legend Lionel Messi receiving a far less amount, but also more than 180,000 votes were cast against him becoming Time’s Person of the Year, making him the least popular candidate in the race.

Campaigns were led during the polls both in favor and against the Turkish prime minister, Time magazine said.

Time further referred to The Wall Street Journal report on receiving emails from Turkish Internet users under a “Vote NO!” campaign, warning of the impact such a title would have on Erdoğan’s policies with his already existing “craving” for power.

Time magazine said the 2011 Person of the Year has not been finalized yet and will not be revealed until next week.

December 13th, 2011, 11:08 am

 

mjabali said:

حج Revlon:

You mentioned in your comment # 664 that around 300 pro Assad soldiers have been killed. I remember reading one post by you back in August saying that around a thousand Shabeeh died in one clash with the Free Syrian Army. If we add the numbers you post we probably reach around 3000 soldiers and Shabeeh dead in the last few months alone, how can anyone know if this is true or not?

December 13th, 2011, 11:09 am

 

irritated said:

Revlon

Who is paying the salary of this increase number of defectors?
Also I guess that these defectors come from villages loyal to the opposition. So it’s limited to the restive areas on the borders or Turkey, Lebanon, Jordana and Iraq. Any defection from Damascus or Aleppo?

December 13th, 2011, 11:10 am

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Mjabali
Munafiqoon are not musslems ,they pretend to be Muslems they were spies,this nullify your point.there is no contradiction in Quraan
Your lack of knowledge in history is obvious, please do not claim that you know history if you distort history.

Revlon
There seems to be increase in the number of defections lately, this means the army is disintegrating, and accelerating ,close to 500 defector joined FSA today,Booha no longer can hold to the unity of his troops, things are coming togather,Assad is loosing, along with the fact that the Elite are begining to abandon Assad the booha,
The quiet ,stay on the side people are getting disgusted with Booha brutal crimes, which obviously not able to end this great revolution,whose enemies they have nothing but nonsense to say.

Observer I fully agree with you,Ridda war was to collect Zakat.

December 13th, 2011, 11:10 am

 

newfolder said:

Awesome video, FSA member destroys a tank in Homs with an RPG, damn good hit too!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-r9MF-uEOQ

this is the fate of all of Assad’s dogs

December 13th, 2011, 11:12 am

 

Tara said:

You guys don’t get it. Do you? I guess I was not blunt enough.
I asked Bronco and I was interested in his opinion ONLY. Why is this so hard of a concept to understand? I advise people who have a burning desire to respond, to make it generic.

I am not here on SC to influence the opinion of a general audience. It is very naive and dilusional on the part of the Mnhebaks to think that they are influencing the public opinion and therefore serving their cause by posting their Islamophobes views or regime propaganda non-sense. I doubt anyone reads what they post except the people who share similar views.

December 13th, 2011, 11:17 am

 

Revlon said:

671. Dear mjabali,
((حج Revlon:
You mentioned in your comment # 664 that around 300 pro Assad soldiers have been killed. I remember reading one post by you back in August saying that around a thousand Shabeeh died in one clash with the Free Syrian Army. If we add the numbers you post we probably reach around 3000 soldiers and Shabeeh dead in the last few months alone, how can anyone know if this is true or not?))

Thank you for the addressing me with حج .
I hope someday I get to enjoy doing such duty.
I have a more pressing one now; helping my brethren in Syria achieve freedom and oust their tyrant.

Your memory might be better than mine, since I do not recall myself or anyone on this blog to have posted such news.

Kindly provide a link to my alleged post!

Cheers

December 13th, 2011, 11:21 am

 

zoo said:

Turkey and Syria: What’s Next?

http://www.turkishweekly.net/print.asp?type=1&id=127927

Like many other countries, the so-called Arab Spring caught Turkey by surprise, and its initial response was confused, ambiguous and sometimes contradictory. But Turkey quickly became a major champion of change and democracy in the region.

For Mensur Akgun, director of the Global Political Trends Centre (GPOT), this was the logical choice. “The AKP thinks that the new wave of democratisation is not stoppable and it’s therefore better to be on the side of change.”

Turkey’s stance on Syria has been no different, and after some early hesitation, Turkey called first for reform, then for President Bashar al-Assad to step down. It has played host to the Syrian opposition and helped shape the international agenda to pressure the Syrian regime, most recently through targeted sanctions in line with the Arab League and the West.

But with the fate of the Assad regime yet to be determined — in part due to support from Iran and Russia — some question whether Turkey’s bold stance will achieve its desired outcome.

As Professor Meliha Altunisik of Middle East Technical University told SES Türkiye, “It’s a risky path that Turkey has taken, not just on sanctions but also with the opposition.”

Initial economic data suggests that the sanctions will weaken the regime. Foreign reserves are shrinking; Syria is no longer earning an estimated $400m a month from oil exports and the Syrian pound has lost a third of its value.

However, there is a real possibility sanctions may not have their desired effect — a fact that Akgun confirmed: “There is a chance that they [sanctions] solidify the regime.” With Iran’s and now Russia’s backing, this possibility becomes even more distinct.

The question of what happens if the current chosen path fails is therefore pressing. As the director of TESEV’s foreign policy programme Sabiha Senyucel told SES Türkiye, “No one really knows what to do if the sanctions fail.”

Turkey has a couple of options up its sleeve. First, according to Altunisik, Turkey could consider “co-operating with Iran”, but she says such a policy “is difficult for a number of reasons”.

The other option is to pursue an international intervention for humanitarian purposes. While Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said that he hoped a military intervention would never necessary, according to Senyucel, “[Deputy Prime Minister] Bulent Arinc has subsequently said that Turkey could consider such a zone.”

With only a couple options available, and neither looking likely to achieve the desired outcome in the short term, the question of what is next looms large. As events unfold, there is a fear that the Arab Spring could assume a sectarian flavour in a region that has long suffered from such division.

With both Iraq and Lebanon abstaining from the vote, “the Arab League decision has a strong sectarian element [to it],” argued Altunisik.

With the Assad regime propagating the idea that current international opposition to it is merely part of a Sunni plot backed by the West, the response of both Syria and moreover Iran could have dire consequences. According to Akgun, “We should not underestimate the Baath Party’s ability to create havoc in the region.”

As Altunisik summed up, “It’s really a nightmare scenario.”

December 13th, 2011, 11:27 am

 

Revlon said:

A lady was kidnapped in barzeh AlBalad this afternoon while on her way back from visiting her mother to her home.

حركة سوريا شباب من أجل الحرية Youth Syria For Freedom
http://www.facebook.com/Youth.Syria.Freedom

Nana K Nana من بعد إذنك أدمن ضرورري ضرورري ضرورري ضرورري ضرورري جدا النشر يرجى التعميم
تنسيقية برزة البلد – الثورة السورية في مدينة دمشق
بيان من أهالي حـــي بـــرزة الدمشقي
لاقوة إلا بالله …. فقد طفح الكيل وبلغ السيل الزبى
في الوقت الذي التزم فيه الشعب السوري وسكان حي برزة تحديداً بالتظاهر السلمي وقد تحملوا من هذه العصابة اللعينة كل أشكال الإيذاء والاعتداء , يصر هذا النظام المجرم الجبان على إظهار قبح وجهه وحقارته بكل وقاحة حتى وصل بإجرامه وسفالته إلى اعراضنا وبناتنا ظاناً ومتوهماً أنه يستطيع إخضاعنا وارجاعنا عن سلمية الثورة .

ببالغ الأسى والغضب يعلن أهالي حي برزة البلد عن جريمة جديدة ارتكبتها العصابات الأسدية بإختطاف إحدى حرائرنا – نتحفظ عن ذكر الأسم – يوم الإثنين بين الساعة الثانية عشر والواحدة ظهرا وهي متجهة من منزل أهلها إلى منزلها اللذان يبعدان عن بعضهما مسافة 300 متر
وعند سؤال شهود عيان من المنطقة تأكدنا من قيام سيارات الأمن والشبيحة بذلك.

ويأتي هذاالعمل الخسيس بعد محاولة فاشلة للأمن والشبيحة لإختطاف شابة أخرى من جانب مدرسة عدنان المدني يوم الأحد وقد تمكن شباب الحي من إحباط عملية الخطف .
ونظرا لكوننا في حي برزة لم نعتد بأي ظرف من الظروف على انتشار هذا النوع من الممارسات اللاأخلاقية والتي تتنافي مع أدنى درجات الشرف , فإننا نحمل قوات الأمن والشبيحة المسؤولية الكاملة عن سلامة الشابة ،مع كل ما يمكن أن يترتب على هذا السلوك الشائن من ردود افعال غاضبة .
ونطالب وفــــورا … بإعادة الفتاة سالمة إلى أهلها .… وإلا فلتتحملوا عاقبة أفعالكم الخسيسة .
و نناشد أهالي أحياء محافظة دمشق و ريفها الإنتفاض والتصعيد لدعم إخوانهم في حي برزة
عاشت الثورة السورية الشريفة
وعاشت سوريا الحــرة

December 13th, 2011, 11:35 am

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Revlon
You said 300 dead or wounded, you did not say dead only, Mjabali is back to his alcohol drinking again he is a distorter.

God bless FSA,they will lead us to victory.

December 13th, 2011, 11:38 am

 

Revlon said:

Jr’s security forces patrol a neighbourhood in Hama and use loudspeaker to warn shop owners to break up their strike or else their shops would be opened by force!

حماه: تهديد الناس بكسرالاقفال اذا لم تفتح محلاتها2011 13/12

December 13th, 2011, 11:44 am

 

zoo said:

What’s happening?
A Saudi mouth piece criticizes both the Salafists ad Moslem Brotherhood in Egypt

http://www.asharq-e.com/news.asp?section=2&id=27677

“The Egyptian youth cried yesterday, whilst today we saw a old man crying, and I fear – God forbid – that all Egyptians will be crying tomorrow due to the direction that the country is heading in, particularly with regards to the presence of the Muslim Brotherhood and Salafists, as well as the chaos amongst Egypt’s dreaming youth. ”

http://www.asharq-e.com/news.asp?section=2&id=27681

“In short, the Egyptian Salafists, despite their marginally different approach to the Muslim Brotherhood, would confuse the implementation of the Brotherhood’s political program, in the same manner as they confused the Muslim Brotherhood’s political approach, forcing them to change their strategy and content themselves with 30 percent of the votes as a result of the Salafists’ fierce competition”

December 13th, 2011, 11:45 am

 

Revlon said:

Another child has been gravely hit in the head by Jr’s forces
AlBayadah, Homs.
May the angels comfort him and God bless his family with fortitude.
13/12/2011

المركز الإعلامي السوري حمص البياضة طفل جريح في الرأس بحالة خطرة13 12 2011http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTZ98vc_KUw

December 13th, 2011, 11:51 am

 

Revlon said:

679. Dear majedkhaldoun,
((Revlon
You said 300 dead or wounded, you did not say dead only, Mjabali is back to his alcohol drinking again he is a distorter.))

Thank you fro noting that!
Cheers.

December 13th, 2011, 11:54 am

 

Dale Andersen said:

Memo To: TARA

RE: “…I want to know Bronco’s opinion and Bronco’s only…”

If you want to know his opinion, just call your friendly, neighborhood Syrian security agency.

Dial dial.

Ring ring.

Tara: Hello? Hello?

Agency: al-Mukhabarat. May we help you?

Tara: Yes, I have a question about Bronco.

Agency. Bronco. Bronco. Hmmmm. Oh yes, he’s that fellow with all the opinions. Wordy little twit, but quite well-read.

Tara: Yes, that’s him. I need to know his opinion on an interpretation of a verse in the Quran.

Agency: My goodness. Aren’t we waxing theological? Personally, I’m strictly secular. I stay out of all religious disputations, as does our great leader, Bashar al-Assad, but you have a nice voice, so I’ll have my top researcher, Ann, email you Bronco’s opinion. Will there be anything else?

Tara: Ummm, no. That will just about do it.

Agency: All right then. I have to get back to the torturing and interrogating. Good bye!

Click Buzz….

December 13th, 2011, 11:55 am

 

Mina said:

Zoo
It’s happening that the hotels they own in Egypt are now totally empty!! They get bored when they don’t have some stock exchange rates to watch all day.

December 13th, 2011, 12:22 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Iran is saber rattling, but Iran will never dare to initiate military action against USA,Iran threat to block Hurmuze strait,will not happen except in extreme desperate and final stage

December 13th, 2011, 12:26 pm

 

louai said:

i think for the terrorists the Christian blood is more valuable than the Muslim blood , they could sell it for more to aljazeera and other prostitutes

two Christians today were killed, their killers were more interested to show the camera they were Christians than treating them

very disgusting really !! i cant describe it

Sami is my neighbour !! another Christian his blood being sold very cheaply

one day …this day will come soone ,very soon m we will take our revenge from those killers who kill just to film their victimes and send the videos to aljazeera ….there will be no forgiveness !!

December 13th, 2011, 12:29 pm

 

zoo said:

“Al-Rubaie also said the delegation will convey a “reassuring economic message” that Iraq would not take part in any economic blockade on Syria and its people”.

News Analysis: Allies work in solidarity with Syria despite West’s tough stance
2011-12-13

DAMASCUS, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) — As the West assumes a tough stance toward Syria by imposing sanctions and supporting the opposition groups, Damascus’ allies are seeking to find a peaceful solution to the country’s months-long crisis.

Ali Nik-Zad, the Iranian minister of communication and housing, was quoted by the official SANA news agency as saying on Tuesday that the Iranian parliament has ratified a free trade zone agreement between Iran and Syria.

Nik-Zad, who presides over the ongoing economic meeting held in Damascus with Syrian Economy Minister Mohammad Nidhal al-Shaar, said Iran is ready to initially sign the trade agreement during the meeting.

The two-day meeting will discuss the situation of Iranian companies in Syria and the means of developing their businesses.

The Iranian minister said upon arrival that his country would always stand along with Syria and is keen on developing bilateral relations in all fields.

“The Americans, Western countries and their agents in the region would never be able to defeat us and we will always stand fast together in confronting them,” he said.

Syria has recently announced that it would search for new markets and conclude new trade deals with friendly countries such as Russia, China, Iran and other supportive states.

The Middle East country has been hit with several rafts of economic sanctions by world powers, such as the United States, Europe and recently by the Arab League (AL), over the alleged excessive use of force in dealing with domestic protests.

Meanwhile, some 44 Iraqi personalities arrived in Damascus late Monday in an effort to mediate between the Syrian government and the opposition.

The five-day visit, organized by the Popular Iraqi Front in support of Syria, will hold talks with opposition figures who reject foreign intervention.

The spokesman of the Iraqi group, Hussein al-Rubaie, told local media that the delegation will hold meetings with high-ranking Syrian officials, including Syrian Vice-President Farouk al-Sharaa.

“The target is to bring closer points of view between the government and the opposition to solve the crisis in Syria and forestall attempts by those who try to internationalize it,” the spokesman said.

Al-Rubaie also said the delegation will convey a “reassuring economic message” that Iraq would not take part in any economic blockade on Syria and its people.

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki, who opposed the Arab League’ s suspension of Syria’s membership and the international sanctions, has positioned himself as a mediator.

He recently warned that a civil war may break out in Syria if President Bashar al-Assad steps down, and said that the Iraqi government is ready to meet with the Syrian opposition to try to reach a solution and avoid further bloodshed.

Meanwhile, Russia, Syria’s crucial backer, urged Damascus to accept the AL’s proposed protocol to allow in Arab monitors to oversee the country’s unrest on ground.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Tuesday that Russia is ready to send its own observers to Syria along with some other BRICS countries.

Lavrov also accused the Syrian opposition of attempting to trigger a humanitarian disaster in the country to justify foreign military intervention, while lashing out at the West for its “bad determination” to impose sanctions against Syria, which, in his words, would not lead to anything good.

December 13th, 2011, 12:32 pm

 

SYRIAN HAMSTER said:

Yo Bozos who defend the fool and his regime and keep posting his filthy propaganda and your own sick obsessions, Watch this, this is what Syria deserves and not your beloved laughing fool, imbecile, who is defended by psychologically defective imbeciles. Watch if you dare.

December 13th, 2011, 12:33 pm

 

Bronco said:

#684 Dale Andersen

Great! I am glad I have inspired you the first really funny comment you ever wrote.

December 13th, 2011, 12:34 pm

 

irritated said:

#689 Hamsty

“…the fool…filthy….sick.. laughing fool.. imbecile..psychologically defective imbeciles”

What happened to your bold and sophisticated literary vocabulary?
Something’s going wrong up there?

December 13th, 2011, 12:40 pm

 

norman said:

irritated,

it is called, frustration.

December 13th, 2011, 12:49 pm

 

mjabali said:

حج Majedkhaldoun:

I am against any death in Syria. Syrian blood to me is sacred. Human blood is sacred to me also. I am against violence. Violence has to stop. Call to end the violence do not encourage it of any sort. You see Syrians killing Syrians, are you happy with this?

Do not celebrate any death. All who are getting killed are Syrians in the first and last place. What do you need to understand this simple thing ya “doctor?”

December 13th, 2011, 12:54 pm

 

SYRIAN HAMSTER said:

Yes, few things happened

ITCHY

Reason 1: Subtle and fine literature could not reach those with little or no intellect (evidence: SNK postings and his paum <- no, not misspelled). So may be calling the duck a duck instead of a bird who can swim can get your attention, once you stop scratching the irritation.

Reasons 2: Now that betho and his worshipers are already the laughing stock of the world including the silly comedians on Lebanese TV , I don’t feel obliged to continue my fun-making of the little dictator. He can do a better job in that than I could ever do, and he has.

Warning: I reserve the right to keep making fun of all dictators and their blind followers and apologists at anytime.

LOCKSMITH
REVLON, ….
Jr’s security forces patrol a neighbourhood in Hama and use loudspeaker to warn shop owners to break up their strike or else their shops would be opened by force!

Why do you insist on belying the honorable on this site. These were the locksmiths hired by store owners to break the extra lock put by the terrorists. Didn’t you read post 578.

December 13th, 2011, 1:08 pm

 

Mina said:

http://blog.lefigaro.fr/malbrunot/2011/12/larmee-syrienne-libre-couvertu.html

Après huit mois d’une sanglante répression qui a coûté la vie à 4 000 personnes, le soulèvement contre le régime de Bashar el-Assad est aujourd’hui à un tournant. La révolte est de moins en moins pacifique et de plus en plus militarisée.

« A Homs, Idleb, dans trois ou quatre villes autour de Damas ainsi que dans certaines localités près de Daraa au sud, il n’y a plus que des affrontements armés », nous affirme Haytham Mana, le responsable de la Coordination nationale, une des formations de l’opposition syrienne en exil.

Première conséquences de cette dérive : le bilan s’est dramatiquement alourdi, ces dernières semaines. Aux tortures – certes beaucoup plus nombreuses perpétrées par les sbires du régime – répondent désormais des actes de vengeance particulièrement sanglants, comme cette récente attaque d’un bus de pilotes (7 tués) près de Homs. Les affrontements confessionnels se durcissent également dans les zones mixtes, là où les ferments de guerre civile sont les plus inquiétants.

Deuxième conséquence : les responsables de la Coordination et leurs rivaux du Conseil national syrien (CNS) sont en passe d’être dépassés par les radicaux, sur le terrain mais aussi en Turquie, où s’est réfugiée l’Armée syrienne libre (ASL), composée de quelques milliers de déserteurs, qui revendique désormais des attaques à la roquette contre ses bâtiments des services de renseignements de Bashar el-Assad.

Une délégation du Conseil national, dirigée par son chef Bouran Ghalioun, est allée s’entretenir avec le colonel Riad el-Assaad (voir photo), qui commande l’ASL (sans lien de parenté avec le raïs syrien). Ghalioun, comme la Coordination nationale, s’oppose à ce que l’ASL attaque la troupe encore loyale à Assad. Pour deux raisons : cela précipiterait une guerre civile qui ferait le jeu du régime, qui en profiterait pour anéantir la contestation. Mais surtout parce que le CNS et la Coordination ne veulent pas être débordés par ceux qui, en coulisses, tirent les ficelles derrière le colonel Assaad.

Qui sont-ils ? « Certains membres des Frères musulmans à l’extérieur de la Syrie, y compris en Turquie, et tous ceux qui à l’intérieur ne croient plus en des manifestations pacifiques et veulent désormais en découdre les armes à la main », souligne un membre du CNS, qui reconnait que ces derniers « sont de plus en plus nombreux ». Les Frères sont membres du Conseil national, mais à terme, leur agenda pourrait différer de celui des « laïcs », qui composent la principale organisation de l’opposition syrienne.

Un retour en arrière s’impose. A partir de juin, les premières défections au sein de l’armée ont permis la création du Mouvement des officiels libres autour du colonel Hussein Harmoush. Mais depuis son campement turc dans la province d’Hatay, celui-ci refusa de passer sous les fourches caudines des Frères musulmans qui l’avaient approché. Quelques jours après, le colonel Harmoush était mystérieusement kidnappé par les services de renseignements syriens, grâce à une complicité d’Alevis – une branche voisine des alaouites au pouvoir en Syrie – au sein de l’appareil sécuritaire turc.

Plusieurs responsables de l’opposition syrienne soupçonnent en fait les Turcs d’avoir tout simplement livré Harmoush aux Syriens pour lui faire payer son refus de collaborer avec les islamistes. Constatant leur échec, ces derniers se sont alors retournés vers l’Armée syrienne libre du Cel Assad, plus faible, donc moins à même de résister aux pressions.

Pour certains au sein du CNS, « Assaad aujourd’hui n’est qu’une couverture utilisée par les autorités turques » qui le cantonnent lui et ses hommes dans une base de la province d’Hatay limitrophe de la Syrie. Le service de renseignements turc (Milli Istibarat Teskilati) contrôle ses mouvements tandis qu’un agent du ministère des Affaires étrangères répond aux demandes d’entretien que les journalistes souhaitent réaliser avec le chef de l’ASL.

Selon les services de renseignements français, l’ASL est forte de quelques 8000 hommes, mais dans l’ensemble peu habitués aux combats, issus souvent de l’administration de l’armée. La majorité de ses membres sont en fait de jeunes appelés qui ne sont pas retournés à leurs casernes à l’issue d’une permission. Localement, ils s’appuieraient sur des milices qui ont décidé de rejoindre la contestation.

Après leur rencontre il y a dix jours, le CNS et l’ASL ont publié des communiqués soulignant leur complémentarité. Mais il n’est pas sûr du tout que contrairement à ce qui a été annoncé, les déserteurs aient renoncé aux opérations armées contre la troupe de Bashar el-Assad. Et comme le rapporte ce vendredi matin, le New York Times, des divergences sont apparues dernièrement entre les deux entités.

Dans ces conditions, on comprend mieux pourquoi l’ASL a besoin d’aide et d’encadrement : appui qui lui serait fourni par la Turquie et d’autres pays occidentaux. Un peu comme les rebelles libyens au début de la révolte contre Kadhafi. Sauf qu’avec Damas, les risques de représailles sont autrement plus élevés qu’avec le bouffon colonel libyen.

December 13th, 2011, 1:10 pm

 

syria no kandahar said:

Hamo the Mad Rat
I take your Anger as a medal.
Tara the Fara
I have told you many times you can not swim and not get wet,you don not get it.

December 13th, 2011, 1:32 pm

 

jna said:

British-Syrian Oulabi about the events in Syria

30th November 2011.

Hi,

I am a British-Syrian living in the UK, I spent 3 months in Syria recently so my opinion comes from someone who was in Syria and mixed with the people.

Before the revolution started I disliked the regime internal policy for years (but not the president who I admire or the Government), the Security forces, the mayors, and most of all the widespread corruption. So when the demonstrations happened demanding reform and a move for democracy I was fully behind it, but after extensive reforms were promised everyone me included was happy, however some (a small few) decided that wasn’t enough and a full on regime change or revolution was needed. This is when things took a turn to the worse.

I visited Syria in June after my family promised that there was nothing to worry about, I was worried because the media told me it was hell in Syria, when I arrived I was extremely shocked, everything was absolutely normal as every summer, we live in Midan a hot spot it was normal, I roamed about by night to anywhere I wanted. I was extremely angry by the media and its exaggerations and lies on daily. All I noticed was in ONE (3000 capacity) mosque on a Friday for 10 minutes 50 people demonstrated faced by demo police with sticks & tear gas (no guns), that’s it, then Friday was a normal holiday day for everyone, yet you switch on Aljazeera who tell you that activists are saying that 3000 are demonstrating in Midan, some days they say tanks, security shootings, dead people, closed mosques, multiple demos, all of course lies lies lies.

Ramadan came along, demos were a little larger, for the first 10 days it was on every night, in 3 mosques in Midan, but were faced by more demo police with sticks, that’s it. Then it stopped, Eid came and went, all fine, demos back on Fridays only for a few minutes, now I hear there are no demos but rallies outside mosques on a Friday. You may say “oh but you were only in Damascus”, NO I went to Daraa province multiple times, I went to Jordan border, and Lebanon border, only ONE army Checkpoint. Also I went to Lattakia, past HOMS at a time when HOMS was supposedly bombarded with Tanks, saw nothing no Tanks no ARMY, no Checkpoints. Lattakia was busy with people. I don’t know what the activists are on about.

The Syrian Army are extremely powerful and are totally in control, I met some at a checkpoint in Daraa who greeted me with respect offered me coffee while they checked on my paperwork. I walked by security people all around Damascus, never stopped, once waved to and greeted, once my son was kissed, what happened to the Horrible Security Forces we were told about. Didn’t see it. I was in Rikn Al din, Qadam, Dariya, Barzeh, Midan, Nahr Aisha, all supposed hot spots, life seemed normal apart from the presence of demo police during demo times. Those I know who were detained were eventually released unharmed within days.

I am not denying there are people who dislike the regime, there are, especially in Daraa province, but they are not extreme as those in Europe, they want regime change but not by force. They know that violence is not the way, saying that I met people who saw areas with armed demonstrators, I hear multiple stories of money being paid for demonstrating, of people wanting to carry arms, and this is Just in surrounding Damascus. If you notice the current demos on YouTube they are at most in the hundreds, hardly ever thousands let alone millions, and only in 20 suburbs/villages at most out of a thousand around Syria.

What’s happening in Syria is not a popular revolution as you see on the media who are not in Syria, it’s a planned foreign media war on Syria, backed by made up activists, and commented by hardcore opposition not inside Syria. Those demonstrating are the minority, representing a minority, the majority want reform not a revolution, what’s reported on the news is all about the minority. If a revolution is to happen in Syria, then Millions need to take to the streets, and they must include Aleppo and Damascus, but instead these numbers we see rallying not demonstrating.

My sincere advice and from my experience (though shocking to learn) is that Syrian TV & Addounia is far closer to what’s happening on the streets than Alarabiya and Aljazeera, time is proving this right. They told us of armed men on the first few days, of paid demonstrators, of massacres against security forces of sectarianism, of abductions, of wanted gangsters, of media lies, of foreign conspiracy, which all turned out to be true.

Demonstrations have now stopped in most parts, taken over by armed men backed by foreign cash, media exaggerations and some “kids” running away from the army. The problem areas have decreased, and the Government/ regime is in full control, nothing has been gained by the revos, no big defections, no land gained, no popularity, and no war or Fly zone. The Free Syrian Army are losing men daily, getting caught or killed, they number in a few hundred not thousands, and led by a retired army engineer who is in Turkey. They are fighting a huge 300,000 strong Army, only a small percent is being deployed to fight them, I saw the Syrian army being deployed once in Qadam, they are very very impressive, organised, well equipped and finished their job within 2 hours.

The President and Government has announced amazing genuine reforms, un-announced by the media, they include Election Law, Party Law, New Media Law, New Constitution (being written), Emergency Law cancelled, Corruption committee announced to fight corruption, and a lot more. Regional Elections will be held on the 12th December, followed by Party National Elections in February.

I am against the revolution, because it’s unpopular, it’s not the answer, we do not have any real- secure – independent alternative, the revolution is media driven, it’s violent, foreign backed, and will cause chaos & sectarianism, we saw this in Homs and Hama. Unfortunately Syrians are not ready for a sudden change, they need to change themselves first, reform, learn to speak the truth, deal truthfully, and treat others well. The best way is government reform and the ballot box. My prediction is more media provocation, more rubbish of war, but sooner or later Syria will return secure, terrorists will be caught, things will cool down and sanctions will be eventually lifted.

God Save Syrian Lives, Bless the Martyrs, and help all those who mean it well.

Best regards,

Oulabi.

Syrian.

http://mediawerkgroepsyrie.wordpress.com/2011/12/05/britse-syrier-oulabi-over-de-gebeurtenissen-in-syrie-british-syrian-oulabi-about-the-events-in-syria-nl-eng/

The Media Working Group Syria

The Media Working Group consists of Syrian volunteers fighting for self-determination of the Syrian people and the respect of Syrian sovereignty under international law. We sides against any foreign interference in our internal affairs of Syria and support the democratic and political reform of the Syrian government. We wish to preserve Syria as a multicultural secular society the will of the Syrian people and condemn all violence and terrorism.

December 13th, 2011, 1:43 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Mjabali
I am against killing just like you, that is why I am condemning Booha Bashar,I wish you show your hatred to killing and condemn Bashar, you are living outside Syria, where you are enjoying freedom, and you saw that the revolution started peacefully, the killing and shabbiha caused the killing,any intelligent person must condemn Booha bashar,join us in condemning Bashar.

December 13th, 2011, 1:51 pm

 

OFF THE WALL said:

Dear MJABALI @ 693

It has been a while since we chatted.

I am against any death in Syria. Syrian blood to me is sacred. Human blood is sacred to me also. I am against violence……. Do not celebrate any death…..

Well said. You know what, you are one of very few whom I still believe on this site. I seriously do. Here is why

1. You have strong opinions, but they are yours, they are not manufactured by some reactionary machine and posted thoughtlessly

2. You present intelligent arguments. Agree or disagree, they are intelligent and far from hyperbole. Critical, but I don’t detect purposeful hatred. I know many on the revolution side will disagree with my opinion, but we are working super-hard to depose the tyrant (fool according to Hamster) so that we can have our differences and agreements unmolested.

I think you make a point in the super-market analogy, but do you think that the same thing can be said for any dogma? Even if one is to base that dogma on purely secular ethics you and I would prefer to base human interactions on? I hope one day we can discuss these issues at a deeper level.

December 13th, 2011, 1:55 pm

 

newfolder said:

security forces shoot Majd Majoon in Duma and watch him die on the streets.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mi0fQjvQp5w

security snipers kill Christian man, Sami Makhoul and injure his daughter in Bab Sbaa Homs:

these videos will be used in the war crimes trial of Assad and his criminal security gangs soon, you’ll see.

December 13th, 2011, 2:05 pm

 

jad said:

Irritated, Norman
Please stop bothering the romantic blod jardoun.
He is mad now, he lost his cute jardouni coolness and he might write us some of his ‘romantic’ poems to prove his anger. So please let him be, he is so cute, besides his anger writing are worse than his usual nonsense mumbling and his boldly words are inconsistence.
Get well soon Hammy!

December 13th, 2011, 2:23 pm

 

jad said:

Bronco
Thank you for your reply, I agree with you, it’s getting way bigger than Syria now, it became a power struggle between the regional and international powers and during all this time many Syrians will be killed either by the regime or by the terrorists until those powers come to a solution for their own issues, every one of those powers talk about ‘human rights’ but it means something else.

December 13th, 2011, 2:34 pm

 

Syrian Nationalist Party said:

The last 700 comments show minority Syrians (Sunni extremist) at their best. It is obvious, Islamist wants nothing to do with freedom or democracy, they want Syria to own alone and put it under NATO/Bedouin subservience. All they did for the 9 months of mayhem and sectarian slaughter is to that end. They never extended hand to others who don’t share their mercenaries and seditious goals for Syria. They have a noble and worthy cause of taking Syria out of Baathism control, but all they did, and what the majority of Syrians understood they are doing, is that they are taking Syria out of Baathism control and into oblivion and sectarian segmentation (can’t think of other word, beach front or snow cabin New Year vacation on my mind now) so the majority stayed home and their venture lost miserably. You think after the 1980’s experience and miserable failure, years in Western exiles, these idiots would have formulated a better “winning” plan, but despite millions of dollars, western Intelligence agencies backing, they repeated the same-o-and now all they have to show for that herculean effort for nine months is more than 16000 imprisoned and 4000 lost life.

Keep on it, will take a nice vacation, Merry Christmas. Jingle bell…Jingle bell, Jingle all the way, oh what fun to …something about open slay, YEAH. Dashing though the snow tratatallee la. La..la..la..li..lila..la..la.

December 13th, 2011, 2:44 pm

 

jad said:

الخروج من الصراع (السوري) والدخول إليه
ورد كاسوحة
كان ممكناً المضي أكثر في تجذير سردية نقد النظام «الفاشي» ومعارضاته «العميلة»، لولا ما حصل في «جامعة المستعمرة القطرية» أخيراً. فحين أعلن الوكيل الحصري لأطلسة المنطقة واستعمارها (استعمار لايت طبعاً) المدعو حمد بن جاسم، سلسلة العقوبات على سوريا، بدا كأنّه يرفع الحرج عن كثير من المحرجين من انزلاق الصراع إلى قعره الطائفي الكولونيالي. فهؤلاء كانوا حتى وقت قريب يربطون نقدهم الجذري للنظام بآخر أقل جذرية لعملية احتواء ذاك النقد نفطياً وكولونيالياً. اليوم بات بإمكانهم أن يتحرروا من عبء رميهم اعتباطياً بشبهة العمالة للنظام كلما حاولوا تصويب وجهة الصراع في سوريا. والوجهة هنا مركّبة كالعادة. لنقل إنّه نسق ديالكتيكي، يتفاعل مع الصراع من منطلق أنّه صراع باتجاهين: في سوريا أولاً وعليها ثانياً. طبعاً عندما بدأت الاحتجاجات لم تكن طبيعة الصراع ولا هوية الفاعلين فيه قد حسمت بعد، لكن وجهته كانت كذلك. لم يكن ممكناً في ذلك الوقت الوقوف طويلاً أمام تعقيدات الواقع السوري وتناقضاته، والسبب في ذلك بسيط وواضح: شعار «الشعب يريد» كان أقوى من قدرة أي منا على إجراء حسابات باردة لما ستؤول اليه الأمور فيما لو انكسر التوازن الهشّ داخل البنية المجتمعية السورية. فعندما يكون «الشعب» (أو جزء كبير منه) هو قاطرة التغيير، لا يعود ممكناً أخلاقياً تركه يواجه العسف الأمني وحده. وصراع «الشعب» ضد السلطة التي تنهبه أو تقمعه، هو صراع طبقي بالضرورة. لذا انخرطنا حينها في الصراع، كلّ من موقعه، وعيننا على من لم ينخرط بعد، أو على من وقف حائراً لا يعرف ماذا يفعل، أو كيف يصوغ شكل انخراطه من عدمه. لقد تراءى لنا آنذاك في اليسار الراديكالي، أنّنا جزء من الصراع، لأنّه أولاً وقبل كل شيء صراع طبقات مفقرة ضد سلطة ديكتاتورية سلالية منحازة طبقياً (وهو لا يزال في جزء بسيط منه كذلك). وما ساعد على تجذير تلك الرؤية «الساذجة» هو بقاء الصراع حتى وقت قريب داخل مربعه الأصلي، أي صراع طبقات ريفية (غالباً) مفقرة ضد من أفقرها وسحق كرامتها. هنا كانت ثنائية الخبز والكرامة لا تزال تتفاعل وتفرض ذاتها علينا، وعلى كل من انخرط في النضال ضد النظام من زاوية «محض طبقية». وبما أنّ الانخراط من هذه الزاوية تحديداً هو الذي سيوفر للصراع قاعدته الحقيقية، فإنّ استعصاءه كلياً اليوم (أي الانخراط) سيدفع بالقطاعات التي انخرطت على أساسه إلى الخروج تدريجياً من الصراع ضد النظام. وقد حصل ذلك فعلاً، إذ بدأ كثيرون بمراجعة تجربة انخراطهم بعدما اكتملت ملامح الاستيلاء النفطي الطائفي الكولونيالي (بواسطة أدوات سورية وعربية) على كامل الحراك داخل سوريا. ما عاد بإمكان هؤلاء أن يقبلوا بأن يكونوا مادة للابتزاز النفطي القذر (القطري والسعودي). وإذا كان البعض قد قبل بذلك فهذا شأنه. أما من لم يقبل ومن لم يساوم أساساً على قضيته ويتركها نهباً لرجعيات الخليج السلالية، فتقع عليه مسؤولية إعلان الآتي: لم يعد هنالك من مكان لليسار الراديكالي المعارض داخل حيّز يلفظ شيئاً فشيئاً كل من يعترض على ابتزاز سلالتي آل ثاني وآل سعود للمعارضتين الوطنيتين اليسارية والناصرية. واستطراداً أقول: ماذا يعني أن «يهرع» حقوقي رصين وشجاع كهيثم مناع (خيبتنا الأخيرة، كما سمّى ناجي العلي محمود درويش يوماً) للقاء وليم هيغ الذي ارتكبت قوات نظامه الخاصة جرائم حرب موصوفة في ليبيا؟ وكيف يمكن تبرير سكوت أحزاب الاتحاد الاشتراكي والعمل الشيوعي والتجمع الماركسي عن الحصار الذي فرضته سلالة آل ثاني على سوريا البلد والشعب (لا النظام يا سيد حسن عبد العظيم)؟ أصلاً ما هي جدوى أن تكون يسارياً إذا لم تكن يساريتك المزعومة تلك متعارضة مع الأجندة الرجعية العميلة للغرب التي يعدنا بها راعي معارضاتكم النفطية المدعو حمد بن جاسم؟ لقد بات الانخراط في الصراع ضد النظام في سوريا مع أطراف كهؤلاء «مهزلة حقيقية». وأفضل ما يمكن فعله اليوم هو فضّ الشراكة الافتراضية معهم (ريثما يثوبون إلى رشدهم)، ونقل الصراع مع النظام إلى حيّزه الديالكتيكي الفعلي (لا الصوري). حيّز يجعل من الصراع فعلاً مركباً، ولا يغفل من الأجندة المحددة له بعداً مركزياً هو البعد الاستراتيجي والجيوسياسي (الصراع على سوريا). حتى الآن بقي هذا البعد غائباً تماماً عن أجندة المعارضات السورية «العميلة» والوطنية والحراك في الداخل والخارج. ويبدو أنّ تغييبه لم يأت بمحض الصدفة إطلاقاً. فعندما تقرّ كمعارض للنظام ببعض حقائق المؤامرة التي تحاك ضد البلد (لا النظام فحسب)، تكون كمن يدعم السردية التي جاهر بها النظام من اليوم الاول، ودفع بها في مواجهة سردية الانتفاضة. إذاً نحن هنا إزاء واقعة مركّبة ومعقّدة بعض الشيء: لدينا أولاً نظام لا يعترف بالانتفاضة، ويعتبرها جزءاً من المؤامرة فحسب، ولدينا أيضاً انتفاضة لا تقرّ بالمؤامرة، ولا تتعامل معها إلا من منطلق دحض دعاية النظام السوداء. كيف يمكن التعامل مع مأزق كهذا من دون الوقوع في فخ الدعاية المبتذلة لكلا الطرفين؟ فأنت اليوم ضد النظام ولكنك لست تماماً مع مآلات الحراك ولا مع مرجعياته المتذللة جزئياً أو كلياً للخارجين النفطي والاستعماري. صحيح أنّ التموضع في موقع مستقلّ إلى هذا الحد، سيسهّل على المرء رؤية الصراع من منظور مغاير لمنظور النظام ومعارضاته، إلا أنّه سيصعّب عليه فكرة استدراج الطرفين إلى حيز الإدماج بين سرديتي الانتفاضة والمؤامرة. لا نريد من النظام أن يدمج بين السرديتين، لأنّه يرفض إحداهما أساساً. نريد ذلك من «الحراك الشعبي» حصراً. معنى ذلك أنّ الحراك اليوم أمام امتحان حقيقي: إما أن يعترف بوجود مؤامرة فنغدو وإياه معاً ضد النظام الذي «يستدرج المؤامرة»، أو أن يرفض وجودها فيغدو من حيث لا يدري «جزءاً من مؤامرة» نرفضها تماماً كما نرفض تحميله مسؤولية استدراجها من جانب النظام وأبواقه. لاحظوا هنا أنّ النظام ومعارضاته يتنصلان من تهمة استدراج المؤامرة إلى قلب الصراع، فيما هما جزء منها، وكل من موقعه. طبعاً كل هذا الكلام عن المؤامرة يعني أنّها موجودة فعلاً بخلاف الهراء الذي تطالعنا به المعارضتان الكولونيالية و«الوطنية» ليل نهار. هي موجودة في السلاح الذي يتدفق علينا من كل حدب وصوب، وفي العقوبات التي لم تفرض على بلد (لا على نظام فحسب) كما فرضت علينا، وفي النهش الذي تمارسه أبواق سلالات النفط في جسد البلد، وفي التحريض الطائفي النفطي على مذاهب بعينها (لم تصدر عن هيئة التنسيق الوطنية إدانة واضحة لعمليات الخطف والقتل على الهوية في حمص وإدلب، واكتفى حسن عبد العظيم في حديثه الأخير إلى «الأخبار» بوضعها في سياق «ردود الفعل» على بطش النظام!)، وأخيراً في الحصار الذي يريد تركيع سوريا الدولة (لا النظام) ومحاصرة أفرادها في لقمة عيشهم. وهؤلاء الأفراد ليسوا جميعهم موالين للنظام كما تريد فضائية مبتذلة وشوفينية كـ«الدنيا» إقناعنا. «بعضهم» أو «أغلبهم» معارضون راديكاليون له ويريدون «إسقاطه» اليوم قبل الغد. لكن كيف «يسقطونه»، وهم لا يجدون (أو لن يستطيعوا أن يجدوا قريباً) في بيوتهم زاداً يعينهم على ذلك. من غير المناسب هنا أن نذكّر بعبارة أبي ذرّ الغفاري الشهيرة: «عجبت من امرئ لا يجد قوت يومه كيف لا يخرج إلى الناس شاهراً سيفه». فهذه المقولة كانت مناسبة لسياق معين هو سياق خروج الناس في درعا وحمص وريف دمشق واللاذقية وبانياس (في البدايات الوردية) شاهرين غضبهم ضد من أفقرهم ووضع كرامتهم تحت جزمته الفاشية. أما اليوم فقد بات الحصار حصارين، ولم يعد النظام وحده مسؤولاً عن ذلك. اذ دخل على الخط لاعبون جدد أكثر خبثاً وحذاقة من النظام (سلالات النفط وبعض عربها). والخبث والحذاقة هنا يتمثلان في ظهور هؤلاء بمظهر من يدعم «الحراك الشعبي» مالياً وإعلامياً ولوجستياً. هم «يدعمون» الحراك فعلاً، غير أنّ «دعمهم» ذاك قد بدأ ينعطف نحو اتجاهات غير تقليدية. اتجاهات تستبطن الخطاب الامبريالي وتمرّره تحت غطاء دعائي أجوف: «دعم الشعب» عبر معاقبة نظامه (اقرأ: دعم الشعب عبر معاقبته)! هكذا، عاد طيف بلاد الرافدين ليحوم من جديد، وأعادت سلالات النفط إلى الأذهان سيرتها الأصلية: مستعمرات موضوعة في خدمة السيد الأميركي الأبيض. هي ذاتها المستعمرات التي موّلت حرب صدام حسين على إيران، وعادت لتموّل حرب أميركا عليه بفصلها الأول تحديداً. اليوم احتاجتها الامبراطورية مجدداً إلى تسديد دفعة على الحساب: إعادة إنتاج فكرة الحصار على العراق، لكن من دون العراق وصدّامه هذه المرة. وبدلاً من صدام حسين لديهم اليوم بشار الأسد، ومن يدري من يكون غداً، عبد العزيز بو تفليقة، ربما؟ هذه حلقة جهنمية لن تنتهي إلا بنضوب نفط الخليج وتحريره من سلالاته ومستعمريه البيض القذرين؟ والمشكلة اليوم أن إقناع كثير من الناشطين السوريين والعرب بتلك الوقائع (لا السيناريوهات) بات يحتاج إلى بذل الكثير من الجهد. مثلاً جرّب أن تفاتح أحدهم بالدور الوظيفي الموكل إلى النظام القطري السلالي من جانب سادته الأميركيين وراقب ماذا سيكون ردّهم: لولا قطر و«جزيرتها» لما أسقطنا نظامي مبارك وبن علي، ولما أجبرنا علي عبد الله صالح على توقيع المبادرة الخليجية! طيّب. ماذا عن إغفال «جزيرة» الديموقراطية وحقوق الإنسان لقصف الناتو للمدنيين الليبيين وصمتها المفزع عن جرائم الحرب التي ارتكبتها ميليشيات المجلس الانتقالي العميل هناك؟ سيأتيك الجواب سريعاً: المهم أنّنا تخلّصنا من ديكتاتورية القذافي! حسناً. لنجرّب مرّة أخيرة: لماذا قوبلت دعوة أمير قطر لحضور افتتاح المجلس التأسيسي في تونس بسيل من الانتقادات الرافضة للوصاية القطرية القذرة على «العملية الديموقراطية» هناك؟ هنا لا يأتيك الجواب بالوضوح ذاته. ممتاز. وصلنا في النهاية إذاً إلى نتيجة معينة: المنطق الصوري الذي أجبرتنا «جزيرة» قطر على العيش داخله بدأ يتقوّض ولكن ببطء شديد. لكن ما علاقة كل ذلك بالوضع في سوريا؟ الوضع في سوريا، مثله مثل الوضع في تونس ومصر واليمن، خاضع بدرجات متفاوتة لاستلاب كامل تجاه المادة الإعلامية السامة التي تأتينا من مستعمرات الخليج وفضائياته. والتحدّي الحقيقي اليوم هو إقناع الحراك داخل سوريا بأنّ الصراع الذي يخوضه ضد النظام لا ينفصل عن الصراع الذي يخوضه آخرون ضد الدأب النفطي (القطري تحديداً) على استدراج أنماط استعمارية معدّلة إلى منطقتنا. طبعاً، ليس وارداً أبداً أن نخوض صراعاً ضد سلالات النفط بالوكالة عن النظام (بعدما تفكّك التحالف الوثيق بينهما)، لكن من غير المنصف أيضاً أن نخوض صراعاً ضد النظام بالوكالة عن سلالات النفط والغرب الذي يرعاها. المعارضة الكولونيالية (المجلس «الوطني» الهزيل) تفعل ذلك اليوم، وتحاول أن تجرّ معها هيئة التنسيق الوطنية لقوى التغيير الديموقراطي (أرجو ألا يتورّط الرفاق السابقون في الهيئة أكثر من اللازم في هذا المستنقع). لكن ماذا عن «الحراك الشعبي»؟ هل يقبل بأن يحاصر مرّتين (مرّة من النظام ومرّة أخرى من سلالات النفط)، وبأن يستعمل حصاره في كلّ مرة وقوداً لصراع سلالات النفط ومن ورائها أميركا وفرنسا مع النظام؟
* كاتب سوري
http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/27554

December 13th, 2011, 3:03 pm

 

Tara said:

39 killed in Syria today by Bashar al Assad. Bashar killed 1000 Syrian a month over the last 4 months. I can’t find in my heart a drop of forgiveness for the crime family. I wish them a very dark personal Christmas this year?

December 13th, 2011, 3:10 pm

 

mjabali said:

حجة Tara:

Syria Comment is a public space, where people write and discuss matters. You are not allowed here to be like a child saying I will talk to this guy and not to this person. If you do not like the heat get out of this place. You are throwing your ideas in our faces so excuse me if I tried to teach you something about your religion.

AS for trying to influence public opinion, it is you who is spamming articles days and night and try to push your agenda day and night. That is your right so why sticking your nose wanting to silence others.

With all of your antagonistic logic I am not against you. I even read your posts. Why not? You may have a good point here and there. I read almost everything on this great board and try when time allows to engage in some conversations here and there.

As for being an Islamophobe: I say this label is the weapon of the week that throws it around anytime they feel helpless in front any logical questioning of Islam.

As for being a Menhebak or mamenhebak or any of your labels: the only menhebak thing for me in this whole argument is Syria.

حج Majedkhaldoun

I condemn anyone who is responsible for the death of any Syrian. If Bashar al-Assad is responsible I condemn him. I am for law and due process before anything else, and wish we all on this board call for the a law that is bigger than anyone who rules or would rule Syria to prevent them from causing what we see today. Syria needs a modern law and these events should bring us one, I hope.

I also wish democracy and freedom for Syria but through peace and dialogue, and not through decapitating our fellow countrymen or sending tanks and street to street fire fights. This is destroying Syria right in front of our eyes. People are dying from all sides and soon it will reach every house in Syria. I already have a number of death from the people related to me or ones I know. It hurts but I try to stay calm and call for peace instead of inciting violence. We need to show our love for Syria by helping end this chaos. This is the moment.

December 13th, 2011, 3:28 pm

 

Tara said:

Mjabali

Except for when I started on SC, I promise you that I never read any of your posts even the one addressed to me.

It is a public forum alright but I suggest that when you feel prompted to respond, do so in a generic manner. May I suggest something like “in reference to #xyz” There is nothing wrong in doing that. Now if on the other hand, not addressing the response to Tara, will adversely affect your health and well being, then be it…. I will leave it to your judgement.

December 13th, 2011, 3:49 pm

 

norman said:

That is what people see with Islam, and some people wonder why the West has reservation about Islam and it’s teaching,

http://www.elaph.com/Web/news/2011/12/702210.html

December 13th, 2011, 3:52 pm

 

mjabali said:

Mr. Off The Wall:

Salam:

Today I mentioned your nice blog to a friend from Syria who had the best description for what is going on over there. When I asked what do you think is going on the reply was: فايتين علحيط, I told here I was at حيطان all day reading. I explained what is حيطان.

You said:

“I think you make a point in the super-market analogy, but do you think that the same thing can be said for any dogma? Even if one is to base that dogma on purely secular ethics you and I would prefer to base human interactions on? I hope one day we can discuss these issues at a deeper level.”

You have a good point mr. OTW, I agree that one would be selective with any dogma, but, here I like to add that everything also depends on what type of a human that person is, in the first place, and what is that person looking for?

Are you looking to be nice, or you want to cause some chaos? What are your intentions?

I mean, if you want to be angry with others, you look for texts to justify your anger.

Since al-Quran covers many events and stories, you could find references to many ideas. You chose what suits you.

But, if you build a Secular road map that is morally correct from all aspects, you limit the damage if some angry secular comes to look for a justification to cause harm.

Secularism, has an element that respects and puts in first place the law that equals all and has a structure that trouble shot the important issues. It stresses the human rights aspect and the freedom of speech. From here you can build progress.

But, could it turn into a dictatorship? democracy is one of Secularism’s aspects and therefore it limits the danger of it becoming a dictatorship, especially in a multi ethnic and religious place like Syria.

Secularism is not that complicated like Islam, that deals with way too many issues. Secularism gives space to other concepts like democracy, and law to play a major parts of organizing the place.

Secularism means respecting the modern law it brings with it.

Add to all of this, Secularism is the separation between religion and state, which means people from all religions are equal. I think Secularism is a small powerful simple structure, we all can depend on.

Most of our discussions here are around violence and the laws that decree that violence and punish those perpetrating it. In Secularism, violence is dealt with as problems with laws and punishments.

Salam

December 13th, 2011, 4:02 pm

 

jad said:

Mr. Jabali

“As for being a Menhebak or mamenhebak or any of your labels: the only menhebak thing for me in this whole argument is Syria.”

“I also wish democracy and freedom for Syria but through peace and dialogue, and not through decapitating our fellow countrymen or sending tanks and street to street fire fights. This is destroying Syria right in front of our eyes.”

Thank you!

December 13th, 2011, 4:10 pm

 

newfolder said:

Hamas finally comes clean on Syria “regime is killing it’s own people”

http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/edf7dbc4-23fa-11e1-bbe6-00144feabdc0.html

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Hamas reconfigures engagement with Syria

By Tobias Buck in Gaza City

As the Syrian regime battles to contain an escalating uprising, one of Bashar al-Assad’s traditional allies is quietly scaling down both its support and its physical presence in Damascus.

For the Islamist Hamas movement, the bloodshed and violence in Syria present a troubling challenge just as its political fortunes elsewhere in the region are on the rise. In the Gaza Strip, which Hamas has ruled since 2007, the group looks stronger and more secure than ever. The Middle East uprisings have strengthened Islamist movements across the region, allowing Hamas leaders to dream of an arc of friendly governments stretching from Morocco all the way to their Gaza stronghold.

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In Damascus, however, Hamas is feeling the pressure. The Syrian capital has been the seat of the movement’s political bureau and the nerve-centre of its regional operations for more than a decade. Now it feels increasingly unsafe.

The Syrian leader is outraged that Hamas, a movement he has sponsored and nurtured for years, is refusing to back his regime against the uprising that started earlier this year. Relations are reportedly at breaking point.

Fearful of retribution, and alarmed by the collapse of order, Hamas has evacuated many of its lower-level officials from Syria. “We feel that the situation is very dangerous for Hamas in Syria,” admitted one Gaza-based Hamas official. “They [the Assad regime] are very angry with us, they want us to give support just like Hizbollah [the Lebanese Shia movement] did. But this is impossible for Hamas. The Syrian regime is killing its own people.”

Hamas leaders are keenly aware it can be dangerous to pick the wrong side. “No one wants to make the mistake that [former Palestinian leader Yassir] Arafat made in Kuwait,” said Mostafa Alsawaf, the editor of Alresalah, a pro-Hamas newspaper in the Gaza Strip.

Arafat backed Saddam Hussein’s invasion of Kuwait in 1991, and after Iraq’s defeat Kuwait took revenge by expelling some 450,000 Palestinian expatriate workers. Syria is home to about 500,000 Palestinian refugees and their descendants – a potentially huge target for retribution.

Diplomats say Hamas emissaries have been putting out feelers across the region in case they need to relocate quickly. However, most officials and analysts believe reports of an impending move to Qatar or Egypt are premature.

“They haven’t yet secured an alternative base,” says one western diplomat. “The expectation is that they will dribble out and try to secure fallback locations in a number of countries. But I don’t think Syria is a lost cause for them.”

It is also far from clear that the Hamas political bureau would be welcome elsewhere. Qatar has been friendly to the movement for many years but the emirate may balk at hosting the headquarters of a group regarded as a terrorist entity by the US and Europe. “Qatar can receive Hamas as individuals but not as a group,” said the Gaza-based Hamas official.

In Egypt, the group would almost certainly be the target of close scrutiny by the country’s intelligence service and could find itself more constrained than at present.

One particular issue for Hamas, which depends on funding and arms supplies from Iran, is how a move to Cairo would affect its ties with Tehran. “We have a lot of information about Hamas trying to put down roots in Egypt,” said one Israeli official. “But it is not happening as easily as one might think.”

Ghazi Hamad, a senior Hamas official in Gaza, said that despite the challenge in Syria, the changes sweeping the region were a huge boost to the movement: “We feel the whole area is changing and we are starting to see the sun after many years of darkness.”

It would take time for countries such as Egypt to “arrange their internal situation”, he said, but added that he had no doubt Gaza’s southern neighbour was becoming a more friendly place for Hamas.

Another crucial prize Hama hopes to win is a gradual defrosting of its relationship with the west. Now that the US and Europe are coming to terms with the rise of Islamist parties in countries such as Egypt and Tunisia, Hamas leaders are counting on a change in attitude towards their movement. After all, said Mr Hamad, “we are the same family, the same ideology”.

December 13th, 2011, 4:18 pm

 

SYRIAN HAMSTER said:

SPAMAKOPITA
Naughty Naughty Tara.

Posts Spams %Spam
————————————
TARA: 54 25 %46
ANN: 45 40 %89
JAD: 56 35 %62
ZOO:* 34 30×0.75 %66
HAMSTER: 10 1 %10 **

——————————
Zoo: rewarded for smart spamming. Not all article cut and pasted
Hamster: Punished for spamming a you-tube, despite of a comment proceeding the tube

Spamming is defined by cut and paste. Comment with masked spams (small title, but full cut and paste) where detected using rodent’s own SPAMDAR.

December 13th, 2011, 4:36 pm

 

louai said:

terrorfolder

”these videos will be used in the war crimes trial of Assad and his criminal security gangs soon, you’ll see.”

will you be using videos only?or you will listen to witnesses? would you use sari’s videos in his mother lab whilst you were filming her cross? please provide other videos when she accused the peaceful demonstrators of killing her sun ,also please dont kill Sami’s daughter , keep her alive so she could tell the truth as all what we saw in your video is haytham still alive whilst you were busy saying how much Christian he is and his daughter dragged against her well to the unknown .your criminals on the ground have killed many others just to record videos and send to aljazeera but fortunately they made thousand of mistakes that tells who they are and what they really did .they will be brought for justice trust me .

December 13th, 2011, 4:38 pm

 

SYRIAN HAMSTER said:

SPAMMAKOPITA

Better tabulation (hopefully)


Posts Spams %Spam
------------------------------------
TARA: 54 25 %46
ANN: 45 40 %89
JAD: 56 35 %62
ZOO:* 34 30x0.75 %66
HAMSTER: 10 1 %10 **

------------------------------

*Zoo: rewarded for smart spamming. Not all article cut and pasted
**Hamster: Punished for spamming a you-tube, despite of a comment proceeding the tube

Spamming is defined by cut and paste. Comment with masked spams (small title, but full cut and paste) where detected using rodent’s own SPAMDAR.

Buy your SPAMDSR at Jardoun Electronics

December 13th, 2011, 4:41 pm

 

Tara said:

Zoo

I am always jealous when it comes to You. I reviewed my report card nicely provided by my favorite Hamster and you were given an award and I was not. I will try to change my spamming style and adopt your smart spamming technique. I will demand an award at the end of a 3 months trial period or until Besho falls, whatever period is shorter

I was really worried about you yesterday. Although I had Hurryiet Daily News all by myself, it did not feel good. I felt I am missing on something. Spamming loves company. I feel much happier today!

December 13th, 2011, 4:49 pm

 
 

newfolder said:

#720 hahahah, shoo fo hal Jadbeh shoo fo, hahaha

Hamas withdrawing from Syria is the final nail in this “resistance” regime. resistance my ass, unless it’s resisting your own people’s desire for freedom and dignity.

December 13th, 2011, 5:12 pm

 

Uzair8 said:

Going by the recent ABC interview, it appears Assad has taken personal charge of the Information Ministry. ???

December 13th, 2011, 5:26 pm

 

jad said:

Ya Mara Ghalaba,
The only publication I found regarding the name list of the victims of the Syrian uprising is this:
http://www.syrianmartyr.com/ar/15-0
The number on that list is 4360 until Dec 6.
However, as I point out in my comment:
https://www.joshualandis.com/blog/?p=12909&cp=all#comment-287291
The name list is questionable since it contain the names of Palestinians killed by the Israelis on June 5th as well as the names of soldiers killed by terrorists and civilian killed out of sectarian crimes and everything in between.
The numbers of the UN most probably are taken from this report, and it may add up to 5000 including the army victims not mentioned in the initial report, however, many of the names listed are not properly documented.
I think that a proper analyzing of the name list will probably result that 50% of the victims were actually killed not by the regime but by the armed terrorists the west support and armed.

December 13th, 2011, 5:37 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

The talk in the Gulf state,is that something is about to happen in the next two weeks

December 13th, 2011, 5:52 pm

 

Tara said:

Jaafari is a diplomacy Shabbeeh.  He accused Ms. Pillay of being part of the cosmic conspiracy.  The UN should not allow a shabbeeh among it’s rank and should send him back to enjoy the company of Imad Mustafa.  They both can commemorate their old memories.  I would like to see Muhammad Abdulla and Samar Yazbek in their posts.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/8952972/Syria-attacks-UN-report-for-being-unfair-and-misleading.html

the Syrian ambassador launched a personal attack against the Human Rights Commissioner, accusing her of “spreading all kind of disinformation.”
“They are misleading everybody through their media and through their heavy weight in the Security Council just in order to distort the image of Syria, to mislead the public opinion, to present allegations, incredible allegations, and harm the reputation and the credit of the Syrian government.
“Ms Pillay, the High Commissioner, is not objective, is not fair, she is not genuine in all her approach in the report she presented. For all the reasons I explained, she has trespassed her mandate, she allowed herself to be misused in misleading the public opinion by providing information based on allegations collected from 233 defectors.
“How could defectors give positive testimonies on the Syrian government? Of course they will give negative testimonies against the Syrian government. They are defectors.”

December 13th, 2011, 6:05 pm

 

Amir in Tel Aviv said:

Is there a law in Syria’s law book, that permits this? Was this done with a court order?
This doomed junta is criminal and lawless.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnaJdTNXuQ4
.

December 13th, 2011, 6:20 pm

 

Uzair8 said:

Free Syrian army direct RPG hit on APC: HOMS

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLR5GoU7tjk

Forgive me if it’s been posted before.

December 13th, 2011, 6:41 pm

 

newfolder said:

For Syria’s Dissidents, Even Exile Isn’t Safe

http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2102131,00.html

On Friday, Nov. 25, Mona Ghorayib woke up on a metal bed in a tiny room that she didn’t recognize. Someone had boarded up the only window, and a fan was switched on at full blast despite the fact that it was cold outside. Ghorayib tried to sit up, but she felt dizzy and couldn’t see straight.

The last thing she remembered doing was walking into the lobby of her parents’ apartment building in downtown Cairo and hearing her phone ring from her purse. “I opened my purse to take out the phone, and I could feel someone coming up behind me on the right,” she says. “I moved to the left to let him pass, but I felt someone else on my left.” Her attackers sprayed a chemical in her face and she lost consciousness. (See photos of protests in Syria.)

Ghorayib had no idea where she was taken. The only sound outside was the rhythmic croaking of frogs, suggesting that she was no longer in the noisy Egyptian capital. But when she heard the Syrian accents in the hallway, she knew exactly why she was there. “The only thing I could hear was one asking the other: ‘Is she Thaer’s wife?’ And the other said, ‘Yes.'”

Ghorayib’s husband, Thaer al-Nashef, is a prominent Syrian journalist and dissident — and one of the Syrian regime’s most vocal critics in exile. Ever since he fled Damascus in 2005, al-Nashef and his family have dealt with threats and harassment via phone and e-mail — including a few recent messages that warned Ghorayib that her husband was a spy and adulterer. But after the Syrian uprising began in March, and al-Nashef began documenting the ongoing massacres and abuses, the harassment took a turn for the worse. “They started to threaten me, saying they would kidnap my wife and kill her, and then kill me. And the messages got much more frequent,” al-Nashef says. “Before the revolution, their messages were always in reaction to my articles. Since the revolution, it’s become completely random.”

Navi Pillay , the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, said Monday that more than 5,000 people have been killed so far amid Syria’s worsening violence. Meanwhile tens of thousands of refugees and activists have fled the country. The ones with connections and money head to Europe or North America; many more have arrived by the thousands at refugee camps in Lebanon and Turkey. Others have ended up in Egypt, Jordan and Libya. But just as the regime of President Bashir Assad has stepped up its crackdown on opponents at home, so too does it appear to be escalating its campaign against critics abroad, particularly in nearby countries. (Read more about the regime in Syria.)

On Sunday night, Syrian activist Rami Jarrah was detained by the Qatari authorities when he landed at Doha International Airport. “Im not told why, im just told that im not allowed entry,” Jarrah tweeted under his pseudonym, Alexander Page. “i said ok ill go back, he said ‘you are #Syria’n then thats where you go.'” Jarrah, who was arrested and tortured for his participation in antigovernment protests before fleeing Syria, believes that had he been deported he most certainly would have been killed. (The Qataris ultimately allowed him to enter the country.) A week before he was detained, Jarrah told TIME that several men with Syrian accents had chased him through the streets of downtown Cairo several days earlier. A week before that, the shopkeeper below his building reported that Syrian men had come looking for him, asking what apartment he lived in and if he was at home. “No Syrians would know where I live,” says Jarrah, who is certain that his visitors were sent by the Syrian government. For two months, he has been receiving threatening phone calls. “They’re mainly at six in the morning,” he says. “That seems to be some sort of strategy, cause that’s when they can really scare you. We wake up to these phone calls saying ‘Assad owns you. Assad is the king.’ Stuff like that. It’s always a Syrian voice.”

Another recent escapee, Tareq Sharabi, was talking on his cell phone in the lobby of a Cairo hotel last week when two large men grabbed him from behind and dragged him across the floor. Sharabi instantly flashed back to the protests in Damascus where he had seen friends and colleagues drop like flies, shot down by government death squads popularly known as shibih — literally, ghosts. The men were muscled, with cropped hair, he says. “It was the same guys we used to see in the demonstrations in Syria. And when he grabbed me and said, ‘Are you with us or not?’ I felt like I was right back in Syria.” Sharabi’s friend, another Syrian, quickly pulled him back and the two ran out of the hotel. The men chased them for several blocks before giving up.

In the early months of the uprising, neighboring Lebanon was one of the most popular destinations for critics of the Syrian regime, particularly due to its proximity to the Syrian city of Homs, where some of the worst violence has played out. But now, activists say, more and more Syrians are avoiding Lebanon entirely. “Our President thinks Syria is his own yard and Lebanon is his backyard,” says activist Abdulhamid Suleiman, sentenced in absentia to 11 years in jail for crimes including “trying to change the constitution in illegal ways” and “making a secret organization to publish fake news.” Says he: “I couldn’t go to Lebanon because it would have been more dangerous for me. That’s why I moved to Egypt.”

But for some Syrian activists, even Egypt is now unsafe. With the country embroiled in the chaotic aftermath of its own tumultuous uprising, the Syrians who have fled there claim that agents of Assad’s government operate with an unfettered hand. Many say they’re fearful to visit their embassy out of the assumption that they might be sucked inside and repatriated. At least one Syrian has fallen victim to a scam: he handed his family’s passports over to a lawyer who promised to help them obtain asylum in a third country, only to see the lawyer offer their passports to the Syrian embassy for confiscation. “Egypt is messy so anything can happen here,” says Jarrah. “The Syrian [regime] can do something here without anyone even realizing.” Amr Roydi, an official at Egypt’s Foreign Ministry, seemed alarmed when asked about the harassment of Syrian activists by regime agents inside Egypt. “I didn’t hear anything about this,” he said, before asking if it was a widespread phenomenon. “I find it unlikely that any security apparatus can work that way in Egypt,” he added. “We are not exactly a weak country, and our security is not known for dealing lightly with foreign apparatuses working in Egypt.” (Read “Arab League to Syria: Stop Killing or Foreign Powers Will Intervene.”)

The end of Mona Ghorayib’s ordeal came with the help of an Egyptian teenager employed by her Syrian captors, who intervened to help ferry her to safety. Drugged, hungry and six months pregnant, Ghorayib says she was threatened with rape and death multiple times during her 30 hours of imprisonment. At one point, she says, a man had entered the room and tried to wrestle her to the ground. “I started to scream so loudly that another came in and said, ‘We don’t have orders to do this now. You can wait until we have orders.'” The man who had tried to rape her later returned and cut off a lock of her hair. “He said, ‘If Thaer surrenders himself to the embassy, we’ll take him back to Syria, and as soon as he does this, you’re free to go.'” At another point, he put his hands over her face, choking her from behind and said, “‘We have orders to kill you now, so I’m going to leave you and you can choose how you want to be killed,'” she recalls. He returned with a saw blade, held it to her neck and cut several shallow incisions before laughing. Ultimately, Ghorayib was dumped in a poor neighborhood on Cairo’s eastern outskirts.

Al-Nashef says that his wife is no longer going out into the streets alone but he’s determined to press on with his activism. Still, he fears the worst is probably yet to come. “They kidnapped Mona to send a message because she’s my weak point,” says al-Nashef. “And I feel like we’re still in danger — my life, my wife’s life. Everyone is in danger. But we’ll go on.”

Read more: http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2102131,00.html#ixzz1gSDZ9NbV

December 13th, 2011, 6:48 pm

 

N.Z. said:

Here is an article from Wikipedia, Secularism and Islam. If you are interested in reading the whole article here is the link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam_and_secularism

What caught my eye is a Hadith, “Whatever the Prophet has said in matters of religion must be followed, but this does not apply to worldly affairs.”

The Hadith is as follows: Once Prophet Muhammad came across some people doing artificial pollination of palm trees. Due to some reason he disliked the idea and commented that it would be better not to do any pollination at all. However for the following year the harvest was poor. When he came to know about this Prophet Muhammad admitted his limitation of knowledge regarding secular affairs and said: “If a question relates to your worldly matters you would know better about it, but if it relates to your religion then to me it belongs.”

December 13th, 2011, 7:04 pm

 

newfolder said:

#726 of course there is no “law” in Syria which permits this, just as there’s no law that allows protesters to be killed on the streets or tortured and raped in prison. But of course Syria doesn’t operate on any laws, only the whims of the brutal ruling generals and their sadistic officers. That’s why the revolution happened, to rid the country of this scum and their inhuman practices.

December 13th, 2011, 7:04 pm

 

newfolder said:

A must read, the extraordinary story of Dr. Barra Sarraj, from the prison of Tadmor to the halls of Harvard university. Written by the ever brilliant Amal Hanano

http://www.jadaliyya.com/pages/index/3500/the-cell-of-survival_bara-sarraj

December 13th, 2011, 7:08 pm

 

Ya Mara Ghalba said:

@ Twerp in Tel Aviv #726: Your video sucks rocks. It’s blatantly fake. In the course of two minutes of depicting those dissidents at work, the video doesn’t show the faces of any of them. To protect them from being identified and prosecuted for carrying those deadly rifles, the film only shows us their waists, backs and legs, and very blurry very brief glimpses of the heads of some, all carefully reviewed by the editor to be too blurry and too brief for identifying purposes. At time 1:35 we see one of them has the word “POLICE” written across his upper back. Is that guy a policemen? No, he’s a criminal engaged in making a fake video with the aim of fooling foreigners into believing the absurd idea that policemen are forcing shuttered shopfronts to open for business. It’s pathetic. It doesn’t have a hope in hell of fooling the people who live in Daraa or anywhere else in Syria. The target audience for it is ignoramuses.

December 13th, 2011, 7:12 pm

 

irritated said:

#698 Hamsty

What a relief to see you recovering from a moment of discouragement and back to your poetic Shakespearian American slang. I thought we had lost you in the confusion.

“I reserve the right to keep making fun of all dictators”

and we of you…

December 13th, 2011, 7:13 pm

 

irritated said:

#718 Hamsty

You’re starting to be real funny! Any link to Jardoun electronics, it seems to have interesting programs.

December 13th, 2011, 7:21 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Mjabali said
” democracy is one of Secularism’s aspects ”
It is the other way
Secularism is one of democracy aspects

December 13th, 2011, 7:37 pm

 

SYRIAN HAMSTER said:

SCRATCHY

You’s funny, you’r more like the part of my sentence you chopped off (like all regime forgers).

and their blind followers and apologists at anytime.

Go tell Scratchy, and the psycho guy of Kandahar, that I am back to using bold, italic, and bold-italic. Pretty soon, I’ll be writing a little not-so-romantic poem about ITCHY and SCRATCHY in Kandahar.

You won’t like Jardoun electronics, it is full of germs. You, Scratchy, and betho, on the other hand, may shop at the sewer pipe hide-out. Mimo Qaddafi was shopping there when he was found by Jaradeen.

December 13th, 2011, 7:52 pm

 

Haytham Khoury said:

Tara#725.

I liked how Churkin looked defensive.

December 13th, 2011, 7:59 pm

 

ann said:

Jordan’s economy to be hard hit by AL sanctions against Syria – 2011-12-13

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/indepth/2011-12/13/c_131304570.htm

AMMAN, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) — Jordan’s economy will suffer if the Arab League (AL)’s economic sanctions against Syria are imposed, as Syria is a strategic gateway to the imports and exports of the Arab kingdom, experts said.

Jordan’s transport, commercial and agriculture are all expected to be severely affected should the sanctions go into effect, considering, for instance, that thousands of Jordanian cargo trucks working on the Syrian route will have to stop the business, according to experts.

“Jordan will be affected at the social, economic and political levels if it abides by the sanctions against Syria,” Mefleh Aqel, a local economist and veteran banker, told Xinhua.

“The Jordanian economy is already facing difficulties and it is not wise to be part of the sanctions against Syria,” Aqel said.

As 70 percent of Jordan’s imports from Turkey, Lebanon and some European states, and a majority of its exports are transported through Syria, the agricultural and commercial sectors will be dealt a huge blow with once sanctions are implemented, Nael Kabariti, president of Jordan’s Chamber of Commerce, told a press conference recently.

Prices of Jordanian exports and imports may soar, because transferring goods through Syria is cheaper for the kingdom, Kabariti said, adding that this matters a lot for his country’s competitiveness and that the transport sector will be “badly affected.”

Mohammad Dawood, president of the Jordan Truck Owners Association (JTOA), confirmed that many Jordanian cargo truck drivers have currently shunned from going to Syria.

“Jordan is the closest to Syria and has good trade ties with Syria, especially that Syria is the gate for our exports,” Dawood told Xinhua.

“Our sector is already affected by the unrest in Syria and imposing sanctions means worsening the situation. The number of Jordanian cargo trucks is already on the decline as truck drivers fear for their life in light of the ongoing unrest in Syria,” Dawood said.

Jordan’s Agriculture Ministry has said that about 3,000 Jordanian cargo trucks will have to stop working if sanctions against Syria are implemented, calling for a serious study of the impact of sanctions on Jordan.

Jordan’s agricultural exports to Syria in 2009 reached 79 million Jordanian dinars (about 111 million U.S. dollars) and rose to 90 million dinars (126 million dollars) in 2010, while the Arab kingdom’s agricultural imports from Syria stood at 107 million dinars (150 million dollars) in 2009 and rose to 133 million dinars (187 million dollars) in 2010, a study by the ministry obtained by Xinhua indicated.

Of the overall Jordanian annual exports of fruits and vegetables, 28 percent goes to Syria, the study showed.

Meanwhile, experts said that the foreign exchange sector have already been affected by the unrest in Syria, and that major banks in Jordan will also be put into risk.

“Three major Jordanian banks already have operation in Syria. If sanctions are imposed, the headquarters of these banks in Amman will be harmed and incur losses. These banks in Jordan will not enjoy good revenues from Syria anymore,” Aqel told Xinhua.

Meanwhile, an expert in the exchange sector, who asked not to be named, echoed the remarks.

“There is a very low demand on Syrian pound. Our trading has dropped by about 20 percent since the start of the unrest,” the expert said.

The AL’s sanctions adopted recently against Syria include a travel ban against scores of senior officials, a freeze on Syrian government assets in Arab countries, a ban on transactions with Syria’s central bank as well as an end to all commercial exchanges with the Syrian government.

The sanctions entail that Arab states impose a series of sanctions to sever most trade and investment ties in a move meant to place pressure on the Syrian administration to stop cracking down on protests.

According to Jordanian Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammed Kayed, the Arab kingdom has asked the AL to exclude the sectors of trade and aviation from the sanctions, but no response has been made yet.

December 13th, 2011, 8:02 pm

 

ann said:

News Analysis: Allies work in solidarity with Syria despite West’s tough stance – 2011-12-13

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2011-12/13/c_131304606.htm

DAMASCUS, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) — As the West assumes a tough stance toward Syria by imposing sanctions and supporting the opposition groups, Damascus’ allies are seeking to find a peaceful solution to the country’s months-long crisis.

Ali Nik-Zad, the Iranian minister of communication and housing, was quoted by the official SANA news agency as saying on Tuesday that the Iranian parliament has ratified a free trade zone agreement between Iran and Syria.

Nik-Zad, who presides over the ongoing economic meeting held in Damascus with Syrian Economy Minister Mohammad Nidhal al-Shaar, said Iran is ready to initially sign the trade agreement during the meeting.

The two-day meeting will discuss the situation of Iranian companies in Syria and the means of developing their businesses.

The Iranian minister said upon arrival that his country would always stand along with Syria and is keen on developing bilateral relations in all fields.

“The Americans, Western countries and their agents in the region would never be able to defeat us and we will always stand fast together in confronting them,” he said.

Syria has recently announced that it would search for new markets and conclude new trade deals with friendly countries such as Russia, China, Iran and other supportive states.

The Middle East country has been hit with several rafts of economic sanctions by world powers, such as the United States, Europe and recently by the Arab League (AL), over the alleged excessive use of force in dealing with domestic protests.

Meanwhile, some 44 Iraqi personalities arrived in Damascus late Monday in an effort to mediate between the Syrian government and the opposition.

The five-day visit, organized by the Popular Iraqi Front in support of Syria, will hold talks with opposition figures who reject foreign intervention.

The spokesman of the Iraqi group, Hussein al-Rubaie, told local media that the delegation will hold meetings with high-ranking Syrian officials, including Syrian Vice-President Farouk al-Sharaa.

“The target is to bring closer points of view between the government and the opposition to solve the crisis in Syria and forestall attempts by those who try to internationalize it,” the spokesman said.

Al-Rubaie also said the delegation will convey a “reassuring economic message” that Iraq would not take part in any economic blockade on Syria and its people.

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki, who opposed the Arab League’ s suspension of Syria’s membership and the international sanctions, has positioned himself as a mediator.

He recently warned that a civil war may break out in Syria if President Bashar al-Assad steps down, and said that the Iraqi government is ready to meet with the Syrian opposition to try to reach a solution and avoid further bloodshed.

Meanwhile, Russia, Syria’s crucial backer, urged Damascus to accept the AL’s proposed protocol to allow in Arab monitors to oversee the country’s unrest on ground.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Tuesday that Russia is ready to send its own observers to Syria along with some other BRICS countries.

Lavrov also accused the Syrian opposition of attempting to trigger a humanitarian disaster in the country to justify foreign military intervention, while lashing out at the West for its “bad determination” to impose sanctions against Syria, which, in his words, would not lead to anything good.

December 13th, 2011, 8:07 pm

 

Syria no kandahar said:

وجه الجردون كفرجه

December 13th, 2011, 8:07 pm

 

ann said:

News Analysis: U.S. troops’ exit to usher in bitter-sweet era of U. S.-Iraq relationship – 2011-12-14

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/indepth/2011-12/14/c_131304636.htm

BAGHDAD, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) — As the Dec. 31 deadline for the U. S. troops’ pullout is drawing near, experts in Iraq said the withdrawal is to usher in a new bitter-sweet era of the U.S.-Iraq relationship.

U.S. President Barack Obama and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al- Maliki pledged to build up “a long-term partnership” on Monday during Maliki’s tour to the United States, but analysts said the pledge would hardly smooth the tension between the two sides triggered by the withdrawal tussle.

NORMAL MUTUAL RELATION

“Normal” must have been a key word when Obama and Maliki met at the White House on Monday, as the two governments engaged in a landmark shift in their relationship that was born in war.

The two countries launched the first effort towards the normalcy as early as in 2008, when Baghdad and Washington clinched the Strategic Framework Agreement (SFA) and the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA). The two pacts panned out the Dec. 31 deadline for the troop withdrawal.

In their Monday’s White House meeting, Obama and Maliki covered a broad agenda to reinforce the new partnership. In addition to the regional security issues, the two leaders also discussed trade, energy and the U.S. investment in Iraq.

The meeting turned out to be a signal that the partnership between Washington and the government it nurtured in Baghdad will take on an unfamiliar but more normal diplomatic relationship.

Arguments could be an indication of normalcy in the U.S.-Iraq relationship, as Obama told the press conference at the conclusion of Monday’s meeting that the two sides have different stance on the Syria issue.

Washington would like to play tough on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to make him step down, while Baghdad, which was against any sanction on Syria, expressed its concern over the regional security.

On the Bahraini unrest, the United States supported the government controlled by Sunni Arabs, while Iraq backed the demonstrators, the majority of whom were Shiites.

Some analysts speculated that Iraq took sides merely considering the Sunni-Shiite identity, while Sabah Sheikh, a professor of politics in the Baghdad University, said the country was trying to display its diplomatic independence.

“Iraq stays away from the U.S. intentionally to polish its image,” said the professor, adding that the country also has its own interests to consider in policy making.

As to Syria, a neighbor country that is housing hundreds of thousands of Iraqis and having close trade ties with Iraq, any sanction measure would have negative impact on Iraq’s economy.

On the other hand, the United States has expressed its concern over Iran’s potentially increasing political influence on Iraq in the wake of the pullout.

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden told Maliki during his recent visit to Iraq that the United States understands Iraq’s efforts for cooperation with Iran, yet it has to make sure that Iraq would not be used as a base to attack the United States.

SECURITY COOPERATION PERSISTS

The security issue will still top the agenda, as the United States and Iraq have both left open the door to future training missions.

Iraqi troops would take part in the U.S. military exercises outside Iraq and the U.S. troops would rotate into Iraq for specific training exercises.

Iraq has contracted to buy 18 F-16 fighter jets from the United States, and the U.S. pilots will train Iraqi pilots.

The U.S. authorities have emphasized that it will not redeploy troops to Iraq, though the status quo of its involvement depends on the negotiations with the Iraqi government.

In the meeting in Baghdad with Biden, Maliki said that “no doubt, U.S. troops will play a role in providing training for Iraqi forces.”

Biden said the United States and Iraq would maintain “a robust security relationship,” though he said the nature of the relationship would be up to the Iraqis.

Although the exchange of remarks underscored the reality that the United States is likely to be involved in Iraq’s security even after the withdrawal, Maliki has said the Iraqi forces are capable of fully taking the security responsibility and much of Baghdad’s desire to build a relationship with Washington is on the basis of “mutual respect.”

The U.S. military also wishes that a training force would be invited to stay in Iraq next year, on which the two sides were unable to reach an agreement.

Analysts said potential struggles between the two sides will be seen in the future after the pullout, making the relation unpredictable.

December 13th, 2011, 8:21 pm

 

Haytham Khoury said:

louai #717.

We will bring everybody did wrong to justice no matter on which side that person is.

December 13th, 2011, 8:26 pm

 

jna said:

Syrian hamster…welcome back. Glad to see you back regularly on Syria Comment.

December 13th, 2011, 8:31 pm

 

ann said:

741. Haytham Khoury said:

“””louai #717.

We will bring everybody did wrong to justice no matter on which side that person is.”””

Everybody!

qatari, saudi, israeli, lebanese, jordanian, turkish, french and british leaders

when are you going to grow up?!

December 13th, 2011, 8:35 pm

 

Observer said:

Watch the speech to the end. It is history in the making. This is the difference between a real statesman and a wonder boy

December 13th, 2011, 8:36 pm

 

zoo said:

Leaving Syria’s future up to the Turks

Last Updated: 12:14 AM, December 13, 2011

While the West is struggling to respond to Syria’s bloodbath, Turkey is thinking ahead to the days when Bashar al-Assad’s regime is gone.

This crisis exacts dozens of deaths each day, fitting every definition of the supposed US and Western “responsibility to protect” civilians in peril. And events in Syria are crucial both to our goal of promoting liberal democracy in the Mideast and to our global interests. But our actions have been next to nothing.

Yesterday, Western diplomats marked a small victory when the UN Security Council heard Human Rights Commissioner Navi Pillay’s report on Syrian atrocities. But wait: Under Chinese pressure, Pillay was forced to brief on the whole Middle East and to specifically include Israeli transgressions as well. “In my view, both situations should be addressed,” Pillay told me.

So we can’t get the only body that can impose universal punishment on the Assad regime to even put Syria on its agenda exclusively. We’ve been trying since March; Assad has killed at least 5,000 people since then. And the only hope Western diplomats say they have now is that the Arab League will help them force the Syria issue.

Even our rhetoric is wishy-washy. Yes, the French and other Europeans clearly portray Assad as the bad guy. But White House and State Department statements are so carefully calibrated that Syrians can be excused for not understanding exactly where we stand. And President Obama is all but mum. Why? Clear statements would force us to follow through and assist the rebels — which would mean yet another unwanted foreign entanglement. So, contrary to all evidence, Washington insists that the Syrian rebels don’t even want us to send them military hardware or impose a no-fly zone, as we did in Libya.

Nevertheless, the anti-Assad forces are fighting — and they have a major backer.

Turkey is fully behind the top officers who’ve defected from the Syrian army and the rest of the anti-Assad rebels. Syria’s future political leaders hold their meetings safely in Turkey. Bases near the Turkish-Syrian border are ever expanding, and Turkish-protected refugee havens are slowly expanding into Syrian territory. The Turkish government also helps with daily anti-Assad statements.

But the Turks are interested in more than justice. Prime Minister Recep Tayyep Erdogan plainly envisions a Syria ruled by its Sunni majority and backed — controlled — by Ankara. That is, something like what Lebanon is to Syria now: a client state.

For now, the only serious resistance to that vision is from Iran, which is afraid of losing Assad as its client. That’s why Assad, his Revolutionary Guard “advisers” and Iran’s Lebanese proxy army, Hezbollah, will fight furiously before it’s all over.

But that inevitable ending seems near; the Sunni majority will take over in weeks. One clear, if amusing, sign of desperation: The Kuwait Times reported yesterday that Assad adviser Buthaina Shaaban is threatening to release sex tapes of Gulf leaders unless they ease the pressure they’ve exerted on the friendless regime.

Erdogan is Obama’s favorite regional ally. Washington has no problem following his cue. Perhaps his vision of a new Ottoman empire can pose a welcome counterbalance to Iran’s ambitions — for now. But Erdogan’s well-known volatility is one risk factor (as his confidence grows, he could turn on a dime and go against us); his “moderate” Islamism is another.

It’s one thing to let Europe lead, as we did in Libya. For all their faults (the wimp factor), the Europeans share most of our core interests and values. Erdogan has a different long-term agenda; we had better make sure his goals don’t clash with ours.

Turkey has a clear interest in the future of its neighbor, but Syria, too, is central to many of our interests in the region. Allowing Erdogan to dictate the outcome of the revolution all by himself could come back to haunt us.

Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/opinion/opedcolumnists/leaving_syria_future_up_to_the_turks_2rWJ9YSVoxrgG8uteLOiiO#ixzz1gT8IFWKJ

December 13th, 2011, 8:40 pm

 

zoo said:

Ankara sticking its nose in Iraq: Maliki

WASHINGTON – Hürriyet Daily News

Turkey is interfering in Iraq’s internal affairs by “backing certain political figures and blocs,” Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has said during an interview.

“We welcome [Turkey] to cooperate with us economically, and we are open to them, but we do not welcome interference in political matters,” al-Maliki said.

“Turkey interferes by backing certain political figures and blocs. We have continuously objected to their previous ambassador’s involvement in local politics and officials have admitted their faults,” al-Maliki said during an interview with the Wall Street Journal that was released Dec. 12. “There will no longer be an argument for Iran to interfere in Iraqi affairs [directly] or through some [political] blocs and parties.”

Noting that his country had close ties with Russia, Iran, Turkey and Arab nations, al-Maliki said relations were at risk when those countries impede Iraq’s sovereignty.

On the recent developments in Syria, al-Maliki said he sent a message to President Bashar al-Assad less than a month ago calling on him to make reforms and accept an Arab League initiative to stop the violence.

Al-Maliki said al-Assad’s answer was positive.

December 13th, 2011, 9:09 pm

 

Tara said:

Intervention in Syria: Assessing the Options

http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/templateC05.php?CID=3433
By Steven Beasley, Michael Eisenstadt, and Jeffrey White
December 13, 2011

Without external intercession, the violence in Syria is likely to escalate, with destabilizing consequences for its neighbors, particularly Lebanon and Iraq.

The intensifying internal crisis in Syria has prompted calls for humanitarian and military intervention, including options such as a border enclave or buffer zone, “humanitarian corridors” to provide food and medical assistance to interior areas, and a no-fly zone over large parts of the country. All of these options entail certain operational challenges and a degree of risk, but intervention also presents policy opportunities.

Humanitarian Enclave or Buffer Zone

Turkey has floated the possibility of an enclave or buffer area in Syrian territory where internally displaced persons could find safe haven. This would resemble the enclave created by U.S. and coalition troops in northern Iraq in 1991 during Operation Provide Comfort, to protect Iraqi Kurds who fled there after the failed uprising against Saddam Hussein.

Operational requirements. This option would necessitate the use of ground forces to carve out and secure an enclave, probably in the face of resistance by infiltrators and provocateurs sent by Damascus, if not elements of the Syrian armed forces. Air cover would be needed to provide reconnaissance, overwatch, and potential defense against ground and air attack.

Such an operation would require significant military resources, and it is not clear whether Turkey would be willing or able to carry out the mission on its own. Provide Comfort required 20,000 U.S. and coalition troops to secure a safe haven for 500,000-700,000 Kurds. Thirty donor nations and nearly fifty international and nongovernmental organizations provided humanitarian assistance. At the very least, Turkey might call on the international community to provide food, medicine, and temporary shelters for displaced persons.

Risks and challenges. The greatest risk is that of a clash with regime forces intent on preserving Syrian sovereignty and territorial integrity. And while an enclave could serve as a safe haven for several hundred thousand displaced Syrians, millions of others would remain vulnerable. Moreover, it is unclear how many Syrians could realistically reach the enclaves, particularly if the regime tried to obstruct access. The army is deployed throughout the country and could easily impede movement toward the Turkish border, as it has already done to some extent. Finally, a large enclave could quickly exhaust local resources; large quantities of humanitarian assistance would probably be needed from elsewhere.

Humanitarian Corridor

France has raised the possibility of creating ground corridors to deliver food and medicine to beleaguered civilians in Syria’s interior. Such an option could be carried out with or without the regime’s assent, using aid workers in the former case or armed “observers” in the latter. For instance, overland routes from Turkey, Lebanon, and Jordan could service distressed populations in hotspots such as Idlib, Homs, Hama, and Deraa. Air corridors could conceivably reach less accessible areas. At present, however, it is not clear that corridors of either kind are needed.

Operational requirements. This option would necessitate a major logistical effort. Suitable ports or airfields would have to be secured near each corridor, and large numbers of vehicles and aircraft would be needed to move supplies into Syria. Security would be required for logistical hubs and overland routes to ensure that aid reaches the intended population. And some means of command and control would be needed to organize, coordinate, and secure corridors and relief convoys.

Risks and challenges. Maintaining aid corridors would pose significant challenges under anything but permissive conditions. If the regime were to overtly or covertly oppose the effort, the difficulties could be substantial. Damascus might disrupt relief operations by passive means, such as obstructing roads with livestock or organizing demonstrations by regime supporters. Or it could take aggressive steps such as employing mines or improvised explosive devices, or even regular forces, to block aid convoys. All of these actions would raise the risks for those participating in corridor operations, and the humanitarian mission could quickly become a military campaign. Many countries would likely cease participating in a humanitarian operation that took a violent turn, particularly since such a development would require more than the armed “observers” envisioned by France.

No-Fly Zone

The Syrian opposition has called for a no-fly zone to protect the people from regime predations — perhaps in the hope that such a zone would eventually be expanded to include attacks against regime ground forces, as occurred in Libya. Yet Damascus has not made extensive use of rotary or fixed-wing aircraft against the opposition. Thus, a no-fly zone would make little sense, unless the intention were to bolster opposition morale or lay the groundwork for more expansive military operations later.

Operational requirements. A no-fly zone would necessitate the use of operating bases in neighboring states such as Jordan, Iraq, and Turkey. Yet Ankara, for one, would oppose military intervention except to prevent an imminent massacre, and would prefer that any intervention be carried out by the Arab League, the Organization of the Islamic Conference, or the United States — but not NATO. In any case, bases in neighboring countries could be supplemented by aircraft carriers in the Eastern Mediterranean, and perhaps NATO bases in Italy if the alliance were to participate. The operation would also require aerial tankers to ensure continuous coverage. And if Damascus were to challenge the zone, large numbers of aircraft configured for air-to-air combat and air-defense suppression would be required, pointing to a U.S., European, or NATO role.

Risks and challenges. Syria has one of the densest air-defense arsenals in the world, though most of its components date from the Cold War era. Given that it has not relied heavily on airpower to counter the opposition, Damascus might simply opt not to contest a no-fly zone, as it would have little tangible effect on regime operations (though it might boost opposition morale and spur defections from regime forces). Yet if Damascus feared that a zone presaged operations against its ground forces and decided to contest it, intervening forces would need to suppress Syrian air defenses and neutralize the air force. Accordingly, this option would probably require the involvement of high-end forces to ensure its success.

Iran’s Response

According to an October 4 report by Iran’s Fars News Agency, Syrian president Bashar al-Assad warned Turkish foreign minister Ahmet Davutoglu that Syria would respond to foreign intervention with attacks on Israeli, U.S., and European interests, presumably using terrorist proxies, rockets, and missiles. This possibility should, of course, be factored into any intervention decision. Assad also reportedly warned that Iran’s navy would attack U.S. warships in the Persian Gulf, raising questions as to whether Tehran would actually go to war for its Syrian ally.

Iran has always avoided direct, armed interventions that risked a broader war, generally preferring to respond through proxies or other indirect means. For example, Iran would likely assist Syrian efforts to counter a no-fly zone by providing advice and advanced air-defense systems, and perhaps encouraging Hizballah to lash out at U.S. or Israeli interests. Yet Tehran has also been hedging its bets by establishing contacts with the Syrian opposition, which may indicate that it is preparing for the post-Assad era. This implies that Iran itself would probably not forcibly oppose foreign intervention in Syria — although Tehran’s recent pledge to respond in kind to U.S. pressure on the nuclear issue may alter this calculus.

Other Options

The Assad regime has demonstrated that it is willing to do whatever is necessary to stay in power. Therefore, more aggressive options may be required if the international community hopes to safeguard the Syrian people, including covert military assistance to the opposition, a combined no-fly/no-drive zone, or attacks on regime forces involved in violent repression. These options would generally entail higher levels of risk, but they also offer greater prospects for success.

Covert action would take time to work, but it might hearten the opposition, catalyze defections among government forces, and increase tensions within the regime. And as indicated above, a no-fly zone would make sense only if it were the opening phase of a more expansive intervention, as occurred in Libya. In any case, the international community should neither underestimate nor exaggerate Syria’s military capacity, especially its air defenses. Although such defenses would not pose an insurmountable obstacle to a modern air force, suppressing them would entail risks, including potential losses among intervening forces.

More broadly, the no-fly/no-drive and direct-attack options raise the risk of a regional conflict, although the potential players in such a scenario do not seem willing to take that route at the moment. Syria would likely view such operations as a prelude to regime change and might respond with rocket/missile strikes and attempted terrorist attacks against Israel and countries participating in the campaign. But it seems unlikely that Syria’s allies would risk being drawn into a conflict to save a failing ally. Hizballah has to worry about how a war would affect its domestic support base. Hamas is already relocating its operations from Syria, clearly signaling that it is not going down with the Assad ship. And Iran would likely eschew direct intervention, husbanding its forces for a possible confrontation with the United States over its nuclear program.

Conclusion

Intervention in Syria would be a demanding mission carrying significant risks. Participating states should be prepared for the possibility that Damascus might try to thwart intervention and escalate any ensuing confrontation. And failed humanitarian efforts would produce pressures to “double down” and expand the mission’s military dimension. Intervening forces could even be caught up in a burgeoning civil war.

Yet these risks suggest that intervention should be carefully considered, not avoided altogether. Without external intercession, the violence in Syria is likely to escalate, with destabilizing consequences for its neighbors, particularly Lebanon and Iraq. Assad’s forces will continue killing until the opposition is defeated or the regime itself breaks. Accordingly, even covert intervention would buoy the opposition’s morale, while signaling to Damascus that events are moving against it, that external powers are willing to run risks to aid the population, and that the opposition has important allies. Taken together, these developments could significantly alter the dynamic of the Syrian struggle.

Lt. Col. Steven Beasley (U.S. Air Force) is a visiting military fellow at The Washington Institute. Michael Eisenstadt is director of the Institute’s Military and Security Studies Program. Jeffrey White is a defense fellow at the Institute, specializing in the military and security affairs of the Levant, Iraq, and Iran. 

December 13th, 2011, 9:22 pm

 

jad said:

إيران تحرّر التجارة مع سوريا … وموسكو تلحّ على توقيع البروتوكول
بغـداد: المعارضـة السـورية قبلت وسـاطة المالكـي

أعلنت الحكومة العراقية أمس أن المعارضة السورية ردت بالايجاب على دعوة من رئيس الوزراء نوري المالكي لزيارة بغداد بهدف القيام بوساطة بينها وبين نظام الرئيس بشار الاسد، فيما كان الأمين العام للجامعة العربية نبيل العربي يشدد على أنه لا «يوجد أي توجه في العالم كله لاستخدام القوة، وليس في الدول العربية فقط» من اجل حل الازمة السورية التي يبدو انها مرهونة بالمسعى العراقي الجديد.
في هذا الوقت، صادق البرلمان الإيراني على اتفاقية التجارة الحرة مع سوريا، في إطار الدعم الإيراني المتواصل لدمشق لمواجهة «الهجمة عليها». وأعلن وزير الخارجية
الروسي سيرغي لافروف انه ونظيره الجزائري مراد مدلسي متفقان حيال إخراج سوريا من أزمتها «وفقا لاقتراحات جامعة الدول العربية ومن دون إنذارات»، مؤكدا أن موسكو لا تزال تعارض فرض عقوبات ضد سوريا، وانها تنصح دمشق بتوقيع بروتوكول بعثة المراقبين العرب واستقبال المراقبين في أسرع وقت. وحضت واشنطن والاتحاد الأوروبي روسيا على الانضمام إلى التحرك القائم لوضع حد لصمت مجلس الأمن «غير المعقول» إزاء ما يحصل في سوريا.
وتلقى وزير الخارجية الكويتي الشيخ صباح خالد الحمد الصباح رسالة خطية من وزير الخارجية السوري وليد المعلم. وذكرت وكالة الأنباء الكويتية أن «الرسالة تتعلق بآخر التطورات السياسية على الساحتين الإقليمية والدولية والقضايا محل الاهتمام المشترك».
المسعى العراقي
وأعلن مستشار رئيس الحكومة العراقية نوري المالكي، علي الموسوي لوكالة «فرانس برس»، أن السلطات العراقية دعت المعارضة السورية لزيارة بغداد بهدف القيام بوساطة بينها وبين النظام السوري.
وقال الموسوي «لقد دعونا المعارضة السورية إلى زيارة العراق، وقد رحبت بهذه المبادرة من جانب المالكي»، موضحا أن رئيس الوزراء العراقي «كان قد طلب من العديد من المسؤولين السياسيين التفاوض مع المعارضة السورية». وشدد على أن «التحرك العراقي يستند إلى المبادرة العربية إضافة إلى مطالب المعارضة التي ستنقل إلى الحكومة السورية».
وكان المالكي أدلى، خلال مؤتمر صحافي مشترك مع الرئيس الأميركي باراك أوباما أمس الأول، بموقف متمايز عن الموقف الأميركي المطالب بتنحي الرئيس السوري بشار الأسد. وقال «نحن لسنا ضد تطلعات الشعب السوري ولا تطلعات أي شعب آخر، لكن ليس من حقي أن اطلب من رئيس التنحي، ولا نريد أن نعطي أنفسنا هذا الحق»، مضيفا «العراق بلد على حدود مع سوريا وأنا تهمني مصلحة العراق».
العربي
وتعقد اللجنة الوزارية العربية الخاصة بالملف السوري اجتماعا في القاهرة السبت، قبل اجتماع آخر لوزراء الخارجية، للرد على الاقتراح السوري بالموافقة على إرسال مراقبين إلى سوريا، في مقابل رفع العقوبات العربية المفروضة على هذا البلد، بحسب ما أعلن دبلوماسي عربي.
وقال العربي، في مقابلة مع صحيفة «الراي» الكويتية نشرت أمس، إن «انتقال الملف السوري إلى التدويل موضوع سيقرره وزراء الخارجية العرب في ضوء ما يقوم به النظام السوري»، مشيرا إلى أن «الجامعة العربية تهتم أساسا بحماية المواطنين السوريين، وتقدر أنه لا بد من توفير الحماية الآن، غير أن توفير الحماية للشعب السوري لا يمكن أن يتم إلا برضا سوريا».
وأضاف العربي إن «الجامعة قررت أن تكون هناك حماية، ووجدت أن الوضع يقتضي وجود مراقبين على الأرض، وليكونوا مفيدين فإنه لا بد من أن تكون لهم حصانة وحق في الحرية والتنقل والمقابلة، ولهذا تم وضع إطار قانوني سمي ببروتوكول ونحن بانتظار أن توقعه سوريا، لأنهم قالوا مرتين إنهم سيوقعونه ولم يفعلوا، بل كانوا يضعون شروطا جديدة»، مكررا أن «الرد السوري المشروط لتوقيع البروتوكول يجب أن يعرض على المجلس الوزاري».
وأشار العربي إلى انه «لم يتراجع عن لقاء المعارضة السورية والنظام في القاهرة، وانه قابل حتى اليوم ما يفوق المئة معارض في القاهرة من المجلس الوطني ومن تنسيقيات الثورة ومن قبائل وبحثنا أمورا كثيرة جدا، ويجب عليهم الجلوس حتى يتفقوا على الخطوات المستقبلية، وطبقا للقرارات، وفي مرحلة معينة ستدعى الحكومة لإجراء حوار شامل».
وحول تداعيات الأزمة السورية على لبنان، أوضح العربي أن «للبنان وضعا خاصا، وكل الدول العربية تقدر هذا الأمر، وهذا الأمر ليس بغريب، فأي قرار يوقع عقوبات على أي بلد فان هناك دولا تتضرر، والدول التي تتضرر تطلب استثناءها من هذه الإجراءات، وهذا أمر طبيعي».
ونفى العربي أن «يكون هناك اتجاه لاستعمال القوة»، مؤكدا أنه «لا يوجد أي توجه في العالم كله لاستخدام القوة، وليس في الدول العربية فقط». وأكد أن «السيناريو الليبي لن يتكرر»، من دون أن يستبعد «الاستعانة بالسيناريو اليمني بالتوقيع على اتفاقية وضمان تداول السلطة».
إيران
وصادق البرلمان الإيراني على اتفاقية التجارة الحرة بين إيران سوريا، فيما أقرت لجنة المتابعة السورية ـ الإيرانية للتعاون الاقتصادي، خلال اجتماع في دمشق، على تشكيل أربع لجان من الجانبين لبحث سبل تعزيز علاقات التعاون الاقتصادي والتجاري والاستثماري بين البلدين.
وأكد رئيس لجنة الأمن القومي والسياسة الخارجية في البرلمان علاء الدين بروجردي، خلال الجلسة، «لقد أنفقت الولايات المتحدة وحلفاؤها في أوروبا والمنطقة، المليارات من الدولارات لتغيير الهيكلية السياسية في سوريا في خطوه لكسر مقاومتها وصمودها». وأضاف إن «السوريين حكومة وشعبا صامدون أمام المؤامرات الأميركية، وان واشنطن تقوم عبر قناتي «الجزيرة» و«العربية» بشن حمله إعلامية شعواء ضد الشعب السوري والحكومة السورية». (تفاصيل ص 14).
وأكد مستشار قائد الثورة الإسلامية للشؤون الدولية علي اكبر ولايتي، في حديث لموقع «عربي برس»، دعم طهران «الثابت والمحكم لحكومة الرئيس بشار الأسد التي تعتبر ضمانة لمحور المقاومة والممانعة».
وأعرب ولايتي عن أمله ان «تتجاوز سوريا الأزمة المفروضة عليها من الخارج بأسرع وقت ممكن». وأشار إلى القوى الإقليمية التي تحرض على حكومة الأسد مثل تركيا وقطر والسعودية، مضيفا «الأفضل لمثل هذه الدول ألا تربط مصيرها بمخططات هذه المؤامرة الدولية الجارية الآن ضد سوريا لأن من يربط نفسه بحبال هذه المؤامرة سيقع في البئر التي أعدتها لدمشق قريبا».
موسكو
وقال لافروف، بعد اجتماع مع مدلسي، ان روسيا لا تزال تعارض فرض عقوبات على سوريا، مشيرا إلى أن «تجارب» أثبتت أن العقوبات لا تحقق النتائج المرجوة «مع استثناءات نادرة جدا، ونحن غير مستعدين للجوء إلى استعمالها إلا عند الضرورات القصوى».
ولفت لافروف إلى «اتفاق وجهات نظر روسيا والجزائر حيال إخراج سوريا من أزمتها، وفقا لاقتراحات جامعة الدول العربية ومن دون إنذارات». وأعلن أن «روسيا تنصح دمشق بتوقيع بروتوكول بعثة المراقبين العرب واستقبال المراقبين في أسرع وقت»، مشيرا إلى «أننا أبدينا استعدادنا خلال اتصالاتنا مع قيادات جامعة الدولة العربية والحكومة السورية، لضم مراقبين من الممكن أن توفدهم روسيا وغيرها من دول مجموعة «بريكس» (البرازيل وروسيا والهند والصين وجنوب أفريقيا) إلى المراقبين العرب إذا كان هناك اهتمام بهم».
وقال انه أمر «لااخلاقي» ان يتهم الغرب روسيا بعرقلة قرار في مجلس الأمن الدولي حول القمع في سوريا معتبرا ان الغربيين يرفضون الضغط على «المتطرفين» السوريين. واوضح «ان اولئك الذين يرفضون ممارسة الضغط على الجانب المتطرف والمسلح في المعارضة (في سوريا) هم انفسهم الذين يتهموننا بعرقلة عمل مجلس الامن الدولي. اعتبر ان هذا الموقف لااخلاقي».
وكرر لافروف الموقف الروسي بشأن الملف السوري لافتا الى ان على مجلس الأمن الا ينتقد فقط نظام الاسد. واضاف «ان شركاءنا (…) لا يريدون ادانة اعمال العنف التي تقوم بها المجموعات المسلحة المتطرفة ضد السلطات الشرعية» في سوريا. ورأى ان هدف هؤلاء المعارضين هو «التسبب بكارثة إنسانية دفعا لتدخل أجنبي في النزاع».
واشنطن
وقالت المتحدثة باسم وزارة الخارجية الأميركية فيكتوريا نولاند «بصراحة نعتقد انه حان الوقت بالفعل كي يرفع مجلس الامن صوته»، منددة بالصمت «غير المعقول» لمجلس الامن ازاء تجاوزات النظام السوري. واضافت «نجدد دعوة جميع شركائنا داخل مجلس الامن لاتخاذ اجراءات والتحدث باسم الابرياء في سوريا، وهذه الدعوة تشمل روسيا».
وتابعت نولاند «من الصعب جدا علينا ان نفهم لماذا لا يريد عضو في مجلس الامن دعم نداء المعارضة السورية». وقالت انه «اذا كانت موسكو قلقة بالفعل ازاء العنف من جانب المعارضة ايضا، فان الموافقة على ارسال مراقبين مستقلين وصحافيين اجانب الى سوريا ستكون افضل وسيلة لمعرفة ما يجري هناك بالفعل وللحصول على الصورة المتوازنة التي يطالب بها الروس بإلحاح».
وردت على كلام لافروف بالقول ان «اللااخلاقي هو نظام الاسد بسبب العنف الذي يمارسه بحق شعبه».
واعلنت وزيرة خارجية الاتحاد الأوروبي كاثرين اشتون ان الاتحاد سيحاول اقناع روسيا بالمشاركة في العقوبات على النظام السوري خلال القمة مع الرئيس ديميتري ميدفيديف في بروكسل اليوم وغدا.
وقالت اشتون، خلال مناقشة في البرلمان الاوروبي في استراسبورغ، «آمل ان يتحرك مجلس الامن. على جميع اعضائه ان يتحملوا مسؤولياتهم لان الوضع ملحّ للغاية». وذكرت ان «الوضع مأسوي في بعض مناطق البلاد، وخصوصا في حمص. ان القمع الوحشي للمدنيين غير مقبول وينبغي ان يتوقف».
وكررت ان «على جميع اعضاء الامم المتحدة ان يتحملوا مسؤولياتهم حيال سوريا». واضافت «نحتاج الى تفاهم دولي لعزل نظام دمشق، يجب اضعافه، عزله»، بهدف اجبار النظام السوري على «وضع حد للعنف ضد شعبه والسماح بحصول عملية انتقالية». وقالت «لقد تم التخلي عن فكرة إقامة ممر إنساني»، موضحة أن «بعض الأفكار تعرض ويتم بحثها ودراستها، ثم يتخذ قرار بأنها ليست مناسبة بالطريقة التي نريدها. لذلك هذه الفكرة لم تعد مطروحة».
واستبعد مندوب فرنسا لدى الأمم المتحدة جيرار أرو، لمحطة (أي تيلي) الفرنسية، استخدام القوة العسكرية في الوقت الراهن في سوريا، قائلا انه ينبغي القيام بكل ما يمكن القيام به على الصعيد السياسي لتفادي «اشتعال» الوضع في سوريا والشرق الاوسط ككل.
ميدانياً
قال المرصد السوري لحقوق الإنسان، في بيان، «قتل 21 شخصا برصاص قوات الأمن السورية غالبيتهم في محافظة ادلب، اثر تزايد الانشقاقات داخل الجيش السوري»، فيما اعلنت السلطات السورية ان «عنصرين من مجموعة ارهابية» قتلا بأيدي حرس الحدود السوريين في قرية عين البيضا بعد ان تسللا من تركيا، الامر الذي سارع دبلوماسي تركي الى نفيه، موضحا «ان تركيا لا تسمح مطلقا بأي هجوم على بلدان اخرى او مجاورة انطلاقا من اراضيها»
وأعلن المرصد ان «سبعة من عناصر الامن قتلوا اثر هجوم نفذه منشقون عن الجيش استهدف موكبا امنيا كان يسير على طريق ادلب باب الهوى». واوضح ان الهجوم جاء «ردا على سقوط 11 شهيدا اثر اطلاق رصاص من قبل قوات الامن في قريتي معرة مصرين وكفريحمول» في محافظة ادلب.
واضاف «قتل في محافظة ادلب ايضا ثمانية مدنيين برصاص قوات الامن التي اطلقت النار من حاجز على مشاركين في جنازة، كما اصيب 19. وقتل شخصان في حمص».
من جهة ثانية، ذكرت وكالة الانباء السورية ان «مجموعة ارهابية مسلحة» فجرت انبوب غاز قرب مدينة الرستن في حمص. وذكرت مواقع انترنت سورية ان حريقا كبيرا اندلع في معمل «علبي تكس» للغزل في منطقة الزربة قرب الطريق الدولية بين حلب ودمشق، هو الثاني فيه خلال أسبوع.
(«السفير»، سانا، ا ف ب، ا ب، رويترز، ا ش ا)

http://www.assafir.com/Article.aspx?EditionID=2026&ChannelID=48053&ArticleID=1457

December 13th, 2011, 9:54 pm

 

Dale Andersen said:

Memo To: TARA

RE: “…Intervention in Syria: Assessing the Options…”

That article’s way too long, Tara. If you must cut-and-paste, just find the key paragraphs and paste those. No one (except for the most extreme spammie annie clone) is going to read the entire article.

The really cool posters (and they know who they are) actually read the articles and post summaries. I’m not suggesting you do that. I’m just trying to point out a truth spammie annie has never embraced: the truth that no one reads long posts.

December 13th, 2011, 10:09 pm

 

jad said:

ناشط يشكك باستشهاد الدكتور ابراهيم عثمان ويتخوف من لعبة “زينب الحصني”

حلقة مفقودة في إعلان استشهاد الدكتور ابراهيم ناهل عثمان، بهذه الجملة بدأ ناشط متخصص بتصوير مقاطع الفيديو وبثها عبر الانترنت حديثه لـ”زمان الوصل”، وتابع: “اتخوف جدا من أن تكون المخابرت أعدت لعبة لضرب مصداقية إعلام الثورة من خلال الفيديو الذي بث ويظهر فيه الدكتور مسجى على الأرض قرب الحدود التركية، أو ربما يكون الدكتور نفسه أعد هذه الفيديو ليتمكن من الهرب إلى تركيا، وأنا هنا أبث شكوكي فقط التي اتمنى أن تكون صحيحة وأن نرى الدكتور حي يرزق”، وتابع الناشط الذي اختار “زمان الوصل” لدعوة الثوار مشاركته ما يدور في صدره من شكوك”: أولاً، الخبر ناقص، كيف قتل الدكتور، فقط برصاص المخابرات الجوية، ولماذا المصور الذي صور جثته لم ينطق بكلمة واحدة، والمفرض هنا وبهذه الحالة أن يوضح المصور المكان والزمان ألخ، أضف إلى ذلك هناك حلقة مفقودة في معرفة أخبار مابعد استشهاد الدكتور، أين الجثة، هل دفنت، لماذا لم تصل إلى مدينته حماة..؟، إذا افترضنا أن الثوار حملوها الى الأراضي التركية، لماذا لم تعلن حكومة انقرة الأمر، إذا نقلت إلى مستفى على الأراضي السورية لماذا لم تسلم، يقول البعض أنه دفن بنفس المنطقة التي استشهد بها، حسنا، اليس من البديهي تصوير التشييع والدفن خصوصا أن الشهيد يعتبرا أحد شخصيات الثورة السلمية، فضلا عن سؤال يكاد يشتت أفكاري، لماذا لم تعتقل المخابرات الدكتور عوضا عن قتله وهو بمنطقة مكشوفة على الحدود”.

وانهى الناشط حديثه، كل ما أخشاه أن تكون هذه لعبة أشبه بلعبة إستشهاد “زينب الحصني” من الممكن تخدير الدكتور وتصويره مثلا من قبل المخابرات.. هذا كلام وارد، ومع هذا اتمنى أن تكون لعبة والدكتور مازال حيا فوق الارض، جملة أخيرة، “هذه شكوك وأسئلة أدعوا الجميع إلى الإجابة عنها، وأطلب من الهيئة العامة للثورة مراجعة كل مصادرها والسؤال اين جثة الدكتور؟”..؟.

http://www.zaman-alwsl.net/readNews.php?id=23081

December 13th, 2011, 10:18 pm

 

jad said:

Bronco, this news about Iran-KSA negotiation to cool down the situation fit into your earlier analyzes about the situation and where the region is heading, I didn’t read about the Chinese letter to the US, did you?

التهدئة: مشروع تفاهم سعودي ـ إيراني بغداد تدرس امكان التوسط في الأزمة السورية
تشهد المنطقة هذه الأيام مناقشات واتصالات قد ينتج عنها تفاهم سعودي ـ إيراني بمشاركة عراقية، بهدف التهدئة في المنطقة. بينما تتركز الانظار على حالة المراوحة التي يعاني منها المشروع القطري التركي الفرنسي الذي بلغ نقطة قد تقود الى ما لا تُحمد عقباه

إيلي شلهوب
عناوين عديدة يتم تداولها هذه الأيام، تبدو مؤشراً إلى احتمال حصول تغيير نوعي في المشهد الإقليمي يُرجح أن ينعكس تهدئة في أكثر من بؤرة توتر. لعل الحدثين الأكثر دلالة، زيارة وزير الاستخبارات الإيراني حيدر مصلحي إلى السعودية حيث التقى ولي العهد الأمير نايف، ورئيس الاستخبارات الأمير مقرن، وتصريحات رئيس الوزراء العراقي نوري المالكي في مؤتمره الصحافي مع الرئيس الأميركي باراك اوباما في ظل المبادرة العراقية المتوقعة لحل الأزمة السورية. المعلومات الواردة من عواصم الاقليم تتحدث عن حال من «الارتباك» في السعودية و»الشعور بالضعف» جراء مجموعة من المعطيات، تبدأ إقليمياً بما يحصل في العراق من انسحاب أميركي ومواقف عراقية نجحت في احباط المطالب الأميركية الخاصة بالمرحلة المقبلة، وعلى وجه الخصوص حيال سوريا، حيث بات معلوماً لدى جميع المعنيين أن الروس «أقاموا هيئة أركان كاملة، بكل تجهيزاتها وأذرعها العسكرية والأمنية لمقاومة أي ضربة عسكرية».

ولا تنتهي بمعلومات عن رسالة بعث الرئيس الصيني هو جيناو إلى أوباما أكد له فيها أن «الصين لن تكتفي بالشجب والإدانة ولن تقف مكتوفة الأيدي في حال تورطتم في أي مغامرة عسكرية ضد دمشق أو طهران». وفهم ان دمشق كما طهران حصلتا على نسخة من هذه الرسالة. ناهيك عن فضيحة الـ»سي اي ايه» الممتدة من بيروت إلى طهران، وفضيحة «أسر» طائرة التجسس الأميركية في الأجواء الإيرانية، وعن سقوط لبنان بأيدي الأكثرية المنتمية عضوياً إلى محور المقاومة.
تضيف المعلومات نفسها أن «العوامل الأكثر إقلاقاً للسعودية هي التي تعنيها مباشرة، من وضع داخلي يتهدد بانفجار في المناطق الشرقية التي يمكن أن تتحول إلى بحرين ثانية، ومعارضة في البحرين تصعّد كلما ازداد الضغط عليها، وزحف للاسلام السياسي من مصر إلى المغرب فاليمن وسوريا يصب في الجيب القطري والتركي. كان للسعوديين أقلية سلفية يراهنون عليها في مصر لكن نتائجها جاءت مخيبة في الانتخابات الأخيرة. هناك أيضاً احساس بأن واشنطن همّشت الثقل التاريخي للسعودية لصالح قطر».
مصادر دبلوماسية عربية تلفت إلى أن السعودية عملت جاهداً على ألا تتصدر المشهد مذ بدء الثورات العربية، «باستثناء يوم خرج الملك عبد الله بتصريحه الاستثنائي حيال سوريا». البعض يقول إنها أرغمت على هذا الانكفاء بفعل التهميش القطري التركي الفرنسي لها، فيما يقول البعض الآخر أنها أعطت الفرصة لترى إلى أين سيصل هذا الحراك، من دون أن تتحمل وزره، مع توقعات بفشله ومخاوف أن يؤثر سلباً عليها، ولما وصل إلى حائط مسدود بادرت إلى التحرك.
وتشير مصادر ايرانية الى إن التحرك السعودي بدأ قبل أسابيع بزيارة قام بها احد رجال الاعمال العراقيين البارزين بزيارة الى ايران. ليتبين ان الرجل الذي يعرف بانه «وكيل السعودية في بغداد» كان يستهدف «جس نبض الايرانيين عموما» ثم وردت رسالة سعودية إلى المجلس الأعلى للأمن القومي الإيراني تطلب ايضاحات حول الاتهامات الأميركية للجمهورية الإسلامية بالاعداد لاغتيال السفير السعودي لدى واشنطن عادل الجبير. وعرضت الرسالة للوضع المتوتر في المنطقة المقبلة نحو المجهول مرفقاً بطلب للمساعدة في تهدئة الأمور لاستبيان الوضع وفهم ما يحصل لأن الجميع يخسر في الوقت الراهن.
وتضيف المصادر أن «الإيرانيين ناقشوا الموضوع وقرروا أن أفضل شخصية يمكن أن تقوم بهذه المهمة هو مصلحي لكونه قريب جدا من المرشد الاعلى للجمهوري السيد على الحامنئي، ومن بقية اركان الحكم في ايران، ما يعني أنه قادر ليس على مناقشة الأمور الاستخبارية فحسب، وإنما أوضاع المنطقة ككل».
http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/27658

This article is also related to the KSA attempt to slow down a bit
تغيّرات الشرق الأوسط: هل تكون السعودية التالية؟
http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/27663
http://www.cfr.org/saudi-arabia/saudis-new-mideast-challenges/p26760

December 13th, 2011, 10:56 pm

 

Ya Mara Ghalba said:

@ Twerp in Tel Aviv #726: Your video sucks rocks. It’s blatantly fake. In the course of two minutes of depicting those dissidents at work, the video doesn’t show the faces of any of them. To protect them from being identified and prosecuted for carrying those deadly rifles, the film only shows us their waists, backs and legs, and very blurry very brief glimpses of the heads of some, all carefully reviewed by the editor to be too blurry and too brief for identifying purposes. At time 1:35 we see one of them has the word “POLICE” written across his upper back. Is that guy with the police? No, he’s a criminal engaged in making a fake video with the aim of fooling foreigners into believing the absurd idea that the real police are forcing shuttered shopfronts to open for business. It’s pathetic. It doesn’t have a hope in hell of fooling the people who live in Daraa or anywhere else in Syria and the target audience for it is ignoramuses. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnaJdTNXuQ4

December 13th, 2011, 11:17 pm

 

Ya Mara Ghalba said:

Here’s what JAD #723 thinks: “Many of the names listed [as people who died in violent deaths] are not properly documented. I think that a proper analyzing of the name list will probably result that 50% of the victims were actually killed not by the regime but by the armed terrorists.”
Here’s what I think: “Many of the names listed [as people who died in violent deaths] are not properly documented. I think that a proper analyzing of the name list will probably result that 50% of the victims were actually fictitious.”

December 13th, 2011, 11:21 pm

 

Dale Andersen said:

Memo To: YAYA MARA GHALBANSKEYEHU

RE: “…ignoramuses…”

It takes one to know one, Besho Boy….

December 13th, 2011, 11:53 pm

 

Majed97 said:

This debate about the punishment for apostasy/raddeh (abandoning Islam) is getting confusing…our religious scholars on this board are telling us not to give credibility to what Prophet Muhammad said in his hadith about the punishment for apostasy, yet at the same time they’re asking us to rely on what the Quran said, which was brought to us by the very same prophet who they are discrediting!! By the way, if the Prophet really meant to say to only kill spies during wars, he certainly would have been able to express that unequivocally by saying those exact words. The Arabic language is rich enough to offer such words (jassouss/khayen/ghaddar…). Furthermore, the Prophet led a whole war campaign against apostasy (heroub al reddeh), so it wasn’t just a haith about spies during a war, the whole war campaign was to stop apostasy and kill anyone who apostatize. Also, why is it that every country that uses Shariaa from KSA to Iran to Pakistan and others throughout history punishes apostasy by death? Did all of their religious scholars throughout the Islamic history get it wrong!! Give me a break…

As for the Quran’s punishment for munafiqeen (pretenders to be Muslims) being death, doesn’t that seem a bit harsh!! In most countries, you have the right to pretend to be whatever you want and lie as much as you want, as long as you don’t hurt or rob anyone. Many people pretend to convert to a religion to satisfy the family of their lovers in order to consummate a marriage, even though they don’t really believe in the religion, should they be beheaded!

December 14th, 2011, 12:28 am

 

zoo said:

‘West does not want dialogue with Assad’

Published: 13 December, 2011, 21:55
http://rt.com/news/west-dialogue-assad-regime-727/print/
With international rhetoric hardening against Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad, peace activist Dr Maher Salloum tells RT the West is not really seeking a dialogue with the Syrian regime.

­A new UN report has put the death toll from the Syrian regime’s nine-month crackdown on opponents at 5,000. Talking to the assembly on Monday, Navi Pillay, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, suggested Syria be referred to the International Criminal Court for investigation against possible crimes against humanity.

Commenting on the report, the French ambassador to the UN, Gerard Araud, called for further pressure on Damascus.

“It’s is not just the humanitarian situation we have to worry about, but the risk that Syria slides into civil war and that the whole region is set on fire. We need a political situation and to put pressure on the Assad regime,” Araud told French private television station i>tele.

However, the world community is not doing enough to ensure a dialogue between Damascus and its opponents, believes Dr Maher Salloum, the ambassador for the Universal Peace Federation.

“It seems that the West has been concentrating on the position that there can be no dialogue with such a president as Bashar Assad. I believe there is still a gap between the Syrian regime and its opponents within and outside the country,” he told RT.

The West is seeking a new regime in Syria as a tool to implement its own strategic interests in the region, he added.

“The regime is under huge pressure from the UN and EU and the USA, who have been taking all the efforts to denounce the current regime in Syria,” Salloum told RT.

December 14th, 2011, 12:34 am

 

NK said:

Majed97

If you’re going to discuss Islamic history at least know the basics, like for instance the fact that Ridda wars were launched by Abu Bakr AFTER the death of prophet Muhammad.
Here, read a bit, maybe next time you’ll have a slight idea about what you’re talking about …
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ridda_wars

Also read about apostasy in Islam while you’re at it
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apostasy_in_Islam

December 14th, 2011, 1:30 am

 

Mina said:

Hamas is said in Cairo to have been the ones who fired from inside the crowd in Tahrir at the beginning of the events to provoke some more chaos. The MB indeed are very organized.

December 14th, 2011, 2:09 am

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Majed97
#756
Nonsense,lies and distortion,just like Mjabali
The prophet was aware of the presense of Munafiqeen ,he never killed any,except when they fought against him.

December 14th, 2011, 3:03 am

 

Dale Andersen said:

Memo To: MAJED97

RE: “…our religious scholars on this board…”

And we must use the term “scholar” in its loosest connotation. We have one fellow here who actually cites wikipedia as an authority.

For those of you who don’t know, wikipedia is riddled with errors, misprints, typos, not to mention the fact that users are constantly changing data to fit their private agendas…

December 14th, 2011, 3:06 am

 

Mina said:

THE ROVING EYE
NATO dreams of civil war in Syria
By Pepe Escobar

Every grain of sand in the Syrian desert now knows there won’t be a “responsibility to protect”-enabled North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) “humanitarian” intervention to provoke regime change in Damascus. A protracted war like in Libya is not feasible – even though those faultless democratic practitioners, the House of Saud, have offered to pay for it, lavishly.

Yet the fog of near war remains impenetrable. What is NATO really up to in Syria?

It was already established (see The shadow war in Syria Asia Times Online, December 2, 2011) that NATO had set up a command and control center in Turkey’s southern Hatay province – where British commandos and French intelligence are training

Dilbert

the dodgy Free Syria Army (FSA). The target: to foment a civil war engulfing northern Syria.

Now comes the confirmation, via the website of former United States Federal Bureau of Investigation whistleblower Sibel Edmonds, that a pincer movement may be in effect, involving Jordan. [1]

Edmonds quotes local sources according to whom “hundreds of soldiers who speak languages other than Arabic” have been “moving back and forth … between the King Hussein air base in al-Mafraq” and “Jordanian villages adjacent to the Syrian border”.

Edmonds sustains none of this is being reported by US media because of a gag order from above that in theory expired this Tuesday. And don’t try asking King Abdullah of Jordan about it.

The base at al-Mafraq is virtually across the border from Dar’a. A lot of action has been going on in Dar’a recently – an epicenter of the anti-President Bashar al-Assad movement. As far as the Syrian news agency Sana is concerned, security forces have been routinely killed by “terrorist gangs”. As far as the “rebels” are concerned, these are patriotic army defectors attacking military supply lines.
(…)
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/ML15Ak03.html

December 14th, 2011, 3:26 am

 

ann said:

Great link Mina. Thank you

December 14th, 2011, 4:15 am

 

Khalid Tlass said:

God bless the FSA , they are becoming stronger and stronger by the day and more ferocious, to hell with the peaceniks.

December 14th, 2011, 4:16 am

 

ann said:

BFP Exclusive- Developing Story: Hundreds of US-NATO Soldiers Arrive & Begin Operations on the Jordan-Syria Border

Sunday, 11. December 2011
Report: Foreign Troops Begin to Spread Near the Villages of Al-Mafraq

Update 1: Today at 12:00 P.M. we contacted DOD Press Office via two voicemail messages and one e-mail asking for comment(s) on this story. As of 6:00 P.M. EST we have not heard back.

Update 2: Another journalist with a major mainstream media publication was told by his editors that there would be no coverage or follow up on these developments.

Update 3: DEBKA File Breaking News: US Units Exiting Iraq Deployed in Jordan to Forestall Syrian Attack

Update 4: Syrian Arab News Agency: Jordan denies troop presence and affirms rejecting foreign military intervention in Syria

http://www.boilingfrogspost.com/2011/12/11/bfp-exclusive-developing-story-hundreds-of-us-nato-soldiers-arrive-begin-operations-on-the-jordan-syria-border/

According to first-hand accounts and reports provided to Boiling Frogs Post by several sources in Jordan, during the last few hours foreign military groups, estimated at hundreds of individuals, began to spread near the villages of the north-Jordan city of “Al-Mafraq”, which is adjacent to the Jordanian and Syrian border.

According to one Jordanian military officer who asked to remain anonymous, hundreds of soldiers who speak languages ​other than Arabic were seen during the past two days in those areas moving back and forth in military vehicles between the King Hussein Air Base of al-Mafraq (10 km from the Syrian border), and the vicinity of Jordanian villages adjacent to the Syrian border, such as village Albaej (5 km from the border), the area around the dam of Sarhan, the villages of Zubaydiah and al-Nahdah adjacent to the Syrian border.

Another report received from our source in Amman identified an additional US-NATO Command Center in “al-Houshah,’ a village near Mafraq.

Our Iraqi journalist source in London provided us with the following related information:

“Some of the US forces that left the Ain al-Assad Air base in Iraq last Thursday, did not come back to the USA or its base in Germany, but were transferred to Jordan during the evening hours.”

The above information was further corroborated by our correspondent and advisor Nizar Nayouf who interviewed an employee in the London-based office of Royal Jordanian Airlines:

“At least one US aircraft carrying military personnel landed in the Prince Hassan Air base located about 100 km to the east of the city of Al-Mafraq.”

Earlier last week, Jordanian news websites disclosed that “Western officials have requested the King to allow establishing an electronic spy station in the north of Jordan (near the Syrian border) in order to access the Syrian army and contact Syrian high-rank officers for convincing them to make a military coup or (at least) rebel against the regime”.

Nizar Nayouf, BFP advisor and correspondent on Syria in London, had the following statement on Al-Mafraq:

“The al-Mafraq air base, which now includes Air Force Academy, was a starting point for “conspiratorial activities” by Jordan, The UK and Israel against Syria in the past, particularly in the 1960s. In September 1968, a Syrian commando Major, Salim Hatoom, who fled to Jordan with a number of officers after a failed coup attempt, established a camp from which he started a rebel military against the then left-wing government of Syria under president Nureddin al-Atassi and Salah Jadid. By the end of 1970s and early 1980s, the Syrian Islamic Brotherhood and their military wing “At-Taleeah al-Islamiyyah al-Muqatilah” (the Islamic Militant Vanguard) used the same base for its military struggle against president Hafez a-Assad regime, in which they were being trained by the Jordanian and Israeli intelligence agents, and cars were being bombed before they were sent to the streets of Syrian cities for the killing of innocents and undermining state facilities.”

Mr. Nayouf went on to emphasize the irony of the situation:

“I guess history repeats itself but as farce…Last spring, that tens of Syrian soldiers, who fled to Jordan, were transferred to a camp west of the Jordanian city of “Salt”, in which officers from Israeli military intelligence (AMAN) began the investigation with them under the supervision of the Jordanian military intelligence. This was to extract information from them on issues related to the development of the Syrian army, weapons and training, especially after 2006.”

We contacted our expert sources on US media and intelligence-military and were told that the US media has been told not to report on this latest development until Tuesday, December 13. Boiling Frogs Post is the first news website to report on these latest developments.

This story is developing and we await further details and confirmation from our sources in Turkey and Jordan. For additional Boiling Frogs Post Syria coverage see here and here.

December 14th, 2011, 4:43 am

 

ann said:

Turkey’s Economy is Over Heating. Interest Rates at 12.5%

Turkish Lira falls 30% against the dollar

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203518404577094140339214150.html

December 14th, 2011, 5:08 am

 

ann said:

Anti-Turkey bill approved in US by two votes

http://www.worldbulletin.net/?aType=haber&ArticleID=82956

An anti-Turkey bill in Washington, D.C., which calls on Turkey “to safeguard its Christian heritage and to return confiscated church properties” was approved in the US House of Representatives on Tuesday with two votes cast in favor of the bill out of three members who attended the voting session.

The bill, titled House Resolution 306 and supported by Armenian lobbies in the US, was first introduced in June to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs as the “Return of Churches” resolution by Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA) and Rep. Howard Berman (D-CA).

The bill was voted on in the House of Representatives on Tuesday. There were seven congressmen when the House began discussing the bill, but only three when the voting session began. Royce, Berman and Rep. Ed Whitfield (R-KY.), co-president of the US-Turkey Congressional Friendship Caucus, who spoke against the bill, cast the only vote against the bill. The bill was approved by two votes.

During the speeches they delivered on the bill, Berman and Joyce argued that there are increasing violations of religious freedom in Turkey. They also said a recent move by the Turkish government to return properties confiscated from religious minorities since 1936 was a belated and insufficient move.

Whitfield, on the other hand, said Turkey has made significant progress in expanding the rights of religious minorities in recent years, adding that such a country should be encouraged rather than condemned. He said this progress shows Turkey’s good intentions on this issue, recalling remarks by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who had praised Turkey’s move on returning properties to minorities.

The bill sparked angry reactions from Turkish residents in the US and US-based Turkish community organizations.

Günay Evinç, president of the Assembly of Turkish American Associations (ATAA), told the Anatolian news agency that the ATAA and the Federation of Turkish American Associations (TADF) had prepared a letter together and sent it to members of the Senate.

Evinç claimed that the bill is nullified on the grounds that Turkey adopted a decree in August to return all confiscated properties of minority foundations, including Christians, claiming that this bill is “part of the Armenian lobby’s ill-intentioned efforts seeking recognition of the Armenian genocide.”

December 14th, 2011, 6:01 am

 

ann said:

Turkey dismisses claims of US mediation btw Turkey, Israel

The report on Monday claimed that the US had urged both sides to talk to each other and report back to their people that their demands have been fulfilled.

http://www.worldbulletin.net/?aType=haber&ArticleID=82957

December 14th, 2011, 6:11 am

 

ann said:

Syria’s Assad appoints new ambassador to China – 2011-12-14

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/china/2011-12/14/c_131306710.htm

DAMASCUS, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) — Syrian President Bashar al-Assad issued a decree appointing Imad Mustafa, Syria’s former ambassador to the United States, as ambassador to China, al-Watan newspaper said on Wednesday.

December 14th, 2011, 6:38 am

 

ann said:

Arab League denies it plans to impose no-fly zone in Syria – Dec 14, 2011

http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/middleeast/news/article_1680731.php/Arab-League-denies-it-plans-to-impose-no-fly-zone-in-Syria

Cairo – Arab League chief Nabil al-Arabi on Wednesday denied media reports that the pan-Arab organization plans to impose a no-fly zone in Syria.

‘I am surprised about such inaccurate reports at a time when efforts and contacts are still under way to remove the obstacles to allowing Arab monitors into Syria and ensure the success of providing an Arab solution (to the Syrian crisis),’ he told reporters in Cairo.

December 14th, 2011, 6:44 am

 

Mina said:

The US are specialists: when you want to kill a movement, just infiltrate it:

A planned conference in support of the Bahraini uprising caused a stir among opposition activists after it was revealed that prominent pro-Israeli figures were invited to attend.

“Americans for Democracy and Human rights in Bahrain,” a conference organized by the Institute for Gulf Affairs, was supposed to be held in Washington Wednesday.

An informed opposition source said that the conference has been postponed but didn’t disclose the reasons behind the change of plans.

The goal of the conference was to shed light on the ongoing human rights violations occurring in Bahrain, especially as they are receiving very little media attention in the Arab world.

According to the Institute for Gulf Affairs website, the event was intended to be a follow up to a previous conference held in Beirut last summer.

However, a closer look at the names of the participants raised questions about how far the opposition was willing to go in order to be heard?

Among those invited by the organizers to attend, for example, are Elliot Abrams, US Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, and Simon Henderson from the Washington Institute for Near East Affairs, all of whom are well-known for their unswerving support for Israel.
(…)
http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/bahrain-washington-conference-zionist-participation-divides-opposition

December 14th, 2011, 6:48 am

 

newfolder said:

hahahahaha

Regime delves into new depths of stupidity,
Adddouniya claims AlArabiya is giving insurgents coded messages in the weather forecast

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FaeB_knuVsM

man how stupid is this regime and it’s followers?

December 14th, 2011, 8:50 am

 

Shami said:

ANN,
Do you work for the uncle rifaat assad ?

December 14th, 2011, 9:20 am

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Mina,
You believe everything,I bet you believe AlDunia report,presented by Newfolder

December 14th, 2011, 9:31 am

 

irritated said:

#772 Newfolder

Of course it’s stupid, the insurgents are so dumb they would not understand them.

December 14th, 2011, 9:45 am

 

newfolder said:

#775

lol, yeah and the only people who understand them are the brain-trusts at Addouniya and their target audience of shabiha, Baath party members and mukhabarat, oh and of course people like you, lol.

December 14th, 2011, 9:57 am

 

Majed97 said:

So now Abu Baker, the second most respected Islamic figure, who was following the instructions of the Prophet, got it all wrong?!? The point, which our scholars here seem to love to dance around so elegantly, is apostasy is not allowed in Islams and is punishable by death. It was dictated by the Prophet himself in his hadith, and implemented consistently throughout Islamic history by the most admired Muslim leaders.

December 14th, 2011, 10:02 am

 

zoo said:

Another attack on the Moslem Brotherhood from a Saudi mouth piece. What is going on?

Elected from behind the veil!
14/12/2011
By Tariq Alhomayed
http://www.asharq-e.com/news.asp?section=2&id=27694

“I am talking about the Khomeini of the Sunnis, Dr. Yusuf al-Qaradawi, who is currently visiting Libya accompanied by Ghannouchi!”

The significance of being elected from behind the veil is that the Muslim Brotherhood, and specifically its leaders, want power but not the accompanying responsibility. All of the faces of the Muslim Brotherhood are nothing more than a façade, and so whenever the people are angry with one of the elected members, they are simply replaced without this anger ever being extended to apply to the Muslim Brotherhood’s Supreme Guide. The Supreme Guide keeps himself in the background; for he well knows that he would lose nearly half of his popularity should he be elected to any position.

Therefore, it is difficult for one to be optimistic when dealing with the Muslim Brotherhood so long as there are no clear constitutional provisions governing the conditions of political operation, most importantly guaranteeing the peaceful transfer of power. The constitution should be the only reference, rather than a religious guide

December 14th, 2011, 10:05 am

 

irritated said:

#776 New folder

“oh and of course people like you, lol.”

Thanks, but I never listen to weather forecasts.

December 14th, 2011, 10:08 am

 

jna said:

Article on Homs, not peaceful protests.

Ziad Rifaii

…..One journalist from Homs commented on what happened by saying: “Whoever was in the wrong place at the wrong time was killed.”

Each side claims that they had to engage in kidnapping to rescue their daughters and sons, who have been captured and are being held in neighborhoods belonging to rival sects.

Each side believes that the other party is behind the mayhem, while their own are patriotic and committed to national unity.

Narrative and counter narratives extend to events that took place all the way back in April, including the killing of a brigadier-general in the army. The general, believed to be Abdu Tallawi, was killed with his children and nephew while passing through an agitated neighborhood.
…..

http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/homs-bleeding-capital-syria%E2%80%99s-revolt

December 14th, 2011, 10:17 am

 

Mina said:

Harling and most journalists these days make a point in writing a disclaim in each of their writings “now that the insurrection is indeed becoming violent”. So sad they didn’t have a chance to check al-Jazeera, Youtube, Twitter and FB since February, they would have seen it was violent and sectarian from day one.

Antakya (Turquie) Envoyé spécial – Ils ne veulent pas trop l’avouer, mais l’heure n’est pas à l’optimisme chez les opposants syriens rencontrés en Turquie. Officiers dissidents de l’Armée libre de Syrie (ALS) et membres des réseaux de soutien à la “révolution pacifique”, ils déplorent l’absence de soutien matériel à leur mouvement. Alors même que le régime syrien tente de justifier ses massacres par le “soutien étranger”, notamment en armes, que recevraient les opposants, qualifiés de “bandes terroristes”.

Mardi 13 décembre, les forces de sécurité ont encore tué 17 personnes dans la province d’Idlib, tout près de la frontière, selon l’Observatoire syrien pour les droits de l’homme. L’organisation, basée à Londres, ajoute que des déserteurs ont tué en représailles sept membres des forces de sécurité lors d’une attaque contre un convoi.

“Nous avons en Syrie trente à quarante morts par jour en moyenne depuis un mois, et Dieu seul sait ce qui se passe dans les prisons, mais il semble que cela va continuer encore, sous couvert de semblants de négociations avec Damas”, soupire celui qui propose de se faire appeler Moustapha. Il se rend plusieurs fois par semaine dans le camp de l’ALS, sévèrement gardé par l’armée turque, où “plus de 80 officiers”, confie-t-il, rongent leur frein, avec leurs familles, en attendant la création, hypothétique, d’une “zone sécurisée” au-delà de la frontière. “Depuis trois ou quatre semaines, assure Moustapha, la Turquie a changé : non seulement elle ne fournit toujours ni armes ni argent aux résistants, même secrètement, mais elle pose maintenant des obstacles.”

Fils de la vague d’émigrants syriens en Turquie du début des années 1980 après le soulèvement noyé dans le sang des Frères musulmans, Moustapha fut un des grands soutiens à la nouvelle vague, qui a vu quinze mille personnes originaires de la région d’Idlib se réfugier en juin dans les camps installés côté turc.

Aujourd’hui, il dit avoir été obligé, sous pression turque, de fermer le compte bancaire qu’il avait ouvert pour l’ALS et qui figurait sur leur page Facebook. De son côté, Samir Al-Nashshar, un des dirigeants du Conseil national syrien (CNS), qui sert d’ombrelle à une majorité d’opposants syriens, a indiqué début décembre qu’il n’avait pu, lui non plus, ouvrir un compte pour le CNS à Istanbul, où il dispose d’un local toujours non officiel. C’est donc en espèces que Moustapha apporte aux officiers les “300 dollars (230 euros) par-ci, 1 000 dollars par-là” qu’envoient surtout des émigrés syriens, “alors qu’un fusil-mitrailleur coûte 1 500 dollars et un RPG (lance-roquettes), 5 000”.

“L’autre jour, les officiers nous ont demandé des chaussures de sport pour faire un peu d’exercice”, précise-t-il, tournant en dérision les rumeurs de médias occidentaux sur l’entraînement qu’ils recevraient de la part de services secrets occidentaux, notamment français. Selon tous les témoignages recueillis, les seules armes et munitions de l’ALS sont celles de la contrebande, activité qui devient de plus en plus coûteuse en vies humaines.

Joint au téléphone par Le Monde, le colonel Riad Al-As’ad, chef de l’ALS, s’est borné à rappeler ce qu’il a appelé le communiqué commun publié à l’issue de la visite de trois heures, en octobre, au camp des militaires, d’une délégation du CNS que Moustapha a en partie hébergée. “Les officiers, rapporte ce dernier, ont accepté d’obéir au CNS, avec un comité mixte de quatre membres chacun, et de suspendre ainsi leurs opérations en soutien aux efforts de la Ligue arabe. Mais bien sûr, ils ne peuvent pas contrôler toute la dissidence armée en Syrie…”

Selon le lieutenant Abdel-Sattar Yunso, du “Conseil militaire” composé de huit membres de l’ALS, joint aussi par téléphone, ” les opérations défensives continuent, par exemple contre les services de sécurité du régime qui massacrent et torturent ; mais on n’attaque plus les convois de l’armée” comme cela se faisait pour provoquer les désertions. Avouant que les officiers du camp ne peuvent en sortir que sous bonne garde turque, “à cause des réseaux que possède en Turquie le régime syrien” – qui y ont déjà enlevé un colonel dissident -, il n’accuse pas ses hôtes pour autant : “La Turquie ne peut pas faire plus sans mandat international. Mais il faudra bien que le monde se décide à la fin, sans se réfugier derrière notre prétendu caractère confessionnel ! C’est le régime qui l’est. Nous, nous sommes pour un Etat démocratique civil, et le Conseil militaire sera dissous dès la chute d’Assad !”

Certains officiers dissidents réfugiés en Turquie n’ont pas rejoint le camp du colonel Al-As’ad tout en faisant partie de son “armée”. Parmi eux, dit-on, un général, qui attendrait son heure. Ainsi que le capitaine Aytham Al-Kurdi, qui était le seul sunnite de son unité de défense antiaérienne. Devenu responsable d’un groupe de déserteurs à Hama, il s’explique : “S’il y avait une zone de sécurité, 80 % de l’armée déserterait. Beaucoup d’officiers, avec lesquels nous sommes en contact, ne peuvent le faire, car ils n’ont pu encore mettre leurs familles à l’abri. Mais si une décision était prise, nous avons des plans, nous sommes prêts à agir, assure-t-il. Sinon, à l’allure où nous progressons actuellement, en aidant par exemple les déserteurs à se retrouver, il faudra encore cinq ans pour venir à bout du régime… S’il devait rester des vivants en Syrie !”

C’est pourquoi le capitaine se réjouit des efforts visant à élargir les bases de la révolution par un mouvement de désobéissance civile. “Nous le voulions depuis longtemps, car le danger est que les gens, lassés de demander une protection internationale, se défendent seuls. Ce sera la guerre civile. Nous en avons peur, car tout le monde alors interviendra : Al-Qaida, le Mossad (renseignement extérieur israélien), tout le monde…”

Le capitaine veut pourtant voir aussi des évolutions positives, avec le fait, par exemple, qu’une grande majorité d’appelés choisirait désormais de se cacher au lieu de rejoindre l’armée. Et surtout, dit-il, la confiance si difficilement acquise au sein de réseaux d’opposants issus d’une société syrienne dans laquelle, comme le dit Moustapha, “chacun se méfiait de l’autre, même dans une même famille”.

“De mois en mois, on a filtré ceux en qui on a confiance”, assure aussi le jeune Mohammed Fezoo. Jonglant entre téléphone et ordinateur dans un petit appartement d’une banlieue d’Antakya, il représente 25 activistes de la ville syrienne d’Idlib – ceux qui n’ont pas encore été tués ou emprisonnés – auprès de l’Union des coordinations de la révolution. Comme les manifestants qui défient les balles, il espère une “internationalisation” du drame syrien, à tout le moins en paroles, car “si le ton des pressions étrangères baisse, le régime va tuer encore plus”, prévient-il.

http://www.lemonde.fr/proche-orient/article/2011/12/14/la-frustration-des-deserteurs-syriens-en-turquie_1618352_3218.html

December 14th, 2011, 10:32 am

 

Juergen said:

Hey folks, Bouthaina is back for an new show. Just found this article in the guardian.
She bluntfully said when asked about torture in Syria :

“Do you really think that we would accept torture?” I was asked by a seemingly incredulous Bouthaina Shaaban – presidential adviser and senior government minister – when I challenged her on the persistent allegations, most recently documented in great detail by the UN Human Rights Council’s Independent Commission of Inquiry. “Syria has no policy of torture whatsoever,” she said. “We do not have Guantánamo or Abu Ghraib. That is absolutely unacceptable by us. Absolutely unacceptable.”

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/dec/13/syria-torture-evidence

My reply would be to her, yes i do believe that the state of Syria is systematically torturing its prison inmates and has a history of crimes against humanity.

December 14th, 2011, 10:33 am

 

Mina said:

Was this international conference broadcasted live on al Jazeera?

Coming back from a conference in Qatar, Israel seems far less at the focus of Mideast discussions than we were led to think.
By Carlo Strenger

I have spent two days in Doha, Qatar at the United Nations Alliance of Civilization conference. The real value of such forums is in the informal meetings behind the scenes. You meet people you would never get a chance to talk to otherwise. The great challenge is to open up sufficiently to allow prejudices and preconceptions about nations, ideologies and other groups to be challenged by empirical experience.

Here is what I came away with. Israel was far less in the focus of official discussions than expected. And yet our small country plays a significant role in the Middle East. After all the background of this conference, held for the fourth time, is Samuel Huntington’s much discussed thesis that the international system is governed by the Clash of Civilizations as a new organizing principle – most of all, of course, the clash between the West and Islam.

http://www.haaretz.com/blogs/strenger-than-fiction/mideast-can-accept-israel-if-netanyahu-will-let-it-1.401403

December 14th, 2011, 10:36 am

 

jad said:

Mina
“NATO dreams of civil war in Syria” and Ghalyoun and his masters are dying for the NATO to bombard Syria, it’s zibaleh idea from day one that he asked for it could days ago again.
Ghalyoun sent the UN council his ‘blessing’ for military intervention.
You believe everything Mina, you shouldn’t 🙂 they are nothing but ‘honest’ people it just happened that they are evil.

برهان غليون أبلغ مجلس الأمن تأييده التدخل العسكري في سورية

أبلغ رئيس “المجلس الوطني” السوري المعارض المنبثق من اسطنبول برهان غليون ممثلي الدول الخمس دائمة العضوية في مجلس الأمن والتي تمتلك حق النقض (الفيتو) أن المعارضة في الداخل والخارج لم تعد ترفض تدخلاً عسكرياً دولياً ضد النظام في سورية لوقف “القمع” ضد المدنيين العزل منذ منتصف آذار الماضي، حسب وصفه.

وقالت أوساط دبلوماسية خليجية في الأمم المتحدة بنيويورك، الأربعاء14كانون الأول، وفقاً لصحيفة “السياسة” الكويتية: “إن أكثر من طرف عربي وغربي في الأمم المتحدة نقلوا هذا التوجه الجديد للمعارضة السورية المتمثلة بـ “المجلس الوطني” إلى أصحاب الشأن الدوليين في مجلس الأمن، من بينهم رئيسا البعثتين الروسية والصينية اللذان مازالا يعرقلان إصدار قرار دولي يدين سورية.

وزعمت المصادر “أن التيارات المعارضة الصغيرة الأخرى السورية المقيمة في الخارج والداخل، إما واقعة تحت رحى السلطات أو مخترقة من استخباراته أو تضم مرتشين يسيطرون على مداخيل سورية المالية، لذلك ترفض تدخلاً عسكرياً ودولياً على غرار التدخل (الناتو) في ليبيا”.

ونقل دبلوماسي خليجي إلى “السياسة” عن أعضاء في “المجلس الوطني” قولهم انه “بعدما جربنا الجامعة العربية التي أخفقت مساعيها ومحاولاتها لحل الأزمة، أصبحنا في حل من مبادراتها وبروتوكولاتها ومهلها المستمرة التي لن تؤدي إلى شيء بدليل أنها لجأت أخيراً إلى الحكومة العراقية، الغارقة حتى هامتها في مكافحة الإرهاب والفوضى من دون أن تستطيع الوقوف على رجليها بعد، للتوسط لدى السلطة في سورية ما يشير إلى ضعف ووهن وهشاشة هذه الجامعة العربية”.

وفي موقف متصل، أعلن نائب بلجيكي يمثل حلف شمال الأطلسي في بروكسل, الثلاثاء أن نداءات الاستغاثة التي تعلو في الشارع السوري ومن المؤسسات التي تمثله في الداخل والخارج، تتناهى بقوة إلى مسامع العالم وبشكل مرتفع جداً، بحيث عكفت القيادات الأطلسية على تدارس سيناريوهات بعضها وضع خلال الأشهر الخمسة الماضية والبعض الآخر جديد يتلاءم مع تطورات الأوضاع على الأرض ومع تحركات الدول العربية والإسلامية.

وأكد النائب “أن قيادة الحلف لن تعدم وسيلة في نهاية المطاف لإنقاذ الشعب السوري كما أنقذت الشعب الليبي، رغم موقفي روسيا والصين”.

المصدر: http://www.dp-news.com/pages/detail.aspx?articleid=106042#ixzz1gWWSnmE3

December 14th, 2011, 10:38 am

 

jad said:

Black Site
‘Several European countries (particularly the former Soviet satellites and republics) have been accused of and have denied hosting black sites: the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Armenia, Georgia, Latvia, Bulgaria, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan’
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_site#Europe

December 14th, 2011, 10:54 am

 

jad said:

Zoo,
موسم النصائح للإخوان المسلمين
عبد الباري عطوان
تنهال النصائح على حركة الإخوان المسلمين الفائزة بالنصيب الاكبر من المقاعد البرلمانية في الجولة الاولى من الانتخابات البرلمانية المصرية (46′ والسلفيون 21′)، حول كيفية التعاطي مع الأزمات الملحّة التي تواجه البلاد، الاقتصادية منها على وجه الخصوص، وطبيعة العلاقات مع دول الجوار العربي، وهي نصائح منطقية مشروعة، تعكس حرصا على نجاح الحركة في ظاهر الأمر، ولكن هدفها الاساسي والجوهري قد يكون مخالفا لذلك تماما.

December 14th, 2011, 11:07 am

 

Mina said:

Jad,
al-Quds’ editor has achieved expertise in not stating anything! Watching him a few times in these BBC journalist panels the guy is such a star now that he doesn’t even need to have a position on most subjects. Or rather he became a star and was able to get funds for his paper because he learned circumvoluting.

Well, of course, I’m a “true believer”! They are not!! Next time an MB asks me “why is it that in the West people hate Islam so much”, I’ll plainly say: “why is it that you hate Islam so much?”. And next time I hear of a cheated election in the Middle East, I’ll go and congratulate whoever organized it. Frankly.

December 14th, 2011, 11:29 am

 

newfolder said:

this is why Assad won’t allow media or observers into Syria, read Jonathan Miller at the Guardian:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/dec/13/syria-torture-evidence?fb=optOut

Syria’s torture machine

Channel 4’s foreign affairs correspondent reports from Syria on the mounting body of evidence that the state is engaging in widespread acts of brutality against its own citizens

December 14th, 2011, 11:38 am

 

newfolder said:

an important read. SF Chronicle with Bloomberg:

Assad’s Detachment From Syria Killings Reveals Life in Cocoon

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2011/12/14/bloomberg_articlesLW5VNT6K50XU.DTL#ixzz1gWZ3ZUBV

December 14th, 2011, 11:48 am

 

Juergen said:

Interesting article about how Hisbollah is making money through drugdealing in Europe….

I once accidentally met the niece of Nasrallah in an party in Damascus, i was talking about her oncle, and she said, well there is a black sheep in every family, right she was…

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/14/world/middleeast/beirut-bank-seen-as-a-hub-of-hezbollahs-financing.html?_r=1&ref=drugabuseandtraffic

December 14th, 2011, 11:53 am

 

Bill said:

It is really exciting that the liberation of Syria, which is going to happen sooner or later, would result in the liberation of Lebanon and the region from Hizb-Allah’s (Nasr-Allah is Bashar’s shameless apologists and should suffer the Syrian dictator’s fate) and Iranian influence. Arabs can focus on the liberation of Palestine. I am sorry if I am upsetting Bashar’s apologists on this blog!

December 14th, 2011, 12:00 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Bill said
I am sorry if I am upsetting Bashar’s apologists on this blog!

Do not worry, they have crocodile skin,they get paid to comment here

December 14th, 2011, 12:03 pm

 

Tara said:

Juergen

New low for HA? Very disappointing. How we all were disillusioned with Nasrallah! Did his niece wear a Niqab?

December 14th, 2011, 12:06 pm

 

Bronco said:

Jad

Something is happening.
The rise of Turkey as a new star in the court of the USA and its pretense to become the leader of a ‘sunni’ moderate Islam in the ‘Arab Spring’ is certainly not to please Saudi Arabia.
Qatar spectacular interventions in the Arab Spring ( in Libya and the Arab League) is also a source of displeasure for Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia is also very resentful for the way the US have deserted Mobarak and to Qatar for the support of the troops that disgracefully murdered of Qaddafi.

While Saudi Arabia dislikes Shia, I believe it dislikes even more Sunnis who are trying to steal their exclusive leadership of the Sunnis away from them, namely the Turkish-Qatari coalition.

This is why I am suspecting that Saudi Arabia is trying to counteract the influence of Turkey and Qatar by attacking and denigrating the Moslem Brotherhood in Egypt, obviously supported and funded by Qatar, and turning to Iran for a new complicity.

In line with this policy, the recent meeting of Saudi Arabia with Iran seems to indicate that Saudi Arabia is about to mend its relation with Iran. This may imply that Bashar Al Assad would in power rather than a Turkish-Moslem Brotherhood coalition supported by competitor Qatar.

The drone affair and the humiliation inflicted on the US has given a boost to Iran after having been in the defensive following the simultaneous accusations of the attempt on the Saudi ambassador and the AIEA report. Iran and Hezbollah are now standing firm with Bashar al Assad, especially after the irresponsible declarations of Borhan Ghalioun of his intention to cut Syria’s special relationship with Iran and Hezbollah.

Saudi Arabia is certainly not helping financially the FSA and probably not the SNC either. Obviously the legitimacy of Bashar al Assad is still accepted and respected by the most powerful Arab countries.

If Saudi Arabia and Iran agreed to hamper Qatar and paralyze Turkey in their active promotion of a Moslem Brotherhood or a sunni ‘moderate’ domination in Syria, then it very possible that the regime of Bashar will stay in power in a form or another.

December 14th, 2011, 12:06 pm

 

Bill said:

Dear Majed # 792

Because I believe in total freedom of expression, I still respect Bashar’s paid or unpaid apologists to express their disgusting and inhumane pro-Hereditary Dictator’s (Bashar) views. However, it really takes a lot of inhumanity to still support a regime that has already murdered over 5000 innocents, including over 300 children. This estimate is according the UN. It is possible that Bashar’s friends here also don’t believe in the UN and think, like Damascus’ dictator, that “it’s a game, we play.”

December 14th, 2011, 12:09 pm

 

irritated said:

790. Juergen

“Interesting article about how Hisbollah is making money through drugdealing in Europe….”

After consistent failures to weaken Hezbollah militarily and politically, now the new approach is accusation of corruption and diffamatory articles with extensive amount of details aimed to convince the average user. We read similar stuff from another investigative journalist about Iraq WMD in the same zionist owned newspaper.
Next will be the human rights, the tortures chambers in Hezbollah headquarters.
We know the song, keep singing.

December 14th, 2011, 12:23 pm

 

irritated said:

Bill

“However, it really takes a lot of inhumanity to still support a regime that has already murdered over 5000 innocents, including over 300 children.”

I wonder again where are your sources. Alleged 5000 deaths include soldiers, armed men, defectors, supporters of the regime and opponents and some innocents. They were not all innocents.
Most were not “murdered” they were killed during confrontations

December 14th, 2011, 12:28 pm

 

Bill said:

to # 797 IRRITATED
Nice to hear from you again, and I hope that I haven’t irritated you. Your loyalty to Bashar and to his Lebanese apologist, Nasr-Allah, is keeping you busy replying on others’ comments. I have never replied on your comments. I only reply to your replies on my comments. Are you stalking me?
As to your question, see this link on the UN estimate: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-202_162-57341970/syria-crackdown-has-killed-5000-people-un-says/
I do support non-violence, but after months of peaceful resistance, many Syrians (particularly courageous soldiers who defect so that they wouldn’t shoot innocent civilians) now believe that they have the right to protect themselves and their dignity. Did you see the pictures of murderous Syrian soldiers asking their civilian prisoners to worship Bashar? Was Hamza al-Khateeb, the Der’ah teenger, murdered during confrontation. Did the fingers and face of Ali Farzat (the world-renowned cartoonist) break during confrontation?
Although I respect your right for freedom of expression, your pro-Bashar comments here are disgusting and inhumane.

December 14th, 2011, 12:37 pm

 

Tara said:

We haven’t heard from Robert Ford since his arrival in Damascus. I missed his Fb writings.

December 14th, 2011, 12:38 pm

 

Dale Andersen said:

Memo To: SHAMI

RE: “…Ann, do you work for the uncle rifaat…”

One only wishes it were something that exotic. But no, she’s not in the employ of Besho’s uncle. Truth to tell, she has a psychological compulsion. When she was younger, her family sent her to Austria for tests. There was a team of psychologists, working round-the-clock, trying to cure her. Alas, they failed.

So here you have this sad whimpering female with a hundred newspapers spread out on the floor. And she with her scissors going snip, snip, snip. Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Even at the mosque during Friday prayers, it’s snip, snip, snip. It’s quite sad, but nothing can be done…

December 14th, 2011, 12:50 pm

 

Juergen said:

Tara

no she did not wear Niquab nor Hijab. I would say that she takes live a bit easier, and she blends well into this elite chique of Damascus.

Irritated

Come on, so each opposing opinion and its source are zionists. This labeling is an insult of ones intelligence.

So no discussion if torture is just an other tool in the media war against Syria? Or do we for once agree that syrian prisoners dont just have a splendid time while being held in custody?

By the way, there are actually reports of opponents of Hisbollah disappearing in Lebanon. When i see some of the supporters of Hisbollah, i tend to believe that they would not sit down gently and have a tea and discuss their differences with their opponents.

December 14th, 2011, 12:52 pm

 

irritated said:

#798 Bill

Maybe you should stop repeating in each message that you respect freedom of expression. It is obvious you are trying to convince yourself.

I wonder what was so ‘inhumane and disgusting’ in my correcting your erroneous statement about the alleged 5000 “innocents” dead, Everybody knows that they are not all innocents.

Keep making inaccurate and biased statements and I will intervene to correct them. I would be just exercising my “freedom of expression” that you supposedly respect.

December 14th, 2011, 12:55 pm

 

irritated said:

#801 Juergen

“here are actually reports of opponents of Hisbollah disappearing in Lebanon.”

Didn’t I tell you? There will be soon a very documented article in the NY times about the fate of these ex-Hezbollah who have preferred freedom to the terrifying ordeal they suffered while in the militia. Now they have be caught, tortured and killed.
Some relative will confide to the NY times that these men have been threatened and could not defect etc.. There will also be stories about children being molested, there are a lots that can be invented to discredit a resistance movement, like the Nazis did with the french and Greek resistance.
Maybe you can write a draft. Who can ever crosscheck what you’d say?
I have no trust in the media since the WMD. It is often fabulation disguised in a serious report.

December 14th, 2011, 1:06 pm

 

Bill said:

to # 802 IRRITATED

Please re-read my previous reply to your reply # 798 because you don’t seem to digest what I have said.
Respecting freedom of expression does not mean that I can’t express my opinion that your pro-Bashar statements are disgusting and inhumane. The overwhelming majority of victims were innocent civilians. Even courageous soldiers who die while defending civilian demonstrators are still innocent in my eyes. Supporting a 40-year-old HEREDITARY dictatorship is soooooooooo disgusting and inhumane……………….!
I hope you are not irritated!

December 14th, 2011, 1:10 pm

 

zoo said:

Patience needed for Arab plan in Syria: Russia
(Reuters)

7 December 2011, 4:33 PM
VILNIUS – An Arab League peace plan for Syria needs time to work, in the same way that a similar scheme for Yemen eventually bore fruit, Russia said on Wednesday, offering to send observers to Syria if necessary.

The bloc has threatened sanctions against Syria, but has repeatedly extended deadlines for Damascus to agree to a peace plan that would see Arab monitors oversee the withdrawal of troops from towns, and usher in talks between the government and opposition forces.

“A few months were spent by all external players to convince the warring parties (in Yemen) to agree and sign a corresponding peace plan,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told reporters after attending a meeting in Lithuania of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

“The same kind of patience, the same kind of responsibility need to be exercised in relation to the realisation of the plan of the Arab League in Syria,” he added.

In Yemen, President Ali Abdullah Saleh has finally signed a Gulf Cooperation Council-brokered agreement to step down after 10 months of massive popular protests, having several times agreed to sign only to pull out.

However, fresh fighting has erupted, with pro-government forces and tribesmen opposed to Saleh trading artillery fire on the streets of the capital Sanaa on Wednesday.

Lavrov said Russia did not want the Arab League initiative to become an ultimatum or an excuse for outside interference.

On the other hand, the observers to be sent to Syria could include non-Arabs, if it suited Damascus, he said. “Russia, in particular, could delegate its own representatives to such a group, if the Syrian authorites were interested,” he said.

In October, Russia and China vetoed a Western-backed U.N. Security Council resolution condemning Syria’s crackdown on peaceful protests.

Russia said the resolution could have opened the door to Western military intervention of the kind seen in Libya, where it says NATO overstepped its Security Council mandate.

December 14th, 2011, 1:21 pm

 

irritated said:

804 Bill

“Even courageous soldiers who die while defending”.. themselves from attacks of the armed protesters.

More than 1000 of them, innocents?

December 14th, 2011, 1:25 pm

 

Uzair8 said:

@722. Uzair8 said:

“Going by the recent ABC interview, it appears Assad has taken personal charge of the Information Ministry. ???”

Then again maybe Moussa Ibrahim (ex-Libyan Information Minister) has escaped to Syria and is now advising Assad?

December 14th, 2011, 1:29 pm

 

Tara said:

http://in.reuters.com/article/2011/12/14/syria-currency-idINDEE7BD0EL20111214
…….
The official rate has fallen from 47 pounds to the U.S. dollar, where it stood when pro-democracy protests began in March, to around 54 pounds as authorities lowered the rate to narrow the differential with the black market. The biggest single adjustment, from 50 pounds, occurred on December 5.

On the black market, the pound has slipped even further, with the rate now hovering around 59 pounds. A low of 62 pounds was hit briefly just after the Arab League slapped economic sanctions on Syria last month.
….
“If things get worse, most of us expect the dollar rate could reach the 70 pounds psychological barrier, especially since there is no light at the end of the tunnel,” said a prominent Syrian economist who declined to be named.

Other economists and bankers said they still expected the central bank to spend heavily to prevent such a level being reached, partly because massive depreciation could cause a big rise of inflation.

“They cannot afford to leave the market because the moment the currency collapses it will be a tipping point once and for all, and nothing will restore confidence in it,” said Ibrahim Saif, an economist with Carnegie Middle East, a U.S. think tank.

December 14th, 2011, 1:29 pm

 

zoo said:

For Some Arab Revolutionaries, A Serbian Tutor

by Deborah Amos NPR
December 13, 2011

Srdja Popovic, a lanky biologist from Belgrade, helped overthrow a dictator in Serbia a decade ago. Since then, he’s been teaching others what he learned, and his proteges include a host of Arab activists who have played key roles in ousting Arab autocrats over the past year.
…..
In a study of 130 conflicts over the past 100 years, nonviolent struggles are three times more likely to succeed in a democratic transition, he says.

“It’s all about the numbers,” he explains, saying it’s crucial to engage from 2 to 5 percent of the population in an active, daily, nonviolent struggle. Violent struggle has a dismal outcome, according to research, with only a 5 percent chance of creating a democracy.

This is why the developments in the Syrian uprising have alarmed him.

The Syrian uprising was particularly inventive, he says. It’s been a little bit of Egypt, a little bit of Serbia, as well as tactics that are purely Syrian. Organizers have employed songs and humor, developed unity and discipline, and crafted a message that delivered the numbers on the street.

But as government forces continue to use force, with thousands of people killed, there is a growing part of the movement that favors using arms. “My response to this is that it will destroy the movement,” Popovic says.

In Syria, a new force of army deserters has joined the rebellion, targeting army installations and intelligence centers. A protest movement that was largely peaceful in the early months of the rebellion is sliding toward a more violent conflict.

For Popovic, violence changes the outcome and drives those “stakeholders of the victory” off the streets. “When the bullets start whistling, everybody stays home, and I hope that Syrians understand this,” he cautions.
{..}
http://www.npr.org/2011/12/13/143648877/for-some-arab-revolutionaries-a-serbian-tutor?ft=1&f=2&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+NprProgramsATC+%28NPR+Programs%3A+All+Things+Considered%29&utm_content=Google+Reader

December 14th, 2011, 1:40 pm

 

ann said:

Jordanian MPs call on AL to reconsider positions towards Syria – 2011-12-15

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2011-12/15/c_131306992.htm

AMMAN, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) — Several Jordanian MPs on Wednesday said resolving the crisis in Syria should be by the Arabs, calling on the Arab League (AL) to reconsider its positions in addressing the issue.

The MPs, who called on the Arab League to look into solutions to stop the bloodshed in Syria, urged the Pan-Arab body to prevent any conspiracies against Syria, according to a statement signed by several MPs.

The Jordanian MPs also called on the Syria leadership to take all necessary measures to end the unrest in Syria and to ensure the rights of Syrians to peaceful demonstrations, stressing the need for exerting efforts to prevent any external interference in Syria.

After officially suspending Syria’s membership on Nov. 16, the AL decided to immediately impose sanctions against Syria on Nov. 27, as the violence-hit country failed to sign a protocol over the visit of an AL observer mission.

The measures included a travel ban on senior Syrian officials, a ban on flights between Syria and other Arab countries, and a suspension of transactions with the Syrian Central Bank and the Syrian government.

December 14th, 2011, 1:41 pm

 

N.Z. said:

What is spectacular is the deafening silence of international community.

Are they awaiting a civil war to ignite?

Syria’s butcher and many pundits and world leaders were betting on this-God forbid-scenario.

The escalation combined with the silence of the International community is a period given to Syria’s illegitimate mafia to subdue the revolution. They cannot.

Neither the butcher, nor the Arab League, the US or Eu will be able to subdue this revolution..this revolution will not stop until the regime falls.

All are culprits.

“The price of freedom is very high, Algeria lost a million soul to end the French occupation” a Saudi assured us, yesterday on al-Arabiyah . The Gulf leaders know very well, they are next in line. These kings are not yet done, they want to give all, even the underwear of their subjects, only to secure their reign. To hell with all these traitors and their cronies.

The likes of Marzouki is what we aspire, from us, to serve us. This is why thousands are dying.

December 14th, 2011, 1:41 pm

 

ann said:

Turkey not to invade Syria despite diplomatic downturn: FM – 2011-12-14

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2011-12/14/c_131306960.htm

ANKARA, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) — Turkey did not have any plan to invade Syria on its own or with any other country or organization despite its diplomatic friction with Syria, Turkish Anatolia news agency quoted Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu as saying on Wednesday.

“We do not have any information or demand that a country has such a plan,” Davutoglu said at the parliament when questioned.

However, Turkey was obliged to take a framework of measures on the Syrian government within the scope of universal values since the crisis in Syria could affect the entire region, he said.

“The measures we made public on Nov. 30 should be considered within this framework,” he said.

Turkey announced on Nov. 30 a series of sanctions against Syria, including a freeze of the Syrian government’s assets in Turkey, a travel ban on Syrian leaders, the suspension of relations between the Turkish and Syrian central banks, and a blockade of weapons delivery to Syria through the Turkish territory.

Turkey, once a close ally of Syria, has gradually toughened its criticism on the Syrian government for its alleged crackdown on protesters, and Turkish leaders have on many occasions called on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to step down.

December 14th, 2011, 1:44 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Bill
Ignore him ,he does not worth it ,let him bark

December 14th, 2011, 1:50 pm

 

Tara said:

Imad Mustafa is going to learn Chinese soon.  I’m happy for him.  He will be snacking on gourmet fried insects.   

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle-east/activists-troops-fire-on-car-in-central-syria-5-civilians-killed/2011/12/14/gIQA8HSRtO_story.html

Separately, a pro-government newspaper reported Syria’s ambassador to the United States, Imad Mustafa, has been named envoy to China.

Al-Watan newspaper said President Assad had issued a decree appointing Mustafa, who was recalled in October in response to the Washington’s withdrawal of U.S. Ambassador Robert Ford from Damascus over security concerns. Ford returned to Syria last week.

There was no official confirmation from Syrian authorities of the newspaper report. It was not immediately clear whether the appointment would affect strained relations, or whether it meant Syria would keep the U.S. post vacant.

December 14th, 2011, 1:50 pm

 

Humanist said:

This Ann must have such a depressing life… Copy and pasting articles all day long from various obscure “newspapers” no one ever heard of before…

Sadly she probably doesn’t even get paid (unlike others here I suspect like our lovely Mara…). No she apparently does it all voluntary for the love of the party and the leader (‘the dictator by accident’).

This post is not meant as an insult.
I seriously do worry for this girl(?).
What will she do (with herself and/or others) the day when there longer is no Baath and there is no Assad?
…?
…?
…?

Please give me as much thumps down possible, I will take it as a honour considering the nature of the majority of “people” posting here…

December 14th, 2011, 1:53 pm

 

Mina said:

NZ

If they do anything about Syria, they’ll have to give a country to the Kurds and to pay compensation to the Palestinians. And neither Turkey nor Israel would accept that. Or do you think the Kurds and the Palestinians will seat and watch TV?
Of course this reality existed already 9 months ago, but at that time… well… some were not aware of any history of the region, it seems.

December 14th, 2011, 1:54 pm

 

ann said:

At UN, Ban Won’t Comment on Drones, Retracts Claims He Sent Syria Report to SC

http://www.innercitypress.com/ban1dronesyr121411.html

UNITED NATIONS, December 14 — Saying he will make the UN relevant, Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday was asked for his views on the increasing use of drones for cross border airstrikes.

Ban responded that he has no comment, it is up to member states what equipment they use. One wondered, would that apply to white phosphorous or cluster bombs? This is Ban’s relevant UN?

Prior to Ban’s “year end” press conference on Wednesday, Inner City Press twice asked his spokespeople if Ban had any comment on the deadly US drone and airstrikes in Pakistan and if Ban raised them in his meeting with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Bonn, all without substantive answer.

Wedensday in response to the first of the 14 questionsthat were allowed to be asked, Ban claimed he has transmitted the report on Syria to the Security Council and General Assembly. After Ban was challenged on it, his spokesman Martin Nesirky handed him a note which he read out: the special rapporteurs don’t report to the Secretary General.

Ban’s most animated answer, some thought, was to a question about the Korean peninsula. He said he was answering and acting in part as a Korean citizen. What then about South Korean authorities arrest of peaceful protesters, including an elected major, protesting the militarization of JeJu Island? Inner City Press asked Ban’s office about the issue, without any answer.

Since there’s been no answer, we can only pass on new information: “On November 8 , three peace activists were arrested at Shilla Hotel, Jeju Island, South Korea, where Republic of Korea-UN Joint Conference on Disarmament and Non Proliferation Issues was being held. On November 29 the prosecutor brought charges of trespassing. The first trial will be on December 15. I heard that you asked the UN spokesperson… I would like to know if you got any kind of answer from the UN.” The answer is no.

There were questions Ban was prepared for, such as his previous comment on whether the Palestinians should apply to join more UN agencies after the cut-off of US funds to UNESCO after Palestine joined. Ban looked and found an “if-asked” note, which he read trying to distinguish his stated support for the Palestinian people from concerns about funding gaps.

Ban eagerly claimed to be trying to cut the UN budget, saying in particular the travel budget will be reduced by increased use of video conferencing.

But there is increased grumbling about the cost and lack of transparency of Ban’s own travel. Recent Inner City Press questions about this travel, including who pays for Ban’s joint travel with the Qatari President of the General Assembly, have gone unanswered.

December 14th, 2011, 2:07 pm

 

ann said:

So the Dollar buys 60 Syrian pounds instead of 50 Syrian pounds

Big Deal!

The Turkish Lira is down 30% against the dollar

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203518404577094140339214150.html

The Euro is down almost 28% against the
dollar

So What

December 14th, 2011, 2:18 pm

 

Bill said:

TO: # 813, MAJEDKHALDOUN

Thanks Majed. I agree with you. Like the saying: الكلاب تنهق والقافله تسير

قافله الحريه في سوريا سائره وسوف تتجاوز نظام الاسد المجرم واعوانه في ايران ولبنان -حزب الشيطان

December 14th, 2011, 2:32 pm

 

Mina said:

Ann #816
Ban can certainly apply for a job at “al Quds al Arabi”, he has the profile.

December 14th, 2011, 2:38 pm

 

ann said:

Foreign Ministry: Golan is Part and Parcel of Homeland..Syria determined to restore Golan till June 4th, 1967 line

Dec 14, 2011

http://www.sana.sy/eng/21/2011/12/14/388355.htm

DAMASCUS, (SANA)-Foreign and Expatriates Ministry said that today coincides with the passing of another year on the anniversary of Israel’s void decision to annex the Syrian Golan, adding “December 14th became an annual occasion for the Syrians to renew their commitment to the unity of land and rejection of the Israeli occupation’s aggressive policies.”

A statement by the Ministry on Wednesday underlined that the Syrian Golan and its people represent Syria’s beating heart in rejecting the occupation and its polices.. the Golan stands as a symbol of challenges Syria faces by the Zionist departments.

The statement stressed that each bit of soil in the occupied Golan is part and parcel of the Homeland’s soil, adding “in spite of the challenges Syria encounters, Israel’s bids to turn Syria’s attention from its basic battle to restore its occupied lands and liberate the occupied Arab lands as well as achieve the just and comprehensive peace in the region will fail.”

“December 14th became a day to express Syria’s pride of the struggle of its people in the occupied Golan who rejected the annexation decision and adhered to the Syrian national identity,” the statement said.

It added that the Syrian Golan citizens confronted all occupation attempts to bar their attention from their goal, they offered martyrs who purified the land of Golan with their blood and suffered from the Zionist war machine and bids to subjugate them by force, but they remained determined to the Syrian national identity.

“Since June aggression of 1967, the Israeli policy has been characterized by its flagrant violation of all human rights in the Syrian Golan and the rest of the occupied Arab lands, a lot of our families martyred in defense for their land and Israel imprisoned hundreds others,” the Foreign Ministry said.

The statement said that the annexation anniversary is another occasion for the international community and the UN to implement their resolutions, including No. 497 that underscored acquiring lands by force is rejected and Israel’s decision to impose its laws and administrative regulations on the Golan is considered as null and void.

“Syria, as leadership and people, reiterates to our people in Golan, particularly our heroes in the Israeli prisons its pride in their struggle against the Israeli torture machine, pledging that it will not abandon them, and they will remain in the conscience of each Syrian citizen,” the statement concluded.

December 14th, 2011, 2:44 pm

 

Bill said:

P.S. # 813, MAJEDKHALDOUN

اعتقد ان الكلاب تنبح والحمير تنهق. هذا فقط تصحيح للمثل الذي ذكرته في رذي عليك رقم 818. الحريه لفلسطين ولسوريا! والسلام

December 14th, 2011, 2:48 pm

 

SYRIAN HAMSTER said:

STRIPPER SNK
@ 740. SYRIA NO KANDAHAR said:
وجه الجردون كفرجه

If he is over 30, then the man is an independent freak show on his own. A rat tells him that his obsession with sexual references only shows how freakishly sick he is. Alas, SNK insists on proving his adversary right and goes on what probably has been an hour long Google search for yet one more sexual reference. I read once that there are people who like to strip psychologically, meaning they have to air their psychological problems through obsessive reference to what occupies their minds the most. Of those, I am yet to meet a better psychological stripper than SNK. Simple logic tells us that teens are the most obsessed group with sex, therefor:

Rat’s diagnosis of you: MENTALLY STUCK IN PUBERTY. IF you are in your twenties, then it is not as bad since quite few people normally go through physical puberty in their teens and their mental puberty in their twenties. If you are over 30, then something is seriously wrong with you. I’ll give you the benefit of doubt, and based on your anger and failed attempts at elegantly expressing yourself, I am tempted to assume you are in your early to mid-twenties, which if true, partially excuses you, but not those responsible for your education.

Off course, being young should not affect your rights to post, but try to learn from others. I am proud of the young people of Syria. Off you, Mr. SNK, i am embarrassed.

One other odd diagnosis could be that you are a woman trying to sound like a man to hide who you are, but instead sounding like a hormone crazed teenager.

December 14th, 2011, 3:22 pm

 

zoo said:

In agreement with Mullah Omar, the USA and Germany, Qatar is to open a diplomatic mission in Doha for .. the Taliban to “help Western countries peace talks”

Afghanistan recalls envoy from Qatar
Kabul recalls ambassador for “consultations” amid separate reports of a Taliban office to be opened in the Gulf state.

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2011/12/20111214154823662303.html

However, The Hindu newspaper in India, citing unidentified Indian diplomatic sources, said that final arrangements had been put in place for a Taliban office in Qatar that would have “the privileges but not the formal protection of a diplomatic mission”.

Details were agreed by a senior Taliban representative close to the group’s leader, Mullah Omar, together with officials from Qatar and the US, the newspaper said.

Plans for peace talks

The US has discussed plans for the Taliban to open an address in Qatar by the end of the year in a move designed to allow the West to begin formal peace talks with the group, the AFP news agency reported.

The AFP quoted a high ranking Afghan government official, who spoke to the news agency anonymously, saying that the Afghan government was aware that Qatar had held talks with the US and Germany on allowing a Taliban office to open, and supported the move as a means of facilitating the peace process.

But he said: “The ambassador has been recalled as a protest over why they did not allow the Afghan government into these talks while there are official diplomatic relations between the two countries.”

He added that the opening of such an office “should not be seen as a concession” to the Taliban, the AFP reported.

The office of the self-styled Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan would be the first internationally recognised representation for the Taliban since it was ousted from power by the US-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001.

Western diplomats have said it is hoped the opening of a Taliban office would push forward the prospect of talks intended to reconcile the group with the Afghan government and bring an end to the decade-long war.

December 14th, 2011, 3:30 pm

 

ann said:

819. Mina said:
“””Ann #816
Ban can certainly apply for a job at “al Quds al Arabi”, he has the profile.”””

I don’t know much about “al Quds al Arabi”. But I’m certain that ban ki moon is the best humpty dumpty yes man blabbering idiot, oil money can buy

December 14th, 2011, 3:34 pm

 

ann said:

Syria has another armed infiltration from Turkey – 14.12.2011

http://english.pravda.ru/hotspots/terror/14-12-2011/119973-Syria_has_armed_infiltration_from_Turkey-0/

The Syrian government unveiled on Tuesday (13th) that they managed to thwart another attempt at infiltration by an armed group in Turkey through Ain Baida in the region of Badami, Idleb province.

The Border Guard Command informed that its troops intercepted a band of 15 armed individuals, and in the armed confrontation, they killed two and wounded the rest.

The operation was performed successfully after border patrols monitored the movements of infiltration by the armed group, before facing them, officials said, adding that their unit suffered no casualties of any kind.

“Our border guards are ready and prepared to face anyone who thinks they can breach the security of the Syrian people,” states the press release issued on Tuesday.

On December 6th, SANA news agency recalls, border units also prevented a group of 35 armed men from entering the same point on the frontier between Syria and Turkey, injuring some of them.

Several media outlets, such as the Czech newspaper Pravo reported that Syrian extremist groups, linked to the Salafist Jihad and the Muslim Brotherhood, as well as mercenaries from several countries in the region, among them some Libyan terrorists, trained in camps in Turkey and Lebanon, who then attempt to infiltrate Syria.

The Lebanese military authorities have captured and imprisoned individuals involved in the trafficking of weapons and ammunition destined for Syrian territory.

Syrian forces are fighting against heavily armed gangs operating mainly in the province of Homs, who also launch attacks and kidnappings in the rural towns of Hama, Daraa and Idleb.

The agency SANA reported that Brigadier General Ghanim Ibrahim Hasan, instructor at the Assad Military Engineering Academy, was shot dead by gunmen near the town of Saraqeb in Idleb, as he went from Aleppo to Damascus, where he worked.

Authorities also said they recovered four boxes of stolen tickets by another gang in Talkalakh, while a bomb caused damage to a gas station near Rastan in Homs. The resulting fire was extinguished by the explosion.

This station supplied fuel to the power station of Maharda.

On Sunday night, Syrian forces located and faced a terrorist group in the same province that on Saturday had assassinated the engineer, Maher Ghadir, as he went to work at the gas factory in Abu Rabah.

On Monday, an armed group tried to disrupt the elections of local governments in Sham Golan, in the province of Daraa, and fired at security forces, killing three agents according to the Syrian News Agency.

December 14th, 2011, 4:33 pm

 

Tara said:

.Act for Syria in name of humanity – UN

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/breaking-news/act-for-syria-in-name-of-humanity-un/story-e6freuyi-1226222441237
From correspondents in the United Nations AFP December 15, 2011 4:53AM

“In Syria, more than 5000 people are dead. This cannot go on. In the name of humanity, it is time for the international community to act,” the UN secretary-general said.

Mr Ban said the UN rights report, which highlighted that crimes against humanity may have been committed in Syria, had been sent to the Security Council and the UN General Assembly and it was now up to member states to take a decision.

December 14th, 2011, 4:38 pm

 

Bill said:

I agree with everything in this article: هذا مقال في جريده النيورك تايمز عن نفاق حسن نصر الله بخصوص الثوره السوريه المباركه
الحريه لسوريا ولفلسطين

Op-Ed Contributor
Hezbollah’s Hypocritical Resistance
By LARBI SADIKI
Published: December 13, 2011
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/13/opinion/hezbollahs-hypocritical-resistance.html?_r=1&hp

December 14th, 2011, 4:43 pm

 

zoo said:

“As Arab nationalism has failed and declined, Sunni Islam has replaced it as the leading political movement in much of that world. Arab nationalism was both secular and anti-Turkish; Arab nationalists regarded the Ottomans as an imperialist great power. But if Arabs look at the world through a religious lens, Istanbul used to be the seat of the Caliph.”

Turkey vs. Iran: New Grudge Match Shapes the Middle East
http://blogs.the-american-interest.com/wrm/2011/12/14/turkey-vs-iran-new-grudge-match-shapes-the-middle-east/

Not long ago it appeared Ankara and Tehran were the best of friends. Today that situation is different. From Iraq to Lebanon and across the Middle East, Turkey and Iran are locked in a zero sum competition for influence and power. Here’s the story from the FT:

Iran has criticised Turkey’s secular system of government as an unsuitable example for countries in the Arab spring, in the latest sign of growing tension between the two regional powers…

Rivalry between the two neighbours is intensifying as they lock horns over Ankara’s decision to host a Nato missile defence base and the fate of Syria’s president, Bashar al-Assad, as well as the future direction of the Arab spring…

The two countries have also been competing in Iraq, where last year Turkey championed the cause of Iyad Allawi, the secular Shia who sought to be prime minister, the post eventually retained by Nouri al-Maliki, who was given more support by Iran.

The relationship — perhaps contest is a better word — between Turkey and Iran is shaping a new era in Middle Eastern politics. Today, there is little they agree on and little room for anything but political barbs tossed back and forth.

This is partly a replay of Ottoman era politics. The new Turkish Islamist government is eager to revive Turkey’s historical role as the leading power of the region. (Two hundred years ago the Ottoman Empire ruled everything from the Danube to the modern Iran/Iraq boundary and across North Africa as far as Algeria.) As Arab nationalism has failed and declined, Sunni Islam has replaced it as the leading political movement in much of that world. Arab nationalism was both secular and anti-Turkish; Arab nationalists regarded the Ottomans as an imperialist great power. But if Arabs look at the world through a religious lens, Istanbul used to be the seat of the Caliph.

For Iran, this is a bitterly disappointing turn of events. Sunni Turkish Islamism trumps any attempt by Shi’a Iran to ride the Islamist wave to power in the region; at the same time, the conflict in Syria looks increasingly like a struggle for power between Alawite allies of Shi’ism and Iran and Sunnis looking to Turkey. The fall of Assad will also tip the balance away from Shi’a Hezbollah to the Sunnis in Lebanon.

The disappointment and the outrage in Tehran is deep; for thirty years Iran proclaimed itself the speartip of resurgent Islam; when the Islamist wave finally crests, it looks to be driving Iran back in on itself.

Iraq, part of the Ottoman Empire until the British conquered it in World War One, could end up being the most important strategic arena for the new competition.

Some would see this conflict as a sign of US decline in the region, but that remains to be seen. Since World War Two, regional power struggles have tended to reinforce rather than limit Washington’s power. At the minimum, a regional balance of power allows Washington the option to throw its weight from one side to the other and prevent the emergence of a single dominant rival.

We shall see, but one thing looks increasingly clear. If the mullahs get the bomb, the Turks will want one too.

December 14th, 2011, 5:31 pm

 

Darryl said:

663. BRONCO said:

“Christianity is almost 90% man-made because the holy books are just the story of Jesus Christ and his deeds. There are in it very basic yet important tenets of the Christian religion principally the necessity to love each other, to forgive, to share and to be humble. All the ‘laws’ and “do and don’t’ have come from the apostles who were not infallible and later by the institutions called the Churches. These ‘laws’ are gradually been either revised or dropped to adapt to the modern world.”

Bronco, This is an over simplification of Christianity. All of Paul’s writing is “inspired”. The Gospels were written by people who knew Jesus Christ directly on indirectly and some were written within 30-50 years after Jesus.

Lastly, Christianity draws on “prophecy” from the old testament and the Bible is proclaimed by the Qur’an itself as a scripture from Allah.

“Islam is much more rigid because the Qu’ran, the pillar of the religion, is much more specific on the “do and don’t”. While some moslems accept that is should be interpreted by the minds of ‘holy’ men, using the other “holy” books, we know none of these men is infallible. Other reject any interpretations. Therefore there a multitude of views of Islam in the practical life of a moslem.”

Bronco, is the Qur’an the absolute word of Allah?

The present day Qur’an was written between 200-300 years after the Messenger died. I am sure I will get a barrage of arguments people say it was done during Khalifa Uthman’s tenure. This is not supported by the oldest copies of Qur’an and other historical sources. The oldest Qur’anic copies are written in Kufic script and do not have the “Dummah, hamza etc” symbols. Hence scholars date the 4 oldest “Uthmanic” Qur’an to between 750-950 AD.

Furthermore, the oldest Qur’anic copy was found 41 years ago in a mosque in Yemen, it dates to about 700AD. Scholarly work was done on it by two German scholars and to this day no one is permitted to release information about it. A few things has been said though, such as the text was erased and re-written to possibly indicate it was work in progress.

December 14th, 2011, 5:40 pm

 

jad said:

Hi Bronco,
Thank you again for the reply, in #794

‘Something is happening.’
It’s kind of 50-50 on both sides, even the international players struggle is not clear yet.

I’m hesitate to fully agree with you regarding KSA, It’s confusing, because on one hand they are supporting both Turkey and Qatar in their plans and on the other hand they pretending not to care much about anything going around them the way you portray it, even the meeting with the Iranians, nothing new there, they always have those meeting with Iran and nothing substantial came out of any of them.

I agree with you regarding the point that Iran is gaining powers over the US at the moment, but I won’t underestimate what the US is able to do out of that, it may flip the table on everybody’s head of that region just to get back the power it may lost, no?
Ghalyoun is finish, he already did the role he supposed to do, and we have to see who is coming next after him as the head of the mighty MBs council.

‘If Saudi Arabia and Iran agreed to hamper Qatar and paralyze Turkey in their active promotion of a Moslem Brotherhood or a sunni ‘moderate’ domination in Syria, then it very possible that the regime of Bashar will stay in power in a form or another.’

I don’t see how KSA can do that, at the moment it looks too weak to be able to do such push, I hope that you are right though, because that can help stabilize the whole situation in Syria.

December 14th, 2011, 5:44 pm

 

Humanist said:

Bronco:
“Christianity is almost 90% man-made …”

hmmm..
Your are “almost 90 %” right.
What do you think the remaining 10% is?

December 14th, 2011, 6:15 pm

 

Bronco said:

Darryl #829

The “do and don’t” of Christianity have very little to do with the Bible. The message of Jesus was exactly to oppose and reform the teachings of the Bible by adding components that were inexistant like the love of each other, humility, forgiveness and charity and removing many like the revenge etc… Many Jews still follow almost textually the Bible and ignore these new tenets.
A lot of what St Paul said is now rejected,for many Christians he was too excessive and in any case he never lived with Jesus. Some of his sermons are terrifying.
Because the Evangiles only offer a base, and no directive on the behavior in the daily life, many generations of ‘religious’ men , who mostly were in powerful political positions, have added rituals and others rules. The trouble is that many of the popesand leaders were corrupted like the Borgias and they did not work for the glory of the Christ, but rather to gain more power. The essence of Christianity has been often forgotten and polluted by generations of powerful religious leaders. It is amazing that the religion still survived.
Therefore I persist in saying that most of the Christianity we see, the rituals, the rules are man made. The base of the religion is in the evangiles in the teaching of Jesis Christ in his sermons and his life example.

While there are many affirmations that the Qu’ran was written later, it remains a very comprehensive “user guide” of living and behaving as a moslem in one’s daily life. Contrary to Christianity, the prayers and the rituals have not been invented later, they are in the Qu’ran.
Therefore my view is that Islam is more rigid as it is following strict rules carried by the Qu’ran, not guidelines. The addition of the Hadith adds even more constraints. The flexibility comes from the use of the poetic language in the Qu’ran, the impreciseness of which could allow some different interpretations.
Yet, it is a complex task and not often conclusive.

December 14th, 2011, 6:32 pm

 

Bronco said:

#832 Humanist

“What do you think the remaining 10% is?”

The 10% are the teachings in the four Gospels, which are the core of the religion.
10% in quantity of pages, but 100% in its importance.

December 14th, 2011, 6:38 pm

 

newfolder said:

here is a leaked video from Assad’s 3arsat army, gloating over people they just massacred in Rastan:

December 14th, 2011, 6:42 pm

 

Bronco said:

Jad

I suspect it is Saudi Arabia who is blocking the application of sanctions on Syria in the Arab League.
I am convinced that Saudi Arabia hates Turkey and would do anything not to let it take importance in the Arab Spring. How would it affect Syria, I don’t know. We’ll see if and how Saudi Arabia will recover its role in the Arab world.

December 14th, 2011, 6:44 pm

 

Dale Andersen said:

“DEAD MAN WALKING” — THEY STOLE MY LINE!

“…The Obama administration is predicting the downfall of Syrian President Bashar Assad with a senior official likening his authoritarian regime to a “dead man walking” over its brutal crackdown on pro-reform demonstrators and increasing international isolation…”

December 14th, 2011, 7:00 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Darryl
Nonsense false distortion.
The copy of Quraan was kept in Damascus till 1887 by then several copies were made close to ten million when the library burned we lost the original copy but the accuracy of the copies were authenticated thousand of year before,the other copy in Kazakhestan still exist,we covered that so please stop fabricating, Quraan was written at the time of the prophet by Ibn Thabet and collected at the time of Othman
The Bible is narration of stories told by the apostles, It was not written till 183 year after the death of Jesus,we still do not know the dead sea scripts due to Israel keeping them secret.

December 14th, 2011, 7:00 pm

 

newfolder said:

Dr. Burhan Ghalioun directly addresses the Syrian people from a webcam in his office, unlike psychopath Betho who refuses to acknowledge the Syrian people at all.

An inspirational guy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G78lFdBwYjY

December 14th, 2011, 7:02 pm

 

Dale Andersen said:

Memo To: BRONCO BILLY

RE: “…It is amazing that Christianity still survived…”

You shouldn’t wander out of Besho’s Bunkhouse into the briars and brambles, Billy. You’re like to get tangled up in thorns and thistles.

You’re like a child when you try to set yourself up as an expert on subjects on which you are patently ignorant. You know very little about Islam (being from a Muslim culture doesn’t make you an expert) and even less about Christianity. I’d love to hear you blather on about Buddhism. I bet it’d be a hoot.

Why did Christianity survive? If you’re an atheist, the answer is Christianity was constantly being reformed. You mentioned the corrupting influence of the Borgias 500 years ago; you failed to mention the monastic and lay reform movements which cleaned up the corruption. And if you’re not an atheist, the answer is God protects his church. You pays your money and you takes your choice, boy.

Bronco, stop acting like Mister Expert. You’re not. You’re just a guy at the side of the road with too much time on his hands…

December 14th, 2011, 7:18 pm

 

Darryl said:

838. MAJEDKHALDOUN said:

Dr Khaldoun, please remove the cover that Allah, Azza Wajel, put on your eyes and mind as He said in the Qur’an. Scholarly work and independent historical records do not agree with your assertions.

We have writings that state at about 750 AD, the Qur’an was not complete as Surat Al-Baqara was not included and there was a Sura called Allah’s camel, now only referenced in Qur’an 91:13.

Dr Khaldoun, Allah has a female Camel and Sheikh Zugby said Camels were created by Jinn while all other animals created by Allah.

Please remove the cover as soon as possible!

December 14th, 2011, 7:29 pm

 

jna said:

837. Dale Andersensaid:
“DEAD MAN WALKING” — THEY STOLE MY LINE!

“Great Minds” think alike! We await your next fantistic insight.

December 14th, 2011, 8:06 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

DArryl
Please remove the cover from your eyes
What you said are lies and you know it,all evidence prove you are wrong,

The free syrian army is our hope it is not the Nato,more defections are needed.

December 14th, 2011, 8:19 pm

 

N.Z. said:

#839 NEWFOLDER,

In your opinion, why Dr. Ghalyoun’s address was not televised?

Did he refer to AL in his address?

When was it recorded?

Thanks.

December 14th, 2011, 8:20 pm

 

newfolder said:

Ismailis protest in Salamieh, as they’ve been doing since the beginning of the revolution, disproving the regime’s claims of conspiracies and sectarianism, proving this is a mass popular revolt against tyranny and injustice:

December 14th, 2011, 8:21 pm

 

Tara said:

Iran loves Turkey and Turkey loves Iran… And they live happily ever after.

Tehran nixes threats on Turkey over shield
ANKARA / TEHRAN
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/tehran-nixes-threats-on-turkey-over-shield.aspx?pageID=238&nID=9211&NewsCatID=338

Iranian FM assures Turkey that the Islamic country does not pose any threat to its neighbor denying aggressive statements made by its officials.

ran has dismissed comments from its own officials to target a NATO missile shield in eastern Turkey if the Islamic republic is threatened by the West, Anatolia news agency reported yesterday.

“We reject those views completely,” Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said in an interview, adding that those who had made the irresponsible statements had been warned. “The Islamic Republic of Iran’s official stance on Turkey is based on deep brotherhood and friendship,” he said, adding that only Iran’s supreme leader, president and foreign minister were able to pronounce on Iran’s official attitude on international matters and foreign policy. “Other statements are considered personal views,” he said. “Our relations with Turkey are at their best level ever from a political, economic and cultural perspective. More than 2 million Iranians visit Turkey each year, Salehi said. “There may be different views but that is natural. Turkey and Iran favor peace, stability and security in the region,” he said.

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu thanked Salehi for his statement yesterday. “There was no tension in ties with Iran [over the statements of Iranian officials],” he told reporters. “Turkish-Iranian friendship is forever. No one can deny it.” Meanwhile, Turkey’s uneasiness over Iranian officials’ threats to hit the NATO radar system to be deployed in Turkey was expressed by Davutoğlu in speaking with Salehi on Dec. 13.

‘Turkey, not model for Arab spring countries’

Meanwhile, Iran has criticized Turkey’s secular system as an unsuitable example for countries in the Arab Spring, Financial Times reported. Ali Akbar Velayati, senior adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said in a press conference Dec. 13 that Turkey’s model of “secular Islam” was a version of Western liberal democracy and unacceptable for countries that he said were going through an “Islamic awakening.” “They [Iran] support Assad no matter what… They are not happy with the defense shield. They are not happy with us getting involved in Iraq or Syria,” a Turkish official said.

Earlier this month, an Iranian member of parliament, Hussein Ibrahimi, said it was Iran’s “right” to hit the missile shield. “Iran will definitely do that,” Ibrahimi told Iranian daily Sharq, according to Turkish media. Turkey in December conveyed its concern about the remarks of the Iranian commander to Salehi. “Certain circles, some of them knowingly and some others unknowingly, try to cause a conflict between our great nations and countries,” Salehi said. He also requested that the Turkish media “handle certain views in such a way that they would not hurt bilateral relations.” In November, the commander of the aerospace division of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said Tehran would target NATO’s missile shield in Turkey if it were threatened by military action, Agence France-Presse reported. “We are prepared to first target the NATO defense missile shield in Turkey if we are threatened. And then we’ll move on to other targets,” Amir Ali Hajizadeh said, Mehr news agency reported.

December 14th, 2011, 8:27 pm

 

Ghufran said:

قطر و امراء الماعز يرحبون بكم
وكتب مصطفى الصوّاف مقالاً بعنوان “جريمة قطر لا تغتفر” قال فيه: ” لم تخجل الحكومة القطرية من نفسها في ظل الربيع العربي وحالة التغيير السائدة وعرضت خارطة فلسطين في دورة الألعاب العربية مقتصرة على الضفة الغربية وقطاع غزة بشكل سافر وتحدي مقيت لمشاعر الملايين من العرب والمسلمين “.

“ما أقدمت عليه الحكومة القطرية هو طعنه مجرمة بحق الشعب الفلسطيني واعترافا صريح بأن ما تبقى من فلسطين هو حق للغاصبين من بني صهيون وهو اعتراف صريح (بإسرائيل) من قبل دولة قطر”.

وتابع “المؤسف أن الإعلام العربي والفلسطيني مع الأسف لم يشر إلى هذه الجريمة التي ارتكبتها الحكومة القطرية وكأن لسان حاله يقول الدنيا مصالح، فالإعلام وقف من هذا العرض المخزي والتزوير الفاضح للتاريخ والجغرافية إما متناسيا أو ناشرا على استحياء للخبر في صفحاته المهملة ( ما قبل الأخيرة ) بإهمال مقصود بدلا من التصدي لهذه السياسة وهذه الثقافة المرفوضة، فبدلا من أن يصدح بالحق مجلجلا يتوارى خجلا من إعطاء الموقف حقه وتبيان الرفض القاطع له”.

December 14th, 2011, 8:28 pm

 

newfolder said:

#844 it was meant to be a private and intimate sort of thing, informal and personal, distributed through Facebook pages. Seems to be very recent as he mentions the latest strikes.

If Bashar had any sense, he would have done the same thing a long time ago and tried to “bond” with the Syrian people, instead of grand-standing and giving us his rambling rhetorical lectures and idiotic school girl giggles. But of course all dictators are aloof and detached, believing it is the people’s job to idolize and praise them, not to be equals with them.

December 14th, 2011, 8:29 pm

 

jad said:

معارضو «المجلس الوطني» يلتقون في تونس
واشنطن تتوقع مصيراً لدمشق مثل «بيونغ يانغ»

راوحت الازمة السورية مكانها، فيما اكدت جامعة الدول العربية استمرار اتصالاتها من اجل «انجاح الحل العربي»، في وقت كانت واشنطن تجدد انتقاداتها لدمشق، متوقعة قيام نظام يكون بمثابة «بيونغ يانغ في بلاد المشرق» تكبله العقوبات تماما. بينما كان المعارضون المتمثلون بـ«المجلس الوطني السوري»، يتحركون لكسب المزيد من التأييد الخارجي، من خلال الاعلان عن عقد المؤتمر الاول لهم في تونس بين 16 و18 كانون الاول الحالي. اما إيران فقد كررت تأكيد وقوفها الى «جانب سوريا ودعم اقتصادها ومواقفها» وذلك عبر تقديم ميزات تفضيلية لما قيمته مليار دولار من البضائع سورية المنشأ.
وفيما سقط اكثر من 20 قتيلا من مدنيين وعسكريين، نفى الأمين العام لجامعة الدول العربية نبيل العربي، في بيان، ما تناقلته بعض الصحف عنه حول توقعاته بأن «عقوبات الحظر الجوي ضد سوريا ستدخل حيز التنفيذ قريبا، وأن النظام السوري في النهاية لن يستجيب للمبادرة العربية».
وقال العربي «أستغرب نقل مثل هذه التصريحات والأحاديث غير الدقيقة في الوقت الذي ما زالت فيه الجهود والاتصالات جارية من أجل تذليل العقبات التي تعترض مهمة بعثة مراقبي جامعة الدول العربية إلى سوريا وإنجاح خطوات الحل العربي».
وأكد العربي أن «اجتماعي اللجنة الوزارية العربية ومجلس الجامعة الوزاري المقرر عقدهما السبت سيبحثان هذا الموضوع من كافة جوانبه، في ضوء ما استجد من مواقف عربية ودولية وما أسفرت عنه الاتصالات والمراسلات الجارية مع الحكومة السورية من نتائج».
وأعرب «عن قلقه البالغ من استمرار وتصاعد أعمال العنف في أنحاء مختلفة من سوريا، وخاصة في محافظتي حمص وإدلب، والتي أدت خلال الأيام القليلة الماضية إلى سقوط العـشرات مـن الضحايـا»،
داعيا إلى «الوقف الفوري لجميع أعمال العنف وسحب المسلحين والآليات العسكرية تنفيذا لمقررات مجلس الجامعة في هذا الشأن وبنود خطة الحل العربية».
وأعلن ممثل «المجلس الوطني السوري» المعارض في تونس عبد الله تركماني، أمس، أن المؤتمر الأول للمجلس سيعقد بين 16 و18 كانون الأول الحالي في تونس. وأوضح تركماني أن رئيس المجلس برهان غليون سيحضر المؤتمر، إضافة إلى نحو 200 من أعضاء المجلس. وأضاف إن سفراء عربا وناشطين في مجال الدفاع عن حقوق الإنسان سيشاركون في افتتاح المؤتمر غدا في قمرت وهي ضاحية شمالية لتونس، على أن يعقد أعضاء المجلس اجتماعات مغلقة يومي 17 و18 كانون الأول الجاري.
طهران ودمشق
وفي دمشق، اختتمت اجتماعات الدورة العادية التاسعة للجنة المتابعة السورية ـ الإيرانية للتعاون الاقتصادي بالتوقيع على محضر اجتماعات الدورة الذي تضمن الاتفاق على عدد من مجالات التعاون في مجالات النقل والسياحة والسكن وترويج المنتجات وإقامة المعارض.
وتضمن المحضر منح ميزات تفضيلية لما قيمته مليار دولار من البضائع السورية المنشأ المصدرة إلى إيران من قائمة المواد التي تم الاتفاق عليها وعددها 68 مادة، بحيث يتم تخفيض الرسوم الجمركية عليها بنسبة 60 في المئة.
وشدد رئيس الحكومة السورية عادل سفر خلال لقائه وزير النقل وبناء المدن الإيراني علي نيكزاد على «قوة ومتانة علاقات التعاون بين سوريا وإيران، والحرص المشترك على تطويرها والارتقاء بها بما يخدم تطلعات شعبيهما ودفع عملية التنمية فيهما ويدعم مواقفهما في مواجهة التحديات التي يتعرض لها البلدان».
من جانبه، أكد نيكزاد «وقوف إيران إلى جانب سوريا ودعم اقتصادها ومواقفها في مواجهة المؤامرة الكبيرة التي تستهدف مواقفها وقوى الصمود والمقاومة في المنطقة».
ونفت السفارة الإيرانية في دمشق صحة أنباء كانت قد ذكرت أنها وجهت دعوة لوفد من هيئة التنسيق الوطنية المعارضة لزيارة طهران وإجراء محادثات مع المسؤولين الإيرانيين.
وكان عدد من وسائل الإعلام والمواقع الإلكترونية ذكرت أن المنسق العام للجنة الوطنية والقوى الديموقراطية للتغيير في سوريا حسن عبد العظيم تلقى دعوة من جهات إيرانية رفيعة المستوى لزيارة طهران واللقاء بمسؤولين إيرانيين.
العراق
وقال رئيس البرلمان العراقي اسامة النجيفي، في مقابلة مع قناة «العراقية» الرسمية، «أخشى ان تمتد أي حرب اهلية في سوريا الينا عاجلا ام آجلا». وأضاف «ان زمن الحزب الوحيد والقائد الوحيد ولى. ولا يمكن للوضع ان يستمر على هذا المنوال في سوريا لأنه غير منطقي، وللجامعة العربية الحق في اقتراح نشر مراقبين في سوريا لوقف القتل».
بان كي مون
ودافع بان كي مون عن حلف شمال الأطلسي في مواجهة انتقادات من روسيا والصين ودول أخرى تتهم الحلف بتجاوز تفويض الأمم المتحدة له بحماية المدنيين في ليبيا. وقال، في مؤتمر صحافي في مقر الأمم المتحدة في نيويورك، «قتل أكثر من خمسة آلاف شخص في سوريا، وهذا الأمر لا يمكن أن يستمر. باسم الإنسانية أقول إن الوقت حان لكي يتحرك المجتمع الدولي». وأضاف «إن الوضع مقلق للغاية، وآمل أن تتمكن الأمم المتحدة من اتخاذ إجراءات بهذا الشأن يتم التوصل إليها عبر التشاور».
وأوضح بان كي مون انه سلم «خلال الأيام القليلة الماضية» مجلس الأمن تقرير مجلس حقوق الإنسان الذي «يدين» النظام السوري على التجاوزات التي يرتكبها بحق المتظاهرين والمعارضين. وأشاد بالتحرك الذي تقوم به الجامعة العربية بشأن الوضع في سوريا.
واشنطن
وواصلت الإدارة الأميركية هجومها على النظام السوري. وقال المنسق الخاص لشؤون الشرق الأوسط في وزارة الخارجية الأميركية فريدريك هوف، في جلسة استماع في مجلس النواب حول السياسة الأميركية بشأن دمشق، «نحن نرى أن هذا النظام يساوي مجموعة من الأحياء الأموات».
وأضاف هوف «من الواضح أن نظام الأسد لن يبقى»، لكنه أوضح انه «من الصعب توقع المدة التي لا تزال أمام» النظام السوري. وتابع «إذا تمكن الأسد من التشبث بالسلطة، فسيكون كمستبد يرأس بيونغ يانغ في بلاد المشرق» تكبله العقوبات تماما مثل نظام كوريا الشمالية.
واعتبر انه «من المهم أن يقوم مجلس الأمن الدولي بحماية السوريين من قوات الأمن القمعية»، داعيا كلا من روسيا والصين والهند إلى التوقف عن معارضة قيام الأمم المتحدة بتحرك. وأضاف «نتقدم من تلك الحكومات التي تحمي هذا النظام من إرادة المواطنين السوريين بالطلب التالي: لا تجعلوا المدنيين الأبرياء يدفعون ثمن حساباتكم السياسية». وتابع «إن واجب المجتمع الدولي تجاه الشعب السوري يتجاوز سياسة السلطة».
وقال «نحن نطلب من روسيا والصين والهند وغيرها من الدول ان تجيب على بعض الأسئلة الأساسية: هل يسمح النظام بالتظاهر السلمي؟ هل يسمح النظام للمعارضة السياسية بأن تنظم نفسها وأن تناقش وتحاور من دون خوف من الاغتيال او الاعتقال؟». وأضاف «إذا نجح النظام من خلال جهوده الدموية في إنقاذ نفسه على حساب سوريا، فإن الجميع سيخسرون. ولذلك نطلب من هذه الدول التي عارضت جهود الأمم المتحدة لحماية المدنيين السوريين، إعادة النظر في موقفها».
وقال مساعد الرئيس الروسي سيرغي بريخودكو، في موسكو، إن الاتحاد الأوروبي يدعو إلى توسيع العقوبات التي تفرض على سوريا، لكنه أضاف «إننا نتعاون مع سوريا بالشكل الملائم لنا من حيث حجم التعاون، وإذا أبدى زعماء الاتحاد الأوروبي اهتماما بالتعاون الروسي السوري فإننا سنقوم بإطلاعهم على ذلك من دون أن نخفي أي شيء».
تركيا والأردن
ونفى وزير الدولة لشؤون الإعلام والاتصال الأردني راكان المجالي وجود أي نشاط لما يسمى «الجيش السوري الحر» على الحدود الأردنية ـ السورية. وقال، في تصريح لصحيفة «الدستور» الأردنية، إنه «لا يوجد أي نشاط لما يسمى «الجيش السوري الحر» على الحدود وداخل الأراضي الأردنية على الإطلاق».
وقال وزير الخارجية التركي احمد داود اوغلو انه لا يوجد أي خطط خاصة بتركيا من اجل غزو سوريا او مع أي دولة اخرى. وأضاف «بالاضافة الى ذلك، فإنه لا يوجد لدينا أي معلومة او طلب من أي دولة حول مثل هذا الامر». وأشار الى ان الجميع قلق حول «القمع» للسوريين الذين يطالبون بالحرية والديموقراطية، مضيفا «بالرغم من كل جهودنا التي بذلت مع النظام السوري، فإنه لا يبدو ان النظام يوقف سياسته القمعية ضد شعبه او يطلق عملية اصلاح».
وذكرت صحيفة «صباح» التركية أن أنقرة «اتخذت خطوة جديدة للمساهمة في تزايد والإسراع في عزلة الإدارة السورية بزعامة بشار الأسد». وقالت إن «أنقرة ستجري لقاءات مع ممثلي الاقليات في سوريا لتوجيه رسالة ان الوضع الحالي يضر السوريين، لذا يجب وضع مسافة مع النظام السوري لعدم اتاحة الفرصة لإطالة فترة سقوط النظام وحصول البلاد على الديموقراطية».
وقالت «غلف ساندز بتروليوم» إن أنشطة التنقيب التابعة لها في سوريا مستمرة، ولن تتأثر بعقوبات أوروبية إضافية في الآونة الأخيرة على إنتاج النفط. وأضافت الشركة، التي تحقق أكثر من 90 في المئة من إنتاجها الإجمالي من سوريا، في بيان، «الشركة مستمرة في حفر بئر تقييم شرق خربت ـ 102 والذي من المتوقع الانتهاء منه في نحو 40 يوما».
ميدانيا
قال المرصد السوري لحقوق الإنسان، في بيان، إن «22 شخصا، بين مدنيين وعسكريين قتلوا»، موضحا أن «ثمانية جنود قتلوا في محافظة حماه في هجوم مسلح قام به منشقون عن الجيش واستهدفوا أربع سيارات جيب عسكرية عند مدخل قرية العشارنة». وأشار الى «سقوط 14 قتيلا في حماه وحمص وإدلب والزبداني، ومحافظة درعا».
وقال معارضون وسكان ان «اضراب الكرامة، الذي بدأ الاحد الماضي، يتواصل في درعا وحمص وحماه وإدلب ودوما». وذكرت وكالة الأنباء السورية (سانا) «عبرت حشود من أبناء محافظة حمص في مسيرة جماهيرية لها بشارع الحضارة عن رفضها التدخلات الخارجية في شؤون سوريا الداخلية ودعمها لاستقلالية القرار الوطني وبرنامج الإصلاح الشامل الذي يقوده الأسد».
(«السفير»، سانا، أ ف ب،
أ ب، رويترز، أ ش أ)

http://www.assafir.com/Article.aspx?EditionId=2027&ChannelId=48080&ArticleId=1593&Author=

December 14th, 2011, 8:39 pm

 

N.Z. said:

# 816 Mina,

Rest assure that the Palestinians are not looking for compensation, they have a right, it is called THE RIGHT OF RETURN. Those who wish to abandon their right, will be compensated.

The Kurds have a right to self determination.

The SYRIAN REVOLUTION has entered its tenth month, 5000 dead, 100,000s tortured and detained, including women and children.

You have no shame ya Mina. I had to read your comment several times to understand your message. Here is a friendly reminder to you, the most bravest and most noble of Syrians will not stop until they oust Syria’s mafia, they pledged not to stop till this mass murderer and his apologists are silenced, either behind bars or elsewhere. Bullying is the regime tactic, you are not a bull, you are Syrian. We cannot turn a blind eyes in the face of criminals.

“If they do anything about Syria, they’ll have to give a country to the Kurds and to pay compensation to the Palestinians. And neither Turkey nor Israel would accept that. Or do you think the Kurds and the Palestinians will seat and watch TV?
Of course this reality existed already 9 months ago, but at that time… well… some were not aware of any history of the region, it seems.”

December 14th, 2011, 8:43 pm

 

Juergen said:

Irritated

So if you bear me a moment, you have not said a word about torture in Syria. Does it exist for you?

December 14th, 2011, 8:48 pm

 

Tara said:

The State Department official, Frederic Hof, told Congress on Wednesday that Assad’s repression may allow him to hang on to power but only for a short time. And, he urged the Syrian opposition to prepare for the day when it takes control of the state in order to prevent chaos and sectarian conflict.

“Our view is that this regime is the equivalent of dead man walking,” said Hof, the State Department’s pointman on Syria, which he said was turning into “Pyongyang in the Levant,” a reference to the North Korean capital. He said it was difficult to determine how much time Assad has left in power but stressed “I do not see this regime surviving.”
…..
In an apparent bid to promote defections, Hof warned Syrian troops and Assad’s top aides that Assad may be setting them up for possible war crimes or criminal charges by claiming in an interview with ABC News last week that the army was not his to command.

“It’s difficult to imagine a more craven disclaimer of responsibility,” Hof told members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. “Perhaps it is a rehearsal for the time when accountability will come.”

Assad’s claim “to see, hear and know nothing” is a message to Syrian soldiers and regime officials that “your president will place the blame for crimes committed squarely on you,” Hof said.
http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Latest-News-Wires/2011/1214/US-Assad-s-Syria-a-dead-man-walking

December 14th, 2011, 8:48 pm

 

Ghufran said:

قال سياسي سوري من الطائفة العلوية الثلاثاء ان اربعة من أقاربه أطلق عليهم الرصاص أو خطفوا في حوادث عنف طائفية تهدد بتقويض الانتفاضة المطالبة بالديمقراطية التي مضى عليها تسعة أشهر.

وفي شهادة نادرة يذكر فيها اسم صاحبها عن حوادث القتل الطائفية التي هزت مدينة حمص في وسط سوريا خلال الاسابيع القليلة الماضية قال محمد صالح ان الاربعة استهدفوا لانهم علويون من الطائفة التي ينتمي اليها الرئيس بشار الاسد.

وقال صالح ـ وهو سجين سياسي سابقاً ـ عبر الهاتف من حمص التي يسكنها مليون نسمة وتقع على بعد 140 كيلومترا الى الشمال من دمشق “عنف النظام ولد عنفاً مضاداً لكن الجريمة هي الجريمة ويجب ادانتها”.

وقال صالح الذي قضى 12 عاماً في السجن لمعارضته والد بشار الرئيس الراحل حافظ الاسد الذي ورث عنه بشار الحكم في عام 2000 “ذهبت الى السجن من أجل سوريا مدنية”.

وقال صالح ان رجالاً مسلحين من السنة قتلوا عيسى عبود وهو قريب له عمره 60 عاماً بينما كان يقوم بتحميل امتعته في شاحنة للهرب مع اقاربه من حي مدينة الشبابية في حمص.

وأصيب شاب كان يساعدهم في بطنه وهو في المستشفى. وخطف قريب ثالث كان حاضراً.

وقال صالح “انهم أقارب لي من طريق الزوجة. وقتل ايضاً سائق الشاحنة. وخطف ابن أختي شادي طمور في حادث منفصل في حمص اليوم”.

واضاف قوله “كنت بين مجموعة (من الاعيان) من مختلف الطوائف ذهبت لتسلم الجثث لكن الرجال المسلحين لم يسمحوا لنا بأخذها. ولم نتسلم الجثث الا بعد ان دخلت مركبات أمنية مدرعة الى المنطقة”.

ويقول سكان ان آلافاً من العائلات السنية هربت الى مدن اخرى او الى الاردن ولبنان خوف التعرض للقتل الطائفي بينما هرب آلاف العلويين الى منازل في الجبال في قرى في الغرب.

December 14th, 2011, 9:00 pm

 

Ghufran said:

من الآن فصاعدا  يبدو اننا سنكون أمام الحديث عن مبادرة عراقية لمعالجة الازمة السورية المستفحلة داخليا وعربيا  فقد اصبحت المبادرة  العربية وراءنا وكذلك البروتوكول واصبح بالامكان القول ان بغداد تتحضر لدور في الازمة السورية بين النظام والمعارضة من جهة  ومن جهة اخرى بين دمشق والعرب وكشفت مصادر عراقية موثوقة لصحيفة الاخبار أن رئيس الحكومة نوري المالكي، المنتظر عودته قريبا من واشنطن، يستعد لارسال وفد “من رئاسة الحكومة إلى دمشق في زيارة ستبقى بعيدة عن الاعلام، بهدف التفاهم مع الحكم هناك على محاور المبادرة التي سيطرحها العراق. وانه في حال حصول تفاهم على هذه المبادرة، سوف يرسل المالكي وزير خارجيته هوشيار زيباري في زياة علنية الى سوريا للاعلان عن المبادرة”.وحسب المصادر فأن المبادرة العراقية “تقوم على خمس خطوات متسلسلة زمنياً، تبدأ بقرار من جامعة الدول العربية بتجميد العقوبات التي فرضتها على سوريا يليها سحب السوريين للوجوه الأمنية، بمعنى الحل الأمني، من الواجهة. بعد ذلك، تعيد دمشق فتح باب الحوار الداخلي، يليه حوار سوري عربي برعاية عراقية، على أن تختتم هذه المراحل بحوار سوري داخلي شامل برعاية عربية”.وتؤكد المصادر نفسها أن هذه المبادرة تحظى بدعم من إيران، مشيرة إلى أن زيارة مصلحي إلى السعودية تأتي في هذا الإطار. وتتابع أن رئيس مجلس الشورى علي لاريجاني التقى في طهران أمس برئيس المجلس الأعلى الإسلامي السيد عمّار الحكيم وأكد له الدعم الإيراني للمبادرة العراقية.وفي المناسبة، يؤدي المجلس الأعلى دوراً بالغ الأهمية في سياق الأزمة السورية. وقد تبلّغ أخيرا، ومعه أكثر من طرف عراقي، من السفير الأميركي لدى بغداد جيمس جيفري أن الإدارة الأميركية بدأت تتكيف مع عجزها على “اسقاط ” الرئيس السوري بشار الأسد، وهي قررت أن تعمد في المرحلة المقبلة على “احتوائه”. وكانت رسالة مشابهة وصلت إلى المسؤولين السوريين مصدرها السفارة الأميركية في دمشق. وتتحدث أوساط عراقية قريبة من السفارة الأميركية عن قلق واشنطن من كثافة انتشار تنظيم “القاعدة” في سوريا

December 14th, 2011, 9:06 pm

 

Bill said:

A couple of months ago, the newly-elected President of Tunisia (Moncef al-Marzouki) debateي on a popular Aljazeera Arabic program الاتجاه المعاكس one of the Syrian regime’s propagandists (Taleb Ibrahim). He lectured the Syrian regime’s propagandist on tyranny, fear, and revolts. He told him that Arabs are no longer afraid, and the regime has lost control that it has lost the factor of fear. Regime violence in Syria was intended to re-establish the factor of fear in order to re-assert full control. NO WAY HOSE! Syrians would never be afraid again! They would never accept the legitimacy of Bashar!
Guess what? In a few weeks, the Syrian National Council will hold its conference in Tunis-the first liberated Arab capital. We should expect by then that Bashar’s ambassador would be kicked out (if he is still there), and Tunisia would recognize the SNC.
منصف المرزوقي الذي فند وعدد جرائم النظام الاسدي المجرم على برنامج الاتجاه المعاكس اصبح رئيسا لتونس. الحريه لسوريا ولفلسطين, والعار للذين يؤيدوا القمع الاسدي من ايران ومقتدي الصدر وحسن نصر الشيطان.

December 14th, 2011, 9:19 pm

 

N.Z. said:

NEWFOLDER,

Thanks.

You mean the “besho’s” interview, the supreme leader of Syria, addressing his imperialist masters in English, whilst his subjects are enduring all kinds of torture, humiliation and countless death.

The dead are piling up in Hama, Homs and Idlib, yet, the AL is silent after Netanyahu on November 24, 2011, blasted Israeli and world politicians who support the Arab Spring revolutions and accused the Arab world of “moving not forward, but backward.”

I want an explanation from all those who dare to defend Syria’s butcher.

The senseless killing of civilians must stop. Tanks, armoured men and vehicle are to defend Syria, not to kill Syrians.

December 14th, 2011, 9:39 pm

 

Tara said:

Bashar is not going to resign out of benevolence.  He will continue to kill Syrians every day.  He knows no redline.  In his eyes, there is no sanctity to be respected.  He shows no guilt and no remorse.  He saw, heard, and knew nothing.  He is content with himself and still convinced that people love him.  Syrians do not want foreign intervention but they need help to get rid of the regime.  The regime is unlikely to disintegrate from within as long as Iraq, Lebanon, and Jordan refuse to join the sanctions and as long as it gets unfettered support from Russia and China in the UNSC.  The FSA is the only hope to shorten the time to the fall of the regime.  They should be provided with material and logistic support to take down the regime.  They should not target the army and the security forces randomly.  They should target Shabeehas, the 4th brigade and the republican guards.   SNC should work on being the political leadership of the FSA.  SNC should consider changing it’s vision in regard to FSA to win it over.  It must help the FSA reaching it’s goal.  Having a “romantic” agenda is killing Syrians.  Low level armed resistance is killing Syrians and would threaten a civil war.  Intense armed resistance might be the only way out.    

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-us-has-options-to-help-end-the-carnage-in-syria/2011/12/13/gIQAIxkluO_story.html
Editorial Board Opinion
The U.S. has options to help end the carnage in Syria
By Editorial Board, Wednesday, December 14, 7:42 PM

If Western military action is off the table for now, it is time for the administration and its allies to consider other steps. While the administration rightly has urged the Syrian opposition to remain peaceful, if civil war is inevitable, it is in the United States’ interest for that war to end as quickly as possible with the defeat of Mr. Assad. Prolonged fighting could draw in neighbors and spread to Lebanon and Iraq; a victory by Mr. Assad would be a disaster for the region as well as for his people.

If it is not doing so already, the administration should be quietly working with Arab allies such as Qatar and Saudi Arabia, as well as with Turkey, to provide greater support to the opposition — including its armed components. The sooner Syrian commanders and the regime’s remaining supporters can be convinced that Mr. Assad cannot survive by force of arms, the more lives can be saved.

December 14th, 2011, 9:42 pm

 

Haytham Khoury said:

Dear N.Z.#844.

The whole AL initiative was to embarrass Russia and then refer the regime to the SC.
The Russians has dropped the Assad regime off. It is time to see some action.

فالروس أصبحوا مقتنعين أن نظام الأسد غير قابل للحياة، و لكنهم يؤخرون نهايته حتى يحصلون على تعهدات بأنه سوف يتم مراعاة مصالحهم و خصوصاً العسكرية من قبل الدول الغربية، لهذا هي عملياً تريد أن تشارك بأي وجود ذي طابعٍ عسكري في سوريا، و هي بعثت برسائل إلى الغرب – على حد قول الأدميرال فيكتور كرافتشينكو- مفادها “إن وجود قوى أخرى غير الناتو سيكون مفيداً للمنطقة لأنه يمنع إندلاع أي نزاع مسلح”، و لكننا لا نعرف ما هو رد الدول الغربية عليه، إذ منذ أن حصل التدخل الغربي في كوسفو في عام 1999 و الناتو إنفرادي النزعة في عملياته
http://haytham-khoury3.blogspot.com/

December 14th, 2011, 9:46 pm

 

N.Z. said:

#852 Ghufran,

Painful!

December 14th, 2011, 9:47 pm

 

N.Z. said:

Haitham Khoury,

Their non-involvement will have saved lives. These kind of explanations are no longer accepted.

December 14th, 2011, 9:59 pm

 

zoo said:

SNC opens its first office in Istanbul
December/15/2011
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/snc-opens-its-first–office-in-istanbul.aspx?pageID=238&nID=9214&NewsCatID=338
The Syrian National Council (SNC) has opened its first headquarters in Istanbul. “We are preparing for an official opening sometime next week,” said Halid Hoca, a high-ranking member of the SNC, to Hürriyet Daily News yesterday.

Paris-based SNC leader Burhan Galioun and other members of the executive committee are expected to attend the opening. The SNC, the biggest umbrella group of the Syrian dissidents, was established in Istanbul in September this year with a membership of over 260.

SNC members have been organizing meetings in different Turkish cities for the last six months. The Syrian National Council, the country’s largest and most representative opposition grouping, in November requested Turkey’s Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu to open an office in Istanbul.

The first headquarters of the office are located in an area close to the Atatürk Airport in Istanbul. Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad, who has been battling eight months of protests against his rule, faces street demonstrations, increased armed opposition, deepening international isolation and an economic crisis triggered by the unrest aggravated by economic sanctions. The United Nations says more than 4,000 people have been killed in the Syrian regime’s crackdown on democracy protests since mid-March.

December 14th, 2011, 10:54 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

It is apparant that Iraq Maliki supported by Iran can not mediate a deal, he does not qualify for mediation between The syrian and the regime,he himself must run away before Iraqi revolt against him.
We might as well have Bronco to mediate.or Ann or Mina.
It is not civil war,so far, it is a revolt by the Syrian against a brutal regime.
The FSA will increase in number,and weapons, and they can surprise us,
I do not understand Burhan Ghalioun speech today,Haytham can you explain it,why now?and what is the purpose of it,if there is secret do not say it here.

December 14th, 2011, 10:58 pm

 

Haytham Khoury said:

Dear N.Z.#859.

The non-action is not justified at all. The Russian had wrong perception about the Syrian problem, however their attitude changed with time. I documented all these changes. Finally, we were able to change their perception.

http://haytham-khoury3.blogspot.com/2011/10/blog-post_10.html
http://haytham-khoury3.blogspot.com/2011/11/blog-post_15.html
http://haytham-khoury3.blogspot.com/2011/12/blog-post.html

December 14th, 2011, 11:00 pm

 

Ghufran said:

I agree that the ruling elite must go but I do not see any immediate chance for a national unity transitional body that respects Syria’s diversity and assures doubters. Until regime supporters and undecided citizens are won no peaceful end to this bloody crisis will be found. The army in particular needs to be on board,and polarizing figures from all sides need to take a back seat for the sake of national unity, this includes all of Assad’s family and their top figures.

December 14th, 2011, 11:08 pm

 

irritated said:

839. newfolder

Ghalioun looks extremely tired and he sounds like making a goodbye speech. Is he leaving soon?

December 14th, 2011, 11:22 pm

 

Ya Mara Ghalba said:

In confession on Syrian State TV last night 14 dec 2011, a dissident says he used an AK-47 rifle to shoot at a police checkpoint in Homs and he received a small amount of money from an organizer for doing so. He also says that he and his associates abducted four women who were on a minibus on the street in Homs city, then drove the minibus to a rural area, then raped the women, then murdered the women, and buried their bodies on the farm where they were murdered. Four minutes of him confessing on Syrian State TV is at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4jSxraIbc0 . It is reported by SANA in English at http://www.sana.sy/eng/337/2011/12/14/388318.htm

As I write, the above video at youtube has had 177 views and 103 “Likes” or “Thumbs Up”. That’s a lot of thumbs up!!!

December 14th, 2011, 11:37 pm

 

Ya Mara Ghalba said:

14 Dec 2011. An Assistant Editor-in-Chief of Al-Ahram Newspaper, Mohamed El-Sayed, visited Daraa city and said “we thought that there will be killed and injured people in the streets and that there will be terrorists chasing us, but we saw nothing of that.” Source: http://www.sana.sy/eng/337/2011/12/14/388305.htm . He and his newspaper ought to be ashamed for having let themselves be so wrongly informed. They should be ashamed that they didn’t send Al-Ahram journalists to Syria before now, to find out for themselves what was really happening. They should be ashamed that they relied on the Western news agencies who were barred from being in Syria, whose sources were both unreliable and unverifiable, and who were barred for the good reason that they are profoundly bigoted against the Syrian Establishment. Al-Ahram is a disgrace in my eyes and ought to be a disgrace in their own eyes.

December 14th, 2011, 11:42 pm

 

jad said:

الانتفاضة تدخل شهرها العاشر مع “انحسار” في فعالياتها المدنية لصالح الأنشطة المسلحة

مراقبون يعتبرون قبول “المعارضة” السورية الوساطة العراقية دليلا على “الإفلاس واليأس” من إمكانية إسقاط النظام ، واستعدادا للتعايش معه لفترة قد تطول أكثر مما هو متوقع!؟

دمشق ، القاهرة ، بروكسل ـ الحقيقة ( خاص + رويترز + أ ف ب + يونايتد برس إنترناشيونال) : مع دخول الانتفاضة السورية اليوم شهرها العاشر ، يتضح أكثر من أي وقت مضى أن أنشطتها السلمية والمدنية بدأت بالانحسار على نحو واسع لصالح الأعمال المسلحة التي تندرج تحت عنوان”الجيش السوري الحر”. هذا في الوقت الذي بات هناك شبه إجماع ، أقلّه في الأروقة الديبلوماسية المغلقة، أن هذا “العنوان” اسم بلا مسمى ، أو بتعبير أدق: عنوان لكل من يريد حمل السلاح ضد السلطة بغض النظر عن الدوافع، حتى وإن كانت ” ثأرا” شخصيا لأحد المهربين من ضابط جمارك صادر مهرباته ، أو موظف فاسد طرد من عمله لهذا السبب ، كما يشير العديد من القصص والمرويات القادمة من حمص وريف دمشق وأماكن أخرى!

بالتوازي مع ذلك ، تؤكد الأرقام التي تعدها السفارات الأجنبية في تقاريرها الخاصة إلى بلدانها أن أعداد المتظاهرين السلميين فعلا لم تعد تسجل ، حتى في ذروة أيام الجمع ، سوى أرقام متواضعة لا تتجاوز 30 إلى أربعين ألفا في عموم أنحاء سوريا. ولعل هذا ، وفق تقديرات المراقبين ، ما جعل قطاعات واسعة تصاب باليأس من إمكانية إسقاط النظام بالطرق السلمية ، وأفرز ” عصابا جماعيا هستيريا” وجد متنفسا له في اللجوء إلى الإجرام السافر من خلال ارتكاب جرائم القتل الطائفي والاغتيال السياسي واستهداف شخصيات لا علاقة لها بالأأمور السياسية المباشرة ، كاغتيال العميد الركن المهندس غانم ابراهيم الحسن ، المحاضر في ” أكاديمية الأسد للهندسة الحربية” قبل يومين على طريق سراقب، وتفجير أنابيب الغاز ومصفاة حمص ، وصولا إلى حرق مصانع رجال الأعمال الذين يرفضون اتخاذ موقف مناهض للسلطة أو المشاركة في الإضرابات ، كما حصل مؤخرا مع ” آل علبي” في حلب ، الذين حرق مصنعان من مجموعتهم الصناعية خلال خمسة أيام ، قدرت الخسائر الأولية الناجمة عن حرقهما بأكثر من مليار ونصف المليار ليرة ( 30 مليون دولار)، فضلا عن القذف بألف وسبعمئة عامل من عمالهما إلى سوق البطالة ، أي تجريد ألف وسبعمئة عائلة من أي مصدر للدخل !

من دلالات هذا “اليأس” ، بحسب مراقبين، هو قبول المعارضة السورية وساطة الحكومة العراقية بينها وبين السلطة في سوريا ، فضلا عن تصريحات برهان غليون الأخيرة التي اعتبر فيها “المؤسسة العسكرية” محاورا محتملا وممكنا ، رغم أنه كان مع “المجلس الوطني” يكرر حتى الأمس القريب اللازمة المعروفة ” إسقاط النظام بكل رموزه ومؤسساته” ، كما لو أن المؤسسة العسكرية ليست من أبرز المرتكزات التي يقوم عليها النظام الآن، إن لم تكن أبرزها! ويربط هؤلاء المراقبون بين القبول بوساطة نوري المالكي وزيارة هذا الأخير إلى واشنطن . حيث يعتقد بعض هؤلاء أن الأمر لم يكن له أن يتم لولا حصول المالكي على مباركة واشطن. ويدعم هؤلاء وجهة نظرهم بتقرير أرسلته مؤخرا السفارة الأميركية في بغداد إلى واشنطن يؤكد على أن ” المئات من الأصوليين المرتبطين بالقاعدة في العراق وجدوا طريقهم إلى سوريا وأصبحوا ينشطون تحت راية الجيش السوري الحر ، الذي بات عنوانا لكل من يريد حمل السلاح”، وفق ما نقلته تقارير صحفية غربية قبل يومين.

هذا الوضع ، مضافا إليه ” البعبصة” السافرة والمستترة للسفارات الأجنبية والدول المجاورة ، لاسيما الدور الإجرامي التركي في مجال التسليح والتمويل، بات يثير المزيد من المخاوف من إمكانية تحول الانتفاضة إلى حرب أهلية سافرة ، بعدما أخذت مظاهر ” حرب أهلية مقنعة” في أكثر من بؤرة ، لاسيما حمص. هذا مع تكرار زعماء العرب والغرب عدم استعدادهم للتدخل عسكرياً لإسقاط الحكم السوري.

في هذا السياق، بدا أن بورصة المواقف السياسية تراوح مكانها بانتظار ما ستؤدي إليه اجتماعات العرب في القاهرة بعد غد السبت، وسط نفي الأمين العام للجامعة العربية نبيل العربي للتصريحات التصعيدية التي نقلت عنه. وآخر المطمئين إلى عدم وجود نيات عسكرية ضد سوريا، كان مسؤولو تركيا والحلف الأطلسي.

أما الجهود الكبيرة، فتبذل في هذه الأثناء لإقناع روسيا بالتخلي عن موقفها المدافع عن دمشق. كلام اعترفت به مفوضة الشؤون الخارجية والأمنية للاتحاد الأوروبي كاثرين آشتون، قائلةً إن الاتحاد سيحاول إقناع روسيا بالمشاركة في العقوبات على سوريا خلال قمة الاتحاد الأوروبي ـــــ روسيا التي تبدأ اليوم وتنتهي غداً في بروكسل. وقالت آشتون، أمام البرلمان الأوروبي في ستراسبورغ: «آمل أن يتحرك مجلس الأمن. على جميع اعضائه أن يتحمّلوا مسؤولياتهم؛ لأن الوضع ملحّ للغاية». في غضون ذلك، نفى العربي ما تناقلته بعض الصحف من أقوال منسوبة إليه عن توقعاته بأنّ «عقوبات الحظر الجوي على سوريا ستدخل حيز التنفيذ قريباً، وبأن النظام السوري في النهاية لن يستجيب للمبادرة العربية». وقال العربي: «أستغرب نقل مثل هذه التصريحات والأحاديث غير الدقيقة، في الوقت الذي لا تزال فيه الجهود والاتصالات جارية لتذليل العقبات التي تعترض مهمة بعثة جامعة الدول العربية إلى سوريا، وإنجاح الحل العربي».
أما الحكومة الأردنية، فقد حسمت عدم نيتها الاعتراف بـ«المجلس الوطني السوري» المعارض، فيما رجحت خفض رحلات الطيران مع الجانب السوري في سياق قرارات الجامعة العربية بفرض عقوبات على سوريا، على حد تعبير المتحدث باسم الحكومة الأردنية، راكان المجالي. وكانت السفارة الإيرانية في سوريا قد نفت قيامها بأي اتصال «مع المعارضة السورية»، وهو ما أوردته إحدى الصحف العربية أول من أمس. وجاء في بيان السفارة أن طهران «لا تنوي دعوة المعارضة السورية أو التشاور والحوار معها، وإذا اتُّخذ مثل هذا القرار، فإن ذلك سيكون بالتنسيق الكامل مع السلطات الرسمية السورية».
أما وزير الخارجية التركي أحمد داوود أوغلو، فقد جدد التأكيد أن بلاده لا تضع أي خطط لغزو سوريا، لا بمفردها ولا إلى جانب أي دولة أخرى، «كذلك فإننا لا نملك أي معلومات ولم نتلق أي طلب يشير إلى أن أية دولة لديها خطة مماثلة». وفي الإطار نفسه، رفض وزير الدفاع الإيطالي، القائد العسكري لحلف شماليّ الأطلسي، جامباولو دي باولا، المقارنة بين الوضعين السوري الراهن والليبي السابق، لافتاً إلى عدم وجود أي مؤشر من المجتمع الدولي يمهّد للتدخل العسكري في سوريا.
غير أن الولايات المتحدة حافظت على وتيرة التصعيد نفسها ضد دمشق، فقال فريدريك هوف، المنسق الخاص لشؤون الشرق الاوسط في وزارة الخارجية الاميركية في جلسة استماع في مجلس النواب، «نحن نرى ان هذا النظام السوري يساوي مجموعة من الاحياء الاموات». وأضاف «من الواضح ان نظام الاسد لن يبقى». لكنه تابع «من الصعب توقع المدة التي لا تزال امام» النظام السوري.

وفي إشارة ربما تكون الأكثر تعبيرا ودلالة على يأس الإدارة الأميركية واستعدادها للتعايش فترة طوية مع هذا النظام كما يتعايش المرء مع مرض مزمن لا براء منه ، قال هوف ” اذا تمكن الاسد من التشبث بالسلطة، فسيكون كمستبد يرأس بيونغ يانغ في بلاد المشرق تكبله العقوبات تماما مثل نظام كوريا الشمالية المعزول”!؟

December 14th, 2011, 11:43 pm

 
 

jad said:

Ghufran
These are the last lines of the article you put in #852:

“وفي الاسابيع القليلة الماضية تزايدت الروايات عن حوادث خطف أبناء الطائفتان السنية والعلويه حيث تقوم بها عصابات مسلحة في المدينة هدفهم جر البلد لفتنة طائفية على الرغم من ان شخصيات من العلويين والسنة تعقد اجتماعات سعياً الى وقف حوادث الخطف.

واضاف قوله انه قد يكون فات الاوان لحل سلمي للمسألة حيث ينتشر المسلحين في حمص بشكل كبير، وظاهرت التسلح في المدينة أتسعت ما يوحي ان البلد قادم على أنفجار خطير، بسبب هؤلاء المسلحين. وأضاف صالح “اني كنت اريد ان يذهب النظام منذ وقت طويل لكن الحلم شيء والواقع شيء آخر. واهم شيء الآن هو حقن الدماء” على حد وصفه”

December 14th, 2011, 11:50 pm

 

Ghufran said:

مواطن مندس

سيادة الدكتور بشار حافظ الاسد

في عندي كلمتين كان بدي ئلك ياهون من يوم ماعدلو الدستور كرمالك بعد وفاة القائد المناضل الرفيق والدك

انا ماكان بدي ياك تصير رئيس للاسباب التالية

– انك ابن حافظ الاسد, هلأ جماعة منحبك حسبوها الك مو عليك, ولهلأ مافهمت كيف محسوبة الك, يعني آخر حدا بالعالم ممكن يصلح نظام الوالد هوي حضرتك, بالاضافة لهيك بعتئد اسامي العيل بسوريا كتار لدرجة انو مو ضروري كتير تضل سوريا, سوريا الاسد ممكن سوريا الحسين او سوريا ابو فتحي مافي مشكلة بس شي جديد.

– انك ابن حافظ الاسد بس مو باسل ولا ماهر, يعني حتى هيك مو زابطة معك.

انو بين 22 مليون سوري جوا البلد ماضل شي دومري عمرو فوء ال40 سنة خرج يحكم البلد؟ لااستاذ جامعة ولا قاضي محكمة عليا ولا محامي ولا طبيب ولا حتى جنرال عسكري, حتى نعدل الدستور كرمالك؟ يعني لننزل 6 سنين من عمر رئيس اقدم دولة بالعالم بدك تكون مقدم سيرة ذاتية اخت اختها, و كما اثبتنا سلفاً موضوع ابن حافظ الاسد مرفوض. فبيضل عندك انك طبيب, بشارطك لو عملوا استفتاء بسوريا مين بيتطوع يصلح عيونو عندك حتى جماعة منحبك بتئلك مالون مصلحة

واهم شي بالموضوع انك ما اخدت لا رأيي ولا رأي حدا

وصرت رئيس والكل عارف انو مش حتزبط مع حافظ بشار حافظ الاسد كونها حتضل جمهورية واذا بدها تقلب ملكية بعثية فاكيد نسل ميشيل عفلق (ان ضل عندو نسل) اولى فيها.

طبعا مابدي احكي على رامي مخلوف و الخ لانو صارت الئصة مطروقة لمرحلة الكل مل منها.

و الكلمتين يللي بدي ئلك ياهون

انا مو طائفي ,  ماعندي مشكل يصير نزار نيوف رئيس جمهورية اذا قدملي برنامج اقتصادي عجبني

انا مو سلفي, لانو مابدئئ باية اجر بفوت عالحمام اعزك الله

انا مو مغرر بي, لانو السوري من يوم يومو احربئ خلئ الله و مابيمرء شي الا ماكان هو بدو يمرئو

بس انا مندس, و مابدي ياك.

December 15th, 2011, 12:29 am

 

jad said:

The criminal SNC members will never stop until they make Syria another Iraq, they have no plan and no real vision of what to do if the regime fall tonight, yet they keep calling for more violence and for the military intervention, ‘Occupying Syria’ is their only solution, they know nothing but bending over to any master….7aywanat.

Is the International Community Finally Getting Serious About Stopping Assad?
http://www.tnr.com/article/world/98574/syria-opposition-military-intervention

“Dr. Ghalioun’s mention of a “humanitarian corridor” referred explicitly to French Foreign Minister Alain Juppé’s recommendation, also made on November 24, that a convoy of aid and medicine be allowed into Syria with a U.N. mandate. Although Juppé quibbled with the semantics at first, when pressed by reporters he acknowledged that such a corridor could only be secured with “military capabilities.” To date, this represents the most overt call from a Western power for some kind of armed intervention in Syria. Juppé also pressed for more action when he praised the Arab League’s unprecedented suspension of Syria from its membership on November 12 as a position of “great clarity and firmness.” Mediation, he added, “has failed to stop the leadership of this bloody regime in Damascus and now the moment has arrived to help protect the Syrian people more.”

The Arab League, too, has left the door open for some form of military intervention. Simultaneous with its surprising announcement of Syria’s suspension, Arab League General-Secretary Nabil Al Arabi said in mid-November that the League would consider new measures to “protect Syrian civilians.” Although little reported in the Western press, Al Arabi also made explicit reference to the no-fly zone in Libya as “historic” and added that “[i]t is not wrong to go to the U.N. Security Council [for Syria]; it’s the only organization capable of imposing such measures.”

Another creeping advocate for intervention in Syria is Turkey, whose belated backing of regime change is motivated as much by national security concerns as it is by humanitarianism. The Assad regime has been outraged at Ankara’s support for Syrian dissidents, including its hosting of the SNC; recently, the hostility has escalated into outright enmity. Last month, pro-Assad loyalists in Syria stormed the Turkish embassy in Damascus and launched separate attacks on the Turkish consulates in the cities of Aleppo and Lattakia. On November 21, Syrian security forces fired on a bus convoy of Turkish hajj pilgrims en route back from Saudi Arabia that had taken a wrong turn into the city of Homs. In response, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan delivered a blistering televised speech comparing Assad to Hitler and Qaddafi and calling on him to step down immediately. Turkey also reaffirmed its right to impose a “buffer zone” inside Syria to safeguard civilians.

Finally, the United Nations, too, appears to be gearing up for a more robust approach to Syria after several attempts to secure a U.N. Security Council Resolution condemning Assad for violence and calling for an independent fact-finding mission failed, thanks to Russian and Chinese recalcitrance. Speaking in Geneva on December 2, the U.N. High Commissioner on Human Rights Navi Pillay told the Human Rights Council, “in light of the manifest failure of the Syrian authorities to protect their citizens, the international community needs to take urgent and effective measures to protect the Syrian people.” Pillay’s remarks follow the Council’s damning accusation that the Assad regime was guilty of crimes against humanity, as well as a U.N. General Assembly resolution passed on November 22 condemning Damascus for “grave and systematic human rights violations.” Co-sponsored, remarkably, by Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, Kuwait, and Morocco, the resolution was intended as a direct rebuttal to Russian and Chinese intransigence to pass a similar resolution at the U.N. Security Council.

Of course, it’s exceedingly unlikely that the Security Council, where Russia and China have veto power, will pass a resolution condoning the use of force against the Assad regime. But that kind of obstruction may only convince the growing anti-Assad coalition to bypass the Security Council altogether. There is, indeed, a precedent for gaining the U.N.’s backing for a military mission by means of a resolution passed by the General Assembly, where no single country has a veto: the so-called “Uniting for Peace” resolution (377 A), which was established and successfully used in 1950 to fight the Korean War after repeated Soviet obstructions in the Security Council. Nicknamed the “Acheson Plan” after then-Secretary of State Dean Acheson, the resolution allows for “collective measures” to halt hostilities, including the “use of armed force.” Though procedurally complicated, “Uniting for Peace” could be feasible in light of the earlier General Assembly resolution against the Assad regime.

What’s clear is that the status quo is not sustainable. As long as Syria continues to teeter on the brink of civil war or failed statehood, the demand for intervention is bound to increase. The only question is when the international community will muster the political will and the institutional creativity to put a stop to the carnage.”

December 15th, 2011, 12:29 am

 

jad said:

أنقذوا ثورتكم
بقلم: حسام عبد الله

بعد مرور تسعة أشهر على بداية الأزمة السورية نجد أننا كشعب سوري نجتر أنفسنا.

أستطيع أن أفهم في بداية الأزمة كل هذه النقاشات من الموالين لإقناع الناس بوجود العصابات المسلحة، أفهم في بداية الأزمة جهود الثوار لتبيان المجازر التي يرتكبها الأمن و”الشبيحة”، أفهم في بداية الأزمة جهود التيار الثالث لإظهار أن كلا الطرفين لا يرى إلا نصف الحقيقة. بل على العكس هذا واجب كل شخص مقتنع برأيه أن يظهره ولكن بعد أشهر وبعد كل ما جرى وكل ما قيل من كلام لم يعد هناك كلام.

ما كان يجاهد الموالون لإظهاره عن العصابات المسلح لم يعد يخجل من نفسه كعهده الأول بل صار جيشا حرا تلقفه الإعلام الغربي ليظهر أنه البديل للجيش السوري.

ما كان يجاهد الموالون لإظهاره عن المؤامرات والحرب الإعلامية لم يعد يخجل من نفسه أيضا فها هي المقاومة (ما يريده الغرب من سوريا) تعرض مجانا على بسطات الجرائد في واشنطن.

ما كان يجاهد المعارضون لإظهاره من جرم النظام ومطالبة الموالين بالاعتراف به، أصبح غالبية الموالين يعترفون به ويعتبرونه ضروريا لقمع المؤامرة (وليس الثورة).

ولا يزال هؤلاء المعارضون نفسهم يتنكرون لأي خطأ يقوم به الثوار بدعوى أنهم عفويون غاضبون ولم يتح لهم الوقت لتنظيم أنفسهم. وحتى وبعد أن نظموا أنفسهم في مجالس وهيئات لا زالوا ينكرون أخطاء هذه المجالس والهيئات على الرغم من جمعة المجلس الوطني يمثلني.

لم يعد للكلام نفع هناك سرقة علنية لحراك الشعب السوري من قبل أعداء الشعب السوري(أجد ضرورة هنا للتذكير بهؤلاء الأعداء وهم الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية وحلفائها من الأوربيين والعرب)، لماذا لا يدافع هذا الشعب الآن عن حراكه؟ كيف يسمح هذا الشعب بالمتاجرة بدمائه، أليست المتاجرة بالدماء سفك جديد لهذه الدماء؟

ان استطاعت هذه الثورة إسقاط هذا النظام (الذي تعترف بقوته) بمساعدة الدول الغربية، لماذا ستسمح لها هذه الدول بإنشاء نظام ديمقراطي لا يخدم مصالحها؟ وإذا وقفت في وجهها ما هو سبيلها لمحاربتها؟ أننتقل من ثورة على النظام إلى ثورة ضد حلفاء ثورتنا المجيدة؟

لا تقتصر الحرية على مفهمومها السياسي فالحرية حالة ثقافية واجتماعية، تكون حرا عندما تكون قادرا على تقبل حرية الآخرين واختلافهم معك.

أعتذر عن التذكير بهذه البديهيات لكن لا شيء في هذه الثورة يبشر بالحرية ببعديها الثقافي والاجتماعي، لم يعمل أي من المشاركين فيها على إذكاء هذه الروح. لم يأخذوا من مفهوم الحرية إلا الحرية السياسية ونسوا أن الحرية السياسية تعتمد على الاستقلال السياسي. الاستقلال السياسي الذي نسفوه من لحظة استعانتهم بالغرب واستقوائهم به.

أثبتت الفترة السابقة أن طريق الحرية السياسية أولا لن يجلب إلا الدمار لبلدنا. لماذا لا نبحث عن طرق بديلة؟

علينا أن نغير مفهومنا عن الثورة:

بدلا من ألا نخشى الاعتقال في الساحات العامة يجب ألا نخشاه ونحن نحارب الفساد في دوائرنا الحكومية.
بدلا من الموت بالرصاص في الساحات العامة طوبي للموت جوعا بعيدا عن الفساد.
بدلا من طلبنا للحرية يجب أن نمارسها وأن نعلمها لأبنائنا.
بدلا من رفضنا للذل بشعارات رنانة يجب أن نعلم رفضه لأبنائنا مهما كان الثمن.
هكذا فقط نسقط صقور النظام دون أن نسقط الدولة. هكذا فقط نصنع ثورة لا يغتصبها أحد.

هكذا فقط تصبح هذه الثورة ثورتنا وثورتكم. هكذا فقط تصبح هذه الثورة ثورة سوريا بحق.

نسمع عن نساء ينقذن شرفهن بالانتحار وليس المطلوب منكم الانتحار.

أنقذوا ثورتكم فالزمن لم يعد لمصلحتكم أو لمصلحتنا، هذا آخر نداء للعقل إن بقي هناك من يسمع.

وصلنا نقطة الحسم ولم يعد هناك خيار لا القانون يحمي المغفلين ولا التاريخ (أيا كان المنتصر في هذا النزاع) يرحمهم، كلنا مجروحون ومتألمون لألم هذا الوطن، كلنا يعتقد أنه المظلوم والحقيقة أن وطننا هو المظلوم.

اقطعوا يد المسلحين، وكموا أفواه المتاجرين بدمائكم.

أنقذوا ثورتكم ووطننا فمن واجب الجيش أن يوقف سيل الدماء هذا، كونوا عونا له بدلا من أن تكونوا عليه.

يا ثوار سوريا أنقذوا ثورتكم لتثبتوا أنكم سوريون، لأنه من حق النظام ومن حق مواليه ومن حق الأغلبية الصامتة محاربة حليف عدوهم الأمريكي وأنتم الآن حلفاء هذا العدو إن كنتم لا تعلمون.

http://kharej-alserb.com/archives/4834/

December 15th, 2011, 12:35 am

 

jad said:

مخاطر التدخل العسكري في سوريا

الجمل: نشر الموقع الالكتروني الخاص بمركز الدراسات الاستراتيجية والدولية الأمريكي مساء الأمس الثلاثاء 13 كانون الأول (ديسمبر) 2011م ورقة عمل حملت عنوان “الاضطراب في سوريا: تخمين مخاطر التدخل العسكري”، وقد أعد ورقة العمل الخبير آرام نيرقويزيان، تحت إشراف الخبير أنطوني كورديسمان الحائز على كرسي أورليه بوركه في الاستراتيجية: فما هو منظور الورقة للوضع السوري، وما هي معطيات تخمين المخاطر التدخلية التي تحدثت عنها الورقة؟

* توصيف الورقة: المعطيات الشكلية
جاءت ورقة مركز الدراسات الاستراتيجيةو حول سوريا في حوالي 35 صفحة، وسعت إلى التعامل تحليلياً مع أوضاع الملف السوري، ضمن ثلاثة مفاصل، هي:
• تخمين القدرات الدفاعية السورية: استعرض هذا المفصل القدرات الدفاعية الجوية ـ قدرات الحرب الالكترونية ـ قدرات القوة الجوية ـ القدرات الصاروخية ـ قدرات الدفاعات المضادة للسفن.
• أوراق التدخل الجامحة: استعرض هذا المفصل ما أسماه بالكروت والأوراق التدخلية الجامحة التي يصعب فهمها أو السيطرة عليها، ومن أبرزها: التأكيد على أن سوريا ليست ليبيا ـ الورقة السكانية ـ ورقة الجيش السوري ـ ورقة المنشقين تحت اسم الجيش الحر ـ ورقة مخاطر الاضطراب والحرب الأهلية ـ ورقة إيران ـ ورقة حزب الله ـ ورقة روسيا ـ ورقة رد الفعل السوري إزاء الضغوط والتدخل ـ ورقة التداعيات وتأثيراتها.
• تخمين التأثيرات على سياسة الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية وحلفائها: استعرضت التأثيرات التي يمكن أن تتعرض لها سياسة الولايات المتحدة وحلفاءها التدخلية إزاء سوريا.
هذا، وقد سعت الورقة التحليلية لجهة استخدام استعراض المعلومات، والتحليل المصحوب بالرسوم البيانية والإحصاءات.

* الملخص التنفيذي: النقاط الأساسية موضوع التحليل
وصفت الورقة استقرار سوريا ودوره في سياسات الأمن الإقليمي، بأنه أصبح منذ مطلع عام 2011م الحالي يتميز باللايقين، وأضافت الورقة بأن معاناة اضطرابات التسعة أشهر الماضية قد لعبت دوراً في ذلك. وفي هذا الخصوص أشارت الورقة إلى العوامل الداخلية، وذلك على النحو الآتي:
• انعدام التماسك السياسي في أوساط قوى المعارضة.
• انعدام وحدة الهدف في أوساط قوى المعارضة.
• تزايد الاضطرابات المسلحة في المناطق الريفية والقرى الصغيرة وأيضاً المدن الصغيرة.
• عدم اكتمال عملية الحسم الكامل للاضطرابات.
وإضافة لذلك، أشارت الورقة إلى العوامل الخارجية، وذلك على النحو الآتي:
• قيام الولايات المتحدة وبلدان الاتحاد الأوروبي بفرض المزيد من العقوبات من طرف واحد ضد دمشق.
• قيام أطراف مثلث واشنطن ـ باريس ـ لندن بالمزيد من محاولات تدويل ملف سوريا بواسطة مجلس الأمن الدولي.
• زيادة التصعيدات والمطالبات الساعية لاستهداف النظام في دمشق.
• انخراط تركيا في فعاليات استهداف دمشق.
• انخراط دول مجلس التعاون الخليجي الستة (السعودية ـ الكويت ـ قطر ـ البحرين ـ الإمارات ـ سلطنة عمان) في فعاليات استهداف دمشق.
• انخراط جامعة الدول العربية في فعاليات استهداف دمشق.
خلص الملخص التنفيذي إلى أن تطورات الأحداث والوقائع الخارجية والداخلية المتعلقة بالملف السوري، قد أدت إلى عملية اصطفاف داخلية وخارجية إقليمية ـ دولية تضمنت خارطتها الملامح الآتية:
• على المستوى الداخلي، تشكلت المعارضة الاحتجاجية في بعض الشرائح الاجتماعية ذات التوجهات الدينية السلفية، ووجدت دعم الدول العربية الخليجية السنية، إضافة إلى دعم تركيا و الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية ودول الاتحاد الأوروبي.
• على المستوى الخارجي ـ الإقليمي: تشكلت كتلة إقليمية معادية لدمشق، ضمت تركيا، ودول مجلس التعاون الخليجي الست إضافة إلى ليبيا وتونس والمغرب والأردن، والسلطة الفلسطينية.
• على المستوى الخارجي ـ الدولي: تشكلت كتلة دولية معادية لدمشق، ضمت الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية، وفرنسا وبريطانيا وكندا واستراليا.
هذا، ومقابلاً لهذه الاصطفافات، برزت اصطفافات على الجانب الآخر، تمثلت في الآتي:
• على المستوى الداخلي: تتمتع دمشق بمساندة كتل مجتمعية أكثر تماسكاً وأكبر حجماً من تلك التي للمعارضة، إضافة إلى التمتع بمساندة المؤسسة العسكرية، وكتلة القوام المؤسساتي المدني، إضافة إلى مساندة الكتل الحضرية السكانية الرئيسية المتمثلة في مدن دمشق العاصمة، حلب ثاني أكبر مدينة، إضافة إلى اللاذقية، طرطوس، الرقة والسويداء.
• على المستوى الخارجي ـ الإقليمي: تتمتع دمشق بمساندة حزب الله اللبناني، وبعض الأطراف التركية المعارضة لحكومة حزب العدالة والتنمية التركي.
• على المستوى الخارجي ـ الدولي: تتمتع دمشق بمساندة روسيا والصين و الهند والبرازيل والأرجنتين وفنزويلا، إضافة إلى بقية دول العالم المناهضة لواشنطن.
على أساس هذه الاصطفافات، أشارت الورقة إلى أن الاستقطاب والضغوط الجارية، أسفرت عن الآتي:
• ضمن مسار المعارضة السورية، تبلور تياران، أحدهما داعم للتدخل الأجنبي الخارجي العسكري ضد سوريا، والثاني رافض بشدة لهذا التدخل.
• ضمن مسار القوى الخارجية، تبلور تياران، أحدهما يرفض التدخل، والآخر يسعى إلى التدخل.
هذا، وضمن المسار الداعم للتدخل العسكري الأجنبي الخارجي ضد سوريا، لاحظت الورقة النقاط الآتية:
• سعت واشنطن ودول حلف الناتو (فرنسا ـ بريطانيا ـ تركيا، وغيرها) لجهة التدقيق الفاحص إزاء كيفية القيام بعمل عسكري ضد سوريا، وذلك على أساس بناء حملة الذرائع المطالبة بضرورة “إقامة ممر إنساني” و”منطقة عازلة لحماية المدنيين”.
• قيام واشنطن ودول حلف الناتو بأي عمل عسكري ضد سوريا، سوف يتضمن تنفيذ المخططات العسكرية الآتية: تدمير قدرات الدفاع الجوي السورية ـ تدمير قدرات القوات الجوية السورية ـ تدمير قدرات الردع السورية وتحديداً القدرات الصاروخية ـ تأمين مرتفعات الجولان من أي احتمالات لقيام الجيش السوري بمحاولة السيطرة عليها ـ تدمير مخزونات الأسلحة والعتاد السورية ـ تدمير شبكات القيادة والسيطرة، بما يؤدي إلى إصابة دمشق بالعجز والشلل التام.
علقت الورقة على ذلك قائلة بأن إنفاذ مثل هذا المخطط، يشير من جهة إلى تعزيز وجهة النظر الأمريكية ـ الأوروبية الغربية التي تبرر ذلك على أساس اعتبارات أنه سوف يتيح تغيير موازين القوى في الشرق الأوسط لصالح الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية وحلفاءها الأوروبيين (فرنسا وبريطانيا) إضافة إلى دعم حلفاء أمريكا الشرق أوسطيين (دول مجلس التعاون الخليجي والنظام الملكي الأردني، وتركيا). ولكن في نفس الوقت توجد وجهة نظر أخرى تقول بأنه حتى إذا تحققت هذه الأهداف، فإن الغرض الأساسي لن يتحقق، لأن الصدام سوف لن يكون بين دمشق والقوى الأجنبية المتدخلة، وإنما سوف يكون بين هذه القوى والقوى الداخلية الداعمة لدمشق، وللتدليل على ذلك، تشير وجهة النظر هذه إلى أن ما حدث في ليبيا سوف لن يحدث في سوريا.
سعت الورقة إلى توضيح الفرق بين سوريا وليبيا، وذلك على أساس المعطيات الآتية:
• ليبيا دولة ذات مساحة كبيرة ولكنها عبارة عن كتلة صحراوية مع شريط ساحلي ضيق بينما جغرافية سوريا تختلف بشكل واضح عن ذلك.
• تتميز ليبيا بوجود كتلة سكانية صغيرة الحجم تتركز في المدن الساحلية، بينما تتميز سوريا بكتل سكانية أكبر وتتوزع ضمن مختلف المناطق السورية.
• تتميز ليبيا بوجود ثقافة اجتماعية يغلب عليها الطابع الإسلامي السني البدوي الصرف، وفي سوريا، توجد العديد من المكونات المذهبية والطائفية إضافة إلى اتساع حجم المكونات الحضرية المدنية.
• سكان ليبيا يشكلون كتلة منعزلة عن سكان دول الجوار الليبي، وبالنسبة لسوريا يترابط السكان مع سكان دول الجوار الإقليمي.
وإضافة لذلك، أشارت الورقة إلى وجود خلافات نوعية بين الحدث الاحتجاجي الليبي، والحدث الاحتجاجي السوري، ومن ذلك على سبيل المثال لا الحصر، أشارت الورقة إلى أن المعارضة الليبية نجحت بالاعتماد على قدراتها الذاتية خلال الأسابيع الأولى من السيطرة على كامل منطقة بنغازي الشمالية الشرقية، وذلك ضمن مساحة تعادل حوالي 30% من إجمالي رقعة ليبيا، وحالياً، وبرغم مرور تسعة أشهر، فإن المعارضة السورية ما زالت عاجزة عن إنجاز السيطرة الكاملة على أي بقعة صغيرة من أراضي سوريا.
خلصت الورقة إلى أن تطورات ملف الحدث الاحتجاجي السوري، سوف تظل لفترة طويلة قادمة تتسم بـ(اللايقين)، وإضافة إلى ذلك، فإن ظهور هذا الحدث الاحتجاجي هو أمر يشكل بحد ذاته تحدياً حرجاً بالنسبة لإيران وحزب الله اللبناني وبقية خصوم أمريكا في المنطقة، وإضافة إلى ذلك طالبت الورقة الولايات المتحدة وحلفاءها بضرورة النظر باعتبار كبير واهتمام مكثف للحقيقة القائلة بأن التدخل العسكري في سوريا سوف تترتب عليه خسائر جسيمة، طالما أن سوريا ليست ليبيا، إضافة إلى أن الأمر سوف لن يتعلق فقط بدمشق وحدها، وإنما بالحلقات الخطرة المرتبطة بدمشق، ومنها على سبيل المثال لا الحصر حزب الله اللبناني!

الجمل ـ قسم الدراسات والترجمة
http://www.aljaml.com/node/78938

December 15th, 2011, 12:42 am

 

ann said:

In unsettling times, Syria’s Christians walk a tightrope – Thursday, December 15th, 2011

http://updatednews.ca/2011/12/15/in-unsettling-times-syrias-christians-walk-a-tightrope/

It was an unusual religious service in so many ways. On Tuesday night, Syrian state television broadcast a so-called Christmas service in a Damascus Catholic church – except it was nearly two weeks before Syria’s Catholics celebrate Christmas.

But that was just one anomaly. Even more surprising was the heavyweight gathering of senior Syrian Catholic religious leaders – respected figures who lead services for a diverse congregation that includes Melkites, Maronites and Chaldeans – but rarely do it together, except for very solemn occasions.

Tuesday night’s service was led by Patriarch Gregory III Laham, leader of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church, and it was concelebrated with around a dozen other senior religious figures.

The kicker though came shortly after the service, which was identified in Arabic by the state TV as “prayers for Christmas and for peace in the country”. That’s when the state broadcaster interviewed the gathered spiritual leaders about their views on peace and political reform – inside the church.

To a man – and they were all men – the religious leaders spoke about their hopes for a return to peace. Some of them said they supported the reform process and claimed many of their followers voted in Monday’s municipal elections.

In Syria today, the rhetoric of reform is minefield territory. Since the uprising against his regime began in March, embattled Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has made several gestures of reform – including Monday’s municipal elections.

But the Syrian opposition wants nothing less than the regime’s downfall, with opposition groups boycotting Monday’s polls and activists inside the country saying voter turnout was low. Foreign journalists are either barred from entering Syria or tightly controlled inside the Baathist-ruled country, making it difficult to accurately gauge turnout figures.

All quiet on the Christian front

“Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s” is the most widely quoted biblical dictum establishing the separation of church and state. But in Syria these days, there’s a battle for the hearts and minds – if not the souls – of the country’s estimated 2.5 million Christians.

Since the Syrian uprising broke out, the UN estimates that more than 5,000 people have been killed in brutal security crackdowns that have nevertheless failed to deter protesters from taking to the streets in numerous Syrian cities and towns such as Deraa, Homs, Hama and parts of the capital Damascus.

But most of the predominantly Christian areas – including villages and urban neighbourhoods – have been noticeably calm, according to reports from inside the country.

Syria is a predominantly Sunni Muslim country that has been ruled for 40 years by the Alawite Assad family. Political domination by the minority Alawite sect has fuelled seething resentments with widespread fears that the current unrest could exacerbate sectarian tensions, which could spiral into civil war.

Corralling and manipulating minority fears

But while the discourse has focused on the majority Sunnis and the politically dominant Alawites, Syria’s diverse religious minorities have often been overlooked. The country’s 22-million-strong population includes minority sects such as the Druze and Yezidis as well as a small Jewish community.

Christians comprise approximately 10 percent of the population and have had a presence in this ancient land since the Apostle Paul is believed to have made his flight to Damascus around 2,000 years ago.

Under the current president – and his father, Hafez al-Assad – Syria’s Christians have been protected and allowed to freely practice their faith. Christians have also fared fairly well in Syria, with many Christians holding senior positions in government and the private sector.

Many experts believe Assad has been adept at playing up minority fears that the only alternative to his rule are Sunni Islamists, particularly the powerful Muslim Brotherhood.

For many Syrians – Christians and non-Christians, inside and outside Syria – Tuesday’s display of Christian religious leaders on state TV is a manifestation of the regime corralling and manipulating minority fears to appear as support for Assad.

“Of course Assad is using the power of fear to manipulate the Christians. He is directing these bishops and patriarchs to say what suits him,” says Pascal Gollnisch, a Catholic priest and director of l’Oeuvre d’Orient, a Paris-based organisation that aims to protect Christians in the East – primarily the Middle East – which functions under the Archdiocese of Paris.

Fearing ‘the Iraq syndrome’

It’s difficult to gauge the level of Christian support for the regime or the opposition. There have been reports of some Syrian Christians who have joined opposition demonstrations. Among experts, opinion is divided over whether the Christians are merely hedging their bets in these terrifying times or whether they actively support Assad and the security his regime grants their communities.

At least two senior Christian religious leaders have publicly voiced their support for Assad. In an interview with the German weekly Der Spiegel last month, Gregorios Elias Tabé, the Syrian Catholic archbishop of Damascus, called Assad “a very cultured man,” and dismissed the demonstrators as nothing but terrorists.

In September, Bishara Boutros al-Rai, the Lebanon-based patriarch of the Maronite Church – who is the leader of the Maronites in Lebanon and Syria – sparked controversy when he called on his community to give Assad’s proposed reforms a chance.

Responding to criticism from across Lebanon – a country that has been under Syrian hegemony for nearly 30 years – al-Rai responded, “We endured the rule of the Syrian regime. I have not forgotten that. We do not stand by the regime, but we fear the transition that could follow.”

Syria’s Christians need only look at Iraq and Egypt to draw disturbing lessons of what the fall of a dictator – no matter how brutal – could spell for the region’s minority Christians.

Egypt’s Coptic Christians fear that the first free election after the fall of former President Hosni Mubarak could see the rise of the Muslim Brotherhood or the more hardline Salafist groups.

Iraq’s ancient Christian community has dwindled since the fall of Saddam Hussein, another tyrant who nevertheless protected minority rights in his country.

It’s a prospect Gollnisch calls “the Iraq syndrome” and it’s one he hopes the Christians of Syria will avoid.

“Christians, like all minorities in the country, are vulnerable and fear a collapse of the security structures of the state,” said Gollnisch.

But Gollnisch believes that Syria’s Christians could also make ideal arbiters in what he calls the “age-old conflict” between Sunnis and Shiites, such as the Alawites.

“The army is dominated by the Alawites close to the Assad regime and the intellectuals in Syria are not as powerful. They could play the role of mediators in the country,” said Gollnisch referring to the Christian community.

But even if they were to take on the challenge, Syria’s Christians know that the path to peace is strewn with obstacles.

December 15th, 2011, 1:16 am

 

ann said:

Senior Shia Cleric Advises Turkey Against Stoking Flames of Syria Crisis

Grand Ayatollah Nasser Makarem Shirazi advised Turkish officials on Wednesday not to fan embers of the Syria crisis. Makarem Shirazi said that the unrest engulfing Syria “is a conspiracy devised by the United States, Israel, and one of the Arab countries, and Turkey is feeding the flames of the crisis.” “Turkish officials stood in anti-Zionist line for a while to gain popularity, but this popularity will turn into disrepute, why do they not understand?”

http://abna.ir/data.asp?lang=3&id=284128

Iranian Senior Shia scholar slammed the agents behind Syria unrest criticizing some Turkish officials for aiding the evil triangle of US, Israel and the Arab countries.

Grand Ayatollah Nasser Makarem Shirazi, senior cleric and professor at Qom Seminary rebuked the evil triangle of US, Israel and an Arab country for plotting against Syria and criticized Turkey for aiding them and worsening the situation.

He referred to the present situation in Syria and said,” We do not claim that Syria has no problems” and added that the problems have to be solved so that the people feel the democracy.

He condemned the countries that aggravate the unrest in Syria saying, “The evil triangle of US, Israel and an Arab country have united and started their plot in Syria while some Turkish officials aid to fan the flames of the trouble.”

“For some time they have been in league with the Zionist regime and are also popular in Islamic countries and now they are giving a helping hand to Israel and the US to realize their ominous plans,” he said.

Top jurisprudent warned against the victory of the so-called “evil triangle” and said, “Once they achieve their goals, many things will change; hence any disunity among us has to be avoided.”

December 15th, 2011, 1:55 am

 

Mina said:

Turkey should learn: the Arab “spring” is about kingdoms, not about a caliphate!

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/ML15Ak04.html

Did Pentagon help strangle the Arab Spring?
By Nick Turse

As the Arab Spring blossomed and President Barack Obama hesitated about whether to speak out in favor of protesters seeking democratic change in the Greater Middle East, the Pentagon acted decisively. It forged ever deeper ties with some of the most repressive regimes in the region, building up military bases and brokering weapons sales and transfers to despots from Bahrain to Yemen.

As state security forces across the region cracked down on democratic dissent, the Pentagon also repeatedly dispatched American troops on training missions to allied militaries there. During more than 40 such operations with names like Eager Lion and Friendship Two that sometimes lasted for weeks or months at a time, they taught Middle Eastern security forces the finer points

of counter-insurgency, small unit tactics, intelligence gathering, and information operations skills crucial to defeating popular uprisings.

These recurrent joint-training exercises, seldom reported in the media and rarely mentioned outside the military, constitute the core of an elaborate, longstanding system that binds the Pentagon to the militaries of repressive regimes across the Middle East. Although the Pentagon shrouds these exercises in secrecy, refusing to answer basic questions about their scale, scope, or cost, an investigation by TomDispatch reveals the outlines of a region-wide training program whose ambitions are large and wholly at odds with Washington’s professed aims of supporting democratic reforms in the Greater Middle East.

Lions, Marines, and Moroccans – Oh My!
On May 19, Obama finally addressed the Arab Spring in earnest. He was unambiguous about standing with the protesters and against repressive governments, asserting that “America’s interests are not hostile to people’s hopes; they’re essential to them”.

Four days earlier, the very demonstrators the president sided with had marched in Temara, Morocco. They were heading for a facility suspected of housing a secret government interrogation facility to press for political reforms. It was then that the kingdom’s security forces attacked.

“I was in a group of about 11 protesters, pursued by police in their cars,” Oussama el-Khlifi, a 23-year-old protester from the capital, Rabat, told Human Rights Watch (HRW). “They forced me to say, ‘Long live the king’, and they hit me on my shoulder. When I didn’t fall, they clubbed me on the head and I lost consciousness. When I regained consciousness, I found myself at the hospital, with a broken nose and an injured shoulder.”

About a five-hour drive south, another gathering was taking place under far more hospitable circumstances. In the seaside city of Agadir, a ceremony marking a transfer of military command was underway. “We’re here to support … bilateral engagement with one of our most important allies in the region,” said Colonel John Caldwell of the US Marine Corps at a gathering to mark the beginning of the second phase of African Lion, an annual joint-training exercise with Morocco’s armed forces.

United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), the Pentagon’s regional military headquarters that oversees operations in Africa, has planned 13 such major joint-training exercises in 2011 alone from Uganda to South Africa, Senegal to Ghana, including African Lion. Most US training missions in the Greater Middle East are, however, carried out by Central Command (CENTCOM), which oversees wars and other military activities in 20 countries in the Greater Middle East.

“Annually, USCENTCOM executes more than 40 exercises with a wide range of partner nations in the region,” a military spokesman told TomDispatch. “Due to host-nation sensitivities, USCENTCOM does not discuss the nature of many of our exercises outside our bilateral relationships.”

Of the dozens of joint-training exercises it sponsored these last years, CENTCOM would only acknowledge two by name: Leading Edge, a 30-nation exercise focused on counter-proliferation last held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in late 2010; and Eager Resolve, an annual exercise to simulate a coordinated response to a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, or high yield explosive attack, involving the member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council – Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

However, military documents, open-source reports, and other data analyzed by TomDispatch offer a window into the training relationships that CENTCOM refused to acknowledge. While details of these missions remain sparse at best, the results are clear: during 2011, US troops regularly partnered with and trained the security forces of numerous regimes that were actively beating back democratic protests and stifling dissent within their borders.

Getting friendly with the kingdom
In January, for example, the government of Saudi Arabia curtailed what little freedom of expression existed in the kingdom by instituting severe new restrictions regarding online news and commentary by its citizens. That same month, Saudi authorities launched a crackdown on peaceful demonstrators. Shortly afterward, six Saudi men sought government recognition for the country’s first political party whose professed aims, according to Human Rights Watch, included “greater democracy and protection for human rights”. They were promptly arrested.

On February 19, just three days after those arrests, US and Saudi forces launched Friendship Two, a training exercise in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. For the next 10 days, 4,100 American and Saudi troops practiced combat maneuvers and counter-insurgency tactics under an unrelenting desert sun.
(…)

December 15th, 2011, 2:51 am

 

Tara said:

Commanders who ordered the killing will be named by the HRW.  They should be a fair target for ?assignation by the FSA or persecution later. Naming them should give a long pause to other army officers and encourage more defection.  Time for coup?   

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/dec/15/syrian-commanders-named-shamed?newsfeed=true

Syrian commanders to be named and shamed by human rights group
Human Rights Watch calls for referral to the international criminal court for abuses such as ‘shoot to kill’ orders

guardian.co.uk, Thursday 15 December 2011 02.00 EST

December 15th, 2011, 3:20 am

 

Mina said:

Another UN-success story! It’s your tax-payers money, folks. At least the Yemeni protesters are not so naive…
The Kenya “incursion” in Somalia started when all the eyes were watching, well, guess where. And please don’t ask about South Sudan’s president visit to Israel in the coming weeks.

UN-backed invasion of Somalia spirals into chaos

In a rare dispatch from the badlands of Southern Somalia, Daniel Howden sees how Kenya’s war has made things worse

The famine camps with their domed shelters made of rags and sticks are now surrounded by fields of green. The survivors sit among the clouds of flies and mosquitoes watching the planting season pass them by, living on handouts. The drought in southern Somalia is over but no one is going home.

People who have endured civil war, oppression under a brutal religious sect and starvation now find themselves caught between the lines of a border conflict that is entering a new and dangerous phase.

Kenya’s invasion of Somalia, hailed by the West and the UN Security Council, was meant to deliver a knockout blow to the militant Islamist group al-Shabaab. Instead it has pulled Somalia’s regional rival Ethiopia back into the country, stirred up the warlords and rekindled popular support for fundamentalists whose willingness to let Somalis starve rather than receive foreign aid had left them widely hated.
(…)
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/unbacked-invasion-of-somalia-spirals-into-chaos-6276959.html

December 15th, 2011, 3:20 am

 

VOLK said:

Iran’s Minister of Road and Urban Development Ali Nikzad has announced the country’s willingness to help fulfill the economic needs of Syria amid the US-led Western economic pressure on Damascus.
At the conclusion of the ninth session of Iran-Syria Follow-up Commission for Economic Cooperation in the Syrian capital Damascus on Wednesday, Nikzad described Syria as “the pillar of anti-US and anti-Israel resistance in the region.”
“The enemy is not capable of materializing its objectives in Syria. The Syrians will successfully survive this ordeal; however the West continues its economic pressure on Syria. Therefore we came to say that we will stand up for Syria,” IRNA quoted him as saying.
The Iranian and Syrian delegations concluded the two-day economic session by signing two minutes on mutual cooperation in commerce, investment, banking, customs, agriculture, tourism, hygiene, electricity, oil, gas and industrial projects as well as rail, land, aerial and marine transportation.
The two sides also formed a high cooperation committee to help boost the volume of bilateral trade.
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/215811.html

December 15th, 2011, 5:21 am

 

Ya Mara Ghalba said:

Published 13 dec 2011. Question put to Bashar recently by a foreign journalist: “Spokesmen for the Syrian opposition claim that the Syrian authorities supposedly contribute to the country’s conflict because they refuse to legalize the Muslim Brotherhood. You announced the start of serious political reforms. You also said that you would hold the national elections. Does the Brotherhood have a chance to win legitimacy and get into the parliament?”
Answer by Bashar: “In accordance with acting Constitution, Syria is a secular state. Therefore, no movement that acts under religious slogans and aims to split the Syrian society can hope for it [it = legalization]. This goes for the Muslim Brotherhood too. This organization can not be legalized judging upon their ideology. It does not mean, though, that we cut those people from the opportunity to participate in the peaceful life of the country. We offer them to establish their own political party which would be based on secular principles so that the party could struggle for the seats in the parliament.”

Question: “What can you say about the gunmen that operate on the Syrian territory?”
Answer by Bashar: “Those who conduct the armed struggle can be divided into three categories. The first one of them is a small group of al-Qaeda network, which does not have any influence among the Syrians. The second one is the Muslim Brotherhood, which is also a small group, although they have a serious influence among the radicals. The majority of the radical opposition [meaning armed rebels] are the people who do not hold the membership in such organizations.”

http://english.pravda.ru/hotspots/conflicts/13-12-2011/119945-bashar_assad-0/

December 15th, 2011, 5:51 am

 
 

Revlon said:

This lady and her family described her first encounter with a an army search team:
– They were 15 soldiers, including heir commanding officer.
– They moved around the house while pointing their guns at us; me, my husband an older man and his mkother, and children.
– They messed up the house with mud, including bed-sheets. We were luckier than other families who saw their stock of rice, sugar, lentles and salt mixed together; their electrical appliances smashed, and blankets burned.
– They interrogated my child asking him whether we were visited by armed men. My child answered that they were the only people he saw with guns and the only people that pointed guns at them.
– In my eyes, there is no difference in the treatment of civilians between this “ramshckle” Syrian army and the israeli army.
– The Free Syrian Army who defended my neighbours yesterday and prevented the Shabbeeha from abducting their daughter is the army that represent me!

Jiobran Syrian
Bint Homs
15/12/2011
http://www.facebook.com/TheSyrianNationalCouncil

جيش ابو شحاطة جاء للتفتيش في منزلي 15 عنصر مع ضابط دخلو الى منزلي كانو يتنقلون بين ارجاء المنزل ويوجهون الاسلحة باتجاهنا مع العلم لا يوجد سوى زوجي رجل راشد البقية اطفال وانا ووالدة زوجي استباحو ا كل شيء لا بغية التفتيش ولكن بغية الانتقام فالاماكن التي يجب ان يتم التفتيش فيها لم يقتربو امنها لحسن حظنا لم يفعلوا ببيتنا مافعل ببيوت بعض احياء حمص من تخريب ففي بعض البيوت تم تكسير الادوات الكهربائية وتمزيق الالبسة في هذا البرد القارس هناك من مزقو لهم البستهم عائلات كاملة وتم حرق االبطانيات وكسر النوافذ وخلط الرز والعدس والسكر والملح حتى لا ابخسهم حقم لم يفعلوا ذلك فيبيتي ولكنهم تعمدوا ان يدمغوا كل ما حولهم بالوحل كاغطية السرير والدة زوجي تعاني مرض باركنسون اشتد عليها المرض من الرعب الذي يخلفه مشادة جيش ابو شحاطو وهو يستبيح ارجاء المنزل تم استجواب ابني الذي يبلغ من العمر 10 سنوات ان كان يذهب الى المدرسة والسؤل الغبي الذي وجه له ( عمو بيجي لعندكن مسلحين ؟؟؟؟؟ ) مع العلم اننا لم نرى السلاح الا معهم ولم يوجه احدهم سلاح بوجهنا الا هم جاوبهم ابني لكنني كنت اشعر بالغضب الشديد على اسلوب استجواب الاطفال انا من ناحيتي جيش ابو شحاطة لا يختلف عن الجيش الاسرائيلي بشيء في نظري و الجيش الحر الشريف هو الجيش الوطني الذي حمى بالامس جارتي من الخطف على يد شبيحة النظام هو من يمثلني

December 15th, 2011, 6:40 am

 

jad said:

وفد عراقي: المبادرة العربية تفتح باب جهنم على سورية والمعارضة تتحمل المسؤولية
دمشق..
انتهى اللقاء الذي جمع وفداً عراقياً شعبياً بممثلين عن هيئة التنسيق الوطنية المعارضة إلى “نتائج غير إيجابية” بعدما كان الوفد يأمل “بتقريب وجهات النظر” بين الحكومة السورية والمعارضة الوطنية التي ترفض التدخل الخارجي في الشأن الداخلي.
وفي تصريحات لصحيفة محلية حمَّل الوفد العراقي “هيئة التنسيق” مسؤولية إخفاق اللقاء بسبب “تمسكها” بالمبادرة العربية الخاصة بالأزمة في سورية والتي اعتبرها الوفد أنها “تفتح باب جهنم” على سورية مشيراً إلى “فقدان الثقة بين الحكومة والمعارضة”. واشترط المنسق العام لهيئة التنسيق حسن عبد العظيم للحوار مع السلطات موافقة الحكومة على المبادرة العربية.
شام برس

http://www.champress.net/index.php?q=ar%2FArticle%2Fview%2F108257

December 15th, 2011, 7:03 am

 

jad said:

مؤرخ فرنسي: إمداد باريس معدات حربية لمسلحين سوريين موّثق

أكد المؤرخ والصحفي الفرنسي جاك بورد أن “السياسة الخارجية لفرنسا تعتمد بشكل خاص على دعم المسلحين الذين يقتلون عناصر مدنية وعسكرية في سوريا من خلال إمدادهم سرا بمعدات حربية” وقال بورد “إن تدهور العلاقات بين فرنسا وسوريا سببه الخطأ الكبير في السياسة الفرنسية إزاء دمشق”.

وأكد المؤرخ الفرنسي في مقابلة مع موقع جيوستراتيجي على الانترنت أن “الدعم اللوجستي الذي تقدمه باريس للمسلحين في سوريا بتزويدهم بشكل سري بالمعدات العسكرية يشكل اعتداء على دولة عضو في الأمم المتحدة مضيفا أنه استنادا إلى التشريعات الفرنسية الشديدة والقاسية بخصوص تصدير المعدات الحربية فمن الواضح أنه ستتم ملاحقة المسؤولين والجهات الراعية لتلك الأعمال في حال وصول أغلبية سياسية جديدة إلى الحكم بعد الانتخابات الرئاسية الفرنسية عام 2012”.

واستنكر بورد تصرف فرنسا التي “لم تكتف بتزويد المسلحين بالمعدات العسكرية ولكن أيضا برصدها عن طريق الأقمار الصناعية لمواقع الجيش السوري ونقل معلومات عنها للمسلحين معربا عن استغرابه من موقف باريس التي طرحت نفسها كطرف بين الحكومة السورية والمعارضة المسلحة التي يتم تحريكها من الخارج”.

ورأى المؤرخ الفرنسي أن “المشكلة تكمن في أن الرئيس الفرنسي نيكولا ساركوزي يضع العربة أمام الحصان فليس من المؤكد أن السياسة التي يتبناها تلاقي إجماعا معتبرا أن الموقف الفرنسي فيه تناقض عجيب”.

وقال المؤرخ بورد “إن فرنسا تقف وحيدة على خط المواجهة الأمامي واصفا إياها ككلب الصيد الألماني لكن بلا أسنان” وأضاف ساخرا.. “لماذا يوسخ الأميركيون أيديهم في الوقت الذي يوجد فيه غبي يقوم بالأعمال القذرة نيابة عنهم”.

December 15th, 2011, 7:11 am

 

Mina said:

So a Yemeni activist has just received her shared Peace Nobel Prize,
we have two Egyptian bloggers in jail and an on-going electoral process, but nowhere can we read interviews of the “Twitter heroes”?
You can bet it, when the regime finally falls, you’ll be granted only with interviews of Qardawi, Rifaat al-Asad, and al-Khaddam!!

December 15th, 2011, 7:19 am

 

Tara said:

Commanders who ordered the killing will be named by the HRW.  They should be a fair target for ?assignation by the FSA or persecution.  Naming them should give a long pause to other army officers and encourage more defection.  Time for coup?   

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/dec/15/syrian-commanders-named-shamed?newsfeed=true

Syrian commanders to be named and shamed by human rights group
Human Rights Watch calls for referral to the international criminal court for abuses such as ‘shoot to kill’ orders

guardian.co.uk, Thursday 15 December 2011 02.00 EST

December 15th, 2011, 7:22 am

 

Mina said:

Rejoice… Celebrate…

Junkyard Gives Up Secret Accounts of Massacre in Iraq
Andrea Bruce for The New York Times

Transcripts of military interviews from the investigation into the Haditha massacre were found at this trailer in a junkyard in Baghdad, which specializes in selling trailers and office supplies left over from American military base closings.
By MICHAEL S. SCHMIDT
Published: December 14, 2011

BAGHDAD — One by one, the Marines sat down, swore to tell the truth and began to give secret interviews discussing one of the most horrific episodes of America’s time in Iraq: the 2005 massacre by Marines of Iraqi civilians in the town of Haditha.

“I mean, whether it’s a result of our action or other action, you know, discovering 20 bodies, throats slit, 20 bodies, you know, beheaded, 20 bodies here, 20 bodies there,” Col. Thomas Cariker, a commander in Anbar Province at the time, told investigators as he described the chaos of Iraq. At times, he said, deaths were caused by “grenade attacks on a checkpoint and, you know, collateral with civilians.”

The 400 pages of interrogations, once closely guarded as secrets of war, were supposed to have been destroyed as the last American troops prepare to leave Iraq. Instead, they were discovered along with reams of other classified documents, including military maps showing helicopter routes and radar capabilities, by a reporter for The New York Times at a junkyard outside Baghdad. An attendant was burning them as fuel to cook a dinner of smoked carp.

The documents — many marked secret — form part of the military’s internal investigation, and confirm much of what happened at Haditha, a Euphrates River town where Marines killed 24 Iraqis, including a 76-year-old man in a wheelchair, women and children, some just toddlers.

Haditha became a defining moment of the war, helping cement an enduring Iraqi distrust of the United States and a resentment that not one Marine has been convicted.

But the accounts are just as striking for what they reveal about the extraordinary strains on the soldiers who were assigned here, their frustrations and their frequently painful encounters with a population they did not understand. In their own words, the report documents the dehumanizing nature of this war, where Marines came to view 20 dead civilians as not “remarkable,” but as routine.

Iraqi civilians were being killed all the time. Maj. Gen. Steve Johnson, the commander of American forces in Anbar, in his own testimony, described it as “a cost of doing business.”

The stress of combat left some soldiers paralyzed, the testimony shows. Troops, traumatized by the rising violence and feeling constantly under siege, grew increasingly twitchy, killing more and more civilians in accidental encounters. Others became so desensitized and inured to the killing that they fired on Iraqi civilians deliberately while their fellow soldiers snapped pictures, and were court-martialed. The bodies piled up at a time when the war had gone horribly wrong.

Charges were dropped against six of the accused Marines in the Haditha episode, one was acquitted and the last remaining case against one Marine is scheduled to go to trial next year.

That sense of American impunity ultimately poisoned any chance for American forces to remain in Iraq, because the Iraqis would not let them stay without being subject to Iraqi laws and courts, a condition the White House could not accept.

(…)
That morning, a military convoy of four vehicles was heading to an outpost in Haditha when one of the vehicles was hit by a roadside bomb.

Several Marines got out to attend to the wounded, including one who eventually died, while others looked for insurgents who might have set off the bomb. Within a few hours 24 Iraqis — including a 76-year-old man and children between the ages of 3 and 15 — were killed, many inside their homes.

Townspeople contended that the Marines overreacted to the attack and shot civilians, only one of whom was armed. The Marines said they thought they were under attack.

When the initial reports arrived saying more than 20 civilians had been killed in Haditha, the Marines receiving them said they were not surprised by the high civilian death toll.

Chief Warrant Officer K. R. Norwood, who received reports from the field on the day of the killings and briefed commanders on them, testified that 20 dead civilians was not unusual.

“I meant, it wasn’t remarkable, based off of the area I wouldn’t say remarkable, sir,” Mr. Norwood said. “And that is just my definition. Not that I think one life is not remarkable, it’s just —”
(…)

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/15/world/middleeast/united-states-marines-haditha-interviews-found-in-iraq-junkyard.html?pagewanted=3&_r=1&ref=world

December 15th, 2011, 7:30 am

 

newfolder said:

Human rights watch: Syria: ‘Shoot to Kill’ Commanders Named

http://www.hrw.org/news/2011/12/15/syria-shoot-kill-commanders-named

(London) – Former Syrian soldiers identified by name 74 commanders and officials responsible for attacks on unarmed protesters, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today. The report names commanders and officials from the Syrian military and intelligence agencies who allegedly ordered, authorized, or condoned widespread killings, torture, and unlawful arrests during the 2011 anti-government protests. Human Rights Watch has urged the Security Council to refer the situation in Syria to the International Criminal Court (ICC) and impose sanctions against the officials implicated in abuses.

The 88-page report, “‘By All Means Necessary!’: Individual and Command Responsibility for Crimes against Humanity in Syria,” is based on more than 60 interviews with defectors from the Syrian military and intelligence agencies. The defectors provided detailed information about their units’ participation in attacks, abuses against Syrian citizens, and the orders they received from commanders and officials at various levels, who are named in the report.

“Defectors gave us names, ranks, and positions of those who gave the orders to shoot and kill, and each and every official named in this report, up to the very highest levels of the Syrian government, should answer for their crimes against the Syrian people,” said Anna Neistat, associate director for emergencies at Human Rights Watch, and one of the authors of the report. “The Security Council should ensure accountability by referring Syria to the International Criminal Court.”

The defectors’ statements leave no doubt that the Syrian security forces committed widespread and systematic abuses, including killings, arbitrary detention, and torture, as part of a state policy targeting the civilian population, Human Rights Watch said. These abuses constitute crimes against humanity.

All of the defectors interviewed by Human Rights Watch said that their commanders gave standing orders to stop the overwhelmingly peaceful protests throughout the country “by all means necessary” during regular briefings to soldiers and armed units and prior to their deployment. The defectors said that they understood the phrase “by all means necessary” as an authorization to use lethal force, especially since they had been given live ammunition instead of other means of crowd control.

About half the defectors Human Rights Watch interviewed said the commanders of their units or other officers also gave them direct orders to open fire at protesters or bystanders, and reassured them that they would not be held accountable. In some cases, officers themselves participated in the killings.

“Amjad,” who was deployed to Daraa with the 35th Special Forces Regiment, said that he received direct verbal orders from his commander to open fire at the protestors on April 25:

The commander of our regiment, Brigadier General Ramadan Ramadan, usually stayed behind the lines. But this time he stood in front of the whole brigade. He said, “Use heavy shooting. Nobody will ask you to explain.” Normally we are supposed to save bullets, but this time he said, “Use as many bullets as you want.” And when somebody asked what we were supposed to shoot at, he said, “At anything in front of you.” About 40 protesters were killed that day.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has said that more than 5,000 people have been killed since the start of the protests. Human Rights Watch has documented many of these killings.

Syrian authorities – most recently President Bashar al-Assad, in an interview on December 7 – have repeatedly claimed that armed terrorist gangs, incited and sponsored from abroad, were responsible for the violence in the country since the uprising began in March. Human Rights Watch has documented several incidents in which demonstrators and armed neighborhood groups have resorted to violence, and the number of armed attacks on security forces by military defectors has significantly increased since September. However, the majority of protests that Human Rights Watch has been able to document since the uprising began in March has been largely peaceful. The defectors Human Rights Watch interviewed disputed the government’s claim about armed gangs and said that the protesters they observed were not armed and did not present a significant threat to the soldiers.

Arbitrary Arrests, Torture, and Executions

Information provided by the defectors corroborates Human Rights Watch’s findings of widespread arbitrary arrests and torture of detainees across Syria. The defectors described large-scale, arbitrary arrests during protests and at checkpoints, as well as “sweep” operations in residential neighborhoods across the country that have resulted in hundreds, and at times, thousands, of arrests.

Defectors told Human Rights Watch that they routinely beat and mistreated detainees and that their commanders ordered, encouraged, or condoned these abuses. Those who had worked in or had access to detention facilities told Human Rights Watch that they witnessed or participated in torture.

“Hani,” a member of the Special Operations branch of Air Force Intelligence, described the orders he received:

On April 1, we were conducting arrests in Mo’adamiyeh neighborhood in Damascus. We received our orders from Colonel Suheil Hassan. He told us explicitly to beat people severely on the heads, and not to worry about the consequences. We also used electric cattle prods. He verbally communicated the order to us, before we were dispatched.

We were beating people inside the buses, and then at the detention facility at the base. At the detention facility, we would first put people in the yard, and beat them randomly, without any interrogation. I was involved in escorting prisoners to the yard, and then to the detention facility. That day we arrested about 100 people. We put all of them in a 5-by-5 meter cell.

My unit was also involved in beating people. My heart was boiling inside, but I couldn’t show it because I knew what would happen to me.

Three defectors described to Human Rights Watch incidents of summary executions and deaths from torture, involving 19 victims. Lieutenant-Colonel “Ghassan,” who served in the Presidential Guard, said that around August 7, he witnessed a summary execution of a detainee at a checkpoint in Douma:

I was stationed at a checkpoint in the Abdul Ra’uf neighborhood in Douma. My shift was supposed to be from 4 p.m. to midnight. I arrived at 3:45 p.m. and immediately heard screams and sounds of beatings from an abandoned building near the checkpoint. I went in, and it turned out that Colonel Mohamed Saker, who had the shift at the checkpoint before me, had arrested someone from the “wanted” list. I wanted to take over right away to stop it, and said it was my shift. But Saker said, “No, be patient, we’ll deal with him first.”

Seven soldiers were beating the man whom they had arrested. When I came, he was still alive. He was screaming, and the soldiers were swearing and laughing. It lasted for about five minutes longer, and then he died. He stopped moving, and I saw blood coming out of his mouth.

When I took over, I informed Khadur [commander of 106th brigade of the Presidential Guard, Brigadier General Mohamed Khadur] that we had a fatality. He ordered us to leave the checkpoint and the body behind. We went back to headquarters. Somebody must have picked up the body. People saw us coming out of that building.

Local activists have reported more than 197 executions and deaths in detention as of November 15.

Defectors also provided further information about the denial of medical assistance to wounded protesters, the use of ambulances to arrest the injured, and the mistreatment of injured people in hospitals controlled by intelligence agencies and the military, a disturbing pattern that Human Rights Watch and other organizations have documented.

Command Responsibility
Under international law, commanders are responsible for international crimes committed by their subordinates if the commanders knew or should have known about the violations and failed to investigate and stop them.

Human Rights Watch said that given the widespread nature of killings and other crimes committed in Syria, scores of statements from soldiers about their orders to shoot and abuse protesters, and the extensive documentation of these abuses by international and local organizations and the media, it is reasonable to conclude, at minimum, that Syria’s senior military and civilian leadership knew about them. The ongoing killings, arrests, repression, and general denials of responsibility by the Syrian government also make clear that officials have failed to take any meaningful action to address these abuses.

Furthermore, Human Rights Watch has collected information indicating that the Syrian military and civilian leadership have been closely involved in the violent crackdown on protesters.

“Try as he may to distance himself from responsibility for his government’s relentless brutality, President Assad’s claim that he did not actually order the crackdown does not absolve him of criminal responsibility,” Neistat said. “As the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, he must have known about the abuses – if not from his subordinates, then from UN reports and the reports Human Rights Watch sent him.”

Human Rights Watch also called for the investigation of other high-level officials for their command responsibility for crimes against humanity. These officials include: Imad Dawoud Rajiha, defense minister; Imad Fahed al-Jasem el-Freij, the Army chief of staff; Maj. Gen. Abdul Fatah Kudsiyeh, director of the Military Intelligence Department; Maj. Gen. Jamil Hassan, director of the Air Force Intelligence Directorate; Maj. Gen. Ali Mamlouk, director of the General Intelligence Directorate; and Maj. Gen. Mohamed Dib Zeitoun, director of the Political Security Directorate.

“The Syrian officials who engaged in these crimes must know they’ll have to pay for them eventually,” Neistat said. “And they must know that they’ll end up holding the bag even as President Assad claims he didn’t know anything.”

Repercussions for Disobeying Orders
The consequences for disobeying orders and challenging government claims about the protests have been severe. Eight defectors told Human Rights Watch that they witnessed officers or intelligence agents killing soldiers who refused to follow orders.

“Habib,” a conscript soldier from the 65th Brigade, 3rd Division, told Human Rights Watch that a soldier from his battalion was killed around April 14 for not following orders of Colonel Mohammed Khader, the battalion commander, to shoot at protesters in Douma:

The soldiers were in front. Colonel Khader and the security agents were standing right behind us. Yusuf Musa Krad, a 21-year-old conscript from Daraa, was standing right next to me. At some point the colonel noticed that Yusuf was only shooting in the air. He told First Lieutenant Jihad from the regional branch of Military Intelligence. They were always together. Jihad called a sniper on the roof, pointed at Yusuf, and the sniper then shot Yusuf twice in the head. Security agents took Yusuf’s body away. The next day we saw Yusuf’s body on TV. They said that he had been killed by terrorists.

Three defectors told Human Rights Watch that the authorities had detained them because they refused to follow orders or challenged government claims; two said that security forces beat and tortured them.

Recommendations
Human Rights Watch called on the United Nations Security Council to refer the situation in Syria to the ICC. Because crimes against humanity are considered crimes of universal jurisdiction, all states are responsible for bringing to justice those who have committed them.

Human Rights Watch also specifically called on Russia, one of the few countries that still supports the Syrian government, to end its opposition to strong Security Council action on Syria; to suspend all military sales and assistance to the Syrian government, given the real risk that weapons and technology will be used to commit serious human rights violations; and, in bilateral meetings, to condemn in the strongest terms the Syrian authorities’ systematic violations of human rights.

“Over 5,000 Syrians have lost their lives, and countless more have been injured, arrested, and tortured, as Russia has wasted time defending Assad’s ruthless slaughter and empty promises of reform,” Neistat said. “The Russian government has a duty to protect the Syrian people, not its brutal government killers.”

Additional Witness Statements From the Report

“Mansour,” a member of Air Force Intelligence in Daraa, said that in April the commander in charge of Air Force Intelligence in Daraa, Colonel Qusay Mihoub, gave his unit orders to “stop the protesters by all possible means,” which included the use of lethal force:

Our orders were to make the demonstrators retreat by all possible means, including by shooting at them. It was a broad order that shooting was allowed. When officers were present, they would decide when and whom to shoot. If somebody carried a microphone or a sign, or if demonstrators refused to retreat, we would shoot. We were ordered to fire directly at protesters many times. We had Kalashnikovs and machine guns, and there were snipers on the roofs.

“Osama,” who served in the 555th Airborne Regiment, 4th Division, said that Brigadier General Jamal Yunes, the regiment commander, gave the troops verbal orders to shoot at protesters during their deployment to Mo`adamiyeh, a neighborhood of Damascus, in May:

Initially, when the protest started, Brigadier General Jamal Yunes told us not to shoot. But then he received additional orders from Maher [Maher al-Assad, the commander of the 4th Division and President al-Assad’s younger brother]. He had some kind of paper that he showed the officers, and then the officers pointed their guns at us, and told us to shoot straight at the protesters. These officers later told me the paper contained orders from Maher to “use all possible means.”

“Zahir,” deployed to Banyas, Bayda, and Basateen in April and May, described how officers in his unit and accompanying intelligence agencies carried out arrests and looting in the towns they invaded:

In Bayda, we broke the doors and took whatever we wanted. The mukhabarat [intelligence agencies] were arresting people; in one area, they arrested 10 old men to force their children to turn themselves in. The same continued in Banyas, where we went the next days. In Basateen, we looted everything, both my unit and others. We always took money, and then whatever was there: gold, mobiles, electronics, and sometimes even women’s clothing. I saw the mukhabarat and some soldiers also touching women inappropriately, pretending to be looking for bombs and explosives.

“Salim,” an officer with the 46th Special Forces Regiment who was stationed at the Idlib camp, described the mistreatment of detainees brought to the camp under the watch of the commander who oversaw the operations in Idlib, Imad Fahed Al Jasem:

From July to September, I observed how the mukhabarat brought detainees to the camp [in Idlib], usually 10 to 30 people, around 9 or 10 p.m., after every protest – and they happened almost daily. They lined them up, blindfolded, put them on their knees, and beat them up. They swore at them, and put their feet on people’s heads. It was outside, right near my office. They beat them up while waiting for Al Jasem [Imad Fahed Al Jasem, who oversaw the operations in Idlib] to come to inspect the detainees.

When Al Jasem arrived, he would swear at the detainees for participating in the protests. And then they would take them to a nearby prison. The prison was guarded by the soldiers from my unit, so I sometimes went there. They held the detainees there for a night, in a 6-by-7 meter room, without food or water.

“Nizar,” who was a guard in the military hospital in Homs from mid-April to mid-September 2011, described the beating and torture of injured protesters detained at the hospital:

The mukhabarat and the army brought the injured and unloaded them in the yard next to the emergency area. Everybody would start beating them, including doctors and nurses. All the detainees were blindfolded.

After the initial beating in the yard, the nurses and guards took the wounded into the emergency room, provided them some basic assistance, and then the mukhabarat took them. They first held them in a detention facility on the premises for a few days; the army police was in charge of it. Then members of the Air Force Intelligence took them away in their cars. That was the case with every single injured person brought to the hospital. I think people were tortured in the detention facility because I regularly heard their screams. People with serious wounds were taken to intensive care and guarded there by army police. Sometimes, soldiers would go in there, and I would hear people screaming; I think they were beating them inside there.

Colonel Dr. Haitham Othman was in charge of the hospital. The chief doctor in the hospital was trying to tell him and the mukhabarat not to torture people because the hospital’s job was to treat people and not to torture them, but everybody just ignored him.

We were not supposed to allow any family members in. When relatives asked at the gate, we told them that this was an army hospital and it didn’t have any civilians.

December 15th, 2011, 7:50 am

 

Juergen said:

Mina

You forget to mention the Sacharov price which Ali Ferzat and Razan Zaitouneh received yesterday. But those two could not attend the ceremony, i guess the regime likes its children alot that they dont care for outside fame…

December 15th, 2011, 8:16 am

 

Mina said:

Jurgen
They don’t play in the same category: I am talking of the Tahrir kids who were on the covers of all the main western magazines last february, remember Wael Ghonem??

Far from the cameras, an old conflict between Salafis and Shiis…

http://www.yementimes.com/defaultdet.aspx?SUB_ID=34947

December 15th, 2011, 8:32 am

 

Mina said:

Mina

i wrote it before, i witnessed the revolution here 1989 in Germany. The engine of the revolution were called Neues Forum, and it was later transitioned to be part of the Green Party which we have here in Germany. It was not possible for them to benefit from the peaceful revolution, and a few of the leaders are still visible in politics. I believe that most likely others will benefit from revolutions, and one has to admit without the numerous support of the poor, illiterates and religious there would be still an Ben Ali and an Mubarak in charge. I think we have to take consideration that the nature of an revolution is like that, and there is a saying that the revolution will always eat their children, may be there is truth to that.

And, again Syria is not Egypt, nor Libya. Syrians are not as poor, not as tribal and not as religiously disoriented as some would like us to believe.

December 15th, 2011, 9:14 am

 

Ghufran said:

I think Dr Uthman’s death story is fabricated to either give him a break from security forces or embarrass the opposition (if the video and the news were shot by almukhabaraat).
His entire family,most of whom are in Saudi Arabia and UAE,including his two sisters in Syria have said nothing about his alleged murder.

December 15th, 2011, 9:33 am

 

Mina said:

Jurgen
Ref 888

It is the second time you use my pseudo. Sorry you have to resort to Stasi methods..
Is it because when you travel in the Middle East you mix only with the corrupt elite that now you need to be “pro-revolution” in order to clean your consciousness?
Can you explain me in what Iraq is a better place now, and what it has improved for the Middle East in term of democracy, in general?
Aren’t there contacts between the US and their allies, that they can’t sell them a democracy-package, all these years?

Try a third time and I ask for the moderator to sanction you… You know I am an old Maoist, I wouldn’t have any remorse here…(by the way, without its economic relation to iron-glove China, your country would be begging the Russians for food, no?)

December 15th, 2011, 9:41 am

 

Mina said:

By the way, now that you have a thought for the poor of Egypt, don’t you remember they attacked the journalists who tried to interview them in the slums (“the city of the dead”) last January?
The poors were making a living thanks to the petty trafficks of the police, and thanks to the beggars in the touristic places. Right now they are poorer than before and than ever.
You would be surprised if I tell you that actually many in Egypt think that Mubarak is innocent but that only his sons were bad. Patriarchy at its best. Never attack the paternal figure. They can put him back as president, only 15 percent will complain.
But I let you in la-la-land…

December 15th, 2011, 9:44 am

 
 

Ghufran said:

After the killing of Bin Laden,the withdrawal from Iraq and giving Afghanistan to the Taliban,Putin will be the new enemy of the “Free World”.

أكد رئيس الوزراء الروسي فلاديمير بوتين أن طائرات أمريكية بلا طيار قتلت العقيد الليبي الراحل معمر القذافي عندما قصفت قافلة سيارات كان موجودا فيها قبل أن ترسل وحدات خاصة أجنبية موجودة على الأراضي الليبية بطريقة غير شرعية من أجل الإجهاز على القذافي دون تحقيق أو محاكمة.
وانتقد رئيس الوزراء الروسي في بث تلفزيوني أجاب خلاله على أسئلة المواطنين الروس الديمقراطية التي تسمح بعرض مشاهد قتل القذافي على العالم أجمع.
واعتبر بوتين أن بعض دول العالم تحاول تنحية روسيا جانبا من أجل السيطرة على الكرة الأرضية مشيرا في الوقت نفسه إلى أن روسيا في مركز الاهتمام الدائم من قبل البعض الذين لا يزالون يخافون من القدرة النووية الروسية التي تشكل عامل حساسية لهم.
وشدد رئيس الوزراء الروسي على أن بلاده تملك رؤيتها الخاصة وتمارس سياسة خارجية مستقلة الأمر الذي يؤدي إلى عرقلة خطط بعض الدول الأوروبية موضحا أن الغرب ليس متجانسا وأن أصدقاء روسيا أكثر من أعدائها.
وردا على تصريحات للسيناتور الأميركي جون ماكين بأن الربيع العربي يقترب من حدود روسيا وأن بوتين سيواجه مصير القذافي أكد رئيس الوزراء الروسي أن تصريحات ماكين هي تعبير عن الخوف من روسيا.
وأوضح بوتين أن تصريحات ماكين تعزا إلى ماضيه ولاسيما أن يديه ملطخة بدماء الكثيرين من الأبرياء في فيتنام لافتا إلى أن ماكين لا يستطيع العيش دون مشاهد مروعة كحادثة قتل القذافي مثلا ولاسيما أنه وقع بالأسر في فيتنام وتم احتجازه في حفرة.

December 15th, 2011, 10:20 am

 

Ghufran said:

على الرغم من الحجة المقبولة التي يقدمها أنصار رأي ( الحرب من فعل النظام ) إلا أن المنطق القانوني يسحب عن تلك الحجج صفة القطعية.
ويبدو هذا المنطق أكثر اتفاقاً مع حجج الفريق المقابل, وخاصة أن موقف النظام في عدم السماح بخروج أي منطقة جغرافية عن سيطرته مهما كلف الامر يدلل على ذلك .
فهو لا يريد أن تتحقق الشروط التي نص عليها البروتوكول الإضافي لمعاهدة جنيف لاعتبار النزاع ( غير ذا صفة دولية ) ومن تلك الشروط طبعاً سيطرة كل طرف من أطراف النزاع المسلح على جزء من التراب الوطني ( بالمعنى السوري اليوم منطقة عازلة ).
ولكن بالمقابل فهو لا يمتنع عن استثمار شبح الحرب الأهلية في الداخل السوري لتحقيق بعض المكاسب.
بمعنى آخر, إن النظام يريد حرباً أهلية يسيطر عليها زمانياً ومكانياً , فهو يريد الحرب فزاعة يخيف بها السوريين دون أن يسعى لتحقيقها على أرض الواقع.
وبالمصطلح القانوني الدقيق النظام السوري يريد ( اضطرابات و أعمال عنف متفرقة ) لا تصل إلى حد الاقتتال الداخلي.
وهذا يفسر إلى حد ما اختلاف الخطاب الإعلامي والسياسي اللذين يقدمهما النظام للداخل والخارج ففي خطابه للمجتمع الدولي يؤكد النظام أن ما يحدث في سوريا ليس حرباً أهلية ويقطع بعدم إمكانية وقوع هذه الحرب, وفي خطابه الموجه للداخل السوري يحذر فيه من حرب لا تبقي ولا تذر.
ولما كان المنطق القانوني المذكور ينفي عن النظام تهمة الدفع للحرب الأهلية الشاملة , فهذا لا يعني أن احتمال الحرب ليس احتمالاً واقعاً ومطروحاً.
والحقيقة أن المؤشرات العديدة التي ظهرت في الآونة الأخيرة يجب عدم إغفالها لصالح الأهواء والأماني خاصة إذا ما وضعنا في حسابنا أن انسداد الأفق السياسي للأزمة السورية وعدم وجود مشاريع تالية لمرحلة ما بعد سقوط النظام , يعكس حقيقة الاختلاف والتباين ليس فقط بين أطراف المعارضة بل في داخل المجتمع ككل.
وبما أن السياسة لا تقوم على الأماني والتطلعات ولكن على الحقائق والمعطيات, فإن المعطيات تقود إلى احتمال الحرب الأهلية إذا ما استمر الوضع على ما هو عليه.
ويبدو نافلاً القول هنا إن الحرب الأهلية في هذه الحالة ليست هدفاً يسعى إليه أي طرف من أطراف الأزمة بقدر ما هي ناتج عرضي لسياسات النظام وإخفاق المعارضة, خاصة أن العوامل المفجرة للحرب موجودة في المجتمع, وأن أساس قيامها المتمثل في انحلال المجتمع وتفكك بناه الداخلية ووصول الاستقطاب المجتمعي إلى حده الأقصى قائم اليوم في سوريا أكثر من أي فترة ماضية.
ومن واجب العقلاء في هذه الحالة اتخاذ التدابير التي تمنع وقوع الحرب لأن الأكيد أن لا رابح في الحرب الأهلية وأن الخاسر الوحيد والأوحد هو دائماً سوريا الوطن والإنسان.

December 15th, 2011, 10:40 am

 

Amir in Tel Aviv said:

Mina,

The “Tahrir kids”, as you call them, managed to achieve in less than 1 year, what you and your generation couldn’t achieve in tens of years: self determination, dignity and honor.

Before the movement that was started in Tunisia, the world regarded the Arabs as a faceless herd, which no one takes seriously. How can one has regard for those who give up their rights so easily. Now, because of the Tahrir kids, the world looks at Arabs (mainly the young) with admiration and affection.

Your generation will be remembered in history as the lost faceless generation.

The brightness and the originality of the Tahrir kids highlight the facelessness and the submissiveness of yours, and of your generation of reactionaries.
.

December 15th, 2011, 10:55 am

 

majedkhaldoun said:

US is leaving Iraq, but keeping 15000 as embassy employees, the largest in the world,I am not sure I call this leaving,however we will witness sectarian conflict,and it will be much worse, Maliki is expected to face a hell of a time in the near future,as Iran ,with its stupid idea of expanding their turf,Iran will try to help Maliki, KSA will help the other side.
For 50 years Iraq has been suffering,For the Iraqi to get rid of Maliki they need Syria on their side,to stop Iran meddling.

The first priority after Booha leaves is to clean the army, we need an army to serve and protect the Syrian people, not an army to kill syrians,I expect thousand army officer will be eliminated,and will be tried,democracy can not allow this,conditioned democracy as a temporary period will do that.

December 15th, 2011, 10:57 am

 

Revlon said:

Excerpts from the HRW report on Syria on the responsibility of the top command for the crimes against humanity.

http://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/reports/syria1211webwcover_0.pdf
15/12/2011

Human Rights Watch’s findings show that military commanders and officials in the intelligence agencies gave both direct and standing orders to use lethal force against the
protesters (at least 20 such cases are documented in detail in this report) as well as to unlawfully arrest, beat, and torture the detainees.

In addition, senior military commanders and high-ranking officials, including President Bashar al-Assad and the heads of the intelligence agencies, bear command responsibility for violations committed by their subordinates to the extent that they knew or should have known of the abuses but failed
to take action to stop them.

…….
The information provided for this report by defectors,
who were deployed to suppress the protests, supports that assessment and underlines the lengths to which the authorities have gone to misrepresent the protesters as “armed
gangs” and “terrorists.”

But there is a risk—as seen in hard hit places like the city of
Homs—that bigger segments of the protest movement will arm themselves in response to attacks by security forces or pro-government militias, known as shabeeha.

December 15th, 2011, 11:00 am

 

Mina said:

Amir
My question was: why don’t we see ANY interview of the Tahrir kids now that Egypt is in the news, nor any references to the jailed bloggers? How come these kids who had achieved fame in February are now banned from the Western newspapers? Any analysis?
Can’t you understand what is meant by “counter-revolution”? Don’t you think the Tahrir kids could be a source of inspiration for…. KSA kids?

December 15th, 2011, 11:07 am

 

ann said:

US interference in Syria could bring about another Iraq – 15 Dec 2011

The withdrawal of most United States forces from Iraq this week is anything but the end of American military involvement in the Middle East. The latest focus of Washington’s attention is Syria.

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-24021760-us-interference-in-syria-could-bring-about-another-iraq.do

Before American (and probably British) soldiers are asked to give their lives in another Arab country, they are entitled to ask important questions.

Is Washington attempting to install a democratic government in Damascus? Or is it seizing the opportunity to bring down Iran’s main Arab ally in advance of an American or Israeli attack on Iran?

Did the US have a hand in fomenting the rebellion that it says it now must support? Will war in Syria be as bloody as the Iraqi conflict, which the Brookings Institution says killed at least 115,000 Iraqis and nearly 5,000 Coalition troops and turned four million Iraqis into refugees? Will Syria suffer the kind of sectarian bloodbath that has yet to end in Iraq, despite the American pullout?

The Iraqi government clearly fears a Syrian conflict spilling across its border and is urging caution. “I know people must get their freedom and their will and democracy and equal citizenship,” Iraqi prime minister Nouri al-Maliki said this week at the White House. “But I do not have the right to ask a president to abdicate. We cannot give ourselves this right.” Obama weighed in: “There’s no disagreement there.” No disagreement? In August, Obama said: “For the sake of the Syrian people, the time has come for President [Bashar al] Assad to step aside.”

Someone is fuelling violence in Syria with deliveries of weapons. The BBC has reported arms trafficking across the border from Lebanon, and a smuggler in Turkey told Guardian correspondent Ghaith Abdul Ahad: “We used to smuggle cigarettes coming from Lebanon via Syria. Now we only do weapons. Three shipments per day.” The arms smuggling began at least last March, when Reuters reported that Syrian security captured truckloads of weapons from Iraq. (The Iraqi regime itself, which is as friendly to Iran as Syria is, was unlikely to have shipped the arms to undermine a fellow Shiite regime.)

Erik Prince, founder of Blackwater, a private security company that massacred 17 Iraqi civilians in Baghdad’s Nissour Square in 2007, told Vanity Fair last January: “In Syria, we did the signals intelligence to geo-locate the bad guys in a very denied area.” A month later, ABC News reported that Select PTC, a Blackwater subsidiary, “was involved in classified clandestine activities in countries around the world, including Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and the Philippines, according to a former military intelligence officer …” American involvement with the Syrian opposition began much earlier, when the Bush administration publicly funded Syrian exile groups and awarded $6 million in 2006 to an anti-Assad television station, Barada TV.

Washington’s support for regime change has escalated in recent months, backed by the region’s major Sunni-led states – Turkey, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Syrians have legitimate grievances but they should be wary of inviting foreigners with their own agendas to assist them.

It didn’t work out well in 1917, when some of them collaborated with Britain to expel their Turkish rulers and ended up with 25 years of European colonial domination.

December 15th, 2011, 11:10 am

 

Revlon said:

“All states are responsible in order to bring to justice those who have
committed crimes against humanity.”

HRW Report on Syria: Excerpt on legal responsibility of the international community to intervene for bringing criminals to justice.

http://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/reports/syria1211webwcover_0.pdf
15/12/2011

Considering the evidence that crimes against humanity have been committed in Syria, the
pervasive climate of impunity for security forces and pro-government militias, and the
grave nature of many of their abuses, Human Rights Watch believes that the United
Nations Security Council should refer the situation in Syria to the International Criminal
Court (ICC).

Crimes against humanity are considered crimes triggering universal
jurisdiction under international customary law (meaning that national courts of third states
could investigate and prosecute them even if they were committed abroad, by foreigners
and against foreigners).

All states are responsible for bringing to justice those who have
committed crimes against humanity.

December 15th, 2011, 11:13 am

 

jad said:

Ann,
“US interference in Syria could bring about another Iraq”
It seems that everybody know that except the Syrian oppositions, they are begging for it.

December 15th, 2011, 11:16 am

 

jad said:

The financed weapons of the west with armed men in Homs!
http://youtu.be/IR3w0DdL-J0

December 15th, 2011, 11:23 am

 

Amir in Tel Aviv said:

Mina,

No one is silencing the Tahrir kids. If you have an access to English AJ, please watch. Egyptians, young and old, are speaking there with an openness and candid.

Yes, when there’s a revolution, there will always be a counter-revolution. Reactionarism is comprised of all those who are potentially losing (power, money, position). But still, the Arab revolution is alive and kicking. It will reach KSA, the gulf, and the rest of the Arab peoples, sooner than later.

What is your point exactly, Mina? Would you prefer to see the Arab peoples continue to be submissive, faceless and herded by opportunistic tyrants? My question is, what is the source of your constant pessimism, objectionism and skepticism.
.

December 15th, 2011, 11:26 am

 

jad said:

انعكاس الهجوم على سوريا في مجلس الأمن
خليل فليحان – النهار

تشير التقارير الديبلوماسية الواردة الى بيروت الى ان الاجتماع غير العادي لوزراء خارجية الدول العربية سيشهد نقاشات حامية عن التعامل مع سوريا في ضوء اشتراطها لتوقيع بروتوكول انشاء مركز قانوني واستقبال بعثة المراقبين العرب في سوريا، إلغاء قراري مجلس الوزراء تعليق عضويتها في الجامعة وفرض عقوبات سياسية واقتصادية.
وذكرت أن الأمين العام لجامعة الدول العربية نبيل العربي أبلغ دمشق رسمياً ان ليس من صلاحيته ان يقبل أو يرفض ما ورد في رسالة وزير الخارجية السوري وليد المعلم من شرطين للقبول بما طلبه مجلس وزراء الخارجية العرب من بلاده، إلا بالرجوع الى المجلس ليناقشه، لأن الأخير هو الذي اتخذ القرارين.
وافادت أن المسعى العراقي الذي قاده وزير الخارجية هوشيار زيباري لتذليل التباينات بين مجلس الوزراء وسوريا، فشل بعدما استفسر العربي عن مواقف الاعضاء ورئيس اللجنة الوزارية المكلفة متابعة الوضع في سوريا من أجل حقن الدماء والبدء بالحوار بين السلطة والمعارضة. وأكدت أن المعلومات هذه استقتها من مقربين من الأمين العام للجامعة. وأشارت أيضاً الى أن بعض رؤساء الدول حاولوا حل الخلافات بين وزراء بارزين وسوريا وفشلوا لأنهم لم ينتهجوا التجرد في الافكار التي طرحوها.
ولفتت الى أن اللجنة الوزارية ستجتمع برئاسة رئيسها رئيس وزراء قطر، وزير الخارجية الشيخ حمد بن جاسم بن جبر آل ثاني صباح السبت المقبل في القاهرة، متخذة فرصة ثلاث ساعات فاصلة عن موعد الاجتماع الوزاري في الأولى بعد ظهر اليوم نفسه للبحث في ما سيتقرر خلال الجلسة، ولا سيما أن بعض أعضاء اللجنة كالجزائر ودول أخرى كلبنان ومصر والعراق والسودان واليمن تدعو الى تفهم الموقف السوري الرسمي، فيما وزراء مجلس التعاون الخليجي يصرّون على ضرورة وقف العنف ضد المدنيين ثم الحوار حول الاصلاحات. أما روسيا والصين فتضغطان لمصلحة سوريا، وكذلك ايران على عكس الموقف التركي. وأشارت الى أن تلك الدولتين الدائمتي العضوية لدى مجلس الأمن تتعرضان لضغوط مركزة بهدف تغيير موقفهما مما يجري في سوريا من جانب الولايات المتحدة والدول المؤيدة لها المناهضة لكيفية التعامل السوري الرسمي مع المحتجين المطالبين بالاصلاح. وظهر هذا الضغط في الجلسة المغلقة لمجلس الامن.
وكشف وزير عربي بارز ان السبب الحقيقي لتأجيل اجتماع وزراء الخارجية العرب غير العادي الذي كان من المقرر عقده في الدوحة على هامش مؤتمر “حوار الحضارات”، سببه جلسة مجلس الأمن غير الرسمية التي عقدت أول من أمس الاثنين، للاستناد الى ما ورد فيها من انتقادات وجهتها المفوضة بيلاي للممارسات ضد حقوق الانسان، ليرتكز عليها الوزراء الذين يعارضون ما تقترحه سوريا من شروط للقبول بالسماح لبعثة المراقبين العرب بالدخول والتنسيق مع وزراء خارجية اميركا وفرنسا وبريطانيا والمانيا والبرتغال الذين أبلغوا أنهم ينتظرون موقفاً قوياً من اجتماع القاهرة السبت المقبل لاتخاذ موقف جديد من سوريا.

December 15th, 2011, 11:28 am

 

Revlon said:

To those who knowingly or otherwise confuse the Syrian intelligence agencies with their branches; there are only four, not fifty four agencies!

HRW report
http://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/reports/syria1211webwcover_0.pdf
15/11/2011

There are four main intelligence agencies in Syria:
• The Department of Military Intelligence (Shu’bat al-Mukhabarat al-‘Askariyya), which includes the Palestine Branch;
• The Political Security Directorate (Idarat al-Amn al-Siyasi);
• The General Intelligence Directorate (Idarat al-Mukhabarat al-‘Amma), which is generally referred to by its previous name, State Security (Amn al-Dawla); and
• The Air Force Intelligence Directorate (Idarat al-Mukhabarat al-Jawiyya). (17)

Intelligence agencies overlap extensively, and there are no clear rules for which agency will
take the lead in a particular action. These agencies have virtually unlimited de facto
authority to carry out arrests, searches, interrogation, and detention. They are more than a
simple arm of the government; they are in practice autonomous entities that report directly
to the highest officials in the Syrian state, and according to some analysts, directly to the
President. (18)

((17. See “Syria’s Intelligence Services: A Primer,” Middle East Intelligence Bulletin, July 1, 2000,
http://www.intelpage.info/forum/viewtopic.php?t=588 (accessed October 1, 2009); and Middle East Watch (now Human
Rights Watch/MENA), Syria Unmasked: The Suppression of Human Rights by the Asad Regime (New Haven: Yale University
Press, 1991), pp. 48-51. The Air Force Intelligence Directorate is only nominally tied to the air force. Its role as a powerful and feared intelligence agency in Syria comes from the fact that the late President Hafez al-Assad was once the air force
commander, and later turned the air force intelligence service into his personal action bureau.))

((18. Nominally, the General Intelligence Directorate and Political Security Directorate are “civilian” agencies and under the
jurisdiction of the Ministry of Interior, but in practice they are both autonomous entities. Military Intelligence and Air Force
Intelligence nominally report to the Ministry of Defense, but again, in practice, are autonomous entities. See “Syria’s
Intelligence Services: A Primer,” Middle East Intelligence Bulletin, http://www.intelpage.info/forum/viewtopic.php?t=588;
Ahed Al Hendi, “The Structure of Syria’s Repression,” Foreign Affairs, May 3, 2011,
http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/67823/ahed-al-hendi/the-structure-of-syrias-repression?page=show (noting that
“However structured they are in theory, the security agencies are dominated by the Assad family in practice”); Shmuel Bar,
“Bashar’s Syria: The Regime and its Strategic Worldview,” 2006,
http://www.herzliyaconference.org/_Uploads/2590Bashars.pdf (accessed December 5, 2011)(noting that the heads of the
various security organs “answer to the president directly in all matters”); Human Rights Watch, Syria Unmasked, p. 40.))

December 15th, 2011, 11:34 am

 

Mina said:

The link to this report on Bahrein’s demos and detention of western journalists is soberly titled “Kristof: Bahrain | Video Video”

The video is conveniently separated, to avoid too many people watching it:
http://video.nytimes.com/video/2011/12/14/opinion/100000001227126/detention-in-bahrain.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/15/opinion/kristof-getting-detained-and-gassed.html?hp

Democratic methods, of “democratic” newspapers giving lessons of democracy to the whole planet.

December 15th, 2011, 11:42 am

 

newfolder said:

http://www.hrw.org/news/2011/12/15/syria-shoot-kill-commanders-named

Human rights watch: Syria: ‘Shoot to Kill’ Commanders Named

December 15th, 2011, 11:55 am

 

Revlon said:

To save his own, Jr is ready to hand Nasrallah’s ass to the international courts of justice, to hand over Iraqui Baathist dissident, Younis Al Ahmad’s ass to maliki, and to bend over his Mukhabarat’s ass to the CIA
بشار الاسد حاول رشوة اوباما عبر المالكي ؟

2011/12/15نشر فى: أخبار دولية
http://all4syria.info/web/archives/41798

كشفت صحيفة “الراي” الكويتية في تقرير لها من واشنطن ان رئيس الوزراء العراقي نوري المالكي حاول إقناع مضيفه الرئيس الاميركي باراك اوباما خلال لقائهما يوم الاثنين بضرورة استمرار الرئيس السوري بشار الاسد وحكمه “من اجل تثبيت الاستقرار في منطقة الشرق الاوسط بعد اتمام انسحاب الجيش الاميركي من العراق اواخر الشهر الجاري”، الا ان اوباما رفض ذلك، وفق مصادر اميركية مطلعة على مضمون اللقاء.

ونقلت “الراي” عن هذه المصادر الاميركية ان المالكي ابلغ اوباما ان “الاسد وعده بتفكيك وتسليم مجموعة يونس الاحمد البعثية العراقية المقيمة في دمشق والمعارضة لحكومة المالكي، والتعاون مع المحكمة الدولية الخاصة بلبنان والتي تعمل على محاكمة مرتكبي جريمة اغتيال رئيس حكومة لبنان الاسبق رفيق الحريري في العام 2005، وتنشيط التبادل الاستخباراتي بين سورية والولايات المتحدة على نطاق واسع لا سابق له يشمل المنطقة باكملها ومن شأنه ان يساهم في تثبيت الوضع الامني تماما في العراق ولبنان ومناطق متوترة اخرى”.

واضافت ان المالكي اكد لاوباما ان “الاسد ينوي قيادة بلاده باتجاه الديموقراطية، واجراء اصلاحات، وانتخابات برلمانية ورئاسية”. في الاطار نفسه، قال المالكي للرئيس الاميركي ان “من شأن انهيار الاسد اندلاع حرب اهلية في سورية تطول ألسنة لهبها بعض دول المنطقة وفي مقدمتها العراق”. لذا، وفق المالكي، “يكمن الحل الوحيد في سورية في الحوار بين النظام والمعارضة، وعدم تدخل اي من الدول في شأن سورية الداخلي”.

وانتهى رئيس الحكومة العراقية الى القول ان بلاده “تحاول، قدر المستطاع، الوقوف على الحياد في الموضوع السوري، وحصر نشاطها بمساعي الخير في مساهمة للتوصل الى حل ينهي الوضع القائم، فنحن لا نريدهم (السوريين) ان يتدخلوا في شؤننا، وعلينا نحن ألا نتدخل في شؤونهم”.

اوباما شكر للمالكي مطالعته، واجابه بالقول انه لو بقي صدام حسين موضوعا عراقيا داخليا من دون تدخل الولايات المتحدة، ولو تم حصر الحل العراقي بحوار بين المعارضة العراقية وصدام، لما كان المالكي جالسا في المكتب البيضاوي في البيت الابيض “هذا الصباح”.

واضاف اوباما بحسب “الراي” انه لطالما شكلت سورية تهديدا على استقرار العراق وامنه، وسهلت دخول من سماهم بالارهابيين من الاراضي السورية الى الاراضي العراقية. وتابعت المصادر ان اوباما “ذكّر” ضيفه بالاتهامات التي وجهها الى الاسد بالضلوع في تفجيرات بغداد في آب 2009 ومطالبة المالكي باقامة محكمة دولية لمحاسبة الاسد وافراد نظامه.

واعتبر اوباما ان موقف الولايات المتحدة من سقوط شرعية الاسد هو “موقف نهائي، ولا عودة فيه الى الوراء، فدول العالم بما فيها الولايات المتحدة اعطت الاسد فرصة لقيادة الاصلاح نحو الديموقراطية، الا ان الاسد اختار طريق الاستمرار بقتل شعبه، وهذا طريق لا عودة فيه”.

على ان اوباما اكد لضيفه العراقي، حسب المصادر، على ان “الخلاف في التكتيك” تجاه سورية وفي وجهات النظر لكيفية التعاطي مع الاسد للتوصل الى حل لا يؤثر بتاتا على “الشراكة الاستراتيجية” بين بلديهما. واضاف اوباما ان “المالكي اعلم بالموقف العراقي الانسب تجاه سورية والذي يخدم مصالح الشعب العراقي اكثر”.

الرأي الكويتية

December 15th, 2011, 11:57 am

 

amal said:

889 – 911. newfolder said:

Human rights watch: Syria: ‘Shoot to Kill’ Commanders Named

how many times are you going to post your israeli propaganda fabrication?

SC rules limit you to post your propaganda story one time only

comprende

December 15th, 2011, 12:03 pm

 

Shami said:

Bronco you are exagerating the size of the Shia and the power of the Iranian regime,its army is less important than the assadian army and even more obsolete ,that’s why they opted for the North Korean example ,the region is not as divided than you like to believe ,there are important minorities in the region but they were not born today and they always lived among us since the begining of Islam.
In fact, It’s Iran which is the biggest country of minorities in the middle east ,that’s why they fear change in Syria.The end of the syrian regime will mean a lehtal blow to them and their allies in the region.Bronco ,in the end what make history are the people not regimes that lack guenine legitimacy.

December 15th, 2011, 12:09 pm

 

Ghat Al Bird said:

Assad’s days are numbered according to Isreali officials as reported om antiwar.com website.

Several Israeli officials gave interviews today with Syria as the topic, and all agreed that Syrian President Bashar Assad is “doomed” and will be forced from office by the Turkish-backed military defectors in short order.

“It might take many weeks,” said Defense Minister Ehud Barak, “but it’s not a matter of months or years.”

QED.

December 15th, 2011, 12:20 pm

 

Revlon said:

HRW Report:
Excerpt on the accountability of the Syrian Intelligence personnel to human rights violations.
http://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/reports/syria1211webwcover_0.pdf
15/12/2011

Syrian law and a recent presidential decree prohibit legal action against intelligence agency employees or members of the armed forces unless authorized by the respective director of these agencies.

Legislative Decree No. 14, of January 15, 1969, which
established the General Intelligence Directorate (Idarat al-Mukhabaraat al-`Ama), one of Syria’s largest security apparatuses, provides that “no legal action may be taken against
any employee of General Intelligence for crimes committed while carrying out their designated duties … except by an order issued by the Director.” To Human Rights Watch’s
knowledge, the Director of General Intelligence has never issued any such order to date.

On September 30, 2008, President al-Assad issued Legislative Decree 69, which extended this immunity to members of other security forces, by requiring a decree from the General
Command of the Army and Armed Forces to prosecute any member of the internal security forces, Political Security, and customs police.

December 15th, 2011, 12:23 pm

 

amal said:

914. Ghat Al Bird

israeli psyop propaganda

don’t believe it / don’t promote it

December 15th, 2011, 12:25 pm

 

Juergen said:

Mina

if you come by to Berlin, I owe you a big box of chocolate, i dont may be i get a bit anxious answering too fast…

Anyhow, like Amir said there is no silence of those Tahrir guys, but again, its normal that such movements have a hard time when it comes to reconsile and find a new base to promote the agenda in a democratic system. In the middle east the ichuan especially in Egypt are among the oldest existing political parties, they have the support at this moment of the majority of the people, the actual results are yet to come. I do not think one can compare Egypt with Syria. In Syria i do not see an magnificant support for any islamist movement.

Well what i see that the regime is looting this secterian fear, and yes to have fear is understandable, but one has to really seek if their are genuine sources of such fears, and i doubt there are many. See Mina, Assad is doing the same like the salafis, there is just white or black nothing in between, its me or civil war, and all it does is to leave the Syrians in fear and without any real choice. There is always an weird moment when radicals like Assad and Salafis talk, there is a whole world between those black and white shemes, and Arabs in general must find ways to debate and explore more. The usual disillusionment of most Syrians when it comes to politics is rooted in the regime which never gave the people any choice. And with the awakening of the whole region, this is the one time chance for Syrians to make their choice.

December 15th, 2011, 12:31 pm

 

amal said:

915. Revlon

your awipsse propaganda artist mossadfolder already enlightened us about it twice already

SC rules limit you to post your propaganda story one time only

dckicfae

December 15th, 2011, 12:34 pm

 

amal said:

917. Juergen said:

Mina

if you come by to Berlin, I owe you a big box of chocolate

he means if you go to his israeli boiler room in tel aviv

a BIG box of chocolate Mina 😉

December 15th, 2011, 12:38 pm

 

Ghat Al Bird said:

AMAL @916.

Your presumption that I am promoting israeli propaganda is to say the least offensive.

December 15th, 2011, 12:48 pm

 

amal said:

where is that awipsse natural born lesor abood?

December 15th, 2011, 12:50 pm

 

amal said:

920. Ghat Al Bird

if a story serves israeli propaganda don’t post it please

thanks

December 15th, 2011, 12:54 pm

 

Mina said:

No silence on the Tahrir guys?
I am speaking of Nawwara Najm, Wael Ghoneim, Tarek Shalabi… But oh sorry, maybe you were not buying the newspapers by that time.
I mean, you leave your country to the Islamists and you go and wash your hands? Of course, Ghoneim works in the Gulf, Tarek Shalabi has dual citizenship US/Egyptian and grew up partly in the Gulf, but still, they were the people whose opinion mattered just six months ago. So how come they have nothing to say now?
The same will go with the so-called Syrian expat activists, whose only work until now has been to undermine the role of the local opposition. They will get their paycheck and disappear.

December 15th, 2011, 12:57 pm

 

Mina said:

Something is moving:

http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/new-syrian-opposition-alliance-formed-deaths-continue

Published Thursday, December 15, 2011

A new opposition ‘National Alliance’ has been formed comprising internal Syrian revolutionary groups aimed at toppling Syrian President Bashar Assad as the uprising enters its 10th month.

Former Syrian ambassador to Sweden Mohammed Bessam Imad announced the new National Alliance at a press conference in Istanbul, proclaiming himself its leader.

“The regime has killed, maimed, arrested, tortured and displaced tens of thousands of people,” Imadi said.

“Therefore different revolutionary groups sought to unify their operational and political leadership to join forces and overthrow the regime,” he added.

“Now that the time is ripe, it has become necessary to declare our existence publicly. Therefore, we announce the National Alliance of Forces, Coordinators and Councils of the Syrian Revolution; Al-Leeqa,” he said, reading a statement.

The former diplomat said Al-Leeqa includes “the majority of revolutionary groups conducting the revolution in Syria.”

“We have managed to gather all these groups under the same umbrella,” he said.

The Syrian National Council (SNC), an umbrella political opposition group comprising a number of anti-Assad factions, considers Al-Leeqa as a member.

Imadi vowed to strengthen relations and coordination between the SNC and local revolutionary committees on the ground in Syria in a bid to present a more unified front.

“Only a small number of local coordination committees were represented” in the SNC, Imadi said, adding that the SNC then “lost contact with local revolutionary movements in Syria.”

In regards to the Free Syrian Army – a group of army defectors waging armed attacks on the regime – Imadi echoed SNC leader Burhan Ghalioun in urging the army rebels to refrain from offensive attacks, and remain a defensive force protecting peaceful protesters.

The comments come in the wake of one of the deadliest rebel attacks on Syrian forces, killing 27 soldiers on Thursday in coordinated strikes against military targets in the southern province of Daraa, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Syria’s foreign ministry was quick to respond to its former diplomat’s remarks, revealing that Imadi was dismissed on allegations of corruption, “fraud and trickery,” Syria’s official news agency, SANA, reported.

Meanwhile, the opposition Local Coordination Committees (LCC) claims eight people were killed on Thursday as protests continued against the regime.

The dead include three Free Syrian Army fighters and five civilians, the LCC statement said.

Syrian forces, for their part, buried 11 soldiers on Thursday, killed in clashes with armed rebels, SANA reported.

(al-Akhbar, AFP, SANA)

December 15th, 2011, 1:21 pm

 

Amir in Tel Aviv said:

Mina,

“…you leave your country to the Islamists and you go and wash your hands?”.

This is the meaning of democracy, that reactionaries as yourself cannot fully grasp. It’s not up to you to decide what’s good for the Egyptian people. It’s their decision and their call. They are mature enough to realize the consequences of voting for the Islamists. If after all they do, their vote must be respected.
.

December 15th, 2011, 1:21 pm

 

norman said:

الحكم على الرئيس الفرنسي السابق جاك شيراك بالسجن سنتين بعد إدانته بالفساد

December 15th, 2011, 1:28 pm

 

Juergen said:

Sorry to post this long article, but it was in german and i translated it. The author is quite an astonishing guy, an conservative politician who happens to like the middle east, and he has visited all countries which have liberated themselves from their despotes.

He has been in Damascus in November and was also able to interview Assad. I posted earlier an video of him which he shot in Syria.

I do not agree with all he mentioned, but at least he is heard and talked with many in Syria.

by Juergen Todenhoefer, 13 December 2011 12:56/Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung

The Syrian node

With generous support from Al Jazeera and Al Arabiya, the Arab revolution has completely captured Syria. The Syrians have discovered their right to political participation.They will not give it up again. The triumph of democracy is unstoppable. Also in Syria. And that’s good.

Even between government and rebels is the need for democratic transformation in the core not even in dispute. It isonly the question of democracy, with or without Assad.

Assad also called on Syria to democracy now as “mandatory”. He wants, as he says, in stages an introduction of democracy. The stages are: parliamentary elections in spring, the drafting of a new constitution and subsequently presidential elections. The insurgents want democracy, however, immediately and without Assad.

The chances of the President to transform the country from above, have worsened by the slow pace of his reforms and the brutal crackdown by security forces in recent months. When I visited Syria in June, the support for him was significantly higher than during my visit in November.

Nevertheless, the Syrian Revolution differs fundamentally from Tunisia, Egypt and Libya:

1) The majority of Syrians still makes a difference between Assad and the regime, so incomprehensible that for some of us might be. Many Syrians hoped that Assad could lead the country without a civil war to democracy.

2) Unlike in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya, the army is largely closed behind the President. The number of deserters is overestimated in the West. The behavior of the army but is a crucial factor in revolutions.

Syria is not simply just a place of a popular uprising against a hated ruler. The front line is much more complicated:

Countless young people demonstrate peacefully for months in the interior and risking their lives against the dictatorship.

At the same time demonstrating in the urban centers of Damascus and Aleppo, hundreds of thousands of Assad and democracy. Ordered are many, many come voluntarily.

In Daraa, Homs, Hama, Edleb have formed guerrilla command, proceed with the heavy weapons against the security forces. According to the government, increasingly, they are killing civilians, mostly Alawites. These statements are from inner-Syrian opposition politicians, who themselves have spent years in the dungeons of the father of Bashar Assad, confirmed with concrete examples. Fact or Fiction?

Against these guerrilla commandos, whose financial sources are shady, the Syrian army acts against ruthless and bloody.

At the same time police units and intelligence agencies, are trying to keep peaceful protesters under their control. While applying it often meany by totally unacceptable violence.

The war is dirty every day. Also, because both sides now push their murders in each other’s shoes.

Everything is complicated by the fact that the innersyrian opposition and the opposition in exile have differing views on key issues. The innersyrian opposition could work since the beginning of the revolution relatively open, relies on a peaceful democratic change, while parts of the western subsidized exile opposition seem to work towards a military intervention by NATO – like the one in Libya.

How honest are we informed about the complexity of the situation in Syria? The journalistic opinion leaders Al Jazeera and Al Arabiya are from Qatar and Saudi Arabia, two professing dictatorial states. Can we silently doubt that they are mainly about democracy? Saudi Arabia and Qatar are among the closest military allies of the United States. Must not be allowed at least the question of whether it is not in addition to something else, is larger – the reorganization of the Middle East to U.S. ideas?

That all the sudden the dictatorclub “Arab League” has mutated into the spearhead of the movement for democracy, is almost comical. It reinforces the suspicion that Syria is part of a great power poker to the Middle East, where the Syrian revolution is being exploited by the West coolly calculating.

However, Al Jazeera and Al Arabiya were in Afghanistan and Iraq really courageous champions of freedom and resistance. One can only wonder what position they will occupy when the Democratic tsunami one day reach their countries.

What I read daily by western politicians about Syria is not the realities that I have seen for four weeks in Syria. When I read in the evenings over international online media, it was as if I were reading stories from a distant star. Everyone has a right to their own opinion, but none on its own facts.

From my personal experiences in Damascus, Daraa, Homs and Hama at least half of the reports of Syria are simply wrong – almost like before the Iraq war. This means, unfortunately, that many of the scare stories are correct.

The Syrian government is to blame with this information Gau.
No one should complain about hoaxes if you are keeping the international press outside the country.
In addition, the credibility of the Syrian state television is similarly low. But there are not messages that might inform their governments objectively?(…) Why is it like that that the truth is the first victim of each war?

The Syrian node is still solvable. Paradoxically, it is still Bashar Assad,who is the most likely to achieve a peaceful transition to democracy. Because he has the power and because he is a person whom enjoys support by a large proportion of the population. The regime and especially the hated secret services, however, have lost all confidence which Syrians may had with them. The Syrians want nothing to do with them anymore.

Also the guerrilla commandos have lost the confidence by the Syrians whose methods differ little from those of state security. They have robbed the innocence of the Revolution and harmed the peaceful demonstrators who have the historical merit of having initiated the process of democratization.

Assad is not much time to solve the Syrian node peacefully. The window of opportunity closes. What should he do?

1) He has to face in a relatively short period free presidential elections. With the full risk of losing his job. But even with the chance to legitimize democraticly his reign. Everyone must have the right to compete against him. Ultimately, Assad must be separated from the current system.

2) He must be an immediate ceasefire with the armed guerrillas enforced and the regime must withdraw its tanks from the rebel strongholds. The killing must have an end. With each people killed the chances of a peaceful solution are decreased.

3) He must hold a fair dialogue with the innersyrian and the exile opposition, with the goal of national reconciliation and the transformation of the country to a democratic constitutional state. The exiled opposition can not avoid this dialog. They, too, bear responsibility for Syria.

The West must also adjust its policy. We should be in the revolutionary turmoil of the Arab world an honest mediator, not agitator. The western attitude is perceived by many Syrians as unfair. Because the west looks away from friendly dictatorships like Saudi Arabia and Bahrain over all that he criticized in Syria. Because the west abused the yearning for democracy of the Syrians for its own policies. And because with previous sanctions, the existence of hundreds of thousands of Syrian low-income earners are destroyed senselessly.

Where are the western foreign policy makers, which – put on a plane and try to defuse the problems locally through shrewd negotiations – as did Kissinger, Genscher, or Bahr? In Damascus, the doors for such talks are wide open.

The goal of a far-sighted western policy should be to help to

*that all countries of Arabia – including our befriended dictatorships – can enjoy the freedoms of a constitutional democracy in a few years,

*that the transition to democracy without bloodshed – through negotiations and elections

*and that the Arab world in foreign policy is finally free – free from Western domination. The West should finally be a friend and partner in the Arab world after centuries of colonialism and post colonialism.

The attempt to transform Arabia controlled by a series of civil wars and interventions, is the most dangerous of all solutions. For the Middle East and for us.

December 15th, 2011, 1:31 pm

 

Son of Damascus said:

@ Amir

“All of the above (free choice of religion, marriage arrangements, etc) are being decided in the democratically elected parliament. The people decide on how they want their society to be run. You try to deny Egyptians (and the Arabs, in general) this right.”

I disagree completley with you, because when you base things just on the majority rule (or vote) you alienate the minority. And who says the majority are correct? May I remind you that there was slaves in a democratic US, or that the scum Hitler and his Nazi party were elected by the Germans.

Above democracy should be our right for freedoms, that are guaranteed by our constitution. A wise American once wrote: “Is a democracy, such as we know it, the last improvement possible in government? Is it not possible to take a step further towards recognizing and organizing the rights of man? There will never be a really free and enlightened State until the State comes to recognize the individual as a higher and independent power, from which all its own power and authority are derived, and treats him accordingly”.

December 15th, 2011, 1:41 pm

 

norman said:

Amal,

you are wrong about Ghat,

December 15th, 2011, 1:45 pm

 

Tara said:

Does Canada know anything we don’t? or this is just to put more psychological pressure on Bashar?

Canada on Thursday became the first Western nation to order an evacuation of its nationals from Syria, urging some 5,000 Canadians to leave the violence-wracked Middle East nation.

Foreign Minister John Baird urged Canadian in Syria to leave the country “by any available means and while options exist.”

“Today we are declaring a voluntary evacuation of all Canadians in Syria,” the minister said. “The time to leave Syria is now.”

Government officials meanwhile were “to undertake a voluntary evacuation over the next month”

…more

http://news.yahoo.com/canada-evacuate-nationals-syria-143959109.html

December 15th, 2011, 1:54 pm

 

Son of Damascus said:

@ Amir

“Democracy is indeed the sovereignty of the people. It doesn’t necessarily mean, the sovereignty of each and every person. The sovereignty of a person in the democratic system is dependent upon the democratic decision, and the laws that the democratic house of representatives, issues.”

Absolutely not, for the majority is not always correct. The US was Democratic when it had slaves, the scum Hitler and his Nazi Party was elected by the Germans, does that make it OK?

The right for freedoms, and individuality is sacred and should be guaranteed. A wise American once wrote: “Is a democracy, such as we know it, the last improvement possible in government? Is it not possible to take a step further towards recognizing and organizing the rights of man? There will never be a really free and enlightened State until the State comes to recognize the individual as a higher and independent power, from which all its own power and authority are derived, and treats him accordingly”

We humans are capable of sick and despicable actions all because of hatred and bigotry, we must not allow the bigots and hate mongers the chance to trump on our individual rights and freedoms ever.

December 15th, 2011, 1:54 pm

 

Mina said:

Amir,
Democracy mean that people who vote can read and write. Democracy mean that parties get the same amount of money for campaigning and the same time to speak on TV and radio.

Tara,
And the French have closed all their institutes in Iran and started repatriating all their civil servants there. Italy also did this last week, it would seem.

December 15th, 2011, 1:59 pm

 

Ghat Al Bird said:

AMAL @

I and others too would hopefully be quite interested in how you determined that the comment I posted is “a story that serves israeli propaganda and that I should stop submitting same”.

I have read similar statements to the one you made by hasbara members.

December 15th, 2011, 2:00 pm

 

irritated said:

923. Mina

“No silence on the Tahrir guys?”

The liberals, the vocal Tahrir guys/girls got 15% of the vote. It is clear that Facebook and Twitter may influence only to ones who are well off and educated. Obviously around 85% in Egypt are not.

In Syria, 15% to 20% is what I think the vocal opposition in Syria represents.

December 15th, 2011, 2:05 pm

 

ghufran said:

the curious silence of the AL,EU and the US regarding Syria is reportedly due to western governments fear that their feverish huffing and puffing may push the situation to a dangerous level that will affect the whole region,not just Syria.
Qatar and Turkey heard a new language from Clinton who was also blunt when she met with Syrian opposition group.
This period of relative political yawning will come to an end if new developments tip the delicate balance towards one party or the other.The regime is seen as a likely beneficiary of this jumpimg-in-place exercise.

December 15th, 2011, 2:14 pm

 

Darryl said:

The Middle East’s solution to all problems is under every ones nose and no one realizes it! The Ummayds, Abbasiads and Ottomans all were great because of the democratic reforms and checks and balances.

http://www.asharq-e.com/news.asp?section=2&id=27715

December 15th, 2011, 2:14 pm

 

irritated said:

Mina

Egypt’s liberal and secular groups scrambling to balance out growing Islamist influence

By Associated Press, Published: December 14

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle-east/egypts-liberal-and-secular-groups-scr

December 15th, 2011, 2:20 pm

 

Khalid Tlass said:

GHUFRAN,

Don’t you think its hypocritical for the US to ask for secular reassurance from SMC, when they did not ask for any such reassurance from Nouri al Maliki and Ibrahim al Jaafari after they toppled Saddam /

Also, Ghufran, I have yet to hear you admit that Sunnis were/are at the receiveing end in Iraq.

December 15th, 2011, 2:34 pm

 

SYRIAN HAMSTER said:

JAIL FOR PREZ

926. NORMAN said:

الحكم على الرئيس الفرنسي السابق جاك شيراك بالسجن سنتين بعد إدانته بالفساد

So Norman, how long should betho be thententhed to? if Jacques Chirac got years. Let us calculate

5000 x 30 = 150,000 Years for murder
100,000 x 15 = 1,500,000 for kidnapping

We have not even started calculating property damage and assault with intent to kill for those wounded.

Now for more, Jacques got thententhed for corrption charge. Tho, if we are to comput the corruption charges at 2 years each. Then add 2 years for every Syriatel phone bill ever paid by those robbed by betho and hith couthin, thaint Teretha maklouf. We have not added the forced partnerships on business people. Tho, when you gloat, Jacques thententh, ith a credit to Franth, while betho immunity is a shame on Syria and on all of those who support this fool and his family mafia.

got

December 15th, 2011, 2:48 pm

 

Mina said:

Angry Arab correspondent in Bahrein arrested
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/blogpost/post/bahraini-activist-angry-arabiya-arrested/2011/12/15/gIQA73gKwO_blog.html

(Irritated, the link was dead. I am trying to find the article but the only thing we can say is that it is wishful thinking. The MB and Salafis are the only organized forces in term of distributing money, meat, blankets and omra tickets to the poor. Of course, Mubarak’s party was too, but they lost the grip.)

December 15th, 2011, 2:48 pm

 

Bill said:

To # 958 Amir in Tel Aviv

Wow! You are good lecturing Arabs on democracy. What about stepping outside to the streets of Tel Aviv to lecture your fellow Israelis about occupation and war crimes?! Just today, Jewish colonilist terrorits burned another mosque in West Bank. Yesterday, they burned one in occupied Jerusalem. Your PM Netanyahu does NOT agree that Jewish “extremist” who burn mosques and steel Palestinian land are terrorists. I guess you have to be Arab or Muslim to be terrorist! You are hypocrite if you speak only for Syrian and Arab democracy but ignore Israeli war crimes and occupation. Free Syria! Free Palestine! NO hypocrisy!

December 15th, 2011, 2:50 pm

 

SANDRO LOEWE said:

This is a strange video about Shabbiha detained by Syria Free Army. They declare themselves shabbiha and that they are given money, arms and orders from Hezballah.

Of course assadists will plan these questions:

1) Are real shabbihas? In my opinion they seem afraid of what is going on, so probably they are real mercenary thugs.

2) Were they forced to declare against HA? Maybe yes, since I do not believe they are really aware of who is behind the logistics. Even though I think HA is playing a real important role.

Here is the video, I would like to hear opinions:

December 15th, 2011, 2:51 pm

 

SANDRO LOEWE said:

It is time to celebrate the end of Assad. He will fall, In sha allah. But it is time too to mourn the thousands of martyrs still to come(from both sides, since I include regular soldiers in the Syrian Army).

December 15th, 2011, 2:56 pm

 

Bronco said:

Gufran

The international community is paralyzed. multiple condemnation of the regime, calls for stepping down, UN failed resolutions, EU and US sanctions, Arab sanctions, military threats, Human rights reports.. nothing seems to give any result except an escalation that is now threatening the balance of the whole region, economical and religious.
The opposition is divided and unable to control the streets and the hysteria they have created. They believe that if Bashar steps down, all problems will be solved. Except for Tunisia, the other “solved” cases , Libya, Egypt, Yemen show that is not true and these countries are about to explode again in the absence of a legitimate authority. Iraq is still fragile despite their elected government.
Fire is still burning in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia is feeling the pinch for its Shia minorities.
Forcing a change of regime is appearing to be dangerous game with unpredictable consequences.
Therefore there is a lot of hesitations, trial and errors from the International community and the Arab league who is more concerned about the impact of the chaos on the region.

While cold logic should dictate a cease fire and a negotiations between two parties, the absence of a coherent opposition and the bullying of the regime by the international community is preventing this to happen. So the ‘negotiations’ are going on with weapons and death until all energies are exhausted, each one fighting to be in a stronger position in the eventual negotiations. That’s what happens in any conflict.

As the International community has already taken a position against one party, it is not a credible go between. If the Al does the same, there will no one and the conflict will degenerate.

This is why I think the AL will still try a negotiated settlement even if Bashar al Assad must stay in power.

December 15th, 2011, 2:56 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

FSA are angels, the criminals here on SC would not like them because they know they are the one who will rid us from this incompetant Booha who they worship,They acctually worship the money he pays to them they are Shabbiha on SC.
FSA number is increasing, once they get more than Shabbiha, they will get rid of Booha
We do not need Nato, we do not need USA troops,Let those on SC see the FSA in their dreams,it will cause them nightmare, preventing them from sleeping,
Wher is Muallem? is he sick?

December 15th, 2011, 2:57 pm

 

Amir in Tel Aviv said:

Mina,

“…Democracy mean that people who vote can read and write”.

Democracy has nothing to do with literacy. Many South Americans are illiterate as-well, yet democracy successfully struck roots in most of the S. American continent. How can you explain it?
Democracy is the best cure against illiteracy.

I don’t like your patronizing and arrogant attitude. An Arab who is patronizing fellow Arabs in the most demeaning way, is so disgusting in my eyes.

I bet you’re a Lebanese Christian.
.

December 15th, 2011, 2:58 pm

 
 
 

Tara said:

Amir

I share your disgust.

why though do you think she is Lebanese Christians? Historocal attitude?

Hamster

Thaint Teretha Makhlof? love it! outstanding!

December 15th, 2011, 3:11 pm

 

Mina said:

Bronco
Russia came up with the draft for a UN resolution. Someone posted here yesterday an article where they were also saying they would send observers. Most people have now understood that there is no solution without Bashar for the transition (Yemen model, as was explained by the Russians in the article posted yesterday). He is the only one who can talk to his brother, maybe!
http://www.lemonde.fr/proche-orient/article/2011/12/15/syrie-la-russie-propose-une-resolution-au-conseil-de-securite_1619497_3218.html#ens_id=1481132

The critics about democracy of course avoid answering anout the absence of any rules such as about money, time of public speaking, or the use of religious references by the parties, which was supposedly forbidden… But that’s life in lalaland…

December 15th, 2011, 3:18 pm

 

ann said:

UN Security Council “does not rest on situation of Syria: president – 2011-12-16

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2011-12/16/c_131309228.htm

UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) — Russian UN Ambassador Vitaly Churkin, who holds the rotating UN Security Council presidency for December, said here on Thursday that the 15-nation council “does not rest” on the situation of Syria, and “we believe the Security Council must do something” on the Middle East country, which has been locked in political crisis since March.

Churkin made the statement as he was speaking to reporters after the council members met behind closed doors to discuss the current situation in Syria, at which Russia circulated an updated draft on the latest developments in Syria.

The draft resolution, previously presented by Russia and China, was updated, and received “constructive” comments from the council members, Churkin said.

The draft includes the demand for an end to violence in Syria and calls for the protection of human rights, he said.

However, he said, “We are not starting yet discussing details” about the draft resolution.

France, Britain, Germany and the United States have been pushing the 15-nation Security Council to take up the issue of Syria again. In early Oct., Russia and China, the two permanent members of the Security Council, vetoed a European-drafted resolution that would have threatened sanctions against Damascus.

More than 5,000 people have now died since the start of the public uprising in Syria, Navi Pillay, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, told the 15-nation Security Council on Monday, sounding the alarm that a crackdown and fresh eruption of violence could be imminent in one of the country’s key cities.

Pillay, in her briefing at the council on Monday, said that ” many voices are warning that a major assault” on Homs — already the scene of frequent clashes between security forces and protesters this year — is about to begin, with a military build- up reported.

“I am not in a position to confirm those reports, but the prospect of such an attack is extremely alarming,” she told reporters on Monday after briefing Security Council members in a closed-door session on the latest developments in Syria.

Tensions in Syria began in March this year when protesters took to the streets to call for the ouster of President Bashar Assad. The situation has since escalated, and Syrian security forces have been accused of firing on innocent protesters, reports said.

Syria has, from the beginning, blamed armed terrorist groups backed by a foreign conspiracy for being behind the turmoil with the aim of toppling the government of President Assad and replacing it with an Islamic rule instead.

Peter Wittig, German permanent representative to the United Nations, told reporters here on Thursday that Pillay’s briefing was “powerful” and it served as “a wake-up call” to the international community.

Meanwhile, Gerard Araud, French UN ambassador, told reporters that “since then we had the initiative of the Arab League so our text has to reflect the reality on the ground, it has to reflect the report of Mrs. Pillay, it has to reflect the Arab League initiative.”

“So it will be a negotiation and we are expected and hoping to have a negotiation of the text” of the draft resolution, Araud said.

Last week, Assad blamed the violence in Syria on criminals, religious extremists and terrorists sympathetic to al-Qaida. He claimed that they are mixed with peaceful demonstrators.

Also on Monday, Bashar al-Ja’afari, Syrian permanent representative to the UN, told reporters that his government, since the start of the political crisis in the Middle East country about eight months ago, has written 16 letters to the UN secretary- general, the president of the Security Council, the director- general of the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the UN high commissioner for human rights.

The Syrian ambassador, who took out the letters from his files and showed them to the press here, said that the information offered by his government was not included in Pillay’s briefing at the Security Council.

“She was speaking on behalf of the (Syrian ) defectors,” he said, referring to what was missed in the council briefing by Pillay about the violence from the armed opposition.

December 15th, 2011, 4:17 pm

 

Mina said:

Amir
I think you are confusing democracy with a theological debate. Before the elections, people who watched the debates on TV where the Salafis and MB were represented all realized that they had nothing else to discuss than the role of women in society, the hijab, and all sort of religious issues.

But allow me to consider that if democracy means the sovereignty of the people, this means that each and everyone in the society has to be sovereign. That means that a man or a woman can chose freely his/her religion, and accordingly, that a woman, or a man, is free to marry whom she or he wishes, without pressures based on religious or tribal ground, no?

Seems to me that South America, your example, has not suffered from religious wars or colonization in the last 300 years, no?

December 15th, 2011, 4:22 pm

 

ann said:

Syria says its ex-ambassador to Sweden disgracefully discharged – 2011-12-16

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2011-12/16/c_131309206.htm

DAMASCUS, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) — Syria’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Thursday that it has launched a smear campaign against its former envoy to Sweden Mohammad Bassam Imadi, who has recently fled to Turkey with his family to join the abroad-based Syrian opposition, saying that Imadi was sacked of his post over corruption charges.

The ministry issued the statement on Thursday after Imadi made an interview with a foreign newspaper, in which he called for a buffer zone on Syria’s borders to allow a safe haven for dissidents and defecting soldiers.

The ministry said that the charges against him included fraud, racketeering and abusing power while being in his post as an ambassador in Sweden, adding that he was referred to court after being investigated in 2008.

Imadi was disgracefully discharged in 2010 after the government seized his properties in the same year, the statement said.

“The joining of a person of such moral values like Imadi to the Syrian opposition unveils to the public opinion the truth about those who call themselves the opposition abroad,” the foreign ministry said in the statement.

December 15th, 2011, 4:25 pm

 

ann said:

As Russia Calls Meeting on “Middle East,” Buzz on Syria Rebels Getting Arms, Draft Circulated

http://www.innercitypress.com/scrus1middleeast121511.html

UNITED NATIONS, December 15, updated below — Russia abruptly called a Security Council meeting for Thursday at noon, acting in its national capacity while still serving as Council president for December. Earlier on Thursday various Western Permanent Representative told Inner City Press they did not know what the meeting would be about, other than the stated topic: “Situation in the Middle East.”

This was the topic agreed on when Navi Pillay briefed the Council on Syria, and took questions on Palestine. So would Russia be making a similarly hybrid move Thursday at noon?

Sources close but not the closest to Russia whispered darkly to Inner City Press about Syrian rebeled getting armed, 28 security forces killed. Would Russia be asking for a briefing?

Update of 11:53 am – while some remain tight-lipped saying only that the noon consultations are about “the situation in the Middle East,” there is more and more talk about the 27 security forces killed in southern Syria.

Some wonder: what proof, in terms of arms flows, does Ambassador Churkin have? Syrian Ambassador Bashar Ja’afari went into the Council earlier, stopping to offer Inner City Press a “complete” DVD of Barbara Walters’ interview with Bashar Assad. That may be superseded.

Update of 12:30 pm — Inner City Press ran to the UN noon briefing and asked Associate Spokesperson Farhan Haq about the 27 soldiers killed, the topic of the Security Council consultations – did the Secretary General have any response?

Haq replied, “We need to be able to verify what’s happening… The Secretary General made clear his concerns about the violence in Syria…in Syria more than 5000 people are dead, this cannot go on…

Inner City Press asked about Russia’s reported concern about who may be arming the Syrian rebels, what does the Secretary General think?

“We don’t have verification,” Haq said, “the Secretary General’s concern is about all the violence, from whatever quarter and [wants] Syrian authorities and concerned countries around do what they can to put an end to this.”

Does that mean not arming the rebels? Back at the Council, the consultations began.

Update of 1:25 pm — Russia introduced a draft resolution on Syria. Inner City Press asked the Permanent Representative of Syria, Bashar Ja’afari, what he thought of the draft, as Ja’afari returned with the promised DVD he said has the full 59 minutes of Bashar al Assad’s interview with Barbara Walters. On the resolution, he said it’s a “further step in the right direction” and promised more extensive comments after checking with Damascus.

The Russian position is that they are not catering to any country.

At the stakeout, in the absence of UK Permanent Representative Mark Lyall Grant, the UK Political Coordinator Michael Tatham did a rare stakeout, to make a statement — but then didn’t take any questions. We hope to have more – watch this site.

December 15th, 2011, 4:29 pm

 

Tara said:

Which one should we believe? Is it an “extraordinary event”? Or is it unacceptable and unbalanced?  How could it be both? May be they mean it is a good start that can improves with negotiation.  Negotiation may mean paying the Russian off.  What is their price?

http://www.nowlebanon.com/NewsArticleDetails.aspx?ID=343079
France welcomes Russian move on Syria at UN
December 15, 2011     
   
The French envoy to the United Nations on Thursday welcomed a resolution proposed by Russia on the Syrian crisis, saying it was “an extraordinary event.”

“Russia has decided to move on the resolution project… We think that it is because Russia has felt the pressure of the international community,” France’s envoy to the UN, Gerard Araud, told journalists.

The comments came as Russia surprised the Western powers by proposing a Security Council resolution on the Syria crisis as international fears over the crisis grew.

As a key ally of President Bashar al-Assad, Russia has tried to head off Security Council intervention in the Syria crisis. With China, it vetoed a council resolution proposed by European nations in October condemning Assad’s crackdown on protests, which the United Nations says has left 5,000 dead.

Russia called emergency talks of the 15 nation body on Syria however to propose the new resolution, which Western diplomats said they did not find acceptable but could be negotiated on.

The Russian resolution strongly condemns the violence by “all parties, including disproportionate use of force by Syrian authorities,” according to a copy obtained by AFP.

The draft also raises concern over “the illegal supply of weapons to the armed groups in Syria.”

“At the moment, from our point of view, it is unbalanced. We have no firm evidence of any arms trafficking,” one Western diplomat told AFP on condition of anonymity.

-AFP/NOW Lebanon

December 15th, 2011, 5:09 pm

 

Ghufran said:

Jad
There is a name for angels who take lives:
عزرائيل
Assad will do us all a favor if he copies the Yemini model.
What the western governments are doing is a political dance,they raise their voice and their demands when they sense weakness and they cave in when they find strength in the other camp,however,it is early to conclude that there is a consensus about the Iraqi-Russian plan.what is clear though is that turkey,Qatar and France are looking at modifying their positions to allow diplomacy to solve this crisis,it is also evident that the US may be the driving force behind this new wave of “reason”.
There are a number of concerns here:
1. The regime may back off
2. The TFQ axis may try to impose their plan,again
3. armed groups may choose to ignore all
I am not ready to conclude that the beginning of an end is around us yet,that is my opinion,anyway.

December 15th, 2011, 5:14 pm

 

zoo said:

What’s the surprise? The international community , desperate for any light of hope are now hailing the “new” resolution that Russia has proposed, while many emit reservations.
It is not new, it exactly the the same draft resolution that Russia had proposed 2 months against the French one that was vetoed.
The difference are slightly noticeable, it has added a sentence that the western country wanted. While there is a condemnation of the violence perpetrated by BOTH the oppositions and the government, there is a special note about the “disproportionate use of violence by the government.”
Everyone is now ready to discuss it when a few months ago they all rejected that the resolution dared mentioning that the opposition was also responsible for the escalation of the violence.

For the rest it is the same that the Russians have be saying for the last 5 month: No sanctions, dialog with the present government and a unified opposition, reforms, etc… We will see the details soon.

If Russia is able to have it adopted with the core of their recommendations included, it will be diplomatic success, but it is very possible that there would be strong pressures either to dilute it or reject it.
That may explains also why the AL is postponing the crucial saturday meeting about sanctions.

Russia proposes UN Council resolution on Syria
http://news.yahoo.com/syria-deserters-kill-least-27-troops-activists-003838893.html
AFP By Tim Witcher | AFP – 50 mins
Russia on Thursday surprised the Western powers by proposing a UN Security Council resolution on the Syria crisis amid mounting international shock over the deadly crackdown.

The resolution condemns the violence by President Bashar al-Assad’s government and opposition groups, but proposes no sanctions. Europe and the United States welcomed the Russian initiative but said the proposed text was not tough enough on the Damascus government.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said, however, western nations would try to work with Russia in a bid to pass a first Security Council resolution on the crackdown, which the UN says has left more than 5,000 dead.

As a key ally of Syria, Russia has tried to head off Security Council intervention in the crisis. With China, it vetoed a council resolution proposed by European nations in October condemning Assad’s action.

Russia however called emergency talks of the 15-nation body on Syria to propose the new resolution which strongly condemns violence by “all parties, including disproportionate use of force by Syrian authorities,” according to a copy obtained by AFP.

It also raises concern over “the illegal supply of weapons to the armed groups in Syria.” Western diplomats said they had no firm evidence of arms trafficking to Syria.

Western envoys called the draft “unbalanced” because it put opposition violence on the same level as the crackdown by government forces, many of whom are starting to defect, according to rights groups.

They also said there should be a total arms embargo and give clear support to Arab League sanctions against Syria.

Russia’s UN envoy Vitaly Churkin again rejected any talk of sanctions and even criticized the Arab League measures — though the draft does back Arab League efforts to negotiate a settlement.

“It (sanctions) is a page from somebody else’s book and we don’t think that this has been a productive, useful move by the Arab League,” he said.

“The role of the Security Council should not be to fan the conflict in Syria,” Churkin added.

But he acknowledged some of the doubts raised in talks. “We said that we are looking forward to working with them in order to adopt a text, a resolution of the Security Council, which will really bring about an end to violence and crisis in Syria and help that country proceed on the path of political reforms.”

Western officials put up multiple objections but said the document was a basis for talks after months of division over how to handle Syria.

“There are some issues in it that we would not be able to support. There’s unfortunately a seeming parity between the government and peaceful protesters,” Clinton said in Washington.

“But we are going to study the draft carefully. It will have to be shared with the Arab League, which has taken the lead on the response to what’s going on in Syria,” Clinton said.

“And hopefully we can work with the Russians who for the first time at least are recognizing that this is a matter that needs to go to the Security Council,” she said.

France’s UN envoy, Gerard Araud, called the Russian move “extraordinary” and said it showed that Russia was feeling the international pressure over its support for Assad.

He said the text “clearly needs many amendments because it is unbalanced. But it is a text on a basis on which we are going to negotiate.”

Araud and other envoys also said there could be no comparison between the government and opposition violence.

“We have to really show that the violence has come from the Syrian regime, that it is the Syrian regime which has shot down thousands of demonstrators,” Araud said.

“Of course, after eight months of violence now, some demonstrators are shooting back, but we can’t simply put them back to back, and say that they are all ‘acts of violence’.”

Germany’s UN ambassador Peter Wittig said the Russian text was an overdue sign that the council is now discussing Syria “in a serious manner” called the text “insufficient”.

He said the text would have to include references to a UN Human Rights Council recommendations for an independent commission of inquiry and give backing to all measures by the Arab Leag

December 15th, 2011, 5:23 pm

 

Tara said:

Bronco

I am watching out for you, now that I know your “artistic style”.   

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/cigars-of-the-pharaoh-i-.aspx?pageID=238&nID=9317&NewsCatID=398
Cigars of the Pharaoh (I)

I borrowed the title from an episode in “Tintin’s Adventures.” It’s up to the reader to decide whether Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan should play the role of Tintin and Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu that of Captain Haddock, or vice versa. Or, in a more realistic world, whether any of the Turkish heroes should play any of the roles of the Noble Sheik and Rastapopoulos. To be on the safer side of “independent Turkish judiciary,” I should not comment.
more….

December 15th, 2011, 5:24 pm

 

Ghufran said:

It looks like my reply to jad was posted before the question!!
Assad hinted that he is waiting for a political initiative from the Saudis after he decided not to respond to anything with the letter Q in it.
The US is finally looking at alternatives to the rich Emirate
جايي من البريه و بدوه الاوليه

December 15th, 2011, 5:27 pm

 

Tara said:

Zoo

It is strange that the draft is being hailed by the US and the western government just within 24 hours after an official declaration by the US that “Assad is a dead man walking”. Could the Russian have been bought already and the draft is nothing but an exit for Russia to save face in front of the international community? They can start with the draft and *negotiate* a final UNSC to condemn Syria while Russia’s pride is maintained.

December 15th, 2011, 5:42 pm

 

zoo said:

Turkey is not just making friends in the Middle East
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/Default.aspx?PageID=238&nID=9314&NewsCatID=416

Turkey clearly has a much more positive image in the Middle East today than it did a decade ago.
..
Not when there are those coming out and indicating displeasure over Ankara’s regional policies.
…..
In Syria, on the other hand, it is clear that Turkey at this stage is an enemy for the Baath regime and everyone associated with it, or relying on it for one reason or another. Therefore the longer al-Assad can hold on, the longer the situation will become difficult for Ankara.

It is also becoming clearer that he can hold on much longer than some want, given the help of regional friends such as Iraq and Iran, and of a powerful global power such as Russia.

Meanwhile in Egypt, radical Islamists have also started looking at Turkey with suspicion even though it is predominantly Sunni like their country, especially after Prime Minister Erdoğan lauded the benefits of a secular state during his last visit to Cairo.

Therefore, while Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu boasts and brags about Turkey’s rising star in the Middle East, the signs are that not everyone in the region is happy about this.
….

December 15th, 2011, 6:05 pm

 

Amir in Tel Aviv said:

Mina,

“… But allow me to consider that if democracy means the sovereignty of the people, this means that each and everyone in the society has to be sovereign. That means that a man or a woman can chose freely his/her religion, and accordingly, that a woman, or a man, is free to marry whom she or he wishes, without pressures based on religious or tribal ground, no?

No.

Democracy is indeed the sovereignty of the people. It doesn’t necessarily mean, the sovereignty of each and every person. The sovereignty of a person in the democratic system is dependent upon the democratic decision, and the laws that the democratic house of representatives, issues.

All of the above (free choice of religion, marriage arrangements, etc) are being decided in the democratically elected parliament. The people decide on how they want their society to be run. You try to deny Egyptians (and the Arabs, in general) this right. You, Mina, know what is best for them, better than them. Isn’t it arrogant of you?
.

December 15th, 2011, 6:14 pm

 

Amir in Tel Aviv said:

.

December 15th, 2011, 6:18 pm

 

SANDRO LOEWE said:

According to some informations there are some protests in Soueida. Where are the druze people? Are they the same that began the anti-colonialist revolution? Where have they gone?
They have been accepting the status quo and letting their hatred sunna around them (Daraa, Sayda, Busra, Karak, Izraa – there are christians too – etc.) fight till death but not a word was spoken from its community, lead by their decaying religious sheikhs.
Even worse, I have direct contacts who explained to me from the very beginning of the riots in Daraa, that druze people were buying arms for 5.000 sp a piece for self defence against sunna arabs and bedouins around them.

At last minute, when they see that Assad is done, they will rise and ask freedom and civil rights and will try to take a role trying to recover the figure of Sultan Al Atrash. But I it will be just a tactics for self protection. At this time they, as a community, have been already marked as an old regime pilar in the south. Of course there are individuals in Soueida who risked their lives and freedom for the revolution but as a community they have done nothing.

I know many christians who are against the regime and suport the revolution. While almost all druzes I know do not stand by no one, but will always tell you Assad is better than any sunna majority. This is a sad reality that only facts will change.

December 15th, 2011, 6:27 pm

 

Tara said:

The FSA has proven resilient in the face of regime measure to suppress it.  SNC needs to get with the program to influence and be influenced by the FSA

http://www.cnn.com/2011/12/15/world/meast/syria-main/index.html

The Washington Institute for Near East Policy said in a report last month that the anti-government force “appears to be gaining in strength and effectiveness, and Damascus now faces both peaceful and armed resistance. So far, the FSA has proven resilient in the face of regime measures to suppress it.”
The Free Syrian Army emerged last summer, and its forces are operating in “urban areas and in the countryside,” that report said.
Most of its operations appear to be “small-unit action,” and they include “defense of local areas, ambushes of convoys and vehicles, attacks on regime positions and facilities, attacks on regime security forces and militia elements, attacks on regime officials and military officers, intervention against regime forces attacking demonstrators, and road closings.”
The report, issued November 30, said the army has fought at least three serious “battles”: for Rastan/Talbisah from September 27-October 1, for Homs from October 28-November 8, and for Kherbet Ghazalah from November 14.
It said the Free Syrian Army’s actions are forcing “the regime to deploy forces throughout the country and fight, not just continue to shoot unarmed civilians.”

December 15th, 2011, 6:37 pm

 

jad said:

Bronco,
It seems that AL is waiting for something different that what we think, please read this from Ammar Qurbai, he is the one of the warmongers:

Ammar Qurabi
لا أوافق كثيرا على تسمية جمعة الغد بالجامعة العربية تقتلنا …إن الحكومة العراقية والحكومة اللبنانية من يقتلنا ..وليس حتى الشعب العراقي واللبناني …اعتدنا في الثورة أن نسمي الأمور بمسمياتها.
كنا نتمنى من الجامعة العربية أن تؤجل اجتماع وزراء الخارجية العرب المزمع عقده السبت القادم ,ليتخد الامراء والملوك في مجلس دول التعاون الخليجي قرارا يوازي حجم الدم السوري المراق باجتماعهم يوم الاثنين القادم , وهذا مانتوقعه ونعلمه علم اليقين , بعدها سيتسنى لوزراء الخارجية العرب ان يترجموا هذا القرار الخليجي المتوقع لكي يكون تاريخيا ومدويا .
الخلاصة ان قرارا قادما سيكون فيه اجل النظام السوري المنتهي الصلاحية أصلا

December 15th, 2011, 6:37 pm

 

zoo said:

Tara

I don’t think so. Russia has been consistent in wanting an orderly and negotiated deal between the parties and the implementation of reforms, not a violent regime change.
The declarations of the US officials are only food for the media. Just read Mc Cain recent threats to Putin.
Until now the moves of the international community have only provoked further degradation of the situation in Syria and worsen the security of the civilians.
Maybe the international community is realizing that a new approach is necessary thus they are ready to reconsider Russia’s.

December 15th, 2011, 6:42 pm

 

jad said:

At the moment FSA and their paid terrorist soldiers are the ones taking Syria to hell:

ضابط استخبارات أميركي وأشهر مركز استخبارات غربي يؤكدان ما نشرته”الحقيقة”عن رياض الأسعد

سكوت ستيوارت لمركز ” ستراتفور”: واشنطن وضعت مع حلفائها “خطة استخبارية” لإطاحة الأسد، ورياض الأسعد يقف وراء عمليات التخريب بطلب من واشنطن

واشنطن ، الحقيقة ( خاص من : مازن ابراهيم): كشف موقع “ستراتفور للاستخبارات الدولية” الأميركي ، الذي يديره البروفيسور جورج فريدمان ، المحاضر في أكاديمية الدفاع الوطني الأميركية، أن الولايات المتحدة وحلفاءها وضعوا “خطة عمليات سرية مفصلة(…) تسبق التدخل العسكري” لإطاحة نظام الرئيس السوري بشار الأسد. وقال الموقع في تقرير مفصل نشره اليوم بقلم سكوت ستيوارت ، ضابط الاستخبارات الديبلوماسية السابق، إن الولايات المتحدة وبعض حلفائها بدأوا بإيران من خلال شن “حرب استخبارية خفية (..) ليس فقط بهدف وقف برنامجها النووي، ولكن أيضا لمنعها من تكوين دائرة نفوذ في المنطقة” . والآن ، يضيف التقرير، تسعى الولايات المتحدة وحلفاؤها إلى ” تقليص النفوذ الإيراني في العراق ، وتقييد حزب الله في لبنان (…) و إسقاط بشار الأسد لكونه حليفا تاريخيا لإيران”. وبحسب التقرير ، الذي جاء تحت عنوان” الأزمة السورية، تقويم التدخل الخارجي”، فإن عملية إسقاط الأسد تتم وفق” خطوات منهجية بدأت نتائجها بالظهور فعليا ، وتنطلق من أن الوضع في سوريا وصل حدا لم يعد ممكنا معه للنظام أن يهدىء الحراك الداخلي، ولا يمكن المعارضة أن تسقطه دون تدخل خارجي”.

وفي سياق عرضه لهذه”الخطة المنهجية” وسيناريو التدخال الأجنبي عسكريا أو من خلال عمليات استخبارية، والظروف التي يجب توفيرها لذلك، يقول التقرير ، بعد التأكيد على أوجه الخلاف والشبه مع الحالة الليبية، إن”الانشقاقات السنية التي حصلت في صفوف الجيش السوري ، والتحول إلى ما يسمى الجيش السوري الحر، ظلت محدودة ، وبقي عددها قليلا بالمقارنة مع الانشقاقات التي شهدتها ليبيا”. ويشرح التقرير سبب تردد الولايات المتحدة وأوربا في شن هجوم عسكري على سوريا كما فعلوا في ليبيا بالقول” السبب الأول واضح وبسيط وهو عدم وجود منابع نفط في سوريا كتلك المتوفرة في ليبيا (…) أما السبب الثاني فهو قوة سلاح الجو السوري الذي سيستدرج القوى الخارجية إلى حرب ضروس مكلفة جدا من الناحية المالية والسياسية”، مضيفا القول” إن الدول الأخرى المعنية بسوريا ، كالسعودية والأردن وتركيا ، لا تستطيع قيادة هجوم عسكري على سوريا دون دعم أميركي أو أطلسي”. لكن التقرير يذكرنا بأن هناك ” طرقا كثيرة وخيارات عديدة يمكن الحكومات الأجنبية اعتمادها لإسقاط الأسد، دون اللجوء إلى العمل العسكري المباشر”. ويشير إلى تلك الطرق والخيارات بالقول” هناك المستوى الأول ، وهو النشاط السري الخفي. ويقوم هذا المستوى على الاتصال برموز المعارضة ، وتشجيع ضباط الجيش على القيام بانقلاب أو الانشقاق والالتحاق بالمعارضة ، حيث يجري الآن العمل مع مجموعات ومنظمات معارضة ، وتحسين أنشطتها الإعلامية والحربية، بحيث تتحول هذه الأنشطة السرية في مرحلة لاحقة إلى عمليات تخريب واغتيال”.

ويقول التقرير ” إن هذه العمليات الخفية تترافق عادة مع ضغوط ديبلوماسية معلنة مثل إصدار بيانات تشجب وتهاجم رئيس البلاد وقياداته، والعمل على إصدار قرارات عن المنظمات الدولية كالجامعة العربية والأمم المتحدة ، وفرض عقوبات اقتصادية على البلد المستهدف. وقد تشمل العمليات المعلنة أيضا لقاءات مع المعارضة في بلد ثالث على غرار الذي قامت به وزيرة الخارجية الأميركية (هيلاري كلينتون) في جنيف مؤخرا مع رموز المعارضة السورية(التي يترأسها البروفيسور برهان غليون)”.

أما المستوى الثاني من التدخل الاستخباري فيقوم على” تدريب مجموعات من المعارضة عسكريا واستخباريا ، الأمر الذي غالبا ما يحصل في بلد ثالث خارج حدود البلد المستهدف”. ويشير التقرير في هذا السياق إلى” مخيمات تدريب الجيش السوري الحر التي بدأنا نراها في تركيا” ، موضحا بالقول” إن هذا المستوى من العمليات يتضمن كذلك تزويد الميليشيات المعارضة بالمواد الغذائية ووسائل الاتصالات والسلاح (..) كي يشعر المنشقون نفسيا بأن هناك بلدا قويا يدعمهم”.

وأما المستوى الثالث من التدخل ، فهو التدخل الأجنبي المباشر. ويقول التقرير على هذا الصعيد ” هنا تقوم في العادة فرق العمليات الخاصة الأجنبية ، بالتعاون مع بعض القوى المحلية، وبدعم قوة جوية، بتنفيذ عمليات (تخريب) داخل أراضي البلد المستهدف” ويذكرنا التقرير في هذا السياق بـ”القوة الخاصة التابعة لوكالة الاستخبارات المركزية CIA في أفغانستان والعراق وأخيراً في ليبيا”.

وفي الوقت الحالي ، يتابع التقرير القول ، تقوم القوى الأجنبية بمتابعة ورصد ما يسمى “الجيش السوري الحر” ، حيث تعمل على ” تقويم مستوى تقدم عملياته لكي تختار اللحظة المناسبة للتدخل فوراً في سوريا”. ويتابع القول” إننا نراقب حالياً مدى فعالية الجيش السوري الحرّ، وتطوره في تنفيذ هجمات نوعية على أهداف جديدة، كما نركّز على قدرته على اعتماد تكتيكات جديدة في عملياته، كنصب الكمائن لشخصيات عالية المستوى” ، مشيرا إلى أن “الجيش” المذكور “يخضع لتدريب قوات استخبارية أجنبية خاصة على كيفية تشكيل مجموعات اتصال داخل المجتمع السوري بهدف جمع المعلومات والمواد اللازمة والاتصالات وإنشاء المخابئ والإنذار المبكر”. ويعلق التقرير في هذا السياق على ما أعلنه “الجيش” المذكور وقناتا “العربية” و”الجزيرة” بخصوص استهداف مقر المخابرات الجوية في ضاحية حرستا قرب دمشق مؤخرا بالقول” إنها كان مجرد دعاية إعلامية / بروباجندا”. وفي أول تأكيد صريح من قبل جهة غربية لوقوف عصابات العميل التركي ـ الأميركي رياض الأسعد وراء عمليات التخريب التي استهدفت المنشآت المدنية والنفطية ، يقول التقرير” إننا نراقب ما إذا كانت الهجمات على أنابيب النفط والغاز الطبيعي ستصبح منتظمة، لأن ذلك سيكون مؤشراً على تقدم نوعية عمليات الجيش السوري الحرّ». ويضيف القول” هناك معلومات تفيد بأن عناصر من القوى الخاصة الأميركية والفرنسية والتركية والأردنية تدرّب الآن عناصر الجيش السوري الحر في تركيا. لذا، لا بدّ أن نشاهد نتائج ملموسة لهذه التدريبات قريباً” ، موضحا بالقول” إننا نراقب بدقة كل الصور وأشرطة الفيديو الآتية من سوريا، لنرصد نوع السلاح الذي يستخدمه الجيش السوري الحرّ، لأن في ذلك دلالات على بدء التسليح الخارجي لأولئك العناصر. وعندما تبدأ الطائرات وحاملات الجند والأساطيل بالتحرّك في قبرص أو تركيا أو اليونان، فإن ذلك يعني أن القوى الخارجية قررت التدخل من خلال هجوم جوي، أو فرض حظر جوي على سوريا”.

يشار إلى أن “الحقيقة” ، واستنادا إلى مقابلة سرية أجرتها مع أحد الضباط العاملين مع العميل رياض الأسعد، كانت كشفت في 13 تشرين الثاني/ نوفمبر الماضي لقاءات رياض الأسعد بضباط الملحقية العسكرية الأميركية في أنقرة ، واتفاقه معهم على جمع معلومات استخبارية تخص الجيش السوري ومراكزه الاستراتيجية لصالح الولايات المتحدة . كما وكانت أول من كشف عن وقوف مسلحي ” كتيبة الفاروق” التابعة للعميل الأسعد وراء استهداف أنابيب النفط والغاز ومصفاة حمص.

The Syria Crisis: Assessing Foreign Intervention

The ongoing unrest, violence and security crackdowns in Syria have been the subject of major international attention since February. Our current assessment is that the government and opposition forces have reached a stalemate in which the government cannot quell the unrest and the opposition cannot bring down the regime without outside intervention.

In the Dec. 8 Security Weekly, we discussed the covert intelligence war being waged by the United States, Israel and other U.S. allies against Iran. Their efforts are directed not only against Tehran’s nuclear program but also against Iran’s ability to establish an arc of influence that stretches through Iraq, Syria and Lebanon. To that end, the United States and its allies are trying to limit Iran’s influence in Iraq and to constrain Hezbollah in Lebanon. But apparently they are also exploring ways to overthrow Syrian President Bashar al Assad, a longtime ally of Iran whose position is in danger due to the current unrest in the country. In fact, a U.S. State Department official recently characterized the al Assad regime as a “dead man walking.”

We therefore would like to examine more closely the potential external efforts required to topple the Syrian regime. In doing so, we will examine the types of tools that are available to external forces seeking to overthrow governments and where those tools fit within the force continuum, an array of activities ranging from clandestine, deniable activities to all-out invasion. We will also discuss some of the indicators that can be used by outside observers seeking to understand any efforts taken against the Syrian regime.

Read more: The Syria Crisis: Assessing Foreign Intervention | STRATFOR
http://www.stratfor.com/weekly/20111214-syria-crisis-assessing-foreign-intervention

December 15th, 2011, 6:44 pm

 

Bronco said:

#958 Jad

It’s possible but I think the AL is waiting to see if the Russian draft will be considered by the EU and US as a valid base for discussions. The Russians have criticized openly the AL for its treatment of Syria. The draft resolution is against any sanctions on Syria.

December 15th, 2011, 6:49 pm

 

jad said:

Bronco,
Clinton already accepted to work with the Russian on the draft, heck, they even accepted the Iraqi’s involvement:

‘أعلنت وزيرة الخارجية الأميركية هيلاري كلينتون استعداد الولايات المتحدة للعمل مع روسيا بشأن مشروع القرار الذي قدمه المندوب الروسي بمجلس الأمن فيتالي تشوركين حول سوريا.’

‘صرحت المتحدثة باسم وزارة الخارجية فيكتوريا نولاند في مؤتمر صحافي، ان “المبادرة العراقية التي اعلن عنها رئيس الوزراء العراقي نوري المالكي للتوسط بين النظام والمعارضة تاتي لدعم جهود الجامعة العربية لجعل نظام الرئيس السوري بشار الاسد يفي بالتزاماته في دعم خطة الجامعة العربية ولانهاء العنف وجعل القوات السورية تنسحب الى ثكناتها وفتح حوار والسماح لمراقبي حقوق الانسان بالدخول والسماح بعودة الصحافة”.’

What’s depressing is that he west, the oppositions and the AL could’ve accepted the Russian proposed plan 4 months ago and saved lives, now they are just wasting lives, what are the political changes happened in the last 4 months? NOTHING, just more Syrians killed, more weapons distributed, more sectarian clashes, more economical lost..nothing else..they are all accomplice in the killing of Syrians.

December 15th, 2011, 7:04 pm

 

Tara said:

Zoo

I might be wrong.  Yes, they have been consistent in supporting Bashar but it is hard to label them “loyal” or “not for sale”.  Time will tell.  The AL is deafeningly silent.  Turkey has not voiced any anti-Bashar rhetoric lately.  I think it is a result of the Iranian FM and Davutoglu making nice.  The former assuring Turkey that Iran does not pose any threat to its neighbor denying “irresponsible” statements made by other Iranian officials, and the later responding “Turkish-Iranian friendship is forever”.  It does sound funny that the US, EU, and Russia are making nice at the same time Turkey and Iran are making nice.  It is too suspicious, yet I might be over-reading into people’s affection.  All could be just unrelated natural developments.   
    

December 15th, 2011, 7:13 pm

 

jad said:

Ghufran,
This is for your laugh, according to this other warmonger Jarban member of the MBs council, the minorities are only the Alawites, The Christians and the Druz, but not the Kurds!? Kidding you not!

الجربا:اذا فشلت المبادرة العربية فسيتم تدويل الازمة السورية

اعتبر عضو المجلس الوطني السوري احمد العاصي الجربا في حديث لمحطة “العربية” ان خوف الاقليات في سوريا ليس مبررا والاكراد لا يقعوا ضمن فئة الاقليات والاقليات هم المسيحيون والعلويون والدروز.
واضاف هناك بعض الدول العربية تحاول ان تقنع النظام السوري بتنفيذ المبادرة العربية وان استطاعوا فهدا امر جيد ولكن توجد الكثير من الامور التي يجب على النظام تنفيذها واعتقد انه سيتم توقيع لبروتوكول التعاون مع جامعة الدول العربية.
واعلن الجربا نحن مستعدون للحوار مع الاشخاص الذين لم يشاركوا بعمليات القتل مثل نائب الرئيس فاروق الشرع،ونقبل بمبادرة شبيهة بالمبادرة التي حصلت باليمن.
واشار الى انه حتى الان فان المطروح هو المبادرة العربية واذا فشلت فان الازمة ستخضع للتدويل ونحن نطالب بمناطق عازلة لتحمي المدنيين السوريين لمنع الطيران ولا نريد من اي جيش اجنبي ان يحمينا فالجيش السوري الحر قادر على فعل ذلك.

December 15th, 2011, 7:13 pm

 

SANDRO LOEWE said:

It is not the international aproach that has provoked deaths, insecurity and degradation (tortures, prison, etc.) but the deal the Assad mafia made of the popular uprising. If you want to put it on the foreign countries it is up to you. First thing syrians must do is being realistic and describing real problems and their roots. Then find sustainable solutions. For Assad his real problem is the uprising, and the sollution torture and more killings. Only a mad president could be so blind and obtuse as he is.

December 15th, 2011, 7:13 pm

 

jad said:

Missteps in the Syrian Opposition’s Propaganda Effort

Summary
Syrian opposition groups are mounting a propaganda campaign to create the impression that the Alawite community is splintering and that the Syrian regime is internally cracking. While the opposition has done a better job of organizing itself in recent months, the propaganda effort has been hampered by recent missteps and suffers from a lack of credibility and coordination.

Analysis
Syrian opposition groups are engaged in an aggressive propaganda drive to promote the perception that the Alawite community is splintering and that the Syrian regime is cracking from within. Most of the opposition’s more serious claims have turned out to be grossly exaggerated or simply untrue, thereby revealing more about the opposition’s weaknesses than the level of instability inside the Syrian regime.

The continuity of Syrian President Bashar al Assad’s regime depends on his ability to maintain unity within a few groups: his own al Assad clan, the Alawite-dominated army and the wider Alawite community. Were his patronage networks to unravel and the regime’s powerful figures to start viewing each other as liabilities worthy of elimination, the demise of the regime would not be far off.

This concept is well understood by various groups that are operating under the Syrian opposition umbrella and trying to create the conditions for foreign intervention to bring the regime down. The Syrian opposition movement exhibits more coherence today than it did three months ago, but its efforts at propagating disinformation still render highly mixed results. Several opposition claims in the past week illustrate these shortcomings.

A Series of Doubtful Reports
Syrian opposition officials in London disseminated a report Dec. 10 citing unnamed sources who claimed Syrian Deputy Defense Minister and former chief of military intelligence Asef Shawkat had been killed by his aide and former General Security Directorate chief, Gen. Ali Mamlouk. The story alleged that the two officials got into an argument and that Shawkat was secretly rushed to a Damascus hospital after suffering fatal gunshot wounds. Other Syrian opposition sources claimed Shawkat was in a coma, while other Arabic-language reports citing unnamed sources claimed Shawkat was shot and killed by his driver.

The image of two senior-ranking Sunni members of the regime drawing guns on each other — or at least the thought of a senior member of the regime dying under mysterious circumstances — helps create a compelling narrative. The opposition movement wants to undermine the perception that al Assad’s inner circle is united in the effort to suppress the opposition and save the regime. Shawkat, the president’s brother-in-law, is a particularly controversial member of the regime given his ongoing feud with Maher al Assad, the president’s younger brother and the head of the elite Republican Guard forces. It is rumored that Maher shot and wounded Shawkat during an argument in 1999. Shawkat was also placed under temporary house arrest in 2008 after allegations that he was involved in a conspiracy to as sassinate Hezbollah commander Imad Mughniyeh.

Anyone attempting to split the regime would likely seek out Shawkat as one of the first regime leaders willing to instigate a palace coup against their in-laws. High-ranking Sunni regime figures like Shawkat and Mamlouk warrant close monitoring, but STRATFOR has found no evidence to back opposition claims that Shawkat was killed. The story also failed to gain traction with Syria’s more prominent opposition outlets, such as the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the Free Syrian Army (FSA) or the Local Coordinating Committee, not to mention mainstream media outlets in the West.

In a Dec. 9 statement issued to the London-based, Saudi-owned Asharq al Awsat news website, a group calling itself the Alawite League of Coordinating Committees claimed to represent the Alawite community in Syria and rejected any attempt to hold the Alawite sect responsible for the “barbarism” of the al Assad regime. The report described the Shabiha militias, which the regime has used to crack down on protesters, as tools of the al Assad regime that have nothing to do with the Alawite community. This report gives the impression that the Alawite community is fracturing and that the al Assad regime is facing a serious loss of support within its own minority sect. However, no record of the Alawite League of Coordinating Committees exists, and a STRATFOR source in the Syrian opposition acknowledged that this group was in fact an invention of the Sunni opposition in Syria.

Another set of reports, which Syrian opposition groups including the Syrian National Council, the FSA and the United Kingdom-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights began to disseminate Dec. 9, claims that regime forces besieged Homs and imposed a 72-hour deadline for Syrian defectors to surrender themselves and their weapons or face a potential massacre. Although regime forces have been cracking down on dissent in Homs, there have been no signs of a massacre there. Syrian opposition forces have an interest in portraying an impending massacre, hoping to mimic the conditions that propelled a foreign military intervention in Libya to prevent former leader Moammar Gadhafi’s forces from leveling the opposition stronghold of Benghazi. However, the regime has calibrated its crackdowns to avoid just such a scenario. Regime forces have been careful to avoid the high casualty numbers that could lead to an intervention based on humanitarian grounds.

In an attempt to demonstrate that the regime has lost the backing of the merchant class, Syrian Local Coordinating Committees called for a “strike of dignity” Dec. 12. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the strike was followed in opposition strongholds such as Homs, Daraa and Douma and that it was spreading to the financial hub of Aleppo in the northeast. The regime countered the strike call with an eight-page photo spread in state media showing shops that remained open. Meanwhile, STRATFOR sources in Damascus reported receiving multiple text messages from an American phone number calling on them to strike — and they added that the strike went largely ignored in the capital. The actual turnout for the strike likely lies somewhere between the opposition’s and regime’s claims, but it appears that a significant number of Syrians, especially in the key cities of Damascus and Aleppo, will not yet risk openly confronting the regim e.

Syria’s opposition camp comprises a high number of different groups, and not all of these claims are coordinated by mainstream entities such as the FSA, Local Coordinating Committees and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Although the stories may not always arise from a fully coordinated effort, the overall propaganda campaign includes the following core objectives:

Convincing Syrians inside Syria (going beyond the Sunni majority to include the minorities that have so far largely backed the regime) that the regime is splitting and therefore no longer worth supporting.
Convincing external stakeholders, such as the United States, Turkey and France, that the regime is splitting and is prepared to commit massacres to put down the unrest, along the lines of what the regime carried out in 1982 in Hama.
Convincing both Syrians and external stakeholders that the collapse of the al Assad regime will not result in the level of instability that has plagued Iraq for nearly a decade, or in the rise of Islamist militias, as appears to be happening in Libya. To this end, the FSA has emphasized its defensive operations and the defense of civilians to avoid being branded as militants. Meanwhile, the political opposition has stressed that it wants to keep state structures intact, so as to avoid the Iraq scenario of having to rebuild the state from scratch amid a sectarian war.
Coordinating Propaganda Efforts
Syrian opposition groups have improved their ability to develop contacts in the media and reach mainstream Western outlets such as Reuters, AFP and BBC with their stories. Western wire services run stories regularly that quote casualty totals provided by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, without the ability to verify the information. Western media are also increasingly reporting claims emanating from the FSA.

The opposition’s disinformation campaign still has its limits, though. The lack of coordination among various opposition outlets and the unreliability of the reports threaten to undermine the credibility of the opposition as a whole. Inside Syria, the regime is also waging a relatively successful counter-propaganda campaign to brand opposition fighters as armed militants. On the external front, the Syrian regime has found support from the Russian Foreign Ministry, which recently condemned the West’s alleged “double standards” — for relying, in Moscow’s eyes, on biased reporting while sanctioning Syrian media outlets.

Although Syrian opposition groups have increasingly been able to organize their efforts to disseminate information to Western media, they still lack a complementary political presence inside these Western countries — a necessary component to create the justification for intervention through the media. There are still a number of factors impeding military intervention. These include the threat of Iranian retaliation, the logistical complications involved in carrying out a military campaign in Syria and the general fear of the instability the regime’s collapse could leave in the country. Propaganda alone will not be able to shift that part of the equation, especially when the propaganda effort itself lacks credibility and coordination.

Editor’s Note: Syrian Deputy Defense Minister and former military intelligence chief Asef Shawkat and former General Security Directorate chief Gen. Ali Mamlouk are members of Syria’s Alawite sect, not Sunnis, as they were identified in this analysis.

http://www.stratfor.com/memberships/205829/analysis/20111213-missteps-syrian-oppositions-propaganda-effort

December 15th, 2011, 7:20 pm

 

jad said:

المالكي يرسل وفداً إلى دمشق لإطلاق المبادرة العراقية
مشروع قرار روسي لمجلس الأمن يدين «عنف جميع الأطراف» مقتـل 27 عسـكرياً في درعا … وتأجيـل اجتمـاع وزراء الخارجية العـرب

فاجأت روسيا أعضاء مجلس الأمن الدولي، امس، بتقديم مشروع قرار يدين أعمال العنف في سوريا من قبل «جميع الأطراف، ومن ضمنه الاستخدام المفرط للقوة من قبل السلطات السورية»، لكنه لا يذكر أي شيء عن عقوبات، بل يدعم المبادرة العربية، فيما أعلنت الجامعة العربية تأجيل اجتماع وزراء الخارجية الذي كان من المقرر عقده في القاهرة غدا، ونقل اجتماع اللجنة الوزارية الخاصة بالأزمة السورية إلى الدوحة.
وأعلن رئيس الوزراء العراقي نوري المالكي أن العراق سيرسل وفدا إلى سوريا لطرح مبادرة عراقية تهدف إلى فتح حوار بين المعارضة والحكومة السورية، فيما تصاعدت الهجمات ضد القوات السورية، حيث قتل 27 عنصرا في محافظة درعا.
ويأتي ذلك، بعدما نقلت وكالة «إيتار – تاس» الروسية عن نائب رئيس مجلس الجمعية الروسية للتضامن والتعاون بين شعوب آسيا وأفريقيا كيم كوشيف قوله ان نائب الرئيس السوري فاروق الشرع وصل إلى موسكو للقاء وزير الخارجية الروسي سيرغي لافروف وعدد من المسؤولين الآخرين.
وقال مندوب روسيا لدى الأمم المتحدة فيتالي تشوركين، الذي تترأس بلاده رئاسة مجلس الأمن لهذا الشهر، انه قدم إلى أعضاء المجلس مشروع قرار يهدف إلى خفض العنف في سوريا. ويدين النص «أعمال العنف في سوريا من قبل جميع الأطراف، ومن ضمنه الاستخدام المفرط للقوة من قبل السلطات السورية»، لكنه لا يذكر أي شيء عن عقوبات ضد سوريا، معتبرا أن هذا الأمر «غير مثمر».
وقال تشوركين «ما فعلته البعثة الروسية كان تحديث مسودة مشروع القرار الروسي ـ الصيني الخاص بسوريا. اقترحنا نسخة جديدة تأخذ في الاعتبار تطورات الأشهر الماضية وتدعم النص السابق في ما يخص الحاجة إلى وقف العنف والحفاظ على حقوق الإنسان وتسريع الإصلاحات، وبشكل خاص إلى توجيه رسالة قوية إلى الجامعة العربية مفادها أننا نشجعها على مواصلة جهودها والعمل مع حكومة سوريا وتنفيذ خطة نشر المراقبين. رد فعل زملائي في المجلس كان بناء وقد رحبوا بالمبادرة الروسية… كانت لديهم تعليقات وقلنا إننا نتطلع إلى العمل معهم».
ووصف المندوب السوري بشار الجعفري مسودة القرار الروسي بأنها خطوة في الاتجاه الصحيح.
وبالرغم من أن عددا من الدول الأعضاء في المجلس رحبوا بالمبادرة الروسية إلا أنهم اعتبروا أنها لا تكفي. وقال عدد من المندوبين، بينهم فرنسا وألمانيا، إنهم يعتقدون انه يجب حظر الأسلحة واعتماد لغة أقوى فيه، معربين عن أملهم في التفاوض مع موسكو من اجل تقوية مشروع القرار. وقال مندوب فرنسا جيرار ارو، في بيان، «اعتقد أن الحدث اليوم هو حدث عظيم، لان روسيا قررت أخيرا الخروج عن جمودها وتقديم قرار عن سوريا». وأضاف «إن النص الذي قدم إلينا يحتاج بالطبع إلى الكثير من التعديلات لأنه غير متوازن. إلا انه نص سيكون أساسا نتفاوض عليه».
واعلنت وزيرة الخارجية الاميركية هيلاري كلينتون ان مشروع القرار بنصه الحالي «يتضمن عناصر لا نستطيع دعمها»، مشيرة الى وضع قوات الامن السورية والمعارضة «على قدم المساواة» من حيث المسؤولية عن العنف، الا انها اضافت «سنقوم بدرس مشروع القرار بدقة… ونأمل ان نتمكن من العمل مع الروس».
الجامعة العربية
وأعلن نائب الأمين العام لجامعة الدول العربية أحمد بن حلي لوكالة أنباء الشرق الأوسط انه «على اثر المشاورات التي أجراها الأمين العام للجامعة نبيل العربي مع رئيس اللجنة العربية المعنية بحل الأزمة السورية وزير خارجية قطر الشيخ حمد بن جاسم بن جبر آل ثاني وبعض الوزراء العرب ومن بينهم وزير خارجية سوريا وليد المعلم، تقرر عقد اجتماع اللجنة الوزارية العربية في الدوحة السبت».
وأضاف «تقرر أيضا تأجيل اجتماع وزراء الخارجية العرب الذي كان مقررا عقده في القاهرة السبت إلى موعد يحدد في ما بعد». وتابع إن «هناك جهودا تبذل من أجل الوصول إلى صيغة بمقتضاها توقع الحكومة السورية على برتوكول بعثة مراقبي الجامعة العربية حتى تقوم بمهمتها التي كلفت بها من قبل مجلس الجامعة العربية». يشار إلى أن قمة دول مجلس التعاون الخليجي ستعقد في الرياض في 19 و20 الحالي.
وعقد العربي في القاهرة سلسلة من اللقاءات مع وفد من المعارضة السورية برئاسة احمد عبد القادر رمضان، ضم رجاء الناصر وهيثم العودات وعبيدة نحاس وصالح مسلم وعبد العزيز سليمان وجاد ابيان نجيب.
كما التقى العربي مع رجل القانون المصري علي الغتيت الذي كان قد عاد من سوريا، حيث كان متواجدا في رحلة عمل لتقديم استشارات قانونية للحكومة السورية. وقالت مصادر في الجامعة العربية لوكالة أنباء الشرق الأوسط ان «الغتيت بحث مع الأمين العام الوضع السوري والرسائل المتبادلة بين الجامعة العربية ووزير الخارجية السوري والعقبات التي تعرقل الجهود العربية لإنهاء الأزمة السورية».
والتقى رئيس «حركة مجتمع السلم» الجزائرية أبو جرة سلطاني وفدا من «المجلس الوطني السوري» المعارض برئاسة جبر الشوفي. وقالت الحركة، في بيان، ان «سلطاني استمع من الشوفي إلى شرح مستفيض حول الأوضاع الصعبة في سوريا وواقع المبادرة العربية التي تقول سوريا انها وافقت عليها. ودعا الشوفي الجزائر إلى الوقوف بجانب الشعب السوري سياسيا وإعلاميا».
ونقل البيان عن سلطاني «تأكيده مواقف حركة مجتمع السلم مع الشعوب في نضالها ضد الاستبداد من أجل الحرية والديموقراطية، داعيا الجميع للتحرك لإنقاذ الشعب السوري».
المالكي
وقال المالكي، في مقابلة مع وكالة «فرانس برس» على متن الطائرة التي أقلته من الولايات المتحدة إلى بغداد، «فور وصولي سأعقد اجتماعا لإعداد الخطط لإرسال الوفد إلى سوريا لتنفيذ مبادرة العراق».
وأوضح أن مبادرة العراق تهدف إلى فتح حوار بين أطراف المعارضة السورية من جهة والحكومة السورية من جهة أخرى للوصول إلى نتائج مرضية للجانبين. وتابع ان «الولايات المتحدة وأوروبا متخوفتان من مرحلة ما بعد نظام (الرئيس) بشار الأسد. لذا تفهمتا المبادرة» العراقية.
إلى ذلك، رفض رؤساء الكنائس في سوريا أي تدخل أجنبي من أي نوع ومن أي جهة، داعين إلى رفع العقوبات التي تفرض على سوريا تحت أي ذريعة (تفاصيل ص١٥).
وقال وزير الخارجية الفرنسي آلان جوبيه، أمام مئات الطلاب في جامعة العاصمة الليبية طرابلس، إن «حوالى خمسة آلاف قتيل، ثلاثة ملايين سوري طاولهم القمع الدامي، الكثير من التجاوزات والجرائم بحق الإنسانية ترتكب يوميا: كم من الضحايا ينبغي أن يسقط بعد حتى يدرك العالم أن على بشار الأسد أن يرحل؟».
ميدانيات
ودعا المعارضون عبر «فيسبوك» إلى التظاهر اليوم تحت شعار «الجامعة العربية تقتلنا».
وقال المرصد السوري لحقوق الإنسان، في بيان، «قتل 27 عنصرا على الأقل من الجيش والأمن السوري فجرا في اشتباكات مع منشقين في محافظة درعا». وأوضح أن «الاشتباكات حصلت في مواقع متفرقة عند حاجز طريق السد وتجمع امني في حديقة الروضة بمدينة درعا وحاجز امني عسكري مشترك عند تقاطع طرق بلدات المسيفرة والجيزة وبصرى الشام».
وقالت «سانا» «قتل أحد أفراد مجموعة إرهابية مسلحة وأصيب ثلاثة بانفجار عبوة كانوا يزرعونها في فيلا بكروم مضايا بريف دمشق أثناء سرقتها». وأضافت «عثرت الجهات المختصة في محافظة حماه على بيت مهجور مؤلف من طابقين تستخدمه مجموعة إرهابية مسلحة في حي الحميدية وبداخله كميات كبيرة من الأجهزة الالكترونية والبنادق الآلية والقنابل الدفاعية والعبوات وقنابل المولوتوف والحشوات المتفجرة التي تستخدمها المجموعات المسلحة في أعمالها الإجرامية التي تستهدف أمن الوطن. كما تم العثور في البيت على جثة متفسخة لأحد المواطنين ولم يتم التعرف الى هويته نظرا لشدة التشهير والتنكيل بالجثة، ويعتقد أنها لأحد المخطوفين».
(«السفير»، سانا،
ا ف ب، ا ب، رويترز، ا ش ا)

http://www.assafir.com/Article.aspx?EditionId=2028&ChannelId=48107&ArticleId=1703&Author=

December 15th, 2011, 8:04 pm

 

jad said:

تقرير دبلوماسي يفنّد الأبعاد الاقتصادية للمشروع الأميركي في الشرق الأوسط
سوريا «الرجل المريض».. وإطار اقتصادي يجمع إسرائيل و«الورثة»

داود رمال
يتقدم الوجه الاقتصادي للتطورات المتسارعة في المنطقة على ما عداه من أوجه حيوية، ويتناول تقرير دبلوماسي بإسهاب البعد الاقتصادي لما يحصل راهنا في منطقة الشرق الأوسط، بما تمثله من حالة إقليمية تكاد تكون فريدة من نوعها في العالم، من حيث عدم تمحورها ضمن إطار سياسي واقتصادي موحد ومحدد، مما يجعلها دائما في دائرة محاولات الهيمنة من القوى الكبرى عالميا وتحديدا الولايات المتحدة الأميركية التي تمتلك مشروعا استراتيجيا متكاملا لهذا الحيز الجغرافي المميز بموقعه وثرواته الاقتصادية وتنوعه الطائفي.
وإذا كان المشروع الأميركي الجديد «قد دخل حيز التنفيذ منذ تأسيس القيادة الوسطى للجيش الأميركي والتي اتخذت من دولة قطر مركزا رئيسيا لها»، فإن التقرير يتحدث عن موقع سوريا في هذا المشروع ومفاده أن أميركا «تريد تحويلها في غضون فترة زمنية محددة إلى ما يشبه الرجل المريض، بحيث ترث تركيا الدور السوري لان المشروع الأميركي يتضمن تأسيس إطار اقتصادي في المنطقة يكون لإسرائيل وتركيا وإيران (الجديدة) الدور النافذ فيه باعتبارها القوى الرئيسية على أن يرتبط هذا الدور بأميركا، ولا يلحظ المشروع دورا لأي من الدول العربية وذلك نابع من اعتقاد سائد أن المشكلة هي وجود 22 دولة عربية لم تتمكن واحدة منها من تطبيق الشروط الأميركية حتى تأخذ صفة الدولة ذات الدور الإقليمي والمؤهلة للعب دور مميز على صعيد المنطقة».
فما هي هذه المواصفات الأميركية؟
يورد التقرير الذي اطلعت عليه مراجع دبلوماسية وسياسية لبنانية «خمس مواصفات للدولة التي يمكن أن يكون لها دور ونفوذ في المنطقة وهي، القوة الاقتصادية القوة الصناعية الصناعات العسكرية الجغراسيا عدد السكان، وهذه المواصفات الأميركية، تنطبق على تركيا وإسرائيل وإيران، كما أنها من حيث التواصل المباشر أو عبر الرصد والمتابعة وجدت أنها تتمتع بالمواصفات الأميركية لتكون هذه الدول لاعبا أساسيا ومحوريا في مسرح تسعين في المئة منه يتشكل من دول عربية لا تنطبق على أي منها هذه المواصفات، إنما وجدت دولة تركمانية ودولة فارسية ودولة يهودية تتمتع بالمواصفات».
ويورد التقرير أن «المشروع الأميركي ثنائي الأهداف يكمل أحدها الآخر وقطبته الأساسية إسرائيل فهو،
أولا، يتوجه لبناء إطار اقتصادي سياسي محدد وموجّه ومرتبط بواشنطن.
ثانيا، يدخل إسرائيل شريكا في كل تفاصيل العملية بحيث يبدأ تحقق المشروع الصهيوني من خلال تكامله مع المشروع الأميركي في الإطار الإقليمي وعلى حساب المشروع القومي العربي العاجز تاريخيا عن التبلور عن سابق تصور الأنظمة العربية وتصميمها».
ماذا يعني ذلك استراتيجيا؟
يجيب التقرير «يعني ذلك أن جزءا من المشروع الاسرائيلي تبنته الإدارة الأميركية، مما يجعل الكيان الاسرائيلي المحتل مقبولا تحت عناوين اقتصادية عبر هذا المشروع، أي انه يحقق ما عجزت عنه إسرائيل برغم كل اتفاقات السلام التي أبرمتها صراحة أو مواربة مع عدد من الدول العربية ولا سيما أكبرها مصر، إذ إن التطبيع الشعبي فشل برغم التطبيع القانوني والسياسي، لأن الشعور الوطني والقومي عند الشعوب العربية وقف سدا منيعا في وجه هذا المنحى الانهزامي من التطبيع الشامل، مما افقد إسرائيل القدرة على التحول الى دولة مقبولة وطبيعية في المنطقة العربية».
ففي المنحى الاقتصادي «تعتقد الادارة الاميركية ان ادخال جزء من المشروع الاسرائيلي ضمن المشروع الاوسع سيؤدي الى تطبيع تلقائي في اطار اقتصادي حيث تغلب المصالح على العقائد، ولأنه سيكون متصلا اقتصاديا بشبكة علاقات اقتصادية حيث يبرع العقل الصهيوني، كما ان الادارة الاميركية تعتبر أن هناك شعوبا ينقصها التطور والاندماج والتقدم والانفتاح، وبالتالي يمكن ادخالها في اطار من الاندماج عبر العديد من المعطيات الاقتصادية، على قاعدة ان الاقتصاد سيلعب دورا حاسما في ثقافة الشعوب، ويساعد على ذلك تعميم الاقتصاد المنفلت من عقاله والذي يسمى تجميلا بـ«الاقتصاد الحر»، وهذا سيغير تلقائيا وتدريجيا وبوتيرة متسارعة تفاصيل ثقافية تؤدي الى تغيير الكثير من القناعات الثقافية التاريخية لهذه الشعوب».
ويوضح التقرير «ان اميركا تسعى الى تنفيذ جزء من المشروع الاسرائيلي، بما يؤدي الى حماية وجود اسرائيل التي تعرضت في العقدين الاخيرين على وجه التحديد الى نكسات استراتيجية خطيرة، وهذه الحماية تكون عبر بعدين، الأول، ان تجعل منها قوة اقتصادية نافذة في المنطقة، والثاني، فتح الاسواق الاقتصادية امامها بلا قيود، بما يعني ان تطبيعا اقتصاديا سيحصل حيث فشل التطبيع السياسي والقانوني في الوصول الى التطبيع الشعبي، فتصبح العملية معكوسة اذ ان الرهان هو على ان التطبيع الاقتصادي يسهل عملية انضاج التطبيع الشعبي».
والسؤال البديهي الذي يطرح، ما علاقة سوريا والاحداث التي تحصل داخلها وحولها بهذا المشروع؟
يشير التقرير الى «وجود علاقة عضوية قائمة كون النظام السوري هو النظام العربي الوحيد الذي يقف في وجه هذا المشروع الخطير، حيث لا توجد اية دولة عربية تتمتع بالمواصفات الاميركية للدخول الى نادي الدول الاقليمية الا سوريا وهي عائق امام تحقيقه، اما القول بوجود السعودية، فالكل يعرف ان لديها قوة مالية ولا تمتلك قوة اقتصادية لا سيما في مجال الصناعات وقوتها الاساسية نفطية، بينما الدول الخليجية الأخرى متواضعة ديموغرافيا وجغراسيا بحيث يستطيع اي مارد إقليمي ابتلاعها اقتصاديا..».
ويلفت التقرير الانتباه الى «أن المشكلة التي تواجه اميركا في تنفيذ مشروعها هي في ادخال ايران، عبر تسييل لعابها من خلال اعطائها منافع اقتصادية على ان يكون العراق عمقا لهذه المنافع، في حين أن ايران ترفض حتى مبدأ الدخول في مفاوضات مباشرة مع الادارة الاميركية، بينما تمكنت من تسييل لعاب تركيا عبر التعهد بمنحها دورا في المشرق العربي على صعيد أنظمة الحكم الجديدة في سوريا ولبنان والدولة الفلسطينية المفترضة، مما دفع انقرة الى ان تكون مسهلا بانتظار حيازتها على ما وعدت به.
ولتحقيق ذلك، تسعى اميركا الى جعل سوريا الرجل المريض الذي عادة ما يحقن بالعلاج والمهدئات لإنعاشه الدائم، لكن الادارة الاميركية تعتمد اسلوبا آخر وهو طعن سوريا في اماكن موجعة وغير قاتلة، لكي تؤمن التزامن بين انهيار النظام واستكمال مشروعها، لذلك لجأت الى القوة المالية الخليجية في محاولة للحد من الاصرار الروسي على الوقوف الى جانب النظام السوري، «الا ان محاولات تحييد روسيا لا زالت تلقى الفشل لاعتبارات استراتيجية لا تنفع معها المغريات المالية والاقتصادية».
ويختم التقرير بالإشارة الى ان «تركيا تلعب راهنا دور رأس الحربة في المشروع، ودورها تنفيذي ميداني، بينما تكتفي واشنطن بالضغط السياسي والاقتصادي والقانوني عبر المجتمع الدولي».

http://www.assafir.com/Article.aspx?EditionId=2028&ChannelId=48109&ArticleId=1665&Author=%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%88%D8%AF%20%D8%B1%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%84

December 15th, 2011, 8:05 pm

 

annie said:

http://youtu.be/TSTZ4q2cuhw
Inside Assad’s Torture Chambers –

December 15th, 2011, 8:13 pm

 
 

Tara said:

To all mnhebaks, enjoy

http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2011/12/16/182811.html

She is pretty.  Light eyes and black hair.  Nice combination I think.

December 15th, 2011, 8:44 pm

 
 

Mina said:

Amir,

I was not expecting from an Israeli to convince me about anything concerning democracy, if you see the point.

In Europe there are laws banning pro-Nazi political parties and publications on the ground that since they refuse democracy and advocate violence, they cannot be accepted in the democratic game. The same go for people who do not want to consider every citizen as equal, no matter his sex or religion (and this is a red line that most MB are trying to keep, unlike the Salafis).

Here, for you, from Haaretz. You’ll see how the Europeans can take all sort of precautions when it comes to preserve their interests:

http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/secret-eu-paper-aims-to-tackle-israel-s-treatment-of-arab-minority-1.401678
The European Union should consider Israel’s treatment of its Arab population a “core issue, not second tier to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,” according to a classified working paper produced by European embassies in Israel, parts of which were obtained by Haaretz.

This is an unprecedented document in that it deals with internal Israeli issues. According to European diplomats and senior Foreign Ministry officials, it was written and sent to EU headquarters in Brussels behind the back of the Israeli government.
Published 00:41 16.12.11
Latest update 00:41 16.12.11

Secret EU paper aims to tackle Israel’s treatment of Arab minority
Paper states EU should consider Israel’s treatment of its Arab population a ‘core issue’, and not second tier to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
By Barak Ravid Tags: Jews and Arabs

Get Haaretz on iPhone
Get Haaretz on Android

The European Union should consider Israel’s treatment of its Arab population a “core issue, not second tier to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,” according to a classified working paper produced by European embassies in Israel, parts of which were obtained by Haaretz.

This is an unprecedented document in that it deals with internal Israeli issues. According to European diplomats and senior Foreign Ministry officials, it was written and sent to EU headquarters in Brussels behind the back of the Israeli government.
Israeli Arabs next to Israeli Jews holding national flags, Jerusalem, May 15, 2010

Israeli Arabs next to Israeli Jews holding national flags, Jerusalem, May 15, 2010
Photo by: Reuters

Other issues the document deals with include the lack of progress in the peace process, the continued occupation of the territories, Israel’s definition of itself as Jewish and democratic, and the influence of the Israeli Arab population.

The original document also included suggestions for action the EU should take, but these were removed from the final version at the insistence of several countries.
(…)

December 15th, 2011, 9:41 pm

 

Bronco said:

Jad

After having seen the easy fall of Mobarak and Ben Ali, the opposition has totally underestimated the power and determination the Syrian regime would put to prevent its overthrow. Contrary to Tunis and Cairo, the peaceful demonstrations were limited to secondary cities and did not move to the capital and large cities.

Then the opposition realized it was harder than they thought and they started to encourage the “Libyan” model with NATO and/or Turkish military intervention without imagining that NATO and Turkey were not ready to jump in and that letting loose armed men would create an escalating sectarian war. This approach not only failed to shake the regime but created a situation on the ground very violent and difficult to control.
The AL tried another approach, the ones of imposing sanctions on the country and pressuring on the opposition to united and compromise on a dialog. It also failed, because the Syria regime stood firm in its plan to re-establish the control of the country by destroying any armed militias in the country, whether they are armed protesters, defectors or criminals. On the other hand, the most vocal opposition, the SNC, stood firm that they would not compromise and most Arab neighbors refused to apply the sanctions.
After this series of failures, we are in another phase where Russia is leading the international community to pressure the opposition on a compromise and Russia will take the responsibility that Syria will implement the reforms and control the violence.
In the absence of other alternative, let’s hope this will work out and save the country from more deaths.

December 15th, 2011, 9:53 pm

 

zoo said:

The Iraqi offer for mediation

بغداد تتلقى ردا إيجابيا من المعارضة السورية على جهود الوساطة مع
النظام .. مصادر : المبادرة العراقية تقوم على خمس خطوت متسلسلة زمنياً
بغداد تتلقى ردا إيجابيا من المعارضة السورية على جهود الوساطة مع
بغداد ..
أكد علي الموسوي مستشار رئيس الوزراء العراقي نوري المالكي أن السلطات العراقية تلقت ردا إيجابيا من المعارضة السورية على الدعوة الموجهة لزيارة بغداد بهدف القيام بوساطة بينها وبين النظام السوري.
ونقلت وكالة “فرانس برس” عن الموسوي قوله “لقد دعونا المعارضة السورية الى زيارة العراق … وقد رحب المالكي بهذه المبادرة “، وأوضح ان رئيس الوزراء العراقي “كان قد طلب من العديد من المسؤولين السياسيين التفاوض مع المعارضة السورية”.وشدد على أن “التحرك العراقي يستند الى المبادرة العربية، إضافة إلى مطالب المعارضة التي ستنقل الى الحكومة السورية”.
وتتخذ السلطات العراقية حتى الآن موقفا حذراً حيال الأزمة في سورية، وأدلى المالكي أول من أمس، بموقف متمايز عن الموقف الأميركي المطالب بـ”تنحي” الرئيس السوري بشار الأسد، وذلك في مؤتمر صحافي مشترك مع الرئيس باراك اوباما. وقال “نحن لسنا ضد تطلعات الشعب السوري ولا تطلعات أي شعب آخر، لكن ليس من حقي أن أطلب من رئيس “التنحي”، ولا نريد أن نعطي انفسنا هذا الحق”، مضيفا “ان العراق بلد له حدود مع سورية وأنا تهمني مصلحة العراق”.
وفي السياق نفسه كشفت مصادر عراقية موثوقة لصحيفة “الاخبار” اللبنانية أن رئيس الحكومة نوري المالكي، المنتظر عودته قريبا من واشنطن، يستعد لارسال وفد “من رئاسة الحكومة إلى دمشق في زيارة ستبقى بعيدة عن الاعلام، بهدف التفاهم مع الحكم هناك على محاور المبادرة التي سيطرحها العراق. وانه في حال حصول تفاهم على هذه المبادرة، سوف يرسل المالكي وزير خارجيته هوشيار زيباري في زياة علنية الى سوريا للاعلان عن المبادرة”.
وحسب المصادر فأن المبادرة العراقية “تقوم على خمس خطوات متسلسلة زمنياً، تبدأ بقرار من جامعة الدول العربية بتجميد العقوبات التي فرضتها على سوريا يليها سحب السوريين للوجوه الأمنية، بمعنى الحل الأمني، من الواجهة. بعد ذلك، تعيد دمشق فتح باب الحوار الداخلي، يليه حوار سوري عربي برعاية عراقية، على أن تختتم هذه المراحل بحوار سوري داخلي شامل برعاية عربية”.
وتؤكد المصادر هذه المبادرة تحظى بدعم من إيران، مشيرة إلى أن زيارة مصلحي إلى السعودية تأتي في هذا الإطار. وتتابع أن رئيس مجلس الشورى علي لاريجاني التقى في طهران أمس برئيس المجلس الأعلى الإسلامي السيد عمّار الحكيم وأكد له الدعم الإيراني للمبادرة العراقية.
وفي المناسبة، يؤدي المجلس الأعلى دوراً بالغ الأهمية في سياق الأزمة السورية. وقد تبلّغ أخيرا، ومعه أكثر من طرف عراقي، من السفير الأميركي لدى بغداد جيمس جيفري أن الإدارة الأميركية بدأت تتكيف مع عجزها على “اسقاط ” الرئيس السوري بشار الأسد، وهي قررت أن تعمد في المرحلة المقبلة على “احتوائه”. وكانت رسالة مشابهة وصلت إلى المسؤولين السوريين مصدرها السفارة الأميركية في دمشق. وتتحدث أوساط عراقية قريبة من السفارة الأميركية عن قلق واشنطن من كثافة انتشار تنظيم “القاعدة” في سوريا.
وترى المصادر سالفة الذكر في “الموقف الصلب والجريء الذي اتخذه المالكي برفضه دعوة الرئيس الأسد إلى “التنحي”، واعتراف أوباما بخلافات مع بغداد، حتى ولو وصفها بأنها تكتيكية، أبرز مؤشر إلى انفكاك العراق عن الفلك الأميركي وانضمامه إلى محور الممانعة”.
http://www.champress.net/index.php?q=ar/Article/view/108156

December 15th, 2011, 10:24 pm

 

Ghufran said:

Here we go

قال مصدر روسي، اليوم الخميس، إن نائب الرئيس السوري فاروق الشرع وصل إلى موسكو لبحث آفاق التسوية السلمية للأزمة في سورية، ومن المتوقع أن يلتقي عددا من المسؤولين الروس.

ونقلت وكالة الأنباء الروسية “إيتار- تاس” عن نائب رئيس مجلس الجمعية الروسية للتضامن والتعاون بين شعوب أسيا وأفريقا كيم كوشيف قوله إن “الجمعية شاركت في تنظيم زيارة الشرع إلى موسكو”، حيث من المتوقع أن يلتقي الشرع مع وزير الخارجية الروسي سيرعي لافروف وعدد من المسؤولين الآخرين.

December 15th, 2011, 10:31 pm

 

Haytham Khoury said:

Bassam Imadi on Canadian Radio CBC

December 15th, 2011, 10:36 pm

 

zoo said:

Military rulers hijacking Islam
15/12/2011
By Dr. al-Qarni is a Saudi-born Islamic preacher and scholar. His book “Don’t Feel Sad” (La Tahzan) has sold millions world wide.
http://www.asharq-e.com/news.asp?section=2&id=27715
Islam ruled Arab states for over a thousand years, firstly under the Rightly-Guided Caliphs, then later the Umayyads, the Abbasids and the Ottomans. Even non-Arab Muslim rulers harnessed the virtues of Islam as much as the Arabs themselves, if not more. Guided by the Holy Quran and the Sunnah [of the Prophet], Kurdish leader Saladin Ayyubi ruled the Muslim Umma and liberated Jerusalem. Similarly, Imad al-Din Mahmoud Zengi was a Turkic leader who championed Islam during his victorious rule [founding the Zengid Dynasty], as did his successors such as Nur al-Din Zengi. In the non-Arab world, Muslim Berber states, the Almoravids and the Almohads championed Islam until colonialism came and abolished the Islamic project.

Afterwards, when colonialism was overcome, power was assumed in most Arab states by ignorant, ruthless and illiterate military leaders, without the people pledging allegiance to them under Islamic Sharia law. As a result, their first declaration after seizing power was to invalidate the law of Islam, and many countries contented themselves with merely celebrating the Prophet Mohamed’s birthday, and reciting the Holy Quran during celebrations and on special occasions. Islamic Sharia law was widely abolished as a source of legislation for public life.

{…}

December 15th, 2011, 10:46 pm

 

jad said:

From hundreds of Syrians working for the Syrian Embassy worldwide, this thief called Bassam Imadi is the only one to join the opposition, ya salam:

بعد خدام وجعارة وبقية اللصوص والمخبرين والمتهمين بإغواء القاصرات، لص جديد من لصوص المال العام ينضم إلى “المعارضة” لغسل تاريخه القذر!؟

دمشق ، لندن ، الحقيقة (خاص): يبدو أن المعارضة السورية محظوظة جدا إلى درجة أنها ، وبعد تسعة أشهر من الانتفاضة، لم تجد من ينضم إليها من النظام ، سواء أكان على رأس عمله أو مطرودا منه ، سوى اللصوص والمخبرين والمطلوبين بتهم جنائية مختلفة ” مشرفة جدا”، مثل إدخال نفاية كيماوية إلى البلاد كحالة خدام، أو السطو على الأموال العامة مثل بسام جعارة، أوالمخبرين المزمنين الضالعين في التسبب بجرائم موت الصحفيين أمثال عمار قربي وزوجته، أو حتى ” إغواء قاصرات” بهدف الاعتداء عليهن مثل الشرطي السابق وحيد صقر! وها هو اليوم لص جديد ينضم إلى صفوفها ، بعد أن أصبحت “المعارضة” ماكينة لغسل التاريخ الشخصي القذر على غرار غسيل الأموال!

اللص الجديد الذي أعلن ” انشقاقه” على النظام ، يدعى محمد بسام العمادي ، وهو ـ لمن لم يسمع به ـ كان سفيرا سابقا في السويد قبل طرده من عمله على أثر اتهامه بالتدلس والاحتيال والسطو على الأموال العامة !

العمادي ، وفي مقابلة مع صحيفة”التايمز” البريطانية نشرت يوم أمس ، أعلن “انشقاقه” على النظام ، داعيا المجتمع الدولي لحماية المدنيين ، من القتل ، لكنه نسي دعوة جهة ما لحمايتهم من سلبهم ممتلكاتهم والسطو على أموالهم العامة على أيدي أمثاله! ودعا العمادي إلى إنشاء منطقة عازلة على الحدود التركية والأردنية ، باعتبار أن ذلك ” سيعمل على تفكك الجيش ” حسب تعبيره ، وبحسب ما يأمله!

لكن أغرب ما جاء في حديثه هو دجله الرخيص ، حيث زعم أنه “استقال من عمله (كسفير سابق في السويد في العام 2009) وبدأ عمله مع الانتفاضة منذ شهر آذار / مارس الماضي ، ولكنه لم يتحدث علنا ضد حكومته من قبل”!!؟

“الحقيقة” ، وبالعودة إلى أرشيفها ، اكتشفت أنها كانت نشرت تقريرا عن بسام العمادي قبل نحو عامين ، وتحديدا بتاريخ 25 آذار/ مارس 2010 ، كشفت فيه عن قضيته وقضية استدعائه إلى التحقيق في دمشق ، و مطالبة “الهيئة المركزية للرقابة والتفتيش” رئاسة مجلس الوزراء بإحالته إلى القضاء وطرده من وظيفته! ( اضغط هنا لقراءة تقرير “الحقيقة”). وهو ما حصل فعلا ، حيث علم لاحقا أن قرارا بطرده كان صدر عن مجلس الوزراء بتاريخ 18 من الشهر نفسه دون الإعلان رسميا عنه ، عملا بالعرف الذي تتبعه السلطة ، والذي يقضي بالتستر على لصوصها أمام الرأي العام !

وكان العمادي أعلن اليوم في استنابول ( أيضا ، وليس في أي مكان آخر!؟) عن تأسيس ” اللقاء الوطني للقوى الثورية”! ويبدو أن خطأ مطبعيا ما قد حصل، فقد نمي لنا أن اسم عصابة الفساد الجديدة كان ورد في مسودة التأسيس بصيغة” اللقاء الوطني للحرامية الثوريين”!؟ هزلت!

December 15th, 2011, 11:01 pm

 

jad said:

Dear Bronco,
I totally agree with your view regarding the situation, the opposition gave people too much hope of things they obviously couldn’t achieve in the short time and the clean shape they promised because of the regime brutality and their inability to bring more people in, and they underestimate the situation until things get out of hands and into this ugly stage so they stuck in their own plan.
Now they have no choice but to go with whoever is able to help them get to the minimum of what they promised even when the price obviously become too high on all of us.

This article is talking of where we are:

هل يعرض الأسد فكرة حكومة وحدة وطنيّة؟
ابراهيم الأمين
الدوخان العربي والغربي في ملاحقة القضية السورية لن يفيد في كسر الصورة النمطية السائدة حيال ما يجري، بين من يحمّل النظام مسؤولية كل ما يجري، ومن يحمّل المعارضين مسؤولية أخذ البلد الى الخراب. إلا أن الأكيد هو أن الأمر سيطول، ما يجعل الحديث عن هدوء قريب في سوريا ضرباً من الخيال في المدى المنظور. لكن حالة النزف والمراوحة لناحية عدم حصول تغييرات سياسية نوعية، ستؤدي الى وضع السوريين في مواجهة استحقاقات إضافية لا تتصل فقط بعناوين الأزمة القائمة منذ أشهر طويلة. وستتحول عناوين تخصّ التعايش بين المواطنين وحدّة الانقسام السياسي والتشرذم الطائفي والأزمة الاقتصادية والمعيشية الى عناوين يومية، تحتل مكانة موازية للعناوين القائمة الحالية، والمتصلة بالحريات والديموقراطية والتغيير وإسقاط النظام وحرب التدخل الخارجي وخلافه. ويوماً بعد يوم، سيكون العالم، القريب أو البعيد، مضطراً إلى التعايش بدوره مع الوقائع السورية الجديدة، بمعزل عن كل أنواع التقديرات التي تضعها السفارات أو أجهزة الاستخبارات، وخصوصاً الغربية منها، والتي تشيع في أوساط إعلامية وسياسية بأن عمر النظام شارف على الانتهاء، علماً بأن هؤلاء يحاذرون هذه الفترة إعطاء مهل زمنية.
وإذا كان الخارج مهتماً بخلق كل ما يمكن أن يساعده على خطته بإسقاط النظام وإيصال مجموعة سياسية موالية له الى الحكم، فإن النقاش داخل المعارضة نفسها صار يتصل أكثر بكيفية دعم الخطط الغربية، لا بكيفية صياغة مشروع مستقل يجري جذب العالم إليه. وعندما نتحدث عن المعارضين، فهذا يخص معارضي الخارج، لأن من في الداخل لا يبدو أنه قادر على إعلان موقف موحد يلزم الشارع به، ما يعني أن المعارضة الخارجية استهلكت سريعاً ما عندها من مواقف وشعارات وأفكار، وصارت تعمل رهن الأجندة الخارجية. فإذا قرر العرب عقد اجتماع طارئ للجامعة بقصد ممارسة المزيد من الضغط على النظام، سارع المعارضون في الخارج الى تأدية الدور في رفع منسوب الكلام عن وضع غير عادي تعيشه سوريا، وعرض أرقام كبيرة جداً لضحايا المواجهات مع حصر المسؤولية في النظام، وبتجاهل غريب عجيب لجنازات يومية لعناصر من الجيش والأمن في سوريا، وكأن هؤلاء من المتظاهرين الذين قتلتهم قوات النظام.
لكن، هل من طريقة مختلفة للتفكير عند أهل القرار في سوريا؟
ليس بمقدور أحد، أو هكذا يكون الاحتياط، بأن يقدّر وجهة واضحة حيال التعامل مع الأحداث الجارية. لكنّ ثمة تداولاً في أفكار يمكن القول إنها تعكس تغييراً في طريقة مقاربة القيادة السورية للأزمة، مع توضيح ضروري بأن من يقوم بهذا الأمر يتصرف بأنه ليس واقعاً تحت الضغط الذي يفرض خطوات دراماتيكية. بل على العكس، ثمة درجة عالية من الهدوء، لكن مع قدر عال من التهيب للمرحلة المقبلة، وفقاً لاعتبارات عدة، منها:
ـــــ أن القيادة السورية تتصرف على أساس أن الأزمة الداخلية قائمة، وأن الرئيس السوري بشار الأسد، الذي عقد لقاءات شملت عدداً كبيراً من السوريين، ولدى قسم كبير منهم احتجاجات جوهرية، خرج بخلاصة ثابتة بأن الشعب السوري يريد، بقوة، تعددية سياسية تتيح المزيد من الحريات وتداول السلطة، وأن هذه التعددية تتيح تشكل مؤسسات لا تكون رهن فئة واحدة، وتتيح قواعد رقابة تحدّ بقوة من التدخل الكبير لمؤسسة الأمن في حياة الناس. وتحدّ بالتالي من موجة الفساد العامة.
ـــــ أن القيادة السورية تتصرف على أساس أن التعددية تلزمها بإلغاء المادة الثامنة من الدستور، وبالتالي السعي الى مشاركة آخرين من خارج حزب البعث في السلطة، وهذا يقود المتفكرين في الأمر الى اقتراح وحيد يقضي بالسعي الى تشكيل حكومة وحدة وطنية تضمّ مناصرين للنظام الحالي، ومعارضين له ومستقلين من الذين لا يعتبرون أنفسهم من صلب النظام، وممن هم غير منخرطين في تحركات المعارضة، على أن تكون لهذه الحكومة صلاحيات واسعة تتيح تحقيق إصلاحات حقيقية على صعيد الإدارة والاقتصاد، وتتيح الفرصة أمام إبعاد أجهزة الأمن بقوة عن الإدارة وعن حياة الناس اليومية.
ـــــ أن القيادة السورية تتصرف مع المعارضين المنضوين في المجلس الوطني السوري في الخارج على أساس أنهم في واقعهم الحالي لا يمكن أن يتحولوا الى شريك فعلي، ولذلك يبدو أن الاتصالات غير المعلنة عادت بين مسؤولين في النظام ومعارضين من الداخل، ولو أن من في النظام يعتقدون بأن هؤلاء يبدون حذراً كبيراً وخشية من أن يطيحهم الشارع، من دون إقفال الباب أمام وساطات خارجية مع بعض الأطراف أو الشخصيات المنضوية في المجلس الوطني.
ـــــ أن القيادة السورية حسمت أمرها لجهة أنها في مواجهة تحالف عريض يضم عدداً من الدول العربية والغربية الى جانب تركيا، وأنها تعمل بوتيرة تستهدف تثبيت علاقاتها بروسيا والصين وإيران ودول أخرى مثل العراق، من دون إقفال الباب أمام دول أخرى، وهي تهتمّ، على وجه الخصوص، بمحاولات جارية مع السعودية.
وبانتظار تبلور الصورة، وهو أمر سيحتاج الى وقت طويل، فإن المشهد الداخلي في سوريا يتجه، يوماً بعد يوم، نحو التركيز على نتائج الحصار الاقتصادي والمالي وانعكاس ذلك على الناس، كما على الحكومة، علماً بأن الحديث عن بؤر التوتر الطائفي والعسكري يقود حكماً الى انتظار قرار للقيادة السورية في إطار المواجهة مع خصومها المسلّحين.

http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/27848

December 15th, 2011, 11:15 pm

 

Ghufran said:

تعاني دول الخليج من نقص الحمير
الرياض ـ يو بي اي: قررت دول مجلس التعاون الخليجي إعفاء الحمير من الرسوم الجمركية في حال استيرادها من الخارج، ضمن 811 سلعة شملتها عملية جدولة إزالة الرسوم الجمركية إعتباراً من عام 2012.
ومن بين الحيوانات والسلع التي أعفيت من الرسوم الجمركية، الدلافين، الجاموس، البط، الأوز، الديوك الدجاج الرومية، الحيتان، خرفان البحر، عجول البحر، الفقمات، الكلاب، الثعالب، الطيور الجارحة، الحمام، النحل، النعام، وأسماك الزينة.
ويندر أن توجد الحمير في المدن الخليجية، ويقتصر وجودها على بعض المناطق الحدودية جنوبي السعودية، وفي بعض القرى الزراعية والأرياف.
وحتى مطلع الثمانينيات كانت الحمير إحدى وسائل النقل في بعض المدن الخليجية حيث تستخدم لجر العربات، فيما تستخدم حالياً في مهنة الرعي في الصحراء السعودية.

December 15th, 2011, 11:20 pm

 

jad said:

Even in their own general meeting, the MBs council can’t plan it’s own agenda, they need the american to tell them what to do!

خطّة أميركيّة للمعارضة السوريّة تظلّل مؤتمر تونس

بينما يبدأ «المجلس الوطني السوري»، اليوم، اجتماعاته في تونس من ضمن أعمال مؤتمره الأول الذي ينتهي يوم الأحد، رسمت الإدارة الأميركية خطة التحرك المقبلة التي ترى أن على المعارضة السورية في الخارج انتهاجها ضد نظام الرئيس السوري بشار الأسد. خطة كشف النقاب عنها منسّق الشؤون الإقليمية في وزارة الخارجية الأميركية فريدريك هوف، حين دعا المعارضة السورية إلى ضرورة التنسيق مع جامعة الدول العربية، معلناً أن «المعارضة ستتوجه إلى القاهرة حاملةً خطة للمرحلة الانتقالية، وتتضمن دوراً كبيراً للجامعة لتقديم أحد أشكال اللجوء الآمن للنظام». ورأى هوف أن أحد أسس التحرك المقبل يتمثل في خلخلة الدعم الذي يلقاه الأسد من «الأقليات» في المجتمع السوري. لذلك، دعا هوف المعارضة إلى التواصل مع هذه الأقليات، «لا سيما المسيحيين، للإجابة عن هواجسها التي يغذيها ويختبئ وراءها النظام».

وتابع «ما دام هذا النظام في السلطة، فإنّ الفرص كبيرة لأن تغرق سوريا في عنف طائفي دموي». كذلك حذّر المعارضة من الانزلاق إلى نزاع مسلح، مشدّداً على ضرورة الحفاظ على مؤسسات الدولة. وفي السياق، أشار إلى أنّ الصراع المسلَّح «يصبّ في مصلحة النظام، لذلك لا يمكننا استبعاد الاحتمال القوي أن يقرر السير في هذه الوجهة».
أما على صعيد اجتماع تونس، فقد أوضح القيادي في «المجلس الوطني السوري»، عبد الله تركماني، أن المؤتمر الأول الذي يرأسه برهان غليون في أحد فنادق مدينة «قمرت» السياحية شمال تونس العاصمة، بمشاركة نحو 200 معارض وحقوقي سوري، «لن يطالب بتدخل عسكري دولي في سوريا، بل بتوفير حماية دولية للشعب». ورأى تركماني أن عقد أول مؤتمر لـ«لمجلس الوطني السوري» في تونس يكتسي «بُعداً رمزياً»، على قاعدة أن تونس «دشّنت ربيع الثورات العربية»، كاشفاً عن أن السلطات التونسية الجديدة وأحزاب المعارضة والمنظمات الأهلية في البلاد رحّبت بعقد المؤتمر في تونس. كذلك أوضح أن الرئيس التونسي الجديد المنصف المرزوقي ودبلوماسيين وحقوقيين عرباً وأجانب معتمدين في تونس سيحضرون افتتاح الاجتماع اليوم، على أن تتواصل أعمال المؤتمر بنحو مغلق يومي غد وبعد غد. ولفت إلى أنه سيُعقد مؤتمر صحافي يوم الاثنين في 19 من الشهر الجاري لتسليط الضوء على ما تضمنه المؤتمر.
(الأخبار)
http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/27820

December 15th, 2011, 11:25 pm

 

zoo said:

Historic Bookstores in Damascus Closing Doors
http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/historic-bookstores-damascus-closing-doors
Damascus – For some four decades, Maysaloun bookstore in the heart of Damascus was one of the city’s most important sources for publications on leftist and progressive thought, but in January of 2010, it closed its doors after its owners put it up for commercial investment.

This historical bookstore was not the first to meet such a fate; many other bookstores had already been converted into shops, fast food restaurants, or branches of the private commercial banks that have invaded the Syrian market in recent years.

Maysaloun was a vendor of the Soviet publishers Raduga and Progress as well as the tapes of Sheikh Imam, Ziad Rahbani, Marcel Khalife, and Khaled al-Haber. At the time, leftist intellectuals could hardly believe that it was over, until they found their favorite books being sold by sidewalk booksellers.

After the closing of Maysaloun, one thing led to another. It was not long before Zahra bookstore was closed as well, with a private commercial bank taking its place. In turn, the owners of al-Nahda al-Arabiyya bookstore, located near the Semiramis Hotel, put up a sign advertising that one of the oldest bookstores in Damascus was also available for commercial investment, though it remains open for the time being.

But the trend of closing Syrian bookshops began before Maysaloun.
..

December 15th, 2011, 11:59 pm

 

ann said:

U.S. to study Russian draft of UN Syria resolution: Clinton – 2011-12-16

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2011-12/16/c_131309972.htm

WASHINGTON, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) — U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Thursday that Washington will study the Russia-proposed draft UN resolution on the violence in Syria, but differences remain.

“I have not seen the draft. I’ve had it just briefly described to me, and there are some issues in it that we would not be able to support,” Clinton said at a joint press conference alongside visiting Danish Foreign Minister Villy Sovndal.

“There is, unfortunately, a seeming parity between the government and peaceful protestors and then other Syrians who are trying to defend themselves, but we’re going to study the draft carefully,” she said.

Russia on Thursday proposed a new draft resolution on Syria at the UN Security Council. Western countries have expressed willingness to consider and negotiate the proposal.

Clinton said the draft will have to be shared with the Arab League, adding that “hopefully,” the United States can work with the Russians.

“It’s just that we have differences in how they are approaching it,” she said. “But we hope to be able to work with them.”

The UN estimates that some 5,000 people have died in Syria since anti-government protests broke out in mid-March. The Arab League and Turkey have joined the United States and its European partners in increasing pressure on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad by imposing targeted sanctions.

On Oct. 4, Russia, along with China, vetoed a Security Council draft resolution on Syria, saying the draft was based on a “philosophy of confrontation” and ran counter to a peaceful settlement of the crisis.

December 16th, 2011, 12:57 am

 

Mina said:

Jurgen

I am surprised of what you say. These laws certainly exist in France, but it is true that laicity is stronger there.

As you know, Mein Kampf is banned in Germany and several other countries for this reason.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_books_banned_by_governments

December 16th, 2011, 1:00 am

 

Shami said:

Jad ,in general ,all Syrians know that the servants of the regime are thieves.But why should you wait the green light from makhlouf-assad in order to label them as such ?
Btw ,the servants of assad-makhlouf that you like to praise are among the biggest thieves in Syria.

December 16th, 2011, 1:15 am

 

Juergen said:

Amal

I’d love to be in Tel Aviv, but i have to write this from frosty Berlin…

December 16th, 2011, 1:17 am

 

jad said:

The ideas that the MBs council suggest to the US in their meeting in Geneva are published in details, it should make every Syrian proud of such opposition, even the devil himself won’t be able to write such plan..Chalabi is nothing compared to those called Syrians..it’s long, but worth to go through it to see for yourself how those people think and what they are hiding for Syrians..nothing but occupation, destruction and ‘Iraq 2’ scenarios:

«الراي» تنفرد بنشر تصوّر المجلس الوطني المعارض حول التدخل العسكري الخارجي الذي قدمه إلى كلينتون… واتفقت معه
«بنغازي – سورية» بين جسر الشغور والبحر المتوسط

حصلت «الراي» على نص التصور الذي قدمه المجلس الوطني السوري المعارض الى وزيرة الخارجية الاميركية هيلاري كلينتون للتدخل العسكري الخارجي في سورية لحماية المدنيين، وذلك خلال اجتماع بين الطرفين عقد في سويسرا مطلع الشهر الجاري وحضره خصوصا رئيس المجلس برهان غليون.
ويتضمن التصور المؤلف من 15 صفحة فوسلكاب باللغة الانكليزية كافة الجوانب المحيطة بتدخل من هذا النوع، بدءا بالسند القانوني الذي يرتكز الى ميثاق الامم المتحدة، والى تجارب تدخل سابقة حصلت بقرار من مجلس الأمن يجيز التدخل، او من دونه، مفضلا من بين الخيارات اقامة «منطقة امنة» لحماية المدنيين في منطقة جسر الشغور القريبة من الحدود التركية ومن ساحل البحر الأبيض المتوسط، على أن تكون تلك المنطقة بمثابة «بنغازي – سورية».
في الآتي ترجمة بتصرف للتصور الذي يشمل ايضا المخاطر المحتملة التي يمكن ان يواجهها التدخل، سواء كانت من الاسلحة التي يملكها النظام نفسه والتي يستعرضها التصور بالتفصيل او من تدخل حلفاء مثل «حزب الله» وايران، او من عناصر جهادية سلفية، او حتى من مجرمين يجرى تسريحهم من السجون:

http://www.alraimedia.com/Article.aspx?id=316102&date=16122011

Samples of the gems:

“في حالة سورية هناك طريقتان لتفعيل هذا البند، الاولى هي تقديم قوى خارجية عريضة بان الحملة السورية والانتهاكات الجسيمة لحقوق الانسان المرتكبة من قبل النظام السوري تشكل خطرا كبيرا على السلام والاستقرار الاقليميين (تصاعد ازمة اللاجئين السوريين وانزلاق البلاد الى حرب اهلية). يمكن لقوة خارجية ان تقوم بالمحافظة على السلام والاستقرار الاقليميين، على الا تضمر الضم او السيطرة السياسية.
تركيا لديها أقوى قضية في هذا المجال لكونها تستضيف نحو 10 آلاف لاجئ سوري وافراد قيادة «الجيش السوري الحر» الذي هو في حالة حرب فعلية مع نظام الاسد. فضلا عن ان الهجمات على السفارة والقنصليات التركية في سورية وحافلة الحجاج الاتراك يمكن اعتبارها اعمالا عدائية من نظام الاسد ضد دولة مجاورة.
واعتبر المجلس الوطني ان تركيا لم تنخرط بعد في اعمال مباشرة من «المعارضة النشطة» التي يمكن ان تهدد بقاء النظام في المدى القريب، غير ان ادانة رئيس الوزراء التركي رجب طيب اردوغان العنيفة للاسد وانتهاكات قوات الاسد الجسيمة لحقوق الانسان، مؤشرات مشجعة على ان تركيا يمكن ان تتخذ خطوات اضافية لتسريع الانتقال من الديكتاتورية الى الديموقراطية.
الاساس الثاني لتفعيل المادة 51 يمكن ان يتمثل في اعتراف الدول الغربية بالمجلس الوطني كممثل شرعي وحيد للشعب السوري، وان يطلب المجلس حينها تدخلا عسكريا دوليا لدعم دفاع سورية عن نفسها، بعد اعتبار نظام الاسد نظاما غازيا وغير شرعي. الشرعة الدولية لحقوق الانسان تدعم بصلابة هذا الخيار. فدعوى نظام الاسد بالسيادة لا يمكن ان توفر حجة لارتكاب فظائع جماعية ضد السكان المدنيين ولا لحرمان المواطنين من حقوق الانسان الاساسية، كما هو مبين في الاعلان العالمي لحقوق الانسان. مسؤولية الحماية تنطبق بوضوح في هذه الحالة ويمكن تفعيلها كأساس لتدخل دولي كما حصل في ليبيا في العام 2011. وتوفر اجراءات مجلس حقوق الانسان التابع للامم المتحدة التي اتخذت لإدانة نظام الاسد مصداقية اضافية لهذا المسار.”

“وبناء على ما تقدم، فإن أي تدخل متعدد الأطراف على غرار عملية توفير الامل (وسواء كان ذلك التدخل تحت قيادة حلف الناتو أو تحت قيادة تحالف بريطاني – فرنسي – أميركي – تركي) سيكون الخيار الأكثر جدوى من بين خيارات التدخل العسكري في سورية.
أما في الوقت الراهن، فإن الخيار الأكثر قابلية للتحقيق هو انشاء «منطقة آمنة» في داخل الحدود السورية بهدف توفير ملاذ آمن للمدنيين الذين أنهكتهم العمليات العسكرية في شتى المدن والبلدات السورية، بحيث تكون تلك المنطقة الآمنة قاعدة عمليات للقيادة السياسية التي تختارها المعارضة السورية وكمركز للقيادة العسكرية ايضا. وبتعبير آخر، يجب أن تكون تلك المنطقة بمثابة «بنغازي – سورية». ومن دون وجود مثل هذه القاعدة الداخلية لحكومة انتقالية، فإن المعارضة السورية ستجد من الصعب جدا عليها أن تصوغ استراتيجية طويلة الأمد، ناهيك عن ان تضع تكتيكات قابلة للتطبيق في سبيل الإطاحة بالنظام الحاكم في دمشق. ذلك أن خلق مساحة مادية متماسكة لحرية الحركة في داخل سورية هو شرط مسبق ضروري لإطاحة النظام، حتى لو اقتصر الأمر على تسهيل التواصل بين المجلس الوطني السوري وبين الجيش السوري الحر، وكذلك بين صفوف المعارضة بشكل عام. وعلاوة على ذلك فإن المنطقة الآمنة ستؤوي مركزا للاتصالات المشفرة يشتمل على محطة اتصالات غير قابلة للاعتراض وعلى اشارات بث عبر الأقمار الاصطناعية لبث برامج تلفزيون وإذاعة «سورية الحرة» إلى بقية أرجاء الدولة.
وهنالك حاليا نافذة أمل مواتية لتحقيق هذا الخيار. فالجيش النظامي السوري بات منهكا بسبب انتشاره منذ فترة طويلة في مناطق حضرية وريفية متعددة في شتى أرجاء الدولة. ولقد انخفضت الروح المعنوية بين الجنود النظاميين بشكل حاد، كما ان هناك وهناً مضطردا في قدرة النظام الحاكم على توفير الدعم اللوجيستي للوحدات (العسكرية) باستثناء القوات الخاصة وميليشيات الشبيحة. وبالنسبة إلى المخاطر المرتبطة بالخيار الأكثر تماسكا – وهو شن حملة جوية بالتزامن مع عملية برية محدودة – فإن احتمالاتها تنحسر جزئيا في ضوء الوهن النسبي الذي اعترى قوات الاسد النظامية وموارده العسكرية. والواقع ان منح النظام السوري وقتا اضافيا لإعادة تنظيم صفوفه والبحث عن وسائل بديلة لتدعيم موارده لن يسهم سوى في تعزيز المخاطر التي قد تنجم عن أي تدخل مستقبلي.”

“ويمكن شن ضربة جوية من جانب طائرات أميركية وبريطانية وتركية في ظل تسهيلات توفرها طائرات من كل من الامارات وقطر والأردن، وهي الدول التي شاركت جميعا في تطبيق منطقة حظر الطيران على ليبيا. ومن الممكن للقوات الأميركية الخاصة والقوات الجوية الخاصة والقوات الخاصة التركية والقطرية أن تنسق على الأرض مع الجنود السوريين المنشقين سعيا إلى إنشاء محيط حول مساحة 11 كيلومترا مربعا في منطقة جسر الشغور. ومن الممكن اجراء عمليات تدريب الجنود السوريين المنشقين الجدد في قاعدة انجرليك الجوية التركية أو في أي قواعد عسكرية أخرى في المنطقة أو حتى في قاعدة موقتة تقام في منطقة آمنة منفصلة.
ان واحدا من بين المحفزات المشجعة على شن حملة جوية تمهيدية بهدف تأمين منطقة آمنة يتمثل في الضعف والوهن المثبت الذي يعتري منظومات الدفاع الجوي السوري. ففي العام 2007، استطاع سلاح الطيران الإسرائيلي بكل سهولة أن يقصف المنشأة النووية السورية المشتبهة في دير الزور، وذلك بأن قام الإسرائيليون أولاً بالتشويش على رادارات النظام السوري لإيهامها بأنه لا توجد طائرات في السماء ثم خلقوا لدى الرادارات انطباعا وهميا يوحي بوجود مئات من الطائرات المنتشرة في المجال الجوي السوري. وتمتلك الولايات المتحدة تكنولوجيا مشابهة لذلك. وباختصار، فإنه في ظل وجود دعم متعدد الأطراف وتنسيق مع وحدات الثوار المنشقين على الأرض، فإنه يمكن لحملة جوية أن تكون حاسمة استراتيجيا.
ومثلما كانت الحال في عملية توفير الامل فإن لوجيستيات شن هجوم جوي يمكن التنسيق بشأنها من قاعدة انجرليك الجوية التي تعتبر القاعدة الاقليمية الجنوبية الرئيسية لحلف الناتو، وهي تؤوي حاليا مئات من العناصر الأميركية والبريطانية والتركية كما ان الولايات المتحدة استخدمتها كمركز لإدارة العمليات العسكرية في العراق، وبالاضافة الى ذلك فإن الاسطول السادس الاميركي متمركز في مدينة نابولي الايطالية الى جانب ان مناطق القواعد السيادية البريطانية في قبرص يوجد بها امكانات اكثر من كافية لتطبيق حصار بحري على سورية مع التصدي في الوقت ذاته لأي عمليات هجومية بحرية سورية، وعلى الرغم من التموضع (البحري) الروسي في البحر الابيض المتوسط، فإنه من المستبعد جدا إقدام الكرملين على الاشتباك مباشرة مع سفن حربية اميركية او بريطانية.
ان خلق منطقة محمية دوليا على ارض مقسمة في سورية هو في واقع الأمر شكل من اشكال التدخل العسكري. وكمسألة تضفي الشرعية يتعين وجود مشاركة عربية او تركية في عملية خلق ونجاح منطقة آمنة او مقسمة لكن الأمر سيتطلب وجود الخبرة التقنية الى جانب خبرات القوى الغربية الكبرى.”

Hizbuallah and Alqaida are the same in the eyes of the new Syrian leaders:

“لكن لا «حزب الله» ولا الجماعات السلفية الجهادية سيكون لها اي تأثير على العملية العسكرية الرامية الى خلق منطقة آمنة في داخل سورية بمحاذاة الحدود مع تركيا. وعوضا عن ذلك فإن الخطر الذي تشكله تلك العناصر يكمن في المراحل النهائية لسقوط النظام (السوري)، تلك العناصر سيصبح باستطاعتها عندئذ ان تسعى الى منع تطبيق القانون والنظام من خلال انشاء سلطة انتقالية ونستدعي الذاكرة هنا الدمار الذي نشره تنظيم القاعدة وغيره من العصابات الارهابية الطائفية في العراق بعد ان ادى الغزو الذي قادته الولايات المتحدة الى اسقاط صدام حسين.”

Even Iran and Iraq are the enemy now, get rid of Syria and Iran will be yours:

“إيران والعراق
تبقى ايران الحليف الاقليمي الاساسي للاسد. والاستخبارات الغربية تفترض ان قوة القدس التابعة للحرس الثوري الايراني تقدم المشورة للاسد في سبل قمع الانتفاضة منذ بدايتها. في المقابل هناك اشارات خفيفة مشجعة بان حكومة العراق تتخذ اجراءات ملائمة لتأمين الحدود مع سورية. ويجب على واشنطن استخدام نفوذها لدى الحكومة العراقية لتأمين الحدود بشكل اضافي اذا حصل تدخل عسكري في سورية.
ان المحور الذي يضم الاسد و«حزب الله» وقوة القدس يشير الى ان إضعاف وإسقاط الاسد قد يكون مرتبطا بالجهود لكبح النفوذ الايراني في المنطقة. وبعد تهديد ايران بقطع الامدادات لحركة «حماس» ان هي تخلت عن الاسد، يصبح لتغيير النظام السوري فائدة اخرى هي زعزعة العلاقة بين دمشق ووكلائها.
ورغم ان التدخل الايراني شديد الوطأة، الا انه من غير المرجح ان يخاطر القادة الايرانيون بتدخل عسكري في سورية في الوقت الذي تتعرض منشآتهم الاستخباراتية والعسكرية في ايران الى هجمات غامضة وقاتلة وتسعى طهران الى استخدام مصادرها لتجنب او الاستعداد لضربة كبيرة ضد برنامجها النووي.”

It gets better, more lies about the WMD/chemical weapons may help their case in the report, why not:

“ج – الاسلحة الكيميائية
النظام السوري لديه مخزون مؤكد من الاسلحة الكيميائية، وكانت هناك إشاعات عن استخدام غاز الاعصاب في حمص والرستن وتلبيسة والقصير. وافادت تقارير اعلامية حديثة ان السلطات اليونانية عثرت على نحو 14 الف بزة مضادة للاسلحة الكيميائية مصدرها كوريا الشمالية قد تكون او لا تكون متجهة الى سورية.
ان اي استخدام لمثل هذه الاسلحة ضد المدنيين او القوات المتدخلة يحول فورا قضية المنطقة الآمنة الى حالة للتدخل لتغيير النظام. واستخدام النظام العراقي هذه الاسلحة في العام 1991 يشير الى ان الانظمة الديكتاتورية تفعل ذلك ضمن خياراتها الاخيرة. ”

Rockets are a seller too:
“د – صوارخ أرض – أرض:
صواريخ أرض أرض التابعة للنظام ستسهدف في مرحلة القصف الجوي في اطار فرض منطقة حظر طيران. الحملة الجوية الاولى ستشمل كل الاراضي السورية، كما ان مواقع اطلاق الصواريخ مع رؤوس حربية تبلغ نصف طن والمخصصة للاطلاق من مواقع ثابتة معروفة بدقة من اجهزة الاستخبارات الغربية ويمكن استهدافها بصواريخ دقيقة مشابهة لصواريخ «توماهوك».

But nothing sell more than Israel, please America save Israel from the Syrian regime:

“هـ – زعزعة الجولان/صراع مع إسرائيل
في محاولة لتحويل الاهتمام الدولي، استخدم نظام الاسد ذكرى النكبة والنكسة لتشجيع اللاجئين الفلسطينيين على محاولة اقتحام الحدود في الجولان حيث قتل عدد من الفلسطينيين برصاص الجيش الاسرائيلي او بانفجار ألغام. هناك اسباب قوية للافتراض بان النظام سيقوم بعمليات مماثلة في الجولان او من خلال شن هجوم بري او صاروخي ضد اسرائيل لاستدعاء رد فعل اسرائيلي وتحويل ازمة محلية الى ازمة عربية – إسرائيلية.
نظام الاسد يخطط ويعد لإدخال اسرائيل في النزاع الداخلي السوري لتحويل الاهتمام الدولي واضفاء شرعية على نظرية المؤامرة بان الانتفاضة السورية من صنع استخبارات غربية او «صهيونية». هذه الفرضية كانت ممكنة في الاسابيع او الاشهر الاولى من الانتفاضة، لكن اخذها على محمل الجد بات احتمالا ضئيلا، بعد ما يقرب من سنة من الفظائع الموثقة، وعدد لا يحصى من شهادات شهود العيان، الذي يترافق مع تحول حاسم في الرأي العام العربي ضد الاسد وتعليق عضوية سورية في الجامعة وفرض عقوبات عربية عليها.
مع ذلك، ولتجنب تحويل الثورة السورية الى نزاع اقليمي كما يريد النظام، يتعين على الغرب اقناع اسرائيل بألا ترد اذا قام النظام باطلاق هجمات صاروخية عليها او تكرار استفزازها في الجولان.”

WOW…………

December 16th, 2011, 2:33 am

 

Juergen said:

I would love to know what Bashar thinks now of his number one ally bringing in an draft solution which is condemming the regimes overall aggressive reaction towards the revolution in Syria. I would say Putin came to terms with the idea that there will be soon an Syria without Assad. One more country to fall in the Security Council I`d say…

December 16th, 2011, 2:40 am

 

Mina said:

Jurgen #998
I am very surprised Germany doesn’t have such laws. France has them. And Mein Kampf is luckily banned in many countries, including France and Germany.

Fisk wrote on Egypt today:

http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/fisk/alaa-alaswany-overthrowing-mubarak-was-too-good-to-be-true-6275801.html

(…)
Aswany is actually a humble man, a professor in the art of staying on the sidelines of the revolution while acting as its commentator and, at times, its instigator. “I’m not a politician,” he booms. His dentist’s chair sits menacingly behind me. “I said I would never hold any post whatever [in government]. I am a writer and I will remain a writer. When I go to Tahrir Square, they ask me to make speeches. But most of the time, I prefer just to be with the people.”

But he’s a critic, too, and drills away at the decaying bits of last February’s “successful” overthrow of Mubarak. “The biggest mistake of the revolution was that overthrowing Mubarak was too good to be true. Three million people were celebrating. Twenty to thirty thousand, maximum, were saying, ‘We must not leave the square, we must elect representatives of the revolution in every city’. But these people were seen as suspicious, as too aggressive. I know now that they were right.”

Even now, Aswany says, there is a whole department for the security state in Egypt. “One of the goals of the revolution was to bring these criminals to justice. Nothing happened. Now we have the security state working at full power. Drug dealers have infiltrated the square. The thugs then suddenly disappeared when the elections came. You don’t have to be intelligent to know that these thugs are still under instructions. They disappear for elections and now they are returning.”

The Minister of Justice himself, Aswany goes on – his voice turns to loud thunder at this point – said that 450,000 paid thugs were working for the police in Egypt. “Documents were published in Tahrir newspaper which included a letter from a security official to his superior saying that ‘We now have on duty in Cairo 69,000 thugs’ – this is after the revolution. Of course, the Minister of the Interior denied this and said there was no police official with this name.

The Minister of the Interior said seven times that ‘We don’t have snipers in the Ministry of the Interior.’ Then we discovered there is an official Department of Snipers in the Ministry of the Interior – and that one sniper must always accompany every unit of security troops. So this minister is either lying, or he doesn’t know anything about his ministry.”

By an extraordinary coincidence, just a few hours after Aswany talks to me, the Egyptian press announces that a man nicknamed the “Eye Sniper” – his picture, in uniform, actually appeared on the front pages, identifying him as Lieutenant Mahmoud al-Shinnawi – has handed himself in for questioning by state prosecutors. An Egyptian human rights group documented 60 cases of protesters with eye injuries and the lieutenant was filmed apparently aiming rubber-coated steel bullets at protesters’ heads. One of Aswany’s fellow dentists, Ahmed Harara, lost an eye in the January-February revolution. He lost his other eye in the police attack last month.

“I think there was an agreement between the Muslim Brotherhood [largely the winners in the first round of parliamentary elections] and the army that, after 10 months, crises could be fabricated – that there should be pressure put on the people to come to hate the revolution. But then – surprise – on 19 November, the people went to the street to defend the revolution again.

“The Military Council are now, I think, trying to find another source of legitimacy. They are only there because of the revolution. Mubarak resigned and transmitted his authority to them – which is unconstitutional. It doesn’t make sense. Mubarak was no longer in his post. In the 1971 constitution, there is no mention of a Military Council. So now they want to have a base other than the revolution – the elections! They are saying that Tahrir Square no longer represents Egypt. The truth is that we had fair voting – but we didn’t have fair elections.”
(…)

December 16th, 2011, 3:02 am

 

aldendeshe said:

Ezekiel 38:4

And I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed with all sorts of armour, even a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords:

December 16th, 2011, 3:20 am

 

N.Z. said:

Bronco & co.,

To the contrary, it is the determination of the protesters that Syria’s regime underestimated.

Did you see the hundreds of thousands that came out to the streets? They surprised everyone..mooo ?

December 16th, 2011, 3:52 am

 

Bronco said:

#958. Tara

Thanks, it’s a hilarious article
Erdogan = Tintin and Davutolglu = Captain Haddock
I wonder who would be best as Professor Tournesol, Professor Ghalioun?
We already have Heckle and Jeckle = Ford and Chevalier
They are all best as cartoons characters.

I did not Turks had such wild sense of humor. I am reconsidering.

December 16th, 2011, 4:08 am

 

Bronco said:

N.Z

“To the contrary, it is the determination of the protesters that Syria’s regime underestimated.”

Yes, that is true. It was an underestimation in both sides. Yet ultimately, when time passes and there is a stalemate, there is a need of a reassessment of one’s forces and an evaluation of the possibility of winning. After 9 months, the regime is obviously not weakening and is not changing its course while the opposition remains divided, has changed its strategy several times and has now resorted to respond by violence that would have negative consequences for the region and for itself.

December 16th, 2011, 4:20 am

 

Revlon said:

Battalion of Martyrs of Jabal AlZawiyeh take oath in the open, in broad day light.

ادلب – جبل الزاوية تشكيل كتيبة شهداء جبل الزاوية 15-12-2011

December 16th, 2011, 4:48 am

 

Juergen said:

Mina

I would have saver nights if your allegations would be true, that in Europe naziparties are banned from political activities. That is not the case. We see here in Europe that openly antisemitic, antiislamic and xenophobic parties are on a rise. Here in germany we discuss banning one, but the ordeal to get that passed is long and the discussion is going on more than 8 years. Ive noticed that since 2001 chauvinistic and xenophobic parties are on the rise throughout Europe and in Italy and the Netherlands and Denmark they are already in government positions. I dont like any threats and playing with fears, but i dont think our democracy is well educated, otherwise i can not explain why so many choose to vote for such parties. By the way before you will start stating that any religious party is also banned, Merkels party is called Christian democratic party, and we had quite an deiscussion here the other time over our President (from the same party) stated that Islam is part of Germany. There was an outcry of conservative forces for this reality, and the party was quite angry that a christian president would say such.

December 16th, 2011, 5:34 am

 

Juergen said:

N.Z
well said!

I am also shocked to see lebanese friends who wholeheartly defend this regime, knowing that there is torture and injustice administrated from the highest levels. I assume we must admit that there is always an majority who will accomedate themselves deeply with any regime. That does not mean that those people are brutal tyrants themselves, Hannah Arendt wrote about the banalism of the evil. Bet my word, after the fall of Assad and his regime you wont find anyone who worked for the muhaberat. You will find just opposition members who always were against the Assads.

December 16th, 2011, 5:49 am

 

Ghufran said:

If this is true,it may open a new door for a possible political solution to the crisis
ذكرت مصادر مقربة من أمين عام الجامعة العربية نبيل العربي أن التوجه غداً في اجتماع اللجنة الوزارية العربية المعنية بحل الأزمة السورية الذي سيعقد في الدوحة ، يتجه لاعتماد الورقة السورية والتعديلات التي طلبتها دمشق.

December 16th, 2011, 6:26 am

 

Ghufran said:

البحرين

• The Bahrain Centre for Human Rights has launched an appeal for the release of activist Zainab Alkhawaja and Masooma al-Sayed after they were arrested yesterday. Alkhawaja, who blogs under the name Angry Arab, was filmed as she was arrested and punched by a police woman.

December 16th, 2011, 6:31 am

 

VOLK said:

It seems Russia has offered almost the same project of resolution as proposed several months ago. No sanctions, condemnation violence from all sides, calling for negotiations etc..

“From a military standpoint, the Russian draft would play to the Syrian government’s advantage by stalling a burgeoning armed insurrection that is gaining momentum and posing an increasing threat to Assad’s survival. For instance, it would bar anti-government insurgents from receiving smuggled arms while allowing Syria to continue to purchase weapons from Russia and other international suppliers.
The initiative triggered sighs of exasperation from Western diplomats, who don’t trust Moscow, and who suspect Churkin may be pursuing this course of action to save an ally in Damascus. These Western diplomats said they would never pass a resolution that placed the Syrian authorities, who are responsible for more than 5,000 civilian deaths, and the opposition on the same moral plane.”
http://turtlebay.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2011/12/15/russia_introduces_watered_down_resolution_on_syria

December 16th, 2011, 7:24 am

 

aldendeshe said:

Ezekiel 38:10

“‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: On that day thoughts will come into your mind and you will devise an evil scheme. 11 You will say, “I will invade a land of unwalled villages; I will attack a peaceful and unsuspecting people—all of them living without walls and without gates and bars. 12 I will plunder and loot and turn my hand against the resettled ruins and the people gathered from the nations, rich in livestock and goods, living at the center of the land.[d]” 13 Sheba and Dedan and the merchants of Tarshish and all her villages[e] will say to you, “Have you come to plunder? Have you gathered your hordes to loot, to carry off silver and gold, to take away livestock and goods and to seize much plunder?”’

December 16th, 2011, 8:22 am

 

norman said:

The middle ground in vanishing in Syria and the country is heading toward, kill or get killed, the other option is probably a breakup.

The next few months are going to be important.

December 16th, 2011, 8:51 am

 

ann said:

Protests erupt in Syria as AL postpones ministerial meeting – 2011-12-16

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2011-12/16/c_131311332.htm

DAMASCUS, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) — Routinely Friday’s anti- government protests broke out in several Syrian cities after Muslim midday prayers, as the Arab League (AL) decided to put off indefinitely a foreign ministers’ meeting expected to focus on the simmering tensions in the Middle East country.

According to private Sham-FM radio, “limited protests” erupted in the eastern city of Deir al-Zour, the northern city of Qamishly, as well as a neighborhood in central Homs province.

The radio said that specialized authorities rounded up 17 wanted men in al Qusair neighborhood in Homs, adding that a number of gunmen were also killed in the process.

Meanwhile, the official SANA news agency said Friday that a terrorist group had earlier sabotaged a railway in Deir al-Zour, causing two carriages to derail without losses. It also reported that some pro-government rallies took place in some areas across the country to express rejection of the international pressure against Damascus.

On the other hand, some Arab satellite TVs aired some shaky amateur videos of people protesting against the administration of President Bashar al-Assad in some cities under the title “(The) Arab League is killing us.”

However, the contents of the videos could not be verified as such footage are uploaded onto socializing websites by unknown parties.

In a related development, the Arab League (AL) foreign ministers’ meeting that was slated for Saturday to discuss the Syrian situation, had been postponed indefinitely.

But the Arab ministerial committee, which is in charge of following and handling the Syrian crisis, will convene on Saturday in the Qatari capital of Doha, instead of Cairo of Egypt as previously planned.

On Nov. 27, the AL, which officially suspended Syria’s membership on Nov. 16, decided to immediately impose sanctions against Syria, as the violence-hit country failed to sign a protocol over the visit of an AL observer mission.

Tensions in Syria began in March of 2011 when protesters took to the streets to call for President al-Assad to leave office.

Syria has, from the beginning, blamed armed terrorist groups backed by a foreign conspiracy for being behind the turmoil with the aim of toppling the government and replacing it with an Islamic rule.

Al-Assad recently said about 1,100 members of the armed forces were killed during the unrest, while the United Nations put the number of the turmoil’s victims at 5,000.

December 16th, 2011, 9:01 am

 

N.Z. said:

Bronco & co,

To the contrary, it is the determination of the protesters that Syria’s regime underestimated.

Did you see the hundreds of thousands that took to the streets?
They surprised us…mooo?

Norman, few more months? Sorry, but not after today, before the New Year, God willing.

December 16th, 2011, 9:03 am

 

ann said:

Russia proposes Syria resolution to strengthen UN involvement – Dec 16, 2011

http://english.ruvr.ru/2011/12/16/62348189.html

The chain of events that unraveled in Libya was an example of failed diplomacy amongst the international community. With thousands of innocent civilian casualties and a publicly displayed murder of a dictator who did not receive a fair trial, the UN was slow to act on the situation in Syria, trying to avoid a similar disaster. It’s for this reason that the situation in Syria has been rather low on the agenda for the Security Council of the United Nations. But discussions had a milestone today as the Russian Federation presented a revised resolution that, according to Russian Ambassador Vitally Churkin, strengthens the Security Council’s role resolving the conflict, while still maintaining a regard for human rights.

“We proposed to the Council a new version that takes into account the developments of the past view months and which considerably strengthens all aspects of the previous text with regard to the need to stop violence, with regard to the need to uphold human rights, with regard to expediting reforms and we believe it’s especially important to give a strong message to the Arab League that we encourage them to continue their efforts of working together with the government of Syria to carry out its plans to deploy a monitoring mission in Syria.”

In the past, even though the Russian Federation had welcomed the Arab League’s initiative, which included a plan to send a mission to observe the creation of proposals aimed at ending violence in the area, one thing that Russia did not welcome was the proposed sanctions against Syria, which excommunicated its Central Bank from the rest of the Arab League. Russian Ambassador Churkin said those sanctions are far too reminiscent of a similar fiasco.

“It’s a page from somebody else’s book and we don’t think this was a productive or useful move by the Arab League.”

Russia hopes that after witnessing the violence in Libya the UN Security Council as a whole will understand the sensitiveness of the situation in Syria. Ambassador Churkin said, while there is a consensus in the Security Council to act on the matter, the Russian Federation will do its best to assure that any actions will diminish the violence, not escalate it.

“We all believe that the Security Council must do something. We believe that it must be. I hope that our colleagues in the Security Council also proceed from the premise like Russia that the role of the security council should not be to fan the conflict in Syria; not to exacerbate crisis but to bring an end to the crisis. This is at least where the Russian delegation is coming from. We heard people say we need to do something. But in the absence of any other proposals we volunteered our own proposal and I’m very pleased that it’s been received well and our initiative was appreciate by members of the Security Council.”

In the text of Russia’s proposed resolution on ending the violence in Syria, the Russian Federation has allocated blame to all sides claiming that both the Syrian regime and the demonstrators are liable for the violence. Such language instantly resulted in backlash from other European nations. French Ambassador Gerard Araud said he hopes to revise the text in order to make a clear distinction between who is at fault.

“For us in the text there is no equivalence possible. We have to be really sure that the violence has come from the Syrian regime. It’s the Syrian regime that has shot thousands of demonstrators. Of course, after 6-8 months of violence some demonstrators are shooting back. But we can’t simply put them back to back and say that the primary cause for violence is the behavior of the armed forces and, secondly, the refusal of the Syrian regime to engage in urging reform.”

Russian Ambassador Churkin said many comments n the proposal were made, like the one from French Ambassador Araud. Some will be noted but others will be dismissed. In the end, Ambassador Churkin hopes the Security Council can come to a timely agreement on the resolution that would finally end the violence in Syria.

“Some comments which our colleagues made in the course of the initial consultations seem reasonable to me. Other, I can say from the outset, are not going to be acceptable for us. But we didn’t get into that discussion and I hope, as our consultations progress, we will be able to find the common ground.”

In the end, France, Germany and the UK welcomed Russia’s initiative on Syria at the United Nations and have agreed to engage in negotiations until a consensus is made on a final resolution.

December 16th, 2011, 9:09 am

 

N.Z. said:

Russia’s Churkin, a lot to do about noting, very too late!
The train has already left the station.

December 16th, 2011, 9:32 am

 

zoo said:

Bassam Mroue has Alzeimer: They shot at protesters or in the air?

http://news.yahoo.com/syrian-troops-fire-protesters-prayers-103237815.html

Syrian troops fire at protesters after prayers

“He said security forces opened fire in the air before the protesters came out of mosques, but as soon as they came out to the streets the shooting stopped.”

December 16th, 2011, 9:38 am

 

Revlon said:

20 defectors and their commanding office announce the formation of Zi Qar unit

إدلب || انشقاق عدد من الجنود وتشكيلهم(سرية ذي قار) 13-12-2011

December 16th, 2011, 10:09 am

 

N.Z. said:

Bronco,

The regime thought-without a shadow of doubt-that they will subdue what started as a popular uprising with the same old methods, torture + killing. Nope, not this time. I strongly disagree with your assessment, that the opposition is divided. In fact the internal opposition is stronger than ever. Today, and for the past ten months proofs you wrong.

If you said the International community is divided, complicit in delaying one resolution after the other, I cannot agree with you more.

Look, these protesters knew what they were against, they vowed amongst themselves that they will not stop until this butcher and his accomplices are history.

No one ever underestimated the brutality of the Assad, it is notorious. What never failed to surprise me, is the indifference, by some of my people, siding by the butcher and not the those who selflessly sacrificing themselves for a future free of tyranny.

Believe, I am not trying to garner any sympathy from you. I work hard on myself to understand someone’s else different point of view, but what I can never and will never understand, a person who sides with any tyrant, regardless of the consequences.

The blood spilled on the streets of Syria is painful, truly painful.

December 16th, 2011, 10:31 am

 

ann said:

*** SO THAT THEY CAN FREEZE MORE MONEY IN turkey ***

Syria to lose 100 mln USD transport revenue per year from Turkey: Turkish minister – 2011-12-16

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2011-12/16/c_131311447.htm

ANKARA, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) — Syria will lose more than 100 million U.S. dollars a year in transport revenues as Turkey is employing alternative routes to export goods to the Middle East and Gulf countries bypassing Syria, a Turkish high-ranking official said on Friday.

Turkish Economy Minister Zafer Caglayan said in a statement that Turkey had finished talks with Egypt on roll-on/roll-off ( RORO) services and Egyptian city of Alexandria is ready to brace for Turkish trucks bounding for the Middle East and Gulf countries.

RORO ships are vessels designed to carry wheeled cargo like cars, trucks, trailers and railroad cars that are driven on and off the ship on their own wheels.

Caglayan said Syrian economy would be affected negatively with the start of the RORO services between Mediterranean Turkish port of Mersin and Egypt’s Alexandria, estimating the annual loss for Syria from transport revenues to be over 100 million dollars.

Turkey has been seeking new trade routes to the Middle East since relations with neighboring Syria deteriorated following Ankara’s increased criticism of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad over his crackdown on an uprising that began in March.

As Syrian officials have on Dec. 1 suspended a free trade deal between Damascus and Ankara, Turkey drafted a decree on suspension of free trade agreement with Syria last Friday amid ongoing bilateral diplomatic friction, and the decree has been submitted to the Council of Ministers for a decision.

On Nov. 30, Turkey announced a series of sanctions against Syria, including a freeze of the Syrian government’s assets in Turkey, a travel ban on Syrian leaders, the suspension of relations between Turkish and Syrian central banks and a blockade of weapon delivery to Syria through the Turkish territory.

December 16th, 2011, 10:43 am

 

Revlon said:

انشقاق العقيد أحمد الشيخ ومجموعة من الضباط الشرفاء
Uploaded by FreeSyrianArmyAs3ad on Dec 13, 2011
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxCUMfSqJlY&feature=player_embedded#!

A group defection, including a high ranking officer.
Three carry a family name that sounds Alawi.
If true, it would represent the beginning of a crack in the loyalty amongst Alawi lower officers and ranks:

Commander; Colonel Ahmad AlSheikh
Colonel Engineer: Mohammad Al Ali.
Colonel Yaser Hammoud.
Officer: kamal Hammoud.
Officer: Othman jameel Sheikhani.
Officer: khaled Al Ali.
Cadet: maán AlSheikh.
Soldier: Ramadan jameel Sheikhani.
Policemen: mahmoud Al Ali.
Soldier: Ramadan AbdelRida AlHammoud.

December 16th, 2011, 10:44 am

 

Juergen said:

@N.Z
well said!

I am also shocked to see lebanese friends who wholeheartly defend this regime, knowing that there is torture and injustice administrated from the highest levels. I assume we must admit that there is always an majority who will accomedate themselves deeply with any regime. That does not mean that those people are brutal tyrants themselves, Hannah Arendt wrote about the banalism of the evil. Bet my word, after the fall of Assad and his regime you wont find anyone who worked for the muhaberat. You will find just opposition members who always were against the Assads.

December 16th, 2011, 10:50 am

 

irritated said:

1015. ann

They didn’t say how much they will loose as it is going to cost them much more to use boats instead of trucks.

December 16th, 2011, 10:53 am

 

ann said:

AP-GfK Poll: More than half say Obama should lose – 2 hrs 3 mins ago

http://news.yahoo.com/ap-gfk-poll-more-half-obama-lose-101942213.html

WASHINGTON (AP) — Entering 2012, President Barack Obama’s re-election prospects are essentially a 50-50 proposition, with a majority saying the president deserves to be voted out of office despite concerns about the Republican alternatives, according to a new Associated Press-GfK poll.

December 16th, 2011, 11:07 am

 

Ghat Al Bird said:

The Syria Comment group may find this interesting.

Leader of the opposition Syrian National Council Burhan Ghalioun attends a press conference in Sofia on 2 December 2011. (Photo: AFP – Dimitar Dilkoff)
By: Ibrahim al-Amin
Published Sunday, December 4, 2011

The foreign powers intervening in Syria to bring down President Bashar Assad want to speed things up. This has compelled oppositionists to show their hand, stripping them of yet more cards.

It has long been clear that the most influential bloc in the Syrian offshore opposition had effectively joined forces with an American-led western alliance that is hostile to Arab resistance aimed at liberating occupied territory – whether from Israeli or American occupation.

The bulk of these groups used to flaunt their patriotism by accusing the regime of not wanting to recover the Syrian territory occupied by Israel.

But on Friday, the Syrian National Council’s chief spokesman, Burhan Ghalioun, was forced (and there is no other explanation for it) to come clean about the nature of the payback required of the Syrian opposition by its US, Turkish, Gulf, and European supporters.

Ghalioun told the The Wall Street Journal in an interview that under a new opposition-led government, “there will be no special relationship with Iran…Breaking the exceptional relationship means breaking the strategic military alliance.” He added that “Hezbollah after the fall of the Syrian regime will not be the same.” Describing the relationship between the Syrian regime and Iran as “abnormal,” Ghalioun said an SNC-led government would oversee a broad reorientation of Syria’s foreign policy towards an alliance with the principal Arab powers. Syria would remain committed to recovering the occupied Golan Heights from Israel, albeit via negotiations rather than resorting to armed conflict.

What do His Excellency President Burhan Pasha’s remarks mean?

They explain why the word ‘Israel’ was not mentioned in the political program issued by the Syria National Council (SNC). They explain why this program, and the vast majority of statements made by SNC leaders, focus on the domestic situation in Syria, deeming it a priority unconnected to any regional questions. It explains why they speak in general terms of the need for political, economic, and social reconstruction in the manner of March 14 in Lebanon – i.e. in the manner of the unseated Hosni Mubarak, who, along with Zine al-Abidine Ben-Ali, used to justify his foreign policy by claiming he was putting his country’s interests ”first.”

Very well. Burhan Pasha is telling us what he, and a good number of those working for governments belonging to the foreign alliance opposing the regime in Syria, secretly think. They oppose the idea of resistance to liberate the land, and in practice want to achieve peace with Israel. He is telling us that the Camp David, Wadi Araba, and Oslo models provide the right means for dealing with the Israeli occupation. In other words, he is promising his people the same things that the Egyptians, the Jordanians, and the Palestinians have suffered for the past three decades as a consequence of this isolationist approach. It is an illusory isolationism, and amounts in practice – as in the case of the Lebanese Right – to deferring to the US-led alliance which safeguards Israel’s interests in the region.

Burhan Ghalioun means to say that the Syrian people do not attach undue importance to their sovereignty, independence, or broader Arab national identity. Burhan Pasha is telling us that the New Syria wanted by the Syrian people is one that will aim to indulge the US in Iraq and the region, to relieve Israel of the burden of a Northern Front and the Lebanon and Gaza fronts, and to put the Gulf states – with the US behind them – at ease on two counts. First, with regard to their obsession about the relationship that has evolved between Iran and Syria. Secondly, about the aftermath of Iraq’s impending liberation from the US’ occupation forces and its dominant influence over political decision-making in the country.

There is no need to read between the lines of what Ghalioun said, as some reports sought to do, or add any explanations. He made clear that his outfit will take Syria out of the regional alliance of which it is an essential part – the alliance comprising the resistance and its supporters – and into another alliance, the one currently striving to topple the current regime in Syria. The latter opposes the resistance, and defers to the US and Israel’s demands to deny support to the forces of resistance in Lebanon and Palestine. As for Ghalioun’s desire to turn to the ‘international community’ to recover the Golan Heights, that simply replays the tune of all who sought peace as supplicants, and thus negotiated agreements that brought shame and poverty to over 100 million people.

Ghalioun also referred in his interview with the American paper to his SNC’s relationship with the Free Syrian Army. He spoke of an agreement to “focus their operations on the protection of civilians and not to perform offensive attacks.” Can we therefore await explanations from him of what is happening on the ground? He went on to declare: “We do not want, after the fall of the regime in Syria, armed militias outside the control of the state.” He might do well in this regard to consider the experience of Libya, during and since the overthrow of the tyrant Muammar Gaddafi. He could then teach his students courses on Creative Chaos in the Cause of the Caliphate, by the learned scholar Bin-Belhadj.

Ibrahim al-Amin is editor-in-chief of al-Akhbar.

December 16th, 2011, 11:21 am

 

Revlon said:

While searching for something else in SC archive, I stumbled on the following comment that I chose as a fitting introduction to the vieoclip linked to below.

First, here is the comment, which was posted in may 3rd, in both languages:
((Luckily, so-called “syrian revolution” is over and peace is back to country. Its bad that so many people of army, security forces and simple civilians died, but its good that traitors showed up their faces. Now we know who is with Syria, and who is against it.
الحمد للله، ما يسمّى “بالثورة السورية” إنتهى وسلام يعود إلى بلاد. ناسه السيئون ذلك العديد من الجيش، قوّات أمن ومدنيون بسطاء ماتا، لكن خونته الجيدين ذلك أظهروا وجوههم. الآن نعرف الذين مع سوريا، والذي ضدّه.
May 3rd, 2011, 7:48 am))

Second, here is the link to a video of a large demonstration in Soran, Hama Governorate, today.
A banner reads:
Life is limited,
Time given by AL to regime to kill is not.

17/12/2011
Friday of the “AL is Killing us”
حماة ::: صوران جمعة الجامعة العربية تقتلنا مظاهرة حاشدة

December 16th, 2011, 11:28 am

 

Ghufran said:

Here is the video of the arrest of Zainab
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=%D8%B2%D9%8A%D9%86%D8%A8%20%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AE%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%AC%D8%A9&source=web&cd=4&ved=0CEEQtwIwAw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Di3Zdk98x9TM&ctbm=vid&ei=wXLrTv_OMKn5sQK0ka2bCQ&usg=AFQjCNEuDndKOYwfe1t_0PpnryTuC1W_xA
Bahraini regime hired a British thug to manage the demonstration and gave citizenship to non Bahraini from other gulf countries to “modify” the demographic picture in Bahrain.

December 16th, 2011, 11:43 am

 

Ghufran said:

في انتقاد معلن لسياسات رئيس حكومة حزب العدالة والتنمية رجب طيب أردوغان ضد سورية، أعلن  أوكتاي تارهان رئيس جمعية رجال الأعمال الأتراك السوريين، أن حجم الأضرار الناجمة عن تخفيض التجارة مع سوريا بلغت نحو 8 مليارات دولار. وأضاف تارهان، في تصريح له الخميس، أن «تركيا تضررت من جراء تخفيض التبادل التجاري بين البلدين، الذي أدى إلى إلحاق خسائر بتركيا بمبلغ يتراوح بين 7 إلى 8 مليارات دولار، بالإضافة إلى الضرر الناتج عن تجارة المرور للدول العربية عبر سوريا». وتابع «لقد خططنا لأن نرفع حجم التبادل التجاري خلال العام 2011 إلى 3 مليارات دولار ولكن بسبب التطورات السلبية التي شهدتها سوريا وإنعكاساتها السلبية على علاقاتنا الثنائية فإننا لم نستطع تحقيق هدفنا المرسوم».

December 16th, 2011, 11:55 am

 

Revlon said:

Lebanese light break!!

اغية بشار الاسد الرسمية في لبنان
http://all4syria.info/web/archives/41936

December 16th, 2011, 11:56 am

 

newfolder said:

must see this: exposing Assad’s media lies and propaganda. Addouniya cameraman defects and tells his story to CNN:

December 16th, 2011, 12:19 pm

 

Amir in Tel Aviv said:

Let me salute the creativity and the originality of the Syrian revolutionaries. I watch YT clips from Syria, and it amazes me.

Where is this brilliance coming from? I guess, it always existed, but was buried under countless layers of state oppression and regime suffocation.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWLnJdUDd3g
.

December 16th, 2011, 12:43 pm

 

aldendeshe said:

1020. Revlonsaid:
انشقاق العقيد أحمد الشيخ ومجموعة من الضباط الشرفاء

لو كانو شرفاء ماانتمو الى جيش البعث كانو اسسو فرقة لتحرير سوريا من البعث الظالم ولكنهم في الحقيقة شراميط راحو لوين السعر الساعة اكتر.

December 16th, 2011, 12:46 pm

 

Revlon said:

Young leader of the revolution in Homs holds the Arab League, Arab leaders, and SNC responsible for failing to provide protection to dying civilians.

حمص كلمة البطل عبد الباسط ساروت بعد محاولة اغياله15 12 2011

December 16th, 2011, 12:47 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Norman
I gree with you the next 6-12 months are important, and certainly the next decade is more important.

Revlon
It looks over 250 soldiers defected today,some high ranking officers like general Ahmad al sheikh, this is good
After 9 months and the brutal military suppression failed, it is time that Booha think of better solution.

Ghufran
Your news are false about Al Arabi.your selectivity expose you.

December 16th, 2011, 12:52 pm

 

Amir in Tel Aviv said:

“The Friday of the Arab League is killing us”.

The best advertising agencies in High st. couldn’t have come up with a better, one line simple message. This is creative professionalism.

It’s simple and slim, but multi-dimensional. Funny, yet sad. Sarcastic, yet damn serious. Begging for mercy, yet defiant. Salute!
.

December 16th, 2011, 1:01 pm

 

Juergen said:

France rejects Russia’s Syria resolution as ‘unacceptable’

French Foreign Ministry spokesman Bernard Valero:

“It’s in particular unacceptable to put the Syrian regime’s repression on the same level as the Syrian people’s resistance,” he added.

December 16th, 2011, 1:13 pm

 
 

N.Z. said:

NEWFOLDER,

Jisr Al-Shugour, another Hama in terms of horror not scale. I believe every word this cameraman said.

The stories from Hama will forever haunt me.

It will not take much longer till we witness grand scale defections. They are waiting for the right moment to breakaway, they know that their families will be subjected to severe torture.

The brutality of this regime has surpassed even the most vivid sick imaginations.

For seven years I was living in an imaginative word thinking he was different, foolishly so. The thought, alone, for being deceived brings chill to my spine. These images of young men thrown on the streets will not go in vain. I am more sure than ever that those responsible will be brought to justice, together with the uncle and former vp. Despicable.

December 16th, 2011, 1:19 pm

 

Juergen said:

just found this…

December 16th, 2011, 1:21 pm

 

Tara said:

So they {the Russians} have weighed up the probabilities and concluded that Assad is likely to fall. They are trying to get on the ‘right’ side of history. Everything now depends on whether the Syrian opposition can act in a cohesive manner, and/or on whether the Syrian security forces start to frature, with all but the hardcore going over to the opposition.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-2075028/Is-mother-Russia-leaving-Syria-fend-herself.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

Is mother Russia leaving Syria to fend for herself?
By MICHAEL BURLEIGH
Last updated at 2:01 PM on 16th December 2011

——–

All good reasons to support the status quo, but only of course while President Assad remains a viable option.

Yet at a certain point, Moscow must know that it might have to abandon its long-time ally.

Once it makes the assessment that Mr Assad and his Alawite officers, some of them trained in Russian military academies, are likely to lose power, then Moscow needs to find a way to shift allegiances.

Hence the updated draft at the UN.

Hence – having ruled out sanctions altogether – the hint of a shift in the Russian foreign minister’s recent comments that “if sanctions could help stop violence and maintain stability… we would be the most decisive supporters”.

And hence, having criticised the Arab League a few weeks ago for suspending Syria’s membership, Russia’s current invocation of the Arab League as part of a possible solution, saying its efforts to encourage dialogue and deploy a monitoring mission in Syria should be supported.

Where this will lead Russian policy on Syria? Who knows – especially if the Arab League backs not intervention but the establishment of safe havens for fleeing opposition activists.

One thing is clear: principle is all very well, but Russia’s priority may well be its interests, and how to secure whatever it can salvage for the longer term.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-16223754

December 16th, 2011, 1:25 pm

 

jad said:

Al Qaeda fighters at work in Syria and Aljazeera is marketing them as FSA soldiers yet they don’t even speak Arabic:
الجزيرة تعرض مسلحي القاعدة على أنهم جنود سوريين منشقين
http://youtu.be/IKYxZcUNuZw

December 16th, 2011, 1:30 pm

 

jad said:

ماذا فعل وليد جنبلاط في كردستان العراق؟

يلعب الأكراد هذه الفترة دورا محوريا في تحديد مصير المنطقة، سلما أو حربا وقد كبر دورهم بفعل الجغرافيا السياسية والطبيعية من تواجدهم في بلدان عرضة للاضطرابات المتزامنة مع الانسحاب الأميركي من العراق.

هذا الدور الكردي يتعاظم في العراق وذلك لكون المناطق الكردية هي الوحيدة التي تشعر بأنها خارج أي اهتزازات أمنية بعد الانسحاب الأميركي.

في سورية أيضا حيث يلعب الأكراد بذكاء حاد، يحصلون من النظام على مطالب وحقوق حرموا منها، ولا يجارون المعارضة التي يرون أنها بيد عدوهم التاريخي والخطير تركيا. وفي تركيا عادت عمليات حزب العمال الكردستاني لتقلق الدولة العثمانية في ثوبها الجديد ولتضع تحت الأضواء ضعف الجيش التركي القتالي والمعنوي.

ولأن الأكراد هم بيضة القبّان في هذه المعادلة، ألقت فرنسا بثقلها للتعاون معهم في شتى المجالات وهي الدولة التي أسال لعابها النصر السهل في ليبيا للتدخل في كل مكان بتوكيل وتفويض أميركيين. وقد شهدت فرنسا هذا الأسبوع زيارة لوفد كردي عراقي برئاسة برهم صالح رئيس وزراء إقليم كردستان العراق.

لفتنا حجم الوفد وتنوعه، فالعدد قارب الثلاثين شخصا توزعوا بين شخصيات عسكرية وأمنية وسياسية واقتصادية وثقافية، كما لفتنا أيضا غياب أية تغطية إعلامية فرنسية وعربية وكردية لزيارة الوفد، وكأن هناك كلمة سر صدرت للأعلام بعدم التعرض لهذه الزيارة لا من قريب ولا من بعيد.

حاولنا إجراء لقاء صحفي مع الأستاذ برهم صالح لكن الجواب الدبلوماسي من المحيطين به كان حاضرا وبلباقة (لا كلام مع الإعلام): وكيف عرفت جنابك بوجودنا في فرنسا؟ غير أن تعذر الحصول على مقابلة لم يمنع الكلام المستفيض مع أعضاء من الوفد حول الحراك السياسي والعسكري في المنطقة والموقف الكردي العام في المنطقة من الأحداث السورية الذي قاد محاوري الأكراد إلى الكلام عن الزيارة المفاجئة والغير مفهومة الأسباب التي قام بها النائب اللبناني وليد جنبلاط إلى كردستان العراق يوم الاثنين في الخامس من شهر كانون الأول 2011، والتي التقى خلالها رئيس الإقليم مسعود بارازاني.

ونحن هنا نعرض بعض ما قاله أعضاء الوفد الكردي عن الزيارة وما كان يسعى إليه جنبلاط من زيارة الإقليم: “إنها أتت بعد زيارة قام بها لأنقرة وطرح فيها وساطته بين تركيا وحزب العمال الكردستاني على أساس أن جذوره كردية،” يقول أحد أعضاء الوفد وهو يضحك. ويضيف أن “جنبلاط طلب من رئيس إقليم كردستان العراق التوسط مع حزب العمال الكردستاني التركي لإنهاء الصراع مع الدولة التركية.”

“أما نص الوساطة فيقضي أن يعرض رئيس إقليم كردستان العراق على مسؤولي حزب العمال ومقاتليه السكن في إقليم كردستان العراق مع عروض مالية سخية ومناصب مقابل تخليهم عن قتال الدولة التركية، وتكلم جنبلاط معنا عن الوضع السوري متسائلا لماذا يقف الأكراد على الحياد ولا ينزلون إلى الشارع؟ وفي الموضوع العراقي نصحنا جنبلاط من منطلق الحرص علينا بعدم الوثوق بـ (رئيس الوزراء العراقي) نوري المالكي لأنه حليف لإيران وطالبنا بدعم الثورة السورية،” يقول عضو الوفد الكردي.

يضيف أن جنبلاط “كان يردد كل الوقت أنه من أصول كردية ويبدو أنه حفظ عن ظهر قلب شجرة العائلة الجنبلاطية وأماكن دفن أجداده في بلاد الكرد، وأراد إقناعنا بأنه بشمركة، ولكن عندكم في لبنان. البارزاني يقوم بالوساطة حاليا مع علمه بأنها غير قابلة للتنفيذ، لكن عدم معرفة ماذا ستحمل الأيام من العلاقات بيننا وبين تركيا بعد الانسحاب الأميركي، يحتم علينا تقديم مبادرات حسن نوايا لتركيا، وفي الأساس ليس هناك أية عروض أو تنازلات تركية.”

وفي الشأن العراقي، يقول عضو الوفد الكردي: “نحن قلقون من انفجار الوضع بعد الانسحاب الأميركي وهناك معطيات تتحدث عن استعدادات لمعارك في بعض المناطق المحاذية للإقليم الذي لن يتدخل في أية صراعات عسكرية. لكن ما يثير خوفنا هو تصرفات تركيا في حال توتر الوضع العراقي أمنيا كونها سوف ترى بعين الشك والريبة إقليم كردستان هادئ ومستقر في عراق مضطرب، وهناك اعتقاد بأن تركيا قد تعيد نظرتها بحملة التصعيد التي تقودها ضد سورية إذا انهار الوضع الأمني في العراق بسبب الأكراد.”

أما في الشأن السوري فيقول الجمع الكردي “إننا في الأحزاب الكردية منعنا الشارع الكردي في سورية من التظاهر والاحتجاج وكان مسؤولون في أحزابنا ينزلون إلى الشارع ليعيدوا الناس إلى بيوتهم، وهذا موقف الأكراد في المنطقة وليس في سورية وحدها، لقد وعدنا النظام بحقوقنا ولحد الآن لم يخلف في كل ما وعد ونأمل أن يستمر هذا التوجه للمصلحة المشتركة.”

موقع المنار
نضال حمادة

December 16th, 2011, 1:41 pm

 

Tara said:

Bronco,

Is there such a thing as an Arab Cinema?

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/arab-women–directors-shine-at-dubai-fest.aspx?pageID=238&nID=9262&NewsCatID=381
Arab women directors shine at Dubai fest
DUBAI – Agence France-Presse

 Arab Director Susan Youssef cried upon receiving the award at the ceremony. AFP photo
A tale of forbidden love in the Gaza Strip won the top prize at the eighth Dubai Film Festival on Wednesday, where a new generation of Arab women directors stole the spotlight.

“Habibi” (My Love), directed by Susan Youssef, won Best Arab feature film, and the film’s star, Maisa Abdel Hadi, won best actress.

The film, which also won the best editor award, tells the story of two Palestinian lovers, Qais and Leila, growing increasingly religious under the control of the Islamist group Hamas.

Youssef cried upon receiving the award, and in her acceptance speech said: “I hope we can show the film in Gaza.”

The young director said she began shooting the film in Gaza, but was forced to relocate after Israeli authorities blocked her from travelling to the territory.

She told AFP that she was prompted to make the film after she “fell in love with a theater director in Gaza.”

Youssef, who is originally Lebanese but grew up in the United States, said that “Habibi”, her first film, cost less to make than “a luxury car in Dubai.”

Jordanian filmmaker Deema Amr also tackled the social pressures facing women in Arab countries in her film “A 7 Hour Difference”.

The film tells the story of Dalia, a college student in the US who returns home to Jordan to attend her sister’s wedding but the celebration turns sour when her American boyfriend turns up in Amman unannounced.

Lebanese director Danielle Arbid, presented her third film “Beirut Hotel,” which narrates a love affair between a Lebanese singer and a Frenchman set against the backdrop of the assassination of prime minister Rafiq Hariri.

Arbid’s film showed relatively steamy and intimate scenes, unusual for Arab cinema, and was barred from screening in Lebanon because of its reference to the Hariri assassination.

Female directors also starred in the documentary category, including, Sudanese filmmaker Tagrid Elsanhouri and French-Algerian counterpart Yasmina Adi.

Elsanhouri’s “Our Beloved Sudan” tells parallel stories of the struggles faced by the director’s mother, forced to marry a man with three wives, and the events that led South Sudan gaining independence from Khartoum.

Adi’s “Here We Drown The Algerians” follows the brutal suppression of the 1961 demonstrations by Algerian immigrants in France, demanding their country’s independence from French rule. 

“London Through The Eyes Of A Veiled Woman,” a film about the struggles of a young Emirati woman studying in the West, also earned critical acclaim, in a festival where more than 170 films were screened since Dec. 7.
December/16/2011

December 16th, 2011, 1:53 pm

 

N.Z. said:

The butcher’s regime has many cards, is Jund el-Sham their last bet?

December 16th, 2011, 1:55 pm

 

jad said:

“سيتم الاعلان عن توحيد المعارضة في تونس”

‘غليون: بشار الأسد انتهى والشعب سيكون حرا أيا كان الثمن
اعتبر رئيس المجلس الوطني السوري برهان غليون أن “الرئيس السوري بشار الأسد انتهى وسوريا ستصبح ديمقراطية والشعب سيكون حرا أيا كان الثمن”.
وأشار، في حديث له عشية الاجتماع الذي يجمع أقطاب المعارضة في تونس، إلى أن “هذا الاجتماع يهدف إلى تحقيق تنسيق وتنظيم المعارضة لوقف القتل اليوي الذى يمارسه النظام “الإجرامي” السوري”.
وأكد أنه “يجب توحيد المعارضة لإعطائها مزيدا من القوة، وعلينا أن ننجز هذا المؤتمر بتنظيم أكبر وتوجهات أوضح ومزيد من الطاقة”.”

December 16th, 2011, 1:59 pm

 

defender said:

1041
في سورية أيضا حيث يلعب الأكراد بذكاء حاد, يحصلون من النظام على مطالب وحقوق حرموا منها, ولا يجارون المعارضة التي يرون أنها بيد عدوهم التاريخي والخطير تركيا. موقع المنار ، نضال حمادة
مع الاحترام الى الكاتب الا أن البوصلة لم تشر الى اسرائيل ! المقال مثقوب.

December 16th, 2011, 2:01 pm

 

N.Z. said:

1031. aldendeshe,

Are you such a righteous person that you will not forgive?

Those who are defecting, unlike you and me, are putting the lives of their loved ones in danger!

December 16th, 2011, 2:18 pm

 

Mina said:

Arab League, anyone?

Cairo
8:15 Pitch battles continue in Qasr El-Aini Street as security forces attack protesters on the ground with rocks and Molotov cocktails from the roofs of smouldering government buildings. The protesters have been fighting back all day and, with the ruling military council failing to take any action to restrain the forces under their command, this shows no sign of ending any time soon.

7:30 Dr. Mohamed Shehab, deputy director of Qasr El-Aini Hospital, tells Al Jazeera Mubasher that they have seen one death and 54 injuries so far today. Eighteen of those are a result of gunshot wounds.

6:35 Security forces – or their hired thugs – show no sign of letting up in the attack on people in Qasr El-Aini Street. In the dark, they continue to throw rocks down at protesters who in turn are standing their ground.

6:07 In Alexandria, tens of protesters are gathered outside the Northern Military District headquarters.

5:30 The number of injured in the Occupy Cabinet clampdown has risen to 99, according to Adel Adawy, assistant to the minister of health. The injuries include gunshot wounds, broken bones and bruises as a result of the military’s use of beatings, stones and pellet bullets.

5:17 Mohamed Morsi, head of the Muslim Brotherhood’s Freedom and Justice Party (FJP), tells Al Jazeera that he calls on the military council to work on stopping clashes in the Cabinet premises.

Mosri went on to say that: “Time is still on our side. Before it is too late I demand that a full enquiry be called with results announced immediately and those responsible be tried immediately.”

Referring to the parliamentary elections, he said: “There are those who want to tarnish our joy at the democratic scene, new parliament and successful elections we are seeing now.”

5:02 Night is setting in in Cairo and the rocks continue to rain down on protesters from the security forces on the parliamentary building roof.

4:32 Protesters are hurling makeshift “fireballs” and Molotov cocktails through the windows of an annex to the Parliament building. The building bears the slogan “Democracy confirms the sovereignty of the people” on its front and its roof has been the vantage point from which security forces have been launching rocks and glass at protesters for several hours. According to our Ahram Online reporter at the scene, fire is consuming several rooms in the building.

Football Ultras are also setting off fireworks at the building from Qasr El-Aini Street.

4:12 Protesters have set a police kiosk by the Cabinet building on fire to disrupt the security forces attacking them from the roof. The dense plumes of smoke forced the assailants to retreat briefly. However, now that smoke has begun to fade, they are back in plain view throwing stones and other projectiles at the protesters in Qasr El-Aini Street.

http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/29489/Egypt/Politics-/Egypt-military-attacks-Occupy-Cabinet-protesters-U.aspx

Yemen
Yemenis protest against amnesty for Saleh
More than eighteen cities rise across Yemen in protests against Ali Abdullah Saleh’s amnesty grant, as they demand his trial is a “must”
AFP , Friday 16 Dec 2011
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/8/29509/World/Region/Yemenis-protest-against-amnesty-for-Saleh-.aspx

December 16th, 2011, 2:30 pm

 

jad said:

It seems that the terrorists don’t have enough men to kidnap and force them to say whatever before they kill them as they did to Khaled. Today those terrorists are using kidnapped woman to say whatever they force her to say before they do the usual mission of killing her and through her in the streets of Homs, as usual, in the name of their own version of a bloody sectarian freedom:

التضليل الإعلامي 16 12 2011
http://youtu.be/PU2C5ga9sJs?t=47s

اعتراف إمرأة شبيحة بخطف نساء بأوامر من الامن السوري
http://youtu.be/YJz12o9IaNQ

December 16th, 2011, 2:32 pm

 

jad said:

For the west what matters is that Ghalyoun/SNC promised them to cut ties with Iran and HZ… nothing else!

Syria’s opposition, Gaining ground

Syria’s opposition, though fractious, is making headway against the regime

IF IT took over, the Syrian National Council (SNC), the main opposition to President Bashar Assad, would sharply alter the regional dynamic. Burhan Ghalioun, a Sorbonne professor who is its leader, says that Syria’s special relationship with Iran, its main ally, would end. Relations would also change for the worse with Hizbullah, the Lebanese Shia party-cum-militia whose popularity in Syria has plummeted thanks to its support for the regime.

This may bolster the SNC’s standing with Mr Assad’s enemies abroad, especially those in the United States who see in Syria’s conflict a chance to isolate Iran and tilt the regional balance of power against it. But Mr Ghalioun’s comments did not go down well with some colleagues, who think he jumped the diplomatic gun. Nor did some rude remarks he made about the Kurds, an important minority in Syria.

Mr Ghalioun has yet to win the avuncular mediating status of his Libyan counterpart, Mustafa Abdul Jalil, now the interim president. Since Syria’s opposition is mostly Sunni Muslim, reflecting the country’s 75% Sunni make-up, he needs to win over Alawites and Christians, each about a tenth of the population, who have generally stayed loyal to Mr Assad. And he must corral the Free Syrian Army of defectors bent on toppling the regime by force.

Barely two months old, the SNC is still fragile. Many of its members, both in exile and within Syria, grumble that policies are often conjured up on the spur of the moment and are sometimes naive. Views differ within the SNC on whether to seek foreign intervention. And some SNC members think Islamists are over-represented. The enthusiasm of Turkey’s Islamist government for the SNC may account for the Islamists’ disproportionate presence in it.

The Free Syrian Army is also causing problems for the SNC. It is probably smaller and less united than its leader, Colonel Riad Asaad, says; he claims 15,000-plus men under his command. Assorted defectors have become more audacious, targeting security checkpoints and intelligence buildings. But the SNC is trying to keep the uprising peaceful and wants to bring the Free Syrian Army under tighter political control. Representatives of the council and the army recently met in Turkey and agreed to co-ordinate, with the soldiers promising to scale back their attacks. But a few days later defectors killed seven pro-government soldiers at a checkpoint in the north-western province of Idleb.

The defectors think the SNC too timid. Borderlands close to Turkey, Jordan and Lebanon are becoming more violent; some opposition people want outsiders to create buffer zones and humanitarian corridors. Syria’s third city, Homs, is virtually under siege. The UN now says more than 5,000 Syrians have been killed, mostly by security forces, since the upheaval began. At least 14,000 are said to be behind bars.

Wary Western diplomats describe the SNC, whether or not it can contain the Free Syrian Army, as “the best we have”, though it is far from achieving the recognition given to the National Transitional Council in Libya at an early stage in its rebellion. Turkey and France are the SNC’s keenest backers. Britain has made a former ambassador to Lebanon its special envoy to the Syrian opposition, in essence the SNC.

Western and Arab diplomats are also encouraging the SNC to co-ordinate, if not to merge, with the National Co-ordination Committee, a rival opposition group that still functions within Syria and is led by Hassan Abdul Azim and other longstanding dissidents, some of whom are wary of the Islamists within the SNC. The Arab League, with Qatar to the fore, is particularly keen to bring the two groups together.

Since it took the unprecedented step of imposing sanctions against Syria last month, the league is the key to diplomacy aimed at bringing Mr Assad down. Western governments, which have steadily tightened sanctions against Mr Assad, are taking their cue from it. So far Russia and China have refused to consent to any measures in the UN Security Council similar to those that helped get rid of Muammar Qaddafi. It will be for the league to persuade them to fall into line.

http://www.economist.com/node/21541847

December 16th, 2011, 2:39 pm

 

Ghufran said:

Majed,
I do not know what u r talking about,I hope u do,a lot of what we post as news proves to be wrong later,we all have been tricked before,keep your cool for the sake of your patients (jk),I could not remember posting a message about alarabi lately.
Turkey is quitting on the SNC at least for now. France rejection of Russia’s resolution does not mean anything,the AL and Russia with a neutral US can push the political caravan forward,but I do not know if all parties involved are ready to talk,a mouth piece of the regime is already talking about excluding the SNC from future talks and that is wrong.

December 16th, 2011, 2:49 pm

 

Mina said:

Jad
Indeed, but as mentioned in the Atimes article some days ago, Bashar al Asad has send emissaries to the US to ask what was the price to pay, and obviously accepted to cut ties with Iran. He never had any control on the governors and their private militias. Now the Russians are (certainly in coordination with the US) implementing the “Yemeni-slow-model plan”, with al-Mu’allim or someone taking over for a transitional period when Bashar and his close circle will pack.
It will take time, and in this domino game, the duplicity and contradictions of both the Turks and the Gulf will unfold plain and clear.

December 16th, 2011, 2:50 pm

 
 
 

jna said:

New Tunisian President Opposes Foreign Intervention in Syria

Tunisia’s new President Moncef Marzouki said in an interview aired on Friday he was against foreign intervention in Syria, where thousands have been killed in months of anti-regime protests.

“Of course I am opposed to foreign intervention in Syria,” he told France 24 in his first comments on the crisis in Syria since taking office Tuesday, after the first elections since the Arab Spring was unleashed in his country.

“I am sorry to see the Syrian revolution sliding towards violence,” he said.

“I hope that our Syrian brothers both inside and outside the country will unite and play a moral role to ensure that this revolution is democratic, peaceful, non-ethnic and without foreign intervention.”

Tunisia is hosting a three-day meeting of Syrian opposition movements formed before and since the launch of the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad’s regime in March, which the United Nations says has left 5,000 people dead.

Source Agence France Presse
http://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/23547-new-tunisian-president-opposes-foreign-intervention-in-syria

December 16th, 2011, 3:25 pm

 

Dale Andersen said:

Memo To: MINA

RE: “…Bashar has send emissaries to the US to ask what was the price to pay… to cut ties with Iran. He never had any control over his governors and their private militias (shabeeha)…”

You are as deluded as your mentor, Jaddie. So the Assads have brainwashed you into thinking they have nothing to do with the Syrian uprising? Do you really believe the governors are not under the thumb of the Assad mafia? Do you really think the shabeeha are are an independent band of rogue militiamen? Do you really think the whole uprising is being orchestrated by foreign elements? If you do, we have a brand new definition of “stupid.”

http://playwrighter.blogspot.com/2011/06/stuck-in-damascus-with-memphis-blues.html

December 16th, 2011, 3:28 pm

 

Mina said:

Dale, just stick to Mickey Mouse, as usual.

Sami Moubayed writes in Damascus:
(…)
In different times, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Syria would all have been tremendously busy with Iraq, planning for “the day after” scenario. These countries believe that a vacuum will emerge now that the Americans have left. Maliki cannot run the country on his own, and his ministers, police, army and security services are too weak to deliver when it comes to nation-building.

The vacuum can only be filled by Iran or Saudi Arabia, which respectively control the Shi’ite and Sunni streets. Iran cannot venture into Sunni territory, and Saudi Arabia has no influence whatsoever with heavyweight Iraqi Shi’ites like Ammar al-Hakim, Muqtada al-Sadr and Maliki.

The only country that has inter-community influence among both sects is Syria. It has the ear of Muqtada, yet it can also strongly influence Tarek al-Hashemi of the Iraqi Islamic Party.

But Syria, Saudi Arabia and Iran are all busy with their own problems, explaining why incendiary rhetoric is at an all-time low in Iraq, as are suicide bombings and targeted assassinations.

Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah is ill, Prince Nayef is slowly adapting to the new job as crown prince and busy getting the House of Saud in order, preparing for his own ascent to the throne. Unprecedented disturbances were recorded in November in al-Qateef, an oil-rich district inhabited almost completely by Shi’ites, where 10 people were killed.
(…)
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/ML17Ak03.html

December 16th, 2011, 3:35 pm

 

Tara said:

Norman

I saw a sign in the demonstrations today calling for you:

فقط في سوريا ُتقتل الأغلبية تحت غطاء حماية الأقلية

December 16th, 2011, 3:45 pm

 

jna said:

1035. Juergensaid:
French Foreign Ministry spokesman Bernard Valero: “It’s in particular unacceptable to put the Syrian regime’s repression on the same level as the Syrian people’s resistance,” he added.

Thus spurning all the
Syrian victims of opposition chaos and bloodletting, past, present, and future.

December 16th, 2011, 3:51 pm

 

aldendeshe said:

Now What,Landis, Admin, Camile!!!
Why are the comments posted in Arabic by Metaz Aldendeshe and SNP are being deleted? We no longer wants to use English user names for posts and posting, and would comment in Arabic as well. Is that in any violation of SC rule?
Please note our new user names:

Aldendeshe:

معتز الدندشي

Syrian Nationalist Party:

الحزب القومي السوري

December 16th, 2011, 3:52 pm

 

aldendeshe said:

الحزب القومي السوري
معتز الدندشي
لا ماكل الموآمرة الارهابية الصهيونية عملية اجنبية الاجانب الاذكياء خططو وموللو والمجاديب المرتزقة المحلية عم تنفذ الاوامر

December 16th, 2011, 4:04 pm

 

norman said:

Tara,

This one for you,

Only racists define themselves as majority for their religious association , i thought you learned something from being in the US that Protestants do not own this country even that they are a majority religion.,, I guess , i was wrong.

Your opposition is leading Syria toward a civil war because of their attacks on Alawat and Christians, the Syrian government should do more to protect the people of Syria and destroy anybody who is trying to kill others. no matter what religion they belong to.

December 16th, 2011, 4:27 pm

 

Tara said:

Norman

You are pretending that you did not understand the statement. Let me explain it then. Lots of minorities in Syria ( Alawites and Christisns) are supporting Assad regime that is killing the majority under the pretext of being afraid of what happens next. This is the definition of the minorities complex disorder: turning a blind eye on the killing and mayhem of the others to protect oneself or one’s interests from a perceived future adversity. Still not clear enough?

December 16th, 2011, 4:42 pm

 

Juergen said:

German Tv is now in Syria. Long time correspondent Dietmar Ossenberg (ZDF) is reporting live from Damascus.
He has been in Libya and Cairo as well as Tunis, always been around when the regimes collapsed. I´ll post a video of his report from today as soon its on the net.

December 16th, 2011, 4:42 pm

 

newfolder said:

http://www.csmonitor.com/World/terrorism-security/2011/1216/Syrian-Army-defector-We-were-given-killing-quotas-by-Assad-regime

Syrian Army defector: We were given killing quotas by Assad regime
two new human rights reports detail abuses by the Assad regime, but also show a growing use of violence by the opposition.

The violence in Syria appears to be worsening, as Syrian troops renewed their attacks on protesters in the key opposition city of Homs and military defectors launched one of the largest attacks yet on government forces. And a new report provides evidence from defectors that Syrian forces are being ordered to use deadly force against unarmed civilian protesters.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a London-based watchdog with a network of contacts in Syria, says that Syrian forces opened fire on protesters, killing one, after traditional Friday prayers today in the city of Homs, writes the Associated Press. The group says that 200,000 people took to the streets in Homs to protest the regime of Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad. AP notes that it could not confirm the report, due to Syria’s ban on foreign journalists.

But the opposition has also stepped up violence, as the number of military defectors increases. The New York Times reports that, according to the Observatory, defectors killed 27 Syrian troops around the city of Daraa, in an apparently coordinated assault on sites inside and outside the city. If true, the Thursday morning attack would be one of the largest and most sophisticated yet by the opposition against Syrian forces.

The Observatory did not give any information about the defectors’ casualties in the attack. The Times adds that residents living in the city have confirmed fighting between armed groups in the area, with the Syrian forces suffering casualties. The Observatory has reported four attacks against government forces this week, including an attack on Wednesday that left eight Syrian troops dead.

The attacks come the same week that the UN revised its estimates of the death toll in the Syrian conflict upwards to 5,000. UN human rights chief Navi Pillay said that she recommends that the UN Security Council refer Syria to the International Criminal Court to investigate the regime for war crimes.

In addition, Human Right Watch released a new report Thursday, “By All Means Necessary.” Based on interviews with Syrian military defectors, it detailed orders they were given to use deadly force and torture against Syrian unarmed protesters. HRW found that “military commanders and officials in the intelligence agencies gave both direct and standing orders to use lethal force against the protesters,” citing 20 specific instances in the report, and said senior Syrian officials, including President Assad, bear responsibility for the abuses committed by their subordinates.

HRW writes that all the defectors reported being under standing orders to “stop the protests at any cost” and “by all means necessary,” and often were explicitly ordered to use lethal force against protesters. A soldier recounted one such incident in which troops were told to shoot at protesters:

On August 27 we were near a police hospital in Harasta. About 1,500 protesters came there. They requested the release of an injured protester who was inside the hospital. They held olive branches. They had no arms. There were 35 army soldiers and about 50 mukhabarat [intelligence] personnel at the checkpoint. We also had a jeep with a mounted machine-gun. When the protesters were less than 100 meters away, we opened fire. We had previously received the orders to do so from [Brigadier General Talal Makhlouf]. Five protesters were hit, and I believe two of them died.

A sniper deployed in May near the key opposition city of Homs said that soldiers were given quotas of casualties they should inflict. “During the protests, the commanders gave us a specific number, or a percentage, of protesters who should be liquidated. For 5,000 protesters, for example, the target would be 15-20 people,” he said.

Another defector, a soldier sent to suppress protests in Douma in April, said “At one point we killed eight people in 15 minutes. The protesters were unarmed. They didn’t even have rocks! That’s when I decided to defect.”

The report is based on interviews HRW conducted with 63 defectors from Syrian military and intelligence agencies between May and November 2011. Interviewees included troops deployed all over the country, including the flashpoints of Damascus, Daraa, and Homs, and their positions ranged from conscripted soldier to lieutenant colonel.

December 16th, 2011, 4:43 pm

 

jad said:

The original article of Stratfor about the opposition media “Missteps in the Syrian Opposition’s Propaganda Effort” is here in full

Now in Arabic

ورقة بحث أمريكية حول بروباغندا المعارضة السورية
الجمل: بدأت تظهر وجهات النظر الأمريكية والإسرائيلية والأوروبية الغربية الساعية إلى توجيه الانتقادات لأداء المعارضة السورية، وكشف أخطاء فعالياتها، وفي هذا الخصوص ظهرت مساء أمس ورقة بحثية أمريكية تطرقت بالبحث والتحليل ضمن ما أطلقت عليه تسمية الإخفاقات في أنشطة دعاية المعارضة السورية: فما هي أنشطة المعارضة السورية الدعائية، وما هي طبيعة إخفاقاتها، وإلى أي مدى أثرت هذه الإخفاقات سلباً بما أصبح الآن بمثابة إخفاق وضعف لهذه المعارضة؟

* أنشطة المعارضة السورية الدعائية: توصيف الإخفاقات
تحدث المدخل التمهيدي ملخصاً إشكالية إخفاق أنشطة المعارضة السورية الدعائية، على أساس اعتبارات النقاط الآتية:
• سعت المعارضة السورية إلى إطلاق فعاليات حملة بروباغاندا دعائية هدفت لخلق انطباع بأن قاعدة المساندة الاجتماعية للنظام السوري أصبحت تعاني من حالة تفكك، وأن النظام نفسه أصبح يعاني من حالة التفكك.
• سعت المعارضة السورية إلى تنظيم نفسها بشكل جيد خلال الفترة الأخيرة بما يمكن أن يفسح المجال أمام وحدة قوامها.
وخلصت مقدمة المدخل التمهيدي إلى أنه برغم نجاح المعارضة في جهود توحيد صفوفها، فإنها منيت بنكسة كبيرة بفعل إخفاقات البروباغاندا الدعائية التي ظلت تقوم بها خلال الأشهر الطويلة الماضية. وبالتالي فقد أصبحت المعارضة السورية تعاني من انعدام المصداقية، والافتقار إلى التنسيق.
على أساس النقاط المشار إليها، انتقلت الورقة البحثية لجهة استعراض الوقائع التي أفقدت المعارضة السورية المصداقية، وذلك على النحو الآتي:
• في يوم 10 كانون الأول (ديسمبر) 2011م، تحدثت مصادر المعارضة السورية، الموجودة في لندن، عن مقتل أحد كبار المسؤولين في دمشق بواسطة مسؤول كبير آخر، ولم تكتف مصادر المعارضة بذلك بل سعت إلى الحديث عن التفاصيل والملابسات، ولاحقاً، تبين أن مزاعم المعارضة السورية اللندنية كانت غير صحيحة.
• سعت مصادر المعارضة السورية إلى الزعم مسبقاً، بوجود خلافات عدائية بين قيادة قوات الحرس الجمهوري، وقيادة المؤسسة الأمنية، ولاحقاً تبين أن هذه المزاعم غير صحيحة.
وتأسيساً على هذه النقاط، أشارت الورقة البحثية إلى أن مراكز الدراسات السياسية والإستراتيجية الأمريكية والعالمية المعنية بالشأن السوري والشرق أوسطي قد حاولت أن تجد الدليل والبرهان على صحة مزاعم المعارضة السورية ولكنها لم تجد أي شيء يؤكد ذلك.
وإضافة لذلك، أشارت الورقة البحثية إلى أن الكثير من مزاعم المعارضة السورية أصبحت تتميز بالضعف وانعدام المصداقية، بما أدى إلى جعل الأعداد الكبيرة من المعارضين السوريين الموجودين في الخارج لا يساندون هذه المزاعم، وإضافة لذلك، فقد أصبحت حالياً العديد من المؤسسات الإعلامية والصحفية العالمية أكثر حرصاً لجهة التعامل بقدر من التحفظ إزاء المعلومات والتقارير التي تقوم فعاليات المعارضة السورية الخارجية بالترويج والتسويق لها. وإضافة لذلك، تحدثت الورقة البحثية قائلة بأن مزاعم المعارضة السورية اللندنية الأخيرة قد قوبلت بتجاهل بعض مؤسسات هذه المعارضة نفسها، منها على سبيل المثال لا الحصر “المرصد السوري لحقوق الإنسان”، و”لجان التنسيق المحلية”، بل وحتى المؤسسات الإعلامية الأمريكية المعادية لسوريا سعت بدورها لجهة تفادي نشر وبث مزاعم المعارضة اللندنية الأخيرة الصادرة في يوم 10 كانون الأول (ديسمبر) 2011م الماضي.

* محفزات بروباغاندا المعارضة السورية الدعائية
تحدثت الورقة البحثية عن وجود عدد كبير من الجماعات السورية المعارضة، وأضافت الورقة بأن هذه الجماعات وإن كانت تبدو ضمن السياق المعارض، فإنها تتميز بالتنافر وانعدام التنسيق، وحتى المجموعات المعارضة الكبيرة اتضح أنها تفتقر إلى تنسيق الأخبار العادية ناهيك عن تنسيق الجهود والعمل، وفي هذا الخصوص أشارت الورقة البحثية إلى أن أسباب قيام جماعات المعارضة السورية بإطلاق المزاعم والأخبار غير الصحيحة، الهدف منه الآتي:
• حث السوريين في الداخل على ضرورة الانخراط في فعاليات المعارضة، تحت وهم الافتراض الذي يزعم بأن النظام أصبح يعاني من التفكك الداخلي.
• إقناع الأطراف الخارجية المعادية لدمشق مثل أمريكا وفرنسا وبريطانيا، وأيضاً السعودية وبلدان الخليج العربي، بأن النظام قد أصبح يعاني من الانقسامات والتفكك، وبأنه على وشك القيام بتنفيذ مذبحة ضد المدنيين السوريين المحتجين.
• إقناع السوريين في الداخل والخارج، وأيضاً إقناع الأطراف الدولية الخارجية، بأن الانهيار النهائي للنظام، سوف لن يترتب عليه حدوث اضطرابات وعدم استقرار على غرار ما حدث في العراق بعد انهيار نظام الرئيس الراحل صدام حسين. أو على غرار ما أصبح على وشك الحدوث من فوضى وحرب أهلية ليبية داخلية بعد انهيار نظام الزعيم الليبي الراحل معمر القذافي.
• الترويج للمزاعم القائلة بأن ما يسمى بـ”الجيش السوري الحر” هو جيش يهدف إلى حماية المدنيين السوريين، علماً بأن هذا الجيش موجود في تركيا، وليس في أوساط المدنيين.
• الترويج للمزاعم القائلة بأن المعارضة السياسية السورية سوف تسعى لجهة الالتزام بالمحافظة على سلامة هياكل الدولة، علماً بأن العديد من مؤسسات الدولة قد تعرضت للهجمات المسلحة، وبالذات مباني ومصنفات قصور العدل والمحاكم، وحتى مراكز الشرطة العادية.
وإضافة لذلك، أشارت الورقة إلى أن جماعات المعارضة السياسية السورية، قد سعت مؤخراً لجهة المطالبة بتنفيذ عملية إضراب عام ضمن خطوات مرحلية، وذلك ضمن ما أطلقت عليه فعاليات المعارضة تسمية “إضراب الكرامة”، والذي حددت يوم 12 كانون الأول (ديسمبر) 2011 للبدء والشروع في تنفيذه، وفي هذا الخصوص أشارت الورقة البحثية إلى حدوث الآتي:
• سعت فعاليات المعارضة السورية وبالذات المرصد السوري لحقوق الإنسان، ولجان التنسيق المحلية، لجهة بث البروباغاندا الدعائية القائلة بأن الإضراب العام قد نجح بشكل كامل في مناطق حمص ـ درعا، ودوما، وبأن فعاليات الإضراب بدأت تنتقل عدواها إلى المراكز المالية والتجارية الكبيرة مثل مدينة حلب.
• سعت السلطات السورية لجهة التصدي للبروباغاندا الدعائية المتعلقة بإضراب المعارضة عن طريق نشر وبث الصور والمشاهد الإعلامية الفورية خلال فترة إضراب المعارضة المفترض، وذلك على النحو الذي أقنع الجميع داخل وخارج سوريا بأن السوريين قد تجاهلوا هذا الإضراب.
وتعليقاً على هذه النقاط، فقد ذكر مركز دراسات ستراتفور الاستخباري الأمريكي بأن “مصادره في دمشق” قد أكدت له بأن السوريين لم ينخرطوا في هذا الإضراب، وإضافة لذلك أكدت له هذه المصادر بأن أعداداً كبيرة من السوريين قد تلقوا رسائل الكترونية قادمة من هواتف أجنبية تحمل أرقام أمريكية تدعو السوريين للمشاركة في الإضراب. وبرغم ذلك، وبحسب تقرير ستراتفور، فإن السوريين قد تجاهلوا بشكل كامل الدعوة للإضراب.

الجمل ـ قسم الدراسات والترجمة

December 16th, 2011, 4:51 pm

 

jad said:

Is it the beginning of the solution? I hope so.

“أفادت الاخبارية السورية عن وجود معلومات عن موافقة الجامعة العربية على التعديلات السورية على فقرات في برتوكول المراقبين والتي اعتبرتها دمشق تمس بسيادتها.”*

*We are used to read news that will be denied later so I have no high expectation for this one.

December 16th, 2011, 5:25 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

1007. Ghufran said:

ذكرت مصادر مقربة من أمين عام الجامعة العربية نبيل العربي أن التوجه غداً في اجتماع اللجنة الوزارية العربية المعنية بحل الأزمة السورية الذي سيعقد في الدوحة ، يتجه لاعتماد الورقة السورية والتعديلات التي طلبتها دمشق.

Then Ghufran said
I dont remeber I talked about AlArabi

Ghufran do you forget so quickly?

December 16th, 2011, 5:25 pm

 

norman said:

Tara,

There are people who do not learn from their own mistakes and these are stupid, there are people who learn from their mistakes and these are average, but there are people who learn from other people’s mistakes and these are the survivors, especially in the Mideast, after what happened in Iraq where the Christian were massacred by your beloved Sunni, even though they were counted on Saddam Hussein, there is no chance for the Christians in Syria to wait and see, and there is no chance for the army and the Baath party of Syria to do that either, they know what is coming to them and will fight because they know that your opposition has no good intentions,

let give an example,

if a wolf goes into your brother’s house next door ( Iraq), ( Lebanon) , will you wait for him to come close to see his intention , i for one know his intentions as i know the intention of the opposition in Syria. and will not take a chance,and stop him before he is close enough to kill me and may family, you know, the US was in Iraq and did nothing to protect the Christians and nobody protected the Christians in Lebanon except Syria, where the statue of liberty belong.

December 16th, 2011, 5:30 pm

 

jad said:

حول العقوبات الاقتصادية وتبعاتها
by Louay Hussein
قلت لأحد الدبلوماسيين الغربيين، حين استعرض أزمة المواطنين في حصولهم على الوقود: هل تذكر ما قلته سابقا لك وللآخرين من أن العقوبات الاقتصادية الشاملة، وبالأخص حظر استيراد النفط السوري، ستضر بالمواطنين السوريين، ولن تكون مفيدة في الصراع مع السلطة، فالأنظمة عادة هي آخر من يتأذى من العقوبات الاقتصادية. لكن صوتي كان ضعيفا وأنا داخل البلاد مقارنة بأصوات معارِضة مستهترة في الخارج، التي أقنعتكم بأن ضيق معيش السوريين سيدفعهم للخروج على النظام والانضمام إلى حركة الاحتجاجات في الشارع. ورددت حينها على هذه الحجة بأنه ليس من الضروري أن يحصل ذلك، وها نحن نجد طوابير السوريين يقفون لساعات لاستبدال أسطوانة الغاز، وهناك ملايين السوريين الذين يعانون البرد من دون توفر المازوت (ومن بينهم بيتي) من دون أن نجد هؤلاء خرجوا إلى الشارع يحتجون على السلطة. وما زلت أؤكد: أنه حتى لو حصل بعد حين أن انقلب غالبية السوريين على السلطة بسبب الجوع والبطالة والبرد والعوز والمرض فهذا ليس أمرا جيدا؛ فنحت لا نريد ثورة جياع ومرضى ومعتازين وعاطلين عن العمل، بل نريد ثورة حرية يحتج الناس فيها على السلطة وهم أصحاء وشبعانين مستهدفين الحرية لأنها قيمة عليا.
قال لي: يمكن تعطيل العقوبات إذا تبين للغرب أن غالبية الشعب السوري يرون أن العقوبات الاقتصادية مضرة لهم وليست ناجعة في إضعاف النظام، ويوافقونك الرأي. أو يمكن ذلك إن اتفقت المعارضة في أغلبها (المجلس والهيئة والتيار…) على هذا الرأي ولو ضمن توافق أعم، لكن سيكون من الصعب اعتماد الغرب أو المجتمع الدولي على موقف التيار فقط.
أجبته: لا يتوفر لدينا أي وسيلة لمعرفة آراء السوريين، وبالتالي لا يمكن أن تؤخذ هذه النقطة علينا، كما لا يمكننا الأخذ بها. فضلا عن أن فرض العقوبات لم يكن بطلب من الشعب السوري بل بطلب من معارضين مستهترين في الخارج، حتى تكون العودة عنها بموقف من الشعب السوري.
أما عن المعارضة (بمجملها) لا يحق لها اتخاذ مثل هذا القرار، إضافة إلى أنها لا يمكن أن تتفق على هذا، فهناك شخصيات تعيش خارج البلاد ليس لديها من قول سياسي إلا مثل هذه الأمور. والأهم من ذلك أنه لا يجوز في هذه النقطة المساواة بين قول من هم في الداخل وقول من هم في الخارج، فالذي في الداخل يعاني البرد والغلاء، ولهذا لا يحق للدفيانين أن يفرضوا البرد على الآخرين.
والآن أضيف: إن كان إسقاط النظام سيتم من خلال التسبب بتجويع الناس وعدم حصولهم على أجورهم وغير ذلك من ضائقات العيش، وعبر الانهيار الاقتصادي، فإن في ذلك خطرين غاية في الجسامة (فضلا عن معاناة الناس): الأول، سينزل الناس إلى الشارع في اليوم التالي لإسقاط النظام مطالبين بحقوقهم المعيشية التي لن تتمكن أي حكومة أو سلطة جديدة من تأمينها، وبالتالي سنكون أمام أزمة سياسية جديدة لن تقل صعوبة وربما مأساوية عما نحن به اليوم. والثاني، أن أي سلطة أو حكومة حينها ستضطر إلى طلب كل أنواع العون والاقتراض المالي من دول قادرة وطامعة، وهذا يجعلنا في تبعية اقتصادية وسياسية تامة لمن يساعدنا في تسوية أوضاعنا الاقتصادية الذي لن يكون من مصلحته أبدا مساعدتنا بالقدر المطلوب لإبقائنا أتباعا له منقوصي السيادة.
إن إسقاط النظام لا يحتاج البتة لمثل هذه السبل التدميرية، فكل ما يتطلبه هو الإصرار على الاحتجاج والمعارضة والأمل بدولة ديمقراطية عادلة تتمتع بالسيادة والاستقلال.

December 16th, 2011, 5:34 pm

 

aldendeshe said:

1066. jad said:

*We are used to read news that will be denied later so I have no high expectation fro this news.

هاي القصة انو سوريا والعرب بيتفقو مع بعض تحت سقف الجامعة بس لما الخبر يطلع اليوم الصبح ينفا اليوم الثاني بعد حدى ما يقوم بللاتصال مع العربي ويأمره بتغير القرار

December 16th, 2011, 5:38 pm

 

jad said:

سيد معتز
.أوافقك الرأي. لذلك كتبت التعليق
أنا متأكد أنه غداً نبيل العربي سينفي الخبر جملة وتفصيلاً

December 16th, 2011, 5:42 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Al Arabi has the right to deny all lies atributed to him, he did not say

December 16th, 2011, 6:30 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Muallem is going to Qatar to sign the protocol that AL has issued, without the modifications Syria requested, this has two explanations, either Russia ordered Bashar to sign, or Muallem is doing it to buy time.
Al declined that anyone may sign except Muallem himself.

Another news Jumblat arranged in Paris for a meeting between Ghalioun and lebanese officials.

December 16th, 2011, 6:36 pm

 

Hans said:

Here is the future of the Arab world!

forget about The Universal Declaration of Human Rights,
“Islamic Sharia” is much better!!
Caution!!!! Islam permits devout Muslims to lie,cheat,and
deliberately bluff non-muslims to protect or promote his religion of Islam, anytime, anywhere. And this tactic is know as “Islamic Taqiyya” (read: Islamic deception), and was originally used by the Prophet of Islam to fool, and later subjugate and destroy enemies of Islam. As Prophet of Islam repeatedly asserted: “War is a deception” and with this holy-tactic, Prophet of Islam established his most intolerant religion of violence (by 80 plus bloody battles) which he later named as: “religion of peace”! Therefore, today’s Islamists will follow the holy path of their Prophet and will deny that—Sharia is really Islamic law! They will try to cheat by saying that, all these Sharia laws that are practiced in Saudi Arabia, Iran, Sudan, and elsewhere are nice on ice.
1- Jihad defined as “to war against all non-Muslims to establish the religion” is the duty of every Muslim and Muslim head of state (Caliph). Muslim Caliphs who refuse jihad are in violation of Sharia and unfit to rule.
2- A Caliph can hold office through seizure of power meaning through force.
3- The head of an Islamic State (Caliph) cannot be charged, let alone be punished for serious crimes such as murder, adultery, robbery, theft, drinking and in some cases of rape (Hudood cases) – Codified Islamic Law Vol 3 # 914C of and page 188 of Hedaya the Hanafi manual.
4- A percentage of Zakat (alms) must go towards jihad.
5- It is obligatory to obey the commands of the Caliph, even if he is unjust.
6- A caliph must be a Muslim, a non-slave and a male.
7- The Muslim public must remove the Caliph in one case, if he rejects Islam.
8- A Muslim who leaves Islam (apostate) must be killed immediately.
9- A Muslim will be forgiven for murder of : a) an apostasy b) an adulterer c) a highway robber. Making vigilante street justice and honor killing acceptable.
10- A Muslim will not get the death penalty if he kills a non-Muslim.
11- Sharia never abolished slavery and sexual slavery and highly regulates it. A master will not be punished for killing his slave. Slavery still exists amongst Arab Muslims.
12- Sharia dictates death by stoning, beheading, for sins like killing, adultery, prostitutions; and other Quranic corporal punishments like: amputation of limbs (chopping hands and feet), floggings, beatings and other forms of cruel and unusual punishments even for the sins like: stealing, sexual promiscuity, robbery, burglary etc.
13- Non-Muslims are not equal to Muslims and must comply to Sharia (pay Zizzya: poll tax) if they are to remain safe. They are forbidden to marry Muslim women, publicly display wine or pork, recite their own religious scriptures, or openly celebrate their religious holidays or funerals. They are forbidden from building new churches or building them higher than mosques. They may not enter a mosque without permission. A non-Muslim is no longer protected if he commits adultery with a Muslim woman or if he leads a Muslim away from Islam.
14- It is a crime for a non-Muslim to sell weapons to someone who will use them against Muslims. Non-Muslims cannot curse a Muslim, say anything derogatory about Allah, the Prophet, or Islam, or expose the weak points of Muslims. However, Muslims can curse, criticize or say anything derogatory they like to the religions of others.
15- A non-Muslim cannot inherit from a Muslim.
16- Banks must be Sharia compliant and interest is not allowed.
17- No testimony in court is acceptable from people of low-level jobs, such as street sweepers or a bathhouse attendant. Women in such low level jobs such as professional funeral mourners cannot keep custody of their children in case of divorce.
18- A non-Muslim cannot rule even over a non-Muslims minority.
19- Homosexuality is punishable by death.
20- There is no age limit for marriage of girls under Sharia. The marriage contract can take place anytime after birth and consummated at age 8 or 9.
21- Rebelliousness on the part of the wife nullifies the husband’s obligation to support her, gives him permission to beat her and keep her from leaving the home.
22- Divorce is only in the hands of the husband and is as easy as saying: “I divorce you” and becomes effective even if the husband did not intend it.
23- There is no common property between husband and wife and the husband’s property does not automatically go to the wife after his death.
24- A woman inherits half what a man inherits. Sister gets half of what brother gets.
25- A man has the right to have up to 4 wives and wife has no right to divorce him even if he is polygamous.
26- The dowry is given in exchange for the woman’s sexual organs.
27- A man is allowed to have sex with slave women and also with women captured in battle (concubines), and if the enslaved woman is married her marriage is annulled.
28- The testimony of a woman in court is half the value of a man; that is, two women equal to one man.
29- A woman looses custody if she remarries.
30- A rapist may only be required to pay the bride-money (dowry) without marrying the rape victim.
31- A Muslim woman must cover every inch of her body which is considered “Awrah,” a sexual organ. Some schools of Sharia allow the face and some don’t.
32- A Muslim man is forgiven if he kills his wife caught in the act of adultery. However, the opposite is not true for women since he “could be married to the woman he was caught with.”
33-It is obligatory for a Muslim to lie if the purpose is obligatory and is known as Taqiyya (Islamic Deception). That means that for the sake of abiding with Islam’s commandments, such as jihad, a Muslim is obliged to lie and should not have any feelings of guilt or shame associated with this kind of lying.
The above are clear-cut laws in Islam decided by great Imams after years of examination and interpretation of the Quran, Hadith and Mohammed’s life.
34. The perpetrators of genocide, mass rape and plunder will not be punished if they repent – Codified Islamic Law Vol 1 # 13.
35. To prove rape, a woman must have 4 male witnesses. Women’s testimony is not accepted – Pakistan’s Hudood ordnance 7 of 1979 amended by 8B of 1980. Thousands of raped women and girls in many countries have been charged with Zena (physical relations outside marriage) and punished by Sharia courts for want of witnesses.
36. All modern music including sexually explicit music of any kind is strictly prohibited and punishable by Islamic Sharia code of justice. Only Islamic songs are allowed.
The above are the most important parts of Islamic Sharia law which were devoutly practiced by the early Islamic rulers (Holy Prophet and his four rightly guided Caliphs) and also by the Caliphs of Ummyad and Abbasid Dynasties ruled from Baghdad (Today’s Iraq) and later by Ottoman Empire with very little variations.

December 16th, 2011, 6:38 pm

 

Tara said:

Russia calls for Council negotiations of Syria text on Monday
Politics  12/17/2011 12:49:00 AM
http://www.kuna.net.kw/NewsAgenciesPublicSite/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=2209264&Language=en
 
UNITED NATIONS, Dec 16 (KUNA) — A Security Council diplomat late Friday said Russia has called for expert level negotiations of its draft resolution on Syria for Monday morning.
Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin on Thursday circulated in the Security Council a draft resolution “strongly condemning” in its preambular part “continuing violence coming from all parties, including disproportionate use of force by Syrian authorities,” and expressing “grave concern” over the potential for a further deterioration of the situation.
Also in its preambular part, the draft “recalls the Syrian authorities responsibility to comply with their obligatins under applicable international law and to bring to account all those responsible for violence, and urged Damascus to initiate “prompt, independent and impartial investigations into all cases of human rights violations.” In its operative part, the Russian draft “demands” that all parties in Syria immediately stop any violence irrespective of where it comes from, and urged Damascus to put an end to suppression of those exercising their rights to freedom of expression, and complete without delay investigations carried out by the Syrian judicial committee into all events in which civilians and security personnel were killed or injured.
It also urged all groups of Syrian oppositsion to dissociate themselves from extremists, accept the Arab League initiative and to engage without preconditions in political dialogue with the Syrian authorities with a view to holding a substantial and in-depth discussion on the ways of reforming the Syrian society.
It calls for an “inclusive Syrian-led political process” to be conducted in an environment free from violence and lead to the full implementation of the reforms that will effectively address the legitimate aspirations and concerns of the Syrian people.
It also encourages the Arab League to continue efforts in cooperation with all Syrian stakeholders aimed at putting an end to violence, promoting political dialogue, including through deployment of the League’s mission of observers to Syria, with the aim of assessing the situation on the ground.
It further calls on Damascus to expedite the implementation of the announced reforms, in particular drafting and adopting a new constitution, in order to effectively address the legitimate aspirations and concerns of the Syrian people.
It stressed that “nothing in this resolution shall be interpreted as an authorization of any sort of military interference in Syria by anyone, and decides to consider the situation again 30 days after the adoption of the present draft resolution.” The Russian draft came at a time 27 Syrian soldiers were killed by “Free Syria Army” which defected from the Syrian Army.

December 16th, 2011, 6:39 pm

 

Tara said:

“يا وحدنا الله معنا” was a slogan few weeks ago.  

http://www.npr.org/2011/12/16/143844926/arab-league-wavers-on-sanctions-against-syria?ft=1&f=1004

Arab League Wavers On Sanctions Against Syria
by DEBORAH AMOS
December 16, 2011

The Arab League has a reputation for being long on rhetoric and short on action. That’s why it was so surprising when Arab ministers approved an unprecedented package of sanctions against Syria at the end of November.

But the unity that produced that vote is falling apart, and a meeting in Cairo to set the terms of the sanctions was suspended indefinitely.

An editorial in a Lebanese newspaper is one sign of the widespread frustration with the Arab League. Under the headline “No Guts, No Glory,” the author accuses the league of playing into its reputation as toothless, with the result that more people will die.

The Syrian uprising tops most satellite news broadcasts in the Arab world with grainy images of death and suffering. Syrian activists say the government security forces were responsible for the deaths of 14 more protesters on Friday during demonstrations across the country.

Will the Arab League act? That now seems unlikely.

“It’s been two-steps-forward, one-[step]-back diplomacy. It tells you there is still no clear consensus in the Arab League,” says Salman Shaikh, head of the Brookings Center in Qatar.

Ambiguous Support

The new Middle East was on display at an Arab League meeting on Nov. 27. For the first time in its history, the Arab League acted with unity, suspending Syria’s membership and imposing tough sanctions unless Damascus agreed to an Arab League peace plan.

They’ve given [Assad] chance after chance. Every deadline is missed, then they argue over the commas in their documents.
– Blake Hounshell, editor for Foreign Policy
But almost as soon as the vote was announced, Lebanon and Iraq opted out. Jordan complained sanctions would damage Jordan’s economy, and Egypt and Algeria pulled their support.

The old Middle East was back.

“Now, when we come to the actual implementation of what they’re trying to do on the Syrian case, it’s proving to be much more difficult,” says Shaikh.

The Gulf states, dominated by Sunni Muslims, have been the most active in pressing Syrian President Bashar Assad’s minority Alawite regime.

Once a close ally of Syria, Qatar has taken the lead and canceled high-priced projects in Syria. It also withdrew the ambassador after a Syrian mob attacked the embassy in Damascus.

But even Qatar has not shown a willingness to go the distance against Assad, says Blake Hounshell, an editor of Foreign Policy online who’s based in Doha.

“None of the Gulf countries have called for him to step down,” Hounshell says. “They’ve called for reforms; they’ve called for him to stop killing his people; and they’ve given him chance after chance. Every deadline is missed, then they argue over the commas in their documents. And they haven’t made their intentions clear.”
…more

December 16th, 2011, 6:55 pm

 

Tara said:

It said that hundreds of thousands took to the street today.  I wonder how does Bashar feel when almost everybody hates him….it must hurt to be unpopular. 

Masses rally, Russia criticizes Damascus
DAMASCUS / MOSCOW
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/masses-rally-russia-criticizes-damascus.aspx?pageID=238&nID=9409&NewsCatID=352
 
Hundreds of thousands of Syrians took to the streets Dec. 16 to protest against President Bashar al-Assad, activists said, a day after Russia sharpened its criticism of Damascus in a draft United Nations resolution.  
more….

December/17/2011

December 16th, 2011, 7:08 pm

 

Haytham Khoury said:

Radwan Ziadeh

ما السبب في التغير الطفيف في الموقف الروسي ؟ تحدثت مع مسؤول روسي رفيع وأشار إلى أن نظام الأسد رفض مبادرة روسية تقدم بها وزير الخارجية لافروف بإرسال مراقبين من دول البريك (روسيا والصين والهند وجنوب إفريقيا والبرازيل) مع المراقبين العرب فازدادت روسيا قناعة بأن النظام ليس جاداً في وقف العنف ثم أتت دعوة الشرع لزيارة موسكو ولم تكن دعوة رسمية وإنما باسم منظمة التضامن الأفروآسيوية كما رفض طلب الشرع لقاء الرئيس ميديدف أو رئيس الوزراء بوتين فتم إلغاء الزيارة نهائياً والأهم شعور روسيا بالحاجة إلى التقرب من الغرب كي لا يتم الضغط في ملفها الداخلي بعد الانتخابات البرلمانية الأخيرة في موسكو .. روسيا الآن بدأت جدياً بالتخلي عن الأسد نقول له وداعاً

December 16th, 2011, 7:11 pm

 

aldendeshe said:

كما انه محرم تحت الشريعة اي تشخيص تمثيل تصوير او رسم اي شخص انساني وآي دابة لذلك تم استعمال الموتيف التجريدي فقط

December 16th, 2011, 7:18 pm

 

Haytham Khoury said:

Tara#1076.

In fact, we do not need the AL to apply the sanctions. Sanctions will hurt normal citizens (in Syria, Iraq, Lebanon and Jordan) more than it hurts the Syrian regime.

The value of AL condemnation was symbolic and to put pressure on the Russia and the other BRICs states.

The next security council decision will come 15/0.

The Assad days are numbered. He will have a very very ugly ending. I did not wish that for him, because I knew him personally. However, he brought it to himself. Poor kids, what future is waiting for them with a daddy convicted by ICC for crimes against humanity.

December 16th, 2011, 7:20 pm

 

Tara said:

Haytham

That makes sense.

How is the current Russian draft is different from it’s proposal several months ago? The inclusion of the AL’s proposal, and it’s implicit acknowledgement that the Syria crisis must now be handled by the SC, i.e. The internationalization of the Syrian issue. Am I right?

December 16th, 2011, 7:34 pm

 

jad said:

Syrians protest Assad, as Arabs delay crisis talks
By BASSEM MROUE, Associated Press
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hn9Vltibrm1jARGW4dKrjGAry6Gg?docId=e178af1630fa417dbb7f1f800c66d6b7

As usual the media stuck in their own made up stories that doesn’t make lots of sense and it hurts the cause more than helping it when they have too many holes to pick on:

“The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said more than 200,000 people marched Friday in different neighborhoods of the restive central city of Homs to denounce Assad’s regime. The turnout could not be confirmed as Syrian authorities have banned most journalists from covering events on the ground.
The Observatory and the Local Coordination Committees activist network both said security forces killed at least 10 people, six of them in Homs.”

There area at least 6 victims (they don’t explain if they are protesters or armed militant attacking the Army) out of 200.000 protesters in Homs and 4 in the rest of Syria, the same mystery, are they civilians or militants?

Then in another article, they claim that the soldiers have a ‘quota’ to kill:
“For 5,000 protesters, for example, the target would be 15-20 people,” he said.”
In that case today in Homs alone we would’ve had 800 victims not only 6 (unknown) and what about the 27 soldiers killed in Daraa or the eight soldiers killed earlier the article talked about? are they the victims of the FSA or AL Qaeda? Do ‘angles’ have any ‘quota’ too?

Please watch this interview with one of the 63 defected soldiers’ testimony the HRW took and documented as their prove of crimes against humanity.
I’m not questioning what he said, I’m questioning why he is ‘speaking’ in ENGLISH, what he is saying is obviously not his own words, he can’t even speak the words ‘he’ choose, he is obviously repeating what he memorized from some text put together for him, is this credible enough in any court? I doubt!

Syria – “Shoot to Kill” Orders
http://youtu.be/YbFoSaC7mb4

December 16th, 2011, 7:36 pm

 

jad said:

Haytham

“Sanctions will hurt normal citizens (in Syria, Iraq, Lebanon and Jordan) more than it hurts the Syrian regime.”

Are you ok? Having a fever or something?

Every member of the SNC called and supported the sanctions against Syrians, sanction was their only call in the first day of the conflict. Weren’t the SNC members and supporters the ones who begged the US, EU and AL for sanctioning every national company Syria has?
Even more than that, didn’t you read the report Ghalyoun and his team gave to Clinton in Geneva? Sanction are nothing comparing to that.
How come you changed your stand now? Isn’t it ‘too little too late’ for you to state that after all what SNC actions put over Syrians!?
We all know that the western sanctions won’t be lifted any time soon, while the AL sanctions are useless without Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon, it’s not your morals who made you change your stand, it’s the hard reality.
The average Syrian man/woman will stay in lines for days to get their daily needs because of those sanctions. We all know that it’s too easy to put on sanction and it’s almost impossible to lift them, where do you live, on march?

We told you the same thing you are saying now 9months ago.

December 16th, 2011, 7:50 pm

 

zoo said:

Analysis: Iran’s fortunes in post-US Iraq clouded
APBy ROBERT H. REID | AP 16 december 2011

http://news.yahoo.com/analysis-irans-fortunes-post-us-iraq-clouded-184750006.html


The fall of the Assad regime would be the biggest blow to Iranian foreign policy since the Iran-Iraq war and would render Tehran’s international isolation nearly complete.

In strategic terms, Syria is an even bigger prize for Iran.

Syria is Iran’s bridge into Lebanon, a near-client state of Damascus where the militant Shiite movement Hezbollah has flourished for decades with Iranian support, channeled through Syria. Iran would also lose its conduit to the radical Palestinian group Hamas, which is headquartered in Damascus.

With the stakes high and so much still shrouded in uncertainty, the major players in the region are scurrying to retool their political strategies.
{..}

December 16th, 2011, 9:13 pm

 

Haytham Khoury said:

Tara # 1081.

The difference in the two texts are not extremely different. However, in this text there is more direct accusation of violence use toward the regime. Further,when Russia proposed its text the last time was to challenge the Europeans. On the other hand, the text that she is proposing now is open for the Westerner modifications. We will see how much it will harden.

Further, Russia was waiting for Farouk al-Shara’a visit today, but it did not happen. That means the draft will harden a lot.

Diplomacy is a game. There is a lot of maneuvering in it. You give people chances, but if they do not respond favorably, you withdraw your support. All that happens gradually.

Farouk al-Shara’a, by refusing meeting with Putin or Medfedev, announced that the regime is going to its demise by itself (and unfortunately taking the Syrian people with it). By this refusal, the regime announced that it has no concession to offer. The price will be huge.

The Russian proposal was to allow Bashar go safe in exchange of relinquishing power and appointing Farouk al-Shara’a as president while the opposition form the government and lead the transition. By al-Shara’a refusal to meet with the Russian leadership, the regime announced that it prefers hell than concession.

December 16th, 2011, 9:18 pm

 

Bronco said:

1075 Tara

Is he implying that the SNC is the extremist group who refuses the “political dialog with the Syrian authorities”.

“It also urged all groups of Syrian oppositsion to dissociate themselves from extremists, accept the Arab League initiative and to engage without preconditions in political dialogue with the Syrian authorities with a view to holding a substantial and in-depth discussion on the ways of reforming the Syrian society.”

Haytham

Sorry but France pushed very hard and very fast for its hardline resolution while the milder Russian resolution was not even considered. The French one failed, now the UNSC is looking at the Russian one that has been consistent from the beginning: Dialog with the present authorities in Syria.

December 16th, 2011, 9:21 pm

 

Syria no kandahar said:

Taratora,inc&Hytham karadawi@yahoo.com
I feel mercy for you.you are like a child who is waiting for Santa to come from the chimney to get
Any thing.you are so happy with Russia’s old new plan,you get thrilled with 1%of Syrians demonstrating,you are so happy…you put your cookies by the fire place for Santa Erdogan to drop weapons and terrorists from the roof into your country killing your fellow citizens …Hytham
Kardawi does not want any thing to happen to Assad because he knows him,ya ako al…you support killing of hundreds of Syrian soldiers by klab al ikwan because you don not know them?
Tfo alek ma btisthi al halak.it seems that the 2 gm of consciousness which Hytham the MB rat is working today and is telling him to object sanctions….Tara does not even have 2 gm.
You are a spit,a shame,an exception,a strange thing from the Syrian case.you should hang yourself for all the damage you did to Syria ,but with 2gm or 0gm consciousness you lost your feelings.

December 16th, 2011, 9:22 pm

 

Tara said:

Haytham

See below.  

Syrian, Russian officials to hold talks
By the CNN Wire Staff
updated 8:47 PM EST, Fri December 16, 2011
http://www.cnn.com/2011/12/16/world/meast/syria-main/

Vice President Farouk al-Sharaa is in Moscow to talk about the violent protests in Syria.

The Syrian vice president goes to Moscow for talks
Russia has opposed sanctions on Syria, and has proposed a new U.N. resolution
(CNN) — The Syrian vice president arrived Friday in Moscow to talk with Russia’s foreign minister about the unrest that has roiled Syria for months, a Russian state news agency reported.
Vice President Farouk al-Sharaa was to meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov “to discuss ways for a peaceful settlement of the conflict in his country,” the Itar-Tass news agency reported.
His visit came on the same day that at least 23 people, including four children, were killed across Syria, according to the Local Coordinating Committees, a network of opposition activists that organizes and documents demonstrations. The dead also included four women, the group said.

December 16th, 2011, 9:31 pm

 

zoo said:

A lesson for Syria?
“The Iraqis say, “When the Americans arrived; there was only one Saddam. Now, there are thousands. Before, we did not know if we were Shiite or Sunni, now this discrimination defines our lives.”

US leaving Iraq defeated

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/us-leaving-iraq-defeated–.aspx?pageID=449&nID=9372&NewsCatID=405

American troops are finally withdrawing from Iraq after an occupation of around nine years.
According to official figures, 1,200,000 were left dead by the war that the United States started with “deliberately distorted” intelligence, lying both to the world and the United Nations.

According to a story in one of the most respected newspapers in the United Kingdom, the Observer, and based on research conducted by research company ORB, the United States, by starting this war to “liberate the Iraqi people” has caused the death of 1,200,000 people. A shattered, chaotic Iraq is left behind, a country where all institutions and infrastructure have collapsed and a country has been left even poorer than before.

More importantly, the U.S. has caused the polarization of the Shiite and Sunni fronts in the region. The Iraqis say, “When the Americans arrived; there was only one Saddam. Now, there are thousands. Before, we did not know if we were Shiite or Sunni, now this discrimination defines our lives.”

In short, the U.S. has spoilt everything, it has made a mess. It was already obvious even at the beginning of the operation that the Americans had no plans for after the war. To top it all, there is the 1 trillion dollars of war costs which could have had the power to change a lot.

Meanwhile, the U.S. flattened its reputation with this lie. Its credibility plummeted to zero.
The war crimes committed were the kiss of death. The American “excruciation” and “war crimes” were documented with photos that shocked its own public the most.

For this reason, the U.S. came out of the Iraq war with a defeat. Washington and American democracy lost both its prestige and credibility in Iraq.

December 16th, 2011, 9:48 pm

 

Tara said:

Bronco

It is hard to believe that the Russians want to exclude the SNC.  

However, whatever the Russians or even the AL desire or plan for Syria, it is apparent that the resolve of the revolutionaries is unbreakable.  The revolutionaries have said it many time in the past “no dialogue with the regime”.  The US and the EU sanctions are starting to bite, the opposition is maturing politically, while defection is increasing and the FSA is growing by the day.  I think a tipping point has been reached already, where وأد الانتفاضة is no longer possible.  It appears that to most analysts, it is clear that the revolution will eventually, albeit may be slowly, will change the regime as the saying goes in Arabicشاء من شاء وأبى من أبى    

December 16th, 2011, 9:57 pm

 
 

Tara said:

Bronco

You must read this.  It blends well with the previous discussion of how there is no one version of Islam.  Like anything else in life, One can either follow the herd or have his/her own version, based on upbringing, education, culture and personal interpretation.

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/Default.aspx?PageID=238&nID=9378&NewsCatID=411
Muslims need liberalism, not just democracy

Since 9/11, much ink has been spilled in the West over the troubles in the world of Islam. The problem was painfully obvious: There were only a few functioning democracies in the Muslim world and simply none among the Arabs. Accordingly, some presumed a fundamental contradiction between Islam and democracy. Islam, they argued, could only produce dictatorial regimes.

But there was a serious flaw in this argument. Most of the Middle Eastern dictators – Hosni Mubarak of Egypt, Zine El Abidine Ben Ali of Tunisia, or Bashar al-Assad of Syria – were secular, not Islamic, figures. In fact, the Islamic groups in these countries, such as the Muslim Brotherhood of Egypt and its various franchises, were often brutally suppressed by the secular autocrats in question.

Most Islamic opponents of these dictators, to be sure, were hardly democratically minded themselves. But in the past two decades, among the more moderate of these Islamic groups, there has been a growing discussion about democracy and a growing acceptance of it. Moreover, in recent years, Turkey has evolved into a source of inspiration for would-be Muslim democrats, as its incumbent Justice and Development Party (AKP) showed pious Muslims can be part of the democratic game and gain from it.
That is why, since the beginning of the Arab Spring, Islamist parties did not emerge with cries of jihad and domination, as some had feared. Instead, they participated in democratic politics and emerged victorious in the first free and fair elections in their countries. In Tunisia, the Islamist Ennahda won the ballots, whereas in Egypt, the Freedom and Justice Party, an extension of the Muslim Brotherhood, had the upper hand.

So, it seems, Islamist parties have accepted democracy. Even the super-fundamentalist Al Nour party in Egypt, which used to see democracy as heresy, participated in the elections and did pretty well. In fact, in Egypt, Islamists have emerged in the past few months as the most vocal defenders of democracy, rejecting both military rule and “supra-constitutional” principles that would be accepted before any popular vote. 

But this will not be the end of the debate about Islam and politics. As Fareed Zakaria has warned, there can easily be illiberal democracies, where the dictates of the majority oppress minorities or dissenting individuals. To protect the liberty of a group and the individual, Zakaria also noted, you need not just democracy but also a constitution and society built on the foundation of classical liberalism, as articulated in the West by thinkers such as John Locke and Adam Smith.

I am sure, at this point, some readers will remember the illiberal aspects of Islamic law and insist the solution will be found in secularism. But this might be the wrong emphasis, for secularism is no guarantee of liberalism. The most secular state in the whole Muslim world, Turkey, used to have many oppressive laws, banning the Kurdish language, criminalizing “insulting Turkishness” and limiting Christian worship; all as a result of secular nationalism, not Islam.

The right emphasis is not secularism then, but liberalism and it should be sought in both secular and religious sectors.

The latter is what I focus in my book, “Islam without Extremes: A Muslim Case for Liberty.” I ask whether Islam is a religion that appreciates individual liberty and find the answer can be yes, if one follows the more pluralist and rationalist strains in Islamic thought. Then I argue for “freedom from the state,” “freedom to sin,” and “freedom from Islam,” the latter being the right to apostasy. 
I know these are big issues. But they are also the issues that Muslim societies will have to face if they want to have truly liberating democracies.

December 16th, 2011, 10:20 pm

 

irritated said:

The AP headline:

“Egypt’s military clashes with protesters”

In view of the contents of the article, this is the Syrian-style heading that should have been used:

“Soldiers killed at least 3 civilians and brutalized several women in protests across Egypt.”

See how headlines news can be manipulative…

http://news.yahoo.com/egypts-military-clashes-protesters-181244765.html

December 16th, 2011, 10:32 pm

 

jad said:

بيان بخصوص مشروع القرار الروسي في مجلس الأمن
دمشق 17/12/2011

نتيجة تعنت السلطة السورية باستخدام القمع الشديد تجاه المتظاهرين والمحتجين والمعارضين، ونتيجة عدم احترامها نصائح أصدقائها فقد فقدتهم الواحد تلو الآخر، وآخرهم روسيا التي كانت تروج السلطة إلى أنها تدعم ممارساتها وخطابها وروايتها. لهذا فإن مشروع القرار الروسي في مجلس الأمن، بتضمنه شقا يدين به عنف السلطة، يشكل رسالة قوية إلى السلطة السورية مفادها إن لم تستجب السلطة لنصائح أصدقائها بقبول إنهاء العنف والبدء بحل سياسي سلمي، لا بد أن تكون إشارته قبول التوقيع على بروتوكول لجنة المراقبين العرب، سيتخلون عنها نهائيا وسيعلنون مواقفهم المعارضة لسلوكها بكل حزم وجدية.

نعتقد أن الموقف الروسي الجديد جاء بالتنسيق مع مجموعة دول بريكس، وهذا يعني أن السلطة السورية ستجد نفسها بعد أيام لا صديق لها سوى إيران.
http://binaa-syria.com/B/ar/content/press26

بيان بخصوص المبادرة العراقية
دمشق 17/12/2011

نرحب بالمبادرة العراقية، التي لم تتضح تفاصيلها بعد بشكل كاف، ضمن ترحيبنا بأي مسعى للتوسط لحقن الدم السوري ولإنهاء الأزمة في البلاد بشكل سلمي وعادل.

مع تحفظنا دوما على أصحاب المبادرات الذين يبقون مبادراتهم خارج سوريا، ويكتفون بلقاء جهات وشخصيات معارضة قادرة على الوصول إليهم. لهذا نأمل من أصحاب الوساطة العراقية أن يأتوا إلى دمشق ليس كوفد زائر على عجلة من أمره، بل كوفد لديه الوقت الكافي للقاء جميع الجهات والأطراف والشخصيات المعارضة التي ترغب في لقائه.

على هذا الأساس وإذا كانت المبادرة جدية يمكن أن نكون متعاونين معها بكل جدية ومسؤولية.
http://binaa-syria.com/B/ar/content/press25

December 16th, 2011, 10:44 pm

 

Haytham Khoury said:

TARA#1088.

The visit was cancelled. The Syrian regime is stupid. Officials from Moscow called our people today.

December 16th, 2011, 10:47 pm

 

ann said:

Russia after almost two decades is admitted to the World Trade Organization – December 17th 2011

The World Trade Organization admitted Russia as its newest member on Friday, giving a boost to its biggest trading partner, the European Union.

http://en.mercopress.com/2011/12/17/russia-after-almost-two-decades-is-admitted-to-the-world-trade-organization

December 16th, 2011, 10:50 pm

 

Haytham Khoury said:

JAD#1094.

The regime does not understand. It has to make concession. Time is running out. We do not need military action.

December 16th, 2011, 10:52 pm

 

Haytham Khoury said:

Tara and other Ma-menhebak people

We are teaching the regime lessons in diplomacy, but the regime does not understand.

December 16th, 2011, 10:54 pm

 

Haytham Khoury said:

Dear all:

You should thank me, because I am getting for you news before even news agencies get them.

I told you about the Russian plan few days ago.

December 16th, 2011, 11:15 pm

 

Haytham Khoury said:

The UNSC draft left the language very open. That was to wait for al-Shara’a visits. Now the visit is cancelled, we will certainly see fireworks.

December 16th, 2011, 11:18 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Syria news did not say anything about the visit by the vice president Farooq Al Shar3 to Russia.
The regime can not give concessions, the only one that is needed is to stop the security solution,once the regime allow demonstrations,the real size of the opposition will become apparent,and Damascus and Aleppo people will be on the street with massive number.
those soldiers who want to defect are several time the number of those who defected already, massive defection is bound to occur.
This revolution is not about foreign policy,it is about freedom and dignity.while the relations with Iran and HA has to be re evaluated we are not against HA as a resistance party.
I understand the christians fears,but they are making mistake ,they have nothing to be afraid of.

December 16th, 2011, 11:33 pm

 

Haytham Khoury said:

TARA#1092.

I like the article very much. I will translate it to Arabic.

I have more Muslim friends than Christian ones. All of them believe in liberalism

December 16th, 2011, 11:36 pm

 

jad said:

Dear Haytham
I agree with you that the regime must give lots of concessions until it delivers ‘safe’ Syria and in ‘one piece’ to the hands of the average Syrians in a democratic and orderly manners to manage it the way the majority of the Syrian public wants, however, until then, you, I and every Syrian have no choice but to deal with this regime, and that wont happened without negotiation and talks if we want to save lives.
Any other solution will bring nothing but misery to all of us.

December 17th, 2011, 12:04 am

 

Observer said:

I have posted before that the regime needs to be uprooted from its most small roots & in its entirety.
This crisis is a clear demonstration of the complete and utter absolute evil that embodies the very essence of the regime. Even Russia is finding it very hard to wiggle a position in favor of this stupid boy.
As for regime supporters they are delusional on this blog and would very much like a “dialogue” to “save” Syrians from violence. Well go tell that to the family of Alkhatib in Deraa and find out if they wish to sit for a cup of tea. The people of the country are driving the revolution and even the SNC is being led by the incredible resilience and bravery of the people in this country. Events have moved beyond the time for dialogue: Farzat was right the boy wonder has to hitch a ride with Ghadafi now that is the only outcome I see for him. Asma better get used to wearing the chador while shopping in Tehran.

December 17th, 2011, 4:29 am

 

Juergen said:

Here is the first report of german tv which were allowed to work from Damascus.

Watch from 0.57 onwards, the video starts with scenes from the sreets in Damascus, an pro Assad rally is held.
Ossenberg said in his report that he has seen orchistrated rallies of support for the regime, and said that he did not hear a bad word about the President, yet he mentioned that all he saw meant may be to be seen and all who approached him, simple people always told him how good the president is, and how much the world is lying about Syria. He also mentioned that he was secured by goverment minders, and thats might be the reason he could not talk privatly with Syrians. The situation is more complicated and outside the capital in the suburbs there are ongoing unrest, and he has applied to get access to those areas at the ministry of interiour.

http://www.zdf.de/ZDFmediathek#/beitrag/video/1523062/Syrien:-Assad-inszeniert-Jubel-Demos

December 17th, 2011, 4:52 am

 

ann said:

Vatican in bid to resolve Syria crisis as U.S. prepares to strike deal with Iran – December 17, 2011

http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Politics/2011/Dec-17/157153-vatican-in-bid-to-resolve-syria-crisis-as-us-prepares-to-strike-deal-with-iran.ashx

The Vatican is engaged in an attempt to resolve the nine-month-old crisis in Syria, while the United States is preparing to strike a deal with Iran to secure its vital interests in the region following its withdrawal from Iraq, according to Western diplomatic sources.

“The U.S. is preparing to conclude a deal with Iran through which it can secure its vital and strategic interests in the region, especially with regard to supplying it with oil by the Iranian side,” a Western envoy told The Daily Star.

“This deal carries with it an agreement on a host of sensitive points that are a bone of contention between the two sides. The official announcement on ending the mission of U.S. forces in Iraq is expected to be a starting point for a scenario to redraw the Middle East map in order to cope with the historic structural changes in a number of Arab countries,” he said.

Western sources say attention might be focused early in 2012 on Iraq, which will witness internal sectarian and confessional struggles in preparation for its partitioning into three mini-states: a Sunni, a Shiite and a Kurdish mini-state.

This escalatory trend is expected to set off a spate of bombings targeting religious leaders or mosques of various sects in an attempt to incite strife and facilitate the process of dismembering Iraq, the sources said.

They said this drawn-up plan might give the Americans a pretext to prove to the world that Iraq cannot enjoy stability without a U.S. military presence.

In a divided Iraq, Iran would maintain control over a Shiite mini-state that would serve as an ideological extension of the Islamic Republic, although the seminary in Najaf could remain outside this entity, as it does not embrace Tehran’s concept of clerical rule. Such a break-up is likely to arouse the ire of Turkey, which does not enjoy warm ties with Iran over the situation in Iraq.

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki recently said in Washington that the real danger facing his country lies in Turkish interference, warning that the Turkish model does not suit the Arab world. This stance reflects a tacit Turkish-Iranian struggle that could soon erupt, probably from Syria, where it is possible to incite Kurdish communities on the Syrian-Turkish border. As this regional tug-of-war plays itself out, a significant role will be played by the Vatican to resolve the Syrian crisis, according to the Western ambassador.

On behalf of the Holy See, clergymen of various ranks have been traveling to Syria to sound out the views of officials in Damascus about the possibility of a solution calling for Syrian President Bashar Assad to stay in power for a full year until presidential elections are held, in which Assad promises not to run but can support any candidate loyal to him, the ambassador said.

December 17th, 2011, 5:46 am

 

ann said:

Syrian National Council holds congress in Tunisia – 16 December 2011

The Syrian National Council, a coalition of groups opposed to President Bashar al-Assad, is holding its first congress in Tunisia.

BREAKING NEWS!

December 17th, 2011, 6:25 am

 

Mina said:

Ann

Now that the Iranians have seen how effective can be the Western media (and the Arab media) in participating in the propaganda of self-realized prophecies, they ought to think twice!
The big losers will be the French, who have been fanning the flames without any clear plan, as was noticed very early by the Germans on Lybia. The Germans, at least, can count on experts who have a real knowledge of Arabic languages and societies. The French in turn rely on the Lebanese lobby in France, the islamophobe Chritians of the Vatican, and Burhan Ghayoun! What a package.

December 17th, 2011, 6:35 am

 

ann said:

Arab League sees ‘positive signs’ in Syria – Sat Dec 17 2011

The Arab League says it expects Syria to agree soon to allow observers in to monitor the protection of civilians.

http://news.msn.co.nz/worldnews/8391432/arab-league-sees-positive-signs-in-syria

At the same time, Baghdad announced on Saturday that an Iraqi delegation was in Damascus for talks over a peace initiative and Tunisia was hosting a meeting of Syrian opposition groups.

Arab League No.2 Ahmed Ben Helli said “positive signs” were received from Damascus, a day after 19 civilians were killed in mass protests urging a hastened Arab response to a bloody nine-month crackdown on anti-government protests.

Speaking ahead of an Arab League ministerial meeting on the Syrian crisis being held in Qatar, Ben Helli told AFP “there are positive signs … I expect the signing will happen soon”.

“It will not be today,” he added.

Saturday’s meeting had originally been scheduled to take place in Cairo alongside a now indefinitely postponed emergency foreign ministers meeting.

Ben Helli said the Syrian side would not be attending, but that Saudi Arabia would be represented, in addition to Algeria, Egypt, Oman, Sudan and the hosts Qatar.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal is in Doha for the meeting.

Announcing the postponement on Thursday, Ben Helli said talks would continue with the Syrian government to try to convince it to implement an Arab plan to end the bloodshed.

On November 27, the Arab League approved a raft of sanctions against the Damascus authorities to punish their failure to heed an ultimatum to admit the observers.

But on Sunday, Syria said it would allow the mission in on certain conditions.

In a letter to the Arab League chief Nabil al-Arabi, Foreign Minister Walid Muallem set a number of terms, notably the withdrawal of the sanctions.

Meanwhile, an Iraqi delegation arrived in Damascus to present a proposal by Baghdad to end months of unrest, two days after Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said he would present an initiative to Damascus.

Iraqi national security adviser Falah al-Fayadh travelled to Damascus “to meet with the Syrian authorities to discuss the Iraqi peace initiative”, Maliki media adviser Ali Mussawi told AFP.

The initiative is aimed at opening a dialogue between the opposition and the Syrian government to reach a result that satisfies both sides, Maliki said in an interview with AFP on Thursday.

In the meantime, Western nations said Russia’s surprise draft resolution should contain stronger condemnation of rights violations by the Assad government and stronger support for Arab League action against Syria.

The proposed resolution strongly condemns violence by “all parties, including disproportionate use of force by Syrian authorities”.

It also raises concern over “the illegal supply of weapons to the armed groups in Syria”, according to a copy obtained by AFP.

Russia said it would not be calling for negotiations in the UN Security Council before Monday.

December 17th, 2011, 7:00 am

 

Juergen said:

Hans 1074

To post what you have posted needs an commentary. Are you educated in the fields of islam, sharia and fiqh? Wo are you to issue fatwas for muslims? I am really fed up with people like you educating nonmuslims about how islam is. Do you give lectures also to Christians and Jews alike? Do you read in the old testament and the Halacha as you do the Quran?

You stated that muslims have the an religious plight to lie and cheat on nonmuslims.
You stated that a Muslim who leaves Islam (apostate) must be killed immediately.
You stated that a Muslim will be forgiven for murder of : a) an apostasy b) an adulterer c) a highway robber. Making vigilante street justice and honor killing acceptable.
You stated that a Muslim will not get the death penalty if he kills a non-Muslim.

I am sure you can provide us with the ayat in the Quran and your sources of hadith to proove your allegations.

The sharia is no monolithe convolut of laws, it has been over centuries and the first Imams whom are important to sunni muslims have never ruled the same verdict in the same issue. Place, time and culture are always considered, and salafist and radical shiite view of the sharia are not the guideline for the majority of muslims.

The hadd punishments have not been widely used and our conception of sharia is influenced by extreme interpretations by wahabi and shiite doctrines which are in some cases quite distant from the roots. I read an article the other day in which the scholar stated that f.e. homosexuality was not procecuted in Islam until the rise of the colonial powers in the middle east. He suggested that islam has adopted here the morality and reception of same gender sex from the europeans.

Needless to say that such statements only offer one purpose, to shed hatred and mistrust among people. Since 2001 islam has been the main target for western civilization, its a compensation for the missing evil empire of the Soviets which vanished into turbocapitalism. Since then the climate is bad, we have see many self declared experts like Hans whom may not even can read Arabic properly to understand what the real meaning of djihad is. What he says is the programm of many islamophobic parties throughout Europe, with the clear principle to insult muslims and to nuture their rascism towards foreigners. To me such people are as worst as the wahabis, same ignorance and same fanatism, only difference is that such people are yet not on the radar of our secret services and polices. What Breivik has done in Norway is to implement this sort of hate in killing the future decision makers in order that Islam is no longer “underestimated” and some even want to set the Quran on an index of prohibited literature. In Germany women with hijab cant work as teachers. Such a ban was last seen during the reign of Hitler and i would have never thought it will be possible to have such issues now. A good friend of mine said to me that he as a muslim can now finally understand in which kind of culture the jews had to live in the beginning of the Naziterror in the 1930`s.

December 17th, 2011, 7:12 am

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Those who want peacefull way to manage this Syrian crisis,I say, the regime by using the brutal violent suppression,in fact he refused dialogue, you need to stop dreaming and talk out of emotion, you need to be practical, the regime resorted to violence, you cannot have dialogue when the regime is using violence,the regime has forced us to go for violence,
The free syrian army has to defend himself,the penalty for defection is death,it is certain, when the regime send tanks and military vehicles along with troops, to catch those who defected, FSA is now in a position to defend themslves,battles are natural to ensue,no one should blame FSA to defend themselves.
Again be practical,live in reality,enough dreaming.
Further, diplomacy is extension of military power,it reflects the result of military victory,diplomacy thus, is stupid, military power is the deciding side and so it is the smart side.when diplomacy fails,then we go back to the power on the ground to determine the victory.

December 17th, 2011, 7:13 am

 

Juergen said:

Mina

name me some of the so called experts you pointed out. I am following the debates closely and we have quite a few opinionmakers and so called experts who have no clue about the area nor the language.

And dont forget, this decision our government made was highly criticised by the german people. The foreign minister has lost most of the support, his party is almost nonexistent in the coalition and he randomly looks for ways to find issues which would make him or his government look good. The majority of germans would have voted an support for the war. By the way,we had to assist the war anyway, there were even Germans involved in target research and logistics for this war in Libya.

December 17th, 2011, 7:17 am

 

Mina said:

Jurgen
I was talking about the experts who don’t write in the newspapers. I have noticed Germany finally joined, but anyone who had been watching the Lybians exiles on al Jazeera last January was probably right to be circumspect.

The draft resolution is available here
http://www.innercitypress.com/sc1syrhelashraf121611.html

December 17th, 2011, 7:55 am

 

Tara said:

Haytham,

You were right.  It is in the press now.  I always thought the regime is stupid.  I did mot think it is that stupid.  I have predicted a major blow to Bushbush regime before the end of 2012, and it seems my “revelation” is coming true.  

I also liked the Hurriyet opinion article about Islam and liberalism.  It appears that the author is writing a book on the same topic.  I applaud your effort to translate it into Arabic.  I heard you are flying to Tunisia on Monday.  I wish you a safe trip.     

http://www.nowlebanon.com/NewsArticleDetails.aspx?ID=343511
Source to NOWLebanon: Shara’s Russia visit ‘cancelled’
December 16, 2011     
  
A “well-informed” source from the Russian Foreign Ministry told NOWLebanon on Friday that Syrian Vice President Faruq al-Shara’s visit to Moscow has been cancelled.

“Shara’s visit was cancelled after his request to meet with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin was rejected and was informed that he is to meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov,” the source said.

“After the efforts Moscow made to help the Syrian regime, it seems that divorce has begun to take its path due to Syria’s lack of seriousness regarding the suggestions that Russia helped crystalize to resolve the Syrian crisis.”

According to AFP, the Syrian VP is to hold talks with Russian officials in Moscow in a bid to defuse the crisis in his country, Russian news agencies quoted a Kremlin source as saying Friday.

-NOW Lebanon

December 17th, 2011, 8:05 am

 

Juergen said:

Mina

you keep them a secret, ok, your choice. I just dont see that we have many experts who can actually claim that they speak arabic and are keen on the region as well. The most famous of such experts Peter Scholl Latour knows probably only two words Allah and Djihad, at least his booktitles suggest that: Allah is with the couragous, Djihad against Europe just to mention two. I would rather say that in my country almost anybody could be an expert on islam and the arabic world, arabic is definately not an issue. France and England have a much higher quality of expertism, at least what i hear from them is less dramatic nor pure rascism which you can find easily nowadays.

December 17th, 2011, 8:10 am

 

aldendeshe said:

“calling for Syrian President Bashar Assad to stay in power for a full year until presidential elections are held, in which Assad promises not to run but can support any candidate loyal to him, the ambassador said.”

One year stay for the President not enough, it will take 3-7 years for calm and orderly transition. Assad Presidency is not the problem. It is the Baath Cartel and its constitution that monopolizes all powers and resources under its control, that single monopoly should be removed within a year. Assad should starts using the power of Presidency and launch reforms through Presidential Decrees. Something he should have done 12 years ago.

And I know a bunch of you cry baby will put of fit over this, but you proved to be incompetent, so let others have chance at bringing this orderly reform and transition will ya.

December 17th, 2011, 8:12 am

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Syria was given clear ultimatum,December 21,syria is accused of procrastination,playing on time,

December 17th, 2011, 8:17 am

 

jna said:

Mina, thanks for the link to the draft Security Council resolution on Syria. http://www.innercitypress.com/rusun1syria121511.doc

It’s 12 points will be a good basis for discussion:

The Security Council,

……

1. Demands that all parties in Syria immediately stop any violence irrespective of where it comes from in accordance with LAS initiative.

2. Urges the Syrian government to put an end to suppression of those exercising their rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association and complete without delay investigations carried out by the Syrian judicial committee into all events in which civilians and security personnel were killed or injured.

3. Urges also all groups of Syrian opposition to dissociate themselves from extremists, accept LAS initiative and to engage without preconditions in political dialogue with the Syrian authorities with a view to holding a substantial and in-depth discussion on the ways of reforming the Syrian society.

4. Calls upon all member states maintaining contacts with various groups of Syrian opposition to urge them to accept LAS initiative and expeditiously engage in national dialogue.

5. Demands that all the parties insure respect for and act in accordance with applicable international law.

6. Calls for an inclusive Syrian-led political process to be conducted in the environment free from violence and lead to the full implementation of the reforms that will effectively address the legitimate aspirations and concerns of Syria’s people.

7. Encourages the League of Arab States to continue efforts in cooperation with all Syrian stakeholders aimed at putting an end to violence, promoting political dialogue, including through deployment of the league’s mission of observers to Syria with the aim of assessing the situation on the ground and expresses full commitment to provide all necessary assistance in the implementation of these plans.

8. Calls upon Syrian government and League of Arab States to expeditiously settle the remaining issues concerning the deployment of the league’s mission of observers to Syria.

9. Calls upon the Syrian government to expedite the implementation of the announced reforms, in particular drafting and adopting a new constitution, in order to effectively address the legitimate aspirations and concerns of Syria’s people.

10. Stresses the need for a free and fair electoral process in Syria’s upcoming parliamentary elections to be conducted in the atmosphere of calm, security and democratic competition.

11. Decides that nothing is this resolution shall be interpreted as an authorization of any sort of military interference in Syria by anyone.

12. Decides to consider the situation again 30 days after the adoption of the present resolution.

December 17th, 2011, 8:45 am

 
 

zoo said:

Qatar and the western supported Arabs hit at Russia. The question is what are the Arab resolutions they want to submit to the UNSC?
Another meeting of the AL next Wednesday in Cairo will reveal it?.

“Since Russia has gone to the U.N. Security Council, there is a draft Arab resolution to be sent to the Arab League meeting on December 21 to ask the Security Council to adopt the Arab initiative and Arab resolutions instead of resolutions from other states,” Sheikh Hamad told a news conference.

http://news.yahoo.com/arab-league-ministers-meet-qatar-syria-crisis-125805677.html

December 17th, 2011, 8:52 am

 

SYRIAN HAMSTER said:

Christopher Hitchens

Bombastic, Arrogant, Sharp, and Fearless…..

You will be missed.

December 17th, 2011, 8:52 am

 

Observer said:

It is not the Baath it is the clan of Assad and his cronies that is the root cause of the problem. The Baath was emptied of its cause by corruption and nepotism. The army is deliberately weak, the security services 17 in all spy on each other as much as on the people. The House of Security Cards that the father built cannot allow for the removal of one piece without the resultant collapse of the whole system. This is the main reason that the regime has never accepted any initiative and any reforms that would touch this edifice. This was made plain and clear to the wonder boy when he took over and wanted to make change then the old guard explained to him that the edifice cannot be touched. Only cosmetic changes and a veneer was allowed. This veneer is now flaky and falling.

Now to some observations:
Cham press removed the story about the VP going to Moscow
RT in Arabic is saying ” Russia is not going to pat the Syrian regime on the back” we are going to tell them that change is inevitable.
The AL will propose the protocol to the UNSC and this is the beginning of the end of the wiggling of the regime out of the presence of observers.
BRIC and Arab observers are going to be imposed on Syria while at the same time the FSA will receive arms and training and more areas of the country will be carved out of the control of the regime.
Manar is quite silent about Syria over the last few days. Iran is quite paranoid about what is happening around it and has lost the cards of Palestine and Resistance to the Arab Spring and Revolt.

There is something very new and fresh: when the new President of Tunisia says we will protect the rights of the veiled and the ones wearing the niqab as well as the “safirates” ( those that are considered lewd) it is really a slap in the face of the Iranian Supreme Leader.

I really would love to be a fly on the wall of the private office of the first lady of Syria and find out what she is thinking, which channels she watches, what she tells her children, and what she is reading today. Does she realize she married a ” boy wonder”?

December 17th, 2011, 9:13 am

 

zoo said:

NATO wants a simmering civil war in Syria – as a prelude’

Published: 16 December, 2011, 21:45
http://rt.com/news/nato-civil-war-syria-011/
Washington is ready to discuss Russia’s UN Security Council draft resolution on Syria, describing some provisions as however “unacceptable” and still not acknowledging that the anti-regime protesters are well-armed.

­What exactly the US and NATO countries consider to be “unacceptable” is the real question, believes Asia Times correspondent Pepe Escobar.

“Is it that the Syrian government cannot fight an armed insurgency in its own territory?” he ponders. “The Free Syrian Army are getting weapons smuggled from the Middle East to the borders [with Syria] in Turkey and in Jordan as well.”

Pepe Escobar says that the Free Syrian Army, which claims to have more than 25,000 members fighting to bring down President Assad, is in fact turning into a huge militia marshalling forces near Syria’s borders with Turkey and Jordan.

“This militia now is already involved in a sort of a pre-civil war at both borders with the help of NATO,” Escobar said. “What they want and what NATO wants is a simmering civil war as a prelude for something much tougher ahead, probably after the American elections in one year.”

Escobar believes that “the fog of pre-war” is already there, and says Russia is making an intelligent move in pushing forward a “pre-emptive resolution.”

“It condemns both sides and asks for a UN peacekeeping mission to solve the problem,” he said. “If there is a resolution in the UN, the first thing will be to send a UN peacekeeping mission, a fact-finding mission, to Syria.”

One of the reasons he believes that such a mission must be sent to Syria as soon as possible is because there are still no credible sources of information about what is really happening on the ground.

“The thing is we still do not know the role of these snipers that we see everywhere,” he explains. “In fact most of the civilian killings are by these snipers. And they even shoot children, this is true. But we do not know for sure if they are working for the Syrian army or Syrian intelligence, there is absolutely no evidence about it.”

“Look, we don’t know where these snipers come from,” Escobar cited people in Homs as saying. “They could be government, but they could be opportunists, and they could be mercenaries trying to incite civil war.”

December 17th, 2011, 9:23 am

 

aldendeshe said:

They keep deleting my comments in Arabic or using Arabic user name, is that a technical issue, it can’t be it was posted and said “waiting for moderation” then deleted. We said here and emailed about the username change, but someone insist not to allow it for some unknown reason. Maybe they want to keep the language Angles only, but the rule does not state so and other are allowed to post using both Arabic username and Arabic only comment content. Go figure, this is one of hardest blog to deal with next to Amigo Juan Cole. And what is with Cole pan handling, begging for 20k donation, I thought he is employed as professor, don’t they earn over a 100k for that?

Anyway, what would be the equivalent of Syria Comment blog in Arabic for Syrians? Are there any well read blog in Syria by any University professor, even outside the country? I am not asking for the kid’s kind you find on Syria Planet. It is not that we need alternative to this blog, but if they will not allow Arabic text, we need to reach those professionals who do not speak or understand English. The focus now is to move on communicating to Syrians.

December 17th, 2011, 9:44 am

 

Tara said:

Zoo

““The thing is we still do not know the role of these snipers that we see everywhere,” he explains. “In fact most of the civilian killings are by these snipers. And they even shoot children, this is true. But we do not know for sure if they are working for the Syrian army or Syrian intelligence, there is absolutely no evidence about it.”

Isn’t that an idiotic statement? The revolutionaries are begging for international observers and had a Friday dedicated for that particular issue. They obviously have nothing to hide therefore requesting the admittance of the observers and free press. The regime on ten other hand is the one refusing any entity to enter without a government minder. Isn’t that enough evidence?

December 17th, 2011, 9:49 am

 

Bronco said:

Haytham

I disagree with your analysis of present Russia-Syria situation.

I think Syria canceled the visit of Sharaa in full agreement with Russia for the only reason that the AL announced on friday that they will present their own resolution at the UNSC.
Russia and Syria certainly prefer to wait and see what it proposes before taking any step further in pushing the Russian draft. It is obvious that an Arab League resolution presented at the UNSC would have more chance to pass than the Russian one as it is today. In any case Russia can still veto it if it goes against their own views.

If you remember the Arab initiative was VERY CLOSE to the Russian ones, calling for dialog between the government and the opposition WITHOUT any request for a regime change. It was also clearly against the military option.
Later, during the exchanged letters about the observers,there has been some ambiguity later in the “dialog for implementing the reforms” versus “dialog for a transition”
The AL failed to have the opposition agreed on the ‘dialog’, and failed in having the regime withdraw it troops. A UNSC decision could force both sides to compromise.
Now we have to wait to see the details of the resolution that the AL would presented next Wednesday.

December 17th, 2011, 9:56 am

 

Mina said:

Too many players want a slice of the Syrian cake
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-16229210

Oman December 2010… to Kazakhstan December 2011. What’s wrong with oil workers? They never get any help..

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-16231305

Kazakhstan curfew on oil town Zhanaozen after fatal clashes

A state of emergency has been declared in the western Kazakh town of Zhanaozen a day after clashes between strikers and police left at least 10 dead.

A decree bans strikes and protests, introduces a night-time curfew and restricts movement for 20 days.

Clashes began as police tried to clear the town square, occupied by oil workers for more than six months in a dispute over better pay.

It was the worst violence in Kazakhstan’s recent history.

The town is now said to be calm but it remains closed to the outside world after flights to a nearby airport were cancelled.

The state of emergency will last until 5 January to “ensure public safety, rebuilding law and order, and defending citizens’ rights and freedoms,” said a decree on President Nursultan Nazarbayev’s official website.

So far, 70 people suspected of taking part in the disturbances have been detained, the prosecutor-general’s office told a news conference.

The clashes came as Kazakhstan marked the 20th anniversary of independence from the Soviet Union, with celebrations throughout the country.

Correspondents say the unrest will have been a shock to President Nazarbayev, who came to power just before independence and has kept a tight rein on public protest.

December 17th, 2011, 10:18 am

 

Zoo said:

#1126

“The revolutionaries are begging for international observers”

The observers will certainly hamper the AL operations too.

December 17th, 2011, 10:22 am

 

Syria no kandahar said:

احد مكاتب الجامعه العبريه التي تم إغلاقها في دمشق هو مكتب مقاطعة اسرائيل.
اسرائيل قريبا ستفتتح سفارات في جنوب السودان وليبيا
قطر تعرض خريطة فلسطين كحبة عدس
تركيا تحتل مقعد سوريا في جامعة العربان
عاش الربيع العربي
الله حمد اردغان وبس

December 17th, 2011, 10:32 am

 

zoo said:

A Fresh Look At Islamist Politics: The “illiberal” democracy

The Vote Is Mightier Than The Sword
http://theeuropean-magazine.com/381-hammond-joseph/465-a-fresh-look-at-islamist-politics
by Joseph Hammond — 16.12.2011

Islamist political parties are changing their tactics. The future battles will be won at the ballot box.
Hassan Al Turabi is not dead. The Sudanese opposition leader and Islamist made that clear when he emerged to greet a crowd of three thousand supporters in Khartoum last week. To his supporters, the 79-year old Turabi is one of the most important Islamist figures
of the modern era. To his enemies, he is an elderly opposition figure who won’t go away.

Al Turabi is a prominent theoretician and a spiritual leader of Islamism in Sudan whose shadow is surpassed only by that of Ayatollah Khomeini.

Yet unlike other Islamists, Al Turabi has always been comfortable in the West. He studied in London before earning his doctorate degree frim the Sorbonne University in Paris. Since the 1960s, he has been active in politics and Islamic thought. Over the course of his career, he has cast himself as Muslim Brotherhood foot soldier, revolutionary leader and vocal politician. As opposition leader in Sudan, he has become somewhat of a wind gauge for the sentiments amongst Islamist movements elsewhere.

It is no surprise that Al Turabi has used the Arab Spring to strengthen his credentials as a democratic opposition figure. Banned from Egypt since 1995 (when he was linked to an assassination attempts against Mubarak), he caused a bit of a stir when he returned to Tahrir Square this summer.
There, he counseled Egyptian Islamists against forming alliances with military groups: “The French revolution led to Napoleon Bonaparte, who was worse than King Louis XVI”, he argued. “Arabs must not make the same mistake.” He could also have drawn on his own biography: In the aftermath of Sudan’s 1989 military coup, Al Turabi rose to prominence, only to be cast aside by military strongman Omar Al Bashir. For the next ten years, Al Turabi and Al Bashir ruled in tandem, the former lending an air of legitimacy to the new government.

Al Turabi’s policies during that time raise many questions. In 1991, he called for a “global action plan to challenge and
defy the tyrannical West” and attempted to strengthen ties between Iranian and Iraqi intelligence services and Al Qaeda. Both Carlos the Jackal and Osama Bin Laden eventually relocated to Sudan.

Yes as soon as he was removed from power in yet another coup in 1999, his politics changed. Al Turabi has frequently been imprisoned by the Bashir regime, and has called his Jihadist years a “mistaken misadventure”. When Osama Bin Laden was killed earlier this year, Al Turabi could only muster mild criticism for his quick burial at sea.

Al Turabi’s transformation is exemplary for larger trends within the Islamist movement Rather than pursuing revolution, many Islamists now believe that they can achieve their goals at the ballot box.
Al Turabi admitted as much during his visit to Cairo, when he declared that revolutions must be driven by the people.

To be clear: The sort of democracy advocated by
many Islamists is not the Jeffersonian variety. Islamist groups
now favor the creation of what the American journalist Fareed Zakaria would refer
to as “illiberal democracy”. 
Hassan Al Turabi’s politics are indicative of this trend within global Islamist politics. While the West often perceives movements like the Salafists as static and reactionary, Islamists have displayed a surprising aptness for change over time. The belief of traditional Islamists like Sayid Qutb was that a vanguard party would lead the masses
toward the inevitable Islamist revolution. When vanguard politics failed, terrorism filled the gap. For many years, Islamist strategy borrowed heavily from Marxist revolutionary thought. That time appears to be over. If the success of Hamas, Hezbollah and – more recently – the Muslim Brotherhood is any indication, a tactical transition is under way. The sword has been replaced by the ballot box.

December 17th, 2011, 10:35 am

 

Haytham Khoury said:

#1103.

Dear Jad:

With every drop of the Shed Syrian blood, I feel sick.
With every Syrian soul suffers, I suffer.
For that, I insisted on the Russian option. I know this is the only option to save human lives. Ghalioun was focusing on the French option (humanitarian corridors). Radwan was hoping of an American option, but Obama is too busy by his internal trouble.
We will see what happen over the next few days. May be the regime will see how serious the situation . Perhaps, the regime will see the hawks in the security council and will save it-self from the utter perdition and country from a lot of pain.

December 17th, 2011, 10:35 am

 

Mina said:

The AL can bark, they never had the guts to send any observers in the first place.

http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/node/554536
http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/node/554721

(any condemnation from the AL ?)

December 17th, 2011, 10:36 am

 

Haytham Khoury said:

TARA # 1114.

Yes, I am going to Tunisia on Monday. We have a meeting to discuss the transition. I prepared three studies with the titles:

-Public participation in the political process.
-Reconciliation and Healing.
-Security and peace.

I am not sure if I will be able to present all the three.

Thank you for you wishes.

Indeed, what I wish for Syria is a good future.

I will stop writing on SC till I come back. I should start to pack my stuff and also finalize my presentations.

December 17th, 2011, 10:45 am

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Zoo
“The observers will certainly hamper the AL operations too.”

Can you explain how?

Bronco
You keep making the same mistake over and over, AL first issue is to put halt to the brutal oppression,Dialogue is later after the regime stop the supression,I do not think you realize your mistake,AL did not get to the dialogue issue now, now is to stop the killing,Observers are to verify the killing has stopped.
You seems to be obsessed by dialogue and want it to be first, no it is not first it follows the complete halt to the killing.

December 17th, 2011, 10:46 am

 

zoo said:

The Armenian genocide, another haunting ‘zero problem’ for Erdogan.
Note that Syria has not recognized it as “a genocide” yet, while Lebanon has.

Turkey Slams France Over Genocide Bill
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: December 17, 2011 at 9:44 AM ET

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey’s prime minister on Saturday sharply criticized France for a bill that would make it a crime to deny the World War I-era mass killing of Armenians was genocide.
….
Several countries have recognized the killings as genocide, including Uruguay, Chile, Argentina, Russia, Canada, Lebanon, Belgium, Greece, Italy, the Vatican, Switzerland, Slovakia, the Netherlands, Poland, Lithuania and Cyprus.

In 2007, a Swiss court convicted a Turkish politician under its anti-racism law and fined him for denying that the killings of Armenians was genocide. The case caused diplomatic tensions between Switzerland and Turkey.

December 17th, 2011, 10:49 am

 

Haytham Khoury said:

BRONCO#1126.

I hope you are right. I never wish to the regime to cut off with Russia, because if that happens it means war. There are people who are waiting for the regime to do that mistake.
We will see over the next few days.

December 17th, 2011, 10:50 am

 

Mina said:

Just a sample of the real problems.. in the meantime the west can applaud and be happy watching the Arab assets find some peaceful haven in western banks.

Police are continuing its crackdown on criminals in order to restore order to the streets throughout Egypt’s governorates. They arrested 356 outlaws on Wednesday.

In Salloom, a car coming from Libya was caught carrying five automatic rifles and 1000 bullets. The driver and another passenger, a Libyan, were arrested.

In Heliopolis, a police patrol arrested three men while they were trying to steal a car. One of them was an ex-convict.

In Alexandria, police chased three others as they attempted to steal a taxi driver’s car at gunpoint. The taxi turned upside down during the chase, and the three men were arrested. They carried guns and drugs.

In North Sinai, police located a stolen car being driven by a Palestinian and an Egyptian. Both men were arrested.

In Helwan, a gang was caught while trying to steal railway tracks.

In Hurghada, 17 drug dealers were arrested.

And in Qalyubiya, an illegal weapons factory was found and closed down.

http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/node/551761

December 17th, 2011, 10:52 am

 

Haytham Khoury said:

Dear all:

Always I wanted to Bashar a dignified exit from this trouble. I have no sympathy for the remaining members of the family.

Asmaa does not merit a sad ending. She is an intelligent and good human being.

The kids are the most affected victims.

December 17th, 2011, 10:53 am

 

Haytham Khoury said:

Dear all

Hope for you all good time on SC.

After all we are all Syrians and Syria is above all.

December 17th, 2011, 10:58 am

 

Ghufran said:

تونس الجديده
رئيسة المجلس التونسي بالإنابة ترفع الجلسة للصلاة
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMiqi8qxs2c&feature=player_embedded
 

 
 في خطوة لم يعتد عليها الشعب التونسي منذ عقود، فوجئ نواب المجلس التأسيسي التونسي برفع الجلسة النيابية لمدة 10 دقائق بعد أن طلب رئيس أحد اللجان رفع الجلسة لأداء صلاة المغرب بعد سماعه الآذان، وهو ما وافقت عليه رئيسة الجلسة بالإنابة، بحسب ما ورد في مقطع فيديو.

December 17th, 2011, 11:02 am

 

Tara said:

#1130

Why not balanced? Focusing on islamic politics: illiberal democracy, and ignoring any attempt for Islamic politic: liberal democracy? Is there an untold message to be inferred?

I just find a sad contrast between acknowledging the attempt to neutralize the extremism, even wanting to translate the link into Arabic, and constantly discussing the extreme without reference to any neutralizing attempts. Is that an indication of fear or bias?

I must admit my sadness I feel in regard to this topic is selective. It depends on the narrator.

December 17th, 2011, 11:28 am

 

zoo said:

December 17, 2011
Arab League Plan for Syria May Go to UN Security Council
Citing Damascus’ delay in responding to proposals, Qatari PM says regional organization might defer matter to world body
http://www.voanews.com/english/news/Arab-League-Holds-Syria-Crisis-Talks-135785933.html
The Arab League may ask the U.N. Security Council to adopt an Arab peace plan aimed at ending Syria’s violent crackdown on anti-government protesters.

Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabr al-Thani said Saturday that Syria is delaying its response to the Arab peace proposal.

He said Arab foreign ministers will meet in Cairo on Wednesday to discuss taking the peace plan to the U.N. Security Council if Syria does not accept the plan and begin carrying it out. His remarks appeared to rule out any military action by the Arab League against Syria.

The prime minister was speaking in the Qatari capital, Doha, after an emergency meeting of the Arab League.

The Arab peace plan calls for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to withdraw his forces from restive cities, free prisoners and start a reform-minded dialogue with the opposition.

Separately, an Iraqi delegation visited Damascus for talks with Assad on ending the escalating violence. The head of the delegation, Iraq’s national security adviser Falah al-Fayyad is quoted by the French news agency as reporting the talks were “positive.”

The Iraqi official is heading next to Cairo to report his findings to Arab League members.

In meetings earlier with Iraqi leaders, officials at the Arab League said they hoped mediation by Iraq would influence or persuade Assad to agree to the Arab peace plan. Despite the growing list of casualties from Syria’s crackdown on protests, Iraq opposes any sanctions by the Arab League.
….

December 17th, 2011, 11:30 am

 

Revlon said:

1139. Dear Haytham Khoury,

{After all we are all Syrians and Syria is above all.}

Jr could not agree more with what you have just said.

The core of our problem for the past 40 years has been the dogma that you have just uttered “Syria is above all”

There are 23 million Syrians.
Each has their own version of how Syria should be.
Each one who shares your moto, notwithstanding their best of intentions is a seed for a dictator.

Syria must not be above all.

No abstract idea or any ideology should be above people, being it Syrians or other wise.

People’s freedoms should be supreme.
People ought to only oblige to the declaration that they freely and willingly accept as their binding social contract; The Constitution.

Have a nice trip.

December 17th, 2011, 11:42 am

 

Tara said:

Revlon@ 1143

Revlon, I admire your intelligence! Syria without it’s people is just a land, a static physical place and literally not different than any other static physical place. Syrians, not Syria should be above all.

December 17th, 2011, 12:07 pm

 

Shabbi7 said:

Dear “intelligent” dabbi7a

Syria comes before Syrians because without Syria, there are no Syrians. If that is too difficult for you to comprehend, just look at the “invented” Palestinian people. If Syrians today aren’t willing to defend the land of Syria, every inch of it, with their lives, then the Syrians of the future may no longer exist. Without a homeland, there is no real existence.

If you still don’t understand, listen to the first part of this video: http://bit.ly/nsWkog

Warning: Dabbi7a may have reactions to the above video similar to what vampires experience when exposed to sunlight.

December 17th, 2011, 12:44 pm

 

N.Z. said:

Ya Shabbeeh elimperialia wal sahyouniah what have you and the assads done in the past 40 years for Syria?

Ya shabeeh el-insaniyat “humanity”, you exiled our brightest, killed our youth, destroyed our social fabric and turned Syrians into destitute and refugees inside and outside their homeland!

ya shabeeh al assad, Syria belongs to all Syrians, Syria is part of the international community, Syria is for all Syrians!

Syrians will snatch their country from the jaws of their butcher, we will rebuild it, simultaneously cleanse your brain washed mind, you are one of us.

December 17th, 2011, 1:10 pm

 

zoo said:

Middle East security report 2: The struggle for Syria in 2011

http://www.understandingwar.org/report/struggle-syria-2011

Executive summary
This paper provides context for understanding the cycles of violence in Syria. The first section provides a brief historical overview of sectarianism in Syria in order to understand its role in the current conflict. The second section provides a framework for understanding the operations and strategy of the Assad regime. The paper then analyzes regime security operations in seven regions: Dera’a province; Damascus; Homs and Hama in central Syria; the coastal region; Idlib province; the Arab east; and the Kurdish northeast. The paper concludes with an examination of regional and international responses to the conflict.

Sectarian politics in Syria have fundamentally complicated the problems facing the Syrian regime and its opposition. The Assad regime has not seriously considered introducing comprehensive reforms; representative government in Syria would lead to the regime’s downfall and the prosecution of the former elite. Given the consequences of losing, the regime is likely to fight to the end.

The scale of unrest in Syria has made it impossible for the regime’s security forces to simultaneously garrison all of the country’s key terrain. The regime has maintained control over Syria’s armed forces, despite limited defections. Therefore, the regime’s strategy has been to maneuver elite forces to key centers of unrest and conduct large clearance operations, using selective brutality in an effort to end the crisis.

The regime successfully suppressed demonstrations in Dera’a, where the protests began in March 2011, by conducting aggressive clearance operations. This allowed the regime to focus resources elsewhere as the conflict progressed.

Homs has become the conflict’s center of gravity because of its strategic location and its frequent sectarian violence. The regime attempted to quash Homs’ dissent in May, but emergencies elsewhere in Syria diverted attention and resources. By the time the security forces refocused on Homs in September, peaceful demonstrations had given way to armed resistance.

Despite large demonstrations in Damascus’ northeast and southwest suburbs, the regime’s security presence and targeting campaign has successfully prevented demonstrations from overrunning downtown Damascus. The size of the pro-regime population in Damascus has also contributed to dampening unrest in the capital.
From the beginning of the uprising, the regime has deliberately consolidated its control over the Alawite homeland of Syria’s coastal region. Clearance operations in Latakia, Baniyas, and Tel Kalakh targeted Sunni enclaves and shored up regime lines of communication.

The first significant armed resistance of the current crisis was a local insurrection near the border with Turkey in June. The regime successfully pushed resistance forces out of the region that month. However, consistent armed resistance in Idlib emerged in October, possibly under the leadership of the Free Syrian Army.
The regime has been able to assume risk in Syria’s east. Security forces have avoided direct confrontation with the Sunni tribes of Deir ez-Zor, while Syria’s Kurds largely refrained from joining the opposition movement in 2011.

Iran, Iraq, and Lebanese Hezbollah have supported the Assad regime throughout this crisis with moral, economic, and possibly material assistance. Commercial and military interests in Syria have solidified Russian support for Assad. Turkey, Assad’s longtime ally, has reversed its position with a series of measures that have isolated and pressured the regime. The Arab League, led by the Sunni Arab Gulf States, has also strongly condemned the Assad regime’s violent response to the protest and enacted sanctions. The United States and European Union enacted comprehensive sanctions against individuals, organizations, and Syria as a whole.

After nine months of conflict and despite mounting regional pressure, the Assad regime has not demonstrated its willingness to step down, let alone abandon its offensive security strategy. The regime’s violent operations severely limited the possibility of a negotiated settlement. At the end of 2011, as both sides harden their stance and secure regional support, Syria’s slide towards civil war may be unavoidable.

Read The Struggle for Syria in 2011 (PDF)
http://www.understandingwar.org/files/Struggle_For_Syria.pdf

December 17th, 2011, 1:10 pm

 

jad said:

Haytham
“Syria is above all” and FOR ALL.
Unlike the makeup dude the mouthpiece of Ikhwanjieh who don’t recognize Syria at all, Syria is above all, not the MBs or any religion or sect or ethnicity they propose.
Syria is the source of our existence as a nation, our customs are Syrians they are not according to our sects as those ignorant promote, our culture is Syrian not Arabic, Kurdish, Armenian, Sherkes, Roman and Greek as some wanted to be. Our food is Syrian, not Lebanese or Turkish of French or Qatari or Palestinian or Jordanian or anything else, every ingredient of it was planted and grown in Syria.
Syria ya jahlale is what made you someone, Syria is above all and for all and will never ever become nothing as your close minded herd of ignorant promote.
Yet those MBs keep asking whey they can’t win the support of the majority of Syrians, because you don’t only want the regime or the head of Bashar or the baath or corruption as you claim, because Bashar and his regime and the baath don’t mean Syria, they represent themselves, your struggle is with them not with Syria, those are the pretext of what you really want, you want to take away everything Syrian and replace it with your own ugly culture of sectarianism, hatred and violence.

December 17th, 2011, 2:22 pm

 

Mina said:

It’s not in Iraq 2003… it’s in Lybia 2011.

Libyan scramble for £100bn in assets fractures the peace at Tripoli airport

Militias and army clash over control of runways after UN decides to fly newly printed currency into the capital

The unfreezing of £100bn in Libyan assets by the UN this weekend has fired the starting gun for a fierce battle for influence being waged by the country’s militias, in which the frontline is set to be Tripoli’s international airport.

The glittering prize immediately in prospect is a consignment of several billion dinars, printed in Germany, which is due to be flown into Libya on board five cargo planes. Whoever controls the airport when the cash arrives will be able to levy a hefty security fee for delivering it to the country’s central bank. But the fight to control the airport is part of a far wider battle for political and economic dominance in the new Libya; one that pits the various factions who united to overthrow the Gaddafi regime against each other, as well as remnants of the dictator’s defeated military.

In theory the decision on Friday by the UN Sanctions Committee and the US to release frozen assets marks, in the words of British foreign secretary William Hague, “another significant moment in Libya’s transition”. Those sentiments were echoed on Saturday by Leon Panetta, the US defence secretary, on a visit to Tripoli. But the reality is considerably more complicated.

Tripoli airport is currently held by the militia from Zintan, a mountain town 90 miles to the south, who captured it on the way to liberating Tripoli in August. But the Libyan national army, controlled by Gaddafi-era generals, is determined to take control, in what is shaping up to be a defining power struggle. Meanwhile, amid the growing tension the ruling National Transitional Council has become a target for mass protests across the country and the object of deep suspicion outside its Benghazi power base.
(…)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/dec/17/libya-tripoli-airport-assets-un

December 17th, 2011, 2:31 pm

 

Juergen said:

2nd report of Dietmar Ossenberg(ZDF) german television from Damascus

Ossenberg said in the report that you can not feel there is a civil war in some parts of the country by seeing the old city of Damascus, the restaurants are full and the Christians prepare for Christmas.
On a guided tour to the Military Hospital we are shown wounded soldiers from Derraa and Homs. More than 800 soldiers have died so far in the conflict according to the state represantatives.

One soldier said that he was shoot at while driving in his car more than 100 bullets went through his car, and he got wounded.
General Saleh Hassan said to us that the Army never fired at demonstrators, the Army has the order to protect the peaceful demonstratrators from heavy armed criminals and terrorists who have declared war on the country. We can not verify those reports but seeing those wounded soldiers suggest that at least in some parts of Syria we have a civil war.

The second soldier said that his unit was ambushed in Hama and he was targeted at with bazookas.

Every interview we conduct is filmed by the military tv, and we feel under total control.
We can show you just an glimpse of what is happening here in Syria, because most people are afraid to talk to us. They are not afraid when asked by officials to talk with us, but then we just hear state propaganda.

http://www.zdf.de/ZDFmediathek/hauptnavigation/startseite/#/beitrag/video/1523396/Syrien:-Verwundete-Soldaten-berichten

December 17th, 2011, 2:35 pm

 
 
 

Juergen said:

how syrian state tv is fabricating basharland where all syrians love their president…

December 17th, 2011, 4:02 pm

 

Dale Andersen said:

BASHARLAND: where Jaddie and Ann and Bronco Billy and Mina go to find out what it’s really like to be immersed in a pencilneck culture…

December 17th, 2011, 4:20 pm

 

Mina said:

Dale,
You’ve never been to Syria and you don’t speak Arabic. So please go back to your macdonald and disneyworld.

Good website here:

http://www.enduringamerica.com/home/2011/12/17/syria-egypt-bahrain-and-beyond-liveblog-beyond-a-return-to-p.html

and

http://www.arabist.net/blog/2011/12/17/egypt-still-the-land-of-denial.html

December 17th, 2011, 4:26 pm

 

ghufran said:

Eager to watch the Goats Emirates response to the unrest in Bahrain. More demos today:
http://www.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/E847EFD8-8F99-4F56-8393-1C7714A65229.htm?GoogleStatID=9

December 17th, 2011, 4:27 pm

 

Tara said:

http://www.nowlebanon.com/NewsArticleDetails.aspx?ID=343641
Feltman confident ‘change is coming’ to Syria
December 17, 2011     
  
Deputy Speaker Farid Makari said that US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Jeffrey Feltman was confident during his December visit to Beirut that change is coming to Syria.

“Feltman was [confident] that change in Syria is happening,” Makari told As-Sharq radio station, as protests against President Bashar al-Assad’s regime have been ongoing since March.

The deputy speaker also voiced hope that the end of the unrest in Syria “would be similar to that in Yemen,” a reference to Yemen’s Ali Abdullah Saleh’s decision to step down.

“[A similar solution in Syria] would spare it destruction.”
 

December 17th, 2011, 4:45 pm

 

Dale Andersen said:

From the EU/CIA/Saudi/Salafi/al-Qaeda/JewJewJew Press:

Syria must sign the Arab League protocol on allowing observers into the country if it wants to avoid action from the Security Council, Qatar’s prime minister warned President Pencilneck. Under the protocol, Besho must halt the crackdown, hold talks with the protestors and allow Arab observers into the country to ensure compliance.

“The Arab League ministerial meeting on December 22 is critical and decisive,” Shaikh Hamad Bin Jassem Al Thani said. “We have been patient in our approach to the crisis, But time is tick-tick-ticking away.”

If the Syrians do not sign before December 21, the Arab League initiative and Arab resolutions will be presented to the Security Council, he said. After that, Bashar al-Assad can kiss his ass good-bye…

December 17th, 2011, 4:54 pm

 

ann said:

Assad says Syria positively dealt with all suggestions, AL gives Damascus new deadline – 2011-12-18

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2011-12/18/c_131312796.htm

DAMASCUS, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) — Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said Saturday that Syria “has positively dealt with all suggestions” presented to it, as the Arab League (AL) gave Damascus till Wednesday to allow in observers, otherwise it will take the Arab peace proposal on Syria to the United Nations Security Council.

Syria’s state-run SANA news agency quoted President Assad as saying that Syria “has positively dealt with all suggestions presented to it, because it’s her interest that the world knows the reality of what is going on in light of the (media) distortion and the turning of facts upside down that aims at foiling any horizon for solution.”

Assad made the remarks during a meeting with an Iraqi delegation, headed by Iraqi National Security Advisor Falah al- Fayadh and the Iraqi parliamentarian Izzat al-Shahbander, who flew in Saturday to sound out the Syrian government on ways of ending the ten-month-old crisis, amid confirmation from the AL of receiving “positive signs” from Damascus over an Arab-sponsored plan to help end the crisis.

Assad “expressed his appreciation of the sincere efforts exerted by some Arab countries, especially Iraq, to assist Syria to get out of what it’s currently going through,” said SANA.

Iraqi leadership has recently announced that the delegation would convey to Syrian official a peace initiative that would suggest conducting a dialogue between Syrian government and the Syrian opposition to reach a compromise satisfactory for both sides.

The Iraqi delegation’s visit coincided with an AL ministerial meeting on Syria in Qatar’s capital Doha, at which the AL gave Syria till Wednesday to allow observers into the country or it will take the Arab peace proposal on Syria to the UN Security Council.

“If the Syrian crisis is not solved within two weeks, the matter would be beyond the control of Arab countries,” Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim al- Thani, who also chairs an Arab ministerial committee in charge of handling the Syrian crisis, said at a televised press conference after the meeting.

The AL would refer the peace proposal to the Security Council on Wednesday, but would not seek any military action against Syria, Sheikh Hamad said.

The AL’s latest decision comes after Russia proposed a new draft resolution on Syria at the UN Security Council last Thursday. Western countries have expressed willingness to consider and negotiate the proposal.

After Syria failed to sign the protocol over the visit of an AL observer mission last month, the pan-Arab body suspended Syria’s membership on Nov. 16, and imposed sanctions against it on Nov. 27.

December 17th, 2011, 4:58 pm

 

Mina said:

A lot to learn from the Egyptians:

December 17th, 2011, 4:58 pm

 

ann said:

Iraqi delegation holds “positive” talks with Assad over Syria’s crisis – 2011-12-17

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2011-12/17/c_131312783.htm

BAGHDAD, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) — Iraqi delegation dispatched to Syria to mediate in the deadlock between Syria and Arab League (AL) held positive talks with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Saturday, an Iraqi official television reported.

“The Iraqi delegation in Damascus held positive talks with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on the Iraqi efforts to resolve the Syrian crisis,” the state-run channel of Iraqia quoted Iraqi national security advisor Faleh al-Fayadh as saying.

The Iraqi delegation explained Iraq’s stance which is built on finding peaceful solutions for the Syrian crisis that may preserve the aspirations of Syrian people to carry out reforms away from external interference and sectarianism, said Fayadh who heads the Iraqi delegation to Syria.

“I am on my way to Cairo for a meeting with the AL’s officials to discuss the Syrian crisis,” Fayadh said.

December 17th, 2011, 5:01 pm

 

sheila said:

Dear #965. SANDRO LOEWE,
You are mistaken about the Druze of Syria. My brother has several Druze friends who are fighting the regime, also, right from the beginning, one of the daughters of Sultan Basha Al Atrash was a fixture in every funeral. She spoke several times and very forcefully against the regime.

December 17th, 2011, 5:09 pm

 

Mina said:

To all those who have been pointing at “Bashhhhhaaaaar and his female and his circle” and just spread sectarian hatred by lying about the number of the Alawis in the governmental positions, just watch Egypt and Bahrein, and don’t wait until you have a state with imported mercenaries to crush on you when you will make demonstrations for better salaries.

December 17th, 2011, 5:16 pm

 

zoo said:

Turkey, allies wary of Syria chaos
http://gulfnews.com/news/region/syria/turkey-allies-wary-of-syria-chaos-1.952344
They are unsure about Al Assad replacement

Ankara: Turkey, with strong backing from its Arab and Western allies, very much wants Syrian President Bashar Al Assad to step down — but not just yet.

Under Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan and his post-Islamist ruling party Turkey has become the main organising hub for Syria’s opposition — the 260-member liberal Syrian National Council, and the Free Syrian Army, comprising mainly Sunni army defectors.

But across the region and in Western capitals there are fears that Al Assad’s opponents are not ready to take power, and that Syria’s ethnic and sectarian mosaic could disintegrate and plunge the country of 22 million into chaos unless a way is found to smooth the transition.

“The key priority is for the opposition inside and outside [Syria] to come together, become a more credible option and include all sects and get their coordination right. Turkey is working on that,” a senior Western diplomat said.

“What worries them is that if [Al] Assad went today there will be more chaos, more destruction and they don’t know who will emerge and they want the opposition to be ready.”

The main worry, Syria watchers say, is that what began nine months ago as a civic uprising is turning into a lethal sectarian conflict — especially as the predominantly Alawite rulers are whipping up the fears of Syria’s minorities that they will be crushed by the country’s Sunni majority.

December 17th, 2011, 5:27 pm

 

zoo said:

Tunis’s Ghannouchi accuses “The Washington Institute for Near Eastern Policy” of fabricating and distorting his statements about the imminent fall of Gulf monarchies and the position of Tunisia about Israel

http://www.asharq-e.com/news.asp?section=1&id=27737
More from Ghannouchi seduction campaign

“However following the al-Nahda party’s electoral victory, Ghannouchi immediately flew to Washington, not Mecca. He even visited one of the most strategically pro-Israeli thank-tanks in America, and reportedly assured the audience that the Tunisian constitution and politics will not be anti-Israeli. He also reportedly expressed his support for a Muslim having the right to change his religion if he so wishes, and also said that he was in the process of negotiating with Tunisia’s secularists, in order for them to join the government. When asked about Palestine and Israel, he underscored that Palestine is the least of his concerns, as he is more worried about finding jobs for more than one million unemployed Tunisian”

http://www.asharq-e.com/news.asp?section=2&id=27738

December 17th, 2011, 5:34 pm

 

zoo said:

Ghannouchi’s full record of his discussion with the ““The Washington Institute for Near Eastern Policy”

Ghannouchi supported Saddam Hossein’s invasion of Kuwait, said that America was a great Satan and supported Hamas against Israel.

These are his answers that he now denies, who is lying?

http://xa.yimg.com/kq/groups/18950873/1671815789/name/GhannouchiQuotesEdit_20111130.pdf

December 17th, 2011, 5:55 pm

 

Humanist said:

Ghufran..
“Goats Emirates …”

Isn’t that racist?
It’s interesting to see that Syrians and Lebanese (especially the “secular” or christian ones) think they are so much better, whiter, more civilized etc. than other arabs.
I know this from my own experiences.

But in west you are all considered the same (no matter religion or country)…

Also how many was killed in Bahrain versus in Syria?
It’s equal hypocritical to support the uprising in Bahrain and oppose it in Syria as it is to support the uprising in Syria and oppose it in Bahrain.

But It seems many of you are blinded by nationalism.

December 17th, 2011, 5:55 pm

 

zoo said:

Is the ‘real’ revolution just starting in Egypt?
‘There has been no revolution in Egypt yet’

Published: 17 December, 2011, 23:08
Violent clashes on the streets of Egypt are a symptom of a wider power struggle that is taking place between the military and the Islamist-led parliament, Yaakov Lappin, a reporter for the Jerusalem Post, told RT.

­“I think the military is very frightened of the prospect of an Egypt that would be led by Islamist political parties,” Lappin said. “They are worried about security. They are worried about the economy, what this could do to tourism.”

Lappin believes that Egypt’s military rulers are also very reluctant to allow change as they have been in power for many years, since the 1950s.

“I think they are very reluctant to let go of that power,” he said. “So I think it’s going to be unpredictable, violent in some cases, and it’s also going to damage Egypt’s ability to maintain law and order on its streets.”

Yaakov Lappin is wary about calling what has happened in Egypt a revolution because the elites, which are the military, are still in power in Egypt.

“I don’t think there actually has been a revolution yet,” he said. “I think that what’s happened is that the figurehead of the military regime has been deposed very dramatically. Certainly that was a hugely significant event, it was an earthquake.”

Egypt has seen major changes, and changes will continue to happen, but this is not a revolution until the military is in power according to Lappin.

“Until then I think the two sides are stuck in their current positions, fighting it out through a range of ways,” he said. “And one of these ways is street battles between the military security forces and the people.”

December 17th, 2011, 6:19 pm

 

Dale Andersen said:

Memo To: ANN

RE: “…Assad says Syria positively dealt with all Arab League suggestions…

Well, he lied, girl.

December 17th, 2011, 6:29 pm

 
 

Amir in Tel Aviv said:

The scenes form Cairo today were really unbelievable. Soldiers are lynching unarmed protesters, beating them to death using clubs.
No wonder the Egyptians vote for the MB. The MB at least, has some morals.
.

December 17th, 2011, 7:14 pm

 

Tara said:

Sheila

In reference to your post.  I feel lots of respect to the Syrian Druze who distant themselves from being a propaganda tool for the regime.

http://all4syria.info/web/archives/41491

بيان من السيد شبلي زيد الأطرش رداً على زيارة مشايخ لبنانيين من الطائفة الدرزية الى سورية
بواسطة EDITOR2 – 2011/12/13
نشر فى: أخبار محلية

بيان
لقد درج نفر من أبناء الطائفة الدرزية في لبنان على حشر أنفسهم في الشأن السوري، يدفعهم الى ذلك منافع شخصية ضيقة، فهؤلاء كما يحاولون شق الطائفة في لبنان، خدمة لأجندات إقليمية‘ فهم يحاولون نقل ذلك إلى الطائفة في سورية. نريد أن نقول لهم إن بضاعتكم فاسدة و لن تجد من يشتريها من الشعب السوري الذي ينشد حريته وكرامته، وهي مردودة على صانعيها ومسوقيها في آن معا”.

إن توريط مشايخ من طائفة الموحدين الدروز في لبنان في زواريب السياسة ومستنقعاتها أمر غير محمود وغير مسبوق ، ولم يعودنا أصحاب العمائم البيضاء الظهور على عتبات السلطان وذلك حفاظا” على نقاوة وطهرية عمائمهم ومواقفهم، وليبقوا على مسافة تمكنهم من القيام بدورهم كـ “مصلاح خير” عند اللزوم.

ولكن زيارة المشايخ الأفاضل إلى سورية فعلت غير ذلك، فقد أريد لهم أن يحشروا في لعبة التكاذب، ما ينسف أول ركن في العقيدة: الصدق، ويصب الزيت على النار المشتعلة في سورية، والتي يراد لها أن تكون طائفية ليستقيم لمشعليها استمرار القتل، ويحرض على الشحن الطائفي، في لعبة دنيئة مستمرة منذ عدة عقود، يحتقرها الشعب السوري وينبذها.
نريد أن نذكر أهلنا في لبنان أن اللعبة الطائفية لم تكن من مفردات طائفة الموحدين الدروز في سورية يوما” من الأيام، لا بل كانت الطائفة رائدة في جمع الكلمة حول وحدة الأرض السورية ووحدة الشعب السوري وتعايش طوائفه ودياناته وقومياته بعيدا” عن الأغراض الصغيرة والمرامي الكيدية للبعض، وكان شعار “الدين لله والوطن للجميع” الذي رفعته الثورة السورية1925 الراية التي انضوى تحتها جميع السوريين وما زالوا. وإذا أبطن البعض غير ذلك وما زال يذكي الفتنة الطائفية ويؤججها إلى اليوم، فالطائفة الدرزية في سورية لا ولن تربط مصيرها بمصيرهم.

إننا لا نبتغي تعليم أحد ما يجب أن يفعله ببلده، ولا نريد ان ننوه عن عدم النضوج السياسي للبعض من إخوتنا في لبنان وعدم تحررهم من التبعية؛ ولكننا نؤكد أننا لانرغب بتلقي دروس فيما علينا أن نفعله ببلدنا، فنحن ناضجون كفاية لتدبر أمورنا، أما للذي يظهر علينا بين حين وآخر ليؤسس مليشيا طائفية على غرار ما يقوم به في لبنان خدمة لشياطين الطائفية عبر وسائل رخيصة وخطاب رذيل وبذاءة موصوفة، فلا بد له من أن يسقط في شر أعماله.

إننا نهيب بمشايخنا الأفاضل وهيآتنا الروحية أن ينأوا بأنفسهم عن المزالق التي يحاول أن يوقعهم بها المشتغلون على الصغائر. وأن يشفقوا علي نزاهة العقيدة من ارتكاب الخطأ أو التحريض على الفتنة والقتل، فهذه العمائم يجب أن تبقى بيضاء نقية كنقاء عقيدتهم وبياض قلوبهم. وليتحمل أصحاب المآرب وحدهم عواقب أفعالهم.

شبلي زيد الأطرش

December 17th, 2011, 8:00 pm

 

Ghufran said:

Humanist,
Arab countries ,including syria,need a regime change and a cultural revolution after being the butt of jokes for the last 800 years,and at the top of the list is the Goats Emirates. This is in reference to their backward political system,the way they treat their women and their sinful twisting of Islam. Gulf men who come to Syria and Lebanon are mostly looking for “white skin” women to marry for few months or buy for a night or two,then they go back to pray and wash away their sins.
Syrian and Lebanese people,not their governments,with known exceptions are more open,more cultured and more tolerant. This is not a racist statement,it is a fact. God gave those Bedouins a lot of money but they yet have to change their skin,this is why every gulf author or scientist is either abroad or acting as a paid political prostitute for those Sheikhs.
Syria since 1963 has been goatanized too but Syrians are more than able to reverse this trend because there is enough educated and skilled Syrians to rebuild their country.

December 17th, 2011, 8:04 pm

 

Ghufran said:

This honest Sheikh says what every ruler,Sunni or Shia must hear

December 17th, 2011, 8:17 pm

 

Tara said:

روسيا وضعت النظام السوري على المزاد الدولي”
Russia has placed Syria on the international auction

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2011/12/18/2003521053/1
ANALYSIS: Russia’s Syria shift a bid to guard interests
Reuters, MOSCOW

The proximate cause for presenting a new one may have been a report this week in which UN human rights chief Navi Pillay said the death toll in nine months of protest exceeded 5,000 and that Syria’s actions could constitute crimes against humanity.
“We think that it’s because Russia has felt the pressure of the international community, especially after the shocking report of Mrs Pillay,” French Ambassador to the UN Gerard Araud said.
Longer term, Russia is hedging its bets on a game whose outcome is unclear.

However, short of the restoration of Syria’s pre-protest status quo, the best result for Russia would be a negotiated solution, especially if Moscow can claim credit.
That would be a big diplomatic victory for Russia on the world stage and would help it gain purchase in Syria in the future, something that would be out of the question if Assad’s opponents prevail and Russia is seen as backing him to the end.
Analysts said, however, that Russia would hold out against sanctions as long as possible, a strategy that may be supported by the draft resolution.
Any further movement is likely to be incremental because the Kremlin fears a sharp shift on Syria would be seen as a sign of weakness in the face of the West, unwelcome as Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin prepares for a presidential election in March.

Putin likened the resolution  (on Libya) to “medieval calls for crusades” at the time and in a call-in show televised live on Thursday, he again assailed the West over Libya, suggesting Qaddafi had been hounded to his death by US pilotless drones and NATO special forces egging rebels on.
However, he has said little publicly about Syria, leaving open the possibility of Russia’s stance evolving further.

For now, proposing a resolution, even one that Western nations say needs changes, strengthens Russia’s role in the struggle for a solution. The Russian draft calls for observers to deploy under an Arab League plan that Moscow has supported.
In a sign it is eager for such influence, Moscow has repeatedly suggested that Russia and its partners in the BRICS group of emerging market nations —Brazil, India, China and South Africa, which are all currently in the Security Council — could also send monitors if asked.

December 17th, 2011, 8:39 pm

 

Tara said:

http://www.todayszaman.com/news-266002-rivalry-over-syria-iraq-widens-rift-between-turkey-and-iran.html 
 
Rivalry over Syria, Iraq widens rift between Turkey and Iran
18 December 2011 / MAHIR ZEYNALOV, İSTANBUL

While an entire swath of the Arab world is in upheaval in one form or another, two non-Arab nations, Iran and Turkey, are in fierce competition to redefine their leadership roles in the Middle East, further stoking concerns that unrest sweeping the region may risk inciting wider, potentially devastating conflicts.
    Following a day-long meeting on Thursday, the top Turkish military council said it reviewed the military’s preparedness for war, without elaborating on what types of threats the country faces. Observers immediately jumped to the conclusion that it was a message designed to send chills through Tehran and its chief ally Syria. The statement came shortly after a series of threats Iranian officials made against Turkey, although Iran denied they were the Islamic republic’s official position. The largely hidden “cold war” between Tehran and Ankara is brewing quickly, bringing with it a greater risk of conflict.

    The great indulgence granted to Iran’s ways and phobias in the face of a nuclear standoff last year between the Islamic republic and the West has reaped a self-destructing harvest, giving leeway to Iran’s never-ceasing desire to expand. It would have been unimaginable last year, following Turkey’s defense of the Islamic republic to defuse Western threats, to now expect Iran to end its friendship with the NATO member. The current split between Turkey and Iran began with the installment of NATO’s early-warning radar system in Turkey and widened as the uprising in Syria looked to oust the leader of Iran’s chief ally.

Turkish diplomats tossed back and forth the question of whether Iran is a reliable partner, and there was a deep fissure among Turkish intellectuals over Iran’s role in Turkey’s foreign policy decisions. Turkey and Iran have always had trouble describing how they relate to each other. While Turkey was protecting Iran from a growing Western confrontation last year, its policy was calculated to maintain stability in the region, advancing trade and friendly relations. The current upheaval in the Middle East has thrown the Turkish government’s much-vaunted zero-problems foreign policy into disarray and spawned a new era of rivalry between Iran and Turkey over Arab lands.

Turkey is still the Middle East’s largest power and may be a little smarter, having learned from the bitter lessons the Arab Spring taught. Navigating in a region of constant instability and falling dictators brings new opportunities for influence as well as confrontations with rival nations.

Turkey has pointedly ramped up its public warnings over the last few weeks about Iran’s threats, accompanied by private warnings to Iran delivered by Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu to his Iranian counterpart, Ali Akbar Salehi.

“Clashes of interest, ideas are wide and deep [between Iran and Turkey across the Arab world],” said Walter Russell Mead, editor-at-large of the American Interest magazine.
….
Iraq’s current leadership, seen as Iran’s poodle, is unhappy with Turkey’s role in Iraqi politics and instead welcomes Iran’s growing interference in its own internal affairs.
….
Mead connected any Turkish success in the Middle East as equal to Iran’s failure. He said ideologically, Turkey hopes to lead the Sunni Islam world while Iran aspires to lead the entire Islamic world. He also added that the same thing could be applied to Syria where Turkey’s success there could be spelled as Iran’s failure as well as loss of Iranian ties to Hamas.

There is also a growing understanding that Iran’s bravado against Turkey masks some obvious worries about it being an overall loser in the Arab Spring. But Iran and Turkey have put a positive spin on the Arab Spring with the Islamic republic saying it will spell the end of US-backed governments and the other claiming it to be a “normalization of history.”

Stein says the relationship between Turkey and Iran started to deteriorate when Turkey was publicly rebuked by the West for its role in the nuclear swap deal last year and the Iranians showed little gratitude for the Turkish efforts.

“When you combine this with the fact that despite the Turkish expectation, the Iranian market remains, by and large, closed to Turkish exports, the roots of rivalry were re-planted,” he claims, adding that the chaos in Syria exacerbated this budding tension and Turkey’s outright support for the Western-backed calls for regime change thrust these low-lying tensions into the public.

He noted that although actors from both sides are squabbling, there is little chance that tensions will boil over, and the two governments will continue to cooperate and compete when it’s called for.

He added that the Iranians and the Turks are permanent entities in the region, and they will have to find a way to cooperate or risk greater damage to their strategic interests.

Veysel Ayhan, an expert from the Center for Middle Eastern Strategic Studies (ORSAM), said…. that former authoritarian regimes were suppressing political parties and movements that had Islamic elements, and that marrying Islam, democracy and secular institutions is what Turkey has been successful at. While Iran wants to export theocratic regimes, he said, in contrast, Turkey’s secular political institutions which also maintain Islamic sensitivities are what Arab nations want.

According to Ayhan, the radicalization of Islamic parties are a danger post-revolution Arab countries face but building Turkish-like political institutions would ensure a successful transition.

December 17th, 2011, 8:59 pm

 

jad said:

The ‘angles’ of Libyan Alqaeda are in Idleb and turkey helping the Syrian ‘angles’:

مراسل صحيفة “ABC” الإسبانية يقابل ليبيين من عناصر”القاعدة” في محافظة إدلب وجبل الزاوية

الليبيون الثلاثة بعض من عشرات يعملون مع عبد الحكيم بلحاج و”الجيش السوري الحر” ، وأحدهم كانت الشرطة الإيرلندية كشفت أنه عميل لوكالة المخابرات المركزية الأميركية!؟

مدريد ، الحقيقة ( خاص من: وسيم فاضل + مكتب التحرير): في أول دليل غربي من نوعه على وجود ليبيين من تنظيم “القاعدة” الإرهابي على الأراضي السورية، وتحديدا في منطقة “جبل الزاوية” بمحافظة إدلب، كشف مراسل صحيفة ” إي بي سي” اليمينية الإسبانية ، دانييل إيريارتيه، أنه قابل هؤلاء المسلحين شخصيا بعد أن “تسلل” إلى المنطقة المذكورة. وقال الصحفي الإسباني في تقريره المنشور اليوم في الصحيفة ، وهي أعرق صحيفة إسبانية وثالثها من حيث التوزيع والأولى من حيث مرجعية التوثيق ، إنه قابل ثلاثة مسلحين ليبيين من العاملين مع عبد الحكيم بلحاج ، رئيس المجلس العسكري في طرابلس، وأن هناك عشرات آخرين غيرهم تمكنوا من دخول سوريا للعمل مع ما يسمى بـ”الجيش السوري الحر”. وكشف إيريارتيه أن أحد هؤلاء الثلاثة هو المهدي حاراتي قائد” لواء طرابلس” في ليبيا ، المشكل من قبل المسلحين الأصوليين التابعين لتنظيم”القاعدة” في شمال أفريقيا. أما المسلح الليبي الثاني فهو آدم كيكلي الذي قال للصحفي الإسباني إنه” كان يعمل مع عبد الحكيم بلحاج منذ عشرين عاما في بريطانيا”. وأما الشخص الثالث فعرف عن نفسه باسم ” فؤاد” ، وهو حارس شخصي لهما. ونقل الصحفي الإسباني عن الثلاث قولهم إنهم جاؤوا “لتقويم حاجات” المجاهدين السوريين. ويلفت الصحفي الإسباني الانتباه إلى أن الثلاثة ، لاسيما المهدي حاراتي” كانوا على رأس المجموعة التي دربها خبراء قطريون ولعبت دورا أساسيا في عملية ” تحرير” العاصمة الليبية من قوات القذافي.

يشار في هذا السياق إلى أمرين في غاية الأهمية:

أولهما ـ هو أن قناة”الجزيرة” كانت بثت يوم أمس شريطا يظهر مقاتلين من عناصر “القاعدة” في “جبل الزاوية” ، لكنها تجنبت وصفهم بذلك ، وتعمدت تسميتهم بـ” مقاتلي الجيش السوري الحر”! وبحسب مصادر مختلفة ، فإن قناة”الجزيرة” التي تتولى التسويق للإسلاميين الأصوليين في كل مكان من العالم، على اعتبار أن قطر هي من يتولى تمويل هؤلاء ( طالبت اليوم رسميا بإشراك “طالبان” في أفغانستان بالحكم!) ، إنما أرادت في هذه المرحلة تجنب الإشارة إلى الخلفية الأصولية لهؤلاء المقاتلين ، رغم أنه عددا من الصحف الغربية ( ونحن قبلها بكثير) ، أشارت إلى أن “الجيش السوري الحر” ليس في واقع الحال سوى واجهة مزيفة تحتشد خلفها أشكال مختلفة من المنظمات الأصولية ، بما في ذلك “مقاتلو جماعة الأخوان المسلمين السورية” ، وفق ما أكده مصدر رسمي فرنسي قبل شهرين لصحيفة ” لوفيغارو”! ( اضغط هنا لمشاهدة شريط “الجزيرة” ومقارنته بالصور التي نشرها الصحفي الإسباني).

وثانيهما ـ هو أن الشرطة الإيرلندية كانت كشفت الشهر الماضي أن المهدي حاراتي ، الذي يحمل الجنسية الإيرلندية أيضا، هو عميل لوكالة المخابرات المركزية الأميركية ، وكان يتولى نقل الأموال منها إلى مسلحي”القاعدة” في ليبيا ، الذين شاركوا في “تحرير” العاصمة الليبية من قوات القذافي. وجاء الاكتشاف بمحض المصادفة حين قام “لصوص” بمداهمة منزله في العاصمة الإيرلندية “دبلن” خلال تواجده في ليبيا، حيث سرقوا أكثر من ربع مليون يورو كان يحتفظ بها في منزله. ولدى التحقيق معه ومع زوجته ، اعترفا بأنه احتفظ بهذه الأموال لنفسه من أصل مبلغ مالي ضخم كلفته وكالة المخابرات المركزية الأميركية بنقله إلى ليبيا لتمويل الأصوليين الذي يقاتلون ضد نظام القذافي! ( طالع هنا تقرير صحيفة “صندي وورلد” الإرلندية).

تبقى الإشارة أخيرا إلى أن “الحقيقة” كانت أول من كشف قبل أكثر من شهرين أن “الجيش السوري الحر” ليس سوى واجهة لتنظيم استخباري وأصولي دولي . وقد جاءت جميع التقارير الغربية اللاحقة لتؤكد ما ذهبنا إليه. ولعل أبرز ما جاء في هذا السياق ما كشفته صحيفة “تلغراف” البريطانية في 27 من الشهر الماضي عن أن عبد الحكيم بلحاج توجه سرا إلى ليبيا ، بتكليف من رئيس “المجلس الوطني الليبي” مصطفى عبد الجليل، للاجتماع مع العميل الأميركي ـ التركي رياض الأسعد من أجل بحث احتياجاته من الأموال والمسلحين والتدريب في ضوء الاتفاق الذي أبرمه برهان غليون مع الحكومة الليبية الأطلسية العميلة خلال زيارته إليها برفقة نائب المراقب العام للإخوان المسلمين السوريين ، فاروق طيفور، والجاسوس الأميركي ـ الإسرائيلي رضوان زيادة! ( اضغط هنــا لقراءة تقرير “التيلغراف” مترجما).

December 17th, 2011, 11:18 pm

 

Revlon said:

FSA brigades are constantly re-organising to accomodate waves of newly joining defectors.

A mirror image scenario is happening on the other side; Asad army is constantly rearranging units depleted by defection.

Time is fastly approaching when FSA units will have more fighting units, while Asad army becomming left with heaps of useless top brass blaming each other and as useless, unmanned heaps of Russian steel on the rocks.

17 12 ديسمبر. 2011

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
بيان صادر عن الجيش السوري الحر بيان تشكيل كتيبة شهداء حماه
بيان من النقيب ايهم كردي قائد كتيبة ابي الفداء
وفاءً من كتيبة أبي الفداء لدماء الشهداء ” ال 50 الف في زمن الأب المقبور والمتزايدون في زمن الابن”الفاقد للشرعية وإعلاناً منها للبقاء على العهد مع من سبقنا إلى جنات النعيم من شهدائنا فقد قررنا تغيير اسم كتيبتنا إلى
كتيبة شهداء حماة ويضم تنظيم الكتيبة السرايا التالية:
1- سرية اسد الدين
2- سرية حماة الابيه
3- سرية سور العاصي
4- سرية ابو دجانة
5- سرية الشهيد ابو عبدالله
6- سرية طلحة الخير
7- سرية قتيبة بن مسلم الباهلي
8- سرية عمرو بن العاص
9- السرية الاولى للمهام الخاصة
10- السرية الثانية للمهام الخاصة
11- السرية الثالثة للمهام الخاصة

December 17th, 2011, 11:20 pm

 

syria no kandahar said:

Sariet :MB rah yaklo kara

December 17th, 2011, 11:27 pm

 

Revlon said:

المجلس الأعلى لقيادة الثورة السورية

14/12/12011 Wednesday at 2:29pm
http://www.facebook.com/Syrian.Supreme.Council

في حديث خاص مع الدكتور برهان غليون تم منذ ساعات لإذاعة الثورة السورية :

ابدى إستياءه الشديد من البيروقراطية في المجلس الوطني التي أدت إلى تأخير إتمام إجراءات السفر و الفيز للممثلي الحراك الثوري ,و علمنا منه أن اجتماع المجلس الوطني في تونس المزمع عقده يوم 17 – 19 / 12 , لن يكون حقيقا و فاعلاً إذا لم يكن ممثلي الحراك الثوري الحقيقين متواجدين ,و علمنا أيضاً أنه يرغب في تواجد ممثلي الحراك الثوري في مؤتمر تونس بشكل كبير و حتى لو لم يكونوا أعضاء في المجلس الوطني , لأن هذه الثورة هي ثورتهم و هم من صنعوها , و قد طالب أعضاء المكتب التنفيذي في تنفيذ ذلك منذ أكثر من ثلاث اسابيع .

و قد استشفينا أيضاً أنه رغب في توسيع المجلس لزيادة عدد ممثلي الحراك الثوري من كافة التجمعات و التكتلات التي لا يوجد لها تمثيل حتى الآن في المجلس الوطني ,و لكن كان هناك عقبات كثيرة توضع في وجهه من أجل إجراء التوسعة المنشودة , و قد قرر أن سيدرج بند توسعة المجلس الوطني على أجندة الإجتماع في تونس ,و ان موقفه من التوسعة لتشمل كافة ممثلي الحراك الثوري موقف واضح لا تراجع فيه .

أما عن التحرك الدولي الذي تم في الاسابيع الماضية و ما يحصل من مجازر في سوريا و خصوصا في حمص و أدلب و ريف دمشق , فقد استطعنا أن نفهم بأن ما يحصل من مجازر على يد النظام هو أقصى ما يمكن ان نراه في القرن العشرين , و لا يوجد إنسان على وجه الأرض يمكنه السكوت عنها أوتجاهلها . وأنّ المجتمع الدولي لن يقف مكتوف الأيدي أمام محاولات روسيا لإعاقة قرار دولي لإدانة الأسد، بل سيسعى إلى تشكيل إئتلاف دولي خارج الإمم المتحدة ومجلس الأمن إن اضطر إلى ذلك .

أما عن موقفه من الحظر الجوي و التدخل الدولي , فقد أجاب بأنه يعمل على إقناع المجتمع الدولي بتطبيق الحظر الجوي عن طريق تأمين الممرات الأمنة . و بالنسبة للتدخل الدولي , فقد قال نحن امامنا حالة ولادة , فأما أن تتم بشكل طبيعي و إما اننا سنضطر لعملية جراحية قيصيرية . و أكد على ان الحراك الثوري في الارض هو من يشرع التدخل من أجل تأمين الحمابة الدولية للمدنين أو يمنع عنه الشرعية ,و انه كرئيس للمجلس الوطني , لن يكون إلا ممثلاً وناقلاً لطلبات الحراك الثوري .

أما عن دعم الجيش الحر , فقد أكد أن دعم الجيش الحر بكافة السبل هو هدف المجلس الوطني لكي يكونوا راس الحربة في عملية تحرير سوريا .

December 17th, 2011, 11:32 pm

 

jad said:

Turkey is preparing for war and it is trying to communicate withe the Syrian ‘minorities’, my guess the Syrian Alawites and the Syrian Kurds, where both don’t even trust turkey, will see how it’ll go.

تركيا تستعد للحرب… وتبحث التواصل مع أقليات سوريا!
محمد نور الدين

كرر وزير الخارجية التركي احمد داود اوغلو انه لم تعد هناك فائدة في الكلام مع دمشق، في وقت أعلنت أنقرة أنها سترفع مسـتوى جاهزيتها العسكرية تحسبا لأي سيناريو في المنطقة.

ورد كلام داود اوغلو، خلال مناقشات البرلمان للموازنة التركية الجديدة، ردا على أسئلة النواب عن العلاقة مع سوريا، فقال انه ليس صحيحا ما قاله زعيم المعارضة كمال كيليتشدار اوغلو من أن الأتراك استفاقوا صباح احد الأيام فوجدوا أن العلاقات انهارت مع سوريا.

واعتبر أن تركيا ليست التي خربت العلاقات مع سوريا بل هي بدأت المحاولات مع سوريا منذ تسعة أشهر، واستخدمت كل الإمكانات والقنوات من أجل وقف العنف. وأضاف «لقد شجعنا (الرئيس بشار) الأسد على الإصغاء لشعبه. وهو الشيء الوحيد الذي طلبناه منه. قلنا له تصالح مع الشعب في الشارع. ولا تنظر إليهم على أنهم تهديد. والنظام الذي ينظر إلى شعبه على انه خطر لا يمكن أن يستمر. واتفقنا على خريطة طريق، وقالوا إنهم سيوقفون العنف فورا، وما عدا حمص سينسحبون من كل المدن السورية. وانسحبوا من حماه لكنهم دخلوا في المقابل إلى اللاذقية. وقد رأينا انه لا فائدة من استمرار التحدث مع القيادة السورية».

وقال داود اوغلو إنهم اتفقوا مع النظام على إجراء انتخابات نيابية خلال العام الحالي، لكنهم لم يفعلوا ذلك وقتلوا أكثر من خمسة آلاف شخص. وأوضح أن تركيا ستواصل اللقاءات مع شعوب المنطقة ومجموعاتها.

وأشاد الوزير التركي بالعلاقات مع إيران، قائلا ان أحدا لا يمكن أن يلقي عليها ظلالا وأن يخربها.

في هذا الوقت، لفت البيان الذي صدر عن اجتماع مجلس الشورى العسكري التركي، الذي انعقد برئاسة رئيس الحكومة رجب طيب اردوغان في أول نشاط رسمي له بعد العملية الجراحية التي أجراها في الجهاز الهضمي، وكانت سببا لتأجيل اجتماع مجلس الشورى العسكري إلى أول أمس.

وجاء في البيان المختصر جدا أن المجلس «تناول التدابير التي اتخذتها القوات المسلحة لجهة حفظ الأمن الداخلي والأمن الحدودي. وإذ بحث المجلس في وضع الجهوزية الحربية للقوات المسلحة قرر في هذا الإطار اتخاذ الإجراءات اللازمة لمواجهة الاحتياجات التي يتطلبها الوضع».

وفي معلومات صحيفة «يني شفق» الموالية لحزب العدالة والتنمية أن الاجتماع قد بحث بشكل خاص الوضع في سوريا وفي شرق المتوسط في ضوء التصاعد في التوتر والسيناريوهات المتصلة بهذا الوضع. كما تناول بشكل مفصل الموقفين الروسي والإيراني من نظام الدرع الصاروخي، كما بحث المجلس التوتر في العلاقات مع قبرص ومع إسرائيل.

وأوردت صحيفة «صباح»، على صعيد آخر، أن أنقرة قررت المبادرة إلى عقد لقاءات مع ممثلين للأقليات في سوريا لمزيد من عزل نظام الأسد. وقالت إن قلق الأقليات مما قد يحدث في حال سقوط النظام هو الذي يجعلها تقدم الدعم له، لذا قررت أنقرة عقد لقاءات مع ممثلين للأقليات المذهبية والدينية والاتنية لتبديد هذا القلق وإعطاء ضمانات لها بأنه سيكون هناك مكان للجميع في النظام الذي سيقوم بعد سقوط الأسد.

وقالت الصحيفة إن اللقاءات ستبدأ بعد نهاية العام الحالي وستكون رسالة تركيا للأقليات في سوريا على الشكل التالي:

1ـ أوجدوا مسافة بينكم وبين النظام

2ـ الوضع الحالي في سوريا يضر بالجميع

3ـ سوريا ستدار بالديموقراطية

وقالت الصحيفة إن مجلس الأمن القومي التركي الذي سينعقد نهاية الشهر الحالي سوف يناقش بشكل تفصيلي العلاقات التركية ـ السورية والقـرارات الاقتصادية ذات الصلة بالعلاقات. كما ســيتم عرض تقرير استخباراتي شامل عن الديناميات السورية الداخلية.

وقال داود أوغلو «ان سياسة أنقرة في الشرق الأوسط جعلت إسرائيل تركع أمامها وأدت إلى عزل الدولة العبرية في المنطقة». وأضاف «تركيا تتصرف بشكل مستقل في ما يتعلق بالانتـفاضات الأخـيرة ضد الأنظمة الاســتبدادية في الشرق الأوسط وبلدان شمال افريقيا»، مشيراً إلى ان تركيا لم تقف يوما صامتة في مواجهة القمع كما لم تقف يوما مع الأنظمة الاستبدادية والقمعية بل وقفت دائما مع الشعوب المطالبة بالديموقراطية».

http://www.assafir.com/Article.aspx?EditionID=2029&ChannelID=48140&ArticleID=1852

December 17th, 2011, 11:33 pm

 

Revlon said:

A great Rap song from defiant Aleppines dedicated to the Syrian revolution:

THE SYRIAN PEOPLE

Alsha3b alsouri…. الشعب السوري

December 17th, 2011, 11:41 pm

 

jad said:

الجامعة العربية تدفع لتدويل الأزمة السورية

خاص بالموقع – يبدو أن الأمور سارت في اتجاه معاكس بعد المؤتمر الصحفي لوزير الخارجية القطري حمد بن جاسم عقب اجتماع للجنة وزارية حول الشأن السوري في الدوحة، إذ لوّح بإمكانية الطلب من مجلس الامن الدولي تبني المبادرة العربية حول سوريا. ذلك بعد “المؤشرات الإيجابية” لنائب الامين العام للجامعة العربية،

التي جعلته يتحدث عن امكانية قريبة لقبول سوري بإرسال مراقبين عرب، بالإضافة إلى “المحادثات الإيجابية” التي أجراها الوفد العراقي مع الرئيس السوري بشار الأسد حول المبادرة العراقية لحل الأزمة السورية.

أوضح وزير الخارجية القطري حمد بن جاسم، اليوم السبت، إثر اجتماع لجنة المتابعة الوزارية العربية للملف السوري، أنه “يأمل من سوريا التوقيع على المبادرة العربية خلال يومين والا فسنطلب من مجلس الامن تبني المبادرة العربية بشان الازمة السورية في حال لم يتم التوقيع”، واضاف “كنا نأمل بترك الخيار للشعب السوري في تحديد مصيره بالتنسيق مع الحكومة السورية الا اننا لم نجد الا التصعيد من جانب النظام”، ورأى المسؤول القطري أنه لا يوجد بصيص أمل يشير إلى نهاية تلبي طموحات الشعب السوري، “نحن قلقون من تحول الأزمة بسوريا إلى حرب أهلية إن لم تكن قد تحولت بالفعل”.

واعتبر بن جاسم ان اجتماع وزراء الخارجية العرب في القاهرة في 21 كانون الاول سيكون اجتماعا هاما وحاسما، مشيراً إلى أن كل الخيارات باتت مفتوحة اعتبارا من اليوم في التعامل مع الملف السوري. وتوجّه للحكومة السورية قائلاً “لا تلعبوا على موضوع الوقت بل حاولوا تقصير الوقت وحل المشكلة مع الشعب”.

وأعلن الأمين العام لجامعة الدول العربية نبيل العربي بعد اجتماع اللجنة الوزارية، الذي لم يشارك فيه الجانب السوري، ان “الوزراء العرب متفقون على أنه لا بد من تأمين الحماية للشعب السوري وأنه لا يمكن الاستتمرار بهذه الحالة”.

وفي وقت سابق اليوم، توجه وفد عراقي الى القاهرة للاجتماع بمسؤولين في الجامعة العربية بعد “محادثات ايجابية” اجراها مع الرئيس السوري بشار الاسد في دمشق وتناولت المبادرة العراقية لحل الازمة السورية.

كما تحدث نائب الامين العام للجامعة العربية احمد بن حلي، قبل الاجتماع الوزراي العربي في الدوحة، عن “مؤشرات ايجابية” من سوريا، التي يمكن ان تقبل ارسال مراقبين عرب. واضاف “اتوقع ان التوقيع سيتم قريبا” على بروتوكول الاتفاق على ارسال مراقبين الى سوريا. وكان قد نقل عن مصدر سوري مطلع، تأكيده أن “اللجنة العربية لبحث الأزمة في سوريا وافقت على أغلب التعديلات التي أدخلتها دمشق على بروتوكول الجامعة العربية بحيث صار قابلا للتوقيع عليه”، لكن أفيد عن قرار تأجيل سوريا التوقيع على مذكرة ارسال المراقبين بعد موتمر لجنة المتابعة الوزارية العربية.

(الأخبار، رويترز، ا ف ب، يو بي آي)
http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/27935

December 17th, 2011, 11:42 pm

 

jad said:

It seems that the SNC gave a black list to the Tunisian authority not to let those people in the country:

Lama Atassi Février
هل تعلمون ان تونس اللتي تحتضن المجلس منعت دخول اكثر من عضو من المجلس بحجة الفيزا و طلب من احدهم مراجعه السفاره السوريه علما بان كل من يذهب هناك يصادر جوازه المفارقة أن كل المعنين كانوا من اعضاء المجلس الغير راضيين عن مساره و كانوا سيعلنوا معارضتهم, لكن الحمد الله بفضل معونة و تضامن التوانسة مع قيادي المجلس تم اللازم و ابعدوا المشاغبين فما ان وصلوا المطار تم ترحيلهم ان المعارض الشريف عليه ان يذوق محاربة النظام له و إقصاء البعث الجديد اللمثل بقيادة سفينة نوح المجلس الموقر

Ashraf Almoukdad
الإسلاميون يضيقون الحيل حول اعناق من لا يوافقهم الراي ويتعاونون عربيا الان علينا نحن الغبر مقتنعين معهم بجنتهم على الارض؟؟؟؟الا يعتبر منعي دخول تونس بغير حق اليوم بناء على طلب إسلاميوننا تدخلا خارجيا بشؤون معارضتنا…وإستقواء بالخارج ضدنا نحن المعارضون الغير اسلاميين؟الا يعتبر هذا إقصاء “بالقوة” بعد ان كان إقصاء بالمكر؟…اليس هذا ببادرة إنذار لما سوف ياتي؟

Ashraf Almoukdad
عاجل جدا : الحكومة التونسية الإسلامية الجديدة ترفض دخول المعارض السوري أشرف المقداد:
رفضت الخطوط الجوية التونسية حمل المعارض السوري أشرف المقداد والذي يسافر بجوازي سفر نيوزيلاندي واسترالي واللذين لا يحتاجا الى أي فيزا مسبقة بناء على أمر من وزارة الخارجية التونسية…وعندم احتجاج المعارض السوري على هذه المعاملة بحكم عدم وجود أي سبب لرفض الدخول وبحسب الإتفاقات الدولية المعقودة بين استراليا ونيوزيلاند اجاب مدبر محطة الخطوط الجوية باعتذاره ولوم “الناس الجدد” في وزارة الخارجية (يعني الإسلاميين)الذين وضعوا اسم المعارض أشرف المقداد على لائحة الممنوعين ضاربين بعرض الحائط بالقوانين المعمولة علما ان المعارض السوري ذاهب الى تونس ليراقب أعمال مؤتمر المجلس السوري المعرض والمسيطر عليه من إسلاميي سورية
السفارتين الاسترالية والنيوزيلاندية قد بعثتا باستفسارات للحكومة التونسية
وحتى اصالات مع الرئيس الجديد اوضحت موازين القوى الجديدة في تونس وقوة الإسلاميين
سأوافيكم بالتفاصيل بعد قليل

Ashraf Almoukdad
عاجل جدا من تونس:
تفاجا مسؤول تونسي عن العدد الكبير من الطاولات الفارغة في المؤتمر وعنما سال اجيب أن الكثير من المشاركين لم يصلوا بعد….العجيب أن الاوتيل نفسه يسال نفس السؤال وهناك قلق من أن لا يدفع أبو شفايف الحساب كامل للغرف المحجوزة وغبر المشغولة سؤالي لماذا تغيب هذا العدد الضخم عن هذا المؤتمر؟ هل تغييب هذا العدد هو بسبب الفيزا التي لم تصدر بامر ابو شفايف أم عدول عدد كبير عن المشاركة لأسابا تتعلق بالمحلس وطرقة ادارته؟ولماذا لا يفصح المجلس عن عدد المشاركين وعن وجود العدد المطلوب شرعيا لي قرار أو انتخاب؟؟؟؟؟؟اي مايسمى بالنصاب الشرعي!!!نصب عن حق وحقيق

The hotel reservation bill is $260.000, who is paying all this money?

Ashraf Almoukdad
الى جميع السوريين
سيعقد احتماع المجلس الوطني في اوتيل الريجنسي في الجمرات في تونس العاصمة
فمن يريد أن يعبر عن رايه بالمجلس أو بشارك به كواجب أي سوري فهذا هو العنوان السري جدا ….الاوتيل محجوز كله وبكلفة اربع مئة الف دينار تونسي اي مايقارب المئتين ويتسن الف دولار…عدا الزيادات المتوقعة…الدفيعو مجهولي الهوية للأن وسنخبركم بما يصلنا….حتى لو منعونا من الحضور

December 17th, 2011, 11:56 pm

 

aldendeshe said:

“…the MB. The MB at least, has some morals…

Coming from an Israeli begging Americans to provides more funds and training to the MB to trash Syria and send it back few hundred years. slitting fellow Syrians throat with a dull knife as we seen on video on this blog is what you can call “Israeli morals”

December 18th, 2011, 12:10 am

 

jad said:

Syrians stuck between all kinds of criminals, the mafia of the corrupted regime, the criminals of the security forces, the terrorists of the armed militia, the paid politicians who keep calling for more violence and destruction, and all kind of radicals this region can have….not to forget the hypocrisy of the ‘just’, ‘fair’ and ‘humane’ west……fffffffff

اعتقال رئيس فرع الأمن العسكري بحمص بعد ثبوت علاقته بالعصابات الإجرامية المسلحة

العميد محمد زمريني وضباطه أطلقوا سراح العشرات من المسلحين وسمحوا لهم بإدخال السلاح من لبنان مقابل مبالغ مالية طائلة وفرتها دولة عربية!؟

دمشق ، الحقيقة ( خاص): كشف مصدر خاص لـ”الحقيقة” أن رئيس فرع المخابرات العسكرية بحمص ، العميد محمد زمريني ( وهو من منطقة صافيتا في محافظة طرطوس)، معتقل منذ شهرين على الأقل في مقر “الفرع 293 “( فرع الضباط ) بمقر قيادة شعبة المخابرات العسكرية بدمشق. وقال مصدر واسع الاطلاع “إن زمريني وحوالي 90 بالمئة من ضباط وعناصر فرع حمص هم رهن الاعتقال أيضا في الفرع نفسه بعد ثبوت علاقتهم المالية بالعصابات الإجرامية المسلحة في حمص ، وبشكل خاص العصابة التي كان يقودها بلال الكن”. وأوضح المصدر بالقول” إن القصة افتضح أمرها بعد مقتل المجرم بلال الكن وعدد من أعضاء تنظيمه أوائل أيلول / سبتمبر الماضي ، حيث تبين أنهم كانوا جميعا معتقلين في فرع المخابرات العسكرية قبل مقتلهم بأسبوع أو أسبوعين، وجرى إخلاء سبيلهم مقابل مبالغ مالية طائلة وفرتها لرئيس الفرع وضباطه جهة خارجية عن طريقة عائلة في حمص على علاقة بالإخوان المسلمين وبعشائر لها امتدادات في السعودية والأردن”. وكشف المصدر أن زمريني وضباطه” سهّلوا للمجموعات المسلحة إدخال كميات كبيرة من الأسلحة بأنواعها المختلفة من شمال لبنان لقاء ملايين الليرات السورية”. وطبقا للمصدر ، فإن المخابرات الجوية هي التي اكتشفت القضية ، وأن ” رئيس فرع المخابرات العامة في حمص أيضا ، والعديد من ضباطه وعناصره جرى اعتقالهم أيضا على الخلفية نفسها”!

وكان بلال الكن يتزعم “كتيبة خالد بن الوليد” فيما يسمى “الجيش السوري الحر”، وينسب إليه العديد من “عمليات الخطف والقتل في حمص وضواحيها ، وفق شهادات عدد من المسلحين الذين عملوا معه وجرى اعتقالهم لاحقا”. ومن المعلوم أن “الكن” ، الذي اشتهر بوحشيته وإجرامه البربري خلال السنوات الماضية ، قبل أن يتحول إلى ” مجاهد ثوري” مع العديد من أفراد عصابته بعد اندلاع الانتفاضة السورية، يعتبر أبرز زعماء عصابات الشبيحة والمهربين وتجار المخدرات التي أطلقها ورعاها محافظ حمص السابق إياد غزال مقابل نسبة معينة من مداخيلها!

وينحدر “الكن” ، الذي لم يتلق من التعليم إلا القليل وكان شبه أمي، من حي “جورة الشياح” في حمص القديمة ، حيث عرف عن عدد كبير من أفراد عائلته بأنهم “عصابة إياد غزال” إلى حد أن مثلا شعبيا أصبح دارجا في المدينة يجري استخدامه حين يراد السخرية من أحد الزعران، فيقال “صاير من بيت الكن”! وتلفظ الكنية بطريقة أقرب إلى حرف “الغين” العربي أو ” G” في اللغة الإنكليزية.

يشار في هذا السياق إلى أن عددا من أبرز عناصر ” كتيبة خال بن الوليد” ، وهم من شبيحة إياد غزال وعصابات التهريب والمخدرات التي رعاها ، والذين تحولوا لاحقا إلى “مجاهدين”، قتلوا مع ” بلال الكن” أو نتيجة مباشرة لمقتله. وأبرز هؤلاء خالد عبد العزيز مراد ، راتب الفرملي، حسين كيخيا ، محمد طالب ، خالد رومية، أحمد عادل الجراج و طارق المصري.

هذا ويحفل التاريخ السوري البعيد والقريب بنماذج حقيرة من الضباط الذين دفعهم جشعهم وفسادهم حتى إلى التعاون مع “خصومهم” المفترضين. ويبرز في هذا المجال قائد الشرطة العسكرية الأسبق وأحد أبرز المقربين من حافظ الأسد ، العميد علي المدني. فقد ثبت خلال التحقيقات التي أجرتها السلطة مع قيادات ” الأخوان المسلمين” مطلع الثمانينيات أن المدني استغل إشراف وحدات الشرطة العسكرية على عدد من حواجز الطرق الدولية التي تربط سوريا مع الدول المجاورة لتسهيل مرور السلاح والمقاتلين إلى الأخوان المسلمين إبان تلك الفترة. لكن الأسد الأب ، وبدلا من معاقبته ، “كافأه” بأن عينه سفيرا في اليونان. وهو ما سيقوم به لاحقا ابنه بشار الأسد ، حيث كافأ صديقه وربيبه إياد غزال على جرائمه حين سمح له بالسفر مؤخرا عبر مطار دمشق الدولي إلى الإمارات العربية بموجب ” استثناء خاص” رغم أنه منع من السفر فور عزله مطلع نيسان / أبريل الماضي. وقد خرج حاملا معه عشرات ملايين الدولارات التي نهبها ، فضلا عن حقائب مليئة بما خف وزنه وغلا ثمنه!!

December 18th, 2011, 12:16 am

 

majedkhaldoun said:

The news from Iraq are getting important, Al Maliki under instructions from Iran wanted to oust Saleh al Mutlaq, and al Hashimi,very soon there will be major revolt against Maliki,by Al Iraqyeh , who will be gone first Maliki or booha?

The Malki departure will upset syrian regime supporters.

December 18th, 2011, 1:05 am

 

N.Z. said:

This is what Dr. Burhan Ghalyoun truly said. I was one of the first to misinterpret what SNC leader said, rushing to judgement, based on other people’s intentional distortion of his own words or misreading them, like myself.

Thanks to Khaled Hroub for the clarification. At the end of the article, you will find two links, Haaretz and Jadaliyya, compare to his actual words. A lesson, we should all learn from.

الهجوم على برهان غليون: من «اغتيال العقل» إلى «اغتيال السياسة
الأحد, 18 ديسيمبر 2011
خالد الحروب *

الذين يعرفون برهان غليون عن قرب وعلى مدار سنوات طويلة يعرفون إخلاص وصلابة هذا المثقف العميق لكل قضية لها علاقة بتحرر العرب من الاستبداد والدكتاتورية. ويعرفون مدى تشبثه وإيمانه بالإرادة الشعبية وقدرتها على الانفكاك من هيمنة السلطات الداخلية وتجبر القوى الخارجية. انشغالاته الفكرية والنظرية التي يعرفها مثقفون وطلاب وأكاديميون في طول وعرض العالم العربي لم تبرح قضايا تحرير العقل من الأوهام، وتحرير البشر من الاستبداد. ما كتبه عن «اغتيال العقل» و «بيان من أجل الديموقراطية» و «الاختيار الديموقراطي في سورية»، و «أدوار المثقفين»، جزء من اهتمام أوسع بقضايا استحوذت جهده وتفكيره. في منفاه الباريسي، دارساً ثم محاضراً في السوربون، كان سهلاً عليه أن يركل جانباً كل قضايا العرب ومجتمعاتهم وينحاز إلى أنانية أكاديمية تبدع في شأن من شؤون الفلسفة أو الاجتماع النظري وتبقى محلقة في أبراجها العاجية. هناك ألوف من الأكاديميين العرب في الجامعات الغربية فضلوا أن يغرقوا في علومهم المتخصصة والضيقة بأنانية الباحث المفهومة.

كاتب «اغتيال العقل» يتعرض اليوم لـ «اغتيال سياسي» فج وبشع من قبل كثيرين قرروا اغتيال عقولهم والحد الأدنى من الإنصاف والموضوعية قبل دلق أحكامهم بالتخوين والتكفير والعمالة. إسلاميون وقوميون وماركسيون وغيرهم هجموا على برهان غليون في أعقاب مقتبسات قصيرة مترجمة بطريقة سخيفة وغير دقيقة من مقابلة في غاية الأهمية أجرتها معه «وول ستريت جورنال» الأميركية في منزله في باريس. في المقابلة المذكورة تحدث غليون وبالعمق المشهود له عن قضايا شائكة في الشأن السوري: الطائفية والمواطنة، الدولة والنظام والأجهزة الأمنية، العلمانية والشريعة، خيارات السوريين والتدخل الخارجي، سورية الجديدة بعد سقوط النظام وعلاقاتها الخارجية، وسوى ذلك كثير. في جانب العلاقات الخارجية أجاب عن سؤالين حول العلاقة مع إيران و «حزب الله»، وهي الإجابة التي أثارت عليه أعشاش دبابير حلفاء نظام الأسد والمدافعين عن جرائمه ضد شعبه. معظم التعليقات والاتهامات التي وجهت إلى برهان غليون بسبب تلك الإجابة اقترفت ثلاث خطايا في آن معاً: الأولى لها علاقة بفهم وتناقل ما قاله غليون فعلاً (نقلاً عن الترجمة غير الدقيقة للنص الإنكليزي)، مع تحريف ما قيل وتضخيمه، والثانية لها علاقة بالمنطق و «العقل» حيث يفترض النقاد أن على «المجلس الوطني» والثورة السورية وسورية ما بعد الأسد ممارسة الحب مع إيران و «حزب الله» والامتنان لهما بعد موقفهما من الثورة، والثالثة في اعتبار ما قال غليون (سواء بدقة أو محرفاً) وكأنه القول الفصل في تشكيل سورية ما بعد البعث. فهنا غليون يعبر عن رأيه وتطلعاته وبالتأكيد لا يريد ولا يستطيع حتى إن أراد أن يفرض ذلك الرأي وتلك التطلعات على كل السوريين، وإلا لتحول إلى دكتاتور آخر. كما أن من السذاجة الافتراض أن سورية الجديدة سوف تخضع لرأي شخص واحد مهما كان، بل إن في ذلك إهانة للشعب السوري وثورته والمستقبل الذي يريد.

وقبل إيراد ما ورد على لسان غليون في تلك المقابلة (استناداً إلى النص الأصلي الإنكليزي) وفي شأن علاقات سورية المستقبلية مع إيران و «حزب الله» و «حماس»، من المفيد التعريج سريعاً على واحدة من أهم الموضوعات التي وردت في المقابلة المذكورة، وهي لا تقل أهمية إن لم تكن أهم مما ذكر عن العلاقة مع إيران، وبهدف وضع الموضوع في إطار المقابلة الأوسع وعناوينها العديدة. تحدث غليون عن الوحدة الوطنية، والطائفية في سورية، وقال إن خطوط التواصل بين المعارضة والعلويين على وجه الخصوص مفتوحة تماماً وإن الكثيرين منهم يقفون وبقوة في صف المعارضة. وقد أراد النظام أن تظهر الطائفة العلوية شريكة في الجرائم التي قام بها، فيما واقع الأمر ليس كذلك. بل على العكس، فإن النظام عامل العلويين بسوء بالغ، والشريحة العلوية التي استفادت من النظام صغيرة جداً. ثم تحدث عن استغلال النظام للبعد الطائفي وتخويفه المسيحيين مثلاً من أي تغيير قد يحصل في سورية. وقال إن النظام قام عملياً برهن الطوائف المختلفة وإثارة عداواتها ضد بعضها البعض بهدف الحفاظ على السلطة لا أكثر. وعاد غليون إلى التاريخ السوري الحديث قبل سيطرة عهود حكم البعث حيث كان البعد الطائفي غائباً تماماً في الحياة الوطنية. وأشار إلى الأدوار الكبيرة التي لعبتها شخصيات بارزة في التاريخ الوطني الحديث لسورية، حيث كان المسيحي فارس الخوري أول رئيس وزراء لسورية بعد الاستقلال، وكان متصدرو الحركة الاستقلالية وقياداتها يتوزعون على الطوائف من دون أية محاصصة أو ادعاء أو انتماء طائفي، ومنهم سالح العلي – العلوي، وسلطان باشا الأطرش – الدرزي، وإبراهيم حنانو – الكردي، وحسن الخراط – السني. ثم أجمل غليون رؤية «المجلس الوطني» لسورية ما بعد الأسد إزاء المسألة الطائفية والأقليات وقال إن التمييز على أساس طائفي أو إثني سيعتبر جريمة، وانه لا فرق بين الأقلية والغالبية، والجميع متساوون على مبدأ المواطنة، وأضاف إن هناك وعياً بضرورة تفادي التجربتين اللبنانية والعراقية اللتين كرستا الطائفية. كما رفض غليون وصف ما يحدث بأنه حرب أهلية، بسبب بعض الاحتكاكات الطائفية، التي سببتها سياسات النظام الطائفية التي تحاول تأليب الناس ضد بعضهم البعض. وقال أن هناك بعض الظواهر والممارسات السلبية، لكن هناك وعياً عميقاً بعدم الانزلاق إلى الحرب الأهلية وأن شعار «لا للطائفية» من أهم الشعارات المرفوعة في كل التظاهرات في سورية.

الآن، وفي تناول ما قاله غليون بدقة، فإن إجابته عن العلاقة مع إيران هي التالية: «العلاقة الحالية مع إيران غير طبيعية، وهي غير مسبوقة في تاريخ السياسة الخارجية السورية. سورية الجديدة سوف تكون جزءاً لا يتجزأ من الجامعة العربية، وسوف تعمل على تحسين دور الجامعة العربية ودور الدول العربية إقليمياً، وبخاصة أنها (أي جامعة الدول العربية والدول العربية) اتخذت قراراً تاريخياً وغير مسبوق لدعم الشعب السوري. سورية في قلب المشرق العربي، ولا يمكن أن تعيش خارج إطار علاقاتها مع الجزيرة العربية، ودول الخليج، ومصر، والدول العربية الأخرى. نحتاج إلى دعم اقتصادي واستثماري من أشقائنا العرب في المستقبل. ومستقبلنا مرتبط بحق بالعالم العربي والخليج على وجه التحديد. وفي المستقبل سوف نحتاج إلى مساعدة حقيقية مالية واقتصادية لإعادة بناء سورية. علاقاتنا مع إيران سوف يُعاد النظر فيها مثل بقية الدول في المنطقة، كي تكون قائمة على تبادل المصالح الاقتصادية والديبلوماسية، وفي إطار تحسين الاستقرار في المنطقة، ولن تكون علاقة خاصة. لن تكون هناك علاقة خاصة مع إيران. وهذه هي القضية الأساسية، أي التحالف العسكري. إنهاء العلاقة الخاصة معناه إنهاء التحالف العسكري الاستراتيجي، لكننا لا نمانع في استمرار العلاقات الاقتصادية».

ما المشكلة في كل ذلك؟ لماذا يريد نقاد غليون أن تبقى سورية حديقة خلفية لإيران ونفوذها وسياساتها؟ ولماذا يرفضون أن تلعب سورية الجديدة دوراً مستقلاً في قلب المنطقة العربية وتعيد حشد طاقة عربية جديدة ليكون لها دور إقليمي؟ الكل يتباكى على غياب دور إقليمي عربي في ظل تقاسم المنطقة بين نفوذ تركي وآخر إيراني. أليس من المنطق تأييد توجه غليون وبأمل أن يكون التوجه الجماعي بعد الثورات العربية، أي بناء كتلة عربية مستقلة وفاعلة في الإقليم؟ إضافة إلى ذلك ما المشكلة في إنهاء العلاقة الخاصة مع إيران وأن تعود إلى شكل طبيعي متوازن؟

في الإجابة عن السؤال الخاص بـ «حزب الله» قال غليون ما يأتي: «علاقتنا مع لبنان ستكون علاقة تعاون واعتراف متبادل وتبادلات قائمة على المصالح، وبحيث نعمل مع لبنان على تحسين الاستقرار في المنطقة. وكما ستتغير علاقتنا مع إيران فإن علاقتنا مع حزب الله ستتغير. حزب الله بعد سقوط النظام السوري لن يبقى كما هو، ولبنان يجب أن لا يُستخدم ساحة لتصفية الحسابات السياسية كما كان يحصل أيام الأسد. أما حماس فقد انتقلت إلى سياسة جديدة وهي تعمل الآن مع منظمة التحرير لتوحيد الفلسطينيين، ولن تكون حماس المدعومة من قبل النظام السوري. علاقتنا مع حماس ستكون من خلال علاقتنا مع منظمة التحرير من ناحية سياسية ومن خلال علاقتنا مع المجتمع المدني الفلسطيني».

مرة أخرى، أين «الطامة الكبرى» التي استدعت ذلك النواح المقاوم الكبير على هذه التصريحات؟ أين المشكلة عندما يرسم غليون صورة لسورية ما بعد نظام الأسد وهي ترسم علاقاتها مع «حزب الله» الذي وقف ضد ثورتها، ويقول ستكون علاقتنا مع الدولة اللبنانية، وقائمة على احترام سيادتها. وأن سورية الجديدة ستكون مع الفلسطينيين موحدين وليس مع طرف منهم ضد الطرف الآخر؟ أصحاب مقامات المناحة المقاومية يريدون دولاً «ساحات» تعج فيها الفوضى وسمتها الدمار الشامل. الشيء الوحيد المُشتعل فيها هو ضجيج الشعارات التي تهدد إسرائيل والإمبريالية بالويل والثبور. في واقع الأمر يقول غليون إن من قتلهم نظام المقاومة والممانعة من شعبه، من الشعب السوري الثائر، تجاوزوا حتى الآن من قتلتهم إسرائيل في حرب تشرين. عند كثيرين هذا كله وغيره لا يهم. ما يهم هو الشعار الطنان!

* محاضر وأكاديمي – جامعة كامبردج، بريطانيا

khaled.hroub@yhaoo.com

http://www.haaretz.com/news/middle-east/syria-opposition-leader-we-would-drop-iran-hezbollah-ties-1.399319

http://www.jadaliyya.com/pages/index/3398/the-plot-thickens_ghalyouns-%E2%80%9Cill-conceived%E2%80%9D-statem

Here is the full interview, link.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203833104577071960384240668.html

December 18th, 2011, 1:08 am

 

ann said:

Correspondent of Spanish ABC Newspaper: There Are Libyan Fighters in Idleb

Dec 17, 2011

MADRID – Correspondent of the Spanish ABC newspaper, Daniel Iriarte, revealed in a report from Idleb Province, northern Syria, that there are Libyan fighters in border areasin Idleb.

The Spanish correspondent, who stayed in Kansafreh village in Idleb with a team of Spanish journalists, said that three Libyans, who showed their IDs, told him that they are close to the current military ruler in Tripoli, Abdul-Karim Balhaj, and were formerly linked to al-Qaeda.

Iriarte said that one of those three Libyans, who is named Mahdi al-Hatari, was well known by the correspondents who covered the battles between the forces of the Libyan Transitional Council and the Libyan forces, as he was the former leader of Tripoli Brigade.

The second Libyan, called Adam Keikali, told the ABC’ correspondent that he worked in Tripoli and lived as a refugee in Britain for two decades.

Iriarte added that the third Libyan is named Fu’ad and seems to be just a companion, pointing out that Adam confirmed that they came to Syria with other few tens of Libyans.

In this framework, News 1 website published an article by journalist Pazit Ravina in which he talked about the Qatari role in what is happening in Syria, saying that Qatar is involved in operational acts against Syria represented in sending shipments of weapons and Libyan fighters into Syria.

December 18th, 2011, 1:47 am

 

Revlon said:

Jr insits on aligning the AL agreement with the status quo on the ground in Syria, by replacing all of the wordings of its document that serve the goal of protecting civilians, one at a time, with alternates that legitimise the ongoing crackdown by his forces.

The latest meeting of the AL Committee took hours to debate the request made by the Algerian regime on behalf of its Syrian counterpart to swap the term – protection of “civilians” -, for – protection of “citizens” -.

The counter suggestion by the committee – protection of “unarmed citizens” – was adamantly rejected!!

Syrian National Council المجلس الوطني السوري
سوريا: من الدوحة إلى مجلس الأمن؟
طارق الحميد/ الشرق الأوسط
18/12/2011
http://www.facebook.com/TheSyrianNationalCouncil
يقول رئيس الوزراء القطري الشيخ حمد بن جاسم إنه طالما قدمت روسيا مشروعا خاصا بسوريا لمجلس الأمن فإن العرب سيفعلون الأمر نفسه ويرفعون مبادرتهم تجاه سوريا لمجلس الأمن، فهل نحن أمام تنافس «مبادرات» عربية – روسية وعراقية، أم أن العرب، وتحديدا اللجنة الوزارية، قد توصلوا لقناعة أن النظام الأسدي لا يجيد إلا المراوغة؟
بالطبع لا أحد يملك إجابة قاطعة، لكن بعض التفاصيل قد تساعد على الوصول لتحليل مفيد. ففي الدوحة، مثلا، يوم أمس، كان الاجتماع الوزاري العربي الخاص بسوريا أشبه بعملية تضييع وقت وتسويف، من قبل النظام الأسدي. صحيح أن أحدا لم يحضر من النظام، لكن كان هناك من يدافع عنهم بضراوة، وهو الطرف الجزائري، الذي تشير المعلومات إلى أنه لوح بالانسحاب، مثلما فعل مرارا، وعندما قيل له لماذا لا تتحفظ بدلا من الانسحاب، تراجع عن تهديده! وهذا ليس كل شيء بالطبع، فقد صُرف وقت طويل من الاجتماع في النقاش حول تغيير عبارة «حماية المدنيين» الواردة بالقرار العربي تجاه سوريا، إلى «حماية المواطنين»، وبعد جدال طويل، واتصالين من وليد المعلم على الأمين العام للجامعة العربية، إضافة إلى اتصال من محام دولي قال إنه يمثل النظام الأسدي، فقد طرح بالاجتماع صيغة أخرى وهي «حماية المواطنين العزل» إلا أن النظام الأسدي قام برفض ذلك أيضا!
وهذه الجزئية بحد ذاتها، أي الجدل على عبارة «مدنيين»، و«مواطنين» و«مواطنين عزل» تدل على أن النظام الأسدي غير جاد، خصوصا أن آلة القتل لم تتوقف، بل هي بازدياد، ومنذ التحرك العربي تجاه سوريا، حيث يقع يوميا قرابة 50 قتيلا، مما يوحي بأن النظام الأسدي يخطط للمزيد من المماطلة، والتسويف، وإن وقّع في آخر لحظة فإنه سيقوم بنفس المماطلة عند التنفيذ. والأكيد أن حمام الدم السوري لن يتوقف، خصوصا أن مماطلة النظام الأسدي مستمرة، وليست مع العرب وحدهم. فبحسب مصادر مطلعة فإن الروس حاولوا في آخر الأيام الضغط على السوريين لتوقيع المبادرة العربية، وكان من المفترض أن يقوم فاروق الشرع بزيارة موسكو لكن الزيارة ألغيت، أو أرجئت، لأن النظام الأسدي أصر على أن يكون اللقاء بموسكو مع الرئيس الروسي، أو رئيس الوزراء، لكن الروس أصروا على أن يكون اللقاء مع وزير الخارجية الروسي، وهو ما لم يوافق عليه النظام الأسدي!
كل ذلك يقول لنا حقيقة واحدة؛ هي أن مجرد التفكير في الوصول لحلول عملية تضمن حلا عربيا للأوضاع في سوريا وبموافقة، وتعاون، النظام الأسدي ما هي إلا أوهام، ولذا فيجب ألا يكتفى بإرسال المبادرة العربية من الدوحة إلى مجلس الأمن، بل وبإطلاق حملة دبلوماسية حقيقية تضمن أن يتحرك مجلس الأمن، وبأسرع وقت ممكن، وذلك حقنا لدماء المدنيين السوريين من آلة قتل النظام الأسدي، وهذا دور مجلس التعاون الخليجي، وتركيا، وفرنسا، وأميركا

December 18th, 2011, 1:56 am

 

ann said:

Obama and Barak discuss dwindling anti-Iran strike options as the US exits Iraq – December 17, 2011

http://www.debka.com/article/21579/

December 18th, 2011, 1:58 am

 

jad said:

Ann,
The Russian expecting an Israeli-American attack on Iran very soon, they are preparing their army according to this news:

وكالة انباء موسكو: روسيا تستعد عسكريا لاحتمال هجوم اسرائيلي على إيران

ذكرت مصادر عسكرية روسية أن “تفاقم الوضع الجيوسياسي حول سوريا وإيران يقلق روسيا ويحثها على استكمال وتعزيز مجموعاتها من القوات الموجودة في مناطق جنوب القوقاز وبحر قزوين والبحر الأبيض المتوسط والبحر الأسود على وجه السرعة”.
وأشارت مصادر في وزارة الدفاع الروسية في حديث لوكالة انباء موسكو الروسية، إلى أن “الكرملين تلقى معلومات عن هجوم “إسرائيلي” محتمل بدعم من الولايات المتحدة على المنشآت النووية الإيرانية، وستكون الضربة فجائية، وقريبة جداً في اليوم “X”، ومن المتوقع أن ترد طهران تلقائياً، ما يمكن أن يتسبب باندلاع حرب شاملة لا يمكن التنبؤ بعواقبها الآن”.
ولفتت الوكالة الروسية إلى أن “هذه المسألة كانت من بين الأولويات التي نوقشت في اجتماع القمة بين روسيا والاتحاد الأوروبي نهاية الأسبوع الماضي في بروكسل بمشاركة الرئيس الروسي دميتري ميدفيديف”.

December 18th, 2011, 2:03 am

 

Revlon said:

1189. Dear ann,
“Correspondent of Spanish ABC Newspaper: There Are Libyan Fighters in Idleb”

I look forward to watching Al Muallem introducing the related video proof, in his next press show!

December 18th, 2011, 2:09 am

 

jad said:

Iran and the usual sectarian issues is the centre of every move the goat princes think about when they talk about Syria…nothing else! as usual ‘at any price’ must be used in any article a if the Syrian blood is their own properties to pay from…let them pay from their people’s blood for this sectarian war they want, why the Syrians?!

“الرياض”: التمسك بالأسد قاعدة أساسية بحلم تمدد الامبراطورية الإيرانية

اعتبرت صحيفة “الرياض” السعودية أن “العراق يسير في الدائرة الإيرانية، لأن الحكومة وأحزابها يرونها الحضن الآمن لبقائهم، وثروات هذا البلد مغرية جداً لأي قوة إقليمية أو دولية، ومن هنا بدأ الصراع بين أميركا وإيران، ليس على من يحكم ويوالي، بل من لديه القدرة بتحريك تلك الثروات واستثمارها وقد تكون الصيغة القادمة، اتفاقاً بينهما إذا ما وجدت مصالحهما فرص سياسة جديدة تتفق مع الدخول للكنز الثمين بشراكة استراتيجية تغير العداوات إلى صداقات مصالح”.
وأشارت الى أنه “قد تطول قبضة إيران على العراق، لكن التنافر قد يحدث لأسباب غير متوقعة وخاصة الرؤية، المتباعدة بين العربي، والفارسي من خلال صراع تاريخي، لا تخفي إيران، في أدبيات ما بعد الثورة، احتقارها للعرب، والمناداة بإخلاء قاموسها اللغوي من مفردات اللغة العربية، وإنهاء الخط ببديل آخر، وهذا ما سيجسد الخلاف، إضافة إلى النظرة الفوقية حتى لمن ينتمي منهم إلى المذهب المشترك، والجانب العراقي، مهما طالت المدة، كشأن أي شعب، لايمكن قبول سيادة عليه بأي عذر، وكلّ ما يجري هو إرهاصات لظروف أخرى قد تخلق أسبابها بمفاهيم ومصدات سياسية أخرى”.
ورأت أن “الوجود الإيراني في العراق، يعني وجوداً على حدود عربية أخرى، وشهدنا كيف كان الموقف الرسمي لحكومة بغداد من أحداث البحرين عندما استخدمت نفس المفردات والكلمات التي ظهرت من إيران، وترسم خطة معها لحماية النظام السوري من السقوط، لأن ذلك يعني جبهة أخرى قد تنفتح عليه وتتسبب في قلاقل للعراق وإيران معاً”.
ولفتت الى أن “سوريا اعتقدت أن حكومات الملالي، هي الإطار الذي يجعل تحركها وتحالفها نحو هذا البلد يعطيها ميزة تغيير النظام في لبنان، ليصبح سلسلة الظهر لها سواء مع تركيا أو إسرائيل، أو الأردن وغيرها، وعملية التمسك بنظام الأسد ليس حليفاً، بل قاعدة أساسية في حلم تمدد الامبراطورية الإيرانية، لازالت تداعب مخيلة الملالي، وأن انتهاء حكم يتناغم معها في المذهب والتطلعات، يعني كسر تلك الحلقة الأساسية في السلسلة الطويلة، وأهميتها مع العراق إن كلا البلدين عمقٌ جغرافي وبشري، وثروات مساندة لذلك الحلم”.
واعتبرت أن “العراق ما بعد جلاء القوات الأميركية مرشح لعدم الاستقرار، وهناك من يحاول استغلال هذا الظرف بإعلان حكومات أقاليم للابتعاد عن المركز وتسلطه وفساده، والخشية أن تستقل تلك الأقاليم بقرارها أسوة بالشمال الكردي”.
وأضافت: “سوريا تواجه وضعاً لا يخفى على شعبها أن النظام يجب أن ينتهي مهما كانت أنهر الدماء، ويستعصي على إيران والعراق حماية حكم يعاديه شعبه، ثم إن بعض العلويين ليسوا على خط الدولة، وبالتالي فالانتصار، بدعم خارجي مهما بلغ من السخاء المادي والتسليح، لا يحمي نظاماً آيلاً للسقوط، وبنهايته سينتهي الحلم الإيراني بعقد تحالف مع بلدين عربيين مهمين”.

December 18th, 2011, 2:11 am

 

jad said:

Sample of the politician idiots in the SNC, this guy is so sure that everything will be ‘fine’ when they get the power, he probably means Lybia/Iraq/Somalia ‘fine’….they talk to Syrians as if we are retarded and know nothing about the situation of our own country and own people:

سمير نشار: قدمنا للجامعة العربية تصوراً سياسياً لسورية ما بعد الأسد

أكد عضو المكتب التنفيذي للمجلس الوطنى السورى سمير نشار أن المجلس أعد خطة أولية لمشروع سياسي متكامل حول الدولة السورية المقبلة ما بعد الرئيس السوري بشار الأسد، وهي معدة للنقاش مع باقى أطياف المعارضة من أجل تقديمها لجامعة الدول العربية، مشيرا إلى أن هذه الخطة ترسم ملامح المرحلة الانتقالية فى سورية بعد سقوط نظام بشار الأسد.
واعلن في حديث لـ “عكاظ” السعودية إن المعارضة باتت مستعدة لسد الفراغ السياسي في البلاد، دون أي اضطرابات على مستوى الدولة والمجتمع، مشيرا إلى أن الحرب الأهلية مجرد أمنيات لنظام الأسد، يسعى لتخويف المجتمع الدولي بها.
وحول مواقف السعودية مما يجري في سوريا، ثمن نشار دور المملكة البناء في الأزمة السورية والذي تبلور في الجامعة العربية، منوها بتصريح الأمير تركي الفيصل في فيينا الذي قال فيه: “إن الدول العربية لن تقف مكتوفة الأيدي حيال المذبحة في سوريا”.

December 18th, 2011, 2:17 am

 

Revlon said:

1191. Dear ann,
“Obama and Barak discuss dwindling anti-Iran strike options as the US exits Iraq – December 17, 2011”

To my knowledge none of the US strikes that lead to the liberation of Iraq originated in Iraq.

Cruise missiles were fired from submarines in the Mediterranian, the red sea, and the Indian ocean.
Strategic Air bombing came from Diego Garcia’s Air base in the Indian Ocean!
Combat flights flew from Qatar, UAE, and Turkish incirlick Airbases!

All of the above bases are operational!

December 18th, 2011, 2:25 am

 

jad said:

Ghufran,
Please check the difference between a true patriotic politician like Haytham Manna3 and the garbage bag called Zibaleh (he is the garbage who wrote the detailed report about Syria and gave it to the American in Geneva), in this BBC interview between reason and stupidity, yet zibaleh’s supporters called Dr Haytham the ‘traitor’ in the video title! what a twisted stupid world we live in:

http://youtu.be/ruqLoslms2w

December 18th, 2011, 3:00 am

 

Mina said:

What the pictures of the Egyptian police and army attacking the protesters show is that the problem lies in the culture of impunity. It is true for many countries in the world, and the more you let patriarchy be the real power, versus equality for all citizens, the more you will have impunity.
When people went to vote in Egypt, they didn’t vote for parties, since they mostly said they didn’t have an idea of the 20++ parties competing, they simply voted for “who was the best, the most pious, muslim” (for the pious muslims). This is not the way a democracy can function. You have to place every citizen equal in front of the law, i. e. with a real sovereignty, will of him/herself, that implies the right to change religion, the right to divorce, etc. These rights are until now in the hands of the “religious authorities” (both Christian and Muslim). It is not a problem that the constitution mentions sharia as one of the sources of law, since every country does the same and mentions weird stuff such as “roman law” or “bible”, but the problem of the equality of citizens is crucial when it comes to accountability.
Amir thinks that the police who beats the protesters don’t vote MB, since they have no morals. This is a logic you got from watching American films? The police vote MB in the same proportion than the rest of the population, why would it be different?
My problem when I vote is not to know who is a good muslim, but my problem is that I want accountability of the people: you can’t go to a hospital in Egypt without being afraid of having organs stolen, and most people come back from the doctor with a prescription that has nothing to do with what they suffer from!

December 18th, 2011, 3:30 am

 

Revlon said:

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
An FSA unit engages several Asad militia checkpoints in Qsair region, Homs Governorate, resulting in destruction of 1 BMP armored vehicle and killing of several thugs.
http://www.freesyrianarmy1.com/ar/node/122
بيان صادر عن الجيش السوري الحر كتيبة الظاهر بيبرس
عـمـلية نـوعـيـة
18 12 ديسمبر. 2011
قامت مجموعة من كتيبة الظاهر بيبرس في منطقة القصير بالتصدي لميليشيات الأسد وتمكنو من تدمير دبابة وعربة ب م ب وقتل عدد من الجنود وذلك من خلال التصدي لأكثر من حاجز في المنطقة
” وما رميت اذ رميت ولكن الله رمى

December 18th, 2011, 4:09 am

 

Mina said:

From Friday Lunch Club
(Satire, of course!) … “I mean, is this what we compromised & submitted to? You preparing yourself for another exile’ and me getting drunk on Twitter? What is happening to the Americans? they keep sending us this Feltman while they reach out to Bashar. And what is it with this new position vis a vis the brave Colonel Ass’ad? Yesterday we all agreed that he commanded the loyalty & respect of tens of thousands; Now suddenly he barely has 1000 deserters? They even say that all the spectacular attacks he mounted on Bashar’s forces are not confirmable? What is going on?
(…)
http://friday-lunch-club.blogspot.com/

And about Ghannoushi and his ouverture to the SNC
http://libnanews.com/2011/12/17/presence-du-cns-entunisie-entre-traitrise-et-servitude/
(very good source, includes the link to an open letter of Khaled Mashaal to Qardawi:http://notre-tunisie14.blogspot.com/2011/12/blog-post_9551.html)

December 18th, 2011, 4:18 am

 

Revlon said:

18 ديسمبر. 2011
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

بيان صادر عن الجيش السوري الحر كتيبة شهداء الحرية
An FSA unit confronted Asad forces and militias that attacked Jabal AlZawiya causing
– Destruction of two BTR armoured vehicles
– Killing and wounding of several thugs.
– Facilitating defection of several army members.

18 12 2011
http://www.freesyrianarmy1.com/ar/node/121

قامت كتيبة شهداء الحرية بالتصدي للعصابات الأسدية التي إقتحمت جبل الزاوية حيث قامت بتدمير دبابتين ومدرعتين من نوع بي تي أر وقتلت وجرحت عدد كبير منهم ، كما أمّنت انشقاق عدد من الجنود المنشقين وخلال هذه المواجهات سقط خمسة شهداء من عناصر الكتيبة من بينهم الرقيب المنشق علاء يحيى وهو من ابناء محافظة حمص العدية
الرحمة لشهدائنا والنصر لشعبنا الأبي

December 18th, 2011, 4:24 am

 

Revlon said:

The Syrian regime as seen by one of its officials: the regime has reached a dead end. From now on we count on the Syrian people; the regime has become hopeless.

حوار مع مسؤول في النظام السوري
حسين الرواشدة/ الدستور الأردنية
18/12/2011
Husein AlRawashdah
AlDastour
http://www.facebook.com/TheSyrianNationalCouncil/posts/248053798595426
احد المسؤولين في النظام السوري خرج عن “حرجه” وقال لي بصراحة: سوريا تمضي نحو المجهول، ومن يتحمل مسؤولية ذلك هو النظام الذي ما زال يرفض ما قدمناه له من نصائح، ويصر على الخيار “العسكري” وعلى “وهم” ان ما يحدث في سوريا مؤامرة.. وليس “ثورة” لشعب يريد ان يتحرر من الظلم والاستعباد.
فاجأني الرجل الذي التقيته قبل مدة في عاصمة عربية بهذه المواقف، وقلت له: لدينا في الأردن من لا يزال يرى فيما يحدث في سوريا “مؤامرة” ويدافع بشراسة عن النظام فابتسم –بمرارة- وقال: ما يصلكم من أخبار عن “المأساة” التي يتعرض لها الشعب السوري لا يتجاوز 20% من الواقع، ولو سمح لوسائل الإعلام العالمية أو لمراقبين محايدين ان يدخلوا إلى المناطق الملتهبة لكان الأمر مختلفا، والصدمة اشد، لكن -للأسف- ما زال البعض مقتنعا بالرواية التي يقدمها النظام فيما لا يوجد لدى “الناس” إلا وسائل بسيطة لتصوير الأحداث ونقلها أو إحصاء عدد الشهداء أو المعتقلين وغير ذلك من تفاصيل.
قلت له: أرجوك، ضعني في الصورة الحقيقية، هل ما يحدث مؤامرة؟ وهل هناك عصابات مسلحة؟ وما هي توقعاتك للمستقبل؟ اخذ الرجل نفسا عميقا وقال: منذ بداية الأحداث في “درعا” وما حصل من تجاوزات من قبل المسؤولين الأمنيين ونحن نحاول مع “النظام” ان يتقدم خطوات عملية وحقيقية لإرضاء الناس وتحقيق مطالبهم، قلنا للرئيس: اذهب إلى انتخابات رئاسية مبكرة وستكون فرصة “انتخابك” مرة أخرى كبيرة، فرفض، قلنا له: اسحب القوات العسكرية من المدن والأرياف، فرفض، نصحناه بان يحاسب المسؤولين الذين “قتلوا” الناس فقال لنا: لم يقدم ضد احدهم أي شكوى.. الآن نحن ندرك تماما ان النظام وصل إلى طريق مسدود، وان كثيرا من المناطق أصبحت خارج السيطرة، وان الضحايا الذين يسقطون بالعشرات كل يوم يدفعون الناس إلى الإصرار على الثورة.
أضاف: قبل شهور كانت نسبة المتعاطفين مع النظام تصل إلى 40% معظمهم من “الأقليات” ومن الأغلبية السنية أيضا، أما الآن فقد تراجعت كثيرا وحتى المدن التي لم تخرج مثل دمشق وحلب أصبحت تغلي من الداخل، ربما ينتظرون اللحظة المناسبة للانضمام إلى الثورة، وهذه اللحظة مرتبطة بموقف “الجيش” وما يمكن ان يحدث فيه من انشقاقات.. وهي –للعلم- تتصاعد بشكل متسارع وربما تسمع قريبا عن انشقاقات على المستوى السياسي، فلا احد في سوريا –حتى نحن المحسوبين على النظام- لديه أي أمل بنهاية “الأزمة” وفق حسابات النظام وتصوراته بل إننا بتنا مقتنعين تماما بان الطريق الذي يسير فيه النظام الآن سيفضي بنا إلى “المجهول” وبالتالي لا مصلحة لسوريا في الاستمرار بهذه المواجهة أو المفاصلة واعتقد –قال الرجل- بان الرهان الآن على الشعب لا على النظام.
لم يُخف المسؤول “خوفه” من حرب أهلية لكنه أكد انه لا مصلحة للنظام فيها الآن، نظرا لما ستشكله من خطر عليه، كما ان الناس أكثر تماسكا وحذرا من التورط فيها، وفيما يتعلق بإمكانية “التدويل” قال: هذا وارد، ولكن ليس في المدى القريب فالظروف الدولية لم تنضج بعد للتدخل مع تأكيده –دائما- على رفض هذا الخيار.
فهمت مما قاله المسؤول ان النظام أوشك ان يفقد تأييد أغلبية السوريين. وحتى “المتعاطفون” معه تراجعوا فيما بقي المقربون منه والمستفيدون من بقاء الوضع على مواقفهم، أما خوفا منه أو انتظارا لما ستؤول إليه الأحداث مستقبلا، كما فهمت منه ان أحدا لا يستطيع الآن ان يدافع عن النظام، وان الوجوه القليلة التي نراها ونسمعها على الشاشات تتحدث باسمه هي كل ما يستطيع ان يقدمه بعد ان نأى أغلبية “المؤيدين” له سابقا عن هذا الطابق المخجل.. قلت في نفسي: يا ليت إخواننا من جماعة “المؤامرة” يسمعون ويعتبرون أيضا

December 18th, 2011, 4:41 am

 

Mina said:

Food for thought!

http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/tayyeb-tizini-use-force-will-not-work
By: Khalil Sweileh

Published Saturday, December 17, 2011

For years, Syrian philosopher Tayyeb Tizini has written about the need for Arabs to break out of their intellectual stagnation. Now the youth of the region are turning his musings into reality.

In an interview with al-Akhbar, Syrian philosophy professor at the University of Damascus Tayyeb Tizini recalls the 1950s, linking the events of that time to what is occurring in Syria now.

He proposes that what Syria is witnessing, from violence to arrests and repression is not a new phenomenon, but one that dates back to the time of the Syrian-Egyptian unity.

“We were students at the University of Damascus when the wave of arrests, persecution, and the harm started…I believe that Abdul-Hamid al-Sarraj (security chief at the time of unity with Egypt) had laid the foundations for everything that was to come, and by that, I mean the police state,” said Tizini.

From the beginning, it was clear that the interview was going to be overshadowed by the crisis in Syria. Tizini’s phone rang.

“It’s my wife,” he said, “she is telling me that the situation is flaring up in Homs, she recommends that I remain in Damascus till things calm down a little bit,” he said as he sipped his coffee.

The philosophy professor sees only one solution to the Syrian dilemma. “For the country to avoid major turbulence and great tragedy, the regime needs to stop betting on the use of force as a way to secure its survival,” he says.

Tayyib Tizini grew up in the city of Homs. His father was a judge and a cleric, and his brother, Abdul Wadood Tizini, published the magazine, al-Younbou. The magazine covered a period of intellectual enlightenment and political independence.

But it was shut down with the advent of “unity and military coups that extend to today; granted with a different impact here and there, but nevertheless with the same general discourse,” he said.

Tizini’s studies in Germany allowed him to delve more deeply into Arab and Islamic culture and the shortcomings of orientalist studies. He settled on a Marxist approach to understanding culture and his book From Heritage to Revolution was the fruit of that endeavor.

After further reading, research, and contemplation, he later concluded that parliamentary democracy, free from the dominance of a single party, was the missing link in the Marxist conception of revolution. This, in his view, was the profound mistake committed by many nationalist parties, and the Baath Party was no exception.

“Marxism lost, nationalism lost, and we lost the promise of parliamentary life after independence,” says Tizini.

Tizini raises another problem, one that came to his attention while researching the period of Arab renaissance and enlightenment – corruption. He considers it “the mother of all calamities,” and tackled the issue extensively in his doctoral thesis.

“When I returned from Berlin to Damascus in the early seventies, I found a society riven by corruption. The authorities had turned it into a mafia-based economy. As a result, the middle class was devastated, laws were violated, and the elite were corrupted,” Tizini declared.

He then addressed the mechanisms behind the police state. According to him the state’s goal is to “eliminate from society all that oppose the idea of tyranny, in order to monopolize power, wealth, public opinion, and the truth.”

He describes what is happening today in many parts of the Arab world as a youth rebellion. “The youth felt humiliation as result of unemployment, exclusion, and neglect. From all classes and walks of life, they rebelled and declared their demands in a way that caught us all off guard. So now we face a new discourse. It is now the turn of the new generation to pave the way.”

Asked if he was in a state of desperation before the Arab Spring, he answered “as a matter of fact I was, but I arrogantly denied it. Nevertheless I was surprised by what happened. I’ve been asked questions that were long forgotten, but here I am, witnessing new beginnings.”

He remembers how universities in the fifties and sixties were a center for demonstrations, protests, and rebellion. This was until security forces took hold of the universities and corrupted the education system.

“Today, there is a common saying in universities: ‘pay or leave.’ Educational standards have plummeted. Intellectual prostitution, drugs, and corruption is what prevailed from then on,” declared Tizini.

In an interview with the author of The Koranic Text and the Problem of Structure and Reading, the topic of political Islam is bound to come up. Tizini doesn’t seem pessimistic about the surge of Islamist politics. “There is an intolerant Islam and there is an enlightened Islam,” says Tizini, as he recounts a meeting he recently had with Islamist women in Damascus.

In that meeting, one of the women said, “we were torn between the opinions of the bearded sheiks and those who follow totalitarian ideologies. Now we discover a third option in Islam, one that reinforces a new concept we were not familiar with, that of a tolerant Islam.”

Tizini added that “in fact that’s what I seek to clarify in my upcoming book Fundamentalism: Between Obscurantism and Enlightenment. I want to clarify the confusion about Islam and secularism.”

December 18th, 2011, 4:50 am

 

Revlon said:

حميد غريافي : منشقون عن جيش الأسد سلموا محكمة الحريري وثائق عن اغتياله

Defectors from Assad army Hand the Special hariri court related intelligence documents.
Hamid Garyfani
Assiyasa
18/12/2011
http://www.sooryoon.net/?p=41501
………………………………………
وكشف التقرير أيضاً أن فرنسا وايطاليا وألمانيا وبريطانيا “التي نالت حصة كبيرة من الضباط المنشقين او رجال الاستخبارات اللاجئين من السفارات السورية فيها, ارسلت الى المحكمة الدولية الخاصة بلبنان (المكلفة النظر في جرمية اغتيال الرئيس رفيق الحريري وقادة لبنانيين آخرين) اعترافات هؤلاء المنشقين واللاجئين الذين حملوا معهم الى هذه الدول ملفات ووثائق مصورة واعترافات مسجلة بالصوت والصورة عن المجموعات الاستخبارية والسياسية السورية التي نفذت عمليات الاغتيال في لبنان, ليس فقط من نهاية 2004 التي شهدت محاولة اغتيال الوزير السابق مروان حمادة قبل نحو شهرين ونصف الشهر من اغتيال الحريري, بل منذ بداية الحرب اللبنانية العام 1975 التي اشعلتها سورية

, كما سملت تلك الدول الاوروبية المحكمة في لاهاي ما اطلقت عليها “الوثائق اللبنانية” المتعلقة بتلك المجموعات السورية التي يرأسها صهر الرئيس السوري آصف شوكت وشقيقه اللواء ماهر الاسد ومدير الامن القومي السابق ومدير الاستخبارات الجوية, ودورها في الاوامر التي اصدرتها الى عملائها في لبنان وعلى رأسهم الضباط الاربعة الذين اقاموا في الاعتقال بطلب من لجان التحقيق الدولية اربع سنوات ثم افرج عنهم تمهيدا لإعادة استدعائهم الى المحكمة عندما سيتقدم عدد من الشهود المجهولين حتى الآن او ممن شهدوا ضدهم في السابق بإفادات تدين هؤلاء الضباط وعلى رأسهم مدير الامن العام السابق جميل السيد, اضافة الى عدد من الوزراء والنواب ورؤساء الاحزاب والتيارات السابقين والراهنين العاملين تحت عباءة الاستخبارات السورية, مع مجموعة كبيرة تزيد على 25 عنصرا قياديا من حزب الله الذين عرف منهم الاربعة حتى الآن الواردة اسماؤهم في القرار الاتهامي”.

December 18th, 2011, 4:53 am

 

Revlon said:

بشار كان يريد انشاء هيئة مكافحة للفساد برئاسة ابن عمو بطرطوس وفشلت بسبب وهيب مرعي!
Another reform that Jr boasted to have been enacted since the beginning of the revolution, the presidential commission for fighting corruption never saw the light.
Heads of branches of the commission who were from Asad and related clans could not agree on who to name as the boss of the Gang.

2011/12/17نشر فى: أخبار محلية

مراسل المحليات : كلنا شركاء
http://all4syria.info/web/archives/42216

من ضمن القرارات التي اتخذها بشار بنصيحة مستشاريه وذلك في بداية الثورة هو إحداث هيئة لمكافحة الفساد في كل محافظة يرأسها شخص مقرب من السلطة.

.وكان المرشح الاوفر حظا في اللاذقية هو أحد شخصين هلال الاسد..أو العميد ناصر ديب وكلاهما رب من ارباب الفساد والسرقة ورؤساء مافيات في اللاذقية.

.ثم على مايبدو تم إلغاء الهيئة حين اكتشفوا ان القصة أكبر من مجرد فساد…إضافة إلى تضارب مصالح الجماعات الفاسدة حول من سيكون رئيس الهيئة

…وكان هناك ضغط من قبل ناصر ديب رئيس فرع الأمن السياسي كونه على علاقة مصاهرة مع وهيب المرعي من خلال زواج ابنه علي من بنت المذكور وهذا الأخير زوج ابنته الاخرى لحافظ منذر الأسد…..أي أنهم كانوا يحضرون المافيا الجديدة لتتسلم زمام الأمور من خلال تزاوج راس المال مع السلطة وإنشاء جيل جديد أكثر قوة يتألف من أبناء الفاسدين الكبار

واليوم يعتبر المدعو وهيب المرعي رجل الاعمال الغامض والذي لا احد يعرف مصدر امواله..من الممولين الكبار لحملات الشبيحة ويقوم بغسل أموال المخدرات وتجارة الآثار من خلال مجموعة الوهيب الإقتصادية ونشاطها المشبوه خاصة في طرطوس وعمريت الأثرية تحديدا

December 18th, 2011, 5:32 am

 

defender said:

PRAVDA, 24/11/2011
Why the USA waited four years before to stop to inform Russia on the plans?

Most likely, it is connected with a situation in Mediterranean sea. It is possible to assume that near our southern borders of the NATO will create grouping which will strike blow to Syria in December-January. This point in question will be to rise, for certain, at the summit of the NATO which will take place in December. Will decide there what to answer Russia the sentence on the ABM and as Syria in case of the beginning against it the same operation which this year has been spent against Libya will lead.

— And Russia is the big obstacle for carrying out of operation of the NATO against Syria? The USA are that from us to hide in this respect?
— In the Syrian city Tartuse there is a base of our Navy, there are works on bottom deepening. The base is protected by air defense complexes so aggression from the sea from the NATO or Israel countries becomes business risky. Therefore if will strike blow — that, most likely, from Saudi Arabia. So the USA are what to hide.

There is still such moment. In Syria lives approximately 120 thousand citizens of Russia. Speech mainly goes about the women who have married local residents. On this basis our country can interfere with events occurring in Syria. Besides, in case of loss of the Syrian market at transition of the power from Bashar Asad to the forces supported by the West and Gulf States, 20 percent Russian VPK will simply be bent.

Probably, till January there will pass a regrouping of NATO forces for war with Syria. And to inform Russia wants nobody.

December 18th, 2011, 7:19 am

 
 

Revlon said:

Black list of Politicians, Generals and officers who gave orders to shoot and kill civilians as provided by the HRW; It is headed by Jr hismself

http://all4syria.info/web/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/382762_2835395733415_1514864993_2794584_96901830_n.jpg

December 18th, 2011, 7:53 am

 

Tara said:

Majed

What do you think the next step Bashar boy is going to take? I believe he will sign the AL’s protocol before Dec 21 to enter us into another phase of deceit. He will then exhaust the world with procedural details once the observers are in, Just to buy more time to kill more. I hope the AL continues to outsmart Bashar by not allowing him plenty of room to maneuver and manipulate. The killing and arrest were probably not completely random. It targeted the leadership of the LCC, the smartest and the bravest. Yet the regime miserably failed in crushing the demonstration. One can only imagine how massive the demonstrations would be, had he not killed or arrested the local leaders.

The AL leadership deserves admiration. They tried their best not to internationalize the crisis. They gave Bashar one deadline after another until they got fed up. They even never demanded that he steps down. All they asked for is to halt the “security solution” and to allow observers in order for the dialogue to happen. The regime could not even accept these minimal demands. Shouldn’t that give a pause to the honest regime’s supporters who are insisting to keep their eyes shot?

December 18th, 2011, 8:14 am

 

Revlon said:

منقول عن
حمص الحره : عزيزي المواطن السوري
http://www.facebook.com/pages/%D9%86%D9%83%D8%AA-%D8%B3%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%82%D8%A8%D9%84-%D9%88%D8%B3%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%A8%D8%B9%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AB%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A9-2011/167421793330387

عندما لا أكون تابع و مؤيد للنظام فهذا لا يعني أني تابع و مؤيد لخدام والعرعور ..
Not being a slave or supporter of the Regime does not mean that I follow Khaddam or Arour.

… عندما لا أكون حزبي بعثي فهذا لا يعني أني أنتمي لتيار إسلامي متشدد .
Not beign Baathist, does not mean that I am extermist Salafi

عندما أرفض أن أعيش تحت النظام الحالي فهذا لا يعني أني صديق لإسرائيل وعدو للمقاومة .
Refusing to continue to live under this regime does not mean that I am friend of Israel and enemy of Resitance!

… … … عندما أرفض موقف إيران وروسيا والصين فهذا لا يعني أني صديق ومحالف لأميركا وفرنسا
Rejecting Iran’s, China’s, and Russia’s stands does not mean that I am friend or collaborator of US and France.

… … عندما أعيش 40 عام تحت الذل والقهر فهذا لا يعني أني لم أعطي النظام أي فرصة
Having lived under this regime for over 40 years can not be construed as not having given the regime a chance to reform!

عندما نطالب بإسقاط النظام فهذا لا يعني أني استغنيت عن 23 مليون سوري وأريد أن أحضر شخص من تل أبيب ليحكمنا
Calling for the ousting of Assad does not mean that 23 Million Syrians can not fill his place and that I a going to bring my choice from israel!

عندما نقول دولة تعددية مدنية ديمقراطية هذا لا يعني أنها إمارة إسلامية سلفية .
Asking for a multiparty, civil, democratic state does not mean calling for a Salafi Islamic Emirate.

عندما يخبرك أحد بكل هذا فهذا لا يعني أنه لا يوجد لديك عقل لتفكر وتحكم على الأشياء .
Giving you the above examples does not mean that you can not think and judge for yourself.

عندما نقول لك أن تكون حر فهذا لا يعني أن تكون تابع للنظام أو تابع لنا
Asking you to be free does not mean that you either follow the regime or us.

فقط كن ((( حر ))) اذا بتعرف شو معنى هالكلمة …!!!
Just be free; if you know what that means!
….. More

December 18th, 2011, 8:23 am

 

Amir in Tel Aviv said:

Mina #1198,

I agree with you that what is happening these days in Egypt, is a result of a broken, or non-existing political culture. The issue of “impunity” is one of it’s symptoms.

I don’t agree with you that the Egyptians vote for “the most pious Muslim”. In Egypt, just as it happened 6 years ago with the elections for the PA, is it a mixture of protestation vote, and a vote for the party that is perceived as being the least corrupted. The Islamists are indeed less corrupted, and are more attentive when it comes to social issues and needs. Can you argue with this fact?

What is your plan for a solution, Mina?
Do you want a Jeffersonian democracy from day one in Arabia? This will not happen. You constantly bring doom and gloom news pieces, about how horrible the Islamists are. But beside your criticism and pessimism, what is your plan?
.

December 18th, 2011, 8:30 am

 

Revlon said:

I am hoping that Mr Ghalyoun does step down as president of the SNC as per founding SNC protocol of rotating the presidency.

History has recorded that he was the first Syrian to accept the responsibility of the presidency of the SNC.
I do hope that he becomes the first to automatically step down at the end of his term, in spite of the many calls from friends and supporters to stay.

His stature and honourable personal qualities have enabled him to make the Syrian revolution’s voice be heard at the international level and serve as an agreable catalyst for uniting the fragmented oppositional forces.
_________________________________________________________________

2011/12/18
وسيم أموي
http://www.sooryoon.net/?p=41543

هذه مطالب ثوار حمص , ظهرت في بعض اللافتات , حتى لا نخرج من ديكتاتورية إلى أخرى , وحتى لا يُخلف المجلس الوطني بوعده بأن تكون الرئاسة دورية كل ثلاثة أشهر , وحتى نرى أفكار جديدة بقيادة ربما تكون أفضل وأحسن من سابقتها مع تقديرنا الكامل لجهود الدكتور برهان غليون , لكن نريد التغيير حتى لا نرى الفكر السلطوي قد انتقل إلى المجلس الوطني أيضاً .

كتبها ثوار حمص في لافتاتهم …
في احدى مظاهرات الغوطة في حمص العدية , كتب الثوار الأحرار لافتة جاء فيها ما يلي : ( غليون كتر الله خيرك , حابين نشوف وجه جديد , برك بتفرج ) .. في مطالبة صريحة وواضحة لبرهان غليون بأن يتنحى ويعطي الدفة لغيره , عسى الله أن يفتح على يديه .
……………………..

برهان غليون بين المتناقضات …
نرفض التدخل العسكري , ونريد منطقة عازلة !
نرفض التدويل , ونرغب بنقل الملف لمجلس الأمن !
كل الخيارات لنجاح الثورة مفتوحة , ونرفض عسكرة الثورة !
نندد بالقتلة من جيش بشار الأسد , ونرفض مهاجمته من الجيش الحر !
نتبنى مطالب الثوار , ونرفض الحظر الجوي !
هذه بعض التناقضات التي تجدها كثيراً في لقاءات برهان غليون , حتى أنك تحتار من هذا الرجل من كثرة التصريحات المتناقضة له !

برهان غليون سقط بسبب تهجمه على الجيش الحر …
بتهجمه وضغطه المتواصل على الجيش السوري الحر , الدرع الوحيد للثورة , فقد برهان غليون الكثير من رصيده لدى الثوار الذين أسهبوا في نشر مشاركات ومقالات عبر الفيسبوك ينتقدون فيها تصريحات غليون وتهجمه على الجيش الحر ويدعونه للسكوت في أمور عسكرية لا ناقة له فيها ولا جمل واذا لم يعجبه الجيش الحر وعسكرة الثورة , فليأت إلى سوريا ويجلس يوم واحد في حمص ويدافع عن أهلها , فهل يستطيع ؟!

December 18th, 2011, 8:53 am

 

Mina said:

Amir
I know many people in Egypt who vote MB. What is important is to impose from above the equality of citizens (men-women), and the right to chose one’s religion. Otherwise you cannot play according to international rules, I would suggest. Of course the west has many interests in the region and is ready to make any concession possible to sell more weapons.
I tell you from my recent trips to Egypt that most people were complaining about not knowing more about the different parties and also that from the little they saw about a few candidates on TV (but this is a local election, so only big figures make it to TV) they said their was not enough concrete propositions.
A solution to that is to give each parties the same “time to speak” in the public media. Radio could be of good use to give a chance of the candidates to address the people during the campaign for local elections.
I don’t say that voting for the one who you think is the most pious means you are an islamist. But I know pious people who would so evaluate if the person is a “good” candidate or not.
On the contrary, I think people surfing on political Islamc are opportunists, not exactly the quality I expect from a pious person.
In the case of the MB and the Salafis who are distributing sums they get from the Gulf, it would be easy to counter the rumours they spread that “elbaradei is a zionist agent” or that “they want to suppress religion from the constitution” or “they want the copts to have the same number of churches as there are mosques” by doing proper inquiries in the origin of their fundings, but of course, this does not happen because so many interests are at stake.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRyG_JaZDDQ

http://twitter.com/#!/sharifkouddous/status/148387032706715648/photo/1

http://scaf-crimes.blogspot.com/

https://twitter.com/#!/AmmarGhonaim/status/148383083199086592/photo/1

December 18th, 2011, 8:57 am

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Tara
I agree that bashar may sign the AL protocol, but just to buy time, he is not honest,I disagree with you on AL I have no admiration to the AL, however their delay was due to the sickness of Mr. Erdogan.
I bet Norman,Ann ,Mina Jad and the rest are scared,they know the end is coming.they all are writing silly comments.

Revlon
I disagree with you on Burhan Ghalioun ,I dont think he should quit being the head of SNC, in short time we will see change in Syria,it is not time to change leadership,three months are very short time.

December 18th, 2011, 9:28 am

 

zoo said:

Now that the US has been kicked out or Iraq, is Syria the next possible US base?

“The ambitious plans of the U.S. military to use Iraq to dominate the Middle East militarily and politically had been foiled by the very regime the United States had installed, and the officials behind the U.S. scheme, had been clueless about what was happening until it was too late.”

How Maliki and Iran Outsmarted the U.S. on Troop Withdrawal
Analysis by Gareth Porter

http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=106244

WASHINGTON, Dec 16, 2011 (IPS) – Defence Secretary Leon Panetta’s suggestion that the end of the U.S. troop presence in Iraq is part of a U.S. military success story ignores the fact that the George W. Bush administration and the U.S. military had planned to maintain a semi-permanent military presence in Iraq.

The real story behind the U.S. withdrawal is how a clever strategy of deception and diplomacy adopted by Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki in cooperation with Iran outmanoeuvered Bush and the U.S. military leadership and got the United States to sign the U.S.-Iraq withdrawal agreement.
….

December 18th, 2011, 9:28 am

 

Revlon said:

Peaceful ventures: The packing and distribution of pro-revolution DVD to 4000 residences in central Damascus.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuL6pw96fgs&feature=player_embedded#!

Uploaded by NofosKeram on Dec 16, 2011
بعزيمة لا تلين وباصرار على نيل الحرية يتابع شباي وصبايا نفوس كرام نضالهم السلمي ، وكان موعدهم هذه المرة توزيع ديفيدي عن الثورة السورية .
تم نشر الديفيدي بالتعاون مع مجلس قيادة الثورة في دمشق ، ومع مجموعة من خيرة شباب وصبايا سوريا أمام بيوت أهلنا في الشام ، وشملت مناطق التوزيع : شارع بغداد ، القصور ، التجارة ، شارع خالد بن الوليد ، تنظيم كفرسوسة ، البرامكة ، المزة ، المهاجرين ، المزرعة ، الميسات

December 18th, 2011, 9:37 am

 

irritated said:

Majedalkhaldoon #1214

“I bet Norman,Ann ,Mina Jad and the rest are scared”

Oh yes! Aren’t you? Of course you’re not, you don’t live in Syria and you can get electricty and mazut and you don’t worry about your sons who are in the army, and your daughters who cannot go out after 5p.m because of the presence of ‘peaceful’ protesters. Yours are all safe, shopping at Walmart….
This is what I call the ‘expat’ solidarity.

December 18th, 2011, 9:38 am

 

irritated said:

1211 Revlon

If Ghalioun goes, the real face of the SNC may appear and it’s probably not as clean shaven.
Majedalkhaldoon is right, it’s too dangerous to let the wolves out now, it’s better to keep the polished and French sheep at the front.

December 18th, 2011, 9:44 am

 

Tara said:

Qatar is emerging as the Arab world leader, a well deserved position?  I am torn in what to think about the AL.  I do believe that Hamad is an honest man, and had Qatar not been the head of the AL, we may have not seen the new and improved, somewhat potent AL.  

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/dec/15/qatar-influence-middle-east

Qatar’s influence increases in the Middle East
Foresight and an open mind are paying off for Syria’s newest enemy, as the wealthy state’s political capital in the region grows

Syrian media have been busy since the uprising, weaving fantastic conspiracy theories, of open-air studios in secret locations where fake demonstrations are filmed, of campaigns stemming from personal animosity and of dubious Islamist agendas – all emanating from a single source. The proof, we are always told, is in the USB stick waved at the camera by various regime spokespeople promising to reveal, one day, compromising information involving a number of Gulf potentates.

Apparently, the emir of Qatar and his al-Jazeera network are the biggest culprits, sowing chaos as part of a Gulf/Zionist/imperialist agenda to destabilise Syria. Even the Arab League’s attempt to rein in the Syrian regime’s brutal repression of its people seems solely due to Sheikha Mozah’s special relations with certain US officials, according to Syria’s ambassador to Cairo. Just like Turkey, Qatar seems to have suddenly developed a hatred for all things Syrian.

Qatar, until recently, had been Bashar al-Assad’s biggest Arab supporter, chaperoning Syria’s regional re-emergence after a difficult post-Hariri exclusion period, and fostering a new alliance including Turkey, amicable to Iran, as a counter-balance to traditional powers.

more….

December 18th, 2011, 9:47 am

 

Mina said:

Iraq foreign minister to lead Syria initiative
Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari will be the key negotiator in an initiative between the Syria regime and opposition seeking to end months of brutality against peaceful protesters by President Assad’s security forces
AFP , Sunday 18 Dec 2011

http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/8/29655/World/Region/Iraq-foreign-minister-to-lead-Syria-initiative.aspx

Baghdad’s foreign minister will lead an Iraqi initiative to end months of unrest in Syria by holding talks with the Damascus regime, opposition groups and the Arab League, an Iraqi official said Sunday.

“We had very positive discussions on Sunday with the secretary general of the Arab League, who supported our initiative alongside that of the Arab League in an effort to find a solution between the Syrians,” National Security Adviser Falah al-Fayadh told AFP by telephone from Cairo.

“Our next step is to launch our initiative, and this task will be led by the foreign minister (Hoshyar Zebari) who will announce the details and mechanisms to the Arab League and the Syrian parties soon,” he said.

A day earlier, he said he held “positive talks” with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on a visit with an Iraqi delegation to Damascus.

“Our efforts are still continuing to reach a deal between the government and the opposition in Syria,” he said. “It’s too early to speak about the results.”

In Doha, meanwhile, the Arab League threatened to take Syria to the UN for procrastinating over a deal to stop its deadly crackdown on dissent, after Russia proposed a surprise draft resolution to the conflict.

Fayadh said on Sunday that Arab League chief Nabil al-Arabi is “for an Arab solution and against internationalisation of the crisis.”

On Sunday, a civilian was among seven people killed in violence in Syria as clashes raged between deserters and regular army troops in centres of protest against the regime, human rights activists said.

The United Nations estimates that more than 5,000 people have been killed in the government crackdown on pro-democracy protests which first erupted in mid-March.

December 18th, 2011, 9:56 am

 

defender said:

Barak warns of political quake in Israel

Israeli Minister for Military Affairs Ehud Barak has warned that Tel Aviv is on the verge of a historic political earthquake amid the recent developments in the Middle East.

“Israel is in close proximity to what has been described as a historic political earthquake,” he said during a speech at a Washington conference organized by the pro-Israeli Jewish group, Union for Reform Judaism.

Barak made the remarks in reference to the recent revolutions in the Middle East and North Africa and their potential consequences for the Tel Aviv regime.

He also cautioned about the unpredictable instability in the global economy.

“Across the Middle East — in under a year — regimes have fallen and dictators continue to be disposed of. Are we looking at the beginning of a democratic Middle East? Or will the Arab spring turn into a stormy Islamist winter?” he said.

The Israeli official also expressed concerns about the possible impacts of the ongoing Egyptian political turmoil on the US-sponsored peace treaty it signed with Israel back in 1980 under the rule of its former dictator Anwar al-Sadat.

“Whatever the outcome, respecting and maintaining the peace treaty between Egypt and Israel is a strategic necessity; good for Egypt, good for Israel, and good for the entire region,” he claimed.

Barak once again reiterated that the Israeli regime would not accept a Palestinian state established through what he claimed to be unilateral diplomatic efforts.

December 18th, 2011, 10:07 am

 
 

Bronco said:

#1219 Tara

“Qatar is emerging as the Arab world leader, a well deserved position? I am torn in what to think about the AL. I do believe that Hamad is an honest man”

I’ll remember your appreciation of Hamad.
I beg to differ. I see him as a sneaky, manipulative and unreliable guy suffering from an acute inferiority complex toward the West and trying to impose himself as a smart and savvy politician among the Arabs. He tries to play down the fact that money and his country’s support to the US for the Iraq war had a crucial role in the sudden appearance of his tiny country on the international scene. Yet, he knows the power that money gives him to influence, threaten and buy people. His country is rich enough to allow his family a fastuous life style without depriving the other citizens, he does not have restless minorities so the danger of protests about his family monopoly on the country’s wealth is minimal.

In sumary, in my view, Hamad ( and Qatar) are double faced and bound sooner or later to be unmasked.
Where is Qatarileaks?
Time will tell.

December 18th, 2011, 10:29 am

 

zoo said:

Tunisia: a year on, slow-burn revolt lingers
Published: 17 December, 2011, 09:58

It is the first anniversary of Tunisia’s street protests, which saw the regime toppled and elections held. But for some, there is little to show for the effort.

­RT’s Irina Galushko has traveled to Tunisia’s Sidi Bouzid – the site of the first clashes and a catalyst for other protests in the region.

It is also the hometown of Mohamed Bouazizi, who a year ago set himself on fire to protest against the authorities in Tunisia – unleashing public fury over corruption and poverty, which led to the ousting of President Ben Ali. A wave of revolt spread to other countries, and the Arab Spring was born.

Today, a monument stands to his sacrifice in his hometown of Sidi Bouzid.

There is widespread belief, however, that the changes in Tunisia end there, where they started.

“We have asked for very few things: to upgrade the school, to aid families with disabled children, and some jobs,” Khalil, a relative of Mohamed Bouazizi, told RT.”But no one wants to listen to us. The people haven’t gotten anything! Those who came from abroad have reaped all benefits. They are all in the new government, but the simple folk are left with nothing.”

The Tunisian Revolution was led by young people, demanding freedom of speech, and greater representation. But the voice of youth, according to some, has been silenced.

“The new government is comprised of the elderly. That shows what kind of “new” Tunisia we are talking about,” lawyer Leila Ben Debba complained to RT. “The main problem is the political parties, which haven’t given a chance to the young people, who gave their lives and blood for the revolution.”

The Western Media has hailed the Tunisian revolution as the beginning of a new, democratic chapter in the history of the country and the entire Northern African region.

A year has passed and people who live there say very few of the changes they have asked for have actually taken place.

“Everything is still as it used to be. The elections have come and gone, and the town hasn’t seen any changes,” Abdullah Ameri, a friend of Mohamed Bouazizi told RT. “Unemployment is still the same, if not worse. The only thing that changed – we can now express our opinion, but the revolution’s main goals have not been accomplished.”

The fervor which sparked a revolution may be on the slow burn for now on. But if the grievances which inspired it remain, so will the people’s inspiration to revolt again.

December 18th, 2011, 10:38 am

 

jad said:

Mina,
You are absolutely right, what we miss in our region is the equality between all citizens. Any change that doesn’t implement ‘equality’ is not going to work.
What I didn’t understand is why to attack and burn the Egyptian Archive
,how ignorant they must be to burn their own history.

December 18th, 2011, 10:59 am

 

Ghufran said:

From the early weeks of Ghalioun’s time as the SNC president I said that the guy is a cover to sell the SNC to the west,he will be replaced when the islamists feel comfortable that the West is ready to quit on demanding a more inclusive SNC.
Syria will sign the AL deal before Wednesday,this seems final now,however,the political dance is just starting.

December 18th, 2011, 11:04 am

 

jad said:

إدخال أردوغان إلى المستشفى جراء تدهور حالته الصحية

اُدخل رئيس الوزراء التركي رجب طيب أردوغان إلى مستشفى “الحاجي تبه” وسط العاصمة التركية أنقرة جراء تدهور حالته الصحية.
وأكدت مصادر مطلعة لوكالة “دنيا الوطن” أن وضع أردوغان الصحي تدهور بشكل مفاجئ بعدما عاد لمزاولة عمله عقب فترة النقاهة التي قضاها في بيته باسطنبول نتيجة إجرائه عملية جراحية.
وكان أردوغان خضع لعملية جراحية لاستئصال 25 سنتيمتراً من القولون قبل ثلاثة أسابيع.

December 18th, 2011, 11:07 am

 

Tehrani said:

Bashar is the right man for Syria at this time. That’s why our leader, Ayatollah Khameini, issued a fatwa to support him. God Bless Bashar!

December 18th, 2011, 11:19 am

 

Bronco said:

Dear Jad

Do you mean equality of all citizens in front of the law?
Because in all the other areas, inequality is an inherent part of the capitalistic system in opposition to the communist and socialist. It is also a human reality, people are unequal.

December 18th, 2011, 11:26 am

 

Mina said:

Jad,
It’s not the Egyptian archive, it is the National geographic society, a beautiful building close to the AL and the Majlis al Shura. In the links I have posted above, there is a picture of the soldier who has set up the fire. They are trying to divide the society a little more by trying to say that all this chaos is due to the “liberal protesters” (now distributing liflets accusing some foreign people hired by… albaradei as usual).
It started 3 days ago when some anonymous distributed some poisoned food at the sit-in in front of the military council. A dozen were taken to hospital. Obviously they were determined to clean up the area. Then a poor guy and friends were attacked and beaten while they were not even part of the sitin, and this is what started up the rest.

Of course, the big difference with other countries are the numbers. Even the army is scared of 80 million angry Egyptians. All the women beaten yesterday plus the liberal sheykh who was killed does not arrange their position. People have noticed that nothing has improved (even thoug things ARE going on: reversal of privatisations which were done under corrupt-clauses by the Mubarak people a regime businessmen; from january on a maximum pay for people working in state institutions… some journalists and ‘directors’ were getting six digits salaries… etc). And especially there is a big anger against the “business as usual” in the relation with Israel and the support still going on between the US and the military council (even though yesterday the US congress has decided to block the aid). But the military don’t want to lose their juicy businesses.. they own a share of the country (a weird system like in Jordan, where the military owns the subsidized bakeries, etc)

December 18th, 2011, 11:33 am

 

jad said:

Dear Bronco,
Yes, that what I meant in Equality.

Equality Rights
15. (1) Every individual is equal before the and under the law and has the right to the equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination and, in particular, without discrimination based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age, or mental or physical disability.

(2) Subsection (1) does not preclude any law, program or activity that has as its object the amelioration of conditions of disadvantaged individuals or groups including those that are disadvantaged because or race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age, or mental or physical disability.(5)

I also agree with you about the fact of inequality in our social system anywhere in the world and as the reality of the world we live in, however, social equality can be implemented in an accepted level when you have fair and just social system.

December 18th, 2011, 11:42 am

 

Mina said:

Equality means empowering the citizen by giving him the protection of the state. That he or her can marry or divorce in front of the state in full possession of his/her rights. That he or her can adopt a religion or reject one. That he or her get an equal share of inheritance.
Accountability means that people who do wrong can be prosecuted no matter their position, and that any citizen can be granted judicial help in order to register a complaint.

December 18th, 2011, 11:50 am

 

jad said:

Mina,
Thank you very much for explaining the Egyptian incident, I’m too concentrating on what’s happening in Syria I didn’t understand why, when and who is involved in the unrest in Egypt or what trigger all that.
Where are things going in Egypt now and how is it going to affect the Syrian crises? It seems that our region is on a raging fire, a change for everything we knew is in the happening, may God help and protect our region’s people from any harm and take them to the shores of safety and prosperity soon.

December 18th, 2011, 11:56 am

 

Bronco said:

#1230 Mina

Mina, I am confused, who are the protesters? The media are very vague.
Are they the ‘liberals’ who lost the elections and try to make a ‘secular’ coup d’etat to bypass the election results and therefore prevent the emergence of a islamist regime and the possible collusion between the Islamists and the military?

Are they the Islamists who are trying to weaken the military junta who wants to keep the lucrative control they have over the country for 40 years so they accept to collude with them.

Are they counter revolutionnaries affiliated to Mobarak who want to get the country in a chaos in order to restore the old regime?

All of the above?

In any case, if the military loose the control, it is a real revolution that will happen in Egypt where most of the institutions may collapse as they are all polluted by the military.

December 18th, 2011, 11:57 am

 

Humanist said:

I don’t want to sound sectarian.

But what is the reason Ismailis seem more involved in the anti-regime protests than other minorities?

As far as I know Ismaili is the most liberal and progressive sect of [Shia] Islam, so no one can accuse them of beeing islamists or MB:s (which may be true for many sunni protesters/militants).

December 18th, 2011, 12:05 pm

 

aldendeshe معتز الدندشي said:

1201. Revlonsaid:

18 ديسمبر. 2011
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

بيان صادر عن الجيش السوري الحر كتيبة شهداء الحرية

الزعبرة شلون المسلم السوري الحقيقي مايكتب كا نون الاول او السنة الهجرية ؟

December 18th, 2011, 12:11 pm

 

aldendeshe said:

They just deleted 3 comments of mine when I tried to use my Arabic name. Since it was accepted and posted as waiting for mederator, one can assume that there sitting a human being, or that just looks like one, instantly deleting the comments, all 3 within a minute.

December 18th, 2011, 12:14 pm

 

Bronco said:

Humanist @1235

This article clarifies the position of the minorities, including the ismailis

9 December 2011
Guide: Syria’s diverse minorities

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-16108755

December 18th, 2011, 12:19 pm

 

aldendeshe said:

And I tried these variations for the user name:

معتز الدندشي

Aldendeshe معتز الدندشي

معتز الدندشي Formally known as Aldendeshe

And no one has the courtesy to explain why it can’t be used. Because he is probably a Draco demon hybrid.

December 18th, 2011, 12:23 pm

 

Mina said:

Bronco
It is not clear. Some days it was the MB/Salafis who were doing demonstrations of force, the next day it was the Liberals, the socialists, and the Liberal MBs who would be in the sit-in (3 weeks of sit-in in front of the military council). Three weeks ago, it seemed to be the Salafis + football holigans who were attacking in Muhammad Mahmud street, but the holigans now seem to be found on both sides: some as paid-baltagis, and some as desperate poors who are seeing no progress in the economical situation.
Basically it is people who want some acountability: no one has been arrested for the killing of the Copts at Maspero; many figures of the old regime are still in top positions. To calm down the Muhammad Mahmud protests, the government has quit, and was replaced by half the same ministers + a 78 year old figure who has been PM of Mubarak, although he criticized the regime an quit at the time. The guy yesterday was saying that it was unknown foreign elements who were fighting in Qasr al Ayni, but all the pictures show that it is the “amn al markazi”. Many figures of the old regime have a lot to lose, and some didn’t take too easily that Mubarak’s trial was adjourned until the end of December (while some, especially in the countryside would also be ready to pardon Mubarak). It doesn’t seem the protesters want to stage a coup against the MB (Nawara Najm and other pro-MB are asking for Tantawi to quit). They are asking for a quick presidential election and many political figures of all side have asked the military council to leave.
People feel that the army is doing some agreements with part of the MB and other parties behind curtains, and it seems the police came back free-hand to its old methods, in agreement with the army. I think the Egyptians have enough political wahi not to allow the big businessmen Gulf/Egypt/US continue their milking of the Egyptian cow. There are many trends in the Egyptian MB and they were never too close to the Turks, as far as I understand.
After polls last week (in 9 governorates, including “Giza”, i. e. more than half-Cairo), there were many clashes between people vs army or police or parties vs parties. The economy is in a terrible shape so tensions are high.
Maybe there is some analysis in some of the articles posted on http://www.arabist.com or in Jadaliyya.

Here is the testimony of the boy who was savagely beaten and which sparkled that the sit-in became a real battle.

December 18th, 2011, 12:24 pm

 

Humanist said:

Ghufran,

I respect you and understand very well what you mean, but what I wanted to say is that most non-arabs just don’t see this difference. I still think it’s wrong to generalize.

And it is not very correct to call the gulf “kings” bedwins (as an insult) since most beduins are very poor and simple people.
They are even discriminated in many gulf countries, especially in Kuwait (most anti-regime protesters there have bedwins).
Their situation is Israel also doesn’t seem very good although many of them served/serve in the army they apparently got nothing back ( but’s thats an other story…)

December 18th, 2011, 12:27 pm

 

defender said:

1235.
Your behavior is simple not the approximate!
Usually the person sits on one chair!

December 18th, 2011, 12:27 pm

 

aldendeshe said:

@1240
In your case, it can be argued, and that is a valid hyposisysth, using Draconian manual AP1263, that you are in fact, but in the 4th dimension may be not, that you are really sitting on a Donkey prick.

December 18th, 2011, 12:42 pm

 

Mina said:

Here is an article about how the governmental newspapers have presented the events
http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/node/555891

Seems like all the usual crowd are enjoying some holidays in Tunis?

December 18th, 2011, 12:42 pm

 

Humanist said:

Bronco,

Thank you, but It’s very short about the ismailis. There have been very much focus on this blog on christians and alawites (who generally are anti-rev. – not necessary pro-regime).

However, Joshua had an interesting article related to the ismailis in the past. I thought the anti-regime sentiment at least partly could be related to those “events” . That’s what I wondered about.

December 18th, 2011, 12:47 pm

 

ann said:

AL to hold emergency meeting on Syria – 2011-12-19

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2011-12/19/c_122442290.htm

CAIRO, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) — An emergency Arab ministerial meeting will be held Wednesday at the headquarters of the Arab League (AL) in the Egyptian capital of Cairo to discuss the Syrian crisis, local media reported Sunday.

The meeting will tackle the recommendations prepared by the Arab ministerial committee for assessment of Damascus’ response to the Arab plan to send observers into the country to monitor the ongoing political crisis. The committee is in charge of following and handling the Syrian crisis and convened on Saturday in Doha, Qatar.

The Arab ministerial committee is also expected to hold a meeting on Wednesday morning to discuss the latest developments in Syria in light of the mediation efforts by the Iraqi side with the Syrian government, Egypt’s official news agency MENA reported Sunday.

On late Thursday, the regional bloc has decided to postponed indefinitely a foreign ministers’ meeting on Syria scheduled for Saturday, after consultations between AL Secretary General Nabil al-Arabi and Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim al- Thani, who chairs the ministerial committee, as well as several Arab ministers, including Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem.

December 18th, 2011, 12:49 pm

 

Mina said:

Thanks God, the (Ismaili) Shias gave to the Egyptians al-Azhar!!
Listen to that… kilometers from Qardawi and Aroor…

December 18th, 2011, 12:54 pm

 

aldendeshe said:

خبر حلو كتير هالصباح الظريف بعتو عالمستشفى عظيم شكرا ياعلي وحسن لندعي زيادة انكم السماويين تنهو الشر من سوريا والارض كلها احمونا من شر القرد وغان

December 18th, 2011, 1:03 pm

 

jad said:

This guy doesn’t stop attacking the SNC:

He is saying that anonymous donor give the council $20 millions for the council itself and for the Syrian people:

Ashraf Almoukdad
جهة غير معروفة تتبرع للمجلس المعطوب ولشعبنا عن طريق هذا المجلس المعطوب بعشرين مليون دولار……العمى ابو الشفايف سيكون مسؤولا عن توزيع هذه الاموال؟؟؟؟؟

Ashraf Almoukdad
عمر الادلبي عضو المجلس الوطني الموقر ومحلل دمه من قبل كتيبة خالد بن الوليد لسرقته أموال التبرعات لاهل حمص ومستأجر خمسة بيوت في بيروت بتحدث عن الشفافية!!!!!

Ashraf Almoukdad
فضيحة كبرى جدا : منع التحاق عماد الدين الرشيد”كتّيب الأحجبة”باجتماعات تونس ….الله أكبر …الشريك الأساسي في تشكيل المجلس القندهاري ورئيس التيار الوطني والذي له العشرات من الأعضاء في نفس هذا المجلس المعطوب . حرب خفية بين “الرؤوس” في هذا المجلس المعطوب……السؤال لماذا منعت جوقة حلب للقدود الحلبية وجود عماد الدين الرشيد؟؟؟؟؟لماذا استيعدوا قطب من اقطاب هذا المجلس؟؟؟؟ اهو بسبب مواقف الأخير من شلل المجلس؟؟؟؟انتظروا التفاصيل المخزية…..عماد الدين الرشيد هنا في استنبول مثلي……مستبعد ..الفرق انه عضوا….وانا لست عضوا !!!!!!!

December 18th, 2011, 1:25 pm

 

defender said:

1246
You radiate intolerance!

December 18th, 2011, 1:26 pm

 

Bronco said:

#1239 Min

Thanks for the insight, it is a confusing situation.
I wonder if it is a good idea to have a quick presidential election that would bring in an MB in power. In the contrary the longer its takes, that would give more chances for the candidates to show who they are and what are their views on the society.

The military will not renounce easily to their economical power, therefore the real danger is the possible collusion between the Islamists and the army to share the power and create another military-religious authoritarian regime.
To counteract that, the liberals who got only 15% of the street on their side, have only one way to go: as a first stage protests and provoke chaos and sustained instability so the military are weakened and the international community intervenes politically with sanctions on the government to stop the escalation of the violence.
Then they will move to another stage with a western supported media campaign to discredit the Islamists for their record on ‘women’s rights’, nikab, polygamy etc.. and denouncing the military for the “disproportionate ‘ use of violence on protesters and its corrupted grip on the economy.
After a long period of chaos, the last stage will be the election of a secular president ‘saviour’ like Baradei under the auspices of the UN.
That’s a possible scenario, the unknown is the time frame.

December 18th, 2011, 1:26 pm

 

Mina said:

Well, indeed, it looks like a revolution:
when you have the Salafis (video above) who are against the military council,
the journalists who have received death threats if they uncover some corruptions cases, who squarely accuse the military,
http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/node/556281
the advisory council set 2 weeks ago to calm down the riots who has some members who have already quit yesterday, and others who ask the military to transfer power to the civilians
http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/node/556186
and the students all against you,
http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/node/556971

you’re really into trouble.

December 18th, 2011, 1:26 pm

 

Humanist said:

Mina,
It’s too bad the Ismailis lost Egypt (and so many other arabic countries).
Imagine how different Egypt and Yemen would look today had they not.
No salafis and MB.s, niqabs and beards… Women’s rights improved.

They certainly would have given Islam a much better face.

December 18th, 2011, 1:28 pm

 

jad said:

Haytham,
You don’t have to answer, just wondering, who finance your trips and stays when you meet with your SNC buddies? Anonymous donors or you?

December 18th, 2011, 1:30 pm

 

Mina said:

Humanist
I agree 100 percent. In Yemen I met some Ismailis and indeed they were more concerned with the education of girls. The Shiites, because they search for “hidden meaning” everywhere, actually open a door to critical thinking.

Bronco,
I am afraid the liberals are only 5 percent. In all the clashes, we see a lot of veiled women, several wearing niqab or hijab were among the ones beaten yesterday. To be a liberal in Egypt, you need first and foremost to have a rich family. Otherwise, you are under a lot of social and family pressure… That’s why I think unless you give egality to men and women you will never move to a real “political consciousness”. But only KSA would have the moral lead to show the example, hard to believe they will ever do it. Actually it seems a lot of Copts were participating in the sit-in, because they have been killed in dozens at Maspero a few months ago and no one has been arrested for that. It is not only Egypt or Syria where there is a “crisis of civilisation”, I guess, we see it in other places and the financial crisis plays its role. It is indeed a crisis of the capitalist system.
As for the MB reaching presidency, it is not sure because some figures like Amr Moussa also have some credibility. And with such a torn-up country they would have to accomodate with all the trends. Some people vote for them just because they say “they have been mazlum for so long, it’s their turn”… after they will see that they are normal powerless politicians, maybe they’ll get interested in the other parties? There is so few non-veiled women now in Egypt that it wouldn’t make a big difference as for the dressing-code.

December 18th, 2011, 1:41 pm

 

Mina said:

http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/8/29671/World/Region/Oman-optimistic-Syria-will-sign-protocol-by-Monday.aspx

Arab League officials expect embattled Syrian regime to approve proposal for observer mission within 24 hours
AFP , Sunday 18 Dec 2011

The Arab League is “optimistic” that by Monday Syria will sign a proposal to send an observer mission to the restive country, the Omani minister responsible for foreign affairs said on Sunday.

“We are optimistic that Syria will join the Arab League and sign the protocol within the next 24 hours,” Yussef bin Alawi told reporters in Riyadh.

The 22-member Arab bloc has been trying to persuade Damascus to accept observers to monitor the situation as part of a plan to end the bloodshed.

On 27 November, the Arab bloc approved a raft of sanctions against Syria for failing to heed an ultimatum to admit observers.

Earlier this month, Syria finally said it would allow the mission, but laid down a number of conditions, including the lifting of sanctions.

Alawi said the Arab League would meet on Wednesday to discuss Syria.

“If it doesn’t sign, we will take decisions,” he added without elaborating.

Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem Al-Thani said on Saturday that the meeting would be held in Cairo. He accused Damascus of stalling on the Arab League proposal.

He warned that the League would take Syria to the UN Security Council if it persisted in refusing to admit observers to monitor the protection of civilians.

Iraq, Syria’s neighbour, is also taking steps to help mediate a solution.

The United Nations estimates that more than 5,000 people have been killed in the government crackdown on pro-democracy protests that erupted in mid-March.

December 18th, 2011, 1:50 pm

 

N.Z. said:

Humanist,

When the Agha Khan, the spiritual leader of the Ismailis visited Syria a couple of years ago, he offered his Syrian community to emigrate to Canada, they refused.

Agha Khan like Erdogan, both, were very supportive of Assad, the moment he turned against his people, they distanced themselves from him and stood with the peoples legitimate demands, they both have respect for human rights. Both invested heavily in Syria.

Ismailis blend with their respective countries and are active politically, socially and culturally. They earned the respect of all.

December 18th, 2011, 1:51 pm

 

Bill said:

# 1211 Amir in Tel Aviv

Wow! Now, your are adding Egypt to Syria in your lecturing of Arabs on democracy and political culture. What about the Israeli “democratic” political culture that rationalizes stealing Palestinian lands and colonizing it? Maybe you should lecture your fellow Israelis on occupation and war crimes before lecturing Arabs! I am consistent: I support freedom for Palestinians (end Israeli occupation, colonization, and war crimes), Syrians (end al-Assad’s hereditary and murderous regime), etc.
Do you support freedom only for Syrians? Isn’t this hypocrisy?
Just today, Haaretz has on its Website a story about an Israeli security interrogator talking about the torture of Palestinians. Please read it and post something about it. End Israeli Occupation, Colonization, and War Crimes!

December 18th, 2011, 1:52 pm

 

aldendeshe said:

Why SNP will never use facebook:

December 18th, 2011, 1:55 pm

 

Amir in Tel Aviv said:

JAD,

You don’t have to answer, just wondering, who finances the junta that you so much admire?
.

December 18th, 2011, 2:04 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

All minorities ,everywhere,are liberal,Ismaiili are follower of the sixth Imam,they follow Ja3far Al Sadeq, and believed that his son Isma3eel and his children should carry the Imameh,not his younger brother Musa Al Kazem,as Shiite do, Isma3eel was a bad person ,he used to drink and commit adultary,just because he was the first son,this does not qualify him to inherit Imamah.
Ismaiili also believe that Quraan has different meaning from what it states, Baten,as opposite of Zaher,, they also believe that Quraan was not the word from the prophet Muhammad,they think that a persian used to instruct Muhammad what to say, some said that at the time of the prophet, and Quraan answered them how could a foreign person,he does not speak good arabic say such an excellent arabic language
Al Azhar was build by the egyptian people who were Muslems,even that happend during Ismaiili rule, the same in Syria several mosques were built during Hafez Assad who is Alawi, and no Mosque in the Alawi area.

December 18th, 2011, 2:07 pm

 

aldendeshe معتز الدندشي said:

User name approved I take it. How about SNP.

December 18th, 2011, 2:12 pm

 

Bill said:

# 1258 Amir in Tel Aviv

Please allow me to answer the question that you are posing to JAD!

I, as an American taxpayer, finance both Egypt’s military junta and Israeli war machine. ALL of Israel’s deadly machines, which it uses to occupy and steal Arab lands, are paid for by the American taxpayers. Please stop lecturing Arabs and look in the mirror. Your country is an occupying power built on the debris of Palestinians’ lands and hopes!

December 18th, 2011, 2:13 pm

 

Haytham Khoury said:

Jad#1254.

I paid myself. I do not need anybody’s money.

December 18th, 2011, 2:23 pm

 

irritated said:

@1260. majedkhaldoun

So the Ismailis are even worse kuffar that the Shias?

December 18th, 2011, 2:26 pm

 

Amir in Tel Aviv said:

Bill,

If you have a problem with the US national budget, then run for Congress of for the Senate to change the budget priorities and distribution. Me too, I’m not always happy with the Israeli budget decisions, but I accept the fact that Israel is a democracy, and that the budget reflects the platforms of the Israeli political currents and parties.

On top of that, polls show that more than 65% of Americans support Israel. Obviously, you’re not among those 65%. Let me guess, you are an Islamo-leftist of Ron Paulist. You are the minority, dude.
.

December 18th, 2011, 2:43 pm

 

jad said:

Irritated,
There are levels of Kuffar, here you go the top list:
#1-Stone worshipers (any religion that we don’t know)
#2-Jews (Kuffar-Pigs flavor)
#3-Alawites (Nousayri Majousi Mourshidi you name it..Kuffar-Kuffar-Kuffar, omg we hate them)
#4-Christians (Nasranyeen, Ahl Alzimmeh..Kuffar-Monkeys flavor)
#5-Druz (Kuffar-weirdos)
#6-° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * BRAND NEW° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * Ismailis (Kuffar-Drunk)
#7-Shia (Kuffar-mild)
#8-Atheist (we may use them when needed, however, Kuffar-O.K.)

December 18th, 2011, 2:45 pm

 

N.Z. said:

MAJEDKHALDOUN,

Sunnis are a minority in Europe and North America.

What do you mean, when you say: “All minorities ,everywhere,are liberal,”?

December 18th, 2011, 2:49 pm

 

Bill said:

Reply to: 1262. Amir in Tel Aviv

Thanks for idea. I will run for Congress and vote against AIPAC all the time. You should answer the following question if you want to have any credibility commenting on the courageous Arabs and their inspiring Arab Spring:
1) Isn’t your country built on the debris of Palestinians’ lands and hopes?
2) As an Israeli, you likely have served in the military (or as you call it the IDF), unless you are attending a religious school (many graduates of these schools issue FATWAS on colonizing Palestinian lands; do you remember when Rabbi Ovadia Yousef asked God to strike Palestinians with the plague?). During your IDF service:
a. Did you ever shoot rubber or live bullets on Palestinians demonstrating the occupation policy, e.g.; the racist separation wall, the colonies (which you guys call settlements), etc.?
b. Did you insult and humiliate Palestinians at Israeli checkpoints?
There is a saying: “if your house is built from glass, don’t throw stones at others’ houses.” Your glass house is not only a glass house, it is A STOLEN GLASS HOUSE built on the debris of Palestinians’ lands and hopes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please stop lecturing Arabs until you lecture your own occupying nation!

December 18th, 2011, 2:54 pm

 

irritated said:

Jad #1263

Correction: Druzes are not kuffar, Majedalkhadoon dixit.

Do you know what is the criteria needed to be a considered as a moslem?

“516. majedkhaldoun said:

Bronco
You understand English, go back and read what I wrote
Druze are musslems but they do not pray fast ,pay Zakkat and they do not perform Haj
Alawite are Kuffar.”

December 18th, 2011, 2:58 pm

 

Tara said:

Bronco

I disagree.  I see no inferiority complex at play.  To the contrary, I see a solid small country that, as Rime Alaf put it, is not punching above it’s weight but has become heavy weight.  Qatar has always supported Arab causes.  She, until recently, was one of the biggest Arab supporter of Besho boy when we were all deceived by his “resistance” stand.  It played a power broker role for all Lebanese factions by sponsoring the Doha Agreement.  It hosts and supports Aljazeera without which internalization of the Syrian, Tunisian, Egyptian, Yemen, and Libyan revolutions possible and by doing so prevented a replay of The horrific Hama-I scenario in all these countries..  As it did in Lebanon war, and Gaza.  It led the AL into its first historic unprecedented potent move by imposing sanctions on the tyrants in Damascus.  A move that pained and humiliated Assad’s regime bitterly.  Qatar also maintains an ability to connect with all walks of political forces from Islamists to seculars which props her up to be an influential power broker.  Wealthy, nationalistic, and moral…a good combination.  Don’t you think?   

December 18th, 2011, 3:03 pm

 

Amir in Tel Aviv said:

Bill,

1) Isn’t your country built on the debris of Palestinians’ lands and hopes?
1) No. Israel is build on a Jewish property, a Jewish land that belongs to the Jewish people. Always will.

2) As an Israeli, you likely have served in the military.
2) Yes, and I’m still serving as a reservist. When you enjoy your summer holidays, I’ll be serving the IDF for 17 days in June.
No, I did not serve in Judea and Samaria. I belong to an intelligence unit, somewhere in the center of Israel.
.

December 18th, 2011, 3:09 pm

 

jad said:

Irritated,

“Correction: Druzes are not kuffar, Majedalkhadoon dixit.’
Just wait! Besides, I put them under Kuffar-Weirdos category, it fits, Sheikhan told us that ‘they do not pray fast ,pay Zakkat and they do not perform Haj” They must be some kind of Kuffar…
I’m not sure irritated, you are suspicious, are you questioning Sheikhan?!?

“Do you know what is the criteria needed to be a considered as a moslem?”
According to Sheikhan, only Sunnis, not all of them though, a very specific kind, the ones he approves.

December 18th, 2011, 3:11 pm

 

Bronco said:

#1267 Tara

I agree that Qatar has started humbly and did very good thing for the region in the last few years, then it got drunk with its power.
Hamad tries to appear as a “humble” servant of the Arabs, but all his manners show the exact opposite.

Al Jazeera has degenerated into a mischievious propangada tool for ‘ Arab democracy’ when Qatar itself is very far from a democracy, ‘human rights’ when Qatar does not have ‘women rights’, “palestinians rights” when Qatar flirts with Israel and host the USA war fleets ready to protect the US and Israel’s interests.
They call for tolerance for minorities and they host Al Qardawi.
I call this blatant double face and hypocrisy: do as I say, not as I do. For me now, they have lost their credibility and as Al Jazeera is 100% managed by the emirs of Qatar, the country as a whole has lost it too.
Heavy weight: Sumo, gas and money, yes, that’s all.

December 18th, 2011, 3:21 pm

 

Tara said:

Bronco

Your response has a major contradiction and warrant further thoughts. How can you “agree that Qatar did very good things for the region” when it was all along “far from democracy, human rights, women rights”, and has been all along “flirting with Israel” and hosting a US base.

What has recently changed about Qatar for you to declare it “blatant double face” unless Qatar was “good” in your eyes when it supported bashar, and then suddenly ceased to be good when it ended her support of Assad….of course using all above pre-existing conditions to justify the shift. Am I wrong?

December 18th, 2011, 3:41 pm

 

Bill said:

To 1268. AMIR IN TEL AVIV,
the IDF reservist who uses a Jewish fundamentalist name for the occupied terrirtories (Judea and Samaria).
NO, Palestinian refugees in Sabra, Shatila, al-Wihdat; and those whose land was stolen to build Kiryat Araba, Ariel, Ma’aleh Adonim,etc., NEITHER SOLD YOU THEIR LAND, NOR GAVE YOU PERMISSION TO COLONIZE IT.
Wow! Readers of this blog, whenever they see “AMIR in Tel Aviv” commenting you the Arab Spring as if he were an innocent pro-freedom and pro-democracy activist, NOW KNOW THAT HE IS AN IDF RESERVIST who at anytime can be called to the occupied territories to kill, injure, beat, and humiliate Palestinians. Bashar is committing war crimes in Syria, but what about the Israeli war crimes? WASN’t the White Phosphorous that Israel used over Gaza a war crime?
As a member of an occupation army for a state built on Palestinians’ lost lands and hopes, YOU HAVE NO CREDIBILITY TO COMMENT ON Arabs’ courageous and inspiring Arab Spring. Once ARABS succeed in their Arab Spring and liberate Egypt, Syria, etc., THEY WILL BE READY TO EFFECTIVELY FIGHT ISRAEL’S OCCUPATION. Isn’t this the reason why Netanyahu, Barak, et al. are asking the United States and the West not support the Arab Spring? Do you recall when Netanyahu lobbied Washington on behalf of Mubarak?

P.S., I heard that Israelis hire English speakers to join blog chats and social media to influence pro-Israeli positions. Are you one of them? Are you chatting from an IDF base?

December 18th, 2011, 3:46 pm

 

zoo said:

What “Arab peace plan” are they talking about that Syria will sign? I thought it was just a protocol to allow observers in. Since when was it upgraded to a full “peace plan”? As the opposition is mentioned in the “peace plan” , are they ready to sign it too? No mention of the amendments requested by Syria, were they included or rejected? Opaque…

http://news.yahoo.com/qatar-sees-syria-signing-arab-peace-deal-162202421.html
RIYADH (Reuters) – Qatar said on Sunday it had information Syrian President Bashar al-Assad would finally sign an Arab peace plan aimed at ending his crackdown on anti-government protests, after weeks of stalling.

The Arab League has suspended Syria and imposed sanctions over Assad’s refusal to accept its peace plan, which calls on Damascus to end bloodshed, free prisoners, start dialogue with the opposition and allow peace monitors into the country.

Damascus has not rejected the plan outright, but has stalled for weeks, saying that the request it allow monitors could violate its sovereignty.

Arab foreign ministers meet in Egypt on Wednesday and could decide to put the plan before the United Nations Security Council, making it the basis for a wider international effort to force Assad to end violence.

“We have information that indicates that he (Assad) will sign the initiative. If this is true or not true we’ll see,” Qatar’s Foreign Minister, Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim al-Thani, told journalists on the sidelines of a meeting in the Saudi capital Riyadh.

Hamad is the head of an Arab League ministerial committee dealing with Syria, which has recommended that the League discuss putting its plan to Security Council. His remarks were carried by al-Arabiya television.

The United Nations says 5,000 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in 10 months of unrest in Syria. Assad says his forces are fighting insurgents backed by foreign powers and that most of those killed were members of the security forces.

Earlier on Sunday, Omani Foreign Minister Youssef bin Alawi bin Abdullah said he was optimistic Syria would sign the Arab peace plan before Wednesday’s Arab League meeting.

“We are optimistic that Syria will join the Arab League in signing the protocol, which is ready now, within 24 hours,” Abdullah said in Riyadh.

“That is what we hope for. If not, the Arab League foreign ministers will meet on Wednesday to consider measures that might be taken in the future,” he added.

December 18th, 2011, 3:50 pm

 

Hans said:

I always wondered when the spring is hitting the GCC, that would be a wonderful thing to live, see, understand how the people can topple the trash goat beard pigs ( not princes) and have some equality to minorities, foreigners, children ( given the spread of pedophilia) and the right of women to live as human being not as consumed goods.
Any one has a good thoughtful prediction!

December 18th, 2011, 3:52 pm

 

Khalid Tlass said:

This one is for you NORMAN,

What Iranian people think about Baathism and pan Arabism:

Posts on ShiaChat :

“What a joke these Saddam loving bakri terrorist nasibi scum should all be killed, Insha Allah. One must realize that these pan-Arab scum are some of the worst racists on the earth. They believe that Arabs are allegedly God’s “chosen people”; and that everyone else is non-Arab scum. The truth is the Prophet(SAWW) was created from Allah(SWT)’s own Noor and was only “Arab” in human form. The reason the Prophet(SAWW) was sent to the Arabs is because they were the worst scum of the earth; that killed their baby girls, worshipped pagan idols, were bloodthirsty warmongers, and many other things. Even Sunni hadiths tells us the Persians are of the best people, and they were always monotheist people of the book (Zoroastrians); while the Arabs were formerly pagans. The Arab racist companions around the Prophet(SAWW) were so jealous of people like Salman al-Farsi(ra), Bilal the Ethiopian(ra), Suhaib al-Rumi (the Roman), etc. After the Prophet(SAWW) death the racism of umar ibn al-khattab the Pan-Arab scum was clear”

http://www.shiachat.com/forum/index.php?/topic/234951602-sunni-arab-view-of-iran/

December 18th, 2011, 3:57 pm

 

SYRIAN HAMSTER said:

Vultures
You vultures, where in Majedkhaldoun’s comment did he mention the word Kufr or Kufar before you decided to interpret his words from your narrow sectarian prism and supplement his very simple explanation with your interpretation.

If anyone is inciting sectarianism it would be your behavior of attaching your sick, illiterate, semi-racist, sectarian, view point to your opponents speech only to build up the drama so that you look like the victims instead of what you really are, a bunch of scared, pathetic people.

I believe that the best way to describe you is to put you in front of a mirror, see yourself in one of the most hilarious segments of comedy ever performed to demonstrate fools on a witch hunt and their logical fallacies, but I am not sure you will be able to identify those logical fallacies, i bett you either failed logic 101 or never took such a course. And before you get irked, the peasants in the scene are normal, it depicts the day of king Arthur, a time where everyone was either a peasant or a lord, and in both cases, a drunkard.

Various Peasants : Witch! A witch!
First Peasant: We have found a witch–may we burn her?
[Various calls to burn her.]
Sir Bedivere: How do you know she is a witch?
Peasants: She looks like one.
[Various calls to burn her]
Sir Bedivere: Bring her forward.
Accused Girl: I am not a witch! I am not a witch!
Sir Bedivere: But you are dressed as one.
Accused Girl: They dressed me up like this. And this isn’t my nose; it’s a false one.
Sir Bedivere: Well?
Second Peasant: Well, we did do the nose.
Sir Bedivere: The nose?
Second Peasant: And the hat, but she’s a witch. [Yeah, burn her!]
Sir Bedivere: Did you dress her up?
Peasants: No. No. No. No. No. Yes. Yes a bit. Well a bit. A bit. A bit. She has a wart.
Sir Bedivere: What makes you think she’s a witch?
First Peasant: Oh, she turned me into a newt.
Sir Bedivere: A newt?
First Peasant: I got better.
Second Peasant: Burn her anyway! Burn her!
Sir Bedivere: Quiet! Quiet! Quiet! Quiet! There are ways of telling if she’s a witch.
Peasants: Are there? What are they? Tell us!
Sir Bedivere: Tell me, what do you do with witches?
Peasants: Burn them!
Sir Bedivere: And what do you burn apart from witches?
Second Peasant: More witches!
First Peasant: Wood!
Sir Bedivere: Wood! So why do witches burn?
First Peasant: ’cause they’re made of . . . wood?
Sir Bedivere: Good! So how do you tell if she is made of wood?
Peasants: Build a bridge out of her!
Sir Bedivere: Ah, but cannot you also make bridges out of stone?
Second Peasant: Ah. Yeah.
Sir Bedivere: Does wood sink in water?
Peasants: Nah, it don’t. Nah, it . . . floats. It floats! Throw her into the pond!
Sir Bedivere: What also floats in water?
Peasants: Bread! Apples! Very small rocks! Cider! Grape gravy! Cherries! Rum! Churches! Churches! Lead!
King Arthur: A duck.
Sir Bedivere: Yes, exactly. So logically…?
Peasants: If she weighs the same as a duck. . . she’s made of wood.
Sir Bedivere: And therefore. . . ?
Peasants: A witch? A witch! She’s a witch! Burn her!
Sir Bedivere: We shall use my larger scales!
[Various cries]
Sir Bedivere: Remove the supports.
[Various cries]
Accused Girl: It’s a fair cop.*
Sir Bedivere: Who are you who art so wise in the ways of science?
Arthur: I am Arthur, king of the Britons.

*[British slang, i.e., arrest].

Text from Monty Python’s Quest for the Holy Grail: Scene 06

December 18th, 2011, 4:04 pm

 

Khalid Tlass said:

Another one for you Norman :

What Iranian people think about Baathism and pan Arabism:

Posts on ShiaChat:

http://www.shiachat.com/forum/index.php?/topic/234951602-sunni-arab-view-of-iran/

“Imam Khumayni him self said this when he was talking about Saddam. Its a very well known and well published statment, so I dont feel its neccisary to get an actual source. He said,

“Saddam is a dictator, and what is worse he is an Arab dictator, and Allah tells us that the Arabs are the WORST in kuffir.”

It is logical that if they are the worst in kuffar the best Prophet would come to them.”

So this what Bashar’s Iranian allies think about Arabs, Dr. Norman !!!

December 18th, 2011, 4:04 pm

 

Tara said:

#1273

Bashar understands one language only: the language of power. He postponed and postponed signing the AL’s initiative and now afraid of a potential UNSC resolution, he is on his knees humiliated, sending messages to the Qatari foreign minister that he is going to sign. A story of a contemptuous life and a contemptuous end.

December 18th, 2011, 4:09 pm

 

N.Z. said:

They signed yesterday. I think AL wants one of the butcher’s officials to confirm. A regime that lied for so long can no longer be trusted.

The American bases in the Gulf region are indirectly a result of Saddam egotism and arrogance. Two sides of he same coin, Assad of Syria and Hussein of Iraq.

The responsibility of any international intervention in Syria will lie squarely on the shoulder of junior and his family.

As far as Syrians are concerned, the death toll is rising.

December 18th, 2011, 4:14 pm

 

jad said:

Irritated, watch out the rage, the mad Boldy Romantic Jardon comedy show is starting, Aljardon Ala6rash aka Ralph Wiggum to the rescue of the Sheikh of SC…..

MAJEDKHALDOUN said:
“Shiaa are similar to Christianity, christian believe God is a man and has son and they worship jesus, Shiaa believe God has Wali they worship Ali and Hussein, even that in Quraan in the last verse in ISRAA sourah, it very clearly says God has no Wali,and in Sourah Zummar God says those who worship wali are liars and Kuffar.”

BRONCO said:
“What about Druzes and Alawites? Are they liars and kuffar too?”

MAJEDKHALDOUN said:
“Druze are musslems but they do not pray fast ,pay Zakkat and they do not perform Haj
Alawite are Kuffar.

December 18th, 2011, 4:22 pm

 

ann said:

NATO Wants a Civil War in Syria – As a Prelude – December 18, 2011

http://tv.globalresearch.ca/2011/12/nato-wants-civil-war-syria-%E2%80%93-prelude

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Htu6ZRJ3ez4&feature=player_embedded

Washington is ready to discuss Russia’s UN Security Council draft resolution on Syria, describing some provisions as however “unacceptable” and still not acknowledging that the anti-regime protesters are well-armed.

What exactly the US and NATO countries consider to be “unacceptable” is the real question, believes Asia Times correspondent Pepe Escobar.

“Is it that the Syrian government cannot fight an armed insurgency in its own territory?” he ponders. “The Free Syrian Army are getting weapons smuggled from the Middle East to the borders [with Syria] in Turkey and in Jordan as well.”

Pepe Escobar says that the Free Syrian Army, which claims to have more than 25,000 members fighting to bring down President Assad, is in fact turning into a huge militia marshalling forces near Syria’s borders with Turkey and Jordan.

“This militia now is already involved in a sort of a pre-civil war at both borders with the help of NATO,” Escobar said. “What they want and what NATO wants is a simmering civil war as a prelude for something much tougher ahead, probably after the American elections in one year.”

Escobar believes that “the fog of pre-war” is already there, and says Russia is making an intelligent move in pushing forward a “pre-emptive resolution.”

“It condemns both sides and asks for a UN peacekeeping mission to solve the problem,” he said. “If there is a resolution in the UN, the first thing will be to send a UN peacekeeping mission, a fact-finding mission, to Syria.”

One of the reasons he believes that such a mission must be sent to Syria as soon as possible is because there are still no credible sources of information about what is really happening on the ground.

“The thing is we still do not know the role of these snipers that we see everywhere,” he explains. “In fact most of the civilian killings are by these snipers. And they even shoot children, this is true. But we do not know for sure if they are working for the Syrian army or Syrian intelligence, there is absolutely no evidence about it.”

“Look, we don’t know where these snipers come from,” Escobar cited people in Homs as saying. “They could be government, but they could be opportunists, and they could be mercenaries trying to incite civil war.”

December 18th, 2011, 4:24 pm

 

ann said:

Syria, Arab League to sign observer mission – 2011-12-19

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2011-12/19/c_122442361.htm

CAIRO, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) — Syria is expected to sign the Arab protocol allowing in the Arab League’s (AL) observer mission on Monday at the headquarters of the pan-Arab body in Cairo, Egypt’s official MENA news agency reported Sunday, quoting an Iraqi official.

“An Arab League-proposed protocol on the Syrian crisis will be signed on Monday in Cairo,” the report said, quoting Iraqi national security advisor Faleh al-Fayadh.

The Iraqi official said after talks with Egyptian Foreign Minister Mohamed Amr that Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal al- Miqdad is likely to sign the protocol.

Fayadh came to Cairo to discuss the Syrian crisis, and met with AL chief Nabil al-Arabi and Amr on Sunday.

“The Iraqi delegation in Damascus held positive talks with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on the Iraqi efforts to resolve the Syrian crisis,” Fayadh told Iraqi TV before arriving in Cairo.

Wageh Hanafy, spokesperson for Arabi, told Xinhua by telephone that Fayadh talked with Arabi on Sunday. However, the spokesperson did not mention if Damascus will sign the deal or any possible date of signing.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said Saturday that Syria “has positively dealt with all suggestions” presented to it, as the AL gave Damascus till Wednesday to allow in observers, otherwise the pan-Arab body will take the Arab proposal on Syria to the United Nations Security Council.

December 18th, 2011, 4:30 pm

 

Bill said:

To ALL OF THOSE WHO READ THIS BLOG

DEAR ALL:

YOU should all be thankful to me and my lost Sunday, the day of football and car washing, to expose “AMIR FROM TELL AVIVE” as an Israeli IDF “Mukhabarat,” or “Mossad,” or “Shin bit.” I actually did not expose him; I just asked him smart questions and HE EXPOSED HIMSELF!!!!!!!!!!!!

December 18th, 2011, 4:35 pm

 

SYRIAN HAMSTER said:

SCRATCHY

Exactly, like they said, …she has a wart.

December 18th, 2011, 4:43 pm

 

ann said:

Atmosphere of debates has changed – expert – Dec 18, 2011

Charlie Becket who is Director of Polis at the Department of Media and Communications at the London School of Economics.

http://english.ruvr.ru/2011/12/18/62454047.html

Really, that reminded me of an episode, if you remember this Spring there was medium scale scandal, so to say. There was a blogger, a young woman writing from Syria and she was saying she was pregnant, and then it later turned out that in fact there was no pregnant young woman but there was a man and he was not Syrian, he was a foreigner. So, does that mean that the information media becomes, shall we say, less credible?

That’s right, I think that what you’ve got to understand is that there is much more information out there than ever before. Of course a lot of it is going to be inaccurate, false and deliberate propaganda, in a way this is just an expansion of what we’ve had before where you couldn’t always trust official media, in some countries the official media is censored. And so even in, so called, free societies like Britain of course a newspaper may have a particular point of view, it may be biased and it may even lie sometimes or make mistakes. So, we always have to worry about the veracity of information, whether it’s true and reliable. What’s interesting with the Internet is that when somebody lies on the Internet they get found out much more quickly. And so the Syrian blogger was actually found out by other people who on-line worked out this person, couldn’t be who they said they were and they were exposed. So, you certainly do get false information on-line but you also find that other people on the Internet will act as kind of watchdogs and editors.

December 18th, 2011, 4:45 pm

 

jad said:

LOLOL…Shou in6abaz aljardoun..pity that you can’t make your text BOLDER to show your in6ibaz! “she has a wart” you mean your mama!
Ralph, kiddo, why don’t you go have some Koolaid play with your friends and next time try to read the text you defend, it’s better for your health and reputation..

December 18th, 2011, 5:00 pm

 

jad said:

The Turks to monitor the Syrian borders for ‘infiltrators’ trying to cross to Turkey, while they help, train, arm and finance the terrorists to get into Syria to kill more Syrians a very balanced policy.

صحيفة تركية: أنقرة تتبع إستراتيجية عسكرية جديدة للتعامل مع سوريا

ذكرت صحيفة “صباح” التركية أن اجتماع مجلس الشورى العسكري التركي الذي عقد يوم الخميس الماضي برئاسة رئيس الوزراء التركي رجب طيب أردوغان رسم استراتيجية عسكرية جديدة تكثفت حول سوريا التي تتضمن نشر وحدة قوات خاصة تابعة لقوات الدرك يصل عددها إلى 700 عسكري على المواقع المهمة على الشريط الحدودي التركي-السوري.
وقالت الصحيفة “ان القوات ستتولى مهام المراقبة والتفتيش والإشراف على الهجرة الجماعية المحتملة من سوريا إلى تركيا إضافة إلى إعاقة تسلل الانفصاليين إلى تركيا الذين يخططون للاستفادة من التطورات السلبية التي قد تشهدها الحدود مع اندلاع حرب عرقية أو مذهبية في سوريا”.
أما الخطوة الثانية المرسومة بالاستراتيجية العسكرية الجديدة، حسب قول الصحيفة، فهي نشر طائرات تجسسية صناعة محلية في المناطق القريبة من الحدود لهدف جمع معلومات استخباراتية على مدى 24 ساعة ونقلها مباشرة إلى العاصمة أنقرة لتقييمها واتخاذ الخطوات اللازمة قبل أي تطور سلبي تشهده المدن الحدودية السورية خاصة مدينة حلب.

December 18th, 2011, 5:06 pm

 

Tara said:

“You mean your mama”

This only comes from a hateful sectarian vulgar pseudo-intellect. Jad, I am so much resisting writing an email to Camille and Josh to ask that you are banned for a week. You have no shame!

December 18th, 2011, 5:18 pm

 

SALAH ADDIN said:

Egyptian democracy after the ouster of Moubarak and his family.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxDVw0TZAbw

December 18th, 2011, 5:19 pm

 

jad said:

Tara,
أعلى ما بخيلك إركبيه
You guys/girls write the most stupid attacks yet if someone answer you the way you deserve you get so sensitives, simply, don’t attack me.
Just read your comment you wrote to see that if I’ll reply to you, you will go crying ‘shame on you’.
I wrote it many times already, I ignore you as long as you don’t attack me, otherwise, it’s a fair game. Capice?

December 18th, 2011, 5:29 pm

 

Bronco said:

#1271 Tara

The shift happened when Qatar took an active, political, military and ideological part in the Libyan war. A war that until now is trying to hide the huge amount of deaths it provoked.
That was the biggest mistake they did and that has tarnished their reputation as a honest broker in the eyes of many Arabs.
At the start of the Syrian crisis I thought they may wanted to use the Syrian situation to rehabilitate themselves as ‘impartial’ broker. With Sarkozy getting excited again, Qatar thought they could redo the Libyan scenario in Syria using France, Turkey and NATO. They became more bellicose towards Syria. Then the whole military option for Syria collapsed, Nato refused, Turkey refused, Russia vetoed the UN resolution so they were obliged to return to another scenario. They sponsored the AL initiative. Here they thought they could set up a trap to humiliate Syria with the hope it may change Russia’s attitude. It did not work as Syria in agreement with Russia imposed its own conditions and the Arab countries rejected the sanctions. Qatar and the AL were in a stalemate.

Now Russia came with a new UN resolution hailed by the international community and Al Sharaa was flying to Moscow to discuss it with Lavrov. Qatar and the AL got seriously worried that the Arab initiative they pushed for months will be thrown to the dustbin. Suddenly the initiative was promoted to a “peace plan” as they probably secretly yielded to most of the amendments required by Syria. To save face, in the media they made it appear as a blackmail to Syria and if Syria signs that would appear a victory, while actually it is a victory for the Syrian regime and for Russia since this is what Russia has been calling for in the last few months. Qatar and the AL would now have to squeeze the opposition to accept to dialog with the regime. That would be humiliating for the SNC but they’ll have no choice.
In summary, I feel that Qatar is only looking for its personal ambition and diplomatic successes to affirm itself as a leader in Arab diplomacy. They could’nt care less about Syrians or Yemenis or Palestinians, they’ll use any means to ensure a diplomatic success for Qatar that they will be lauded for it. Their media will take care of making the tiny Qatar look like a international political heavy weight and give it the clout they need to compensate the fact that their tiny island is tiny, artificial and a cultural desert.

December 18th, 2011, 5:41 pm

 

Bill said:

الى قراء هذا الديوان الكرام:

يجب عليكم ان تشكروني لاني سالت “AMIR IN TEL AVIV”
عده اسئله ذكيه جعلته يفول انه عضو في جهاز المخابرات في جيش الاحتلال الاسرائيلي.
اليست نفاقا ان عنصر احتلال يعطي نصائح عن الحريه والديمقراطيه العربيه؟

December 18th, 2011, 5:44 pm

 

jad said:

شكراً بيل

December 18th, 2011, 5:49 pm

 

BILL said:

عفوا يا أخ جاد

December 18th, 2011, 5:51 pm

 

SYRIAN HAMSTER said:

GENEROUS TARA

Pseudo-Intellect?!, You are way too generous.

December 18th, 2011, 5:58 pm

 

irritated said:

#1278 Hamsty

As you seem obsessed with witches and this obsession is making you dyslexic when you read Majedalkhaldoon very precise opinion of who is and who is not a kuffar, I suggest that you join the “Anti-Witchcraft Unit and a sorcery hotline” recruiting now in the epidemic of witches in Saudi Arabia. I think you’ll do very well as an advisor.

http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2011/12/13/how_do_you_prove_witchcraft_saudi_arabia

December 18th, 2011, 6:04 pm

 

Syria no kandahar said:

Syria our dead mother:
If you are with or against the regime,it really does not matter any more,damage is done and soon enough we all will be orphans.Politics with all respect to every one are not important any more,nor democracy or freedom,what is really important is that Syrian society has been disintegrated into sectarianism .Many new factors are impossible to correct now or with any future president or government :
1-Almost every one has weapons in and around Homs ,Hama and Edlib
2-Sunnis and Alawis are in actual civil war in and around Homs and Edlib.
3-Terrorists,Revolutionists,Extremists,Thiefs,Murderes,Defectors…All are now wearing the same hat,and you can’t differentiate them.
4-Civilians who are subjected to terrorists activities by the revolution gangs are afraid and can’t call authorities because they will be killed .I know a Christian who the revolution gangs stole his car ,asked for 500000 lira,negotiated with them and got his car back with
200000.one week later they stole it again and emptied every thing inside it(recorder,chairs…).
5-I have talked to some one who lives around Hama and works as taxi driver,he stated that a dead man was by the garbage dumpster for three days and no one was even removing it even the police were afraid…the dogs and cats were eating his body…he also
Mentioned another guy who was hanged on the pole for thee days ….
This is the new Syria…it is a dead Syria…it is what this Terrorists and Barbaric gangs want..it does not matter who will be in Almohajreen Palace any more…SYRIA IS CLINICALLY DEAD.

December 18th, 2011, 6:05 pm

 

Tara said:

Bronco,

Syrian crisis aside, calling for NATO intervention in Libya was needed and was moral. The Libyan psychopath was willing to go zenga zenga, dar dar to burn Libya. What else could have the Libyan done to get rid of Quaddafi? The death toll from The NATO bombing Quaddafi forces and the accompanied collateral damages was a price Libyans were happily willing to pay to get rid of Muaamar. I don’t think Qatar do or should feel any guilt in being part of the attack against Quaddafi. I don’t think that the Quatari reputation needed any rehabilitation at all.

Bronco, I am not arguing here that the western governments may have had the petrodollars flashing in there eyes while planning the strike against Quaddafi. I am arguing that Libyans had no choice not to ask for a no fly zone against Muaamar.
Quaddafi had probably caused more atrocities during his 50 years of tyranny than the
collateral damages caused by the NATO. There was NO other choice.

Additionally, I don’t believe that there is a secret agreement between Russia and the regime. I think it is just a wishful thinking on your part. Don’t worry. It is understandable. I also resort to wishful thinking all the time. It is natural when you have a deep affection about something…. The Syrian regime, I believe, was placed on the international auction by the Russian for the highest bid.

December 18th, 2011, 6:13 pm

 

Tara said:

Dear Hamster

Ah,.. I know. I am generous Tara. Can’t help it… Everyone around me tells me the same. Nevertheless,I think that what he perceives himself. Intellectuals for me are people who have originality of thoughts. One or two here may fit this description. The others are only parroting the regime’s lines.

December 18th, 2011, 6:25 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Jad
When you quote me you should not pic and choose, you deleted a comment I said that Kuffar is not an insult,it means you do not belive in Islam as the prophet told us about, it merely means non believer.
The prophet told us those who believe in God and do what is right they have nothing to fear, this is the basis of Islam,believe in God who Quraan refer to as Ghayb,something we dont see hear or touch,we do not know God entity, we were told God has soul, but God according to Muhammad teaching has no Son Equal or Wali.
God told us Jews christians and Sabe2a God will judge them on judgement day

Most syrian I know they rarely pray sometimes they do not fast,(they probably adhere to fasting more that than anything else) and they do not pay Zakat, rarely go to Hajj,the same as Druze.

N.Z.
most of syrians I know are not strongly conservative, they say they are but they do not act conservative, conservatism is something they practice at home or when they get old,when they deal with the goverment they demand liberal position. remember I am talking in general.

Tara
I have no respect to AL because in the past they were incompetent, I like what Hamad bin Jasem is doing now, the leaders generally they do not represent their people.

December 18th, 2011, 6:36 pm

 

Amir in Tel Aviv said:

Bill,

It may surprise you, but many Arabs no longer automatically buy this BS. Especially not on SC, where quite an intelligent crowd has gathered (not all though).

Why don’t you find yourself a better, more suitable home for your Islamo-leftist BS. There are plenty of anti-Zionist Jews-hating sites across the Blogosphere ready and happy to have you.
.

December 18th, 2011, 6:39 pm

 

Bronco said:

Tara

While I admire the Tunisian revolution, I have not sympathy at all for the Libyans. You don’t make a revolution by calling for help countries that were crawling a few weeks ago before a dictator to get oil contracts and that had violently colonized and exploited North Africa causing just in the Algerian war millions of death. It is shameful. Algeria fought against the french and finally got their independence without the help of planes and bombs from a western country.
For me Libyans are just opportunistic cowards and the future of the country will show it.

The agreement between Syria and Russia is no secret. Russia proved it at the UNSC openly rejecting a resolution whose aim was a regime change.
I think the next few days will show if Syria with the help of Russia outsmarted Qatar and if the ‘protocol’ will include most of the amendments Syria had asked for and that were rejected first and reexamined by a confused AL. In my view Syria did.
Tomorrow, Walid Moallem is giving a press conference and we will know everything.

December 18th, 2011, 6:43 pm

 

Bill said:

To the the member of the Israeli occupation “IDF” intelligence,
# 1303 AMIR IN TEL AVIV:

I am actually liberal, and I believe in freedom and self-determination for ALL (I repeat, ALL) human beings: Palestinians, Syrians, etc.

By using the term “Judea Samaria,” to refer to the occupied/colonized West Bank, you also exposed yourself not only as an ISLAMOPHOBIC person, but also as JewishFASO supporter of occupation and colonization. Did the intelligence work that you do for the “IDF” lead to war crimes, murder, arrest, beating, humiliation, and intimidation of occupied Palestinians; on whose lost lands and hopes your nation has built its colonial enterprise?

There are too many anti-Arab/anti-Muslim/anti-Palestinian right-wing Zionists/extremists/Islamophobes in the Blogosphere!!

December 18th, 2011, 6:56 pm

 

Tara said:

Bronco

If Mouallem is planning more of these press conferences, he must lose weight. Because of his weight, he probably has sleep apnea and he runs a risk of falling asleep in between questions. The last thing the Syrian regime wants is a foreign minister who might fall asleep during a press conference.

December 18th, 2011, 6:57 pm

 

ann said:

Syrian government threatens to execute 21 mercenaries in the next 24 hours

December 18th, 2011, 7:02 pm

 

Amir in Tel Aviv said:

#1305, Me ISLAMOPHOBIC person?

Actually, every day that I see how Arab juntas (Egyptian, Syrian, Libyan…) treat their peoples, and the more I know about the MB (excluding the Salafies), the more I find myself cherishing the MB.

I cannot imagine the MB doing one percent of what the murderous juntas are doing to the Arab peoples.
.

December 18th, 2011, 7:05 pm

 

Akbar Palace said:

Once again, the Double Standard continues

Bill said:

Readers of this blog, whenever they see “AMIR in Tel Aviv” commenting you the Arab Spring as if he were an innocent pro-freedom and pro-democracy activist, NOW KNOW THAT HE IS AN IDF RESERVIST who at anytime can be called to the occupied territories to kill, injure, beat, and humiliate Palestinians.

Bill,

The amount of Arab-claimed territory that Israel occupies is minimal now the Israel left Gaza and most of the West Bank.

And please tell us how many Arabs have the IDF, Syrian and Egyptian military “kill, injure, beat, and humiliate” over the past 5 years. I bet the Syrians and Egyptians won this “battle” by orders of magnitude.

December 18th, 2011, 7:06 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Bronco
You always miss the point and has wrong analysis.
Russia will not , will not go to war because of Syrian regime.
The protocol Syria will sign is what AL suggested, none of the modifications Syria asked for were accepted by AL
Syria will sign because they are afraid of the UNSC may start military hostilities, and the west do not need to abide by the Russian veto.
I agree with Tara that Russia will sell Syria for the highest bid,

December 18th, 2011, 7:10 pm

 

Bronco said:

#1306. Tara

I hope you pass the same message to your beloved Sumoland whose officials prefer to wear robes.

Moallem is a brilliant professional politician, Hamad is an ambitious and arrogant manipulator.

December 18th, 2011, 7:12 pm

 

Bill said:

To to the “IDF” Intelligence agent, 1308. AMIR IN TEL AVIV

Both Egypt and Syria are undergoing a revolution that will take some time to accomplish its goalS. Its called the Arab Spring. Both will finally emerge united and strong. They will have democratic governments that will not allow an ambassador for the occupation regime to stay in their country and have Mossad offices in their capitals. They wouldn’t cheer (as Mubarak, “Ben Eliazer friend,” did when he met Tizbi Livni two days before Israel launched its war machine and white phosphorous on Gaza) the next time Israel attack the occupied territories and Lebanon.

You are NOT in a position to give Arabs in Egypt and Syria an advice on violence and human rights. YOU ARE A MEMBER OF AN ISRAELI REGIME WITH THE WORLD’S LONGEST MILITARY OCCUPATION AND WAR CRIMES.

December 18th, 2011, 7:14 pm

 

aldendeshe said:

Test

December 18th, 2011, 7:14 pm

 

aldendeshe معتز الدندشي said:

test2

December 18th, 2011, 7:16 pm

 

Syrian Nationalist Party said:

1316. Syrian Nationalist Party الحزب القومي السوريsaid:

*Your comment is awaiting moderation.*

test3

December 18th, 2011, 7:19 pm

 

Amir in Tel Aviv said:

Bill,

Yes, you are the typical clueless American Islamo-leftist liberal.

unfortunately, nothing I can do about this. We’ll have to say goodbye now, it’s getting boring and repetitive.
.

December 18th, 2011, 7:23 pm

 

Bill said:

To 1310. AKBAR PALACE

Nice to reply to you for the first time, and it’s ok with me that the, according to his admission, Israeli “IDF” intelligence officer Amir from Tel Aviv now has an assistant/supporter (you), who apologizes on behalf of Israeli war crimes and occupation.
Look, the number of Syrians and Egyptians who are being killed is a proof that courageous Arabs are now rising in the “Arab Spring” to liberate their countries from homegrown dictators. As soon as they finish doing so, they will help Palestinians liberate themselves from Israeli occupation/colonization; which is now the world’s longest occupation. You, Amir (IDF intellence) in Tel Aviv, and Netanyahu are scared and lobbying the world and Blogoshephere against the Arab Spring because you know that Israel would not be welcome in any democratic Arab capital.

December 18th, 2011, 7:23 pm

 

Bill said:

1318. AMIR IN TEL AVIV (who admits to being an Israeli “IDF” intelligence officer)

No, I am not boring. YOU are now bankrupt because you are defending the occupation and colonization of the Palestinian lands.
I am not what you have described me because I am not a member of any military or violent group. I believe in peace and justice for the occupied and dispossessed.

You are a righ-wing Islamophobic Zionist and, since you serve in the Israeli “IDF,” you may have innocent Palestinian blood!

Good Night, and I hope you resign from the occupation army and stop apologizing on behalf of occupation!

December 18th, 2011, 7:29 pm

 

Tara said:

Bronco

I saw Hamad once in a suit. He is “slimmer” than Mouallem. The higher the wieght, the more severe sleep apnea is, the more daytime somnolence one can experience. We need to start with Waleed first. Diet and excercise is the way to go. The Syrian “prestige” is important. We need to make him look good. We don’t want people to say Syrians are ugly.

Bronco is obviously anti-robe. I really wonder why do the gulf people insist on wearing robes? What is the cultural significance of wearing a robe. Is it because it is too hot? Why is the robe full length? Have they ever wore short robes? Ayatollahs in Iran and Sunni sheikhs in Syria wear robes too. why? I think the “robe issue” warrant a thoughtful discussion. It gives people the wrong perception of the society being backward. What is your thoughts about the issue?

December 18th, 2011, 7:31 pm

 

Bronco said:

Majedalkaldoon

I never said Russia will go to war, but Russia was about to submit its draft of the UN resolution in agreement with Syria. It was received by the US and other western as a possible positive breakthrough while it was an old one with a few harsher sentences on Syria handling of the unrest.
The resolution was clear, it forbids any military action on Syria and ask the opposition to dialog with the regime and does not ask Bashar to step down.

Qatar and the AL jumped in immediately to announce they had one ‘peace plan’ too, for fear of being bypassed by Russia’s. The two plans are similar, ceasefire and dialog between the opposition and the regime. Bashar is NOT asked to step down. The opposition will be bound to sign it and accept the dialog with the regime. For that they will be pressured by the Arab league and their western sponsors. I guess Ghalioun will probably resign over this.
Tomorrow we will hear from Walid Moallem if the amendments requested were included or not. If the sanctions are canceled or put on hold again and if Syria’s membership is reinstated, that would mean that the conditions Syria asked for, at least part of them were taken into consideration.
In any case it will be played down by the media so as not to appear as a victory for Syria.
It may be wishful thinking but it follows a logic and matches the events we have seen on the political scenes in the last weeks.

December 18th, 2011, 7:34 pm

 

Amir in Tel Aviv said:

Tara,

Not just in the gulf.
Look at this pic of Mrs Clinton and the Myanmar President.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-12/01/c_131282835.htm

I almost chocked on my banana when I saw it on TV. It’s not even leather sandals. Those are cheap plastic!
.

December 18th, 2011, 7:40 pm

 

Bronco said:

$132 Tara

The dishdasha: A long subject

December 18th, 2011, 7:42 pm

 

Tara said:

Bill

For intellectual honesty, Amir has told SC long time ago that he is an IDF reservist. This knowledge was not just revealed today.

December 18th, 2011, 7:44 pm

 

ann said:

Number of Syrian refugees in Jordan ‘limited’ – Monday, December 19th, 2011

http://www.jordantimes.com/index.php?news=44453

AMMAN – The number of Syrian refugees currently staying in the Kingdom does not warrant building a refugee camp for them, a senior official said on Sunday.

“The current number of Syrians entering the Kingdom without passing through the border control is very limited,” Minister of State for Media Affairs and Communications and Government Spokesperson Rakan Majali told The Jordan Times yesterday.

He said the government is not taking any measures in anticipation of an influx of Syrian refugees fleeing the violence back home.

“The government does not have any plan for building a refugee camp for the Syrians and has not allocated a fils for this purpose,” the minister said.

According to Majali, about 630 Syrians have entered the Kingdom illegally since the beginning of the unrest in Syria earlier this year.

Of the total, 150 asked to return to Syria, according to Majali, who said: “They returned through the same route they used to enter Jordan, without going through the border control and stamping their passports.”

“A large number of the remaining Syrians managed to travel to Gulf countries, Europe or others states,” he said, adding that the remaining portion have either relatives or friends in Ramtha or Mafraq who are accommodating them at their houses.

The minister said about 50-60 Syrians, who do not have relatives or suffer illnesses, are currently staying at hospitals and charity societies or at the houses of Jordanians who have offered them accommodation.

“Most of the Syrians who came to Jordan, whether through the border control or illegally, have relatives and friends in Jordan who are taking care of them.”

The United Nations estimates that more than 5,000 people have been killed in the Syrian crackdown on pro-democracy protests since they first erupted in mid-March.

December 18th, 2011, 7:53 pm

 

Tara said:

Amir

Ah, cheap sandal indeed. I think he is thinking in advance and saving money for his sad ending.

December 18th, 2011, 7:56 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

http://www.aawsat.com//details.asp?section=4&article=655029&issueno=12074

I think Muallem will say we signed it as we understand it, this is not enough for AL

December 18th, 2011, 8:04 pm

 

Amir in Tel Aviv said:

What do you think about the 550 jailed Palestinians, who were released today form Israeli detention?

Shalit is home with his family. Israel could have said that, we do not negotiate with “terrorists”, and therefor we don’t have to respect the agreement reached with Hamas.

But Israel respected the Agreement to the last letter.
I see this as a positive sign, and as a confidence building between Hamas and Israel. Hamas can say that Israel is al Adouw Suhyuni and evil, but they cannot say that Israelis are liars and cheaters. Now they know that an agreement with Israel is signed on rock (as we say in Hebrew).

December 18th, 2011, 8:11 pm

 

Bill said:

1325. TARA

Thanks Tara for informing me about this. I hadn’t known this before posting because I am a recent reader of this blog.

However, being a reservist in an occupation army and apologizing on belahf of a colonial/occupation regime, make it hypocritical for him to advise Arabs on democracy and human rights. Also, I do understand Israeli society and politics and I know that reservists had to have served in the regular army. Army service is mandatory, except for students of religious schools. Now, it is not unreasonable to question whether he ever had killed, injured, humiliated, arrested Palestinians during his army career. Does he have innocent Palestinian blood on his hands? He has revealed himself to be a right-winger by using the right-wing religious/Zionist semantic for the West Bank (Judea and Samaria). Surely, he has the right for freedom of expression and to post on this blog. But, I also have the right to expose his hypocrisy (commenting on Arabs’ Arab Spring while being a member of an occupation regime).

December 18th, 2011, 8:13 pm

 

ann said:

One rule for Syria – but a different one for Egypt – 19 December, 2011

http://rt.com/news/egypt-violence-military-sanctions-105/

The violence in Egypt continues, with at least 10 people killed and hundreds more injured in the last three days. However, unlike in Syria there is no talk of sanctions against the Egyptian military.

A shocking video of Egyptian soldiers cruelly beating a female protester came as fresh evidence of military brutality. The soldiers in full riot gear savagely beat a seemingly unconscious woman with sticks, kicking her and stamping on her chest.

The excessive use of force by the military has sparked deep concerns from UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon, who has called for the authorities to “act with restraint and to uphold human rights, including the right to peaceful protest.”

The head of the Arab League has also expressed his deep regret at the violence. Nabil al-Arabi warned on Sunday that the clashes would push Egypt towards a state of chaos and a political and security vacuum.

Middle East expert and author Tariq Ali told RT that the army is provoking public anger to create the impression the violence is coming not from them.

“These disgusting things that have been done to demonstrators in Tahrir Square and on its fringes are bound to create a great deal of anger,” Ali said.

“This really takes one back to the colonial period in Arab history and the history of that region when they were occupied by the British Empire,” the Middle East expert argues referring to the military’s tactics. “That is what they were taught to do.”

However, despite the heavy-handed approach no one is talking about restraining the Egyptian military and imposing sanctions on them, Ali underlines, adding that the US is in fact giving them millions of dollars each year.

“Why is there no talk of sanctions on Cairo, and yet massive pressure on Damascus?” he asks.

“The sooner power is transferred to a civilian, elected, government the better – whatever that government may be,” he concluded.

International relations professor Mark Almond pointed out the dire economic consequences that Egypt is facing in the wake of this violence.

“It is a very dangerous situation because in addition to the violence that we have seen against people, there has also been severe destruction of buildings. The institute of historical research has seen its archive, which is not just of interest to scholars but is also symbolic of Egypt’s attraction to tourists because of its ancient heritage, largely destroyed by fire. So the economic consequences of this violence are very severe, because it is putting off tourist visitors from returning to Egypt.”

December 18th, 2011, 8:15 pm

 

Ghufran said:

The Syrian regime will sign the AL deal to avoid further troubles with its friend,Russia,and to win more time. Signing the deal does not mean that the regime will implement it,this is why I called it a political dance. Until there is a national unity government or a real diverse opposition that has support on the ground,very little can be achieved.
I enjoyed the posts about classifying people as Kuffar,half-Kuffar,kuffars in the making,etc,
It was a mix of black comedy with a hint of depression and a healthy dose of intellectual pollution especially coming from an educated person. I hope I do not become his next victim,my mom is a non Syrian Sunni and my dad is a secular Shia,what does that make me,a confused Kaffer,or may be a Kaffer three days a week?

December 18th, 2011, 8:22 pm

 

Tara said:

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/syria-may-sign-arab-peace-plan-by-monday.aspx?pageID=238&nID=9495&NewsCatID=352
Erdogan: Syria is a dictatorship
ISTANBUL – Anatolia News Agency

“What is happening in Syria is a dictatorship exercise, and history never forgives dictators,” Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said during a joint press conference with Libya National Transition Council (NTC) head Mustafa Abdul Jalil in Istanbul Dec. 17. “People are being brutally killed in Syria now; these people are not the enemy but the real sons and daughters of Syria,” said Erdoğan. Speaking in the southeastern province of Şanlıurfa, Turkey’s Health Minister Recep Akdağ said he hoped the Syrian administration would allow Syrian people who needed medical help to enter Turkey. 

December 18th, 2011, 8:37 pm

 

Darryl said:

1332. GHUFRAN said:

Ghufran, maybe you are a “zebra Kafer”. I am a fully blooded Kafer and proud of it. Every time I open a bottle of wine, I toast my ancestors who payed the Jizya and belittled, as the Qur’an boasts in 9:29, to keep me a Kafer who is FREE!

December 18th, 2011, 8:43 pm

 

Norman said:

Tara,Bronco,

The measure of a man and /or a woman is not how much they weigh but how big their hearts are ,

Tara,

some people think that they have to wear what was worn during early Islam to be good Muslims, that is another where their hearts are is more important than what they wear,

Khalid,

I am honored that you care about what i think,

I do not like Iran because it is Shia, Muslim, Persian, I like Iran because it stands with Syria and the Palestinians more than all the other Arab states,it supported the Palestinians when the Arab states were participating in the blockade of Gaza,

Today, If Israel leaves the Golan for a full peace treaty and give the Palestinians their human rights, i will be the first one to say good buy to Iran, Iran to me is a friend not a brother,but Syria’s brothers should be friends, The Gulf states with all their oil money did nothing to improve Syria or give jobs to Syrians Jordanians and other Arabs, they seeked help from India,, Pakistan and the philippine while their Arab brothers are starving, I have no faith in their Arab belonging,

I want to tell you something that when Iraq invaded Kuwait, my brain said that he should have not done that but my heart was with him, The Gulf states are the ones who pushed him into a war with Iran then refused to forget the debt that he encountered and flooded the market with cheep oil so he he can not rebuild and feed his people.

December 18th, 2011, 8:52 pm

 

mjabali said:

Anyone who calls Hamad the ruler of Qatar “moral” and “honest” need their morals and honesty to be checked asap. Their knowledge of history and current events is suspect too.

Hamad is not moral at any level: First he took advantage of his father’s departure to take over the throne. Here he stabbed his father in the back, a big no no for any moral or honest person. Was he better than his father? I answer this and say: Of course not.

Then, Hamad stabbed his older brother the crown prince Mashal in the back also and appointed his third son Jasem from his third wife Mawzeh (English translation to her name is : Banana) as the crown prince. So, he again stabbed another family member in the back.

I forgot to mention that Hamad fabricated that his other older brother Fahd was a helper of al-Qaida and had him declared insane
and had him go between insane asylums and house arrest. The question here: aren’t they all al-Qa’ida sympathizers?

How many wives does Hamad, the friend of the West, have? Can he bring all of them when he meets the British PM for example?

Then, after Hamad took over Qatar: what did he do with the money? the answer is simple: he is wasting it. Did he spend this huge amount of money under his disposal to build a university for the poor Egyptians, or Tunisians since he likes to stick his nose into the business of these countries? Did he encourage any democratic party in Egypt?

Hamad had sent hundreds of millions of dollars to Salafis (al-Nur party) and the Muslim Brotherhood.

Hamad never advocated any progressive idea. All while he was playing a good pr campaign for the eyes of the West that he is a nice progressive man.

AS for the SUPER POWER that is called Qatar:

Where did Qatar come from? I read a book in college about the British officers stationed in Cairo that made all the flags and borders for most of the current day countries of the area. Anyone has any doubts that these young Brits made Qatar and its flag?

Why was Qatar created? Many call it a mistake because geographically, it is a part of the Arabian Peninsula. Through out history and its books we had never ever heard about anything called Qatar. What was the Qatari identity 1000 years ago? Can you compare this Banana Principality to Syria or Egypt for example?

The British created it and imported Al-Thani family to guard its interests in the oil and gas fields. The British wanted stooges and some were ready to play the part.

Who lives in Qatar? How many Qataris are there compared to the imported labor? What is the human condition of the foreign labor of Qatar under the “moral” and “honest” Hamad?

When Gas money is going to fade away, all of the American soldiers had left, and the Arab Gulf States are out of money and mercenaries (Most of the Qatari army is from people with other nationalities, the same goes for Bahrin and UAE), Iran is going to be there still, and probably stronger than Qatar and the rest of the “Goat” States for sure…so if you are smart now please calculate how many rockets the Iranians are going to drop on Hamad the Third’s head?

December 18th, 2011, 8:52 pm

 

jad said:

Dear SNK
I agree with you that the ugly unrest in Syria exposed the weakness of our society and somehow took away part of our humanity when we start to see death in all of its inhumane forms, of all genders and all ages laying on the curbs of every Syrian city and town and village’s streets and without any shame it was used by all sides.
It also made many Syrians understand that being uninvolved in their own neighbourhoods’ future creating has a heavy price to pay from their own pockets emotionally and financially.
It also made sectarianism the reality of our daily life, for some it’s not a taboo to hate your neighbour anymore just because he is different than yours. You hear it on the radio, watch it on TV and read it in the newspaper it’s not even shameful in any media worldwide to pigeon hole Syrians to according to their sects.
And the unjustified economical tragedy the Syrians are subjected to because of their political regime’s crimes. Sad enough seeing Syrians begging for their daily needs give joy to many, some of them are on SC bragging about their sick achievements..
Regardless of all of what Syria and Syrians are going through or will go through, we will go out of this better, have faith in that, don’t loose your hope keep writing your own opinion, what you believe in, what you feel and love and hate about everything you read, don’t take any critique anybody on here or elsewhere may write about you as a sign of your weakness, on the contrary, take it, understand it and if it means anything to you try to use it as an advice if not, just keep going, this struggle will make all of us better in many ways and whatever you read in any news regardless how awful scary and destructive it might be, be sure that it will not kill our ‘Syrianism’,
Yes some of the Syrians did show their hatred but the majority still showing their love, yes some of the Syrians did show their ugly sectarianism but the majority of us reject them and showed our disgust of what they say, yes many were killed by the regime and by the terrorists however, the majority of Syrians are still alive and Inshallah will always be, and yes, all of Syrians are in the street waiting for mazoot, gas and bread but hey we used to that, we never knew any luxury for all of our Syrian history so one year wont be able to make us kneel, we still have our wheat, our petrol, our cotton and everything beautiful and healthy the Syrian land can give, so my young Syrian brother SNK be brave and have faith is yourself as in every Syrian you know, even those who we disagree with today, all of us, feel the same pain, some of us show it as yourself, some won’t admit the mistakes out of personal ego and many will not let any harm to come close to Syria even if the whole world decided to attack us, we will be here, we wont go and we will win, look at Iraq today, after all what happened to them, today they are free again, yes they are weak, hurt, somehow poor and segregated yet they are still call themselves Iraqis and Iraq is their homeland, the Americans went out with their tail between their legs taking nothing from Iraq.
The whole future is in front of us to continue building Syria and no human can take that away from us.
Syria as any myth and goddess, it doesn’t die, Syria is the life itself, it never gets old, but stay alive forever, just believe in that my brother 🙂

P.S. I gave you a thumb down for this negativity, sorry! 🙂

December 18th, 2011, 8:59 pm

 

SALAH ADDIN said:

AMIR @1329 said: “..but they cannot say that Israelis are liars and cheaters.”

You are either the biggest fool or taking everyone for a fool or both. Either way you are full of yourself.
It wasn’t long ago when Sarkozy told Obama that Netanyahu is a liar.
Many European, the Australian and the New Zealand governments have objected to Israel’s fraudulent use of their countries passports by mossad agents (your brothers in arms) in the assassination of Mabhooh in a Dubai hotel.
The violations of agreements, armistice, ceasefires, by Israel are too many to list.
The prisoners exchange of Shalit for Hamas activists was guaranteed by Egypt and Germany. Both Egypt and Germany would have retaliated against Israel if it had not released the Hamas activists from Israeli prisons as per the deal.
Hamas would never take Israel’s word on its own, because Israel is a cheat and a liar.

December 18th, 2011, 9:06 pm

 

irritated said:

Ghufran

“I hope I do not become his next victim,my mom is a non Syrian Sunni and my dad is a secular Shia,what does that make me,a confused Kaffer,or may be a Kaffer three days a week?”

Don’t worry , as long as you hate Bashar al Assad and Iran, you’re a good moslem.

December 18th, 2011, 9:13 pm

 

irritated said:

1328. majedkhaldoun

Another plan?
The SNC is coming with another peace plan very different from the Arab League peace plan.
We are facing a “competition on plans”, the SNC, The Arab League, The Russian. Do the NCC have a plan too? Do you have one too?

December 18th, 2011, 9:24 pm

 

jna said:

To Bill and Amir in TA

When I hear an Israeli calling for the millions of expelled Palestinian refugees to be able to return to Israel/Palestine, to reclaim his/her property, and to vote for a government in Israel/Palestine, then I will take seriously his/her prescriptions for change in undemocratic Syria. Still waiting on Syria Comment to see this. Waiting.

December 18th, 2011, 9:27 pm

 

mjabali said:

Mr. Jad:

We are all here for Syria and Syria only. I hope and dream everyday now of the Syrian Phoenix rising from the ashes we see now to save Syria. what a great Syrian Myth!

But, after reading SNK’s comment and then watching a video where threats of genocide against the Alawis started coming out from a dissident named Mamun al-Humsi: do you really think Syria will be the same? Things are changing fast and many lunatics are running amok including the Assad troops. There are full battles in many areas of Syria today. Death and chaos are the order of the day. Syria is in danger, real danger, and the Syrian identity are getting destroyed with the axes of sectarianism, pure criminal enterprises, and foreign intervention. We have very tough days in front of us and our adherence to our Syrian identity and personality is going to be put to the test, a very hard test I say.

Here is a link to two important videos I came across recently that tell a lot about the days to come.

-a link to Syrian dissident Mamun al-Humsi threatening Alawis with genocide dated Dec/18/2011

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41HfejYACIw

– a link to a Sheikh calling for the establishment of a Muslim State in Syria dated Dec/11/2011 (Imagine our future in that country as Kuffar):

December 18th, 2011, 9:38 pm

 

zoo said:

Syrian blogger Razan Ghazzawi said to have been released
18th December 2011 by Nancy Messieh

http://thenextweb.com/me/2011/12/18/syrian-blogger-razan-ghazzawi-said-to-have-been-released/

Syrian blogger Razan Ghazzawi, who was arrested on December 4th on charges that could carry a prison sentence of anywhere from three to 15 years, is said to have been released .

The Facebook page calling for the blogger and activist’s release announced that she was expected to be freed, according to Syrian lawyer Razan Zaitouneh.
{…}

Note:
It was reported in a lebanese newspaper that she was released against a caution of 15,000 syrian pounds.

December 18th, 2011, 9:43 pm

 

Bill said:

1341. JNA

I am actually consistent and non-hypocritical: I believe in Palestinians’ right of return, and their right to re-claim their lost/stolen/colonized land. I also support Syrians’, Egyptians’, Bahrainis’, Iranians’, Yemenis’, etc. right to be free of family-owned/run dictatorships. OK, I now Iran’s authoritarian regime is not based on family!

However, the Arab World and the Middle East will neither be prosperous nor peaceful until the end of Israeli occupation/colonization. Yes, the just question of Palestine matters a lot to revolting Arabs, and they will focus on bringing justice to the Palestinians as soon as they end Arab dictatorial rule. Netanyahu knows this fact, and that’s why he lobbied the West on behalf of Mubarak. He is likely rooting for Bashar because both of a-Assads have give Israel peace and quiet on the Golan. Free Palestine, Free Golan, Free ALL! NO Hypocrisy!

December 18th, 2011, 9:45 pm

 

MM said:

While the Mukhabarat’s PsyOps are somewhat effective, they are rather transparent to me. One thing’s for sure — it cannot be sustained.

Right now they taking a page from Joseph Stalin’s playbook. It’s going to accelerate the collapse.

December 18th, 2011, 9:54 pm

 

Friend in America said:

Syria No K @ 1301
I sense the feeeling of dispair in your message and I join with you, as a person, in the sadness. No one, I think, likes this outcome. You are not alone in this dispair. But out of dispair and failure come opportunities. The demonstrators would accept a cessation of activities in return for:
1. Closing all secret detention centers and releasing all political prisoners,
2.Returning the army to their barracks,
3. Disbanding the secret intelligence units.
4. Agreeing on an election in 3 to 4 months, including agreeing on a manual for all election officials with outside observers and agreed punishment for violations.
5. No more weapons from Iran or Russia

There is general agreement that Russia will sell out Syria for the right price (the right price is removal of missiles from neighboring countries). Also recognize Russia will switch sides if the rebels agree to honor Syria’s financial debt to Russia. That’s all it takes, and it will be all over for the family.
So it is better for Syrians to make their own agreement now, before the interationalists start vying and negotiating with each other Syria’s future. Leadership is needed. Syria needs leaders who will put Syria’s future ahead of the insistance of the Assad family and the demands of the protesters. Syria first and foremost, they will say.

I think the busines/financial group in Damascus will have to persuade the Assads this is the right path. You know, and I know, and all others know, the #1 objective of the Assad family is self preservation. To get them to agree to such an agreement can be done only by those who have access to the family members who can break into the cocoon surrounding the Assads. The Assads know agreeing to such terms risks their future, so it will take constant persuasion. Time is of the essence. It must be done before people become so bitter they cannot negotiate.
Those who love Syria for all of its people, its history, its society, its uniqueness, they must chose Syria even at the cost of risking the future political control of the Assad family. An agreement will save Syria. Best regards to you.

December 18th, 2011, 9:59 pm

 

Juergen said:

So Kim Yong Il has passed away, and the world has to learn a new variation of the rulers new name: Kim Yong Un. Sounds familiar to Syrians? I hope the world and Syrians are spared from Hafez or Karim Al Assad …

December 18th, 2011, 10:04 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

The leader of North Korea is dead, woulod his son become president? it is getting silly

December 18th, 2011, 10:07 pm

 

Bill said:

يا اخ ماجد مش بشار سار رئيس بعد ما ابو حافظ مات. وكوريا الشماليه نفس المصيبه!!!!!!!!

December 18th, 2011, 10:10 pm

 

Bill said:

1347. MAJEDKHALDOUN

يا اخ ماجد مش بشار سار رئيس بعد ما ابو حافظ مات. وكوريا الشماليه نفس المصيبه!!!!!!!!

December 18th, 2011, 10:12 pm

 

Norman said:

1346. Friend in Americasaid:

Syria No K @ 1301
I sense the feeeling of dispair in your message and I join with you, as a person, in the sadness. No one, I think, likes this outcome. You are not alone in this dispair. But out of dispair and failure come opportunities. The demonstrators would accept a cessation of activities in return for:
1. Closing all secret detention centers and releasing all political prisoners,
2.Returning the army to their barracks,
3. Disbanding the secret intelligence units.
4. Agreeing on an election in 3 to 4 months, including agreeing on a manual for all election officials with outside observers and agreed punishment for violations.
5. No more weapons from Iran or Russia

FIA,

So you want Syria to surrender, Israel can get arms and financial support from the US and Syria has to get the Golan fighting with Baseball bats,

Sound very helpful indeed.

December 18th, 2011, 10:22 pm

 

jad said:

Dear Norman
#5 is the main point!

December 18th, 2011, 10:31 pm

 

Friend in America said:

Norman @ 1350:
I hope you have not been drinking, your reasoning is a bit stretched.

December 18th, 2011, 10:32 pm

 

Norman said:

FIA,

Contrary to you , I do not Drink Alcohol,

December 18th, 2011, 10:49 pm

 

Hans said:

Weird!!!
Where is Josh, this blog has not been updated for a while!!!
is he still advising Hillary how to manage Syria, or he is busy with the state department, figuring who are going to be the spies left in Iraq after the military withdrew from Iraq.
Although I was never a fan of the Dictator Saddam, but it seems that the Americans are not much better after at least 100k of the Iraqis are killed if not more and few K of the americans are dead as well and and 100’s K of both sides are wounded and injured.
can we smell same story in Syria as well.
it is clear that the only one benefiting from the so called spring is Israel, I have said that for months since the start of the turmoils.
It is clear that USA did the Israeli policy in Iraq and now it is the turn to have USA do the same policy in Syria under so many lies and fabrication.
It is clear that the Arabs have no clues what is going around them they have been dying for decades if not centuries.
I always wondered if this is just a written policy of the USA and Israel to have Arabs killed in different struggles under different wars.
I don’t think the Arabs get it, the curse of Oil is chasing them to the end.

December 18th, 2011, 10:52 pm

 

jad said:

Mr. Jabali,
Thank you for the comment.
“Syria is in danger, real danger, and the Syrian identity are getting destroyed with the axes of sectarianism, pure criminal enterprises, and foreign intervention. We have very tough days in front of us and our adherence to our Syrian identity and personality is going to be put to the test, a very hard test I say.”

I agree, Syria and Syrians are as they always have been in grave danger from many enemies, internal and external, but that shouldn’t make us loose our vision, on the contrary, it should make us work harder to protect our identity from all attacks. No? I believe in the Syrian man ability to achieve the impossible when everybody lose any hope from him. The future is still for us to write and the majority of us still good.
You are absolutely right that we have a very hard test forced on us, but we have no choice but to win, the other choice is our death as a nation and as a society if we surrender to radicals.

About the disgusting message of Alhomsi, well, he is as lunatic as Arour, they have people who listen to them but as I told SNK, they are the exception not the norm and we won’t let them win, we may let them say what they want but that the end of their message, Syria is not Egypt nor the gulf mashayekh where ideology move people not logic.

As for the second video, I didn’t get the feeling that he was calling for an Islamic Imara as the explanation of the video claim, it was a Sheikh’s usual preach where for them religion and ideology is always the subject, he said that we will get a ‘khilafa rashida’ that can also be interpreted as a call for a ‘wiser’ administration and not necessary an Islamic State, did I miss something in his speech? He didn’t call for hate or violence or Sectarianism no?

Regardless of my opinion about the second speech I’m personally against including any religion whatsoever into state affair. Secularism is the answer, nothing else.الدين لله والوطن للجميع

December 18th, 2011, 10:55 pm

 

jad said:

خطوة أولى نحو احتواء الأزمة وفتح حوار بين السلطة والمعارضة.. برعاية الجامعة العربية
دمشق توقع اليوم بروتوكول المراقبين في القاهرة.. لطرد شبح التدويل

زياد حيدر
علمت «السفير» أن القيادة السورية اتخذت قرارها بالتوقيع اليوم على بروتوكول التعاون بينها وبين الجامعة العربية، بهدف تسهيل دخول مراقبين إلى سوريا كخطوة نحو تطبيق المبادرة العربية تجاه أزمتها، والتي تقوم على الحوار بين السلطة والمعارضة، وفي محاولة كما يبدو لإحباط إعلان رئيس الوزراء القطري الشيخ حمد بن جاسم آل ثاني، أول أمس، أن الجامعة العربية تعتزم، خلال اجتماع وزراء الخارجية العرب في القاهرة الأربعاء، الطلب من مجلس الأمن الدولي تبني القرارات التي أصدرتها بشأن سوريا.
وتوقعت مصادر دبلوماسية لـ«السفير» أن تشهد الساعات المقبلة، وقبل حلول موعد اجتماع المجلس الوزاري الأربعاء المقبل، توقيع دمشق، عبر نائب وزير الخارجية فيصل المقداد، على ورقة البروتوكول، في القاهرة، وذلك في خطوة اتخذتها القيادة في دمشق «لوضع عقبات أمام محاولة دول عربية معروفة تدويل الأزمة السورية، والتحضير لعمل عسكري ضد دمشق»، ورغبة دمشق في أن تحصر «المعالجة بالجامعة العربية وعبر أمانتها العامة حرصاً على العلاقات العربية ـ العربية ومنعاً للتدويل».
وكانت ساعات ليل الجمعة الماضي كما صباح أول أمس شهدت الكثير من الاتصالات لتذليل العقبات الموجودة بين الجانبين، وهو ما اقترب من إعلان النجاح لولا العقبة المتمثلة بتوصيف «المدنيين» الذين يحتاجون لحماية وفقاً للبروتوكول، بين «عزل» كما اقترحت اللجنة الوزارية العربية وبين «المواطنين» التي اقترحتها سوريا، حيث قبلت أخيراً دمشق بالتوصيف العربي، لمنع «حصول تجاوزات على الدور العربي»، وهو ما كان «واضحاً أنه يقع ضمن أجندة دول عربية هددت بمجلس الأمن»، في إشارة لرئيس وزراء قطر الشيخ حمد بن جاسم آل ثاني.
وعلقت مصادر دبلوماسية شرقية على كلام الأخير حول «المبادرة بمشروع قرار عربي لمجلس الأمن» بأنه في إطار «التحدي لكل من روسيا والصين، خصوصاً بعد شروعهما بإعداد قرار وسطي»، مبدية «قلقها» خصوصاً «أننا نعرف أن نية بعض الدول العربية هي استنساخ ليبيا مجدداً في المنطقة، ولكن الفيتو سيكون صعباً إذا وقفت الجامعة العربية خلف القرار».
وحصلت دمشق، وفقاً لمعلومات «السفير»، على تقليص مدة عمل البعثة العربية على أراضيها شهراً بعد أن كانت شهرين قابلين للتمديد بقبول الطرفين. كما تمكنت من الحصول على موافقة الجامعة العربية على أن يتم عمل البعثة «بالتنسيق الكامل مع الجانب السوري وبما يحفظ السيادة السورية»، وبحيث يطلع الجانب السوري على تقارير البعثة بشكل متزامن مع الجامعة العربية.
وبدا من أجواء الجامعة ودمشق أمس أن «ارتياحاً» يسود بقرب التوقيع، على أن يعلن ذلك وزير خارجية سوريا وليد المعلم في مؤتمره الصحافي المزمع عقده في دمشق منتصف نهار اليوم. ومعلوم أن المعلم، الذي قاد المحادثات مع الجانب العربي متمثلا بأمين عام جامعة الدول العربية نبيل العربي كما مع الجانب الروسي وبقية وزراء الخارجية العرب، فوض المقداد التوقيع على البروتوكول.
ويطرح موضوع توقيع سوريا على البروتوكول أسئلة صعبة، حول الوضع المعقد الذي سينجم عنه، ميدانياً. إذ يصبح على قوات الشرطة ومكافحة الشغب أن تتعامل مع التجمعات التي ستحصل من دون خبرة فعلية، كما سيخلق الوضع حاجة لحشود موالية متوازنة مع تلك المعارضة، وسيبقى هاجس الأمن كبيراً خصوصاً في ضوء خروج مناطق في محافظات إدلب وحمص وحماه عن السيطرة الفعلية للجيش، ناهيك عن الحاجة للتعامل مع الكم الكبير من وسائل الإعلام التي ستدخل سوريا في ضوء هذا البروتوكول.
وفي هذا السياق علمت «السفير» أن الرئيس السوري بشار الأسد سيلقي خطاباً خلال أيام، يسلط فيه الضوء على تطورات الأشهر الأخيرة والمستقبل المنظور مع نهاية هذا العام. وكان الأسد استقبل أول أمس مستشار الأمن الوطني العراقي فالح الفياض والنائب في البرلمان العراقي عزت الشاهبندر المبعوثين من رئيس الوزراء العراقي نوري المالكي.
وأعلن الفياض، في القاهرة أمس، أنه سيتم التوقيع على البروتوكول العربي الخاص بسوريا في مقر الجامعة العربية اليوم، موضحاً أن مخاوف دمشق من أن «ينصب لها فخ من خلال خوفها من بعض الأطراف العربية التي تريد أن تحيل الملف إلى مجلس الأمن» كان السبب وراء تأخرها بتوقيع بروتوكول المراقبين. (تفاصيل صفحة 13)
ونقلت وكالة الأنباء السورية (سانا) عن الأسد «تقديره للجهود الصادقة التي تقوم بها بعض الدول العربية، وخاصة العراق الشقيق، لمساعدة سوريا في الخروج مما تمر به»، مؤكداً أن «سوريا تعاملت بإيجابية مع جميع المقترحات التي قدمت لها، لأن من مصلحتها أن يعرف العالم حقيقة ما يجري في ظل التشويه وقلب الحقائق الهادفين إلى إفشال أي أفق للحل».

الجامعة العربية
وقال (ا ف ب، ا ب، رويترز، ا ش ا) رئيس الوزراء القطري الشيخ حمد، في الرياض، «نأمل ان يوقع (الأسد) البروتوكول. اليوم (امس)، وصلتنا معلومة انه سيوقع. صحيح ام غير صحيح؟ سنرى». وأضاف إن «تنحي الأسد أو تغيير النظام يعني الشعب السوري، اهم شيء هو وقف العنف والقتل وإطلاق الأسرى وإدخال الإعـــلاميين للاطـــلاع علـــى الحقيقة. المهم ان يتصالح مع شعـــبه، اما التغيير فهذا امر يخص الشعب السوري».
وقال وزير الخارجية العماني يوسف بن علوي بن عبد الله «نحن متفائلون بأن سوريا ستوقع على البروتوكول (الخاص بإرسال مراقبين) الذي طرحته الجامعة العربية خلال 24 ساعة». وعبر عن امله في ان «تبدأ البعثة العربية الى سوريا في التوافد للمساعدة في إخراجها من ازمتها وتجـــنيب العالم العربي التدخلات الاجنبية». وتابع «إذا لم يحـــدث ذلك فسيجتمع وزراء الخارجية العرب الأربعاء لبحث إجراءات قد تتخذ في المستقبل».
وأعلنت الجامعة العربية، في بيان، أنه تقرر تأجيل الاجتماع الاستثنائي لمجلس الجامعة على مستوى المندوبين الدائمين الذي كان مقرراً اليوم لاطلاعهم على نتائج اجتماعات اللجنة الوزارية العربية المعنية بالأزمة السورية في الدوحة إلى الغد. ووجهت الأمانة العامة للجامعة دعوة لعقد اجتماع عاجل لوزراء الخارجية العرب، يسبقه اجتماع للجنة الوزارية الخاصة بسوريا، الأربعاء المقبل في القاهرة.
وكان الشيخ حمد، أعلن اثر اجتماع اللجنة الوزارية الخاصة بالملف السوري في الدوحة أول أمس، ان الجامعة العربية تعتزم الطلب من مجلس الأمن الدولي تبني القرارات الخاصة بسوريا. وقال «بما أن روسيا ذهبت إلى مجلس الامن هناك ايضاً مشروع قرار سيرفع لاجتماع يوم 21 (الأربعاء). ان الجامعة العربية تتوجه إلى مجلس الامن لطرح المبادرة العربية وطرح القرارات العربية لتبني القرارات العربية بدل اي قرارات لدولة اخرى او اي عضو في مجلس الامن. نحن لا نتحدث عن تدخل عسكري، وهذا طبعاً الموضوع سيعرض على مجلس الجامعة ومجلس الجامعة هو سيد قراره.. هذا اقتراح من الاغلبية في اللجنة بأنه يجب أن نشرح وجهة نظرنا لمجلس الامن وأن مجلس الأمن يتبنى وجهة النظر العربية سواء في المبادرة او البروتوكول او باقي القرارات العربية حماية للمدنيين».
إلا أنه عبر عن «الأمل في ان يعيد الاخوة في سوريا النظر في الامر وأن يحصل التوقيع (على البروتوكول) خلال يومين واذا لم يحصل ذلك لا حول و لا قوة». وقال «نحن متهمون بالبطء ولم نجد شيئاً الى الآن للأسف. هدفنا كان ان يفهموا (المسؤولون الـــسوريون) أننـــا لا نريد لهم سوى الخير والآن واضح انه لا يوجد حل».
وقال العربي «إذا قبلوا مفردة المدنيين او المواطنين العزل فأهلاً وسهلاً، فهي نقطة الخلاف الوحيدة». وأضاف «كنا نتوقع امس (الجمعة) ان الطريق اصبحت ممهدة امام التوقيع، واليوم اتصلت به (وزير الخارجية السوري وليد المعلم) مرتين وأرجو أن يتجاوب ويوقع».
ميدانياً
وذكرت «سانا» أمس «عبرت حشود من المواطنين تجمعت في ساحة الحجاز والسيدة زينب (في دمشق)، بمشاركة فعاليات شبابية لبنانية وتركية، عن دعمها استقلالية القرار الوطني السوري ورفضها لكل أشكال التدخل الخارجي في شؤون سوريا الداخلية».
وأعلن المرصد السوري لحقوق الانسان، في بيان امس، «مقتل 15 مدنياً، وإصابة 29، في إدلب وحمص وتلبيسة ودير الزور». وتحدث عن «اشتباكات عنيفة بين قوات الامن السورية ومجموعة منشقة عند مداخل مدينة داعل في محافظة درعا بعد محاولة السلطات فتح الطرقات التي اغلقها الاهالي التزاما بالاضراب». ونقل «عن ضابط منشق في محافظة حمص ان خسائر الجيش النظامي المؤكدة داخل مدينة القصير هي مقتل ضابط برتبة رائد وخمسة جنود وإلقاء القبض على ضابطين برتبة ملازم اول من محافظتي درعا وريف دمشق».
وأعلن الناشط السوري انور البني ان السلطات السورية ستفرج بكفالة عن المدونة السورية المعارضة رزان غزاوي التي كانت اعتقلت في الخامس من كانون الاول.
وكان المرصد، اعلن في بيان امس الاول، «مقتل 27 مدنياً، برصاص قوات الامن في حمص ودرعا وإدلب وريف دمشق»، فيما اوردت «لجان التنسيق المحلية في سوريا حصيلة اكبر بكثير للقتلى بلغت 42 شخصاً، بينهم ثمانية جنود منشقين».
وذكرت «سانا» «استشهد أمس (الاول) المقدم أحمد سليمان الفارس من قوات حفظ النظام وأصيب سائقه بانفجار عبوة زرعتها مجموعة ارهابية مسلحة على طريق عام بلدة المسطومة إدلب».

http://assafir.com/Article.aspx?EditionId=2030&articleId=1985&ChannelId=48161&Author=%D8%B2%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%AF%20%D8%AD%D9%8A%D8%AF%D8%B1

December 18th, 2011, 11:09 pm

 

jad said:

Bronco,
This report in Assafir today have lots of your views, it’s long but worth reading:

تقــريــر حـــول الــوضــع فـي ســوريـا
الأزمة السورية تقارب حدود الصفقة… بهندسة روسية؟
سامي كليب
يبدي المسؤولون السوريون ارتياحا لافتا حيال التحرك الروسي في مجلس الأمن الدولي. ويسود شبه يقين بأن موسكو التي شكلت سدا منيعا حتى الآن في مواجهة أي قرار أممي ضد النظام السوري، مستمرة في الدفاع وذلك وسط تطورات كبيرة حدثت في المنطقة مؤخرا تشي بأن الأمور قد تنتقل إلى صفقة سياسية أوسع في المنطقة، ما دام التفجير غير ممكن.

لماذا إذاً قدم الروس مشروعاً إلى مجلس الأمن؟

الجواب يدفع السلطات السورية إلى الاطمئنان لا إلى القلق، فروسيا ذات الاتصالات العالية المستوى مع دمشق في الوقت الراهن، تتولى حاليا الرئاسة الدورية لمجلس الأمن، وتأمل بتسوية تاريخية، تقضي من جهة بحفظ ماء وجه الغرب والعرب بحيث إن الملف السوري سينقل إلى مجلس الأمن، ولكنها تفرّغ من جهة ثانية المسعى الدولي من أي خطوة ضد النظام السوري، ذلك أن الدول الغربية، ومعها بعض الدول العربية، أرادت منذ أشهر فتح أبواب سوريا لتدخل دولي.
ومن يقرأ نص القرار يجد انه أكثر ميلا إلى السلطة السورية منه إلى طروحات الغرب وبعض العرب، فهو «يطالب جميع الأطراف في سوريا بوقف العنف، بما في ذلك الاستخدام غير المتناسب للقوة من قبل السلطات السورية، ويدين نشاطات المجموعات المتطرفة، بما في ذلك الهجمات ضد مؤسسات الدولة وموظفي حفظ النظام».
هذا البند الثاني في المشروع الروسي يعني في حال موافقة مجلس الأمن عليه، أن أعلى سلطة دولية في العالم تعترف للمرة الأولى بوجود «مجموعات متطرفة» تهاجم الدولة. هذا أمر كانت الدول الغربية ولكن أيضا جامعة الدول العربية رافضة الاعتراف به في بداية الأزمة وتحمِّل السلطات السورية كامل المسؤولية عما يجري.
ويدعو مشروع القرار في بنده الثالث «السلطات السورية إلى محاسبة جميع المسؤولين عن أعمال العنف وبدء تحقيقات فورية ومستقلة وحيادية في جميع حالات انتهاك حقوق الإنسان … « أي انه يحصر بالدولة السورية القائمة حاليا قرار «المحاسبة»، ذلك انه يضيف في الفقرة الثالثة دعوة إلى «استكمال التحقيقات التي قامت بها اللجنة القضائية السورية في جميع الحوادث التي قتل أو جرح فيها مدنيون وعناصر امن».
وفي بنده الرابع يذهب المشروع الروسي أبعد من ذلك إذ «يحث كل جماعات المعارضة السورية على أن تنأى بنفسها عن المتطرفين وأن تقبل مبادرة جامعة الدول العربية وتدخل من دون شروط مسبقة في حوار سياسي مع السلطات السورية».. وهذه الدعوة كان أعضاء المجلس الوطني السوري قد سمعوها أثناء زيارتهم إلى موسكو، ويقال إنهم سمعوا كلاما أقسى من هذا، خصوصا حين قالوا إن النظام ساقط ولا حوار معه.
وفي تبن واضح للموقف الرسمي السوري، فإن المشروع الروسي يعرب عن «قلق بالغ إزاء التزويد غير المشروع بالأسلحة للمجموعات المسلحة في سوريا، ويدعو الدول المجاورة وغيرها لاتخاذ الخطوات اللازمة لمنع عمليات التزود هذه»، ما يشير عمليا إلى أن موسكو تؤيد الموقف السوري القائل بأن السلاح يدخل بقوة من دول الجوار وأن هناك «مجموعات مسلحة وعنيفة» في سوريا.
وإذ يدعم المشروع الروسي مبادرة الجامعة العربية وإرسال مراقبين، فإنه يؤكد في بنده الأول أن «الحل يتم من خلال عملية سياسية شاملة بقيادة سورية»، أي إن القيادة الحالية برئاسة بشار الأسد هي التي ستقود هذه العملية، وهذا مهم أيضا من الناحية العربية، ذلك أن جامعة الدول العربية لم تضع الرئيس الأسد على قائمة الأشخاص المشمولين بالعقوبات، تاركة الباب مفتوحا لأن يقود بنفسه عملية التسوية السياسية والحوار.
ولكن الروس يدركون حساسية الموقف في مجلس الأمن، ويعلمون أن مشروعهم لا يمكن أن يمر إذا كان داعما فقط للسلطات السورية، ولذلك نقرأ في الفقرة 3 من المشروع دعوة «السلطات السورية إلى وضع حد لمنع أولئك الذين يمارسون حقهم في حرية التعبير»، كما يحث السلطات السورية في بنده الثاني على «تخفيف حدة الوضع الإنساني في المناطق المتأزمة والسماح بالوصول السريع ومن دون عوائق للمساعدة الإنسانية والدولية ووسائل الإعلام الدولية والتعاون الكامل مع مكتب المفوض السامي لحقوق الإنسان والإفراج عن جميع المعتقلين بسبب ممارسة حقهم في حرية التعبير».
أما حديث المشروع الروسي عن ضرورة «تسريع التقدم نحو التعددية السياسية من خلال اعتماد قانون انتخابي جديد وإصلاحات دستورية» وغيرها، فهذه أمور كانت السلطات السورية نفسها قد أقرتها في مشروعها الإصلاحي، ولذلك كان لافتا أن المشروع الروسي لم يحدد تواريخ لتنفيذ تلك الإصلاحات وتعمد عدم الضغط على دمشق في هذا السياق.
ويمكن القول إن الكلام الأقسى في مشروع القرار الروسي، إنما تعلق برفض أي تدخل دولي. ففي الفقرة الرابعة يؤكد حرفيا «ضرورة حل الأزمة الحالية في سوريا بالطرق السلمية من دون أي تدخل عسكري من الخارج ويقرر أن لا شيء في هذا القرار يمكن أن يفسر على انه تفويض بأي نوع من التدخل العسكري في سوريا من قبل أي كان».
بمعنى آخر، لو أن الخارجية السورية نفسها أرادت تقديم مشروع قرار متوازن إلى مجلس الأمن لما كانت قد كتبت أفضل مما كتبه الروس وسط الضغوط الدولية والعربية والإقليمية الهائلة حاليا على دمشق.

ماذا يريد الروس؟

واضح مما تقدم، أن الحركة الروسية هي استباقية، فالمشروع قديم وكان قد تم التشاور بشأنه مع الصين، وهو جاء للحؤول دون تقديم مشروع قرار غربي، خصوصا انه تزامن مع تقرير إنساني قاس ضد سوريا، قبيل اجتماع جامعة الدول العربية. ويدرك الروس ومعهم الصينيون وبعض الدول الصديقة لدمشق أن المسار سيكون شائكا، وأن نقاشا حادا سيجري في مجلس الأمن قبل التوصل إلى صيغة توفيقية تأخذ من المشروع الروسي وتضيف عليه تعديلات غربية وعربية. يدركون ذلك لأن ثمة دولا كبيرة وفي مقدمها واشنطن وباريس ولندن كانت قد اعتبرت أن نظام الأسد قد انتهى، وراح الرئيس الأميركي باراك أوباما يتصرف على هذا الأساس، ولعله لم يظن في حينه أن روسيا ستتحداه إلى هذا الحد.
الموقف الروسي لا يزال داعما بقوة للنظام السوري، والدليل على ذلك البيان الشديد اللهجة الذي قدمه مندوب الاتحاد الروسي ردا على تقرير مفوضية حقوق الإنسان في الأمم المتحدة.
وفي هذا البيان، الذي حصلت «السفير» على نسخته الأصلية من نيويورك، يتساءل الموفد الروسي عن «مصدر المعلومات التي بُني عليها التقرير، فالمفوضية تعاملت مع الشكاوى على أنها حقائق برغم أن مصدرها هو الناشطون أنفسهم». وتساءل المندوب الروسي «كيف يمكن للمفوضية السامية أن تتحقق من أن الناشط المتصل هو موجود فعلا في حمص وليس في نيوزلندا مثلا»، متهما التقرير بأنه «غير حيادي، لأنه لم يشر إلى أعمال العنف التي تقوم بها المجموعات المسلحة في سوريا».
وذهب المندوب الروسي إلى حد القول: «إن في بلادنا مواطنين سوريين يؤكدون عدم صحة المعلومات حول استهداف السلطات السورية للمتظاهرين»، مؤكدا أن موسكو «على علم بوجود تظاهرات مسلحة منذ بدء الأحداث في سوريا»، ومذكرا بقصة الشابة السورية زينب الحصني التي كانت المفوضية نفسها قد قالت إنها قد اغتصبت وقتلت، وتبين بعد شهرين عدم صحة ذلك. وتساءل عن عدم تصحيح المفوضية لذاك الخبر الكاذب.

موسكو تحدث البلبلة

هذه المواقف الروسية التي أعقبت تصريحات روسية رفيعة المستوى تدعم دمشق وتناهض أي تدخل دولي وتشجب السلاح والمسلحين، وصلت إلى ذروتها السياسية بتقديم موسكو لمشروع القرار في مجلس الأمن. الواضح أن هذه الخطوة أحدثت بلبلة كبيرة ليس في المجلس فحسب بل أيضا في أروقة الجامعة العربية وفي أوساط المعارضة.
الموقف الأميركي بدا أكثر ميلا لمناقشة المشروع. ذهب وزير الدفاع الأميركي ليون بانيتا ومن قلب أنقرة إلى حد وصف المشروع بـ«الخطوة المهمة»، بينما تراوحت التصريحات الفرنسية بين الإيحاء بالقبول أولا بمبدأ التفاوض حول المشروع وبين القول بأنه «أجوف وغير متوازن». ناقض الموقف الفرنسي الترحيب الأوروبي حيث قال مايكل مان، المتحدث باسـم الممثــلة العليا للأمن والسـياسة الخارجية في الاتحاد الأوروبـي كاثرين اشتون، «إن مـشروع القـرار الروسي بشأن سوريا خطوة في الاتجاه الصحيح وإن النص بشكله الحالي يصلح للنقاش».

سر التشدد الروسي والتراجع العربي؟

ينبغي التوقف عند جملة من التطورات شهدتها المنطقة مؤخرا ودفعت للاعتقاد بأن «تسوية» أو «صفقة» ما بدأت تطل برأسها من خلف التأزم والتظاهر والعنف والقمع والسلاح. وأبرزها التالي:
[ انتقادات غربية قاسية ضد الانتخابات الأخيرة التي جرت في روسيا، قابلها تحذير روسي من الإساءة إلى النظام، وذهب رئيس الوزراء الروسي فلاديمير بوتين (والذي سيصبح رئيسا في آذار المقبل وهو مؤيد بشدة للرئيس الأسد) إلى حد توجيه لوم شديد للولايات المتحدة، وقال: «إن الناس تعبت من إملاءات دولة واحدة، انتم تتحدثون عن علاقة حلف مع الولايات المتحدة، نحن نرغب أن نكون حلفاء معها أيضا، لكن ما أراه الآن وما تحدثت عنه في ميونيخ، هذه ليست علاقة حلفاء، بل يبدو لي أحيانا أن أميركا لا تريد حلفاء بل تابعين وخدما».
[ لم تفلح كل الوعود الأوروبية والدولية حتى الآن في طمأنة روسيا بشأن الدرع الصاروخي. حذر وزير الدفاع الروسي اناتولي سيرديكوف يوم الجمعة الماضي من أن «نشر الدرع الصاروخي الأميركي في أوروبا سوف يخل بتوازن القوة الاستراتيجي، وأن روسيا سوف تبدأ في اتخاذ إجراءات للرد بعد ظهور أول عناصر الصواريخ الدفاعية في بولندا».
كشف المسؤول العسكري الروسي الأول عن «معلومات تفيد بتخطيط الولايات المتحدة لنشر الصواريخ المضادة للصواريخ من طراز ستاندرد 3 في بولندا». وهدد بأن روسيا قد تنشر صواريخ من طراز «اسكانار» في إقليم كاليننغراد. كلام مهم بعد كل اللقاءات الأطلسية ـ الروسية.
هذا الكلام العسكري الروسي يتكرر على لسان ارفع السياسيين الروس أيضا. قال الرئيس ديميتري ميدفيديف، في رسالة وجهها في 30 تشرين الثاني الماضي إلى الجمعية الفدرالية الروسية، «إننا سنواجه في العقد المقبل الخيار التالي: إما أن نتوصل إلى الوفاق في ما يتعلق بالدرع الصاروخي ونشكل آلية مشتركة للتعاون، وإما أن تبدأ جولة جديدة من سباق التسلح ونضطر إلى اتخاذ قرارات بنشر الوسائل الضاربة الجديدة في حال عجزنا عن بلوغ اتفاق بناء».
[ لكن من يقرأ في تفاصيل القمة الأوروبية ـ الروسية الأخيرة، يستشف رغبة حصول صفقة أوسع قد تشمل أيضا سوريا، فالمتحدث باسم الاتحاد الأوروبي قال بصراحة «لقد تحدثنا في القمة عن ضرورة إيصال رسالة قوية وموحدة للنظام في سوريا»، وهو يعني طبعا الحديث خصوصا مع الروس في هذا السياق. ومن جانبه قال ميدفيديف «إن بلاده مستعدة لمساعدة أوروبا في مواجهة الأزمة المالية التي تعصف بها».
حين تعصف الأزمات بالعالم وتصل الأمور إلى حدود التهديد والوعيد بشأن سلاح استراتيجي، غالبا ما يبحث العالم عن «صفقات»، ولعل الموقف الروسي المدافع عن إيران والرافض الحديث عن أسلحة نووية أو إستراتيجية خطيرة على الأراضي الإيرانية، يجعل من موسكو قادرة على إدارة مفاوضات دولية كبيرة، ومن غير المنتظر في مفاوضات كهذه أن تتخلى عن حلفاء استراتيجيين حاليا، كالنظامين الإيراني والسوري، حتى ولو أن البعض يعتقد بأن الصفقات قد تكون سيفا ذا حدين، أي إنها قد تكون ايجابية وسلبية لأي نظام وفق الثمن الذي يمكن دفعه. ثمة دولة عربية دفعت لموسكو 5 مليارات دولار للتخلي عن النظام السوري.

وماذا عن الجامعة العربية وسوريا؟

كان لافتا في الآونة الأخيرة حصول عدد من التحركات الدبلوماسية التي جعلت على ما يبدو العرب يتراجعون عن قراراتهم وإملاءاتهم الملزمة للنظام السوري. ربما يشعر رئيس الوزراء القطري الشيخ حمد بن جبر آل ثاني، اليوم وأكثر من غيره بحراجة الموقف. هو كان أول من استخدم لغة التحذير حيال دمشق، واتهمها ضمنيا بـ«التقية» وأشعر العالم بأن المبادرة يجب أن تطبق بحذافيرها ومن دون تعديل وفورا. سرعان ما تبين أن ذلك كله غير قابل للتطبيق وأن النظام السوري لا يزال يتعاطى مع أزمته بكثير من الثقة بالنفس المبنية على قوة أمنية كبيرة ودعم روسي وإيراني كبيرين.
وقد عرفت المنطقة وسوريا مؤخرا التطورات التالية:
[انسحاب أميركي هادئ تقريبا من العراق، وهذا ما كان ليتم لولا التمهيد له مع السلطات العراقية، ولكن أيضا عبر ضوء أخضر غير مباشر مع إيران وسوريا.
[زيارة لوزير الأمن الإيراني حيدر مصلحي إلى السعودية ولقاؤه مع ولي العهد والرجل القوي حاليا في المملكة الأمير نايف بن عبد العزيز والذي تبادل مع الأسد رسائل ايجابية وحميمة بعيد وصوله إلى منصب ولي العهد. يقال إن السعودية تريد تخفيف الدور القطري في المنطقة.
[زيارة رئيس الوزراء العراقي نوري المالكي إلى الولايات المتحدة، وما أعقبها. فقد استقبل الأسد، مستشار الأمن الوطني العراقي فلاح الفياض يرافقه وفد حكومي. وقال علي الموسوي، المستشار الإعلامي للمالكي، إن «المبادرة العراقية تهدف إلى فتح حوار بين الحكومة السورية والمعارضة». وبغض النظر عما إذا كان في الأمر مبادرة فعلية أم لا، فالأكيد أن الوفد العراقي أخبر السوريين بنتيجة محادثات المالكي في الولايات المتحدة، وطمأنهم على وقوف العراق إلى جانب سوريا، وهذا بحد ذاته أمر هام جدا ويناقض عمليا طروحات الجامعة العربية. ولا بد من الإشارة أيضا في هذا السياق إلى أن السيد مقتدى الصدر كان قد وصف زيارة المالكي إلى واشنطن بأنها «خيانة للمرجعية الدينية ولمشاعر المسلمين في دول الممانعة والمعارضة والمقاومة وضعف سياسي وخضوع». لعل في ذلك تحذيرا مبطنا للمالكي بغية منعه من التأثر بالمناخ الأميركي في المنطقة.
[ إن زيارة المالكي إلى الولايات المتحدة، وزيارة نائب الرئيس الأميركي جو بايدن قبله إلى بغداد، كشفت أن لا تغيير في الموقف العراقي حيال سوريا، ولا قبول بمطالب تضر بإيران وسوريا وبينها القبول بتواجد عسكري جوي أميركي في أجواء العراق.
[ تمرير تمويل المحكمة الدولية المكلفة بمحاكمة المتهمين بقتل رئيس الحكومة اللبنانية الراحل رفيق الحريري بموافقة ضمنية من «حزب الله» وغطاء سوري وروسي. وفشل جيفري فيلتمان في ضخ روح معنوية كبيرة بين خصوم سوريا في لبنان ودفعهم لمزيد من التصعيد.
[ تفجير قافلة للقوات الدولية العاملة في جنوب لبنان «يونيفيل» استهدف جنودا فرنسيين، وقيل إن في الأمر ردا على تصدر فرنسا قائمة الدول الراغبة بإسقاط النظام السوري، أو توريطا إضافيا لسوريا بحيث يسارع البعض إلى اتهامها و«حزب الله» بالتفجير، وهو ما نفاه «حزب الله» بمعلومات دقيقة تم تقديمها إلى الفرنسيين.
[ تولي مرشد الجمهورية الإسلامية الإيراني السيد علي خامنئي شخصيا الملف السوري، واتخاذ قرار مركزي بالدفاع عن سوريا ونظامها مهما كلف الأمر، واضعا بذلك حدا لبعض المواقف المترددة والقائلة بضرورة التعاطي مع سوريا على أن كل شيء قابل للحدوث فيها، بما في ذلك سقوط النظام.
[إجراء سوريا مناورات صاروخية علنية هذه المرة تحت اسم «مشروع»، والمعروف أن المشروع في المفهوم العسكري هو أهم وأوسع من «المناورة».
[إجراء انتخابات محلية من دون حوادث مهمة، وفشل الإضراب العام الذي دعت إليه المعارضة.
[ إبلاغ حركة حماس القيادة السورية أنها لا تريد مطلقا مغادرة دمشق، وأن خروج بعض عائلات المسؤولين الحماسيين إنما جاء بسبب القلق من الوضع الأمني وليس لسبب سياسي. ويقال إن خالد مشعل نفسه بعث أكثر من رسالة ود في الفترة الأخيرة، وكشف بعض القيادات في حماس عن إغراءات وضغوطات كبيرة مورست عليهم لمغادرة سوريا. لا بل إن بعض من في حماس نقل رغبة من قبل بعض الإخوان المسلمين للتفاوض.
[ تحرك شرق الأردن وتيارات معارضة أخرى ضد أي تدخل في الشؤون السورية يدعمها موقف عسكري واستخباراتي أردني في هذا السياق، وتحرك آخر من قبل أطراف تركية معارضة للتدخل ورافضة مغامرات رجب طيب اردوغان في الملف السوري.

وماذا عن الوضع في سوريا؟

التطورات الآنفة الذكر، تزامنت مع أمور لافتة تتعلق بسوريا نظاما ومعارضة، أبرزها التالي:
[ التقدم بخطوات عسكرية «مهمة» في جبل الزاوية ومحيط حمص، والاستعداد الفعلي لدخول ثالثة المدن السورية في حال اتخذ القرار السياسي بذلك. الواضح أن ما يمنع «حسم» الوضع هناك ليس نابعا فقط من الوجود الكثيف والمنظم للمسلحين وليس من عدم القدرة على ذلك، ولكن أيضا من رغبة السلطات السورية بعدم استثارة المواقف العربية وعدم إحراج الروس في الأمم المتحدة ومجلس الأمن. تقول المصادر الأمنية إن «الحسم ممكن» لو اتخذ القرار، ويجري كلام كثير عن خطة عسكرية محكمة قد وضعت لمنع المسلحين ومن تصفهم السلطات بـ «الإرهابيين» من الانتقال إلى منطقة أخرى. قرار الحسم قائم وقد يتخذ في أي لحظة، لكن سوريا تريد الآن إفساح الفرصة أمام الجهود الروسية وإنجاح المبادرة العربية رغم قلة قناعتها بجدواها.
[ في يوم «الجامعة العربية تقتلنا» أي نهار الجمعة الماضي، اقتصر عدد المتظاهرين على 36 ألف شخص، بينهم 15 ألفا في إدلب وريفها و21 ألفا في مختلف المناطق السورية، ولم يسقط أي قتيل، وفق تقرير أمني دقيق وصل إلى سفارة عربية في دمشق.
[ تبين من خلال اللقاءات بين أطراف المعارضة في القاهرة، أن المجلس الوطني لا يزال يتعامل مع هيئة التنسيق على أنها من الدرجة الثانية، ما أدى إلى فشل في توحيد صفوف المعارضة برغم كل الضغوط الدولية والعربية المطالبة بهذا التوحيد. وثمة من ينقل عن الناشط الحقوقي والمعارض البارز في هيئة التنسيق الدكتور هيثم المناع امتعاضا شديدا حيال ما حصل.
كل هذا جعل السلطات السورية تتصرف مجددا من منطق القوة، ولكن ثمة قناعة واضحة لدى هذه السلطات حاليا للانفتاح أكثر على الحوار مع بعض أطراف المعارضة، ومن غير المستبعد أن يكون الخطاب الرسمي السوري من اليوم فصاعدا مستندا إلى هاتين الركيزتين، أي الحديث عن مكامن القوة والرغبة في الانفتاح وتسريع وتيرة الإصلاحات والانتخابات.

هل التسوية ممكنة؟

الجهود الروسية الحالية تنصب في هذا السياق، فقبول سوريا للمبادرة العربية والتوقيع على البروتوكول، لم يأتيا من قناعة فعلية بأن تكون الجامعة قادرة على الحل، بل لتقوية الموقف الروسي. ومن يزر دمشق هذه الأيام قد يسمع كلاما قاسيا عن الجامعة ودورها، ولكنه سيسمع أيضا معلومات تفيد بأن داخل الجامعة تيارات مختلفة، وأن الدبلوماسية القطرية الضاغطة بقوة على دمشق تشعر بأن الأمور قد تفلت من يديها، وهذا ما يدفع بعض المسؤولين السوريين إلى الاعتقاد بأن مسارعة الشيخ حمد إلى عقد مؤتمر صحافي وتجديد التحذير قبل يومين بنقل الملف السوري إلى مجلس الأمن كان غير مبرر، ذلك أن تبادل الرسائل كان لا يزال قائما بين الأمين العام للجامعة العربية نبيل العربي ووزير الخارجية السوري وليد المعلم، وأن الجامعة قبلت (بعد امتناع سابق) أكثر من 70 في المئة من التعديلات السورية على مشروع البروتوكول. لا بل إنها قبلت أن يكون التنسيق بشأن المراقبين مع الحكومة السورية، وأن تتولى الجامعة دفع مبلغ مليون دولار لتغطية تكاليف المراقبين (بينما في السابق كانت تريد من دمشق أن تدفع ذلك)، كما قبلت أن يكون البروتوكول نتيجة اتفاق بين الجانبين وليس مجرد إملاء من الجامعة، فعنوان البروتوكول هو «مشروع بروتوكول المركز القانوني ومهام بعثة مراقبي جامعة الدول العربية بين الجمهورية السورية والأمانة العامة لجامعة الدول العربية بشأن متابعة تطورات الوضع في سوريا».
ولو علمنا أن عدد المراقبين سيقتصر على ما بين 50 و70 مراقبا مع حراسهم، وأن البروتوكول هو لمدة شهر قابلة للتمديد بموافقة طرفي الجامعة والحكومة السورية، أمكن القول إن الجامعة تراجعت كثيرا عن تشددها السابق، وهذا كان سببا إضافيا في قبول سوريا توقيع البروتوكول اليوم في القاهرة وليس في الدوحة أو أي عاصمة أخرى، على أن تكون اللقاءات المقبلة في سوريا.

هل نجا النظام السوري؟

ربما الاحتمال سابق لأوانه، فثمة دول غربية وإقليمية وعربية عديدة لا تزال تعمل على إسقاط النظام، ولعلها ستزيد من تشددها وعملها في المرحلة المقبلة. لكن الأكيد أن في الأفق شيئا ما يطبخ على نار هادئة قد يغير سير المعادلة خصوصا إذا ما انتهى العام وبقيت الأمور على ما هي عليه، فالأزمة السورية دخلت قبل أيام شهرها العاشر، ويحكى عن انزعاج أميركي وإسرائيلي وغربي من انتشار الأصولية في الدول التي حصلت فيها ثورات.
أمام كل هذا، وفي ضوء دخول الأزمة السورية شهرها العاشر من دون قدرة أي من الطرفين على الحسم الكامل، بدأت روسيا ودول غربية وعربية التفكير الجدي بأن الحل الوحيد يكمن في حوار بإشراف بشار الأسد يقضي بتوسيع قاعدة المشاركة في السلطة ويؤدي إلى انتخابات ويشرك المعارضة في الحكومة وصنع القرار. العودة إلى الوراء باتت غير ممكنة، لا النظام قادر على الاستمرار على شكله الراهن وسط رياح التغيير الواسعة التي تعصف بالوطن العربي، ولا المعارضة قادرة على قلبه من دون تدخل دولي، والتدخل الدولي شبه مستحيل طالما بقي الروس على موقفهم وبقي العالم قلقا من انتشار نار في هشيم المنطقة.

هل ينجح الروس؟

ربما، ولكن المسار لا يزال طويلا، ولعل التوقيع السوري اليوم على بروتوكول الجامعة العربية بداية فعلية لكلام سياسي أعمق، غير أن احتمالات النجاح لا تزال تنافس احتمالات الفشل، ذلك أن ثمة دولا لا يعنيها لا الإصلاح ولا حماية المدنيين بل إسقاط النظام، وتضييق الخناق على إيران.

http://assafir.com/Article.aspx?EditionID=2030&ChannelID=48167&ArticleID=1971

December 18th, 2011, 11:14 pm

 

Norman said:

With what is going on in Egypt and before that in Tunisia, the chance of free election in Syria is fading and the west is probably leading the charge against any chance of these elections, The opposition probably overplayed their hand and now might get nothing, as they say, in the stock market, Bulls make money, Bears make money, but pigs get slaughtered,

December 18th, 2011, 11:15 pm

 

irritated said:

Norman

Friend in America is Friend OF America, not of Syria

December 18th, 2011, 11:19 pm

 

Bronco said:

Jad #1357

Thanks Jad,

That is what I thought was happening as I posted it earlier.
It seems the AL has accepted more than 70% of the amendments requested by Syria simply because they did not want to be bypassed by Russia’s resolution at the UN.
There will be also a coordination between the Syria governemnt and the observers as requested by Moallem.
It appears that Russia and Syria may have actually outsmarted Qatar and the AL.

ذلك أن تبادل الرسائل كان لا يزال قائما بين الأمين العام للجامعة العربية نبيل العربي ووزير الخارجية السوري وليد المعلم، وأن الجامعة قبلت (بعد امتناع سابق) أكثر من 70 في المئة من التعديلات السورية على مشروع البروتوكول

“Meanwhile, reports have surfaced that the League took seriously Syria’s proposed amendments to the plan.

Sham Press reported that sources close to Arab League chief Nabil Arabi said that the League was leaning toward adopting Syrian amendments to the protocol, especially those related to cooperation with the Syrian government and ending sanctions imposed by the League on Syria. ”
http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/syria-expected-sign-arab-league-plan-week-0

December 18th, 2011, 11:37 pm

 

jad said:

The whole world should avoid KSA and Qatar like the plague..they are always BAD NEWS! nothing good can come out of them.

بغداد: خروج الاحتلال يفتح معركة مع الإقليم

على وقع انسحاب أميركي تحت جنح الظلام، وبروز مصادمات سياسية في بغداد، يتضح أنها تتم بتحريض سعودي قطري، يظهر المشهد السياسي العراقي على دور إقليمي للعراق الجديد. نوري المالكي حصل على دعم أميركي لمهمة محورها سوريا وإيران، ما يشعر قطر بالخطر ويهدد مكانة السعودية في المنطقة
إيلي شلهوب
تطورات اليومين الماضيين تشي بصدام مسارات على المستوى الإقليمي، آثاره تتجاوز المنطقة إلى الساحة الدولية، وتتهدد الأوضاع الداخلية في أكثر من دولة. حراك عراقي باتجاه الأزمة السورية، وآخر روسي في مجلس الأمن يسحب البساط من تحت الثنائي، ولي عهد السعودية الأمير نايف بن عبد العزيز، ورئيس وزراء قطر الشيخ حمد بن جاسم ومعهما الجامعة العربية، وينقل الملف من الدوحة والقاهرة إلى بغداد ونيويورك. وإلى جانبهما طموح أميركي إسرائيلي بجر سوريا إلى محاكمة دولية، فيما سلطات دمشق تستعجل الخطى لإنهاء الاضطرابات في الداخل بأقل خسائر ممكنة.

إعلان نوري المالكي، في طريق عودته من واشنطن يوم الخميس الماضي، عن تلقيه ضوءاً أخضر من الرئيس الأميركي، باراك أوباما، لجهوده من أجل حل الأزمة السورية، لم يلق استحسان قطر والسعودية، اللتين تفضلان تدويل أزمات المنطقة. وتوضح مصادر دبلوماسية عربية أن «الدوحة والرياض تخشيان انكفاء الولايات المتحدة وأوروبا، بعد الانسحاب الأميركي من العراق، مع ما لذلك من تأثيرات سلبية عليهما، في ظل اشتداد عود المحور المدعوم من إيران».

«الخربطة» الإقليميّة

وتؤكد مصادر عراقية مقربة من دمشق أن «السعوديين والقطريين سعوا جاهدين لانتزاع مكاسب قبل الانسحاب الأميركي من العراق، فأخفقوا. ثم حاولوا عرقلة هذا الانسحاب، فأخفقوا أيضاً. يبدو أنهم دخلوا خط الخربطة الإقليمية، وفي داخل العراق نفسه». وتضيف، في تفسيرها لاجتماع الدوحة السبت والقرار بنقل ملف سوريا إلى مجلس الأمن يوم الأربعاء المقبل، إن «هاتين العاصمتين لن تقبلا مطلقاً بعراق تحكمه شخصية شيعية لها وزن ودور إقليميان، وخصوصاً أن الشيخ حمد يدرك جيداً أن الدعم الأميركي لجهود المالكي يعني سحب الملف من بين يديه، من هنا قرر عقد اجتماع اللجنة العربية والخروج بقرار كهذا في اليوم نفسه الذي أرسل فيه المالكي موفده إلى دمشق لعرض مبادرته على السلطات السورية».
وتشدد المصادر نفسها على أن المالكي، في خلال زيارته لواشنطن، قد «كرس ثلاثة أمور: الأول، تأكيد استقلاليته عن أميركا، وهو ما ظهر في المؤتمر الصحافي مع أوباما عندما تحدثا عن الملف السوري. الثاني، انتزاع تفويض من الرئيس الأميركي على تطبيق المبادرة العربية حيال سوريا عبر مشروع حل ودي يديره العراق، وليس بالطريقة العدائية التي تعتمدها قطر. أما الثالث والأهم، فهو قبوله طلب الرئيس الأميركي أن يكون قناة الاتصال التي تربط واشنطن بطهران».
وتضيف المصادر «بل أكثر من ذلك، نجح الوفد العراقي في إيصال رسالة عملية للأميركيين تفيد بأن بغداد ما عادت بحاجة إليهم، عبر انسحاب هذا الوفد وعودته إلى بلاده قبل يومين من الموعد المقرر احتجاجاً على الهجمة التي شنتها وسائل الإعلام الأميركية على وزير النقل هادي العامري، الذي اتهمته بأنه من الحرس الثوري الإيراني، وخاصة رفض وزير النقل الأميركي استقباله وإيفاد أحد أفراد طاقمه للقاء به»، علماً بأن الوفد العراقي كان يعتزم وضع اللمسات الأخيرة على صفقة شراء 55 طائرة بوينغ من واشنطن.
وعليه، يكون المالكي قد غادر العراق زعيماً لدولة مضطربة وهشّة، وعاد إليه شخصية إقليمية يطلب زعيم أكبر إمبراطورية في العالم مساعدتها في أكثر ملفين حساسية وأهمية بالنسبة إليه في المنطقة، وهما الملف الإيراني والملف السوري، في مقابل وعد من المالكي بضمان الاستثمارات الأميركية في العراق. وقد تعمد المالكي، في طريق عودته إلى بغداد، الإعلان عن الضوء الأخضر الذي حصل عليه من أوباما لمبادرته العراقية، المنسّقة مع طهران وموسكو، على ما تفيد المعلومات الواردة من بغداد، بل إنه أعلن عن إيفاد وفد، زار دمشق السبت برئاسة مستشار الأمن الوطني العراقي فالح الفياض.

الكرة في الملعب العربي

المعلومات الواردة من بغداد تفيد بأن الفياض «سمع قراءة الرئيس الأسد لما يجري حول سوريا، وعرض الوفد معه نقاط المبادرة العربية، وأخذ منه موافقة على التوقيع على البروتوكول المتنازع عليه، ما إن يتم إدخال التعديلات التي طالبت بها دمشق». وأضافت إن «الكرة الآن في الملعب العربي»، مشيرة إلى أن «جوهر المبادرة العراقية هو تطبيق المبادرة العربية بطريقتنا، لا بالطريقة العنفية التي تعتمدها الجامعة العربية بتحريض قطري»، مستشهدة بجملة بهذا المعنى قالها المالكي للأمين العام للجامعة، نبيل العربي، قبل سفر رئيس الوزراء إلى الولايات المتحدة.
مصادر في الوفد العراقي، الذي زار دمشق والذي من المقرر أن يعود إليها برئاسة وزير الخارجية، هوشيار زيباري، كشفت عن أنه «نقل إلى الأسد ما جرى في لقاء أوباما والمالكي، حيث أكد رئيس الوزراء أن العراق لا يستطيع أن يكون ضد سوريا لا بعقوبات دولية ولا عربية، وأنه يفضل أن تعمد الولايات المتحدة إلى دعم الحوار بين الحكم والمعارضة في سوريا، فمصلحة العراق أن تكون سوريا آمنة ومستقرة، مع إبراز خطر الحرب الأهلية التي ستهدد استقرار العراق». وأضافت إن «الوفد بحث مع الرئيس الأسد إمكانية أن تقوم بغداد بدور للتوفيق بين دمشق والجامعة العربية. وقد أبدى الأسد ترحيبه، مشيراً إلى أنه لا يمانع بأي وساطة تأتي من أي دولة صديقة أو شقيقة، على قاعدة أن السوريين يريدون حلاً، لا تعقيد الأمور». وتابعت إن «الأسد طمأن الوفد إلى أن الوضع على الأرض تحت السيطرة، مؤكدة أنه لن تحصل هناك حرب أهلية في سوريا»، وأن «المشكلة تقوم على أمرين: الأول، هناك من يستغل التظاهرات السلمية ليتلطى خلفها ويعتدي على الأملاك العامة. وهناك تدخلات وضغوط خارجية، مع التأكيد أن الحكم في سوريا مع الحوار، لكن لا حل مع المسلحين». وختمت بالقول إن «الوفد حمل للأسد اقتراحات عديدة للتعاون الاقتصادي، وأبلغه بأن بغداد سيكون باستطاعتها، بعد اكتمال الانسحاب آخر هذه السنة، عقد اتفاقات استراتيجية اقتصادية وإنمائية وخدماتية، وهي تطمح لأن تعقد اتفاق شراكة اقتصادية مع سوريا لخدمة الشعبين».
وكانت مصادر صحافية في دمشق قد شددت على أنه «لا العراقيون ولا السوريون يعوّلون على دور وساطة، ولو كانت عراقية، بسبب ارتباطات المعارضين في الخارج بمصالح خارجية، وحتى بجهات دولية وإقليمية لا مصلحة لها بحل، بل تعمل جاهدة على التدويل». وأضافت إن «التعويل هو على موقف الشارع السوري الرافض للحرب الأهلية، وعلى قوات الجيش والأمن اللذين لا يزالان متماسكين». وتقول هذه المصادر «صحيح أن إيران وروسيا معنا، لكن ما يحمي سوريا هو تماسك الجيش والشعب والقيادة».

خلافات بغداد

وبينما كان الوفد العراقي ينتقل إلى القاهرة لإبلاغ العربي بنتائج اللقاء مع الأسد، كانت حال الاضطراب تتصاعد في بغداد، بعدما فتح المالكي النار على أخصامه السياسيين الذين يتعرضون له مذ قرر التوجه إلى واشنطن، تارة بوصفه «ديكتاتوراً» (صالح المطلك) وطوراً بمهاجمة دعمه لسوريا (أسامة النجيفي وطارق الهاشمي). وتقول مصادر قريبة من المالكي إن الأخير «يمتلك منذ أكثر من شهرين معلومات استخبارية عن مخططات سعودية وتوزيع أموال لزعزعة استقرار الساحة العراقية، لكنها معلومات لم تكن تشير إلى توقيت ولا إلى مكان محددين. الهدف كان عرقلة الانسحاب، وإن حصل، فتفجير الوضع العراقي من بعده»، مشيرة إلى «التفجيرات في الأماكن الحساسة ذات الحماية الأمنية المشددة خلال الأسابيع الماضية، مثل تفجيرات الكرادة والمنطقة الخضراء أتت ضمن هذا السياق».
وأضافت إن رئيس القائمة العراقية إياد «علاوي و(نائب الرئيس طارق) الهاشمي، المعروفين بعلاقاتهما التركية والسعودية، هما من قادا عملية التنفيذ. المشكلة بصالح المطلك الذي لم يحسن قراءة الرسائل الإقليمية، والذي سيكون على الأرجح كبش الفداء»، مشيرة إلى «وجود اعترفات لضباط بعثيين معتقلين أفادوا بأن المطلك كان في أجواء المحاولة الانقلابية التي كان يتم إعدادها على المالكي».
وتفيد المعلومات الواردة من بغداد بأن المطلك، الذي غادر مساءً إلى عمان، زار أمس السفير الأميركي جيفري فيلتمان وطلب وساطته مع المالكي الذي توعد ببث شرائط أعلنت السلطات العراقية أنها تتضمن أدلة على تورط الهاشمي بتفجير البرلمان ومحاولة اغتيال المالكي، مشيرة إلى وجود ثلاثة معتقلين اعترفوا بالتهمة الأخيرة، بينهم زوج ابنة الهاشمي. كذلك، تحرك الرئيس جلال الطالباني في وساطة لإصلاح ذات البين. وسعى ابراهيم الجعفري ومحمود المشهداني للحؤول دون صدور مذكرة توقيف بحق الهاشمي، الذي فرّ ليل أمس إلى أربيل براً بعدما مُنع من المغادرة عبر المطار.
لكن ما سرّب من كلام على لسان المالكي، خلال اجتماع التحالف الوطني يوم الجمعة الماضي، يظهر أنه ماض في الضربة التي يوجهها للثلاثي الرئاسي. وكان التكتل الكردستاني وقائمة الأحرار، بزعامة بهاء الأعرجي، قد أعلنا السبت وساطة لإقناع الكتلة «العراقية» بالعودة عن قرارها تعليق مشاركة نوابها في البرلمان. وتم التداول أمس بأن نواب الكتلة ووزراءها قد وقّعوا استقالاتهم ووضعوها بتصرف الكتلة لاتخاذ ما يلزم بشأنها، وبأن المالكي يسعى إلى دعم وطرح مبادرة لجميع الفرقاء السياسيين لحل الأزمات في البلاد.

http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/28003

December 18th, 2011, 11:38 pm

 

jad said:

Bronco, (Tikram)
Assafir today has few more article about Russia:

من كوبا إلى تركيا… عندما يعيد “تاريخ الصواريخ” نفسه
روسيا تقف مع نفسها أم مع سوريا في مواجهة «السلطنة»؟
داود رمال
ثمة حديث متزايد حول بروز إشارات ايجابية تقود الى الاستنتاج بقرب التوصل الى تسوية سياسية للأزمة السـورية، وسط حديث عن مفاوضات تشارك فيها عواصـم دولية وإقليمية معنية بالملف السوري، قاربت التوصل الى مسودة حل، ستترجم تباعا بإجراءات ومواقف ابرزها ما رشــح «عن نية الرئيس السوري بشار الأسد التوجه الى الشعب السوري بخطاب يؤكد فيه ثوابت سوريا الوطنية والقــومية ويــعلن فيه الموافقة على المبادرة العربية وفق الصيغة المعدلة، والتي تحفظ السيادة الوطنية وتؤكد مرجعية الدولة السورية بمؤسساتها الدستورية في ترجمة الحل»، وتزامن ذلك مع تسريب معلومات عن قرب تكليف شخصية من المعارضة السورية بتشكيل حكومة وحدة وطنية أو حكومة انقاذ يرجّح ان تسند مهمتها للمعارض السوري المعروف هيثم منّاع. (I wish that is true, I very much respect Haytham Manna3)

http://assafir.com/Article.aspx?EditionId=2030&ChannelId=48163&ArticleId=1930&Author=%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%88%D8%AF%20%D8%B1%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%84

December 18th, 2011, 11:49 pm

 

ann said:

Minneapolis protest sends anti-war message for holidays – December 18, 2011

http://www.fightbacknews.org/2011/12/18/minneapolis-protest-sends-anti-war-message-holidays

Minneapolis, MN – Over 60 people joined a Minneapolis anti-war protest on Dec. 17 to speak out against the continuing U.S. war in Afghanistan and U.S. military interventions around the world.

The event, organized under the call “Send an Anti-War Message for the Holidays,” included the demands: Bring all the troops home now; Get out of Afghanistan, U.S. hands off Syria and Iran; Funds for housing and human needs, not war.

The protest gathered at People’s Plaza in front of the Hennepin County Government Center, the site of the OccupyMN-Minneapolis. After listening to several speeches, participants marched through downtown shopping areas, chanting slogans and stopping to sing holiday carols with new, anti-war words.

The event was held as the last U.S. troops were being withdrawn from Iraq.

A statement issued by organizers says, in part, “While many politicians and sections of the press talk about the end of the war in Iraq, we know that the U.S. wants to continue the project of trying to dominate of Iraq. While U.S. combat troops are being withdrawn from Iraq, thousands of contractors, diplomats, CIA agents and who knows who else are being left behind to continue U.S. meddling in the affairs of the Iraqi people.” Organizers also pointed out that negotiations are underway to send U.S. military trainers back into Iraq.

The statement continues, “The U.S. war in Afghanistan continues, with tens of thousands of U.S. troops remaining in that country. Even with the number of troops the Obama administration says will be withdrawn from Afghanistan this year, by the end of 2012 there will be 70,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan. That is twice as many as were there on the day the Obama administration took office three years ago. The war in Afghanistan is extending into Pakistan as well. There is a growing threat of new U.S. wars and interventions around the world, including in Syria and Iran,” the statement concludes.

Speakers from several of the sponsoring groups, including activists in Occupy Minnesota addressed the demonstration.

Alan Dale of the Minnesota Peace Action Coalition said, “People need jobs and housing not war. We call for an end to the war in Afghanistan and no new war on Syria or Iran.”

After the march, many attended a bannering for Bradley Manning in front of the Federal Building. Dec. 17 was Manning’s 24th birthday.

The Minneapolis protest was co-sponsored by Anti-War Committee, Military Families Speak Out, Minnesota Peace Action Coalition, Twin Cities Peace Campaign, and Veterans for Peace (Chapter 27) and Women Against Military Madness.

December 19th, 2011, 12:29 am

 

ann said:

Remittances to Arab Spring nations witness a jump – Dec. 19, 2011

http://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20111219051152/Sending_cash_home

December 19th, 2011, 12:48 am

 

ann said:

India backs Russian resolution on Syria – Dec 19, 2011

http://english.ruvr.ru/2011/12/19/62458161.html

India back a Russian-tabled UN resolution on Syria, which on the Syrian parties to end violence and start talks, The Press Trust of India reports.

The draft, proposed on Thursday, urges all conflicting sides to end violence and investigate the deaths of an estimated 5,000 people killed in clashes between opposition protesters and security forces since the widespread rioting flared up nine months ago.

The document has already been endorsed by Brazil, Lebanon and several other countries.

December 19th, 2011, 12:53 am

 

jad said:

Some of what’s happening in the SNC gm:

تسريبات مؤكدة من داخل مؤتمر المجلس الوطني في تونس:
====================================
هناك خلاف حاد يجري الآن في تونس بين مؤيدي برهان غليون من جهة ومعارضيه من جهة أخرى
المؤيدون(جزء من الأكراد + لجان التنسيق + بعض الأقليات): يريدون التمديد لفترة الدكتور برهان لمدة سنة إضافية
المعارضون(إعلان دمشق + المجلس الأعلى لقيادة الثورة): لا تمديد
الخيارات البديلة المطروحة: سمير النشّار أو أحمد رمضان
هناك حديث عن حل وسط يقضى بإحالة الموضوع برمته إلى الأمانة العامة (مجلس ال29)
تم تأجيل التصويت على الخيارات الخاصة بالتمديد لرئيس المجلس من عدمه حتى التاسعة صباحاً
الموقف السياسي:
رئيس المجلس الوطني + بسمة قضماني + نجيب الغضبان يميلون إلى الصفقة المطروحة التي تم تداولها مؤخراً والتي تقضي بخروج بشار وماهر من سوريا وأن يقوم المجلس الوطني “بالتعاون مع المؤسسة العسكرية” بإدارة شؤون البلاد
قام السيد برهان غليون بتكرير (بصيغة مغايرة) ما كان قد قاله نجيب الغضبان في إحدى الجلسات المغلقة في معهد الPILPG في واشنطن عندما قال: “نحن قادة، نحن نقود ولا نقاد” في رد على تساؤل أحد الحضور عن سبب عدم تبني المجلس الوطني لموضوع حماية المدنيين عن طريق تدخل عسكري (حظر جوي مثلاً) كما كان يطالب الشارع

هناك نوع من التجاذب الحاد بين المعارضة التقليدية من جهة وبين الحراك الثوري متمثلاً بممثلي بعض التنسيقيات والمجلس الأعلى و لجان التنسيق من جهة أخرى
الجو العام مشحون ويسوده نوع من الصراع والتخاطف على المناصب
لم يتم التطرق إلى الحاجات الداخلية الماسة حتى الساعة ولا إلى ضرورة الدعم الإغاثي للمنشقين (الجيش الحر)
الممول: طبيب دمشقي مقيم في الإمارات، ثري جداً ولا خبرة له بالسياسة

December 19th, 2011, 1:37 am

 

jad said:

Excellent article about Syria’s silent majority:

بعض أوجه الصمت في سورية… وبعض التحفظات
حازم الأمين

ليس الانقسام الذي رسمته الانتفاضة السورية خطاً مستقيماً يفصل بين طرفي المواجهة على نحو واضح وقابل للتمييز. ليس الانقسام بين منتفضين وشبيحة، فقط، ثمة نقاشات سورية تشي بغير ذلك. والتمييز هنا لا يسعى إلى عملية فرز بين القوى في سياق تحديد الأحجام، على نحو ما يفعل كثر من السوريين عندما يقولون إن بيئة المتظاهرين لا تضم أكثر من خمسة ملايين سوري، وبيئة النظام كذلك، وبينهما يرزح أكثر من نصف السوريين، صامتين وخائفين.

هذا النقاش شهدته مصر، عندما قال مناصرون للرئيس المخلوع حسني مبارك إن هناك ما يزيد عن ستين مليون مصري لم يخرجوا إلى الشوارع. وشهدته تونس على نحو أوضح عندما خُصص اعتصام مستقل في العاصمة (اعتصام القبة) للقول بأن ثمة تونسيين من غير خامة المعتصمين في منطقة القصبة، يريدون تونس نفسها التي يريدها جماعة القصبة لكنهم يريدون أيضاً أن يستأنفوا حياة ما بعد الثورة، وهم أطلقوا في حينها على اعتصامهم اسم: «اعتصام بعد الشغل».

في سورية مقدار من ذلك، لكن يضاف إليه ارتفاع حاد في منسوب الخوف الذي يسود مجتمع غير المنتفضين وغير المنخرطين في قمع الانتفاضة. إنهم السوريون الصامتون. الصامتون حقاً، الذين ما إن يخرج الكلام مقتضباً وحذراً من أفواههم حتى ندرك مقدار الهلع الذي يقيم في نفوسهم. ساعات طويلة مع هؤلاء تسمع خلالها جمل غير متصلة لا تكفي لتخيل أي سورية في قناعاتهم، لكنها تكفي لفهم ما هو جوهري أكثر. «لن تعود سورية إلى ما كانت عليه، فقد أريقت دماء كثيرة»، هذه العبارة الوحيدة التي قالها شاب من هؤلاء جلسة استمرت أربع ساعات، كانت حقيقية بما يكفي لفهم ما يعنيه. والشاب إذ يُجهل الفاعل في قوله «أُريقت»، إنما لا يفعل ذلك بمقدار من الخوف والحذر، إنما بنوع من التقية التي يمرر من خلالها رسائل وإشارات غير منضبطة في وجهة محددة. المهم أن ثمة «دماء أريقت»، فما الذي يفيده إذا حدد هوية مريق الدماء! ليس هذا محل ابتلائه، خصوصاً أنه يعرف هويته، وهو يشعرك بذلك من دون أن يدلل عليه.

في كلام الشريحة السورية هذه الكثير مما يساعد على الاستدلال. هم ليسوا الأكثرية الصامتة، على ما يمكن أن نعتقد على نحو مبتذل. هؤلاء يعرفون ويقولون، أحياناً، إن النظام فاسد، وإنه هو من باشر العنف وذهب به إلى حدوده القصوى، لكنهم أيضاً يتساءلون عن هوية المعارضة. هي تخيفهم مثلما يخيفهم النظام. لا بل أكثر، ذاك أن عبارتهم الدائمة هي: «الظلم الذي تعرفه أهون من الظلم الذي لا تعرفه».

للسوريين غير الصامتين ممن لم يشملهم خط الانقسام قابلية كبيرة للانخراط في الانتفاضة، لكن تحفظاتهم لا تبدو ثانوية، وأسئلتهم لم يجب أحد عليها. ما هي سورية التي يريدها المجلس الوطني؟ وماذا عن الأقليات وعن الفئات المتوسطة الأقل تضرراً من فساد النظام؟ ومن هي معارضة الخارج؟ ومن هم الإخوان المسلمون؟ ومن هم السلفيون؟ وماذا عن استيقاظ الطموحات المناطقية والجهوية ناهيك عن الطائفية؟ الأسئلة لا تحصى، وما يعيقها فقط أن النظام جائر حقاً، وأنه المسؤول الأول عن الدماء المراقة وعن مقتل حتى الجنود.

واللافت في تساؤلات سوريين من بين هؤلاء أن ثمة لغة متينة يعتمدونها على رغم حاجتها إلى بعض المنطق. يقولون إن المجلس الوطني غرر بالمنتفضين في الشارع عبر إشعارهم بأن النظام سيسقط غداً، اندفع على أثرها شباب في المواجهات معتقدين أن النظام انتهى، فدفعوا في الأيام التي تلت أثماناً مضاعفة.

من الواضح أن المجلس الوطني السوري الذي شُكل في الخارج لم يكترث لحساسية داخلية كان من الممكن أن يعوضها إشراك هيئة التنسيق الوطني المشكلة من أطراف المعارضة الداخلية. فهذه الشريحة الوازنة من غير الصامتين وغير المنخرطين في الانتفاضة السورية، والتي تشعر بأنها غير ممثلة في المجلس الوطني ليست بعيدة عن هيئة التنسيق، وسوريون كثر منها يشيرون إلى إقصاء الهيئة بصفته إقصاء لما تمثله من عمق داخلي. وما نعنيه هنا بعبارة «داخلي» ليس فرزاً بين الداخل والخارج فقط، إنما أيضاً سعياً للتمييز في داخل سورية. فالنظام أنشأ خلال أربعين سنة من الحكم مجتمعه وعلاقاته المعقدة والمتداخلة، وأخرج جماعات أخرى إلى هامش دورته ومنظومته، ونعني هنا الاجتماعية لا الأمنية.

ما يمكن وصفه بالفئات المتوسطة كان جزءاً من ماكينة الدولة ومن دورتها الاقتصادية. وفي السنوات العشر الأخيرة، تضاعفت الماكينة وتضاعف التهميش. ويمكن والحال هذه فهم سرعة الانسجام بين المجلس الوطني وبين التنسيقيات المناطقية بصفته أحد أشكال الاحتجاج على إقصاء فئات واسعة في الداخل من مجتمع الدولة ومن ريوعها وعائداتها.

المجلس الوطني السوري مشكل بالدرجة الأولى من قوى ضعيفة التمثيل في الشرائح المتوسطة الجديدة والقديمة ممن لم يقصهم النظام على رغم أنهم ليسوا شياطينه، لا بل إن قابليتهم لرفضه كبيرة، في حين تبدو هيئة التنسيق أقرب إلى هذه الفئات، وأقدر على تمثيلها ومخاطبتها.

لا يمكن أن تستقيم سورية المرتجاة من دون السعي لضم هذه الشرائح، ومن دون طمأنتها، والخطوة الأولى في هذا الاتجاه تبدأ بالاعتراف بالمضمون التمثيلي لهيئة التنسيق، في ظل صعوبات الاقتراب من هذه الفئات في الداخل. وعلى المجلس الوطني أن يطرح على نفسه مهمة الإجابة عن تساؤلات جوهرية تتعلق بهواجس الداخل، لا سيما الجماعات التي ما زالت خارج الانتفاضة.

سورية أعقد من أن نبسط مأزقها بخط الانقسام بين السلطة وبين المنتفضين، والنظام فيها أقام دولته واقتصاده وحزبه ومارس عنفه مستعيناً بالخريطة الاجتماعية والاقتصادية، في الوقت نفسه الذي كان يعتدي فيه على هذه الخريطة.

من المفترض أن لا تستثني طموحات التغيير أحداً، لا سيما أن مؤشرات غير مطمئنة تلوح.

http://international.daralhayat.com/internationalarticle/340396

December 19th, 2011, 1:46 am

 

Dale Andersen said:

From the Jew/CIA/EU/Salafi/al-Qaeda/Saudi Press:

“…the Free Syrian Army, which has waged a rebellion against the government of President Pencilneck since June, said it had received information that 21 captured defectors are to face a firing squad.

The rebels said they would retaliate against army forces and militiamen loyal to the regime in the city of Homs, an opposition stronghold, if the executions take place.

“I have a personal message for Besho’s army: If you execute these men, there will be a very harsh retaliation against you in Homs,” Abdul-Razaq Tlas, the commander of an FSA battalion, told the press.

December 19th, 2011, 2:53 am

 

SYRIAN HAMSTER said:

EUPHORIA نشوة

December 19th, 2011, 2:54 am

 

SYRIAN HAMSTER said:

Vulgarity سوقية

December 19th, 2011, 2:57 am

 

Mina said:

So in Tunis, the SNC simply wants Maher and Bashar out of the country (after they give their bank accounts number, of course) and then will just rule with the help of the army? A win-win story, uh? Like in Egypt? They don’t want to learn from their brothers in headaches, just to fail each other! Well, let’s hope when they finish boosting empoverished Tunisian tourism economy, the protocol will be signed and the observers will be arriving Damascus airport. Unless Qatar as prepared another dirty trick.
By the way, almost in secret, sunday in Cairo, Fatah and Hamas were finalizing the reconciliation talk. They don’t count on the UN anymore, but some Syrians are true believers.

http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/node/556916

During the 18-day uprising that drove former President Hosni Mubarak from power, the military was praised for allegedly refusing orders to shoot protesters. But since the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces took power on 11 February, military forces have killed more than 50 people, including 10 in the latest round of violence which began on 16 December.

Egypt’s military rulers say that the people they targeted were not the true revolutionaries of Tahrir Square, an argument that plays on preconceptions that those dressed in shabby clothes do not belong to the neat, professional middle-class “Facebook youth” who brought about the revolution. A quick glance at those killed dispels this classist myth, however. On Friday, Emad Effat, an Al-Azhar sheikh, was shot dead. So was Alaa Abdel Hadi, a medical student at Ain Shams University.

The martyrs at the hands of the army include the poor and middle-class, professionals and unemployed, religious and secular, Christian and Muslim.

It wasn’t until April that the military became directly implicated in the murder of protesters, but the army’s legacy of violence goes back to its first days in power. But even in other incidents where scores were killed by Ministry of Interior forces, the army’s soldiers have stood by and watched. During the notorious Battle of the Camel, in which plain-clothed pro-Mubarak thugs attacked protesters in Tahrir Square, the army refused to intervene.

What follows is a partial timeline of the military’s brutality towards protesters. It focuses largely on Tahrir Square and downtown Cairo. No figures are calculated for other areas or governorates.

February

Two days before Mubarak resigned, the British newspaper The Guardian published a story challenging claims that the military remained neutral during the anti-Mubarak protests.

The Guardian spoke with activists who were detained by the army. According to the paper, they said they “suffered extensive beatings and other abuses at the hands of the military in what appears to be an organized campaign of intimidation.”

The same accusations were documented by the international human rights watchdog Amnesty International, which said on 17 February that “members of the armed forces used beatings, whipping and other forms of torture and other ill-treatment to intimidate protestors and to obtain information about plans for the protests.”

6 March

Military police violently dispersed protesters who laid siege to State Security and Investigations Service offices in central Cairo. Military police used batons and electric batons to disperse and arrest protesters. No causalities were reported.

9 March

The army violently cleared Tahrir Square, arresting scores. Dozens were moved to the Egyptian Museum on the north side of the square, where they were beaten and electrocuted. At least 17 women detained were subjected to humiliating “virginity tests” at the hands of military officials. A general defended the practice, telling CNN, “The girls who were detained were not like your daughter or mine. These were girls who had camped out in tents with male protesters.”

Human rights groups decried the “tests” as sexual assault and torture.

9 April

On 8 April, revolutionary groups held a massive protest in Tahrir Square calling for Mubarak regime figures, including the former president, to face prosecution. Hundreds stayed late, and in the early hours of the following morning, the military police stormed the square with the help of Central Security Forces, using gunfire to disperse the crowd and beating those who remained. At least two people were killed with live ammunition.

23 July

Civilians attacked an anti-SCAF march heading toward the Ministry of Defense in Abbasseya. Mohamed Mohsen, a 23-years-old activist from Aswan, was struck in the head with a rock and killed. While it was civilians, mostly residents of Abbasseya, who attacked the protesters, the military helped set a trap by blocking the road ahead of them. Meanwhile, SCAF spokesperson Hassan Roweiny appeared on television and accused the April 6 Youth Movement of receiving foreign funding for “divisive aims.” Many viewed this as incitement against the protesters.

1 August

The first day of August coincided with the first day of the holy month of Ramadan. It also coincided with yet another brutal crackdown on protesters in Tahrir Square. Military police once again stormed the square, beat scores of people with their batons, and tore down protesters’ tents before setting them on fire. Scores of protesters were arrested and some journalists were beaten.

9 October

In the most significant act of army brutality since February, the army attacked a peaceful march against religious discrimination. Most of the marchers were Coptic Christians. The army used live gunfire and ran over a number of protesters with armored personnel carriers. Some protesters threw rocks at the army. Twenty-eight people, including one soldier, were killed in one of the most deadly attacks against Copts in years.

11 November

Residents of Damietta Governorate, located on Egypt’s north coast, held a protest against a fertilizer factory that they say pollutes the local water supply. The army tried to disperse protesters who were blocking a main road to the port. They fired live ammunition, which killed Islam Amin Abu Abdallah, a 21-year-old protester. Later, the army withdrew from the site.

19 November

In Tahrir Square, the day after a large protest was dominated by Islamist groups who opposed a document that would enshrine the military’s power in the coming constitution, the military and Central Security Forces attacked a small sit-in. The violent dispersal left two people dead, but also sparked five days of clashes between protesters and Ministry of Interior forces. More than 40 people were killed and some 1500 wounded.

16 December

Tahrir protesters remaining from the November clashes moved to the nearby cabinet building and launched a three-week sit-in. On 16 December, military police attempted to forcefully break up the gathering. They were met with resistance from protesters, who responded by throwing rocks. Uniformed members of the army stood on the roofs of buildings nearby and hurled rocks. As the standoff continued, protesters and army forces exchanged Molotov cocktails, rocks, and, at one point, fireworks. When military police captured protesters — including women — they beat them with batons, kicked them, and stomped on their bodies. At least one female protester was stripped while being beaten in the street.

The fighting continues at the time of writing and Central Security Forces have joined the ongoing struggle.

December 19th, 2011, 2:59 am

 

Dale Andersen said:

Memo To: BRONCO BILLY, BESHO’S BEST BUTTBOY

RE: “…Russia & Syria may have actually outsmarted Qatar and the AL…”

I doubt it. That would require Besho to actually have brains…

December 19th, 2011, 3:00 am

 

SYRIAN HAMSTER said:

Reactionary رجعي

December 19th, 2011, 3:00 am

 

Juergen said:

So Kim Yong Il has passed away and the world has to learn a new variation of the rulers name: Kim Yong Un. I hope Syrians and the world is spared from an other Hafez or Karim Alassad take over daddys business.

December 19th, 2011, 3:06 am

 

Mina said:

Thanks to the Egyptian army, no one will bother asking what was going on in KSA and Bahrein.

Yesterday in Qatif
From an Angry Arab correspondent in Qatif. Watch.
Bahrain update
From Angry Arab chief Bahrain correspondent: “I haven’t been able to figure out completely what happened but from what I heard it is by far the most violent day since during the time of emergency law. Here is a summary of what happened: and also here: This is a summary of the events of December 16: ”

Videos of the shooting at Katif will be shown at the Conference
“In accordance with Al-Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University’s duty to lay out and emphasize the values and constants upon which this nation was founded and to participate in the promotion of stability and strengthening the bonds between the national leadership and society at large in the face of the present dangers and threats, the university has seen fit to convene an international conference on the theme of “National Unity: Constants and Values” which will aim to shed light on the true nature of national unity and those aspects which affect its consolidation. ” (thanks Khulud)

(links are here: http://angryarab.blogspot.com/)

December 19th, 2011, 3:32 am

 
 

Juergen said:

There seems to be a campaign now by the syrian government to let foreign journalists enter Syria. The second team from german tv was allowed to enter and report.

The reporter is Jörg Armbruster. In his report he said that he witnessed overall support in the capital. The reports stars with pictures from the souk al hamidiye.
He said that the souk is one of the most beautiful, thats why he was allowed to show it, uglier parts of Damascus are forbidden to show them. There might be something not so nice to see, may be reasons to see why there are demonstrations against Assad in the subburbs. The other team of Ossenberg was allowed to video just one area which is very uninteressting. Every step an foreign reporter makes is controlled by the regime, even as they made a video out of the car driving the minder called to get the approval. To show that there are long queues of people getting mazzot is forbidden by the way. He showed an rally in front of the Hijaaz train station.Armbruster commented: Here they praise their master. The female supporter said that they are young syrians who support the president.
The men supporter said that there are many terrorists who are killing the army. Armbruster finished his report by saying: message understood, its the others, the foreigns who are guilty and its all an conspirancy against Syria.

http://www.tagesschau.de/ausland/syrien942.html
( see the video is linked in the article)

second video he made

the announcer said that 21 people died today including 2 children according to the opposition.

Armbruster said that the regime has organized support rallys today. With slogans: we sacrifice our blood for you Assad they support the regime. They are young, may be the same age as their opponents who demonstrate against the regime.
The syrian regime can rely on the overall support of the religious minorites. F.e the christians who make up about 10% of the population. We are filming here the advent prayer in the greek katholic church. We can only film here because the regime is sure that this community is backing the regime. The Patriach himself is performing the prayer. Armbruster said that the growing mistrust against the mostly sunni demonstrators is eminent. Reforms with Assad not against Assad will change something. The patriach speaks German. He said that Syrians have to start dialoge, the have to come together to reconsile and pray to start something new and to have a future. The christian minority still believes that reforms can be achieved by Assad, the demonstrators have lost this hope.Armbruster concludes that the christians are trapped in an vicious circle. If they go on supporting the regime the hostility will grow against them, if they switch sides they will be severly prosecuted by the regime without having any new protection for them.

http://www.tagesschau.de/multimedia/video/sendungsbeitrag146432.html

December 19th, 2011, 3:58 am

 

Khalid Tlass said:

JUERGEN,

What do you think, in your estimation, was the percentage of support from the East German people for Erich Honecer and his Party ? Did it ever reach more than 75 % ??

Also, which sections of the population were most loyal to Party and regime ? Workers, Government employees, businessmen, intellectuals/academics, Military and Police personell ???

December 19th, 2011, 4:33 am

 

Khalid Tlass said:

GHUFRAN,

YOu are a hypocrite, a Munafiq, and your dad was Alawi and thus a Kafir. I cannot declare you a Kafir unless I know about your beliefs.

Btw didn’t you say your Mom was Palestinian YET you curse the PLO and accuse the PLO for starting the Lebanese civil war ?

DARYLL,

You will be reduced to a physical wreck. Today you are a Kafir BECAUSE of the MAGNANIMITY of Caliph Omar ibn al Kahttab, HE allowed your ancestors to remain KAFIR AND FREE.

December 19th, 2011, 4:46 am

 

Mina said:

Jurgen
OMG! A smear campaign!! Targetting journalists!! Wasn’t BBC Lyse Doucet there a month ago? Wasn’t Phil Sand of The National there several months ago? Come on…

Sleep well, folks, and say hello to democracy in your dreams. The concept has vanished on the whole planet, from companies to any financial “institution”, mafias are ruling the world economy, but you still think politics is just about re-shuffling cards and get a good position!
http://fukushima.over-blog.fr/article-les-disparus-de-fukushima-93065109.html

I think I’ll read some Naomi Klein and more Chomsky during the Christams holidays… They are the real prophets of our times.

December 19th, 2011, 4:51 am

 

Amir in Tel Aviv said:

The only trustworthy reporting from within Syria is done by the brave Syrian YouTubers, who use cellphones. They are doing an excellent work, with no minders attached to them, while risking their lives.

Whenever you see a mu7abarat minder, do not trust the report!

AL monitoring will be as wonky as this German crew, who is filmed by the mu7abarat. Can a real reporter report the truth under such circumstances?
.

December 19th, 2011, 5:25 am

 

ann said:

Syrian opposition leader lines up with Washington – Dec 18, 2011

As of Dec. 12, the U.S. and/or NATO forces have not bombed or invaded Syria, as they have done to Afghanistan, Iraq and most recently Libya. The existence of a Russian naval base in Tartus on Syria’s Mediterranean coast and the refusal of Russia and China to allow the U.N. Security Council to permit such a military intervention has at least postponed it.

Washington and the European Union’s intervention in Syria’s internal political crisis has thus concentrated on political, propaganda and economic attacks on the Bashar al-Assad government. In addition, NATO member Turkey has given a safe haven to an armed opposition. The Western imperialist powers have also stepped up their efforts to build up the Syrian opposition leaders most closely aligned with and beholden to them.

Uprisings in North Africa and Western Asia have disrupted the close control the imperialist powers have had over the region. They have deposed client dictators Hosni Mubarak in Egypt and Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali in Tunisia and threaten to push out the president of Yemen. Washington has reacted in Egypt and Tunisia by supporting military rule in place of the former dictators, even as it fully supports reactionary regimes in Saudi Arabia and Gulf states like Bahrain.

In Moammar Gadhafi’s Libya, NATO used a ragtag reactionary opposition to depose a regime that was on Washington’s hit list for decades, as Syria’s government has been.

In Marxist class terms, the Gadhafi and al-Assad governments, like the Iranian government and the Saddam Hussein regime in Iraq before the U.S. occupation, can be described as bourgeois nationalist. That is, they are capitalist states whose business class exploits the workers, but which come into conflict with the dominant imperialist powers in the world.

Clinton meets with Syrian ‘National Council’

On Dec. 6, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met with seven leaders of the “Syrian National Council” in Geneva, Switzerland. This occurred just after the State Department announced it was sending the U.S. ambassador, who was withdrawn some months ago, back to Syria. These were signs of the U.S. stepping up its interference.

According to Bloomberg News, Dec. 6, “A State Department official present at the meeting said the U.S. considers the council to be a leading and legitimate representative of Syrians seeking a peaceful, democratic transition.” Speaking off the record, he said that “Clinton expressed hope that al-Assad would see merit in leaving. …” Clinton advised the SNC leaders to unite all the opposition, according to this official.

The Wall Street Journal on Dec. 2 published a long interview with the president of the SNC, Burhan Ghalioun. In it, Ghalioun revealed the SNC’s willingness to make concessions to the imperialist countries and their local agent, the Israeli state, especially regarding the Golan Heights and relations with Iran and Hezbollah.

Ghalioun told the WSJ, “We asked for economic sanctions; we asked for coordination between the Arab League, the E.U., Turkey and the West. … We asked them to send a message to the regime with warnings that there is no way out. We asked to apply pressure on Russia and China.”

He claimed the SNC’s goal is to protect civilians. This was the alleged goal also in Libya, which NATO quickly turned into a go-ahead to bomb whatever Libyan targets it wanted to bomb.

Ghalioun also called the current close relationship between Syria and Iran “abnormal. It is unprecedented in Syria’s foreign policy history. … There will be no special relationship with Iran. … Breaking the exceptional relationship means breaking the strategic military alliance.”

Ghalioun added, “As our relations with Iran change, so too will our relationship with Hezbollah. Hezbollah after the fall of the Syrian regime will not be the same.”

Ghalioun said regarding Golan that they will focus on negotiations and that “we are banking on our special relationship with the Europeans and Western powers in helping us in reclaiming the Golan as fast as possible.”

About the U.S., he said, “They are participating in creating Western, European, Arab and Turkish public opinion. I believe they are choosing a back seat strategy of cooperation. This is a good strategy.”

In other words, Ghalioun is trying to convince the Western powers that a SNC government would be their ally against Iran and Hezbollah and would be conciliatory toward Israel. He also is advising Washington to support them, but not too openly.

Besides the SNC, a “Syrian Liberation Army” is carrying out armed actions inside Syria. Turkey provides the SLA logistical support. Ghalioun implied that the SNC supported the SLA but did not control its actions.

Left critics of al-Assad government

Other Syrian groups critical of the al-Assad government reject any imperialist intervention. In Damascus on Dec. 3, the secretary of the National Committee for the Unity of Syrian Communists, Dr. Qadri Jamil, announced at a news conference “the formation of Pioneering Revolutionist Party that would combine communists and leftists in the country.” (News-DP, Dec. 4)

Jamil said that Syria needs the immediate formation of a national unity government that comprises representatives from the ruling party and the opposition “on the basis of consensus to defend the homeland and national unity. Measures are needed to protect national unity, exterminate the armed terrorist group, turn toward a democratic economic and social program and start comprehensive national dialogue.”

Others at the conference included the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, the International Confederation of Arab Trade Unions and the Syrian Social Nationalist Party. It is unclear what influence these groups have within the opposition.

December 19th, 2011, 5:58 am

 

Revlon said:

Orcherstrated group defections is a recent phenomenon and is rising.The average size has become a whole units. It is difficult to say what has been facilitating the trend.
My hunch is that the prolonged crackdown has blown the cover of military intelligence embbedded within each unit, which made it easy to neutralise them and facilitate such defections.

A large defection from Asad army and formation of AlMu3tasem Battalion.
انشقاق جماعي كبير في درعا و الأبطال يعلنون تشكيل كتيبة المعتصم
18 12 2011

December 19th, 2011, 6:27 am

 

Revlon said:

FSA Martyr 3ala2 AlDine Ya7ya
fell defending civilians in Bab AlSiba3, Homs.

AlFati7a upon his soul.
May God bless his family with solace and empower them with fortitude.

FSA members are giving their life to save civilians,
Wile Mr Ghalyoun finds it difficult to just give up his hot seat!

الشهيد علاء يحيى من كتيبة شهداء جبل الزاوية من باب السباع 17 12 2011

December 19th, 2011, 6:39 am

 

Revlon said:

الثورة – القضية السورية والخلاف على المستقبل

الإثنين, 19 ديسيمبر 2011
ماهر مسعود *
http://www.daralhayat.com/internationalarticle/340714

بدأت الأحداث الجارية في سورية على هيئة تمرُّد يحمل إمكان الثورة، وتردد العديد من المثقفين «الاستشرافيين»، بنوع من الحفاظ على «واقعيتهم» وانعدام الثقة التاريخية لديهم بالشعب، في تسمية ما يحصل على أنه ثورة.

لكن التمرُّد ما لبث أن أصبح احتجاجاً موسعاً، والاحتجاج أصبح انتفاضة، والانتفاضة تحولت بجدارة الدَّم وإصرار المنتفضين، إلى ثورة. ثورة غايتها التخلص من «استعباد البرية» وهدفها «استرداد الحرية» وتطمح لتغيير وجه سورية «الأسدي» نحو وجه «إنساني» بأقل تقدير. وفضَّاً لكل التباس، عنت الحرية للمنتفضين السوريين شيئاً واحداً، كليَّاً وأساسياً، هو إسقاط النظام برموزه كافة، والبقية تأتي…

لكن الثورة، التي استدخلت جميع المفاهيم السابقة ضمن سياقها وصيرورتها المستمرة، بدأت بعد تسعة أشهر على انطلاقها تتحول إلى قضيَّة، وأصبح لدينا «القضيَّة السورية». فالشروط اكتملت لتحوُّل النظام إلى كيان مُحتلّْ بكل تصرفات المُحتَّل الميدانية وسماته النفسية، فهو ميدانياً يجتاح المدن والبلدات السورية المنتفضة أو من هي قيد الانتفاض، ونفسياً يمارس العنجهية والشوفينية والعنصرية التي تمارسها جميع النظم المحتلة عبر معاملة المنتفضين على أنهم رعاع و «حثالة» ودهماء، بينما يدّعي حماية أتباعه ومواليه «المتفوقين» إنسانياً على هؤلاء البشر الثائرين.

وبالمقابل نجد التعقيد الذي تشهده الأزمة السورية وتجمعه الظروف الدولية والإقليمية والعربية والداخلية، بدأ يرسم ملامحه على الواقع السوري ويحول ثورته إلى «قضيَّة»، تتنازع فيها وحولها «الأمم» وتدلي كلٌّ منها بـدلوها لتتحول المسألة إلى وجهات نظر متباينة تجاه «الأطراف» المتنازعة، ويمضي الأخذ والردِّ والمُهل، و «الإشارات والتنبيهات»، ليدفع ثمنها المبدئي والأولي شعباً أعزل يواجه الموت اليومي من دون أن يستطيع إيقافه أو التوقف عنده.

استدرك النظام السوري أخطاء الأنظمة التي سبقته نحو الهاوية، فأدخل الجيش، قبل أجهزة الأمن وتحت رقابتها، في لعبة القتل والقمع. حيث تعلَّم أن الجيش لن يستطيع التدخل ولن يبقى بخدمته إذا تطورت الاحتجاجات بسرعة وتكاثفت على الطريقة المصرية والتونسية، والأمن وحده لن يكفي رغم أرقامه القياسية في سورية. إضافة بالطبع إلى منع الإعلام العربي والأجنبي بشكل كلّي من العمل على الأرض السورية لكي يحافظ على الصورة التي يريد تقديمها للداخل والخارج معاً، ولكي ينشر الشك والريبة في ما تقدمه الفضائيات «المغرضة»، الأمر الذي جعله يحتكر تصدير الواقع.

التماسك الأمني والإعلامي والسياسي لعب الدور الأبرز في ساحة الخوف السورية، ونجح إلى حد كبير في إبراز المخاوف الشعبية لدى الأقليات والفئات الصامتة، وفجر انقسامات مختبئة تحت الرماد، قد تلعب دوراً كبيراً في المستقبل السياسي لسورية، تماماً كما تلعب دورها في انقسامات المعارضة اليوم، مع أن مصدر الخلاف الأساسي ليس هو الاستبداد الذي يجتمع السوريون بأغلبيتهم العظمى على ضرورة التخلص منه وإسقاطه، بل ما بعد الاستبداد ومستقبل البلاد بعد إسقاطه، وهذا ما نجح النظام في تحضيره ومتابعته عبر سنوات حكمه واحتكاره المطلق للسلطة، وهو ما يجعل التهديد بالزلازل مأخوذاً في الاعتبار لدى القوى الإقليمية والدولية التي لا تريد الدخول في لعبة النظام المكشوفة قبل أن تقصقص أجنحته الإقليمية وتزيد من عزله وعزلته، وتضمن عدم الانجرار نحو ما يدفع إليه ويهدد به.

على اعتبار أن الثورة السورية كانت آخر الثورات العربية الكبرى المعلنة (حتى الآن)، فقد استفاد المجتمع الدولي أيضاً مما سبقها، في كيفية التعامل معها، وهذا ما ساهم ويساهم في تحويلها إلى قضية تنازُع، تتوعد بالمفاجآت بقدر ما كانت هي نفسها غير مفاجئة ضمن السياق الثوري العربي. فالزمن المتوقف في سورية عند ثابتين: ثابت الثورة غير القادرة على إسقاط النظام سلمياً، وثابت النظام غير القادر على إسقاط الثورة عنفياً، هو زمن متحرك خارج سورية ويمضي باتجاه تحويل الثورة من ثورة وطنية ضد الاستبداد إلى ثورة تابعة أو مساهِمة في الصراع الإقليمي بين محورين أساسيين «السنّي» و «الشيعي» وامتداداتهما، وذلك كلّه بمساعدة النظام الذي يأبى أن يخسر السلطة قبل أن يخسِّرنا الدولة، ويجعل من كلفة سقوطه تتجاوز قدرة السوريين مستقبلاً على بناء الدولة المستقلة والوطن السيد الحر والموحد بأبنائه المختلفين، من دون الدخول في أوحال الاصطفافات الدولية الساخنة والمساعدات المأجورة، المجهولة الثمن.

إن مستقبل القضية السورية الذي بات مُرتهناً في جزئه الأكبر للصراعات والتوازنات الإقليمية والدولية، يجافي ربما حلم الشعب السوري بـ «الثورة النظيفة» والسلمية التي رافقت شعاراته ولافتاته منذ بداياتها الأولى. ومن هنا نرى الدلالة الرمزية التي حملها خروج الكتاب والمثقفين والسياسيين في 16 آذار (مارس) من ساحة المرجة أمام وزارة الداخلية، تلقي بظلالها على الثورة السورية بكاملها. فالساحة التي هي ساحة للشهداء، الذين «زيَّنوا المرجة» بأجسادهم المتدلية من المشانق في أواخر أيام الحكم العثماني، وتحوَّلت إلى «ساحة للعهر» إبان حكم الأسدين (حولها فنادق رخيصة، تشكل مرتعاً للقوادين والمومسات…)، أصبحت هي نفسها رمزاً لسورية التي باتت أرضها بالكامل ساحة للشهداء، ويصر النظام على تحويلها الى ساحة للعهر السياسي الذي يمارسه من دون كلل أو ملل عبر المتاجرة بمشاعر السوريين ودمائهم، وإظهار الحراك الشعبي على أنه حراك سني وسلفي وطائفي، ونزع الصفة الوطنية عن الثورة بإدراجها في مخططات ومؤامرات كونية ضد نظام «الممانعة» الذي لم يمنع إلى اليوم سوى أنفاس الحرية والكرامة عن الشعب، ولم يقاوم إلى اليوم سوى رغبة السوريين التاريخية بالعدالة الاجتماعية والسياسية والعيش الكريم.

* كاتب سوري

December 19th, 2011, 6:53 am

 

Bill said:

1382. Amir in Tel Aviv, the Israeli Army intelligence unit:

I actually agree with you that Syrian YouTubers who document regime brutality are very courageous. Similarly, Palestinian YouTubers who everyday document Israeli humiliation at Israeli checkpoints and the racist colonial “separation wall” are also courageous. Palestinians have already uploaded pictures of the burned mosques, which were burned by Israeli colonialists and terrorists in the occupied West Bank (which you utilize a religious/Zoinist fundamentalist term and call it “Judea and Samaria”). Fortunately, Aljazeera English on its YouTube channel put the pictures of Israeli white phosphorous in besieged Gaza, whose population are mostly refugees from their original ethnically-cleansed towns like Askalan and Beer al-Sa’bi or as you now call it Beershavah. ”
When your house is built from glass, don’t throw stones at others’ houses. As I previously told you, your Israeli occupation/colonial house is not only built from glass, it’s also built from A STOLEN GLASS HOUSE. I can criticizes Syrian war crimes, but it is hypocritical for you, an Israeli right-winger (you call West Bank “Judea Samaria”), to do so while being a member of an occupation/colonial army. Occupation is a WAR CRIME. ALL of your colonies, “settlements,” are ILLEGAL ACCORDING TO THE 4TH GENEVA CONVENTION.

December 19th, 2011, 6:55 am

 

Juergen said:

Khalid

Well to my estimation i would say that in the 80s the approval rate of the party sank constantly. I would guess it was around 70% in the late 70s, when Honecker was seen as a young dynamic leader but economics were one coffin nail of this regime. In the early 80s the state was bancroupt and only through the help of some western banks and great loans they survived an other 5-6 years.

Support was highest to my belief by the state officals, the police, the muhabarat. You could easily get an 2nd income by reporting to the muhabarat, or get granted some advantages. Normal folks in the regime had to wait up to 15-20 years for a car, if you were among those in favor of the regime, it could come the next week or so. Intellectuals who worked with the regime could get their work published and could travel freely even to western countries to merit prestige to the regime. There was a high percentage of people who had access to western tv and radio, which was a source of opposition and free thinking. There were many jokes people made about the government, ( something i have not witnessed in Syria, if Baschar was our leader , to call him giraffe would just be a good starter) and almost all were able to read and hear between the lines. The problem was that the muhabarat and the party had agitators in every school, university and factory, so one had to be careful what to say and do.
But overall workers were among those not so loyal to the regime, even though one had to become member of the party to get promoted or better jobs.

My father told me this story: He was working for an construction company as an engeneer. There were 4-5 year plans to fulfill in every sector. there was a big contruction project nearby Berlin. Honecker used to go for hunting just outside Berlin, and on his road there was this contruction site. So everyyear there were problems to fulfill the plan of building apartments. The local party official had to submit the annual success and stated that 60% were fullfilled. The next in line offical submitted 65% because he was afraid that this could led to some questions. The next official did the same, at the end on the desk of Honecker there was a miraculously a 110% fulfillment. The problem was only that he was driving every friday to his hunting mansion and would see that the apartments were not build. So the local comitee asked the nearby filmstudios to build building dummies. I think that Honecker and Co never really had the right picture how much the people were in support for them or not. The only one who may had a more correct picture was the minister for the muhabarat. I think that at the end these illusions helped to get rid of the regime.

December 19th, 2011, 7:18 am

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Bronco
You were wrong, Syria approved and signed the protocol without Syria modification,Al Arabi said, all what Muallem said we hope.
Aljazeerah and Al Arabyieh will enter Syria to report the truth.they will enter prisons,hospital and interview people, they will go to Homs and other cities.
Syria was forced to sign under pressure from Russia.

December 19th, 2011, 7:20 am

 

Revlon said:

At the news of the martyrdom of ladies Hala AlMnajjed and Hiba AlDairani a massive uprising has broken and traditional Damascene neighbourhood of Midan is rocking to anti-Asad chants, in spite of security intervention and the fall of several demonstrators.

Today 19/12/2011
هتافات تهز القصر الجمهوري وبثار شخ تحتو

Surya Hurra Hurra
Bashar Yetla3 Barra

Khayen Khayen Khayen
Al Jaish AlSouri Khayen

Hurriyeh LilAba
Ghasbel 3annak ya Asad

Yel3an Ro7ak Ya 7afez

المركز الإعلامي السوري دمشق الميدان تشييع مهيب للشهداء في قلب العاصمة دمشق 19 12 2011

December 19th, 2011, 7:26 am

 

Akbar Palace said:

The Bill & Norman Show

1319. Bill said:

Look, the number of Syrians and Egyptians who are being killed is a proof that courageous Arabs are now rising in the “Arab Spring” to liberate their countries from homegrown dictators.

Bill,

Not only is it proof that “courageous Arabs are now rising in the ‘Arab Spring’, it is also proof how much more abusive Arab governments are than the GOI.

So why are you so quiet about Arab governments who have “killed, injured, humiliated, arrested” orders of magnitude more Arabs than Israel has?

As soon as they finish doing so, they will help Palestinians liberate themselves from Israeli occupation/colonization; which is now the world’s longest occupation.

Bill,

If the Arabs want to help the Palestinians that’s fine with me. Like I said before, the Palestinians are defacto an independent state where Hamas and the PA are governing their own populations in Gaza and the West Bank, respectively. Only a reletively few Palestinians are living under Israeli occupation.

The remaining issue is final borders outside of Palestinian population centers and Jerusalem.

1344. Bill said:

However, the Arab World and the Middle East will neither be prosperous nor peaceful until the end of Israeli occupation/colonization.

The “Arab Spring” has shown that your statement is a myth. The Arab-Israeli conflict and a final settlement with the Palestinians has nothing to do with how badly Arabs are treated in their own homeland, whether that’s Algeria, Morocco, Egypt, Syria, Iran, Yemen, etc.

But if you want, please explain how 5000 Syrians have recently died in Syria because of the Israeli occupation. I like to hear about it.

1335. Norman said:

I do not like Iran because it is Shia, Muslim, Persian, I like Iran because it stands with Syria and the Palestinians more than all the other Arab states,it supported the Palestinians when the Arab states were participating in the blockade of Gaza…

Norman,

You can support the Palestinians without treating your own population like shit. BUt I see that’s not important to you and many others.

Poeple like you are PERFECTLY FINE with oppressive Arab and muslim regimes as long as they back the Palestinians.

Do YOU back the Palestinians? How is that possible if you live in a free country: the United States?

Why can’t Arabs live in free countries as well and support the Palestinians at the SAME TIME?

Today, If Israel leaves the Golan for a full peace treaty and give the Palestinians their human rights, i will be the first one to say good buy to Iran…

Norman,

Why not say “good buy to Iran” now? They haven’t done one thing to help the Palestinians.

December 19th, 2011, 7:30 am

 

defender said:

‘Blind eye on Egypt as Syria stays in sight’

December 19th, 2011, 7:31 am

 

Revlon said:

The Syrian Revolution 2011 الثورة السورية ضد بشار الاسد
Snipers still aim and shoot at demonstrators.
The revolutionists are responding by throwing stones at security forces near AlHammami bakery…
Hurry! All honourables to Abu habl Souk… lets defend Cham
19/12/2011
http://www.facebook.com/Syrian.Revolution
دمشق: الميدان: عاجل: اطلاق رصاص بعض القناصة مازال مستمرا الى هذه اللحظة والثوار يواجهون الامن بالحجارة عند مخبز الحمامي في سوق أبو حبل ويسعفون المصابين وسقوط شهيد.
كلنا نروح على أبو حبل يا أبضايات … كلنا نتوجه لنصرة الشام يا أشراف
4 minutes ago ·

December 19th, 2011, 7:31 am

 

Juergen said:

Amir

I think like you. If Assad let the media in and let them run on their own, the things they would gather and show will def not be in the interest of the regime. One prison inmate would be enough to proove Bouthaina a big lier.
Some of the reporters were never in Syria before it seems, they are not used to see the muhabarat guys around them. One was walking in Hama and asked a local boy in the street, do you like Baschar? He couragly said yes he like him, but he dont like the regime. I mean in Egypt you could have walked and asked one something like that even under Mubarak, in Syria not even a good friend could ask you something like that in public.

December 19th, 2011, 7:33 am

 

Revlon said:

The Syrian Revolution 2011 الثورة السورية ضد بشار الاسد

http://www.facebook.com/Syrian.Revolution

لطالما أنّ غالبيّة النشطاء السيّاسيّين، ومُعتقلي الرأي في سوريا، يجري تجريمهم وفق المادة 286 عقوبات: “نشر أنباء كاذبة من شأنها أن توهن نفسيّة الأمّة”..
Since most prisoned activists are convicted for committing the crime of weakening national sentiment,

ولطالما أنّ الإعلام السوري المحلّي الرسمي والخاص، القوى المُمانعة والمُقاوِمة، القيادة السوريّة وكلّ المسؤولين السوريّين – من رئاسة الجمهوريّة حتّى أصغر عنصر أمني أو موظّف، جميعهم لا ينفكّون يقولون أنّه مهما حاول المتآمرون والكاذبون… إلخ؛ فمن “المستحيل” أن يصيب الهوان نفسيّة هذه الأمّة العظيمة.
And since all regime officials, from top to bottom insist that our great nation’s sentiment is unbreakable,

ولطالما هذا يدفعنا لاعتبار جريمة “وهن نفسيّة الأمّة” جريمة مُستحيلة، في سوريا..
We therefore consider the crime of “weakening the national sentiment” to be an impossible one

ولطالما أنّ القانون السوريّ لا يُعاقب على الجريمة المُستحيلة غير المُنتجة لهدفها..
And since the Syrian Law does not recongnise an impossible crime that could not be effected,

ولطالما أنّه لا عقاب يقع على من يحاول اقتراف جريمة مُستحيلة وفق القانون السوريّ..

لهذا كُلّه:
Therefore

تفضّلوا فضّولنا هالمُعتقلات إذا بيسمح أمركم..
We would like to invite the regime to please release all of these prisoners!

ولمّا بدّكم تطالبونا نحترم القانون، احرصوا يكون القانون خرج الواحد يحترمه..
If you want people to respect the law, make it respectable!

لأن صعب إنسان بيحترم نفسه .. يحترم مسخرة
For it is difficult for respectable people to respect nonsense!

December 19th, 2011, 7:58 am

 

Bill said:

1390. AKBAR PALACE

Before commenting on readers’ comments, please READ THEM! Yes, the Arab Spring is now chaotic because all systemic revolutions are so. How long did it take the French to stabilize their nation after the French Revolution? However, after a period of chaos and instability, Arabs will put their house in order and pursue a stable future. They still need to deal with Israeli occupation and arrogance in order for them to fully enjoy peace and stability. NO, Palestinians are NOT de facto independent. Gaza is besieged and frequently being bombed. As to the West Bank and East Jerusalem, they are separated into zillion parts by the colonies, “Jewish-only roads,” the racist separation wall, etc. Abbas of the Palestinian authority controls less CONTIGUOUS territory than any mayor of the smallest city in the Untied States. Palestinian don’t control their roads, villages, airspace…. Israel can go anywhere at anytime. Please stop apologizing for what is now now the longest military occupation.
P.S., Please read James Bamford’s famous 2000 book, “Body of Secrets,” which is about the U.S. National Security Agency. He briefly discusses the 1967 Israeli INTENTIONAL attack on the USS Liberty, which belonged to the NSA. Why did Israel attach it? According to Bamford’s excellent research for two reasons:
1) Israel was misleading the United States when Aba Eban (Israel’s foreign minister) told the United States that the 1967 war started because Egypt had first attacked Israel. The USS Liberty’s communications antennas revealed that Egypt hadn’t attacked Israel.
2) The USS Liberty intercepted Israeli communications revealing Israeli war crimes. Israel was murdering captured Egyptian prisoners of war and burying them in mass graves.
As an Amerian, I want justice for the USS Liberty victims, no matter how long it takes to obtain it!

December 19th, 2011, 8:08 am

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Watching SNC conference, I am really very proud of this leadership, those are very intelligent strong people, they deserve to be the leaders of Syria, compare them to Bashar the booha, when he speakes you would think he is CLOWN.

December 19th, 2011, 8:25 am

 

Revlon said:

Faculty of Literature of Aleppo University student demonstration today! It is not even Friday!
19/12/2011
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgsiUKHgEac&feature=player_embedded
مظاهرة كلية الآداب بحلب اليوم 19-12-2011

December 19th, 2011, 8:59 am

 

Amir in Tel Aviv said:

Juergen,

I agree with you. Syria is much much worse than Egypt was even during the Mubarak era.

Bill,

Like you, I wish that Arabs get rid of their nepotist dictators, and establish functioning democracies. But from this point we differ. While you wish that the Arab democracies unite and fight Israel, I wish that the Arab democracy will be able to facilitate a peaceful solution between the Arab and the Jewish peoples.

You wish for the Arabs more wars, while I wish the Arabs an end to wars, and a beginning of rebuilding from the ashes that their dictators left them with.

As a paraphrase on the well known Golda Meir saying: you hate Israel more than you love the Arabs. You are a typical clueless and deranged Islamo-leftist American liberal, who is obsessed with the downfall of Israel.
.

December 19th, 2011, 9:11 am

 

Bill said:

1398. AMIR IN TEL AVIV, the “IDF” intelligence officer and anti-Muslim/Palestinian Islamophobe
عنصر مخابرات في جيش الاحتلال والجرائم ضد الانسانيه الاسرائيلي

NO, you don’t want peace because you called in one of your previous comments the West Bank by its Zionist/Religious fundamentalist name: “Judea and Samaria.” There is another quote from Golda Meir that you Israeli right-wingers like: “there is no such thing as a Palestinian.” No, there are millions of Palestinians who WILL SOONER OR LATER RECLAIM THEIR LAND AND BE FREE. The right of return is sacred to Palestinians and they will never ever ever surrender it to you!
No, Arabs will have peace after they finish their blessed and courageous Arab Spring and move to end Israeli colonization/War crimes/occupation. The Israeli occupation of Palestine is Arabs’ and Muslims’ ongoing and painful wound. One day it has to heal.
P.S., as I said in my comment above # 1395; I am an American who wants justice for the American victims of the USS Liberty who were intentionally murdered by Israel.
Israel is a colonial enterprise built on Palestinians’ lost lands and hopes!

December 19th, 2011, 9:25 am

 

SYRIAN HAMSTER said:

TRUMPET بوق

December 19th, 2011, 9:48 am

 

SYRIAN HAMSTER said:

ِِِِِBetho Athad سفاح

December 19th, 2011, 9:50 am

 

SYRIAN HAMSTER said:

من المندس للبوق

أنا مندس
ولو سكرت بواب الحبس
ولو سبيت ولو حشكت
ولو نطيت
اشكار النمس
أنا مندس

***

أنا مندس
وان مابترضى
متل حمارك
قرقش خس
شكلك شكلو
فعلك فعلو
وحكيك متلو بيلعي النفس

***

أنا مندس
وأنت واحد مو فهمان
ولا وعيان
وناسي الدرس
قوصني ساعه ما بتسعر
كرمى الحريه هالنفس
وسب حبابي ما رح تفرق
واحد متلك بلا ناموس ومالو حس

***

أنا مندس
وانت واحد متل الاهبل
تمنك بخس
شو ما كتبوا كلاب السلطه
بلتهط لهط وتلحس لحس
غربالك وبخوشو كلا
ما بيغطي قرص الشمس

******

أنا مندس
ولو سكرت بواب الحبس
ولو سبيت ولو حشكت
ولو نطيت
اشكار النمس
أنا مندس
وجايي يوم نشيل الاهبل
ويوما نعمل حفلة عرس
وانت شكلك
ناوي متلو
بالشاروخ تروحو دعس

****

December 19th, 2011, 9:52 am

 

Akbar Palace said:

Bill wants Justice (only for Israeli crimes)

Before commenting on readers’ comments, please READ THEM!

Bill,

I have. All my comments reference the interlocutors comments (in italics) just like this one.

Yes, the Arab Spring is now chaotic… Arabs will put their house in order and pursue a stable future…They still need to deal with Israeli occupation and arrogance in order for them to fully enjoy peace and stability.

Bill,

Why make excuses for the abuses of Arab governments when they are harming Arabs ORDERS OF MAGNITUDE more than Israel is, including against the Palestinians?

NO, Palestinians are NOT de facto independent. Gaza is besieged and frequently being bombed. As to the West Bank and East Jerusalem, they are separated into zillion parts by the colonies, “Jewish-only roads,” the racist separation wall, etc.

Bill,

Most Palestinians are governed by Palestinians. Israelis are not allowed to enter Palestinian areas, either in Gaza or the West Bank.

There are no “Jewish Only Roads”. Not surprisingly another myth. Israeli Arabs use these roads everyday and, as you should know, Israeli Arabs are the freest Arabs in the whole ME. The separation wall has saved hundreds of lives. Only the Palestinians require (from negotiations thus far) that no Jews remain in Palestine. Israel has no requirement to expel Arabs from Israel.

Unfortunately, the Palestinians are still living in a state of war with Israel and refuse to continue negotiations. This is the same status as with Lebanon. It is a conscious choice. So what is Syria’s excuse? Why have more people died in Syria than all the recent war between Israel and her neighbors for the past decade?

Why do you have so much patience with the murderous regime of Assad than you do against Israel?

Abbas of the Palestinian authority controls less CONTIGUOUS territory than any mayor of the smallest city in the Untied States.

The Gaza Strip is twice the area of Washington, DC. The West Bank is more. Israel has offered over 90% for the WB in a final settlement, but the Palestinians have refused and continue to refuse to sit to negotiate a final settlement.

Palestinian don’t control their roads, villages, airspace…. Israel can go anywhere at anytime.

The Palestinians control PLENTY of roads and villages. They fully control Bethlehem, Ramallah, Jenin, Nablus, etc.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Bank

Please stop apologizing for what is now now the longest military occupation.

No apology. Israel should continue the occupation until a land for peace settlement is arrived at.

P.S., Please read James Bamford’s famous 2000 book, “Body of Secrets,” which is about the U.S. National Security Agency. He briefly discusses the 1967 Israeli INTENTIONAL attack on the USS Liberty, which belonged to the NSA.

Because Israel attacked the USS Liberty does that give Assad the permission to treat his people worse than the Palestinians?

Why did Israel attach it?

The US government and the Israeli government say it was a mistake, especially during an all-out-war and the “fog” surrounding such events. Mistakes are made in all wars, including Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

The investigations and communication logs seem to point in that direction of a mistaken target. The GOI made official apologies and paid compensation.

According to Bamford’s excellent research for two reasons:
1) Israel was misleading the United States when Aba Eban (Israel’s foreign minister) told the United States that the 1967 war started because Egypt had first attacked Israel. The USS Liberty’s communications antennas revealed that Egypt hadn’t attacked Israel.

Actually, I’ve read that the Russians were misleading the Egyptians and Syrians. The ’67 war started when Egypt blocked the Straits of Tiran. Israel considered this an act of war.

2) The USS Liberty intercepted Israeli communications revealing Israeli war crimes. Israel was murdering captured Egyptian prisoners of war and burying them in mass graves.
As an Amerian, I want justice for the USS Liberty victims, no matter how long it takes to obtain it!

Do you want justice for the Americans who were killed on 9-11? Do you want justice for the marines killed by Hezbollah? Do you want justice for those that were killed by Libya’s downing of Pan Am FLT 103? Which website have you participated on demading justice for these acts? I like to read them. I’m just wondering if your search for justice expands beyond the sinking of the USS Liberty.

December 19th, 2011, 9:55 am

 

Revlon said:

Iyad Ghazal, Jr’s man in Homs for years has fled to Cuba.
As usual the regime conveniently discovers that he was a terrorist and corrupt!
The ship is sinking!!
صديق الرئيس المقرب يهرب لكوبا بعد اتهامه انه وراء احداث حمص ؟

2011/12/18نشر فى: أخبار محلية

مراسل المحليات : كلنا شركاء
http://all4syria.info/web/archives/42381

بعد ان قام بشار الاسد بعزل محافظ حمص اياد غزال بعد التظاهرات التي عمت المدينة , بدأت اجهزة المخابرات تشيع الكثير من القصص عليه منها الصحيح ومنها المضحك كما هي عادتها مع كل المسؤولين الذين يتم اعفاؤهم من اجل افهامهم ان هناك اضابير كثيرة تنتظركم اذا ما حاولتم التصريح عما تعرفونه لوسائل الاعلام او الانشقاق .

ومدرج ادناه عدد من تلك القصص ولكن الاهم الآن هو اتهام اياد غزال بانه وراء عصابات مسلحة هي التي تعيث فسادا وقتلا في حمص ؟

وبدأت التسريبات تقول ان اصدقاؤه من بين ” الغن ” وخصوصا بلال الغن وتكتب بالعربية الكن ” هو أبرز زعماء عصابات الشبيحة والمهربين وتجار المخدرات التي أطلقها ورعاها محافظ حمص السابق إياد غزال مقابل نسبة معينة من مداخيلها! ”

وتتابع الروايات ” انه بلال الكن اعتقل بفرع الامن العسكري ولكنه قام برشوة رئيس الفرع العميد محمد الزمريني بمالغ مالية كبيرة قام على اثرها باطلاق سراحه مع عصابته اضافة لانه قام هو وضباط الفرع بتسهيل عمل المجموعات المسلحة بإدخال كميات كبيرة من الأسلحة بأنواعها المختلفة من شمال لبنان لقاء ملايين الليرات السورية. ” وتتابع الرواية ” ان فرع الامن الجوي بحمص قد اكتشف الامر وقام بسجن العميد زمريني وكافة ضباطه ؟؟ ”

علماً ان تركيبة الجيش والامن منظمة بطريقة يصعب بها ان يتفق اي مجموعة كبيرة على اي موضوع لانه دائما يختار نائب او رئيس اركان اي قطعة عسكرية او امنية من الاشخاص الذين هم ضد رئيس القطعة وهناك اشكالات حتى شخصية بينهم , والجميع يراقب الجميع ولا يثقون ببعض ومدير مكتب اي ضابط كبير هو جاسوس عليه وهذا ما ادى لحصول انشقاقات فردية دون انشقاقات كقطع عسكرية كاملة وهذا ما يؤدي الى انخفاض الروح المعنوية للجيش كونه مقهور واكثر ضباطه يتم اذلالهم بفروع التحقيق .

والقصة الاهم ان السيد اياد غزال قد سافر لدولة الامارات من مطار دمشق وبشكل عادي حيث نزل بضيافة شقيقه زياد صاحب شركة مقاولات كبيرة هناك ,ومن دبي سافر الى كوبا …..فهل سيجعل كيش فداء للنظام المهترئ بالفساد بسبب كونه خارج سوريا ؟ .

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

بشار الاسد المرعوب يبدأ بتصفية رفاقه

دعوات لمحاسبة والي حمص السابق اياد غزال

December 19th, 2011, 10:03 am

 

jad said:

Let the show begin:

غليون: موافقة النظام على البروتوكول مراوغة وعلى الجامعة أخذ مواقف أقوى

لفت رئيس المجلس الوطني السوري برهان غليون في مؤتمر صحافي عقده الى ان ” النظام السوري يستغل المبادرة العربية ويواصل عمليات القتل”، مشيرا الى انه “بعد شهر ونصف على المبادرة لا نرى الا مراوغة للنظام السوري”، مشددا على اننا “نريد من الجامعة ان تأخذ مواقف اقوى”.
واكد ان “وزير خارجية سوريا وليد المعلم وبمؤتمره الصحافي تبين ان ما يحصل هو مجرد مراوغة”، مشددا على ان “موافقة سوريا على المبادرة العربية ليست الا مراوغة”.
وشدد غليون على ان “الثورة في سوريا لن تكون انتقامية”، لافتا الى ان “الحكومة الانتقالية ستكون من اطياف المعارضة بالتنسيق مع المؤسسات العسكرية”.
وأشار الى اننا “نريد حماية الدنيين عند تعرضهم لجرائم ضد الانسانية”، معربا عن اعتقاده ان “النظام السوري انتهى بشكل حقيقي”، مضيفا “ابلغنا أمس ان الحكوة التونسية ستعترف بالمجلس الوطني السوري”، مشددا على انه “اذا التزم النظام بالمبادرة سترجع الثورة السورية سلمية”.
واكد اننا “مستمرون في تعبئة الجهود الدولية لتقديم حماية للمدنيين”، مضيفا “على الرئيس السوري بشار الاسد التنحي لانه لم يعد قادرا على الحكم”.

December 19th, 2011, 10:03 am

 

Bill said:

1403. AKBAR PALACE

No, although you write them in italics, you don’t understand them!!! Let me try to repeat them, those for you and to the “IDF” intelligence guy from Tel Aviv. I hope that you now read them and understand them. Otherwise, you would have known by now that I oppose Arab regimes’ war crimes. It must be really, really, really, hard to be an apologist for occupation and war crimes!

1390. AKBAR PALACE

Before commenting on readers’ comments, please READ THEM! Yes, the Arab Spring is now chaotic because all systemic revolutions are so. How long did it take the French to stabilize their nation after the French Revolution? However, after a period of chaos and instability, Arabs will put their house in order and pursue a stable future. They still need to deal with Israeli occupation and arrogance in order for them to fully enjoy peace and stability. NO, Palestinians are NOT de facto independent. Gaza is besieged and frequently being bombed. As to the West Bank and East Jerusalem, they are separated into zillion parts by the colonies, “Jewish-only roads,” the racist separation wall, etc. Abbas of the Palestinian authority controls less CONTIGUOUS territory than any mayor of the smallest city in the Untied States. Palestinian don’t control their roads, villages, airspace…. Israel can go anywhere at anytime. Please stop apologizing for what is now now the longest military occupation.
P.S., Please read James Bamford’s famous 2000 book, “Body of Secrets,” which is about the U.S. National Security Agency. He briefly discusses the 1967 Israeli INTENTIONAL attack on the USS Liberty, which belonged to the NSA. Why did Israel attach it? According to Bamford’s excellent research for two reasons:
1) Israel was misleading the United States when Aba Eban (Israel’s foreign minister) told the United States that the 1967 war started because Egypt had first attacked Israel. The USS Liberty’s communications antennas revealed that Egypt hadn’t attacked Israel.
2) The USS Liberty intercepted Israeli communications revealing Israeli war crimes. Israel was murdering captured Egyptian prisoners of war and burying them in mass graves.
As an Amerian, I want justice for the USS Liberty victims, no matter how long it takes to obtain it!

1398. AMIR IN TEL AVIV, the “IDF” intelligence officer and anti-Muslim/Palestinian Islamophobe
عنصر مخابرات في جيش الاحتلال والجرائم ضد الانسانيه الاسرائيلي

NO, you don’t want peace because you called in one of your previous comments the West Bank by its Zionist/Religious fundamentalist name: “Judea and Samaria.” There is another quote from Golda Meir that you Israeli right-wingers like: “there is no such thing as a Palestinian.” No, there are millions of Palestinians who WILL SOONER OR LATER RECLAIM THEIR LAND AND BE FREE. The right of return is sacred to Palestinians and they will never ever ever surrender it to you!
No, Arabs will have peace after they finish their blessed and courageous Arab Spring and move to end Israeli colonization/War crimes/occupation. The Israeli occupation of Palestine is Arabs’ and Muslims’ ongoing and painful wound. One day it has to heal.
P.S., as I said in my comment above # 1395; I am an American who wants justice for the American victims of the USS Liberty who were intentionally murdered by Israel.
Israel is a colonial enterprise built on Palestinians’ lost lands and hopes!

Now, if you are here in the United States Mr/Ms. AKBAR PALACE, have a nice day! If you are a colonialist living in an occupied Israeli settlement, please leave the land to its Palestinian owners and GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK!

December 19th, 2011, 10:04 am

 

jad said:

عم بيشوشو عليك بالعربية

مؤتمر وزير الخارجية السوري كامل 19-12-2011

المعلم: توقيع البروتوكول بداية تعاون مع الجامعة العربية والسيادة مصانة

أعلن وزير الخارجية السورية السوري وليد المعلم “توقيع سوريا على بروتوكول بعثة المراقبين المقدم من جامعة الدول العربية”، مشددا على أنه “لم يكن بالامكان التوقيع عليه لولا ادخال التعديلات عليه بحيث تصان السيادة الوطنية لسوريا”.
وأوضح أنه “لو لم تدخل سوريا تعديلاتها على مشروع البرتوكول ما كانت لتوقع مهما كانت الظروف، شارحا أنه “بعد ادخالها، ولان سوريا تريد حلا لهذه المشكلة وبمشاركة الجامعة العربية، اعتبرت ان توقيع البرتوكول هو بداية تعاون مع الجامعة”، مؤكدا “الترحيب ببعثة المراقبين الذين يمثلون الدول العربية”.
ودعا “لبدء هذه الصفحة بالتعاون مع العربي ومع هذه البعثة التي نرحب بها في وطنها الثاني سوريا”، مشددا على أن “سوريا لا تريد ان تبني على ما مضى”، معتبرا أن “العقوبات التي فرضت عليها من المفترض أن ترفع”، تاركا “الامر لهم وحرصهم على الشعب السوري اذا كانوا صادقين”.
واعتبر المعلم أن “السيادة تحمى من خلال نص البرتوكول والتنسيق مع الحكومة السورية والمستند القانوني لهذا البرتوكول، وهو البند الاول من الخطة العربية التي تم التوافق عليها في البرتوكول”.
وشرح أن “المادة 8 من ميثاق الجامعة العربية تحفظ الانظمة القائمة وتمنع الدول من التدخل بها”، مضيفا “نحن في البرتوكول نتحدث عن جماعات مسلحة بمواجهة قوى الامن”.
وشدد المعلم على أن “قرار التوقيع السوري قرار وطني محض”، موضحا أنه “عندما لمسنا انه يصون سيادتنا وأن كل خطوة تتم بالتنسيق مع الحكومة السورية قبلنا التوقيع”.
أما عن المبادرات الاخرى، فقال: “نحن نرحب بأي جهد مخلص ولا علاقة لهذا الموضوع بالبرتوكول”.
وتابع “اذا كنا سنغرق البعثة في التفاصيل عليهم ان يتعلموا السباحة، ومدة البرتوكول شهر قابلة للتمديد شهر اخر ونحن سنتعامل مع البعثة بكل جدية وسيكون التنسيق مع الامين العام بشكل يومي ولا احد يغرق بالتفاصيل”.
وأكد المعلم إلى أن “البعثة ستكون بحماية الحكومة السورية وهم لهم الحرية بالتحرك ونحن لا نتدخل في ذلك بل نقول لهم هذه المنطقة امنة او غير امنة وهم يستطيعون المجازفة”، مشددا على أن “امنهم سيكون مضمون والحل الامني يتوقف على الطرف الاخر”، معتبرا أنه “اذا توقف الطرف الاخر الارهابي عن عملية القتل والخطف لن يكون هناك حل امني”.
وأكد أن “سوريا ستسمح بدخول الاعلاميين من حيث المبدأ على امل ان يخدموا مهنتهم الشريفة بموضوعية”.
ولفت إلى ان “تقرير بعثة الجامعة سترسل في نفس الوقت الى العربي ولي وسنناقشها معه قبل اي تصرف اخر”، مضيفا أن “هكذا نص البرتوكول بعد التعديل السوري”.
وإذ أكد أن “التنسيق بين سوريا وبين “الاصدقاء الروس” يومي، اما عبر السفير واما عبر اتصالات هاتفية مع القيادة الروسية، لفت إلى أنه “لا يوجد اي تغيير في مواقفهم وهم كانوا يحرصون على توقيعنا البرتوكول ونحن لبينا هذه النصيحة”.
وأضاف قائلا: “لا تحول في الموقف الروسي ونحن على تنسيق كامل مع القيادة الروسية، وهم لا يبنون قرارتهم على عواطف بل على دراسة عميقة للواقع ولمصالحهم في المنطقة”.
وأضاف المعلم أن “الأمر الذي شجع سوريا على التوقيع هو مكالمة هاتفية من الأمين العام لجامعة الدول العربية نبيل العربي”، مشيرا إلى أنه “نقل الى الرئيس السوري بشار الاسد ان العربي صادق ويريد الاسهام في حل سياسي للازمة وهذا شجعنا بغض النظر عن كلمة هنا او هناك”، مشددا على أن “السيادة السورية مصانة في صلب هذا البرتوكول”.
ولفت إلى أن “الحل السياسي يقوم على الحوار والمصالحة”، معتبرا أن “هذا الحوار مطلوب لمشاركة كل فصيل وطني يحرص على بلده ولا يلبي اجندات اجنية”، ولافتا إلى “وجود هناك مسعى للاسراع في ذلك، لكن هناك فصائل خارجية من المعارضة ترفض هذا الحوار”.
وأوضح أن “الجواب كان دائما برفض اي تعديل على مشروع البرتوكول، فاعتبرناه برتوكول اذعان، واستمر التواصل مع الجامعة”، مضيفا ان “اللجنة العربية كانت تجتمع وتعطي انذارات بمواعيد ولكن الهدف لدى الدولة السورية كان إدخال تعديلات تصون سيادتها الوطنية وإلا لا يمكن ان توقع على هكذا مشروع”.
ولفت المعلم إلى أنه “اعتمد في الأسبوع الأخير مع العربي صديقا مشتركا وهو خبير قانوني لكي يتواصل معنا، ووافق العربي على ادخال تعديلات على النص وعلى المشروع”، مشيرا إلى ان “سوريا لمست منها الحرص على سيادتها وعلى تنسيق البعثة مع الحكومة السورية”، مضيفا “على اثر ذلك اجتمعت اللجنة العربية في الدوحة لكي توافق على هذه التعديلات”.
وتابع المعلم أنه “اثناء الاجتماع في الدوحة اتصل به العربي وابلغه الموافقة على كل التعديلات ما عدا كلمة واحدة، فأبلغه ان القضية ليست قضية كلمة انما قضة نوايا”، مضيفا أن “العربي أكد أنه إذا لم توافق سوريا فإن الوضع سيصبح خطير والنوايا الله، وشتذهب الجامعة الى مجلس الامن، واذا وافقت فستذهب بعض فترة”، مؤكدا “رفضه هذا الأمر وإبلاغه العربي بذلك ارفض لان ما يهم سوريا هو النوايا”.
واعتبر أن “المؤتمر الصحافي الذي عقد في الدوحة حمل في طياته تهديدا وتبريرا ومغالطة، إذ تحدث ان الخلاف حول كلمة واحدة، وهذا الامر غير صحيح لان الامر يتعلق بالنوايا”، مشيرا إلى أنه “كان لدى سوريا بعض الشكوك حول بعض النوايا العربية وهذا الامر اتضح في المؤتمر الصحافي ولذلك قيل اننا متشككون في النوايا وبالفعل نحن كذلك”.
وإذ شدد المعلم على أنه “لا يمكن ان نتصور ان هناك اطراف دولية تريد تدويل الوضع”، أكد أن “سوريا حريصة على العمل تحت المظلة العربية”.
واعتبر المعلم أنه “كان واضحا ان هناك اتهام لسوريا بالمماطلة وبالفعل مضى شهرين حتى تم التوقيع عليه”، متشائلا “من يتحمل المسؤولية”، ومشددا على أنه “لو كانوا جادين ولا يريدون إضاعة الوقت لكانوا استمعوا الى تعديلاتنا ولكنهم لم يفعلوا ذلك إلا اليوم وبمبادرة شخصية من الامين العام”، مشيرا إلى أن “هذا الجهد استغرق يومين فقط”.
وشدد المعلم على أن “سوريا ليست مسؤولة عن اضاعة الوقت ولا ترغب في ذلك بل هي التي تستعجل الى الحل”، مضيفا “قالوا انه اذا لم نوافق سيتم تحويل القضية الى مجلس الامن”، منسائلا “لماذا ذلك”، ومضيفا “على الاقل هناك اطراف دولية في مجلس الامن نستطيع التحاور معها”.
ورأى المعلم ان “ما حصل كشف نوايا بعض الاطراف العربية التي تريد تدويل الازمة، وهذه نوايا مسبقة”، مشيرا إلى أن “هذا الامر ثبت في المؤتمر الصحافي الذي عقد في الدوحة”، وضيفا “هم يريدون تدويل الازمة اذا لم يكن اليوم فبعد مدة”.
وأكد أنه “لا توجد اتصالات رسمية بينه وبين وزير خارجية تركيا أحمد داود أوغلو او بين الرئيس الأسد والقيادة التركية”، مشيرا إلى أن “السبب هو سياسة “حزب العدالة والتنمية” التي تنظر الى الوضع بعين واحدة اوصلتهم الى اتخاذ عقوبات على سوريا والى احتضان مجموعات لا تنوي الخير لسوريا”، لافتا إلى ان “ما فرض من جهتنا كان رد”، زمضيفا “اعتقد ان هذه الحالة مؤقتة ونحن حريصون كل الحرص على الشعب التركي وتهمنا مصالحه وعندما يقرر “حزب العدالة والتنمية” اعادة النظر بمواقفه سيكون هناك موقف اخر وهذا ينطبق على باقي الدول”.
وفي سياق آخر، أكد المعلم أن “الشريط الذي عرضه في المؤتمر الصحافي السابق صحيح بكل ما تضمن ولكن اخراجه لم يكن جيد واردنا ان نعلن كل شيء لكن الكثير منكم اغمى عليه”.
وعن الإعلام، شدد المعلم على أنه “لا يريد ان يتعرض للاعلام وأن يقول ان التحريض الاعلامي جزء من الخطة”، معتبرا أن “ما يجري حول سوريا شيء والبرتوكول شيء اخر، وهو موضوع مراقبة لما يحصل في سوريا”، مشيرا إلى أنه “هناك الكثير من الدول التي تريد ان تعترف بوجود جماعات ارهابية مسلحة وهم سيشاهدون ذلك وسيعرفون ان هناك جماعات ارهابية مسلحة”، لافتا إلى أن “ما يهمه هو أن لا يتجاهل احد ان هناك سيادة سورية وشعب سوري نحرص عليه ونحرص على بناء سوريا افضل”.
وأكد “حرص سوريا على انهاء الوضع الحالي في اسرع وقت ممكن”، مشيرا إلى أنه “ليس بموقع تحديد المدة، بل نريد ان نبني سوريا حديثة ونموذج للحرية والديمقراطية”، موضحا أنه “لذلك قال اننا نريد حلا سياسيا لهذا الوضع لكي نخرج بافضل ما يمكن”.
وأضاف “هناك من كان يقول ان سوريا تخشى وجود مراقبين وانها لا تريد ان تطلع العالم على ما يجري، وهذه فرصة بوجود المراقبين ان يطلعوا العالم على حقيقة ما يجري”.
وإذ لفت إلى أن “سوريا تواجه ضغوطا وعقوبات”، أكد أنه “عنده يقين اننا سنخرج الى سوريا الحديثة”، مضيفا “من يريد المشاركة ببناء سوريا الحديثة اهلا وسهلا والقيادة السورية لايمكن ان تكون الا مع الشعب السوري ولا تتخذ اي قرار لا يصون مصالح الشعب السوري”.
ورأى أن “من يريد مصلحة الشعب السوري لا يفرض عقوبات اقتصادية عليه ويسعى الى تدويل الازمة”، مضيفا “قيل ان مصلحة الشعب السوري تقتضي ان ننظر الى الامور بطريقة اخرى وانا تهمني مصلحة الشعب السوري، ولا احد في الشعب السوري يرضى بالاذعان”، متمنيا على العرب ان يدرسوا هذا التاريخ”.
وأضاف “اذا ظنوا ان عقوباتهم ستؤثر على صمود الشعب السوري فهم واهمون هم وضعوها وهم من يرفعها ونحن لن نطلب شيء”.
هذا وهنأ المعلم “الشعب العراقي بجلاء القوات الاميركية عن ارضه”، معتبرا أن “هذا يوم فخر لكل عربي”، ومثمنا “مواقف العراق التي برزت في واشنطن واخيرا من خلال زيارة المبعوثين الى دمشق”، مشيرا إلى أن “هذه الزيارة لا تنصب على مشروع البرتوكول”.
وعن موضوع الوكالة الدولية للطاقة الذرية، أشار المعلم إلى ان “اساس الخلاف هو محاولتهم الوصول الى اماكن عسكرية حساسة وهم يعرفون اننا لا نقبل بذلك وبرتوكول المراقبين ينص على الوصول الى المناطق الساخنة وهي ليست اماكن عسكرية”.

December 19th, 2011, 10:08 am

 

Akbar Palace said:

It must be really, really, really, hard to be an apologist for occupation and war crimes!

Bill,

It’s actually quite easy. Land for Peace and the two state solution (and Arab and a Jewish state) are the only formulae accepted by the international community. No one expects the GOI to withdraw to the Holy Green line, which of course, is where Israel was, unpeacefully, prior to 1967.

FYI, war crimes have been committed by the Palestinians as well.

December 19th, 2011, 10:14 am

 

Revlon said:

In Israel, Palestenians guilty of killing Israelis get their houses torn down.

In Asad Syria, this lawyer was imprisoned along with his son and got his house torn down for walking out in demonstration and calling for ousting Asad!
الرقة =هدم منزل الناشط والمحامي عبدالله الخليل لأنه خرج بمظاهرة بركان الرقة واعتقل فيها
وهو معتقل الى الاّن مع ابنه .

Uploaded by abofraj on Dec 18, 2011

December 19th, 2011, 10:17 am

 

Bill said:

1408. AKBAR PALACE

OCCUPATION CORRUPTS BOTH THE OCCUPIER AND THE OCCUPIED. Whom we should blame FIRST? The people who colonized the land and started the occupation: ISRAEL. The Palestinian Territory needs freaking Israel to collect its taxes. This was forced on the Palestinians by Oslo. As to Bethlehem, Israel is surrounding its and Beit Jala with the racist “separation wall.” To move from one town to another, Palestinians pass through what is called area C that controlled by Israeli occupation checkpoints. As to PA areas, Israeli forces enter Ramallah and Palestinian towns/airspace whenever they want!!!!!!!
P.S., Please don’t quote Wikipedia. Its not academic. Haaretz Newspaper last year reported on a class given by Israeli colonialists “settlers” to teach colonialists on how sign up for Wikipedia editing in order to influence it to be favorable to the Jewish/Zionist colonialist narrative. Please see this article in the Israeli newspaper Haaretz:
“Palestinians prepare to battle ‘Zionist editing’ on Wikipedia”
http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/palestinians-prepare-to-battle-zionist-editing-on-wikipedia-1.310836
Professor in respectable American colleges refuse to accept any student utilization of Wikipedia.

December 19th, 2011, 10:27 am

 

Ghat Al Bird said:

Have to admit that Haaretzstands aove the NYT, Washington Post,Wall Street Journal in publishing what really, really, really goes on Israel.

Haaretz

A woman passenger on a public bus from Ashdod to Jerusalem Friday was told by an ultra-Orthodox male passenger to move to the back of the bus. The man held the door of the bus open and would not allow it to move for approximately 30 minutes.

When other passengers began to complain about the delay, the driver called the police. The policeman who arrived on the scene spoke with the man and then also asked the woman, Tanya Rosenblit, to move to the back of the bus. When she refused, the man who had been holding the door alighted and the bus continued on its way.

Rosenblit, who said she was dressed modestly, was traveling on Egged bus 451 to get to work in Jerusalem. She said a Haredi man, who boarded two stops after she did, refused to allow the driver to close the door after he saw Rosenblit. Rosenblit said the man called her a derogatory word for a non-Jewish woman, and told the driver it was his right to have her sit in the back and that he had paid to be able to do so.

At that point, Rosenblit said other passengers called on the driver to intervene because they were late. Some wanted to get off the bus and have their money refunded. At that point, Rosenblit said, the driver called the police.

The policeman who arrived on the scene took the man aside for “a pleasant conversation,” Rosenblit said, after which the policeman asked her if she would move to the back of the bus.

After Rosenblit refused, the man who had held the door got off and Rosenblit continued on her way. “The reason I am posting this story is not to declare that Orthodox Jews as pure evil … I want to point out that this is a social and educational problem,” Rosenblit wrote on her Facebook page.

Egged spokesman Ron Ratner condemned the incident, but said such incidents were increasing and that Egged’s directives clearly prohibit the driver from “permitting or creating any separation on the bus unless it is voluntary,” and instructing to call the police in such cases. Ratner advised Rosenblit to submit a complaint to Egged’s ombudsman so the incident could be scrutinized more closely.

America’s only democratic ally in the ME !

December 19th, 2011, 10:36 am

 

Revlon said:

سجناء في عدرا ينفذون عصياناً دعماً لمعتقلين يسعى النظام لمحاكمتهم بتهمة تنفيذ تفجيرات في دمشق
موقع أخبار الشرق – الجمعة، 16 كانون1/ديسمبر 2011 20:53 بتوقيت دمشق
سورية اليوم – أهم الأخبار
http://www.levantnews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=10281:2011-12-17-03-56-23&catid=81:syria-politics-headlines&Itemid=55

أفادت مصادر حقوقية بأن المعتقلين ياسر عناد من حماة وعبد الباقي حسين من معرة النعمان بإدلب وأنس عثمان من جيرود وزاهر دكاكنة / فلسطيني من مخيم اليرموك بصدد النقل من سجن دمشق المركزي في عدرا إلى سجن صيدنايا العسكري للمثول أمام محكمة ميدانية بتهمة تفجير أحد الأماكن بدمشق.

وأكدت اللجنة السورية لحقوق الإنسان نقلاً عن مصادر في دمشق؛ أن “التهمة عارية عن الصحة تماماً وأصدقاؤهم في سجن عدرا يعرفون ذلك ويرفضون تسليمهم للسلطات ويقومون باستعصاء حالياً في سجن دمشق المركزي، وأما السلطات فتهدد بتصفيتهم جميعاً إذا استمر العصيان”.
وناشدت اللجنة “العالم الحر التدخل السريع لمنع وقوع مجزرة في السجن و”لإنقاذ أرواح بريئة يتم التآمر عليها لإزهاقها بتهم مفبركة”، محملة “السلطات السورية مسؤولية ما سيحصل ونطالبها بتحمل المسؤولية والقيام بتحقيق مستقل بدل تقديم المعتقلين إلى محاكمة ميدانية لا تلبث أن تحكم عليهم بالموت الفوري”.

December 19th, 2011, 10:37 am

 

Amir in Tel Aviv said:

Bill,

You’re a deranged Islamo-Leftist, Typical American from the extremely hateful fringe left. You are a shame to the idea of Liberalism. You don’t care for the Arabs. Your hate for Israel is obsessive. You come here wishing to meet with other haters of Israel. Not because you’re interested in Arab issues or Arab wellness.

By bringing the old and irrelevant story of the USS Liberty you disclosed the hate sites that you follow. Sites filled with burning obsessive hate towards Israel. Better stay there.
.

December 19th, 2011, 10:41 am

 

Bill said:

1413. AMIR IN TEL AVIV
“IDF” Intelligence Unit, عنصر مخابرات في جيش الاحتلال والجرائم ضد الانسانيه الاسرائيلي

Calling me names and attempting to assassinate my character (this is what we call here the United States McCarthyism), instead of refuting my facts (which you cannot because you are defending Israel’s colonial occupation), shows your intellectual bankruptcy. I don’t blame you because it is really, really hard being an apologist for Israeli war crimes and occupation/colonization.
It is also very hypocritical for a member of an occupation army, you, to be advising Arabs on democracy and freedom.
I will in the future visited Palestine to celebrate its independence and the end of what is now the world’s longest occupation.

As to the USS Liberty, we courageous Americans don’t forget. Never forget, Never forgive (isn’t this a Jewish motto?)! It is NOT Old as long as justice for the courageous American sailors has not yet be served! We need justice from Israel for attacking our American sailors aboard the USS Liberty!

December 19th, 2011, 10:51 am

 

aldendeshe معتز الدندشي said:

بشار عمل خطآ لما رفض العرض الروسي لآرسال مراقبين اجانب من الدول بريك وروسيا هدول المراقبين العرب مقبضين سلفا حتى ينعاد فصل العراق اللاجانب اشرف واصدق واعدل ولحتى الآن الفرصة مفتوحة لهم حتى يمشو مع العكاريت من الجامعة يعني الآجانب بصيرو مراقبين عليهم

December 19th, 2011, 11:01 am

 

ann said:

Signature of observation protocol is a national decision, says Syria – Dec. 19, 2011

Damascus, Dec 19 – The signing today of the observation protocol with the Arab League (AL) responds to an independent decision made by Syria and is not a violation of its sovereignty, said Foreign Minister Walid al-Moalem.

The document, around which the hostility against Syria intensified, was signed by Deputy Foreign Minister Faysal Mekdad and the under-secretary general of the AL, Ahmed Ben Helli, in Cairo, Egypt, headquarters of this regional organization.

Under the protocol, a mission of no more than 100 observers will travel to Syria to inspect the reality in this country based on the events, especially the terrorist violence that has been imposed from the outside in recent months.

According to initial reports, the observers must be Arabs, and they will work for a month in coordination with the Syrian state. The document may be renewed on the basis of a new agreement between the two parties.

At a press conference in Damascus, Foreign Minister al-Moalla said that Syria agreed to sign the document after making sure that it does not violate national sovereignty.

Inspectors shall have the freedom to proceed with their work, always in coordination with the State, said the minister, who stressed that the signature of the protocol represents the beginning of cooperation with the AL.

He recalled, in turn, that Article VIII of the Charter of the AL protects existing state structures and prohibits member countries from interfering in the internal affairs of states.

Al-Moalla said that the secretary general of the AL agreed to amend the protocol to ensure that it did not infringe the sovereignty of Syria and that the work of observation be coordinated with the Syrian authorities.

The amendments proposed by Damascus, also supported by Algeria, were finally accepted at a special meeting of the Ministerial Committee of the AL tasked with overseeing the Syria situation in Doha, Qatar, on Saturday.

The protocol, stressed the Foreign Minister, represents the implementation of the first article of the so called Arab Working Plan, and other provisions that Syria has been complying with.

Under heavy pressure from the West, and from several of its members, especially the so-called Gulf States and Qatar, the current AL president suspended Syria and threatened to impose sanctions if they did not sign the protocol of observation.

The Syrian government refused to sign the initial draft, which sought to impose 500 observers without specifying nationality, and did not budge until what it considered legitimate amendments respecting its sovereignty were accepted.

Now that excuse no longer exists, and the AL should reverse the harsh reprisals taken against a founding member.

However, some media that have been harassing Syria have already begun to criticize the arrangement that they themselves had earlier demanded.

For example, TV channel Al-Jazeera is now saying that by signing the protocol Damascus is buying time to crush what it called the revolutionary movement that really is terrorist violence carried out by gangs, including foreign mercenaries, armed and financed from abroad, as reported by the Syrian authorities and international organizations.

The foreign minister declared that the observers will be able to confirm that there are armed terrorist groups that create chaos and confusion and kill people.

Those who really mean to safeguard the interests of the Syrian people do not impose economic sanctions or seek the internationalization of the dispute, said al-Moalla.

“We want to overcome the crisis through the construction of a safe and modern Syria that could be an example of democracy and pluralism, and all contributions to this effect are welcome,” concluded the foreign minister.

December 19th, 2011, 11:13 am

 

Amir in Tel Aviv said:

Do you think that the Syrians will behave like this when Assad is gone?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccsNr9UJeVY
.

December 19th, 2011, 11:16 am

 

jad said:

Dear SNK
These pictures are for you to smile 🙂

-No gas no problem we cook on candles:
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/408641_292442484127098_194847567219924_737589_644735537_n.jpg

-No heating kaman no problem we can use this strategy and wear the bed cover:
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/405179_304475862920528_183696178331831_954421_1895918362_n.jpg

December 19th, 2011, 11:17 am

 

Akbar Palace said:

OCCUPATION CORRUPTS BOTH THE OCCUPIER AND THE OCCUPIED.

Bill,

There are occupations all over the world, past and present. Most occupations are for good reasons, just like the US occupation of Japan and Germany. Israel would not be the only country to occupy land.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_military_occupations

Moreover, there still is not an independent state of Palestine, therefore, Israel is not occupying a sovereign country. Israel’s occupation is directly tied to a final settlement. That’s just the way it is. No one (except you perhaps) expects Israel to withdraw to the ’67 borders without a peace agreement.

Although your interest in the relatively benign Israeli occupation is understandable, very few Palestinians get hurt because of the occupation. I’m just wondering why you don’t focus on the main cause of arab suffering: Arab despots and the lack of freedom and democracy. I guess we’ll never know.;)

December 19th, 2011, 11:20 am

 

ann said:

Syrian opposition leader lines up with Washington – Dec 18, 2011

As of Dec. 12, the U.S. and/or NATO forces have not bombed or invaded Syria, as they have done to Afghanistan, Iraq and most recently Libya. The existence of a Russian naval base in Tartus on Syria’s Mediterranean coast and the refusal of Russia and China to allow the U.N. Security Council to permit such a military intervention has at least postponed it.

Washington and the European Union’s intervention in Syria’s internal political crisis has thus concentrated on political, propaganda and economic attacks on the Bashar al-Assad government. In addition, NATO member Turkey has given a safe haven to an armed opposition. The Western imperialist powers have also stepped up their efforts to build up the Syrian opposition leaders most closely aligned with and beholden to them.

Uprisings in North Africa and Western Asia have disrupted the close control the imperialist powers have had over the region. They have deposed client dictators Hosni Mubarak in Egypt and Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali in Tunisia and threaten to push out the president of Yemen. Washington has reacted in Egypt and Tunisia by supporting military rule in place of the former dictators, even as it fully supports reactionary regimes in Saudi Arabia and Gulf states like Bahrain.

In Moammar Gadhafi’s Libya, NATO used a ragtag reactionary opposition to depose a regime that was on Washington’s hit list for decades, as Syria’s government has been.

In Marxist class terms, the Gadhafi and al-Assad governments, like the Iranian government and the Saddam Hussein regime in Iraq before the U.S. occupation, can be described as bourgeois nationalist. That is, they are capitalist states whose business class exploits the workers, but which come into conflict with the dominant imperialist powers in the world.

Clinton meets with Syrian ‘National Council’

On Dec. 6, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met with seven leaders of the “Syrian National Council” in Geneva, Switzerland. This occurred just after the State Department announced it was sending the U.S. ambassador, who was withdrawn some months ago, back to Syria. These were signs of the U.S. stepping up its interference.

According to Bloomberg News, Dec. 6, “A State Department official present at the meeting said the U.S. considers the council to be a leading and legitimate representative of Syrians seeking a peaceful, democratic transition.” Speaking off the record, he said that “Clinton expressed hope that al-Assad would see merit in leaving. …” Clinton advised the SNC leaders to unite all the opposition, according to this official.

The Wall Street Journal on Dec. 2 published a long interview with the president of the SNC, Burhan Ghalioun. In it, Ghalioun revealed the SNC’s willingness to make concessions to the imperialist countries and their local agent, the Israeli state, especially regarding the Golan Heights and relations with Iran and Hezbollah.

Ghalioun told the WSJ, “We asked for economic sanctions; we asked for coordination between the Arab League, the E.U., Turkey and the West. … We asked them to send a message to the regime with warnings that there is no way out. We asked to apply pressure on Russia and China.”

He claimed the SNC’s goal is to protect civilians. This was the alleged goal also in Libya, which NATO quickly turned into a go-ahead to bomb whatever Libyan targets it wanted to bomb.

Ghalioun also called the current close relationship between Syria and Iran “abnormal. It is unprecedented in Syria’s foreign policy history. … There will be no special relationship with Iran. … Breaking the exceptional relationship means breaking the strategic military alliance.”

Ghalioun added, “As our relations with Iran change, so too will our relationship with Hezbollah. Hezbollah after the fall of the Syrian regime will not be the same.”

Ghalioun said regarding Golan that they will focus on negotiations and that “we are banking on our special relationship with the Europeans and Western powers in helping us in reclaiming the Golan as fast as possible.”

About the U.S., he said, “They are participating in creating Western, European, Arab and Turkish public opinion. I believe they are choosing a back seat strategy of cooperation. This is a good strategy.”

In other words, Ghalioun is trying to convince the Western powers that a SNC government would be their ally against Iran and Hezbollah and would be conciliatory toward Israel. He also is advising Washington to support them, but not too openly.

Besides the SNC, a “Syrian Liberation Army” is carrying out armed actions inside Syria. Turkey provides the SLA logistical support. Ghalioun implied that the SNC supported the SLA but did not control its actions.

Left critics of al-Assad government

Other Syrian groups critical of the al-Assad government reject any imperialist intervention. In Damascus on Dec. 3, the secretary of the National Committee for the Unity of Syrian Communists, Dr. Qadri Jamil, announced at a news conference “the formation of Pioneering Revolutionist Party that would combine communists and leftists in the country.” (News-DP, Dec. 4)

Jamil said that Syria needs the immediate formation of a national unity government that comprises representatives from the ruling party and the opposition “on the basis of consensus to defend the homeland and national unity. Measures are needed to protect national unity, exterminate the armed terrorist group, turn toward a democratic economic and social program and start comprehensive national dialogue.”

Others at the conference included the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, the International Confederation of Arab Trade Unions and the Syrian Social Nationalist Party. It is unclear what influence these groups have within the opposition.

December 19th, 2011, 11:22 am

 

Bill said:

1418. Amir in Tel Aviv عنصر مخابرات في جيش الاحتلال والجرائم ضد الانسانيه الاسرائيلي

I think that Palestinians will behave in an excellent manner after they gain their independence and end Israeli occupation/war crimes.
All Muslims, Arabs, and principled freedom champions all over the world should attend a huge independence party at al-Haram al-Sharif and the Dome of the Rock. It should be similar to the Friday celebration that Saladin held after liberating Jerusalem from the Crusaders.

December 19th, 2011, 11:22 am

 

Bill said:

1420. Akbar Palace

See, you don’t read comments despite putting them in italics. Why are you still referring to Wikipedia? Your argument is unconvincing. Here is my reply and I hope that you will read it fully this time:

1408. AKBAR PALACE

OCCUPATION CORRUPTS BOTH THE OCCUPIER AND THE OCCUPIED. Whom we should blame FIRST? The people who colonized the land and started the occupation: ISRAEL. The Palestinian Territory needs freaking Israel to collect its taxes. This was forced on the Palestinians by Oslo. As to Bethlehem, Israel is surrounding its and Beit Jala with the racist “separation wall.” To move from one town to another, Palestinians pass through what is called area C that controlled by Israeli occupation checkpoints. As to PA areas, Israeli forces enter Ramallah and Palestinian towns/airspace whenever they want!!!!!!!
P.S., Please don’t quote Wikipedia. Its not academic. Haaretz Newspaper last year reported on a class given by Israeli colonialists “settlers” to teach colonialists on how sign up for Wikipedia editing in order to influence it to be favorable to the Jewish/Zionist colonialist narrative. Please see this article in the Israeli newspaper Haaretz:
“Palestinians prepare to battle ‘Zionist editing’ on Wikipedia”
http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/palestinians-prepare-to-battle-zionist-editing-on-wikipedia-1.310836
Professor in respectable American colleges refuse to accept any student utilization of Wikipedia.

December 19th, 2011, 11:27 am

 

ann said:

China supports Russia’s draft resolution on Syrian crisis: FM spokesman – 2011-12-19

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/china/2011-12/19/c_131315431.htm

BEIJING, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) — China supports Russia’s new draft for a Security Council resolution on the Syrian situation and appreciates Russia’s constructive efforts to solve the crisis, Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin said Monday.

Liu said at a daily press conference that if the Syrian situation is discussed by the United Nations Security Council, the discussion should help ease tensions, promote political dialogue, resolve conflicts and contribute to peace and stability in the Middle East.

China has paid close attention to the development of the Syrian situation and welcomes the efforts made by the Arab League to open the political process and avoid external interference in Syria, Liu said, adding that China hopes the Syrian crisis will be resolved within the framework of the Arab League.

Russia, which is holding the rotating Security Council presidency in December, circulated an updated draft on the Syrian crisis at a closed-door meeting of the council’s members held last Thursday.

December 19th, 2011, 11:35 am

 

ann said:

Assad supporters rally in capital as Syria plans to sign Arab deal Monday – 2011-12-19

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2011-12/19/c_131315473.htm

DAMASCUS, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) — Thousands of Syrians rallied Monday in the capital Damascus in support of President Bashar al- Assad, as his government is expected to sign an Arab League (AL) observer mission deal in hours.

At the Sabaa Bahart square, a main square in Damascus where pro- Assad rallies have almost become a daily occurrence, government supporters chanted slogans and national songs in an upbeat mood.

Syrian Ambassador to Egypt Youssef Ahmad confirmed to Xinhua Monday morning that Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad will sign the AL agreement on behalf of the Syrian government in Cairo Monday afternoon.

Syria said earlier this month that it would approve the AL observer mission on conditions including the lifting of sanctions.

Local newspaper al-Watan said the AL has responded to the majority of Damascus’ demands and amendments on the protocol, mainly those pertaining to respecting the national sovereignty, undermining thereby any attempt by some Arab countries to internationalizing the Syrian crisis.

Damascus has decided to sign the protocol “to prevent some well- known Arab countries from internationalizing the Syrian crisis and making preparations for anti-Syria military action,” and meet Syria’s desire to solve the crisis within the AL fold, al-Watan said.

It added that Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem will announce the official stand at a press conference later Monday.

Quoting Arab diplomatic sources in Cairo, al-Watan said that all the obstacles between the AL and Syria have been eliminated during recent contact between Moallem and AL chief Nabil al-Arabi.

The sources said the observers’ work would be done with the full coordination with the Syrian authorities.

December 19th, 2011, 11:38 am

 

ann said:

Syria not worried about AL observer mission: FM – 2011-12-19

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2011-12/19/c_131315633.htm

DAMASCUS, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) — Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al- Moallem said Monday that the Syrian government was “absolutely not worried” about signing the Arab League (AL) observer mission deal and the Arab observers would see crimes committed by “armed terrorist groups” in Syria.

During a press conference held in Damascus to announce Syria’s acceptance of the AL observer mission, Moallem said that many countries did not want to acknowledge the presence of armed terrorist groups in Syria, but the observers would see the groups along with their crimes.

Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad signed the AL observer mission deal Monday afternoon in Cairo on behalf of the Syrian government.

“We are absolutely not worried” about the observer mission deal, Moallem said, adding that the protocol would not have been signed had the amendments suggested by Syria not been agreed upon.

The proposed amendments mainly included that the observer mission should preserve Syria’s national sovereignty and should be done with full coordination with the Syrian government.

Moallem said the observers would be allowed to visit hot areas but not sensitive military sites, stressing that attempts to internationalize the economic sanctions on Syria “will not happen. ”

Coordination between the observer mission and the Syrian government would be through a national committee to be formed soon as the link between the two sides, he said.

Earlier this month, Syria said it would allow in the mission on conditions including lifting the economic sanctions recently imposed by the AL on Syria.

However, Moallem said Monday that Syria would no longer ask for lifting the sanctions. “If they think that their economic sanctions would affect the Syrian people, they are deluding themselves. We will not beg anyone,” he said.

The protocol provided for implementing the first item of the Arab peace plan on the Syria crisis, Moallem said, “The signing of the protocol is the beginning of cooperation between Syria and the Arab League.”

The foreign minister dismissed allegations that Syria was to be blamed for wasting time, stressing that Syria was keen to reach a solution.

“We are keen to work in the framework of the Arab League,” he stressed.

“We will deal with seriousness, professionalism and objectiveness with the observer mission,” he said, pledging that the observers would be protected by the Syrian government and have freedom in their moves.

He accused some Arab countries of attempting to internationalize the Syrian crisis. “What happened has unveiled the intentions of some Arabs,” he said.

“Whoever wants the interests of the Syrian people does not impose economic sanctions on it (Syria) or work for internationalizing the crisis through the UN Security Council,” he said.

Moallem also ruled out claims about a turnabout in the Russian stand, saying that “there is no change at all and coordination is still existing between us.”

“We want to emerge from the crisis by building a modern and secure state that will be an example of democracy and pluralism,” he said.

December 19th, 2011, 11:47 am

 

Tara said:

Bronco

Moualem said Syria signed after the AL amended the protocol. Alarabi said Syria signed the original protocol and no changes were made except replacine “Syrian citizenz” with unarmed Syrian civillians. Both said sanctions were not removed. Who is lying?

December 19th, 2011, 11:56 am

 

majedkhaldoun said:

All Muallem statements are very vague,while all Al Arabi statements are very clear
Muallem said we will leave it to them,Al Arabi said they will move FREELY,
Alarabi said within two days he will send Bin Yazan to get the observer in.
Bashar maneuverability is getting very tight.

December 19th, 2011, 12:12 pm

 

Juergen said:

I bet that Moallem is declaring every second military building or every second hospital and prison to have a high sensitive military facility.

How about the condition that the monitoring mission would include interviews with opposition forces as well as muhabarat officials?

December 19th, 2011, 12:14 pm

 

Tara said:

Juergen

He will also declare all areas of detention as sensitive military compounds. Remember, there is an estimated 30,000 arrests since the beginning of the revolution. Where are they hidden? I doubt Syria prisons can accommodate all of them. We now entered a new phase of deception. The good news is the protocol is valid for one month, which means an overhaul of it’s effectiveness during that time frame.

December 19th, 2011, 12:22 pm

 

Akbar Palace said:

See, you don’t read comments despite putting them in italics. Why are you still referring to Wikipedia?

Bill,

Obviously, you don’t read my posts as well. I ask you a few questions, and you still have not answered:

Do you want justice for the Americans who were killed on 9-11? Do you want justice for the marines killed by Hezbollah? Do you want justice for those that were killed by Libya’s downing of Pan Am FLT 103? Which website have you participated on demading justice for these acts? I like to read them. I’m just wondering if your search for justice expands beyond the sinking of the USS Liberty.

What facts presented in Wikipedia are incorrect? I’d be happy to discuss them with you.

December 19th, 2011, 12:30 pm

 

Amir in Tel Aviv said:

No way this junta allows the monitors in. They know that the monitors starting to expose the lies, will start a snowball that will eventually run them down. My bet, No AL monitoring will be allowed.
.

December 19th, 2011, 12:34 pm

 

Bill said:

1431. AKBAR PALACE

Oh, Yes. I want justice for the 9/11 victims. One of my professor’s daughter was killed by the terrorists on 9/11. I am not a fan of Hizballah given Narallah’s hypocrisy regarding the Syrian regime’s war crimes. Yes, I do want justice for the Marines who were killed in 1983. However, many of the people who attacked the Marines were either killed or captured. Lebanon was destroyed and punished for many years after the attack on the Marines. In contrast, Israel has not yet paid the price for intentionally attacking the USS Liberty. I, and many Americans, want justice for the American sailors who were killed by Israel. “Never Forget, Never Forgive!” My country the United States should not support Israeli occupation and war crimes. We, Americans, look hypocritical when we demand sanctions against Syria while vetoing Palestinian statehood at the United Nations Security Council. We should not give Israel money and weapons that it uses to maintain occupation and commit war crimes. Israel should also pay the price for its massacres, some of which I am listing below:
Deir Yassin
Sabra and Shatilla
Jenin
Qana1
Qana2
Gaza 2008-09

December 19th, 2011, 12:41 pm

 

defender said:

Underwater force of Israel

12/19/2011

According to the Israeli military experts, — one of the major kinds of the arms, which use it is necessary to expand submarines. Details of fighting operations with use of submarines are unknown to general public experts, however, recognize, strategic value of submarines is difficult for overestimating.
By 2014 Israel will increase the underwater fleet from three units to five. Probably, in the near future Germany will order one more which it will be possible to place in operation some years later.
Everything that is connected with the Israeli underwater fleet, shrouded by a mystery aura. Submarines first of all are important therefore, from them probably to start cruise missiles with nuclear warheads.
Israel has received first two German submarines of a class “Dolphin” soon after war in Persian gulf. Then it became known that the Iraq chemical rockets were developed by means of Germany. This information has led to deterioration of the germano-Israeli relations. As indemnification Germany has gratuitously given to Israel two submarines. Cost of one more has been divided between the parties fifty-fifty.
New submarines can longer be under water without emersion as are equipped by progressive system of storage of oxygen and hydrogen. Though new submarines on eight meters are longer than the predecessors of a class “Dolphin”, it is far to the nuclear American submarines having length of 166 m. Thus of court of a class “Dolphin” in the Israeli updating have completely automated and computerized management developed by Israeli companies Tadiran, Elbit, IAI and Rada.
The submarines “Dolphin” which are already being on arms, will pass serious improvement thanks to what their productivity will essentially increase. The submarines of the German manufacture which are on arms at Israel, have settlement service life about 30 years. The first there has passed modernization a boat put to Israel in 1999. The vessel has been taken out of service two years ago. This information not to damage defensibility of the country, kept in a strict secret.
On Sunday the shipyard in Haifa where the submarine has been reconstructed, was visited by journalists The Jerusalem Post. «Each vessel which arrives on shipyard for repair and modernization, leaves with considerably expanded possibilities, — the chief of shipyard colonel Eli Shuah speaks. — All in the several countries of the world can repair a submarine by own strength. Some tried, but have failed».
Each of three submarines of a class “the Dolphin”, consisting on arms of the Israeli fleet, has a name: “Dolphin”, “Leviathan” and “Tkuma”. They are considered as one of the most perfect a diesel engine-electric of submarines in the world. Major Doron Bareket supervising modernization, has noticed that reconstruction consists in dismantle of all valves of a submarine, pipes and systems of a hydro locator. The engine also has been improved.
The shipyard on which, predictably, there will arrive two new submarines from Germany, will be also considerably modernised and protected from possible rocket attacks of Syria and “Hizballah”.

December 19th, 2011, 12:43 pm

 

Bill said:

1432. AMIR IN TEL AVIV,عنصر مخابرات في جيش الاحتلال والجرائم ضد الانسانيه الاسرائيلي

In the same the Israeli OCCUPYING military “junta” does NOT allow international monitors to monitor its ongoing war crimes against the Palestinians.

Your extremist prime minister, Netanyahu, and his racist righ-wing cabinet are even trying to pass laws in the Knesset to restrict or ban human rights and anti-occupation/colonies activists. Israel has been a “democracy” for the Israelis only, but now it is moving in an authoritarian direction. WE NEED HUMAN RIGHTS MONITORS AND ARMED UN PROTECTION IN THE OCCUPIED TERRITORIES.

December 19th, 2011, 12:49 pm

 

defender said:

1416. ALDENDESHE معتز الدندشي said:

بشار عمل خطآ لما رفض العرض الروسي لآرسال مراقبين اجانب من الدول بريك وروسيا هدول المراقبين العرب مقبضين سلفا حتى ينعاد فصل العراق اللاجانب اشرف واصدق واعدل ولحتى الآن الفرصة مفتوحة لهم حتى يمشو مع العكاريت من الجامعة يعني الآجانب بصيرو مراقبين عليهم

سيكون هناك مراقبين على هؤلاء المراقبين لكي يكونوا على حذر! ليست أرض سورية مشاع !

December 19th, 2011, 12:52 pm

 

Juergen said:

Tara

I have seen pictures of a school which was used as an detention place, my damascus friends told me that they operate detention houses which could be normal looking houses as well as facilities within military compounds. One such house is on Bagdadstreet so almost central Damascus. But i am quite afraid we will found out many devastating news about those 30.000 people detained.

December 19th, 2011, 1:05 pm

 

defender said:

http://www.iarex.ru/articles/21724.html
THE INTERNATIONAL EUROASIAN TRIBUNAL AS THE WIDE PUBLIC INITIATIVE
Necessity of creation of own version of the international tribunal on war crimes by the countries of the Euroasian Conjunction, with participation of other countries which are exposed to aggression of the USA and the NATO, has ripened for a long time already. About it news agency REX were told by the chief-editor of magazine of modern philosophy “Socrat” Ivan Fomin.

December 19th, 2011, 1:17 pm

 

Akbar Palace said:

I want justice for the 9/11 victims….Yes, I do want justice for the Marines who were killed in 1983.

Bill,

I’m glad you want justice for the above acts of war. Israel has had to face similar acts of terrorism.

BTW, you still didn’t answer my question about “Which websites have you participated on demading justice for these acts?”. I hope your words match your actions. Also, you didn’t say what facts do you dispute in Wikipedia.

Thanks,

AP

December 19th, 2011, 1:45 pm

 

defender said:

http://www.iarex.ru/news/21115.html

TO CREATION OF ALTERNATIVE INTERNATIONAL COURT PREVENTS FORMAL “RIGHT” OF THE WEST TO JUDGE ALL UNDER THE LAWS: EXPERTS

Concerning military men of the NATO investigation concerning prospective infringements of laws of conducting war will be made during struggle against a mode of colonel Muamara Kaddafi. The corresponding statement was made in the beginning of November by the Supreme public prosecutor of the International criminal court Luis-Moreno Okampo. As he said, similar investigation will be spent and concerning soldiers of insurgents and forces of a mode, has informed the edition «The Telegraph».

However in that can take place objective court in Europe over the NATO, there are doubts. Moreover, the society tends to that the engaged European court of has got rid more and more. There is a question on necessity of creation of the International arbitration court for the decision of questions at issue of the countries not concordant with the decision of the Hague.

The financier and independent journalist Nestor Komarnitsky is assured, important not only to create court, to spend process, but also to provide performance of its decision. «Concerning possibility of the first — questions are not present. The second — raises certain doubts. The third — will be rather problematic. Time will show, it will turn out or not. But, as Chineses speak, whether„ the Road to one thousand begins with the first step “».

The political scientist, the president of the Center of the system analysis and forecasting of Rostislav Ishchenko, in turn, speaking about possibility of creation of alternative International court, has noted, the same БРИКС could create any court. But, as he said, a question not in creation, and in a recognition: «the Problem that БРИКС the Hague recognizes, and the West court BRIKS, does not recognize. For creation of new international court it is necessary in the beginning the international justice of the West. At least to refuse to recognize its decisions in the territory. Then the space for creation new or reformatting of old structures will be opened. Till the same time, a time while we unilaterally recognize formal„ the right “the West to judge all and all under the laws which frequently have been thought up backdating, any new (alternative) court is impossible. It is an axiom», — the expert has underlined.

The chairman of the Volgograd regional branch of party «Just cause« Andrey Kuprikov named utopian idea of creation of alternative court. At the same time, he does not assert that it will not occur in the future, and the nearest: «the Court should lean against the repressive device which at БРИКС is not present, as well as there are no sufficient levers of influence on world politics in the form of the powerful and centralized armed forces, the similar NATO. Therefore the idea looks utopian, but it does not mean that it is not realized — at first army, then court».

And according to political designer Yury Jureva, БРИКС could create any court or any commission but then there would be a question who will execute their decisions, and default of decisions would compromise concept of effective court. «However, if the International criminal court appears tendentious or doubtful countries BRIKS not bad to think of parallel disposal of legal proceeding of military criminals, let and in a genre of speculative justice, but nevertheless — justice», — the expert summarized

December 19th, 2011, 1:50 pm

 

Bill said:

1438. AKBAR PALACE القصر الكبير

NO, Don’t equate 9/11 and its victims with Israeli occupation and war crimes. Israel was built on the debris of Palestinians’ lands and hopes. When Palestinian Poet Mahmoud Darwish died, even Israeli newspapers mentioned that the village where he was born, al-Birwah-near Haifa, was destroyed and ethnically-cleansed. As I told you before, occupation corrupts the occupiers and the occupied, but we must give most of the responsibility on the occupier (ISRAEL). No, I don’t get my information from Wikipedia. I have a Ph.D. and I have read thousands of real books. I have read many books and articles on the Israeli massacres that I have mentioned to you in my above reply. Read Haaretz article and you know that Wikipedia is being manipulated by Zionists and settlers.
No, Israel has a free hand in the area of the Palestinian Authority area A, it also dominates areas B and C. The checkpoints, the racist separation wall, etc. make your argument that the Palestinians have “de facto” independence LAUGHABLE despite your unsophisticated references to Wikipedia. Did Israel respect Area A when it invaded Ramallah in 2002 and even looted money from private homes and destroyed private cars parked on streets?

December 19th, 2011, 1:57 pm

 

jad said:

It seems that SC is not going to be active as before so if any body is interested, I create this FB page in case this website went down, the walls are open to all and I wont be monitoring anything, it’s for all to join.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Syria-Comment-Group/206212369464483?sk=wall

December 19th, 2011, 2:00 pm

 

Mina said:

Jad,
FB is far too intrusive! Just flood Qifa Nabki.

The dirty trick I was sure would come from the SNC today:
http://www.haaretz.com/news/middle-east/assad-forces-kill-60-70-army-defectors-syria-activists-say-1.402422

December 19th, 2011, 2:30 pm

 

jad said:

The game of the Syrian blood will continue

Almidan today went out in a funeral of a young girl, guess what, the girl is not dead, yet a guy was killed by a the security bullet because of the demonstration.
Who comes with such an evil plan? Why today? Why the mosque made a fake funeral when nobody is dead and no body to pray over on a MONDAY!?
Is it just to make the situation worst when things may improve for people..What bunch of evil liars!

مقطع مهيب جداً في تشييع الطفلة هالة بالميدان 19/12/2011
http://youtu.be/SivtBygeLqI

December 19th, 2011, 2:39 pm

 

jad said:

Dear Mina,
Good idea, I forgot QN blog, I create the FB page just in case SC get closed, so at least we can keep in touch somehow nothing serious.

The dirty games box of the MB council will never finish, did you read about Almidan today, what was that about!? nothing but making things worse..especially today…they are more evil than the regime itself.

الجزيرة و العربية تواصلان قتلهما للأحياء
http://youtu.be/u3fUxuaS5wk

تونس حرة غليون على برة
http://youtu.be/yzcJ0lCbHzA

December 19th, 2011, 2:44 pm

 

Mina said:

Sounds familiar?
http://www.almasryalyoum.com/node/553556
(on KSA and Qatar funding in Egypt)
http://english.ahram.org.eg/~/NewsContent/1/64/29727/Egypt/Politics-/SCAF-hails-security-forces,-warns-of-foreign-plots.aspx
(Egyptian army accuses liberals and socialists of being funded by foreigners)

The difference being that we haven’t seen fake videos from Yemen, Bahrein, or Egypt. I doubt the Syrians will accept a “new” government made of “the expats” (as in Tunisia?) and “the army” (as in Egypt?). They will have to invent a third way.
Soon the Gulf may become the most “liberal” place in the region.

December 19th, 2011, 2:48 pm

 

Mina said:

Jad,
No, just saw your post about the Midan. When you see how little of the Egyptian events have reached the Western newspapers (always happy to please any sort of Egyptian authorities… our workers need to take cheap holidays!) you can imagine the Midan wouldn’t make it anyway. Even the Tunis conference is not covered. I hope the French start to think twice, and reading the reactions of the readers in the websites of the French newspapers about Syria lately, many seem to have understood there was something fishy there. I think it was very clear from Bashar’s interview that he agrees to leave, and this is what is being implemented, but certainly the Vatican and the US have said neither Europe or the US can cope with anymore Arab Christian refugees. So they will let the SNC enjoy the sea in Djerba and continue its fight for getting nice jobs in useless think tanks.

December 19th, 2011, 2:57 pm

 

Akbar Palace said:

NO, Don’t equate 9/11 and its victims with Israeli occupation and war crimes.

Bill,

I know all about Israel’s occupation and 9-11. You needn’t teach me about it further as I already know that Arab crimes against Arabs make Israel’s crimes PALE in comparison.

But you continue to side-step the same two questions I have asked you time and again:

1.) Which websites have you participated on demading justice for these acts? (9-11 and the Marine barracks attack by Hezbollah)

2.)What facts do you dispute in Wikipedia?

December 19th, 2011, 2:58 pm

 

Tara said:

DOZENS OF SYRIA DESERTERS KILLED FLEEING: ACTIVISTS
AFP Updated December 20, 2011, 5:00 am
NICOSIA (AFP) – Dozens of Syrian army deserters were killed by machinegun fire as they tried to flee their military posts in northwestern Idlib province on Monday, a rights group said.

In a statement sent to AFP in Nicosia, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said between 60 and 70 deserters were gunned down as they abandoned their positions in the Idlib towns of Kansafra and Kafr Awid.

The Observatory reported earlier that security forces shot dead at least six civilians on Monday, even as Syria’s regime agreed to allow Arab observers into the country to monitor a deal to end a bloody protest crackdown.
more….

December 19th, 2011, 3:47 pm

 

Dale Andersen said:

Memo To: AKBARIO IN THE LAND OF THE SONS OF ABRAHAM

RE: “…a deranged Islamo-Leftist…”

You are correct about Bill. He’s a self-loathing, insipid, pathetically brainwashed putz, of which there are many in this age of dumbdown. Too bad we aren’t allowed to shoot them anymore.

As for occupiers, have you noticed how the Syrians on SC NEVER mention the occupation of Lebanon? They never admit that they acted like imperialist, colonialist overlords in Lebanon to the extent that they had their Hizbollah lapdog collaborators murder Prime Minister Hariri because he had the balls to tell them to get the fuck out? Tell you this, Akbario, the Syrians will NEVER apologize to Lebanon. That’s how hypocritical they are…

December 19th, 2011, 4:02 pm

 

Uzair8 said:

@1420. Akbar Palace said:

“Moreover, there still is not an independent state of Palestine, therefore, Israel is not occupying a sovereign country. Israel’s occupation is directly tied to a final settlement. That’s just the way it is….”

This is an occupation. An occupation is an occupation. Let’s not play with words.

If I can borrow a favourite phrase of the neo-cons :

‘If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, looks like a duck, it must be a duck.’

December 19th, 2011, 4:14 pm

 

Tara said:

In regard to the clip posted by Amir showing North Koreans mourning the death of their dictator, one can not help not to feel saddened by how a dictator and a regime can enslave even people’s emotion. Even emotions can be herded. You never see this in free countries, only in dictatorship and if you have not lived under one, you may find it difficult to believe that those emotions are not real. Not even freedom of emotion. This is really pathetic.

December 19th, 2011, 4:15 pm

 

newfolder said:

lol, Walid Mo3aleks press conference mahzaleh, and the ever present Shabih found in all pro-regime clips!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UT7YozqL_H0

also, Aleppo city out in force today, at uni this morning, and thousands in Salaheldeen tonight, biggest protests so far in Aleppo, and they’re going to get much much bigger soon when the observers arrive!

December 19th, 2011, 4:17 pm

 

Dale Andersen said:

Memo To: AKBARIO

RE: “…What facts do you dispute in Wikipedia?…”

It’s useless to argue about wikipedia. That site is so full of errors, no thinking person cites it as an authority.

December 19th, 2011, 4:23 pm

 

Akbar Palace said:

Dale Andersen,

Thanks. I usually find their summaries to be fairly accurate. But I’m sure there are mistakes and propaganda mixed in. But they also have references for futher reading.

I understand the info can be wrong and misinterpreted, but unless someone tells me what they dispute I have nothing to go by.

FOr example, do a search on the “Six Day War” and tell me what info is wrong.

AP

December 19th, 2011, 4:30 pm

 

ann said:

On Libya, Ban’s Defense of NATO, France & Qatar Slammed by Russia

http://www.innercitypress.com/ban1nato121911.html

UNITED NATIONS, December 19 — On Monday, Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin criticized NATO for having denied it killed civilians in Libya, and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon for having said that NATO strictly complied with the mandate of Security Council Resolution 1973, to protect civilians.

Churkin said that if NATO can’t investigate itself for killing civilians, the UN should help. Inner City Press asked Churkin if he meant that the UNSMIL mission under Ian Martin should investigate, or the UN Human Rights Commission under Navi Pillay.

In the first instance it should be NATO, Churkin said. He declined to say if the issue will be raised directly to Ban at his lunch on December 20.

Back on Friday, December 16, Inner City Press asked Ban’s Associate Spokesman Farhan Haq about Ban’s strange claim that resolution 1973 had been strictly complied with, despite evidence of civilians being killed and a TV station damaged by NATO bombing, of the French air dropping in weapons to the Nafusa mountains, of Qatar having had “boots on the ground” during the conflict:

Inner City Press: The Secretary-General, in his press conference this week, said resolution 1973, I believe, was strictly enforced within that limit, within that mandate. I wanted to know, does this… what does he think of… does he believe that NATO should investigate these deaths and is that… is the number 50? It seems the mandate was very much to protect civilians and not kill them; what did he mean when he said that it was fully implemented and within the mandate?

Associate Spokesperson Haq: Simply that. The Secretary-General, I stand behind what he said just two days ago; he does believe that NATO carried out its mandate, the mandate that was provided under resolution 1973 (2011). He believes that they took action to protect civilian lives. Beyond that, I wouldn’t have any further comment about the Human Rights Watch report. That report is really directed towards NATO, and it is for them to report to their recommendations.

Inner City Press: You can see how the two seem to be related. I mean, I guess what I am saying is that is what he said, and I understood he said it, is it inconsistent with the idea that NATO may have inadvertently killed civilians?

Associate Spokesperson: He stands behind what he said. He believes that NATO carried out the mandate as faithfully as it could.

Inner City Press: One last question on that. It seemed clear that one of the things they did was to bomb a TV station, and I am just wondering, is that… I mean, again I am just trying to understand what the statement means. Was that… does this mean that Ban Ki-moon believes that the bombing of a TV station is the protection of civilians?

Associate Spokesperson: Again, I don’t have anything further to say beyond what the Secretary-General said two days ago. Comments about NATO actions, I think, it would be up for NATO to respond to those. So, I think you need to ask NATO.

Inner City Press: But just, I mean, obviously he is speaking… when he says it was implemented correctly, he means he is speaking about NATO.

Associate Spokesperson: He said what he said and he stands by it.

Haq said that Ban stood by it — Inner City Press, as noted since by more than one Security Council mission, was not allowed any questions of Ban at his press conference — but now that Churkin has explicitly criticized Ban’s statement, will a “clarification” issue, as it has on Ban’s initial total deference to member states on drones? Watch this site.

December 19th, 2011, 4:39 pm

 

jad said:

Bronco, Mina,
Do you think the KSA king is O.K. he said to the GCC shyoukh that ‘we’ need to ‘help each other to protect our brother’s blood’, how come!
———————————————————-
الملك السعودي: مستهدَفون في أمننا وعلى دول الخليج الاتحاد بكيان واحد

اعلن الملك السعودي عبدالله بن عبد العزيز، خلال افتتاح قمة مجلس التعاون الخليجي، “أننا نجتمع في ظروف صعبة تتطلب منا الوحدة”، مشيرا الى “اننا مستهدفون في امننا واستقرارنا”، لافتا الى ان “من الواجب علينا مساعدة اشقائنا”.
ودعا “للانتقال من مرحلة التعاون الى الاتحاد في كيان موحد”.

الملك السعودي عبدالله يدعو دول الخليج إلى الوقوف مع اشقائهم العرب لحقن دمائهم
http://youtu.be/tkMuttbqzG4

December 19th, 2011, 4:42 pm

 

jad said:

Stratfor Challenges Narratives on Syria

Since the first public protests broke out in Syria last March, the narratives about the Syrian crisis have stayed fairly true to the theme of all the Arab Revolts. An authoritarian ruler out to crush peaceful opposition to his regime opens fire on civilians and the number of protestors skyrockets as the body count mounts…

But we are now entering the tenth month of this particular violent revolt – even Libya with its full-fledged civil war didn’t take so long. So what gives?

According to the Texas-based geopolitical risk analysis group Stratfor which released an eyebrow-raising piece on Syrian opposition propaganda efforts last week, “most of the opposition’s more serious claims have turned out to be grossly exaggerated or simply untrue, thereby revealing more about the opposition’s weaknesses than the level of instability inside the Syrian regime.”

This is important for two reasons. Firstly, it may be the first time a mainstream US-based intelligence-gathering firm openly questions the existing narrative on Syria. Secondly, Stratfor’s findings begs the question: what are we basing our policy initiatives on if our underlying assumptions are inaccurate?

How unstable is Syria, really? How widespread is opposition to the regime of Bashar al-Assad? The death-toll that has us riveted with disgust – today, the highest daily death rate yet – how accurate are those numbers? Who do they include and are they verifiable? Are local activists even capable of distinguishing between a dead pro-regime civilian and a dead anti-regime civilian – especially now that both sides are armed and firing?

I cannot begin to dispute those numbers and details, so I will not try. But I will ask the question: where are all the “facts” coming from?

Inherent Bias in Syrian Data?
The problem with information that originates from opposition groups is that there is a clear interest in disseminating “beneficial” data and underplaying “damaging” statistics. And that dynamic applies to the government too – which is why we take Syrian regime pronouncements with a grain of salt.

You don’t see the Syrian opposition taking an active role in publicizing the slaughter of rank-and-file soldiers, for instance – except to claim these forces are being shot for deserting the army. Twitter is abuzz right now with news that more than 70 of today’s 100+ dead are “deserters.”

Nor do you hear about the numbers of pro-regime civilians killed by the armed opposition – some of them allegedly while “demonstrating” in support of the Syrian regime.

Now, this does not mean that the Syrian opposition lies outright to gain sympathy and foreign support – mostly because the “opposition” is not homogenous and comes in different shapes, sizes and flavors.

But Strafor clearly questions the intent of some of these groups based on very recent evidence of disinformation campaigns:

The Stratfor article focuses primarily on opposition efforts to create the impression in the past few weeks that there is a significant split within President Assad’s own clan and within his Alawite minority sect, members of which man the top jobs in the country’s armed forces and key government positions.

Among these high-profile gaffs are a December 10 report alleging that “Syrian Deputy Defense Minister and former chief of military intelligence Asef Shawkat had been killed by his aide and former General Security Directorate chief, Gen. Ali Mamlouk.”

Stratfor posits that the unfounded “image of two senior-ranking Sunni members of the regime drawing guns on each other” helps to create ” a compelling narrative” for groups that wish “to undermine the perception that al Assad’s inner circle is united in the effort to suppress the opposition and save the regime.”

In yet another example, a December 9 statement published in the Saudi-owned Asharq al Awsat by the previously-unknown “Alawite League of Coordinating Committees” which claims to represent the Alawite community in Syria, “rejected any attempt to hold the Alawite sect responsible for the ‘barbarism’ of the al Assad regime.” Stratfor says the planted story gives “the impression that the Alawite community is fracturing and that the al Assad regime is facing a serious loss of support within its own minority sect.”

The US-based analysts then cite their own Syrian opposition source who “acknowledged that this group was in fact an invention of the Sunni opposition in Syria.”

On the same day, more mainstream opposition groups including the Syrian National Council (SNC), the Free Syrian Army (FSA) and the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights began disseminating “claims that regime forces besieged Homs and imposed a 72-hour deadline for Syrian defectors to surrender themselves and their weapons or face a potential massacre.”

That news made international headlines – Homs has been the raging center of anti-regime dissent after all, with death tolls that appear to be well above those of other hotspots. Stratfor’s investigation, however, found “no signs of a massacre,” and warns that “opposition forces have an interest in portraying an impending massacre, hoping to mimic the conditions that propelled a foreign military intervention in Libya.”

The article then goes on to suggest that any suggestions of massacres are unlikely because the Syrian “regime has calibrated its crackdowns to avoid just such a scenario. Regime forces,” Stratfor argues, “have been careful to avoid the high casualty numbers that could lead to an intervention based on humanitarian grounds.”

And so on and so forth.

Wrongful Narratives Muddy The Waters
Stratfor identifies some clear objectives that drive propaganda efforts by Syrian opposition groups:

– Convincing Syrians inside Syria (going beyond the Sunni majority to include the minorities that have so far largely backed the regime) that the regime is splitting and therefore no longer worth supporting.

– Convincing external stakeholders, such as the United States, Turkey and France, that the regime is splitting and is prepared to commit massacres to put down the unrest, along the lines of what the regime carried out in 1982 in Hama.

– Convincing both Syrians and external stakeholders that the collapse of the al Assad regime will not result in the level of instability that has plagued Iraq for nearly a decade, or in the rise of Islamist militias, as appears to be happening in Libya. To this end, the FSA has emphasized its defensive operations and the defense of civilians to avoid being branded as militants. Meanwhile, the political opposition has stressed that it wants to keep state structures intact, so as to avoid the Iraq scenario of having to rebuild the state from scratch amid a sectarian war.

Stratfor points out that opposition groups have made headway in getting their messages out to the mainstream western media, and that these outlets regularly “quote casualty totals provided by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, without the ability to verify the information.” But the article also warns that “the lack of coordination among various opposition outlets and the unreliability of the reports threaten to undermine the credibility of the opposition as a whole.”

Syria today signed the Arab League protocol that will make way for a fact-finding mission. Provided that this important process does not get hijacked by regional politics – an unlikely scenario even with the best of intentions – we may start to see verifiable information about what is taking place inside the country.

Without facts, the Syrian story does not stand a chance in overcoming the enmity and rancor felt by both sides. False narratives, even heartfelt ones, will only keep conflict buzzing. Kudos to Stratfor for underlining the importance of information transparency.

December 19th, 2011, 5:21 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Honestly AL want to deceive themselves when they trust this lier Bashar,they are so naive.

December 19th, 2011, 5:21 pm

 

Juergen said:

Amir

I asked a friend in Damascus today how it was when Hafez died.He told me that you could see almost the same emotions like today in Pjongyang, especially he remembered the overall clear acted sympathy and sadness in the parlament when the camera was near. He told me that one collegue from work which was alawite cried and said to him they are going to kill us now, they are going to kill us now… He said that a lot of the alawites were really afraid when he died.

December 19th, 2011, 5:39 pm

 

FreeSoldier said:

I am not sure if this has been discuss here or not. But from reliable source (banking both in Geneva and London), it looks like Asma al-Assad and the kids are in London, England since this summer.

I guess once the wife is gone, you know the husband is not staying there for much longer.

Good Luck Syria

December 19th, 2011, 5:44 pm

 

ghufran said:

aljazeera is worse than aldunya tv
مئات آلاف الأشخاص قتلوا على يد الأمن وما يوصفون بالشبيحة (الجزيرة-أرشيف)
the same page alleged that military jets bombed Homs,I could not find any credible confirmation of this claim which is similar to the allegations that the Syrian navy bombed Latakia which proved to be not true.

December 19th, 2011, 5:48 pm

 

Juergen said:

Farewell weirdo, the world is better off without you…

December 19th, 2011, 6:03 pm

 

Darryl said:

1380. KHALID TLASS said:

“DARYLL,

You will be reduced to a physical wreck. Today you are a Kafir BECAUSE of the MAGNANIMITY of Caliph Omar ibn al Kahttab, HE allowed your ancestors to remain KAFIR AND FREE.”

Khalid, I wish you can see the smile on my face and hear my roaring laugh when I read your responses. I should post more messages so that you make me happy.

On a serious note, the Khalifah Omar knew very well that Christianity was the right religion as he enjoyed the peaceful, brotherly love and wise Godly messages in the Bible along with Amro Bin-AlAas, check the Ahdaiths and some of the Qur’anic verses related to this subject. Lastly, The Messiah was on our side and blessed us with lots of money and sound mind to keep his candle alight in Syria and pay Jizya to stay FREE.

On the other hand, you are a feather weight when it come to deep inner knowledge of Islam. Maybe you might just stick to the odd rants here and there like in the above message so that I can continue to get amusement.

I will miss you a lot when I take my holiday shortly to celebrate Christmas and new year enjoying lazy summer days with lots of Chardonnay, ice cold beers mmm…, apricots, peaches, cherrys, lyche (I wonder if heaven will have this fruit as it is my favorite fruit), watermelons and crispy Cucumbers fresh from the garden.

December 19th, 2011, 6:08 pm

 

jad said:

Unless London, England is in Aleppo, Syria, and unless December is called summer in the north part of the equator, the reliable sources in Geneva, Qatar, are kind of lying 🙂

December 3rd 2011
السيدة الأولى في زيارة لاحد مدارس حلب
http://youtu.be/ONB7sAf1m-k
استوقف المشروع السيدة أسماء الأسد ولساعات أثناء زيارتها حلب الأسبوع الماضي وهي المعروفة بمتابعتها للمشاريع والنشاطات التنموية وتشجيعها للمبادرات التي من شأنها النهوض بدور المجتمع الأهلي في كافة المحافظات

December 19th, 2011, 6:09 pm

 

jad said:

Ghufran
“مئات آلاف الأشخاص قتلوا على يد الأمن وما يوصفون بالشبيحة”

وبا يئشن شو كذابين!! مئات الألاف! طيب ليش مو ملايين مثلاً، شو المانع؟

December 19th, 2011, 6:18 pm

 

bronco said:

Jad 1456

Jad, as I wrote before, KSA dislike moderate Sunni Turkey more than they dislike strict Shia Iran. They prefer that Arab internal situations are dealt by Arabs and they want to remain the only leader of Sunni Islam.

December 19th, 2011, 6:25 pm

 

zoo said:

The Arab League has included 70% of the modifications of the protocol for the observers visit that Moallem requested. The observers will be observing the FSA and the terrorists too.

Russian shift makes Syria sign road map
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/russian-shift-makes-syria-sign-road-map.aspx?pageID=238&nID=9551&NewsCatID=352

Russia prods Syria to finally agree to a regional deal aimed at ending the country’s violence while Turkey expresses its cautious support

Syria yesterday pledged full cooperation by signing a deal with the Arab League “with the advice of Russia,” saying there was no communication with Turkey due to the Turkish government’s “one-eyed views,” Syrian state-run media reported.

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem said he welcomed the deal signed at the Arab League headquarters in Cairo after weeks of prevarication and hoped that now the bloc would lift sweeping sanctions imposed on the Damascus regime.

Arab League Chief Nabil al-Arabi said an advanced team of observers will head to Damascus within 72 hours and the mission will last for a renewable initial period of a month. “Within two or three days, an advanced team of observers headed by Arab League Assistant Secretary General Samir Seif al-Yazal, including security, legal and administrative observers, will be sent,” al-Arabi told reporters.

After the deal was signed, al-Moallem said in a Damascus news conference, “Signing the protocol is the start of cooperation with the Arab League and we welcome the observers’ mission.” He said the deal would not impinge on Syrian sovereignty after the league agreed to 70 percent of the changes sought by Damascus, Agence France-Presse reported yesterday.

“There are many countries in the world who do not wish to admit the presence of terrorist armed groups in Syria,” he said. The observers “will come and see that they are present.” Al-Moallem said the interior ministry will provide security escorts but insisted the monitors will only be allowed to visit protest hubs and other flashpoints, not sensitive military sites.

Syria will also allow the presence of foreign media provided they report objectively, he said. He said Syria’s Cold War ally Russia, which in October used its Security Council veto to block a resolution that would have threatened “targeted measures” against regime figures, had backed the observer mission. “Russia’s position is clear. They advised Syria to sign the protocol and we implemented that,” he said, however, Damascus’ decision had not been dictated from abroad. The plan, endorsed by Syria on Nov. 2, also calls for a complete halt to violence, the release of detainees and the complete withdrawal of the military from towns and residential districts.

Al-Moallem also said the Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) “one-eyed views” that led it to impose sanctions against Syria and embrace groups that do not have Syria’s interests in mind ended the communication between both countries, SANA news agency reported.

“The economic measures taken by our side came in response to the Turkish sanctions and the whole situation is temporary,” he said. “Over 10 years, we worked hard to establish the best relations with Turkey and they damaged them.”

Speaking at a joint news conference with Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal al-Maqdad, who signed the accord, al-Arabi said the mission was part of a broader Arab peace plan. “The protocol is nothing but an Arab mechanism to go to Syria and move freely in various areas to confirm the implementation of the Arab plan to which the Syrian government had previously agreed.”

France, which has spearheaded international pressure on the Damascus regime to end its deadly crackdown, said observers could not be in place quickly enough. “We regret there have been 30 more deaths in the past two days. It’s urgent,” a foreign ministry spokesman in Paris said. There were more reports of bloodshed yesterday.

Activists said at least six civilians were killed by security forces across the country and many were wounded, including a child in the restive Damascus neighborhood of Midan.

Activists also said three soldiers were killed in a clash between troops and army defectors in the northern town of Maaret al-Numan, the Associated Press reported. Yesterday’s death toll throughout Syria was 14, activists said. Meanwhile, members of the opposition Syrian National Council meeting in Tunis dismissed Damascus’ acceptance of the Arab League plan as “a maneuver.” “The Syrian regime is maneuvering to try to prevent the Syrian file being submitted to the U.N. Security Council,” said SNC head Burhan Ghalioun. “This is just a ploy. They have no intention of implementing any initiative.”
However, Iran yesterday said it backed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s decision to start implementing an Arab League plan to quell the violence in his country by finally letting in observers.
The Syrian opposition called for a military intervention to protect civilians from al-Assad’s security forces. “We need to use force – even in a limited way – or for Arab defense forces to respond … But we will not leave our destiny in the hands of others, even the United Nations,” Ghalioun said.

December/20/2011

December 19th, 2011, 6:31 pm

 

zoo said:

The expected backlash of Turkey ‘meddling in Arab affairs, cozying with the US and and promoting a ‘liberal’ Islam

Turkey facing regional criticism
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/Default.aspx?PageID=238&nID=9544&NewsCatID=416
The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) is facing foreign policy dilemmas that were not factored in during the heady days of Foreign Minister Davutoğlu’s “zero problems with neighbors” policy. Voices are being raised in the Middle East now showing that not everyone is happy about an assertively patronizing Turkey.

Influential figures in the Middle East have also started accusing Ankara of “meddling in the internal affairs of others” and referring to this as “unacceptable.” Remarks by Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to the U.S. media on Turkey during his visit to Washington last week provided a case in point.

Talking to the Wall Street Journal, al-Maliki lauded the fact that economic ties with Turkey were increasing, but bemoaned what he said was Ankara’s interference in his country’s affairs. Al-Maliki was also quoted by the Turkish press, which quoted the Arab media in turn, saying he was more concerned about Turkey’s interventions in the region than any threat from Iran.

Al-Maliki’s remarks can also be seen in the light of the growing tensions in the region between Sunnis and Shiites/Alawites. It has been apparent for some time that the Iraqi prime minister, himself a Shiite, is not too pleased about Ankara’s Syrian policy and is in line with Iran on this.

As for Iran, it is obvious that something has changed in Turkey’s ties with this country, which appeared so excellent only a year ago. Turkey’s Syria policy and its decision to host the radar facilities of NATO’s U.S.-led missile defense system – clearly aimed at Iran – seem to have changed all that.

Since then, voices have increased in Iran accusing Ankara of not only being a “U.S. lackey,” but also of trying to export “liberal Islam” as well as its secular system to a region, which it has claimed is neither suited for, nor willing to accept these. In the meantime senior Iranian military officials have threatened to target NATO’s radar systems in Turkey in the event of any attack on Iran.

Ankara’s diplomatic intervention after these statements forced a rebuttal from Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi. But Salehi’s conciliatory remarks could not shroud the fact that emotions are simmering against Turkey among Iranian radicals.

But the growing sectarian divide is not the only factor causing problems for Ankara in the region. A report in the Turkish media last week, based on information from sources in Brussels, indicated that it was in fact the Arab League Secretary-General Nabil al-Arabi who prevented Turkey from attending the recent meeting of EU and Arab foreign ministers, and not Greek Cyprus as was reported.

Milliyet’s Aslı Aydıntaşbaş, who is generally well-sourced, wrote that al-Arabi’s argument was that the “Arabs should speak with one voice” at that meeting. If indeed true, this would confirm what many have been saying about Turkey in the Middle East: Namely that no matter how deep the inroads it may make in the region based on its Islamic identity, it is ultimately Pan-Arabism that will always predominate.

There are other examples that can be cited here. However, the point now that the Arab Spring is moving into a new phase of unpredictability is that the AKP’s rosy expectations concerning the region continue to be shattered as developments unfold.

This in turn shows that Turkey’s future place and role in the Middle East, whatever it may be, is not going to be determined in Ankara but in the region itself.

December/20/2011

December 19th, 2011, 6:41 pm

 

Syria no kandahar said:

Not too far from this location in Cairo,Syria signed the AL agreement.
This woman was dragged naked by the Egyptian soldiers.AL and Qatar have very
Selective consciousness ,currently it works only in Syria:

December 19th, 2011, 6:42 pm

 

Uzair8 said:

Syria’s economy is nearing the brink

December 20, 2011 By Christian Henderson
The Daily Star

In recent weeks the crisis in Syria has risen to a new pitch. Arab League sanctions have left the country isolated and President Bashar Assad is now facing internal and external challenges to his rule.

This turn of events has led some to speculate that the regime is close to collapse. This prediction is probably premature and the event that will conclusively shift the balance of power against Assad has yet to happen. However, what is clear is that fractures have emerged in Syria’s economy since the uprising began last March, and they have already begun to pose serious problems that will be hard to reverse.

Read more: http://www.dailystar.com.lb/Opinion/Commentary/2011/Dec-20/157357-syrias-economy-is-nearing-the-brink.ashx#ixzz1h1mx0y8o

December 19th, 2011, 6:54 pm

 

Dale Andersen said:

Memo To: AKBARIO EN PALAZZO MAJESTICO

RE: Wikipedia

The problem with wikipedia is twofold: 1. it’s run for a profit and 2. the contributors are anonymous volunteers.

Profit. It’s not about knowledge, it’s about money, so the professional, paid staff is minimal and their focus is on the advertisers and the flow of payments, not on the content.

Content contributors. Anyone can be a contributor, just apply for a user name and a password, it’s free. Everyone is anonymous, so no one knows who’s writing the content.

Lastly, individuals with personal agendas are constantly hacking into wikipedia and changing data. That’s why I prefer the Encyclopedia Britannica, thank you, where the contributors are named and are usually experts.

http://playwrighter.blogspot.com/2011/06/stuck-in-damascus-with-memphis-blues.html

December 19th, 2011, 7:12 pm

 

jad said:

Bronco,
You are right again, it sounds that KSA leaders are calculating their future steps, hopefully they try to calm things down a bit for the sake of all Syrians.

I’m hoping that violence get reduced in the coming days, we may need to start thinking where Syria is heading from now on, how the political system will evolve in the coming days and how Syrians are going to coop with any changes coming their ways.

December 19th, 2011, 7:12 pm

 

Dale Andersen said:

STUCK INSIDE DAMASCUS (WITH THE MEMPHIS BLUES again?) [updated version]

I wake up in Damascus
To some noise out in the town
I open up the window
“Can’t you people hold it down?”

I spot a soldier standing
And I clear my throat, “Ahem!”
He sees me up above him
And he shouts, “You’re one of them!”

I start to close the window
But he’s Johnny-on-the-spot
He tells me I’m a pris’ner
Of the al-Mukhabarat.

He takes me to his Sergeant
In a room without a view.
Who says that he has proof that
I’m an agent of the Jews.

He shows me sev’ral photos
Of a club at Thomas Gate
“That bar’s a Mossad hangout
You were there. It’s check and mate.”

I sign a typed confession
And I thought that we were through.
But no, he tells the soldier,
“Take him up to the HQ.”

The Captain at Headquarters
He’s a thug, his name’s Farooq
He takes one look and mutters
“Hell, that ain’t no Jewboy spook.”

He tears up the confession
And he kicks me in the balls.
He says, “You’re in al-Qaeda
Give it up and tell me all.”

I rattle off a story
How I trained in Pakistan.
And taught Mohammed Atta
How to slip through airport scans.

They type a new confession
And I sign my autograph.
Farooq decides to send me
To the Army Chief of Staff.

They toss me in a dungeon
In a place both dark and dank
They leave me there for six days
And the food they gave me stank

The seventh day this colonel
Who is one of Bashar’s friends
He drives up to the prison
In a pink Mercedes Benz.

He glares at all around him
And he huffs and puffs and roars
His helpers cringe and tremble
As he calls for blood and gore.

He looks at me and hollers
“You’re a liar! You’re a fake!
You never were al-Qaeda.
Did you think you’d get a break?”

He tears up the confession
And he stomps and kicks a chair
“You’re CIA, I know it.
It’s a fact as clear as air.”

I sign a new confession.
As they watch the drying ink,
They post my face on YouTube
And they throw me in the clink.

They tell the world they got ‘im
Both the plotter and the plot
They have it down on paper
How this “terrorist” was caught

Each Friday before Moslem prayer
They trot me out to say,
“I’m an agent of al-Qaeda
Of the Jews and CIA.”

So that is all my story.
And each word I swear is true
I’m stuck inside Damascus
Guess it’s better me than you

But if you ever go there
And you’re feeling in a rut
Don’t go looking for trouble, Dude,
Just keep the window shut.

And stay out of the daylight
And just sit there like a monk
And pour yourself a strong one
Hell, you might as well get drunk.

‘Cause it’s crazy in the city
It’s a mixed-up universe
Where ev’ry cop’s a criminal.
And it’s only getting worse.

And the President’s a vampire
His bro’s a zombie queer.
His wife sits in a tower
And she stares into a mirror.

The Parliament’s a comedy
The Mosque’s an ammo dump
The Ministers are hunchbacks,
The Garbage Man’s a chump.

So don’t be shocked when it blows up,
When it falls like a fading star.
Just get a seat in the back row
And watch it burn from afar.

http://playwrighter.blogspot.com/2011/06/stuck-in-damascus-with-memphis-blues.html

December 19th, 2011, 7:19 pm

 

jad said:

شام اف ام :
تصريح لنيل العربي منذ قليل تفكير المعارضة السورية ليس ناضجا بعد لأن الجامعة لا تستطيع أن تقلب الأوضاع ولا يستطيع أحد أن يغيرها بالشكل الذي تريده المعارضة حتى مجلس الأمن لا يستطيع أن يغير الأوضاع في سوريا”.
وأردف: “يرجع ذلك لعدم رغبة الأطراف التحرك وأن تفكيرنا لم يهدينا إلى أكثر من إرسال بعثة للمراقبة والتحقق من تنفيذ سوريا لما تعهدت به من وقف لإطلاق النار وممارسة ضغوط لتوفير حماية للشعب السوري لتهيئة الأوضاع لإجراء إصلاحات سياسية كما يرغب الشعب”، مضيفا إن “الجامعة لا تملك عصا سحرية ترفعها فتتغير الأمور”.

December 19th, 2011, 7:40 pm

 

Ghufran said:

Jad
SC lost steam when Josh got busy and few good posters left,however,I hope u do not leave this blog,it is still visible plus Josh will not be busy forever and if,god willing,Syrians choose to start talking to each other,cool heads and actual thinkers will come back.
Btw,I will have a lot to say after the dust is settled,for now,I am mostly copying and posting like any C average student.

December 19th, 2011, 7:55 pm

 

jad said:

Dear Ghufran
I’m not leaving, I create the FB page just in case Dr. Landis decided to unplug SC, so at least we have a connecting point to decide what to do next.
Be sure that I’ll be one of the last people to write on SC before they unplug it.
“I am mostly copying and posting like any C average student.”
LOL in that case I must be an F minus student since all what I do lately is C&P, the funny things is that even by doing that some people get so offended and attack us, apparently they are too sensitive against every letter of every alphabet of every language…

December 19th, 2011, 8:20 pm

 

zoo said:

The Al observers visit schedule in Syria and the not so happy SNC

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2011-12/20/c_122448713.htm

….
“The AL chief said the mission’s first delegation is set to head for Syria in the coming two or three days and will be led by Assistant Secretary General of the AL Samir Saif al-Yazal.

The mission will comprise representatives of Arab organizations, NGOs and some other institutions of Arab countries. Each delegation will have 10 or more people assigned to different places in Syria. About 100 observers are suggested for the month- long mission but the number has not been finalized.

Al-Moallem, however, noted that coordination between the observers’ mission and Syrian government will be through a national committee which will be formed soon as the link between the two sides. He made it clear that observers will be allowed to visit hot areas but not sensitive military sites.

As for Syrian opposition’s response to the deal, the AL chief said the protocol aims to protect Syrian people and the opposition should be glad for this, adding that the opposition will propose some ideas about the expected meeting for all groups to participate under the AL frame.

According to the local Day Press (DP) news website, Burhan Ghalioun, the leader of the broad-based Syrian National Council ( SNC), dismissed Damascus’ acceptance to the observer mission as ” mere prevarication,” calling for foreign military intervention in Syria to “protect civilians.”

On the sidelines of his meeting in Tunisia, Ghalioun on Monday accused the AL of “allowing the Syrian regime to evade its responsibilities,” calling on the pan-Arab body to “take tougher stances.”

Ghalioun defended the armed men in Syria, whom the government blames for months-long unrest, and said that they are defending themselves against the regime’s repression.

“Of course there is violence, but we reject to put the two sides on the par … there is violence and there is self-defense against violence,” he said.

The fledgling Turkey-based SNC has repeatedly called for foreign intervention under the pretext of protecting civilians. They also offered concessions to Western powers in order to assume power in Syria.

Ghalyoun recently told the Wall Street Journal that his council will “cut Syria’s relations with Iran, the Lebanese Hezbollah and the Islamic Hamas movement” once it assumes power in Syria. Damascus has repeatedly said that its relations with Iran, Hezbollah and Hamas are the main reasons behind the West’s adamant stance against it.

Also, The SNC has called on Turkey and other Western backers to impose a buffer zone along Syria’s borders to create a Benghazi- like area to harbor alleged army defectors who call themselves the Syrian Free Army (SFA), which have claimed responsibility of many attacks against governmental establishments and army bases.

The Syrian opposition at home, unlike the opposition abroad, categorically reject any foreign intervention scenario, as they are trying to find peaceful solutions to preserve their country’s sovereignty.”

December 19th, 2011, 8:27 pm

 

Ghufran said:

The SNC is not happy:
Turkey and Qatar are being sidelined
The US is more cautious about Syria
Manna’ not Ghalioun seems to be the likely chosen politician to lead future negotiation with the regime
The FSA will become less important if there is less blood shed
The army ,Syrian minorities and many in the business community prefers a national unity government over a start from scratch system
Nobody seems interested in dissolving the Syrian army except few who may find themselves increasingly isolated
The MB and many Islamist leaders may want to copy the Egyptian model here they get a significant representation in the government and the future PA while they agree on keeping the army largely intact after certain figures are removed and Assad becoming a transitional president.
That is what Russia,KSA and Egypt want but it is a matter of guessing to see if that what will happen,remember,this is Syria,nobody can predict events.

December 19th, 2011, 8:30 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

http://www.aawsat.com//details.asp?section=4&article=655173&issueno=12075

Ghufran
would you be kind enough to back your statement that The good channel said 100,000 dead,back it with evidence.

December 19th, 2011, 8:34 pm

 

Ghufran said:

Majed,
مئات آلاف الأشخاص قتلوا على يد الأمن وما يوصفون بالشبيحة (الجزيرة-أرشيف)
That is from aljazeera.net from the headlines on the first page
This is the link:
http://www.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/9279BA21-61AD-42B8-B1CB-203445264266.htm?GoogleStatID=1
The UN said that 5,000 were killed but forgot to say that 40-50% of those were armed Syrians from both sides and
Over 1,000 were from Homs’ civil war where people were killing each other with and without the regime help.
It is time for the blood shed to stop,I am not defending the regime,I am against Syrians killing Syrians.

December 19th, 2011, 8:42 pm

 

Akbar Palace said:

The problem with wikipedia is twofold: 1. it’s run for a profit and 2. the contributors are anonymous volunteers.

Dale Andersen,

OK, you’ve noted the cons. Here’s the pro: every time you type something into Google, you get a pretty good Wikipedia answer. BTW – did you find an blatant error in Wikipedia’s “Six Day War” search?

Who says that he has proof that
I’m an agent of the Jews.

A popular crime these days:)

Hey Dale Andersen,

You obviously put together a good song, now you need the music.

This could do better than “Rock the Casbah”.

December 19th, 2011, 8:43 pm

 

Bronco said:

#1478

Qatar has not been sidelined, it has just moved with the wave and adapted its policy to the way the events appear on the ground.
After a series of failure, there was no choice than follow the Russian plan proposed 6 months ago by Moscow and give it an Arab League color and flavor.
I imagine that the SNC and the LCC are very upset and are going to fight back.
I do not know what their plan is, but they have much less support from their sponsors, Turkey and France, who are now busy with internal issues and fighting against each other.
Tunisia, that the SNC was courting for support has also given them a tap on back, that’s all.
Ghalioun’s replacement may be signify the end of the SNC
This is an important stage where all the cards can change.

December 19th, 2011, 9:04 pm

 

majedkhaldoun said:

Aljazeera said 114 dead today ,80 of them are defected soldiers.

December 19th, 2011, 9:20 pm

 

Shami said:

menhebakism,shiite ashura style false crying in North Korea.

Ila mazbalet el tarikh !

December 19th, 2011, 9:23 pm

 

N.Z. said:

GHUFRAN, akn as ABUGHASSAN.

December 19th, 2011, 10:13 pm

 

zoo said:

“Jouejati insisted that the LCC’s position remained firmly against negotiations with the regime, calling for an “Assad free zone” in Syria.”

Syrian opposition: Arab League signing a “stall tactic”
Published Monday, December 19, 2011
http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/syrian-opposition-arab-league-signing-stall-tactic

An opposition group affiliated with the Syrian National Council (SNC) dismissed the Syrian regime’s signing of the Arab League protocol on Monday as a “stall tactic.”

Rafif Jouejati, spokesperson for the Local Coordination Committees (LCC), doubted President Bashar Assad’s sincerity in signing the deal, noting that Assad sent his deputy foreign minister to sign the deal.

“It’s another stall tactic for Assad. The fact that he couldn’t sign it himself and sent his deputy foreign minister [to Cairo] indicates that he’s not serious at all,” Jouejati said in a phone interview from Washington DC.

The LCC spokesperson highlighted that killings were still continuing in Syria while regime officials were signing the Arab League deal in Cairo.

“The killing hasn’t stopped today. Last I checked, today’s death toll was at 13, but I’m sure it has risen since,” she said.

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem announced at a press conference on Monday that Syria had signed an amended Arab League deal that will permit Arab observers into the country in exchange for the lifting of Arab sanctions imposed on Damascus.

Arab League chief Nabil Arabi confirmed the signing with the first observers to be sent to Syria within 72 hours.

Jouejati questioned the efficacy of the Arab League observers, criticizing the initiative as not having “any teeth,” adding that the Assad regime will deploy “old tactics” to manipulate what the observers are able to see in Syria.

“The security forces and the regime operators are very adept at moving people around. They clear entire prisons and shift [prisoners] around so they can show people how pretty and clean the jails are,” Jouejati said.

Rather, the Arab League deal will only give Assad a “pretext to remove this [crisis] from the UN Security Council and allows him to continue to try to crush the protests,” she argued.

“The Assad regime is going to say ‘here we have cooperated, we’ve allowed monitors, we’ve moved forward with our diplomatic friends’,” Jouejati added, implying that the onus was now placed on the opposition to respond.

“I think this makes a chaotic situation more chaotic, and the chaos is driven by Assad.”

Jouejati insisted that the LCC’s position remained firmly against negotiations with the regime, calling for an “Assad free zone” in Syria.

In response to social media rumors that Assad could seek to negotiate a national unity government, Jouejati ruled out any hope of dialogue with the regime, saying “too much blood had been spilled.”

“The violations have been far too gross for the Syrian protesters on the street to accept any sort of negotiations,” she said.

The LCC’s comments came only hours after the SNC head Burhan Ghalioun dismissed the Arab League signing as a “ploy.”

“The Syrian regime is maneuvering to try to prevent the Syrian file being submitted to the UN Security Council,” said Burhan Ghalioun. “This is just a ploy. They have no intention of implementing any initiative.”

While the opposition poured cold water on the Arab League deal, Assad’s key ally Iran welcomed the signing as “acceptable.”

“Whatever is accepted by President Assad is an acceptable act in Iran’s view,” Iran’s deputy Foreign Minister Amir Abdollahi told Al Alam television.

“Of course some modifications could be considered in the plan…However, many of Iran’s standpoints have been considered in the deal,” he told the station.

Syria’s uprising is in its tenth month, and has claimed over 5,000 lives, according to the latest UN figures.

December 19th, 2011, 10:29 pm

 

Tara said:

Analysts:Assad ‘change of heart’ is merely posturing
By OREN KESSLER 
12/20/2011 01:54
http://www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?id=250160 

Syrian leader has rich history of undelivered promises.
…..
Damascus immediately agreed to all of the terms except the last, which it condemned as a “violation of sovereignty.”

Andrew Tabler, a Next Generation Fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, said Monday’s apparent change of heart is merely the latest empty gesture from a regime intent on clinging to power by any means.

Assad “hides behind sovereignty, and this plan would seem to put his activities in the spotlight. He will now try to skirt around the plan to his advantage and play for time,” said Tabler, author of the recently released book In the Lion’s Den: An Eyewitness Account of Washington’s Battle with Syria.

“If he pulls back from cities and people protest, the true scale of the uprising will be apparent. That will be hard for him to handle politically,” he said.

Russia’s ties with Syria date back decades – throughout the three-decade presidency of Assad’s father and predecessor Hafez, Syria received a steady flow of money, weapons and advisers from the Soviet Union.
….
On Monday, Farid Ghadry, president of the US-based Reform Party of Syria opposition group, predicted the Arab- League sponsored peace plan would be “one of the shortest-lived treaties ever signed.”

“A nod to agreeing is just a nod,” Ghadry wrote in his blog. “Assad is just buying time to recollect and rest before he unleashes another hellish episode to control the Syrian street once and for all.”
 

December 19th, 2011, 10:29 pm

 

zoo said:

The Syrian opposition should take examples on the Bahrain opposition to stop “heavy losses on the country and the people’

Bahrain opposition urges dialogue with regime

Published Monday, December 19, 2011
http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/bahrain-opposition-urges-dialogue-regime
Five Bahraini opposition groups have called on the government to engage in “serious” dialogue to end a political crisis that flared with pro-democracy protests earlier in the year.

The groups, led by the Shia al-Wefaq, urged the ruling monarchy to embark on political reforms after months of unrest in the tiny Gulf state.

The coalition of opposition groups said in a statement on Sunday it favored “opening a serious dialogue with the regime to exit the current political crisis that is inflicting heavy losses on the country and people.”

Following a meeting on Sunday, they said the dialogue should be focused on “implementing drastic and comprehensive political and constitutional reforms,” dismissing the outcome of a national dialogue called for by King Hamad which they said excluded the opposition.

“It is not acceptable to talk about the outcome of the so-called ‘national dialogue’ as a suitable foundation for the wanted reforms because it is void of any real constitutional and political reforms,” the statement said.
{..}

December 19th, 2011, 10:34 pm

 

Tara said:

The Syrian regime should take examples from Bin Ali and Moubarak to stop “heavy losses on the country and the people”. It also should take an example from Quaddafi of what could happen to the people at the helm when they insist to fight until the bitter end.

December 19th, 2011, 10:43 pm

 

jad said:

After he said “we just hear state propaganda” in his 2nd report as Jurgen report to us, today, Dietmar Ossenberg of ZDF TV, went to Homs, he met with soldiers in the hospital and some relatives of the killed soldiers telling him about what happened and what they think, at the end of his report he said something like “It seems that what we hear may not be a propaganda after all”.
He is getting the same conclusion Robert Fisk got when he visited Syria.

December 19th, 2011, 11:30 pm

 

ann said:

Turkish daily: Turkey to pay dearly for hosting NATO missile defense shield – Dec. 20, 2011

Ankara, Dec 20, IRNA – Turkey’s Johouriyat (Republican) daily quoting Turkish international affairs analysts wrote Monday Ankara’s acceptance to station NATO’s missile defense Shield has put Turkey at stake for a serious threats, and Ankara would pay dearly for it.

http://www.irna.ir/ENNewsShow.aspx?NID=30721328&SRCH=1

According to the IRNA Monday Night Monitoring Service, the Turkish daily added in its column, “Keeping in mind the Iranian and the Russian officials’ reaction to this move, Turkey has to beware of the aftermaths of this policy.”

Referring to the stationing of the NATO missile defense system in Kura Jik region of Turkey’s Malatiya Province, the daily wrote, “Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu rejects the news on the existence of any differences between Tehran and Ankara, but messages have been received that show that the two countries relations have entered a sensitive era.”

An early warning radar will be stationed in Turkey’s southeast as part of NATO’s missile defense system, the Foreign Ministry announced Wednesday. The deployment reflects improving relations with the United States, which were strained after the invasion of Iraq.

The system is capable of countering ballistic missile threats from Turkey’s neighbors Iran and Russia, which have warned Turkey that deploying the radar at the military installation will escalate regional tensions. Turkey insists the shield doesn’t target a specific country, and the ministry statement didn’t mention either Iran, or Russia.

Turkey agreed to host the radar earlier this month in the framework of the NATO missile defense architecture, saying it would strengthen both its own and NATO’s defense capacities.
“In this context, the site surveys and relevant legal arrangements have also been finalized, and accordingly a military installation in Kurecik has been designated as the radar site,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Selcuk Unal said. “That installation was used in the past for similar purposes.”

Kurecik, in Malatya province, lies some 435 miles west of the Iranian border.

Col. Dave Lapan, a Pentagon spokesman, said earlier this month that the United States hopes to have the radar deployed there by the end of the year.

The deployment in Turkey, the biggest Muslim voice in NATO, signals improving ties with Washington since the 2003 Iraq invasion. Turkey also closely works with US forces in NATO operations in Afghanistan and Libya, though it is not directly involved in combat.

Earlier this week, Turkey confirmed talks with the US for possible deployment of Predator drones on its soil after the US leaves Iraq. The US currently shares drone surveillance data with Turkey to aid its fight against Kurdish rebels who have bases in Iraq. Turkish authorities did not specify if they want armed drones or just surveillance ones.

Turkey’s announcement about the radar came a day after Romania signed a deal to host a crucial part of a US missile defense system. Romanian President Traian Basescu announced the deal after meeting with President Obama in Washington.

A compromise not to pinpoint Iran was reached with Turkey, which had threatened to block the deal if its neighbor was explicitly named as a threat.

Turkey has built close economic ties with Iran and has been at odds with the United States on its stance toward Iran’s nuclear program, arguing for a diplomatic solution to the standoff instead of sanctions.

But the agreement over hosting the radar comes at a time when Turkey and Iran appear to be differing on their approach toward Syria, with Turkey becoming increasingly critical of Iranian ally Syria’s brutal suppression of anti-regime protests.

Under the NATO plans, a limited system of US anti-missile interceptors and radars already planned for Europe — to include interceptors in Romania and Poland as well as the radar in Turkey — would be linked to expanded European-owned missile defenses. That would create a broad system that protects every NATO country against medium-range missile attack.

Russia opposes the planned missile defense system, which it worries could threaten its own nuclear missiles or undermine their deterrence capability. Moscow agreed to consider a NATO proposal last year to cooperate on the missile shield but insisted the system be run jointly. NATO rejected that demand, and no compromise has been found yet.

The Islamic Republic remains locked in a standoff with the West over its nuclear program, which the US and its allies suspect is aimed at developing atomic weapons. Iran denies the charges and says the program is only for peaceful purposes.

Iran conducts several war games every year as part of a military self-sufficiency program that started in 1992, and it frequently unveils new weapons and military systems during the drills. In recent exercises, Iran unveiled underground missile silos that it says is capable of multiple launches.

Tehran says its longest-range missiles, Shahab-3 and Sajjil-2, can travel up to 1,240 miles — putting Israel, US bases in the Persian Gulf region within reach.

December 19th, 2011, 11:41 pm

 

ghufran said:

Bassam Al-Qadi
بلى: الجيش السوري هو الوحيد القادر اليوم على صد موجة الإجرام الأصولي التي يقودها الأخوان المجرمون والسلفيون وعبيدهم من مجالس الخيانة ورموزها، وحسنا أنه بدأ أخيرا بالضرب بيد من حديد ضد هؤلاء المجرمون الذين روعوا مدنا عدة (أهمها اليوم حمص)، وقرى وطرقات عامة.

ويحتاج الجيش السوري إلى كل الدعم اللازم ليقوم بمهمته على خير وجه، سواء من الدولة وأجهزتها، أو من الناس جميعا: أيا كان موقفهم من النظام السوري. فالخطر اليوم لا يهدد النظام، بل يهدد سورية البلد والوطن، سورية الناس الذين يعيشون فيها، وسورية ما أنجزته من خطوات هامة خلال العقود الماضية منذ الاستقلال حتى اليوم.

إلا أن هذا الدعم المطلوب لا يتضمن بحال ترك أيدي أجهزة الأمن منفلتة من عقالها تعيث اعتقالا وتعذيبا ضد المدنيين من لم يحملوا سلاحا ولا روجوا له، لم يناصروا عنفا بل عارضوه وناهضوه، لم يتصلوا بمجالس الخيانة وعملائها بل عملوا (قدر استطاعتهم) على قطع أية خيوط يمكن لها أن تغذي هذا الإجرام في سورية.

وعدا عن أن شيئا لا يبرر للنظام نقض حق أي شخص أن لا يعتقل إلا وفق إذن النيابة العامة بعد أن تخلصنا من حالة الطوارئ التي دمرت بلدنا لعقود طويلة، وحقه أن لا يجري تعذيبه أثناء الاعتقال أيا كانت الاتهامات الموجهة له، وحقه أن يحصل على محاكمة مدنية علنية وعادلة، فإن انفلات أجهزة الأمن اليوم، مع دلائل كثيرة على ذلك، يصب مباشرة في صالح الإجرام المسلح، وبالضبط يشكل فعلا مضادا لما يقوم به الجيش من مهة وطنية أساسية بالقضاء على المسلحين وإعادة الأمان لمدن وطرقات سورية.

فمع كل عنف تمارسه أجهزة الأمن، ومع كل تعذيب، ومع كل اعتقال لمناهضي العنف والخيانة، هو يدفع بهؤلاء الناس أنفسهم إلى أحضان المجرمين من جهة، ويشعر الآلاف غيرهم بمدى التهديد الحقيقي الذي ما زالت أجهزة الأمن السورية تمارسه كما لو كانت حالة الطوارئ ما زالت سارية المفعول، وكما لو كان شيئا لم يتغير خلال تسعة الأشهر الماضية التي غيرت وجه سورية إلى الأبد.

وهذا الاتهام لأجهزة الأمن لا يحتاج إلى دلائل، مثلما لم يكن إجرام عاطف نجيب وفيصل كلثوم ومحمد المفلح وغيره بحاجة إلى “دلائل” حتى يبقون إلى اليوم أحرارا يستمتعون بحياتهم بعد أن جروا البلد إلى أتون الحرب، مساهمين مساهمة أساسية في تأجيج المشاعر.

ففي كل يوم هناك المزيد من اعتقالات لأشخاص رفضوا العنف الإجرامي مثلما رفضوا التدخل الخارجي. وفي كل يوم هناك معتقلون يخرجون من السجون وعلى أجسادهم أثار تعذيب وحشي. وفي بعض الأيام هناك ضحايا يسقطون تحت التعذيب الوحشي الذي تمارسه بعض هذه الأجهزة.

December 19th, 2011, 11:47 pm

 

jad said:

Zoo,
“The Syrian opposition should take examples on the Bahrain opposition to stop “heavy losses on the country and the people”
Unfortunately the majority of the Syrian opposition believed the promise of heaven they got from Turkey, Qatar and the west, they went behind some fantasy and the problem now is that their egos are so big they are blocking their sight, and their logic, they can’t see reality anymore and they want to continue in the same dangerous direction regardless of how many Syrians may loose their lives for the fantasy they draw it to them, this is why they insist on NATO and violence as their only hope.

Please read what crazy idea Ghalyoun is asking for now? Arabs’ armies!?!
غليون لـ«السفير»: توقيع البروتوكول خدعة …ونريد قوات عربية لحماية السوريين

محمد بلوط
أوجز رئيس المجلس الوطني السوري برهان غليون لـ«السفير» أمس موقفه من توقيع سوريا على بروتوكول المراقبين: خدعة، وخطوة غير كافية لأنها لا تتضمن بنود المبادرة الأساسية التي تفتح الطريق أمام رحيل النظام. ومع ذلك سينتظر غليون أن يبدأ مع ذلك التنفيذ على الأرض، ليقرر موقفه النهائي. وكرر مطالبته بقوات عربية لحماية السوريين.
وقال غليون، رداً على سؤال حول وصفه توقيع سوريا على بروتوكول إرسال المراقبين بالخدعة وألا تعتقد أن النظام سيقوم باحترام توقيعه، «إذا كان صحيحاً ما يقوله (وزير الخارجية وليد) المعلم فهو يسخر من العرب والجامعة العربية والعالم، والمبادرة التي قدمت لإنقاذ النظام المتهاوي. اعتقد أن ما سمعناه يدل على أن ليس لديهم إي إرادة لإيجاد مخرج للمحنة التي وضعوا البلاد فيها. سواء وقع أم لم يوقع إذا كان هدفه عدم تطبيق المبادرة، التي تعني أساساً ليس فقط المراقبين بل بنوداً أخرى هي إطلاق المعتقلين والسماح للسوريين أن يتظاهروا بحرية، وهي سحب الأمن والشبيحة والجيش وقوات القتل من المدن والأحياء، و إذا لم يكن هذا هو مضمون الاتفاق، فالنظام يضحك على الآخرين ويسخر منهم، ولا يزال حقيقة يعبر عن موقفه المعادي عداءً مطلقاً للشعب، ولكل المبادرات العربية والدولية، ولا يزال يشن الحرب ويغطي على هذه الحرب بمناورة ومراوغة اسمها التوقيع على هذه النقطة أو تلك».
وأضاف غليون «قال المعلم إنه وقع على بروتوكول المراقبين، وهو يهدد المراقبين بأن هناك مناطق آمنة وأخرى حساسة لا يمكنهم الدخول إليها، وإذا ما قتل أحد المراقبين فسيقول هناك إرهابيون أرأيتم. نحن لن نعترف بأن هناك تقدما ولو بذرة واحدة ما لم تنسحب قوات الأمن حقيقة من المدن والأحياء، وينسحب الجيش إلى ثكناته، ويطلق المعتقلون والحريات. ما عدا ذلك لا نثق بهم، وليس عندنا أي موقف تأييد إطلاقاً، ونحن نقول للجامعة العربية خلينا نشوف التطبيق على الأرض، وبعد ذلك سنرى ونأخذ موقفاً».
وعما إذا كان يعتقد أن الجامعة العربية التي قبلت المطلب السوري بالتوقيع على بند إرسال المراقبين قد خدعت من قبل دمشق أو أن الجامعة قد خدعتكم، قال غليون «أعتقد أنها لم تخدع ولم تخدعنا. هناك تصميم عربي. لسنا ضده بالمطلق على أن يكون للعرب دور رئيسي في مواجهة الأزمة السورية، ونحن نريد للعرب أن يكون لهم هذا الدور، ولكن نتمنى على الجامعة العربية وعلى العرب ألا يخدعوا، وألا يتركوا هذا النظام يسخر من الشعب وأن يشتري الوقت ويكسب المزيد منه على حساب أرواح السوريين. كل يوم هناك عشرات القتلى والشهداء يسقطون، وقد سقط أكثر من ألف شهيد منذ أعلنت الجامعة العربية مبادرتها». وأضاف «نريد أن تكون الجامعة العربية أكثر صرامة وأكثر سرعة في اتخاذ قرار نهائي بشأن النظام السوري».
وحول الخطوة التالية بعد إطلاق الهياكل والورقة التنظيمية للمجلس وتزويد الحركة ببرنامج سياسي، أوضح غليون أن «الخطوة على جميع المحاور، أولا على صعيد حماية المدنيين، وهي أولوية، وهي تعني وقف القتل وشل يد المجرمين الذين يقومون بقتل شعبهم، ثم هناك محور الإغاثة وتقديم المعونة للشعب الذي تدمر موارده وبيوته ويقتل معيلوه ويمثل بأبنائه وهو بحاجة إلى مساعدات طبية ومادية سنعمل على إيجادها. والمحور الثالث، هو تعبئة كافة القوى في سوريا وخارجها لتأكيد أن النظام لن يعود ليحكم وعليه أن يرحل، وأن رحيله هو الإشارة الأولى للمرحلة الانتقالية. رحيل (الرئيس) بشار الأسد هو فقط إشارة على أن هناك تغييراً قبل رحيله، ولا تغيير من طرف الشعب السوري في المقاومة والاحتجاج».
وعن حكومة منفى، قال غليون «لا هذا سابق لأوانه. نحن لا نزال في مرحلة مقاومة، تتحول أكثر فأكثر إلى مقاومة شرسة وعنيدة، ولم نصل بعد إلى زمن إنشاء حكومة مؤقتة».
ورداً على سؤال حول مصطلح التدخل الخارجي لحماية المدنيين ومصطلح استخدام القوة لحمايتهم، كما جاء في الإعلان النهائي للمجلس في تونس، وهل يعني ذلك تهرباً من المصطلحات تجنباً لمفاعيله السلبية على السوريين، قال غليون «لا أنا قلت نحن نميز ما بين الهدف والوسيلة. إذا ما استطعنا حماية المدنيين بأقل ما يمكن من العنف تجاه سوريا وكمسؤولين عن وطننا سنختار الوسائل الأسلم. إذا لم نستطع واستمر النظام في استخدام العنف، فلا بد من الرد بالعنف والقوة، ولكن نحن لا نريد أن نسلم بكلمة تدخل هكذا. نحن نريد أن نحدد بأنفسنا ونناقش الوسائل القهرية والقسرية ضد النظام حتى نكون أسياد أي تدخل ضد النظام».
وعما إذا كان هذا الأمر يعني تدخلا من قوى عسكرية أجنبية في سوريا، أوضح غليون «رداً على القمع الوحشي للنظام بدأنا مقاومة عنيفة. كل الناس يعترفون بأن هناك مقاومة. هذا عنف سوري مقابل عنف سوري، ونحن ما نريده هو ضبط العنف كي لا يهدد وحدة وسلامة شعبنا. هذا العنف الداخلي يمكن أن يضاف إليه تدخل عسكري عربي محدد الأجندة، شرط أتفاق المعارضة كافة على ذلك، واتضاح أهدافه ووسائله، وإذا لم يحصل ذلك، فلا مانع لدينا أن نفاوض مع الأمم المتحدة للحصول على وسائل للقوة أكبر لإقناع النظام أنه لن يستطيع البقاء في البلد بعد كل ما ارتكبه من جرائم وفظائع. الأمور واضحة».
وعن حديثه عن خيار المناطق العازلة لحماية المدنيين وهل يدعو تركيا إلى إنشائها في الشمال السوري، أوضح غليون «نحن لا نراهن على أي دولة لوحدها. قلت منذ بداية الأزمة، نريد تنسيقاً بين جميع القوى وأولها العربية. نحن نراهن على المظلة العربية بالتعاون مع المجتمع الدولي ومنظمات الأمم المتحدة. يجب أن يعمل هذا المثلث بطريقة متناسقة. هذه حماية لسيادة سوريا، وعدم التورط في تدخل يعمل لأجندات خارجية. نحن نريد أن يكون هناك استخدام للقوة لمصالح وطنية وليس أجندات خارجية، إذا ما اضطررنا إلى استخدام القوة».
وعما إذا كان يخشى انزلاق سوريا إلى حرب أهلية بعد اتساع ظاهرة عسكرة الحراك الشعبي، قال غليون «نعم نحن نخشى ذلك في الحقيقة. النظام السوري بتكثيفه للعنف المفرط ضد المتظاهرين أصبح نظاماً مجرماً يدفع البلاد نحو منزلقات خطرة، وهو احد مصادر الخوف، وأن يؤدي استمرار العنف إلى نتائج لا تحمد عقباها، وهي جريمة النظام، لذا أقمنا اتصالات مع الجيش الحر حتى نستطيع أن ننسق بما يجعل العمل واستخدام العنف استخداماً متسقاً مع سلمية الثورة السورية، وهو مطلب وغاية جميع السوريين».

December 19th, 2011, 11:48 pm

 

jad said:

طلائع المراقبين تصل خلال ساعات … والمعارضة تطالب بقوات ردع وتعترف بمقتل عشرات المنشقين
دمشق تلبي النصيحة الروسية …تمهيداً للحوار الوطني والمصالحة

زياد حيدر
وقّعت سوريا امس بروتوكول نشر المراقبين العرب على أراضيها، بناء على نصيحة من موسكو التي يبدو انها توّلت رعاية التوصل الى تسوية للأزمة تشمل في مراحل لاحقة فتح حوار بين السلطة والمعارضة، وتوفير شبكة أمان لدمشق مع الجامعة العربية التي كان بعض أعضائها يسعون الى التدويل ومع مجلس الامن الدولي الذي لا يزال بعض أعضائه يدفعون في اتجاه تصعيد الأزمة بدل احتوائها.
وجاء التوقيع في القاهرة ليحرج المعارضة التي كان مجلسها الوطني منعقدا في تونس وخرج رئيسه ليشكك بنيات السلطة ويدعو الى إرسال قوات ردع عربية الى سوريا في موقف يوحي بأن المعارضين كانوا خارج سياق التفاوض حول البروتوكول وما زالوا خارج التقدير لمعنى توقيعه وتنفيذه الذي يبدو أنه سيبدأ خلال الساعات القليلة المقبلة. وقد سبقته ضربة قاسية وجهتها القوات السورية الى العسكريين المنشقين في منطقة جبل الزاوية الشمالية، وأدت حسب أرقام المعارضة الى مقتل 72 منهم، فضلا عن نحو 13 منشقا آخر سقطوا في بقية الانحاء السورية.
ومن المرتقب أن يزور مساعد الأمين العام للجامعة العربية المصري سمير سيف اليزل دمشق لإعداد آلية العمل بين الحكومة السورية والجامعة العربية بهدف تنسيق عمل المراقبين، الذين سيبدأون بالتوافد إلى سوريا خلال 72 ساعة وفقا لما ذكره الأمين العام لجامعة الدول العربية نبيل العربي، ويتوقع أن يتراوح عددهم بين 30 و50 في المرحلة الأولى سيحملون معهم معداتهم كما سترافقهم عناصر حماية خاصة، إضافة الى سلطات الأمن السورية. ”

“وعلمت «السفير» أن أحد كبار مسؤولي جامعة الدول العربية سيقوم بزيارة دمشق خلال اليومين المقبلين للاتفاق مع الجانب السوري على آلية التنسيق بين الجانبين، كما التمهيد لدخول أول قسم من المراقبين. ويعتبر البروتوكول، وفقا لنصه، نافذا منذ اللحظة التي وقع بها، ما يفسح المجال لعمل المراقبين حتى 19 كانون الثاني المقبل.
وستضم البعثة خبراء مدنيين وعسكريين من مرشحي الدول العربية والمنظمات العربية المرتبطة بحقوق الإنسان، وسيتركز عملها على «التحقق من تنفيذ الحكومة السورية بنود خطة العمل العربية لحل الأزمة السورية وتوفير حماية المواطنين السوريين العزل». وينص البروتوكول على احتمال «حاجة» الجامعة العربية للاستعانة «بالخبرات الفنية والمراقبين من الدول العربية والإسلامية والصديقة لتنفيذ المهام الموكلة للبعثة».
وتقوم البعثة برصد الحالة السورية عبر «المراقبة والرصد لمدى التنفيذ الكامل لوقف جميع أعمال العنف ومن أي مصدر كان في المدن والأحياء السكنية السورية»، و«التأكد من عدم تعرض أجهزة الأمن السورية فضلا عما يسمى «عصابات الشبيحة» للتظاهرات السلمية» وذلك وفقا للنص الرسمي، كما «التأكد من الإفراج عن المعتقلين بسبب الأحداث الراهنة»، و«من سحب وإخلاء جميع المظاهر المسلحة من المدن والأحياء السكنية التي شهدت أو تشهد تظاهرات وحركات الاحتجاج».
كما يطالب البروتوكول الحكومة السورية بمنح رخص الاعتماد لوسائل الإعلام العربية والدولية ومنحها حرية التنقل من دون التعرض لها. كما منح «البعثة حرية الاتصال والتنسيق مع المنظمات غير الحكومية ومع المسؤولين الحكوميين، ومع من تراه مناسبا من الأفراد والشخصيات وعائلات المتضررين من الأحداث الراهنة». ويمنح «البعثة حرية كاملة في الحركة، وحرية إجراء ما تراه مناسبا من زيارات واتصالات ذات صلة بالمسائل المتعلقة بمهامها وإطار وأساليب عملها المتعلقة بتوفير الحماية للمواطنين عبر التنسيق مع الحكومة السورية».
ويذكّر البروتوكول الحكومة السورية بتعهداتها اتجاه البعثة والمتمثلة «بتقديم كل التسهيلات والسماح بدخول المعدات الفنية اللازمة لإنجاح مهمة البعثة، وتوفير مقارّ لها في العاصمة السورية وفي المواقع الأخرى التي تقررها البعثة»، وأيضا «تأمين سبل التحرك الآمن لجميع أعضاء البعثة في جميع أنحاء سوريا في الوقت الذي تحدده البعثة، وذلك بالتنسيق مع الحكومة السورية»، كما تعمل «على توفير الحرية الكاملة للبعثة في زيارة السجون والمعتقلات ومراكز الشرطة والمستشفيات في الوقت الذي تحدده البعثة وبالتنسيق مع الحكومة السورية». كما تتمتع البعثة «بحرية إجراء اللقاءات والاجتماعات اللازمة للبعثة لأداء مهامها»، وتتعهد الحكومة من جانبها «بعدم معاقبة أي شخص أو الضغط عليه بأي شكل من الأشكال وأفراد أسرته بسبب اتصاله مع البعثة أو تقديم شهادات أو معلومات لها».
واتفق الجانبان السوري والعربي على أن تقدم التقارير، وفقا لما ذكره المعلم، بشكل متواز لكل من الأمين العام لجامعة الدول العربية والمعلم، وقد طلب الأخير وفقا لمصادر دبلوماسية عربية من العربي المساهمة في حل الأزمة السورية عبر «اتخاذ إجراءات لوقف التحريض الإعلامي الخارجي عبر الفضائيات العربية وتشجيع دول الجوار (لسوريا) للتعاون معها من أجل وقف تهريب السلاح والمسلحين وضبط الحدود».
العربي
وقال العربي (ا ش ا، ا ف ب، ا ب، رويترز)، بعد توقيع المقداد وبن حلي البروتوكول في القاهرة، إن «توقيع دمشق على البروتوكول المتعلق ببعثة الجامعة العربية إلى سوريا لا يعني تعليق العقوبات فورا»، موضحا أن «تعليق العقوبات يحتاج إلى عقد اجتماع لمجلس الجامعة العربية على المستوى الوزاري»، مشيرا إلى أن «اجتماع المجلس الذي كان مقررا عقده الأربعاء قد تأجل إلى وقت آخر». وأوضح أن «البروتوكول ليس نهاية المطاف، ولكنه آلية للذهاب إلى سوريا للتحقق من تنفيذ المبادرة العربية التي سبق أن وافقت دمشق عليها».
وحول إدخال تعديلات على البروتوكول، قال العربي «كانت هناك بعض التعديلات في بعض الكلمات، مثل كلمة المدنيين التي تحولت إلى مواطنين عزل». وأكد أن «المهم في أي اتفاق هو التنفيذ وحسن النيات من جميع الأطراف».
وأضاف العربي «سيكون هناك وفد، مقدمةً، سيتوجه إلى سوريا خلال يومين أو ثلاثة، برئاسة مساعد الأمين العام للجامعة العربية السفير سمير سيف اليزل، وسيضم متخصصين في حقوق الإنسان والشؤون المالية والإدارية لبحث الأمور اللوجستية والمالية والإدارية». وأوضح أن «بعثة المراقبين العرب ستضم ممثلين للمنظمات العربية ولمنظمات غير حكومية وللدول العربية». وأشار إلى أن «كل مجموعة من البعثة ستضم 10 أفراد أو أكثر، وستذهب إلى أماكن مختلفة»، موضحا أن «العدد الحالي المقترح هو 100 فرد، ولكن هذا العدد ليس نهائيا»، موضحا أن «مدة البروتوكول شهر قابلة للتجديد وسيسري اعتبارا من اليوم (أمس)».
وأضاف أن «المعارضة ستقدم للجامعة خلال أيام بعض الأفكار حول الاجتماع المنتظر لكل أطياف المعارضة في الجامعة العربية لوضع تصورهم، ثم يتم دعوة الحكومة السورية ليقرر الشعب السوري في نهاية الأمر سبل تحقيق الإصلاح».
دعم روسي وإيراني للتوقيع
وقالت وزارة الخارجية الروسية، في بيان، «نعتقد أن الوثيقة الموقعة في القاهرة تتيح الفرصة لتوفير السلامة للشعب السوري واستقرار الوضع في البلاد عن طريق آلية للرقابة المستقلة»، مشددة على «ضرورة اغتنام هذه الفرصة». وأشارت إلى أن «موسكو كانت تؤيد منذ البداية مبادرة جامعة الدول العربية للمساعدة على حل الأزمة الداخلية في سوريا».
وفي طهران، أعلن مساعد وزير الخارجية حسين أمير عبد الله، لقناة «العالم»، أن «موقف إيران الرسمي حول سوريا والمبادرة العربية هو الموافقة والقبول بكل ما يراه (الرئيس) بشار الأسد مقبولا». وأضاف «من الممكن دراسة إدخال بعض التعديلات على الخطة غير أن كثيرا من وجهات النظر الإيرانية أخذت بعين الاعتبار في الاتفاق».
وطالبت باريس بأن يتمكن المراقبون العرب من القيام «بمهمتهم على الأرض في أسرع وقت» في سوريا. وقال المتحدث باسم وزارة الخارجية الفرنسية برنار فاليرو «في اليومين الماضيين، سقط 30 قتيلا والأمر ملح». وأضاف ان إرسال مراقبين «يشكل أحد عناصر خطة قدمتها الجامعة العربية الى سوريا وتجاهلتها دمشق حتى الآن». وكرر انه بالنسبة لفرنسا فإن الاسد «فقد كل شرعية».
وتبنّت الجمعية العامة للامم المتحدة قراراً يدين «انتهاكات حقوق الانسان في سوريا»، مطالبا بوقف فوري «للعنف» وتطبيق مبادرة الجامعة العربية «من دون تأخير». وتم تبني القرار بموافقة أكثرية 133 دولة ورفض 11 وامتناع 43 عن التصويت. ووصف السفير السوري لدى الامم المتحدة بشار الجعفري القرار بأنه مؤامرة «شيطانية» ضد بلاده. “

December 19th, 2011, 11:51 pm

 

ghufran said:

منع القضاء العراقي نائب رئيس الجمهورية طارق الهاشمي من السفر خارج البلاد، تنفيذاً لمذكرة قضائية تتهمه بالتورط في محاولة تفجير البرلمان الشهر الماضي ليكون أرفع مسؤول عراقي يواجه هذا الإجراء وما زال يمارس عمله.
This is really strange to say the least,a number of american friends at lunch asked whether there will ever be a normal government in iraq or any arab country. Few minutes later,a reporter talked about how the Lebanses orthodox council wants to divide government jobs and elections based on sects and subsects.
every arab country with a sizable minority population will face difficult choices,I was hoping that people do not have to choose between dictatorship or a sect-based “democracy”.

December 19th, 2011, 11:58 pm

 

jad said:

More of the gems from his Excellency Mr. President to be Ghalyoun the great, if you ‘France-Qatar-Turkey-whoever’ don’t invade my country I wont play with any of you..is6flou zanbkoun 3ajanbkon.. 🙂

غليون يطالب العرب بتدخّل عسكري
نزار مقني
تونس | بدا أن الملف السوري بدأ يأخذ منحىً جديداً بالنسبة إلى «المجلس الوطني السوري» المعارِض الذي ارتأى إحاطة مؤتمره الأول في تونس بسرية مطلقة طيلة الأيام الأربعة الماضية، «خوفاً من تسريبات إعلامية». وقد حدّد «المجلس الوطني»، في ختام مؤتمره الأول الذي عقده في العاصمة التونسية منذ يوم الجمعة الماضي، استراتيجيا جديدة هادفة إلى إسقاط النظام السوري، متقدِّماً خطوة جديدة نحو بحث حل عسكري ما في سوريا، بصيغة «قوات ردع عربية في حال استمر القتل»، وذلك في موازاة تحديد رؤية سياسية عمادها نقطتان: أولاً حكومة انتقالية باتت خطوطها العريضة واضحة في أذهان أركان «المجلس الوطني»، وثانياً إعداد العدّة للتوجه إلى مجلس الأمن الدولي لإقرار مناطق آمنة وأخرى عازلة.
وقال الرئيس الحالي لـ«المجلس الوطني» برهان غليون، في مؤتمر صحافي في فندق بضاحية قمرت شمال العاصمة التونسية، «بدأنا الحديث عن تدخل قوات ردع عربية إذا واصل النظام السوري القتل»، وبرر كلامه بـ«نحتاج إلى استخدام القوة ولو بشكل محدود في مناطق محددة»، من دون أن ينسى التذكير بأن المعارضة «لن تترك مصيرها في أيدي آخرين، حتى وإن كانوا الأمم المتحدة». كلام مشابه ورد على لسان المعارِض الإسلامي هيثم المالح ـــ الذي كان حضوره مؤتمر «المجلس الوطني» لافتاً كونه لم يكن منضوياً فيه سابقاً ـــ عندما أصرّ على أن «المجلس الوطني يطالب الجامعة العربية بنشر قوات ردع لحماية المدنيين من قوات الأمن السورية».
كذلك كشف غليون عن أن مشاورات الأيام الماضية أفضت إلى صيغ بشأن حكومة انتقالية، مؤكداً أن المعارضة تُعدّ لتحرك في مجلس الأمن الدولي ضد نظام الأسد. وبعدما أدان غليون «المراوغة» السورية المتمثلة في التوقيع السوري على بروتوكول المراقبين العرب، قطع مؤتمره الصحافي أكثر من مرة للإبلاغ عن «تطورات ميدانية في سوريا»، قبل أن يعلن عدم تبلُّغ مجلسه المبادرة العراقية الجارية حالياً كوسيط بين الجامعة العربية وسوريا، مؤكداً في الوقت عينه «رفض أي مبادرة جديدة لكسب الوقت بالنسبة إلى النظام»، ومشيراً إلى أن «الطبقات التي كانت تحيط بالنظام بدأت تنفكّ عنه». أما المحور العسكري في كلام غليون، فقد ظهر من خلال إشارته إلى أن المجلس الوطني بات «لديه تصوّر للمنطقة الآمنة تجري مناقشته لبحث تفاصيله قبل تقديمه إلى مجلس الأمن»، مشدداً على وجود «مناطق كاملة لم يعد النظام قادراً على السيطرة عليها». كذلك ادّعى أن «السيطرة الميدانية للنظام تنحسر، وهو يتراجع في كل الميادين. والنظام انتهى حقيقة، ونحن في الشهر العاشر نقول إن الثورة باتت قريبة من توليد سوريا الحرة».
وفي السياق، لم ينس رئيس «المجلس الوطني» توجيه التحية إلى «الجيش السوري الحر»، مدافعاً عن قيام عناصر في المعارضة بحمل السلاح، قائلاً «طبعاً هناك عنف، ولكننا نرفض المساواة بين عدوانين. فهناك عنف، وهناك مسلَّحون في الأحياء حملوا السلاح لنفس الحاجة التي نقولها اليوم، وهي حماية المدنيين، لأنه لا يمكن السكوت عن الاعتقالات والتعذيب والقتل الوحشي للناس». كلام أردفه غليون بالتعهد بتفادي «حرب أهلية داخلية بين جيشين أو طائفتين»، وبالكشف عن أن تونس أبلغت مجلسه نيّتها الاعتراف رسمياً به، والطلب من السفير السوري الانشقاق أو مواجهة الطرد من البلاد.
وفي وقت لاحق، وزّع «المجلس» بياناً تحاشى فيه الدعوة إلى التدخل العسكري، مكتفياً بمطالبة الجامعة العربية والأمم المتحدة والمجتمع الدولي بـ«العمل السريع لحماية المدنيين والثوار في مناطق آمنة وأخرى عازلة». كذلك تعهّد بيان «المجلس» بتوفير الدعم والرعاية «للجيش السوري الحر»، و«بحشد كل الطاقات لمزيد من حصار النظام إعلامياً واقتصادياً وسياسياً ودبلوماسياً حتى إسقاطه».

http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/28071

December 20th, 2011, 12:02 am

 

ann said:

2 Muslim men kicked off flight sue airlines – 6 hrs ago

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Two Muslim men who were kicked off an airplane in May are suing Delta Air Lines Inc. and a regional carrier that operated the flight from Memphis to Charlotte, N.C.

The suit was filed Monday in federal court against Delta and Atlantic Southeast Airlines Inc.

It said Masudur Rahman and Mohamed Zaghloul went through several security checks. It claims the pilot wanted them off the plane because he thought their presence would make other passengers uncomfortable. The men are described in the suit as having islamist terrorist beards and “traditional Arabic clothing.” It seeks compensation for losses and injuries as well as punitive damages.

December 20th, 2011, 12:04 am

 

Bronco said:

@1494 Jad

Ghalioun’s declaration confirms that the SNC has fallen into an deep disarray.
Instead of applauding the arrival of observers that would protect the protesters, they accuse the AL and Russia of naivety and call instead for an Arab “dissuasion force”? What got into his head? Maybe it is the result of the continuous rejections the SNC is getting in begging for recognition.
Arab countries as well as the USA, UK and Russia seem to limit their ‘recognition’ to taps on the back. Except for some media, nobody seem to take them seriously. The only countries that gave them some importance are France and Turkey who are now gradually backing away. The SNC was hoping that an respected Arab country, Tunisia, would back them but, after 3 hours in a closed meeting in Tunisia, they got nothing.
Now, their only hopes is that the observers’ visit exposes the regime’s violence and does not expose the opposition’s violence and its possible collusion with outlawed armed gangs that they have constantly denied.

December 20th, 2011, 12:20 am

 

jad said:

Bronco,
“Now, their only hopes is that the observers’ visit exposes the regime’s violence and does not expose the opposition’s violence”

They already started this plan, today’s Almidan’s fake funeral was bad, one guy was killed out of this fake show and the chaos that followed, I really don’t understand the cheap trick of making people believe that they are attending a young girl funeral and abuse their emotion in this way, it was a horrible idea just for the media to enjoy the show, nothing more.
Also in Aleppo a big demonstration at the university went out for the same show.
They are charging people’s emotion to be ready for use when needed.

December 20th, 2011, 12:40 am

 

ann said:

British Media Propaganda Aims at Triggering NATO Military Intervention against Syria – December 18, 2011

http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=28270

Channel 4 makes Goebbels proud with conveniently timed propaganda piece.

With the UN’s recent “human rights” report falling flat, for lack of evidence and being compiled by Karen Koning AbuZayd, a director of the US Washington-based corporate think-tank, Middle East Policy Council, that includes Exxon men, CIA agents, US military and government representatives, and even the president of the US-Qatar Business Council, the corporate-media has stepped in to give faces and screams to the alleged victims of Wall Street and London’s premeditated implosion of Syrian society.

The UN’s human rights chief, Navi Pillay had been having difficulties peddling the recycled lies used just months ago to commence NATO and UN-sanctioned genocide in Libya, in what is now verified, even confessed fabrications produced by the Libyan opposition and filtered through corporate foundation-funded Human Rights Watch, the International Criminal Court, and the UN. Additionally, Syria itself had brushed off attempts by the Wall Street and London compromised Arab League and their numerous, feckless attempts to impose ultimatums clearly crafted in Washington and given an “Arab” face.

It is now, just as both efforts have ground to a halt and the Arab League prepares to bring their ultimatums and demands to the UN that Channel 4 in England has released “shocking images of violence and child abuse that proves Syrian torture policy,” reports the Daily Mail. The Daily Mail claims they are the most graphic images ever shown on British television, and surely such an exception has been made because Wall Street and London’s efforts to justify NATO intervention in Syria have stalled. Words such as “believed to be,” “allegedly,” and “strong evidence that” litter the Daily Mail’s article and cast serious doubt on claims that Channel 4’s objectivity-devoid presentation featuring the overtly biased title “Syria’s Torture Machine” provides “‘irrefutable prima facie’ evidence that President Bashar al-Assad’s regime is torturing its citizens.”

Then again, “irrefutable prima facie” is what Wall Street and London have depended on to sell one genocidal military conquest after another, from Afghanistan to Iraq, from Libya to the gates of Damascus. In each case, the evidence upon closer examination, revealed the magnitude to which the truth had been stretched, abused, or all together fabricated. Already snipers have been uncovered killing both protesters and Syrian security forces in single confrontations – illustrating a malice element clearly seeking to prolong and expand the violence, conveniently giving the West an opportunity for a repeat performance of their military conquest of Libya.

To the trained eye, “Syria’s Torture Machine” salutes the crass, hamfisted propaganda films of yesteryear that instilled the baseless anger, outrage, and emotions throughout the masses that made the horrors of the World Wars possible. Channel 4 hopes to recapture the success of these vintage films, preying on the ignorance of what it hopes is an impressionable audience, as well as join the ranks of modern day war propaganda like the corporate-fascist Neo-Conservative produced “Iranium.” No mention will most likely be made that Syria’s opposition is entirely funded, supported, even armed, and harbored by NATO members, with the Syrian opposition literally based in London where Channel 4 is also conveniently headquartered.

The timing of Channel 4’s “presentation” and the unprecedented exceptions made to air its violent content publicly, illustrates an eagerness, almost desperation behind the West’s designs toward Syria. Indeed, just as it was with Libya, NATO intervention, the subsequent genocide, and the rise to power of a suitable stooge bent to the West’s agenda will be achieved at any cost. Stretching the credibility of an already discredited corporate-media is a risk the global elite can’t risk not taking.

One must ask themselves, however, how NATO, led by the US who has legalized, normalized, even standardized torture and indefinite detention, stands on any moral ground to use the rhetoric provided by propagandists in London as justification for further meddling in Syria. If Channel 4’s one-sided, clearly biased “presentation” is casus belli for NATO bombers to level Damascus, perhaps they should visit Washington D.C. or Langley, Virginia on the way.

December 20th, 2011, 12:40 am

 

zoo said:

Press conference this afternoon, the National Council of the Syrian opposition ( translated from french)
19 December 2011
http://directinfo.webmanagercenter.com/2011/12/19/conference-de-presse-cet-apres-midi-du-conseil-national-de-lopposition-syrienne/#more-5050

Meeting for three days in a hotel in the northern suburbs of Tunis, the National Council of the Syrian opposition, after tough discussions between its various groups, will expose, we are told, to representatives of mass media, the international resolutions and the new policy positions of its members, in this delicate phase of the struggle of the Syrian people for their liberation from Baathist regime’s Alawite family, in command of the country for over 40 years.

According to some corroborating sources, the presence of foreign journalists will be massive. A special plane from Europe, with on board more than 200 international press correspondents, has already landed at the airport Tunis-Carthage, to cover the event and collect the statements of of the Syrian leaders expatriates.

In fact, in visiting recently Borhan Ghalioun, president of the National Council of the Syrian opposition, Marzouki, head of the Tunisian state, recalling the refusal of Tunisia to a foreign military intervention in Syria, called the assistance to prevent the militarization and confessionalisation of the revolt of the Syrian people.

December 20th, 2011, 12:41 am

 

aldendeshe معتز الدندشي said:

انتظر وشوف انه هالاتفاق بحسب البنود اللي قريناها ووافقت سوريا عليها بدا تكون اعادة مسرحية العراق وننصح انه فورا سوريا تعزم روس وصينيين ومن بلاد محايدة لتشارك في المراقبة ودقق من كل مايأتي من المراقبين العرب نحنا عنا معلومات اكتر من سوريا وعم نحكي بالعامة الحمصية حتى نصعب الترجمة بلغوغل ومتلها

December 20th, 2011, 12:42 am

 

jad said:

Bronco, Zoo,
This draft of the agreement between SNC and LCC, actually it explained why Ghalyoun mentioned the Arab military intervention, it seems that both councils agreed on that, it wasn’t out of SNC creativity, however, going through the plan they have, it’s obvious that they are a bit naive in their expectation of running a country called Syria…fantasy world with limited understanding of the political nightmare of running a country in the heart of the middle eats..now I’m really scared of the future of Syria:

خاص ـ الانتقاد: ملخص وثيقة التفاهم بين هيئة التنسيق ومجلس اسطنبول في اجتماعات القاهرة
باريس ـ نضال حمادة

تشهد القاهرة منذ شهر تقريباً اجتماعات لمعارضين سوريين تحت رعاية الجامعة العربية، ومتابعة بعض الدول العربية ودول غربية تشكل رافعة للضغوط الخارجية على دمشق. وفيما يقيم أعضاء هيئة التنسيق في شقة تفتقر للتدفئة ولأدنى مقومات الرفاهية، ويجمعون الإيجار من معاشاتهم، يقيم أعضاء المجلس الوطني السوري أو مجلس اسطنبول في فندق سميرا ميس الفخم، وهذا الفندق يقيم فيه عادة أعضاء العائلة الحاكمة القطرية لدى زيارتهم القاهرة، وهذا يشير إلى الجهة التي تمول هذه الإقامة الباهظة الثمن.

وبالرغم من الوصول الى مسودة تفاهم سياسي مشترك، بقيت نقاط خلاف عالقة هي التالية:

ـ تبنت هيئة التنسيق اقتراح العمل بلجنتين لإنتاج ورقتين لمؤتمر المعارضة السورية المقبل إحداهما سياسية والأخرى تنظيمية بهدف توحيد الرؤية السياسية للمعارضة السياسية والعمل على الشأن التنظيمي للمؤتمر وخلق إطار سياسي واسع ينبثق من المؤتمر المزمع انعقاده تمثل كل أو معظم أطياف المعارضة السورية وتعمل على متابعة تنفيذ ما ينتج عنه وتكون قادرة على مقابلة الاستحقاق الشعبي والإقليمي والدولي. غير أن المجلس لم يكن موافقاً وأكثر ما يريده هو ورقة سياسية مشتركة تؤمن له إعلامياً على الأقل ادعاء التوصل لتوحيد المعارضة السورية الذي يطلبه الغرب للاعتراف بالمجلس ممثلاً لهذه المعارضات. كما أن الخلاف كان على مكونات اللجان حيث أرادت هيئة التنسيق أن تؤلف الأخيرة من مستقلين ومن الهيئة ومن المجلس ومن ممثلي الحراك، بينما لم يكن المجلس يرغب في ذلك، وكان يريد أن تختصر اللجان به وبهيئة التنسيق. وامتد الخلاف إلى موضوع الإعلان عن الورقة السياسية، حيث كانت رغبة الهيئة أن يتم بمؤتمر صحافي مشترك مع توقيع جميع الأطراف، بينما رفض المجلس هذا الأمر كما رفض أن تكون هناك توقيعات علنية.

ـ أما نقاط التفاهم التي تم الاتفاق عليها فهي:

1ـ وقف المهاترات الإعلامية والعمل على إعطاء توجيهات لخلق مناخ إيجابي بالحد الأدنى يراعي ويحترم حق الاختلاف بين الطرفين وكذلك مع كل طرف سياسي آخر.
2ـ حماية المدنيين بكل الوسائل المشروعة في إطار القانون الدولي لحقوق الإنسان.
3ـ رفض أي تدخل عسكري أجنبي يمس بسيادة واستقلال البلاد وكل ما يؤدي إليه واعتبار التدخل العربي ليس أجنبياً.
4ـ التأكيد على صيانة وتعزيز الوحدة الوطنية للشعب السوري بكل أطيافه ورفض وإدانة الطائفية والتجييش الطائفي وكل ما يؤدي إلى ذلك.
5ـ يعرب الطرفان عن اعتزازهما بمواقف الضباط والجنود السوريين الذين رفضوا الانصياع لأوامر النظام بقتل المدنيين المتظاهرين السلميين المطالبين بالحرية “ونتفهّم أزمة الضمير الإنساني والوطني التي زج بها النظام أبناءنا العسكريين الشرفاء ونحمل النظام كامل المسؤولية في ذلك”.
6ـ اتُّفق على اقتراح كون المدة الانتقالية سنة ويمكن تمديدها بأقصى حد لسنة إضافية أخرى.
7ـ تحديد ماهية المرحلة الانتقالية مع مدتها القصوى فضلاً عن الجهة التي سوف تتحمل مسؤولية السلطة في المرحلة، ومهامها.

أما مهام المرحلة الانتقالية المزعومة فهي سبعة :

1ـ ضمان الأمن والاستقرار الاجتماعي.
2ـ ضمان توفير احتياجات المجتمع والشعب واستمرار دوران العجلة الاقتصادية.
3ـ ضمان الحرية السياسية وحرية التعبير والإعلام.
4ـ ضمان الوصول إلى سلطة مدنية بأسرع وقت واستقلال المؤسسة العسكرية عن الانتماءات السياسية.
5ـ إيجاد الآلية والهيئات المحددة والمواعيد المحددة لكتابة دستور جديد للبلاد.
6ـ ضمان المساواة التامة في الحقوق والواجبات بين المواطنين السوريين بكافة أطياف المجتمع وانتماءات المواطنين في المرحلة الانتقالية.
7ـ خلال هذه المرحلة الانتقالية سيتم احترام كافة المعاهدات الدولية الموقعة من قبل الدولة السورية.

يبقى أن كل ما تقدم يدخل في دائرة التصور والتمني ليس أكثر لأن طرفي المعارضة المذكورين يعترفان في جلساتهما الداخلية بصعوبة سقوط النظام.

http://www.alintiqad.com/essaydetails.php?eid=50123&cid=76

December 20th, 2011, 1:06 am

 

jad said:

Mina,
This may interest you, the media game!

“Jihad Makdissi
CNN is questioning the authenticity of the video showing a member of the Egyptian forces shooting at protestors …when it comes to Syria nobody question any video !!!
قناة سي ان ان تشكك بصحة الفيديو الذي يظهر عنصر امن مصري يطلقد النار على متظاهرين و توقف عرضه….بالحالة السورية لا احد يشكك لا بقيديو و لا بشاهد عيان”

December 20th, 2011, 1:10 am

 

Juergen said:

Dale
The link to that Rap/blues poetry is quite something, i was shocked ton see the Muhammad cartoon on top of the page, who makes this blog?

December 20th, 2011, 1:19 am

 

Uzair8 said:

SFOs statement: #Homs: war academy: more than 500 elements of the acadmey defected, and there are huge sounds of explosions outiside of the academy.
ضباط الجيش السوري الأحرار صفحة ضباط الجيش السوري الأحرار |2011/12/19|: حمص – الكلية الحربية:
انشقاق اكثر من 500 عنصر في الكلية الحربيه بحمص واصوات انفجارات ضخمة خارجه من الكليه

Posted on AJE Live Syria blog 5 hrs ago in the comment section.

December 20th, 2011, 1:56 am

 

Uzair8 said:

I am upset after earlier reading the report of the upto 70 defectors martyred in Idlib. I wish they had defected more discreetly?

This incident may scare off other potential defectors.
It could anger the general Syrian population and the other soldiers encouraging them to defect.

Whatever the case, I would rather they defected safely. May Allah accept their martyrdom.

December 20th, 2011, 2:03 am

 

Zoo said:

‘Blue bra girl’ atrocity: Egyptian military police more than brutal (VIDEO)
Published: 18 December, 2011, 14:32
Edited: 19 December, 2011, 14:38

ATTENTION! SHOCKING VIDEO. Some of our viewers may find images disturbing (footage from elfaresboda’s YouTube channel).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4iboFV-yeTE&context=C305902aADOEgsToPDskKO5Ok8KKKzHN4fN5stGllX&skipcontrinter=1

The blogosphere is boiling at the cruel beating of a female protester by Egyptian military police, who continued battling protesters in Tahrir Square on Sunday. The clashes, into their fourth day now, have left 10 people dead and hundreds injured.

­The video uploaded on YouTube Sunday reveals the extreme cruelty of the country’s law enforcers during the crackdown on Qasr Al-Ainy Street just off Tahrir Square.

The army soldiers in full riot gear have been savagely beating a seemingly unconscious female protester with big sticks, kicking her and stomping on her chest.

Moments earlier she has been struck countless times in the head and body with batons, while being dragged by the soldiers. She tried to cover her head from the blows with her hands.

Some men were apparently carrying her trying to flee from the military police. But the soldiers caught up with them, knocking down one man, whom they also set upon. All of them and some 150 other protesters were detained and charged with “the use of force and violence against army officers, by preventing them from performing their duties, through assaulting them with rocks, Molotov cocktails, and firearms.” All of the accused appeared before the general prosecution on Sunday – including 9 women, 7 of whom had earlier been hospitalized.

Security forces lashed out ruthlessly on armless civilians and burned down tents that had been put up by activists outside the parliament building to camp in protest against the military rule.

Meanwhile Associated Press also reports of military police openly beating women protesters in the street and slapping elderly people on the face.
(AFP Photo / Mohammed Abed)
(AFP Photo / Mohammed Abed)

Witnesses said they beat and gave electric shocks to men and women dragged into detention, many of them held in the nearby parliament and cabinet buildings.

Aya Emad, a 24-year-old protester, had a broken nose, her arm in a sling, and her other arm bruised. She told Associated Press that troops dragged her by her headscarf and hair into the cabinet headquarters. She said soldiers kicked her on the ground, an officer shocked her with an electrical prod and another slapped her on the face.

Reports suggest the troops swept into buildings from which television crews were filming from and confiscated their equipment and briefly detained journalists.

An Al-Jazeera TV crew claims the soldiers threw their equipment from a balcony, including cameras, batteries and lighting equipment, to the street, landing on a sweet potato cart whose stove started a fire.

Troops also stormed a field hospital set up by protesters next to a mosque in Tahrir, throwing medicine and equipment into the street, protester Islam Mohammed said.

The internet community therefore questions the methods of the military regime who took over power after the ousting of the ex-President Hosni Mubarak in February.

Egypt however is in the midst of multistage parliamentary elections, with the third and final round of voting set for next month in nine of Egypt’s 27 provinces.

The protesters began their sit-in three weeks ago to demand that the nation’s ruling military step down and hand over power to a civilian administration. Over the last three days, the protests turned violent, with at least 10 people killed and over 400 detained by police. Eyewitnesses claim most of the victims died of gunshot wounds. Troops have erected barriers to separate themselves from the crowds, but both sides continue hurling rocks at each other.

November already saw clashes between youth and security forces which left more than 40 dead.

Police then responded with a brutal crackdown. They used water cannons, tear gas and, allegedly, shot live ammunition over the heads of, and then directly at the rioters.

Some of the people killed in the clashes have been confirmed by doctors to have died from gunshot wounds.

When protesters tried to stop Kamai Al-Ganzouri, the new prime minister appointed by Egypt’s military regime, from entering a government building, one man was run over and killed by a military vehicle.
http://rt.com/news/egyptian-military-cruelty-beating-079/

December 20th, 2011, 2:42 am

 

ann said:

*** WHERE’S VICTORIA NULAND WHEN YOU NEED HER ***

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2011/12/18/1324209662950/Egyptian-army-soldiers-ar-005.jpg

• The UN’s human rights chief, Navi Pillay, has called for the arrest and prosecution of members of the Egyptian security forces involved in the crackdown on protesters that has left 14 dead and hundreds injured over the past four days (see 4.16pm). Clashes between Egyptian soldiers and protesters in Cairo demanding that the country’s military rulers give up power today entered a fourth day (see 3.23pm), with soldiers and protesters reportedly throwing rocks at one another this afternoon.

• The Supreme Council of Armed Forces said there was a plan “to topple the state” and defended soldiers who it claimed had shown “self-restraint” despite provocation. At a press conference, General Adel Emara said:

There is a methodical and prepared plot to topple the state, but Egypt will not fall … What are we supposed to do when protesters break the law? Should we invite people from abroad to govern our nation? … The media is helping sabotage the state. This is certain.

December 20th, 2011, 2:46 am

 

ann said:

*** SICK! ***

Film shows spread of fanatic Islam in secular Syria – December 20, 2011

Some Syrian expatriates during one screening were shocked at these scenes, but Meltzer said she wanted to leave the viewers to make their own decisions about the Islamic education and lifestyle depicted.

“I’m not convinced yet, but I’ll get used to it,” one girl tells Houda before her veiling ceremony. “It protects women, it shows you’re a Muslim person,” Houda says, adding: “No one can force anyone.”

The camera brings out many of the contradictions facing the young women.

The girls discuss the hair styles of television presenters and visit fashion shops which they leave after concluding they could never wear the fancy dresses on display.

Satellite channels subject them to a barrage of entertainment programming which Houda says is hindering their ability to focus on learning the Koran. The overwhelming impression is of happy growing teenagers, however.

Houda’s daughter Enas, a forthright 20-year-old studying at the American University in Sharjah, one of the more conservative cities of the United Arab Emirates, says she sees education as affording a chance to engage in Islamic missionary work that people of her mother’s generation did not have.

“I can see I can serve Islam by studying politics or economy. My mum didn’t have that,” she says in fluent American-accented English.

The film’s finale involves a celebration with the girls who have succeeded in memorizing the entire Muslim holy book dressed as if for a wedding in white dresses and tiaras.

They sing a song from which the title is derived: “Now we are veiled, there is light in our eyes.”

December 20th, 2011, 2:58 am

 

ann said:

Film shows spread of fanatic Islam in secular Syria – December 20, 2011

(first part)

DUBAI (Reuters) – A film about one of thousands of Koranic schools for girls in Syria has shocked some Syrians but impressed others with the implication that one of the bastions of Arab secularism has become a deeply religious society.

In “The Light In Her Eyes,” Houda al-Habash opens up the mosque and school she runs where hundreds of teenage girls, sent there by their parents, spend the summer learning to memorize the Koran and take religious study classes that conclude with most of them taking to the hijab, or Muslim headscarf.

The documentary’s directors, Julia Meltzer and Laura Nix, said they wanted to show that the conservatism depicted in the film reflects the mainstream in Syria today and should be seen as progressive in many respects.

“My experience was Syria and there is this religious population that’s growing and that’s a story that needs to be told about moderate Islam and it’s a story we don’t see, especially in the West,” said Meltzer, who taught journalism at Damascus University in 2005 and 2006.

Speaking to Reuters at the Dubai International Film Festival which ended this weekend, she said that this Islamist community is more organized in many respects than state institutions.

“What I saw in that educational environment (university) was that people did not arrive on time, teachers didn’t really seem to take things seriously,” Meltzer said. “In contrast to that world, going to Houda’s mosque was a really eye-opening, and complex, experience for me where girls were encouraged to read.”

Houda lectures the girls that the veil is an Islamic duty — a view that many Muslims would dispute — that God intended as protection and which for Houda is part of a process of empowering girls to play an active role in society as Muslims.

“The flag is the symbol of the state, but the hijab is the symbol of Islam … you have not been faithful to the symbol,” she tells the girls in one of her group pep talks. “God made the hijab an obligation to protect women from inappropriate looks and preserve her for her husband.”

However, she also tells them in another talk: “Does a woman have a right to be the president of the republic? Yes. Don’t let go your mind, or your choice” — an opinion that is the subject of dispute among Islamist political movements today.

Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood has equivocated on whether women could rise the top positions in the state, while the leader of the Ennahda movement that won elections this year in Tunisia — another bastion of Arab secularism in the post-colonial era — says even non-Muslims could occupy such posts.

MODERATION VS. STRICT FUNDAMENTALISM

The directors splice the documentary with short segments from conservative preachers who argue on television that Muslim women should stay at home, avoid education and not work at all.

This debate between different visions of correct Islamic conduct is far more significant in Syria today than the polemic between secularists and Islamists over the religious values, women and politics, Meltzer said.

“That is the bigger question. Those people who are Salafi-influenced, more conservative, they don’t engage in dialogue,” she said. “The secular community in Syria has definitely been getting smaller.”

Syria has been gripped by unrest since activists began protesting for democratic changes in one of the most tightly run police states in the region.

The government of President Bashar al-Assad argues that it is facing an armed insurrection by Islamists dominated by the Muslim Brotherhood whose rise to power would destroy the balance that Assad’s secular state has maintained. Assad’s Baath party has relied heavily on his Alawite sect to run the security, military and other key arms of the state.

Meltzer said it was not clear to her while living in Syria and filming, the extent of any Brotherhood role in the moderate Islamic conservativism she witnessed and documents in the film.

She said there were only a handful of such girls’ schools in 1982, the year Assad’s father Hafez crushed a Brotherhood revolt, but now there are thousands.

The film includes scenes of girls whose families have sent them to the school deciding to take the veil after gentle persuasion in Houda’s lectures and one-on-one discussion.

December 20th, 2011, 3:02 am

 

ann said:

Tension rise as Iraq seeks Sunni VP arrest – 9 hrs ago

http://news.yahoo.com/iraq-issues-arrest-warrant-vice-president-hashemi-174008037.html

BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Iraqi authorities issued an arrest warrant for Sunni Muslim Vice-President Tareq al-Hashemi on Monday for suspected ties to assassinations and bombings, a decision likely to fuel sectarian tensions after the U.S. troop withdrawal.

The move risks unraveling Iraq’s fragile power-sharing deal among Shi’ite, Sunni and Kurdish blocs who have struggled to overcome tensions just a few years after sectarian slaughter drove the country to the edge of a civil war.

Interior Ministry spokesman, Major General Adel Daham, told a news conference confessions by suspects identified as Hashemi’s bodyguards linked the vice president to killings and attacks on Iraqi government and security officials.

“An arrest warrant was issued for Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi according to Article 4 of the terrorism law and is signed by five judges… this warrant should be executed,” Daham said, waving a copy of the document in front of reporters.

The political struggle between Shi’ite Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and his Sunni rivals in the country’s delicate power-sharing deal has intensified during the withdrawal of the last U.S. troops nearly nine years after the invasion.

The ministry showed taped confessions, aired on state-run Iraqiya television and other local media, of men it claimed were members of Hashemi’s security detail. The men said they had been paid by his office to carry out killings.

The three men shown on television detailed the assassinations they were told to carry out by Hashemi’s aides including planting roadside bombs and driveby shootings of security and government officials.

One man said he was handed $3,000 as a reward by Hashemi himself.

But the identity of the men could not be independently confirmed.

Hashemi, who could not be contacted for a response, was in Kurdistan, a semi-autonomous enclave in the north, Kurdish political sources said. Kurdistan has its own government and security forces, making Hashemi’s immediate arrest unlikely.

In a statement earlier on Monday, Hashemi accused Maliki’s government of “deliberate harassment” after his plane was delayed for three hours at Baghdad airport. He had been heading for the Kurdish city of Sulaimaniya to meet the Iraqi president.

Security forces arrested three Hashemi bodyguards on their way back from the airport, the statement said, adding military forces surrounding Hashemi’s house for weeks had been beefed up.

“The vice-president has been very patient and is waiting for a reasonable explanation from the government parties concerned,” the statement said.

DEEPENING CRISIS

Fearing a deepening crisis that could push Iraq back into sectarian turmoil, senior Iraqi politicians were holding talks with Maliki and other leaders to contain the dispute.

The U.S. ambassador in Iraq was in contact with senior Iraqi leaders, the U.S. embassy in Baghdad said, without providing details on which figures or the matters under discussion.

Violence has ebbed sharply since the peak of attacks in 2006-07 when suicide bombings and hit-squads claimed thousands of victims in tit-for-tat killing between Sunni and Shi’ite communities.

But sectarian tensions are close to the surface and still color many aspects of Iraqi political life.

The completion of the U.S. withdrawal on Sunday left many Iraqis fearful that a shaky peace deal between majority Shi’ites and minority Sunnis might collapse and reignite sectarian violence.

Maliki over the weekend asked parliament for a vote of no-confidence against another leading Sunni politician, Saleh al-Mutlaq, who is deputy prime minister, on the grounds that he lacked faith in the political process.

Hashemi and Mutlaq are both leaders of the Iraqiya bloc, a secular group backed by minority Sunnis, which joined Maliki’s unity government only reluctantly and recently boycotted parliament sessions after complaining of being marginalized

December 20th, 2011, 3:08 am

 

Juergen said:

Here are the two new reports of Dietmar Ossenberg und Jörg Armbruster. Again said they are both in Syria and allowed to work under supervison of the regime, both are very experienced reporters who both are stationed in Cairo. Both were on the same guided tour.

Ossenberg:

We are on the motorroute from Damascus to Homs. 20 km before reaching the city limits we see soldiers. Homs is today under fog and under fear. We see cehckpoints and the suburbs seemed to have been sealed off, if they want to crackdown the revolt in the city, we can not verify it.
What they show is the suffering and death of syrian soldiers. 4 are putting to rest today.
( young man shouting) They have slaughtered my brother, the armed mercenaries came out of Lebanon. Many of the soldiers were killed through booby traps or tracked in ambushes and then shot at, as they say to us, but again we can not verify what they say.

Its true that in battles the soldiers are hurt and killed. That may be an indicator that the peaceful demonstrations in the beginning have turned more and more violently.
(young man in hospital) I was on guard when masked men came and shot at me.
The goevernor of Homs denies that there are defectors fighting against the armed forces at this moment. Weapons, money and mercenaries are coming out of Lebanon and out of turkey to us he said. Every step we take is monitored and filmed by the syrian tv. They want as they said to us verify if today at least the truth is said by the foreign media. Everything must account as evidence that this is not an syrian conflict. ( Director of the hospital) These are ammunition we found in the bodies of our soldiers. They are coming from Israel the archenemy of the country.

Homs has 1.5 mio inhabitants and the areas which they let us see looked normal, but many shops and apartments seemed to be abandoned.From the distance we hear shootings. If those come from battles or if demonstrators are shot at, we do not know. Many inhabitants seemed to be traumatic.
( young boy) Everyday there are shootings and many get hijacked.

We are now in an residential area of Homs where mostly Alawites are living. Inside an hospital we find civilians who have been shoot at while they were on the streets.
( women in hospital) They shoot at us because we have the same religion of the president.
Even hijacking is now a daily routine in Homs.

Not everything is just propaganda, the violent clashes turn more and more into a religios war, sunnis against alawites. That could be the first signs of an civil war.

http://www.zdf.de/ZDFmediathek/beitrag/video/1524292/Nordkorea-Diktator-Kim-Jong-Il-ist-tot?setTime=4#/beitrag/video/1524702/Syrien:-Journalisten-d%C3%BCrfen-einreisen

Armbruster:

War in Homs? No just a few terrorists who got financed from foreign countries are making trouble in the city. Thats what the information ministry has told us beforehand to our guided trip to the 3rd largest city of Syria. So no war in Homs. On the way to Homs we see other pictures, trucks filled with soldiers, happily shaking their Kalashnikovs, as if they are on their way to a party.
Obviously they are an amplification to the frontlines.
Arriving in Homs : checkpoints, every car is checked, just our bus from the government is waived through.
First we are taken to an military hospital. We are awaited by an crowd of people ready for an funeral. Even the governeur of Homs is present, all just waited for the foreign media to arrive.

Mourning march, the syrian way.

4 soldiers killed in fights with insurgents.900 overall are accounted dead said the military. And those 5000 civilian deaths as the UN report suggests? All propaganda say the generals to us.
Also for the relatives of the victims the sides are clear.

(man with kefiyeh)
He died for his country and his president, said this father, and added, i hope that he is the last victim in this fight.
(other man ) The terrorists are coming out of lebanon and they want to harm us here in Syria.

Afterwards we are taken to an hospital. The soldiers who are treated here were sentenced to inspection.One doctor is showing us in one room, young soldiers which been shot in the stomach, just a few days ago.
Not very sensitive how the doctor is treating his patients,but the camera should get forceful images. That is the work of terrorists.
(soldier in bed) At a checkpoint they came to us and shoot at us.The sitiuation is very bad for us outside, every day we are targeted.

The military is not responsible for the state of the country that shall be the message of those pictures we gather. The insurgencies are made by foreign terrorists. Our tour through Homs continues. We wanted to talk with inhabitants of an sunni residential area, and we are taken to an aliwite and christian residential area, all of them are true supporters of the president.
The answers are expeceted.
(Man)
The situation in Homs is not good, in some areas terrorists are killing and hijacking people.
We hope that the military will take control again of the situation.
(women)
Yes there are some people with guns, but we go to school and to university.
So war in Homs, not in this area.
From the distance we hear heavy gunshoots. We must go back to Damascus we are told by our truly nervous minder.

http://www.tagesschau.de/ausland/syrien946.html

December 20th, 2011, 3:20 am

 

Revlon said:

The following was a comment in Arabic posted on Aljazeera.net from a civilian in jisr AlShughour describing the plight of the city and the army and security forces organised looting of shops.
It brings memories of the looting of Hama city when whole home furniture and appliances were moved from evacuated homes by military trucks to the mountains, in 1982!!

20/12/2011

Comment 186
بس عطيني الضو الاخضر
جســــــــــــــــــــــر الشغــــــــــــــــــور
ياياناس الامن والشبيحة عميدخل عالمحلات يلي مأضربة بحجة فك الاضراب بس الحقيقة انوالامن والشبيحة استباحت المدينة ونازلين سرقة بالمحلات تحت عنوان فك الاضراب,, الامن عبا سيارات مواد مسروقة تلفزيونات غسالات برادات موبايلات يعني يلي بدو يتزوج منن اجا عجسر الشغور منشان يجهز بيتو, اقسم بربي ما ضل ابشع من هيك نظام يسقط يسقط يسقط
http://www.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/9279BA21-61AD-42B8-B1CB-203445264266.htm?GoogleStatID=1

December 20th, 2011, 3:28 am

 

Habib said:

Interesting how there are no videos from Syria showing actual beatings and killings as in Egypt, only people lying on the ground and running around…

December 20th, 2011, 4:35 am

 

Mina said:

Jurgen
How come Dietmar Ossenberg endorses the anthem “now that the opposition is increasingly militarized” ?
Can’t he just check SC archive where Joshua Landis has documented last April how a so-called attack by the evil army on soldiers who would have refused to carry orders was actually an attack on the army by some armed men?
Uzayr reports of 500 defectors in Homs academy and the sound of explosions: this one has been used by al Jazeera almost once every month as a “breaking news”, as also the one about the “defection of the security basis near the Mezze airport” without any proofs given any time.
Le Monde is still the best piece to read if one wants to know the French agenda. Last friday they had a title about 200,000 demonstrators in Homs, but in the article the only concrete element was a reference to some 10,000 in some areas!! From 10,000 to 200,000 just a quick jump.

December 20th, 2011, 5:03 am

 

Mina said:

Jurgen
How come Dietmar Ossenberg endorses the anthem “now that the opposition is increasingly militarized” ?
Can’t he just check SC archive where Joshua Landis has documented last April how a so-called attack by the evil army on soldiers who would have refused to carry orders was actually an attack on the army by some armed men?
Uzayr reports of 500 defectors in Homs academy and the sound of explosions: this one has been used by al Jazeera almost once every month as a “breaking news”, as also the one about the “defection of the security basis near the Mezze airport” without any proofs given any time.
Le Monde is still the best piece to read if one wants to know the French agenda. Last friday they had a title about 200,000 demonstrators in Homs, but in the article the only concrete element was a reference to some 10,000 in some areas!! From 10,000 to 200,000 just a quick jump.
What I still don’t understand is who tortured the body of Hamza? Frankly if the mukhabaraat had done that, would they have returned the body to the family?

December 20th, 2011, 5:06 am

 

defender said:

Organized Criminal Groups ( OCG )
Today in the USA exists about 1,4 million active members of the criminal groups united more than in 33 000 gangs. Number of bandit groups has essentially grown in northeast and southeast regions of the country. However the most criminalized there are western areas and area of Great Lakes. The number of the groupings united on a principle Fellow countrymen and on an ethnic basis has essentially increased.
Gangs are responsible more than for 48 percent of grave crimes in the majority of states, and in some states this level reaches 90 percent. Big cities and their suburbs test today the greatest pressure from party( OCG ). Local gangs and groups of drug dealers continue to pose the most essential threat in the majority of communities. Aggressive recruitment of teenagers and immigrants, the conclusion of the conjunctions and struggle for repartition of spheres of influence between gangs has led to expansion of influence ( OCG )in many states.
Even more often( OCG ) are engaged in nonconventional kinds of crimes, such as contraband, human trafic and prostitution. Members( OCG ) are even more often involved in беловоротничковую criminality that less risky, than traditional kinds of criminal activity – traffic in arms and drugs.
The American gangs have established close labor relations with центральноамериканскими and the Mexican criminal syndicates that has led to expansion of their international criminal activity.
Considerable number of members( OCG ) continue to take part in activity of bandit groups, being in jails. Members of families give in it to them essential support. That many members ( OCG )which is in jails, accept radical religious sights separately is underlined.
Gangs actively encourage advancement of the members, and also relatives of members of bandit groups on supervising posts in bodies state and judicial authority that gives the chance for( OCG ) to get access to the important information, in particular, about preparing spot-checks of law enforcement bodies.
Penetration of gangs in armed forces of the USA continues to pose essential threat. It is established at least 53( OCG ) operating simultaneously in military divisions and abroad places of their basing. Experts of the Center notice that members of bandit groups who get access to studying of modern arms and perspective methods of struggle in armed forces, make use of the received experience and skills in activity( OCG ).
It is established that number( OCG ) was got lately by army systems of shooting arms that poses essential threat in case of occurrence of the conflict to law enforcement bodies.

December 20th, 2011, 5:55 am

 

Mina said:

Arab Spring or “Fundamentalists of the world, get united” ?

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/egypt-s-radical-islamist-party-vows-to-respect-peace-treaty-with-israel-1.402547

“The Palestinians cannot continue to hold the Arab world by the tail.”

Women should start on-line businesses wherever they are. It will soon be promoted at the UN as the best answer to the economic turmoil! Al mar’a sitt bayt, isn’t it Tara?

December 20th, 2011, 6:28 am

 

Mina said:

The Guardian condemns Syrian gov for passing a law punishing the distribution and sell of weapons by death penalty. Just wait for the next Brixton riot… It’s getting silly, ain’t it?

11.06am: Syria’s president Assad has a signed a new law that will impose the death penalty on anyone caught distributing weapons “with the aim of committing terrorist acts”.
(http://www.sana.sy/eng/21/2011/12/20/389452.htm)
The regime has branded political opponents as terrorists since the start of the uprising, so the new law appears to be another signal of its determination to carry on with the crackdown.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/middle-east-live/2011/dec/20/syria-egypt-middle-east-unrest-live-updates

Probably to get some sympathy to the Syrian MBs, and confuse readers, the Guardian immediately follows this news with this one, which this time is about Egypt, but this is not mention anywhere.

10.49am: The Democratic Alliance, a political bloc in which the Muslim Brotherhood’s Freedom and Justice Party is the biggest player, has released a statement throwing its support firmly behind the protesters.

Confirming its intention to participate in the sit-in at the supreme judiciary court until violence against protesters is halted and executive powers are handed over to the new parliament, it says:

Scaf (Supreme Council of Armed Forces) has failed in the management of the transitional period up to this critical moment, and it bears full responsibility for immediate cessation of violence, abuse of the citizens, assault of female demonstrators, the targeting of the revolutionaries who stood in the face of heavy-handed attacks, and for the immediate release of all protesters detained for no legal reason.

The conferees insist on bringing to justice and accountability military leaders and security officials responsible for ordering and carrying out violent attacks on the protesters, sitters and demonstrators, and on the formation of a special independent judicial commission of inquiry to take the necessary measures for the afore-mentioned purpose with full authority to initiate an investigation with the military and the security forces in charge of the area at the time. The conferees also condemn attempts to tarnish the image of the revolution and the revolutionaries who were always determined to maintain the peaceful nature of their protest and sit-in, which lasted nearly three weeks without any attack on a single institution.

December 20th, 2011, 6:35 am

 

Mina said:

The West is really going to think twice before helping the Arab Spring anymore: they don’t even respect their white masters anymore!

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/dec/19/libyan-rebel-abdel-hakim-belhadj

• A Libyan military commander and rebel leader has launched legal proceedings against the British government over his rendition and alleged “barbaric” treatment meted out to him and his pregnant wife. Abdel Hakim Belhadj, head of the Tripoli Military Council and a former leader of the militant Libyan Islamic Fighting Group, is suing ministers and MI6 for the part he claims they played in secretly sending him and his wife to Libya in March 2004.

December 20th, 2011, 7:12 am

 

Revlon said:

FSA unit facilitates defection of a military intelligence unit with their vehicle today.
AlQawriya, Deir-Ezzor

سرية زيد بن حارثة التابعة لكتيبة الله أكبر تسيطر على سيارة للامن العسكري وانشقاق عناصرها 2011 19 12

December 20th, 2011, 7:12 am

 

defender said:

TO SLANGS AND JARGONS :
German Arms Go East
| 20.12.2011 |
The 2010 German government’s annual Defense Exports Report reaffirmed the trend to extention that had already been confirmed by Stockholm International Peace Institute (SIPRI).

As SIPRI review says Germany’s world market arms sales share increased from 7% to 11% in 2006-2010. Today Germany is the third leading weapons exporter in the world. The USA is the leader with 30% of world armaments sales followed by the Russian Federation with 23%. France (7%) and Great Britain (4%) are among the leading arms suppliers.

The 2010 figures shows for the first time German companies arms sales income exceeding € two billion. It means the growth is 60% in comparison with 2009 and almost three times more as to the end of 1990s.

The Germans primary concern is exports growth, they care little about how the weapons are going to be used. Take Bahrain for instance, France, Spain, Great Britain, Belgium and the Netherlands banned arms sales to this country, but not Germany. This policy comes under criticism from the opposition. Only this year it has introduced 16 interpellations demanding to stop arms exports to Bahrain as well as Egypt, Libya, Syria, Algiers, Tunisia, Oman, Yemen, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Lebanon, Kuwait, Jordan and Qatar. As parliament voting results show the opposition fraction is left alone here; only 66 members supported the move, over 300 said no, about 200 abstained (1).

The Social Democrats stepped out against the planned liberalization of the issuance of permits for the supply of weapons regulations. But the move was dismissed by the parliament, 60% abstained, over 300 members failed the request (2). The government tries to loosen restrictions on weapons sales. In particular it tries to make the European Commission simplify control of duel use goods exports. The standing German regulations say a special permit is to be obtained by producers in case of exporting weapons systems destined to be directly used in combat (fire arms or tanks, for instance). In the 1990s an annual arms sales permits were equal to € 2-3 billion, in 2010 he figure was € 4.75 billion.

In summer 2011 a scandal broke down in parliament over a permit for 270 Leopard-2 tanks sale to Saudi Arabia. Back then the tanks got high praise from military, especially from the Canadians who tested the Leopard – 2A7 in Afghanistan. This last upgrade version was designed by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and Rheinmetall for urban warfare. The demand goes beyond the Middle East. In November 2011 Krauss-Maffei Wegmann signed a Leopard 1A5 € multi million five year maintenance contract with Brazil. 100 Leopard 2A6 tanks were supplied to Indonesia in 2010. Take note tanks supplies to China are under EU embargo. The Saudi Arabia tank deal the ban vote was turned down as a result of the Greens and Social-Democrats abstention. The vote result shows the political elite’s disregard for the people: as the polls show 73% of population say yes to the Saudi Arabia tank deal ban; only 22% of the questioned say no. As party affiliation votes confirm 86% of Greens supporters say no, as well as 77% in case of Social-Democrats and 76% among the Left supporters. Even the majority of those who support the ruling coalition speak out against; 69% as it goes for Liberals and 59% of the CDU/CSU adherents. Totally 78% of Germany’s population speaks out against arms exports.

The Greens are not as radical as the Liberals on the issue. But they deem it necessary to ban exports to the countries that are notorious for significant human rights violations. Besides, the Greens want tightening of legislative control: they want the planned deals to go through a substantiation process in Parliament. That’s what a corresponding Bundestag interpellation says, the one that got together the whole opposition. Still the demands were declined by the 309 against 265 votes majority ruling with one MP abstained (4). The Left party thinks arms sales should be banned to Israel too because of Arab minority discrimination.

It’s the geography of German arms exports that catches an eye. The two directions are becoming more and more distinct: first – the Persian Gulf, second – South, South-East Asia. Those who in theory could join anti-Iran or anti-China coalition…

The Persian Gulf shift has become evident since 2007. As the 2010 figures say the main German arms receivers in the region were: UAE (€ 262,5 million), Saudi Arabia (152,5), Kuwait and Oman (20 each), Bahrain (16,5) and Qatar (4). Saudi Arabia imports aerial intelligence systems, the Emirates bring Germany in to build a combat training facility. Situated at the distance of 250 km from Iran (through the Strait) Al Dhafra air base is used for regular exercises. The facility construction was a joint project with the USA, Great Britain and France back in 2003. Initially the US and Britain’s air forces took part in the drills. France, Saudi Arabia and Qatar joined later. Since 2010 Germany joined the team too.

Talking about the second direction, India’s German military equipment imports in 2010 were €100 million, by and large the same figure goes for Pakistan. The South Korea’s permits are equal to € 271 million, Singapore -54, Malaysia – 40, Thailand – 13. South Korea was the biggest German arms receiver in 2008 with naval vessels as priority on the list. Those who have sea disputes with Beijing are also German weapons buyers. For instance Brunei paid € half a million for patrol craft in 2009. The Sultanate and China dispute a group of South China Sea islands. Thus Germany shows a long term arms exports extension trend. Its geography displays a wide gap between Berlin’s human rights rhetoric and its security policy. At he same time there is a obvious mismatch between Germany’s ruling circles military exports growth policy and the public opinion that rejects it.

December 20th, 2011, 7:17 am

 

Revlon said:

A warm welcome to the new Generals of Post-Assad Syrian army!

The Syrian military council has bestowed higher rankings upon all of its members, including its top brass.
Such a smart move shall assert their leadership in the burgeoning new army of Syria on the one hand, and provide material incentive for hesitant Assad army personel to defect in order to stand a chance to improve their ranking in the future army of new Syria.

Once the regime is ousted and the top Assad army commanders is either on the run or arrested for crimes against humanity, the Syrian military establishment and its intelligence arms shall be in the safe hands of the new Generals of Syria.

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
النشرة العسكرية للجيش السوري الحر
http://www.freesyrianarmy1.com/ar/node/131

الجمهورية العربية السورية
الجيش السوري الحر
الرقم : 3 / ن
التاريخ: 19/12/2011
العدد رقم: /1/ تاريخ : الرابع والعشرين من شهر محرم /1433/ هجرية
الموافق: التاسع عشر من شهر كانون الأول من العام 2011 ميلادية
أولاً: الترقية الإستثنائية إلى رتبة اللواء:
من رتبة عقيد:
رياض موسى الأسعد
مالك عبد الحليم كردي
أحمد حجازي حجازي
عرفات رشيد الحمود
عارف محمد نور الحمود
ويأخذون أقدمياتهم وفق التسلسل السابق
ثانياً: الترقية إلى رتبة العميد إستثنائياً: كافة الضباط من رتبة المقدم المنشقون عن الجيش العربي السوري والمنتسبون إلى الجيش السوري الحر حتى تاريخ 15/12/2011 مع الإحتفاظ بالقدم وفقاً لكشوفات الترقية السابقة.
ثالثاً: الترقية إلى رتبة العقيد إستثنائياً: كافة الضباط من رتبة الرائد المنشقون عن الجيش العربي السوري والمنتسبون إلى الجيش السوري الحر حتى تاريخ 15/12/2011 مع الإحتفاظ بالقدم وفقاً لكشوفات الترقية السابقة.
رابعاً: الترقية إلى رتبة المقدم إستثنائياً: كافة الضباط من رتبة النقيب المنشقون عن الجيش العربي السوري والمنتسبون إلى الجيش السوري الحر حتى تاريخ 15/12/2011 مع الإحتفاظ بالقدم وفقاً لكشوفات الترقية السابقة.
خامساً: الترقية إلى رتبة الرائد: كافة الضباط من رتبة الملازم أول المنشقون عن الجيش العربي السوري والمنتسبون إلى الجيش السوري الحر حتى تاريخ 15/12/2011 مع الإحتفاظ بالقدم وفقاً لكشوفات الترقية السابقة.
سادساً: الترقية إلى رتبة النقيب: كافة الضباط من رتبة الملازم المنشقين عن الجيش العربي السوري والمنتسبين إلى الجيش السوري الحر حتى تاريخ 15/12/2011 مع الإحتفاظ بالقدم وفقاً لكشوفات الترقية السابقة.
سابعاً: الترقية إلى رتبة ملازم أول: كافة المرشحون المنشقون عن الجيش العربي السوري و المنتسبين إلى الجيش السوري الحر حتى تاريخ 15/12/2011 مع الإحتفاظ بالقدم وفقاً لكشوفات الترقية السابقة.
ثامناً: الترقية إلى رتبة الملازم: كافة صف الضباط المنشقون عن الجيش العربي السوري وقوى الأمن الداخلي المنتسبين إلى الجيش السوري الحر من رتبة المساعد والمساعد أول حتى تاريخ 15/12/2011 مع الإحتفاظ بالقدم.
تاسعاً: يمنح كافة الطلاب الضباط في الكليات والمعاهد العسكرية المنشقون عن الجيش العربي السوري والمنتسبون إلى الجيش السوري الحر حتى تاريخ 15/12/2011 قدماً ممتازاً مدته أربع سنوات.
عاشراً: إعادة الضباط المسرحين تعسفياً بسبب موقفهم من النظام الراغبين بالإنتساب إلى الجيش السوري الحر وفقاً للقوانين والأنظمة النافذة

اللواء رياض موسى الأسعد
قائد الجيش السوري الحر

December 20th, 2011, 7:26 am

 

Juergen said:

Mina

Sorry i find the story of Hamza convincing. I asked my friends in Damascus and Aleppo, they all agreed that this custom to send back the molested body has been in practice by the syrian muhabarat for long, some ichwan families received such “packages” if they were lucky, many have disappeared and we all shall wait until the regime is gone to find the massgraves near tadmor and elsewhere.

Something else, he and Armbruster both reported that there were heavy gunfire in the distance. The minders did not want them any closer so they could not verify why there was gunfire, either caused by armed unrest or demonstrators. If you control what the reporter sees and who he talks to, surely you also control the images and the opinions. Ossenberg has specifically asked to stop in an sunni neighborhood and talk to sunni opinion, and was driven to an christian alawite neighborhood. Free movement of the press has more or less in Syria an different meaning i suppose.

December 20th, 2011, 7:37 am

 

Revlon said:

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

بيان صادر عن الجيش السوري الحر كتيبة العمري
http://www.freesyrianarmy1.com/ar/node/130
20/12/2011

قامت مجموعة من كتيبة العمري بالتصدي للعصابات الأسدية في درعا الحراك و تم تدمير دبابة وباصين تدميرا كاملا وقتل 35 من الأمن والشبيحة وجرح العشرات وكما استشهد 7 من ابطال الجيش السوري الحر
الرحمة والخلود لشهدائنا الأبرار

AlOmari Battalion confronted Assad gangsters in AlHrak, Dar3a today and infilcted the following losses:
– Destruction of 1 Tank.
– Destruction of two busses
– Killing 35 and wounding scores of Assad Sahbbeeha and security forces.

Our casualties included 7 martyrs.
AlFatiha upon their souls
May God bless their families with solace and empower them with fortitude.

December 20th, 2011, 7:40 am

 

Revlon said:

المجلس الوطني السوري
http://www.facebook.com/TheSyrianNationalCouncil/posts/249167775150695

البيان الختامي لمؤتمر المجلس الوطني السوري الأول
المنعقد في 17 و18/ 12 / 2011

عقد المجلس الوطني السوري المؤتمر الأول لهيئته العامة في تونس العاصمة في17 و18 كانون الأول ديسمبر 2011، وقد وجه المؤتمرون تحية إلى الشعب السوري البطل الذي صبر واستمر في ثورته السلمية من أجل الكرامة والحرية،وأفشل كل مخططات النظام في جره إلى الاقتتال الأهلي والسيناريوهات المظلمة.

كما وجه المجلس دعوة إلى المتريثين من أبناء شعبنا وجيشنا الذين لم يلتحقوا بالثورة إلى أن يكونوا جزءاً منها.
وناقش المجلس القضايا الأساسية المتضمنة في جدول أعماله، وخلص إلى النتائج التالية:

على الصعيد التنظيمي:
______________________
ناقش المؤتمر وأقر البرنامج السياسي للمجلس الوطني السوري، والنظام الأساسي الذي ينظم العمل والعلاقات بين مختلف المؤسسات، وأعاد هيكلة مكاتبه التخصصية باستثمار الطاقات المتوافرة، لتحقيق المشاركة الفاعلة لكل القوى السياسية وقوى الحراك الثوري والشخصيات الوطنية المستقلة المنضمة للمجلس, بما في ذلك تعزيز حضور المرأة في مؤسساته.
وأكد المجلس سعيه إلى مواصلة جهود توحيد الصف الوطني، وتوسيع العمل الوطني المشتركوتكريسه، كضمانة أكيدة لنجاح الثورة وتحقيق أهدافها الإنسانية في الحرية والكرامة.

على الصعيد السياسي الداخلي:
____________________________
– جدد المجلس التزامه بخيارات الشعب السوري وأهداف ثورته المتمثلة في إسقاط النظام برأسه وكل رموزه وأركانه، وبناء سورية الجديدة ،دولة مدنية ديمقراطية تعددية يتساوى فيها أبناؤها – نساءً ورجالاً – في ظل سيادة القانون.

– أكد المجلس التزامه بالاعتراف الدستوري بالهوية القومية الكردية ، واعتبار القضية الكردية جزءاً من القضية الوطنية العامة في البلاد، ودعا إلى حلها على أساس رفع الظلم وتعويض المتضررين والإقرار بالحقوق القومية للشعب الكردي ضمن إطار وحدة سورية أرضاً وشعباً.
أكد المجلس التزامه بالاعتراف الدستور بالهوية القومية الاشورية السريانية ،و دعا الى حل هذه القضية ضمن إطار وحدة الوطن.

– شدد المجلس على نبذ التمييز ضد أي من مكونات المجتمع السوري :الدينية والمذهبية والقومية (من عرب وكرد و آشوريين سريان وتركمان وغيرهم )، في إطار دولة المواطنة.

-تعهد المجلس ببذل كل جهد لتوفير كل متطلبات استمرار الشعب السوري في ثورته السلمية, بما في ذلك متطلبات إغاثة المناطق المنكوبة بشكل عاجل، وإنجاح “إضراب الكرامة” على طريق العصيان المدني.

-يطالب المجلس الوطني السوري ومؤسساته، الجامعة العربية والأمم المتحدة والمجتمع الدولي بضرورة حماية المدنيين والثوار في سورية وذلك في مناطق آمنة وأخرى عازلة والتحرك السريع من أجل ذلك.

– تعهدالمجلس بتوفير الدعم والرعاية للجيش السوري الحر معترفاً بدوره المشرف في حماية ثورة شعبنا السلمية.

– أكد المجلس على حشد كل الطاقات لحصار النظام إعلامياً واقتصادياً وسياسياً ودبلوماسياً حتى إسقاطه.

– أقر المجلس رؤيته للمرحلة الانتقالية، والمبادئ العامة لسورية الجديدة، التي يسعى إلى تحقيق توافق وطني عام عليها، ودعا المجلس السوريين جميعاً إلى التلاحم والوحدة في مواجهة الظلم والطغيان، وإلى الانضمام إلى الثورة والمشاركة في صناعة مستقبل سورية.

على الصعيد الخارجي:
______________________
– أكد المجلس حرصه على التعاون مع جامعة الدول العربية والمجتمع الدولي والمنظمات الدولية لتحقيق أهداف الثورة السورية وخياراتها، وحذر من مراوغات النظام المستمرة للالتفاف على المبادرات والعقوبات المفروضة عليه، مؤكداً العمل على قطع الطريق على منح أي مهل إضافية للنظام.

– كما شدد على ضرورة تحمل الدول والشعوب مسؤولياتها الأخلاقية والإنسانية تجاه شعبنا الذي يتعرض لأبشع الجرائم ضد الانسانية، مؤكداً أن مصلحة الدول هي مع الشعب السوري وليست مع النظام الحاكم الآفل.

– وأكد المجلس أن سورية الجديدة التي ستعمل على استعادة السيادة الوطنية في الجولان المحتل، وتدعم الحقوق الكاملة والمشروعة للشعب الفلسطيني؛ سوف تكون عامل استقرار حقيقي في المنطقة، بعكس النظام القمعي المهدِّد للاستقرار والدولة الوطنية، الذي يستجلب التدخل الدولي في شؤون سورية، وهو وحده يتحمل المسؤولية عما تؤول إليه الأمور في البلاد.
* * *
تحية إلى شهداء الحرية الذين ارتقت أرواحهم إلى بارئها عزيزة كريمة …
تحية إلى الأم السورية المكلومة .. وإلى أطفال الحرية الذين سفكت دماؤهم بغير ذنب.

تحية إلى رجال سورية ونسائها وشبابها وبناتها.. الذين ما زالوا صابرين محتسبين صامدين، حتى النصر على الاستبداد والتحرر من الظلم والاضطهاد.

تحية إلى الجيش الحر وكل الجنود وضباط الصف والضباط الأحرار الذين رفضوا قتل الأهل والأطفال من أبناءشعبهم ووطنهم.

تحية إلى تونس الشقيقة الحرة، رئيساً وحكومة وشعباً، الذين احتضنوا مؤتمرنا الأول، في الذكرى السنوية الأولى لاندلاع ثورة الحرية التونسية.
تحية إلى كل الشعوب والحكومات التي تضامنت مع الشعب السوري في ثورته من أجل الحرية.

ألف تحية إلى شعبنا الأبي، الذي يتقدم بثقة وثبات نحو مستقبله الزاهر المشرق بإذن الله.

الاثنين في 18 من كانون الأول/ديسمبر 2011م

December 20th, 2011, 7:51 am

 

Revlon said:

Syrian National Council المجلس الوطني السوري

http://www.facebook.com/TheSyrianNationalCouncil

إعلام و صحافة دولية
============
«الجيش السوري الحر»:
التوقيع لا يعني شيئا لنا
سيواصل أعماله الدفاعية
FSA shall continue guarding and defending civilians, notwithstanding the perfunctory signing of AL protocol!

في حين كان يمتنع الجيش السوري الحر بقيادة رياض الأسعد عن التعليق على توقيع مبادرة المراقبين العرب إلى سوريا في انتظار إلى ما ستؤول إليه الأمور على الأرض، أكد عضو الأمانة العامة في المجلس الوطني السوري المعارض بشار الحراكي لـ«الشرق الأوسط» أنه «تم التواصل والتشاور بين أعضاء لجنة التنسيق المؤلفة من أعضاء من المجلس الوطني والجيش الحر، وقد تم الاتفاق على أن عمل الجيش سيبقى مستمرا في مهمته الدفاعية عن المدنيين إذا لم يتم تنفيذ كامل بنود المبادرة العربية بما فيها سحب المظاهر المسلحة من الطرقات وعدم قتل المتظاهرين، أما إذا تم تنفيذ هذا الاتفاق، فعندها لن يكون الجيش الحر بحاجة إلى القيام بعملياته الدفاعية».

كذلك، أكد وائل ميرزا أمين سر الأمانة العامة في المجلس الوطني السوري أن عمل «الجيش الحر» لن يتغير وسيبقى يقوم بعمله في حماية المدنيين بحسب الاتفاق الذي تم بينه وبين المجلس الوطني. وقال لـ«الشرق الأوسط»: «مسألة التوقيع على البروتوكول لا تعني بالنسبة إلينا شيئا، ولن يؤثر على أرض الواقع، والجيش السوري الحر سيبقى يقوم بأعماله الدفاعية كما هي عليه اليوم، فهو يقوم بحماية المدنيين وليس هناك أي ملاحظات على عمله، لا سيما أن الأمر له علاقة بالتنفيذ وليس التوقيع، وما إذا كان سيتم سحب العسكريين والشبيحة والآليات وإدخالها إلى الثكنات».

وفي ما يتعلق بما نشرته مجلة «تايم» الأميركية حول الاقتراح الذي تم تقديمه في المؤتمر الذي عقده المجلس الوطني في تونس، والذي يرتكز على الطلب من المؤسسة العسكرية السورية أن تمتنع عن مهاجمة الجيش السوري الحر المؤلف من منشقين، ومطالبة قوات الأسد بتجميد عملها والوقوف على الحياد «في النزاع السياسي الداخلي»، قال ميرزا: «لا يمكن الطلب من أي جيش وطني أن يوقف أعماله ويقف على الحياد في وضع كهذا، لكننا نطلب منه أن يحذو حذو الجيش السوري الحر ويدافع عن المواطنين والمتظاهرين».

من جهته، أكد عضو المجلس الوطني أديب الشيشكلي لـ«الشرق الأوسط» أن عمل الجيش السوري الحر في حماية المواطنين الذين يتظاهرون بشكل سلمي ويقتلون، سيستمر كما هو، ويضيف: «المجلس الوطني معترف بشرعية هذا الجيش الذي يستمد أيضا شرعيته من السوريين والمتظاهرين. وإذا تم تنفيذ البروتوكول ودخل المراقبون إلى سوريا، فسيدخلون ويخرجون في ظل وجود الجيش الحر وعناصره على الأرض».

كذلك كان رئيس المجلس الوطني برهان غليون قد وجه في المؤتمر الصحافي الذي عقده أمس، تحية إلى «الجيش السوري الحر» وقال: «طبعا هناك عنف، لكننا نرفض المساواة بين عدوين، فهناك عنف وهناك دفاع عن النفس ضد العنف. المسلحون في الأحياء يحملون السلاح لحماية المدنيين لأنه لا يمكن السكوت عن الاعتقالات والتعذيب والقتل الوحشي للناس».(الشرق الأوسط).

December 20th, 2011, 8:00 am

 

Juergen said:

Defender

Believe me that most Germans would not support our government in arms deals with Saudi Arabia nor Bahrain. Our law concerning such deals are tough, no sale should be made if such countries who buy the weapons would be at risk of using them against their own people or are involved in inlegitime. also all deals are made only with countries who can guarantee that the arms will not be sold to any other country or group. needless to say that politicians everywhere find ways to do just the opposite the law says. Merkel used a passage in the law which stats that in the interest of the country only a certain commisson has to decide, and they can do so by a secret voting. I am quite astonished that my country plays a frontline role after the USA and Russia and China in the overall sale of weapon technologies. When i was flying to Jeddah in April, i sat next to two represantatives who were on their way to sell their arms to Saudi Arabia. One was from EADS and they are currently selling the Saudis a product to secure the border by electronic means. There was a smaller scandal this year about this sale, DER SPIEGEL reported that along with the deal the government also agreed to send along german police officers to train the border police.

December 20th, 2011, 9:36 am

 

irritated said:

SC ( Syria Comments) should be renamed
ODC (Obituaries and Defection Comments)

December 20th, 2011, 10:01 am

 

jad said:

Irritated,
6anesh!
Check out the new post, it’s somehow funny because most of the articles linked goe back to the beginning of December..akhbar bayteh ya3ni 😉

December 20th, 2011, 10:27 am

 

N.Z. said:

STEPHANIE SALDAÑA, article,In Syria, Expelling the Peacemakers, is a must read to all those whom love to dissect the Syrian social fabric.

Israel is infamous for expelling peace activists, and on many occasions killing them, Rachel Corrie the 23 years old, is one of many. Syria’s regime is no different.

“Last week, the Syrian government issued an order that after 30 years in the country, Father Dall’Oglio would be expelled.

Father Dall’Oglio founded the community of Deir Mar Musa… The community would welcome each Muslim visitor as a sacred guest, just as Abraham, in both the Bible and the Koran, had welcomed the angels of God. ….The devastating fate of the Christians in Iraq has already served as a warning. Father Dall’Oglio’s expulsion, if it is carried out as planned, will send a clear message to all of them — that the regime’s support of Christians is not unconditional. Those who dare mention the oppression of the Assad regime or who advocate for a dialogue to change the country will be deemed members of the opposition.

This puts local Christians in a bind. To seek change may put their community at risk. Yet to remain silent in the face of injustice will surely reduce Christianity to an identity, a sect, and not a living faith seeking to follow the message of the gospels. ”

I will like to assure Ms. Saldana, that the opposition knows very well the difficult situation the Syrian Christians and the Syrian Alawites are in. The relationship will not be strained. Syrians have always lived together in harmony, warship places are sacred to all Syrians. I only hope that that Father Dall’Oglio will be allowed to stay, he belongs to Syria and his legacy will outlive the 40 years of Assad. Their destruction on everything Syrian is legendary.

Thanks Professor Landis for sharing.

December 20th, 2011, 12:47 pm

 

Bill said:

ANN

You post too many excellent links and articles. Do you have your own blog that includes more articles and posts?

December 20th, 2011, 12:50 pm

 

Tara said:

Amir

I think your are risking your reputation. Bashar will let the observers in but will obstruct their freedom to move. He will set up actors to convey to the observers the government’s narrative and to show fake emotion. He has had a lot of time to prepare for their arrival. I think he will surprise the world with dark creativity. By allowing the observers in, he buys himself some more time to kill.
—-

Why did the new post disappear?

December 20th, 2011, 1:00 pm

 

Bill said:

1533. N.Z.

The expulsion of Father Dall’Oglio is reminiscent of Israel, which was built on the debris of Palestinians’ lost lands and hopes, and its repeated expulsion of human rights activits who criticize its inhumane occupation and colonial policies.
P.S., Father Dall’Oglio should be lucky that the murderous Syrian regime did not torture him and cut his genitals, which was the fate of the courageous teenager, Hamza al-Khateeb. Also, he should be thankful that they did not break his face and fingers like what they did with the world-renowned cartoonist, Ali Farzat!

Being against BOTH Israeli occupation/war crimes and Bashar’s war crimes makes me very UNPOPULAR on the this blog. However, I am not interested in pleasing anybody as long as I believe in my convictions: Bias on the side of victims/occupied/dispossessed/tortured is a great virtue!

December 20th, 2011, 1:06 pm

 

Tara said:

kSA and Qatar areإيد وحدِة
 
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/gulf-states-issue-warnings-syria-iran-155853733.html
Gulf states issue warnings to Syria and Iran
By Assad Abboud | AFP – 1 hour 26 minutes ago

Gulf Arab states on Tuesday urged Syria’s government to immediately halt its “killing machine”, and called on arch rival Iran to stop interfering in their internal affairs.
In a statement issued at the end of their annual summit, held in Riyadh against the backdrop of the Arab uprisings, the GCC members called on Syria to “immediately halt its killing machine.”

In its concluding statement, the Gulf Cooperation Council also called on Iran to stop meddling in the internal affairs of the group’s members.
“Stop these policies and practices… and stop interfering in the internal affairs” of Gulf nations, it said, expressing concern over Tehran’s attempts to “instigate sectarian strife.”
……
In response to the region’s unprecedented upheaval, GCC chief Abdullatif al-Zayani said the group’s six members agreed to “adopt Saudi King Abdullah’s initiative to make the GCC countries a single entity”.
On Monday, King Abdullah asked the GCC leadership to “move from a phase of cooperation to a phase of union,” arguing the region’s “security and stability are threatened” and that such challenges require “vigilance and a united stance.”
The group also announced the establishment of a development fund worth about five billion dollars for Jordan and Morocco, though it did not clarify whether either nation would join the alliance of oil-rich monarchies.

December 20th, 2011, 1:13 pm

 

Bill said:

.انا فلسطيني الاصل وعشت بضع سنين في القدس المحتله
وشاهدت جرائم اسرائيل وعنصريتها وغرورها

ولكني استغرب كيف ان اي انسان يكره الاحتلال الصهيوني لا
يدعم الثوره السوريه. طبعا الظالم في سوريا داخلي وفي فلسطين خارجي. ولكن السوريون يريدون الحريه من الظلم مثل الفلسطينيين

December 20th, 2011, 1:31 pm

 

defender said:

JUERGEN:
You surprise me! Israel being above any world order, places for today the nuclear arsenal on German submarines and you tell us about German rigid laws!

December 20th, 2011, 3:23 pm

 

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