Syrian Commentary on Asad Speech
A number of interesting comments came from readers about President Asad's speech. They are worth reading because they give an overview of local and not so local reaction.
At 1:55 PM, Kafka said...
I think that Bachar gave a realistic speech; it shows a serious shift in policy. But I tend to agree with Joshua that it left several questions open, which explains the swift comments from the USA and France saying that the speech did not go far enough in the shift of policy required.
Formally it is difficult to argue against the proposed meeting tomorrow between the two presidents, scheduled to organise in Damascus the elements of the withdrawal. In reality the meeting leaves the door open to the pro-Syrian Lebanese president and his caretaker government to play for more time and political gains via a continued presence of the Syrian intelligence and army units in the Bekaa until after the elections. The meeting takes place on Monday.
On Tuesday Hezbollah and other Shiites organise a mass meeting in Beirut to say loud and clear that they are against the UN resolution 1559, which stipulates disarming Hezbollah and the departure of the Syrian army and intelligence units from Lebanon before the end of April hence before the Lebanese parliamentary elections in May (since Kofi Annan has to present in April a report to the Security Council on the application of this resolution).
On Wednesday the Lebanese president goes into consultations prior to nominating a new Prime Minister and cabinet.
Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday constitute the line of defence of the pro-Syrian Lebanese current to conserve a certain political status quo, namely: a pro-Syrian Lebanese government which will supervise the elections, an armed Hezbollah, and the beginning of an era where Syria would continue to be a major Lebanese player yet pleading that it respects the Taef agreement and the UN resolution 1559.
By the way I believe that Israelis are very mistaken to think the Lebanese would sign a separate peace agreement before the Syrians do.
At 2:49 PM, Anonymous said...
As a Syrian, I have a few comments to make regarding the gullibility of the Syrian people. unfortunately and after seeing the image of Syria getting shattered day in and day out on TV all over the world, and realizing how much we are being perceived as a menace to the rest of the world, we were feeling the extremely unjust verdict we are doomed to suffer. Needing a voice to defend our position, we had no loud voice to reach far except this speech given yesterday. Explaining to the world that we are not bad and are being victimized by the US made the Syrian people give appreciation and approval for his speech.
We were so desperate to be heard we overlooked the many wrongs imposed on us on daily basis by this same Bashar. We forgot that Bashar never cared to give a damp about us since he came to power and never cared to address the nation except when the shit hit the fan. Just like in 1967 when the Baath lost Golan, they declared victory claiming that the Israeli objective of overturning the Syrian system was not achieved, Bashar today tried to repair the national pride by emphasizing that we are not getting kicked out of Lebanon because but we are rather leaving for after stabilizing the country. How easily Syrians forgot the iron fist and incarceration of liberties we are forced to endure for the past 42 years. The same iron fist which has been spreading havoc across Lebanon. I just wish the people of Lebanon after the Syria pullout would start exposing the crimes committed by Syrian officials and taking them to International tribunals. Only then would the Syrian people understand the atrocities committed under their name knowing very well that these same people committed similar atrocities in Syria against Syrian. I wish the Lebanese people would start such a wave of change to sweep both countries.
At 3:31 PM, Anonymous said...
I was there with my friends by own will and with no request by anyone and I would imagine this applies to many others but I can't confirm the gathering to be totally spontaneous.
At 4:17 PM, Anonymous said...
To anon 2:49, I get your message loud and clear. You are NOT a fan of the president. That is fine and it is your personal opinion. I think Bashar did mention that Syria has made some mistakes when it comes to lebanon. Although he did not go into specific, it was a way of acknowldging that Syrian presence was not perfect. You claim that there is an "iron fist" running havoc through lebanon, What are you talking about? freedoms? or corruption. And if you are talking about both please do not attempt to equate it to what the syrians endured in the 70s and 80s! Since Bashar became president, I feel alot freeier in my daily life and do have the sence that it is the new era. I am with Joshua's mother in law in her liking of Bashar, I just hope we give him the benefit of the doubt to get rid of the corrupt element in the ruling circle.
At 4:21 PM, Anonymous said...
I agree with Joshua that there was a focus on Syria's Arabic identity in Bashar's speech but it was in the context of national security and with relation to the regional interests: This was clear when he explained the objectives of the Saudi visit and Egyptian contacts as merely explaining Syria's decision to withdraw rather than seeking support or assistance (no comments came out from these countries).
Personally, I didn't expect him to elaborate on the withdrawal plan or to explain on a map where & how the Syrian troops will withdraw. It seemed fair enough to make the announced and vow to withdraw and implement Taif & 1559.
The only disappointment I had in his speech was the total dedication to foreign affairs, we were expecting him to address internal affairs. He only spoke in a few sentences and referred to the national conference that will be held soon and hinted on dramatic changes.
At 5:13 PM, Anonymous said...
Dear Anon 4:17,
I hope you keep liking Bashar and his cousin Rami until they finish owning the country while you and I become their official slaves. Surely they will introduce some measures of democracy then while they sign peace with the Jews and then forget about the past without holding anyone responsible and accountable for all the "mistakes" committed in Syria and Lebanon during the rule of the Assad dynasty. Just remember how Bashar inherited power and hold him accountable for bringing justice to these people hurt by his butcher father and uncle (when they were still friends with the uncle). I personally think it is just disgusting when someone says they are OK with Bashar from their own heart of their naiveness (provided they are not part of his instruments of cheering crowds)
At 5:25 PM, Anonymous said...
It is astonishing that the Bush administration doesn't understand that they are actually providing Bashar's government with support by their attacks on Lebanon. These report merely confirm that inflaming Syrian nationalism is not likely to bring about spontaneous regime change very soon. The U.S. government has had a completely irrational belief for many decades that if America makes things uncomfortable enough for people in a country whose government Washington disapproves of, then the people will spontaneously rise up and throw over their leaders. This is one of the dumbest ideas in all of political history, and it is even dumber because it has never worked. The definition of insanity is trying the same thing over and over again with no change and always getting the same negative results.
At 6:08 PM, Tony said...
>>Explaining to the world that we are not bad and are being victimized by the US made the Syrian people give appreciation and approval for his speech.<<
Ah yes, the indelible toxin of victimhood. The most reliable, soothing, and effective, weapon/balm the ME has ever produced and milked for the last 100 years.
Victimhood of course then morphs into passsive-aggressiveness, and that, my friends, is the gripping conscience collective of the region.
That's why your chains will remain.
At 7:13 PM, Anonymous said...
Dear Toni,
HEAR! HEAR!
I am the guy you quoted. I wish more people share my view of reality
At 7:40 PM, GK said...
I think that Asad must realize that Lebanese will not accept the Syrian occupation anymore! The Syrian mukhabart are interfering in almost every aspect of the Lebanese life. By admitting the mistakes in Lebanon, Asad must direct his mukhabart to get out of Lebanon!
At 11:26 PM, Anonymous said...
Monday's New York Times reports that Hezbollah, after a long period of wary silence, is siding four square with Syria and has called for a mass counter-demonstration on Tuesday near Martyrs Square in central Beirut. The Times notes that Hezbollah "maintains a well-armed, 25,000-man militia in Lebanon."
I will be very interested in Josh's thoughts on this development. (They are coming soon. JL)
At 12:09 AM, Robert Lindsay said...
Ah yes, the indelible toxin of victimhood. It's not a "ME" thing Tony, or an "Arab" thing, or an "Arabist" thing, and it's been going on for far more than 100 years. It's a *human* thing. Victomhood and the resulting passive aggression are characteristics of *homo sapiens*, Tony, got it?
What is especially rich is one of the worst practitioners of this vicimhood -> passive aggression are the Christian fascists - death squads, Israeli fascists, and US neoconservative fascists that Tony swoons over so much.
posted by Joshua Landis @ 3/07/2005 02:24:00 AM
16 comments
links to this post
16 Comments:
Dear Mr. Lindsay,
The question is not whether the conspiracy theory is right or wrong. The question is what have we done over the 50 years to counter all the "other's" actions motivated by their self interest. How do you interpret the action of our "leaders" trying to conserve our self interest. As an Arab and a Syrian, could you look at the result and tell me why the biggest looser has been the poor arab individual?
Dear Dr. Joshua,
I can't thank you enough for your recent coverage of the Syrians' reactions and opinions on the accelerated political events. I can see your popularity growing in Syria, who knows maybe with a Syrian nationality, you will run for a political office :)
Now that Bashar has announced redeployment/withdrawel from Lebanon, Syria will survive for at least another two years & The EU will move forward with the Syrian-EU partnership once Anan presents his report to the security council and clears Syria side of 1559.
The next challenges are with no doubt the internal issues of democracy, economy, reform and national reconciliation. (Sunnis for the Hama massacre & Allawites for a history of repression and prejudice). Only if these issues are adrressed seriously, can Syria thrive forward and stand when the American hurrican hits the country.
Moutasem. S
i don't know why Syria is the main topic here? there are alot of problems in the world than syria! I think what Dr.Bashar and his father has done to the country is only for the best of syrian citzens.
I read Assad's admission that "mistakes were made" to mean "heads will roll." Will it be real change or window dressing?
There may be a feeble attempt to prop up pro-Syrian politicians in Lebanon, but the masses will have nothing of it. The Hezbollah rally scheduled for tomorrow is likely to be dwarfed by opposition supporters. If Damascus thinks it can sell window dressing that falls far short of allowing the emergence of an independent Lebanon it is sorely mistaken.
This regime can do nothing right in Lebanon.
It is known why you hate Syria only because The preisdent is not Christian or Muslim Sunni. We were all created by one god. What this Man is doing is only protecting his country. But When involve religion with politics yes there will be tension. What happened in Hama was not predjuice. In the Mosque they were hiding weapons. To attack on syrian citzens For the reason because they are not sunni? is that fair
The Syrians should leave Lebanon. The motivation for their stay (the illegal occupation by Israel) is not valid any more. However, it is important to ensure that the withdrawal is orderly and does not ignite old wounds or start new civil problems. Syria should come up with a solid timetable for withdrawal. No more hesitation or games.
This does not mean Lebanese have allowed themselves to become pawns of Israel or the United States. this is a lebanese demand. The United States is anyway busy bringing democracy to IRaq by slaughtering Iraqis with bombs and guns and so cannot intervene in Lebanon, however much the neocons might like to invade and conquer all Arab countries.
Lebanon for Lebanese, not Syrians, not Americans.
The Syrians should leave Lebanon. The motivation for their stay (the illegal occupation by Israel) is not valid any more. However, it is important to ensure that the withdrawal is orderly and does not ignite old wounds or start new civil problems. Syria should come up with a solid timetable for withdrawal. No more hesitation or games.
This does not mean Lebanese have allowed themselves to become pawns of Israel or the United States. this is a lebanese demand. The United States is anyway busy bringing democracy to IRaq by slaughtering Iraqis with bombs and guns and so cannot intervene in Lebanon, however much the neocons might like to invade and conquer all Arab countries.
Lebanon for Lebanese, not Syrians, not Americans.
Anonymous, I do not know how to answer that question. I think your leaders have by and large failed you, but that does not mean you should surrender your homelands and flee into the arms of the enemy. Your leaders try to preserve their self-interest because this is the nature of Arab society - the leaders are often only interested in gain for themselves, their family, their clan, their tribe, their ethnic group, their religion, the sect.
I think the Arabs could use some democracy, eh? If your leaders suck, maybe choose some new ones? And I agree with George Habash, after the defeat of 1948, said, "This is the victory of scientific Israeli society over the backwardness of the Arabs. This is a wake-up call." Did anyone listen? I throw the question back to you, my friend? What can be done to empower the Arab individual and liberate him? Most Arab leaders are sold out in a bad way.
Syria, with all the faults, is one of the last patriotic Arab countries. They rest have basically surrendered to Zionist-imperialist onslaught and are owned. Can you give me one fat reason why the majority of Arab states are presently aligned with the menace called the United States?! A problem in the region is the prescence of the US. And there is Arab backwardness - read the UN report. I think Arabs need to quit blaming everyone else - OTOH, I think it's time for a real harsh look inwards.
The Jews did it in Israel, and that's why they beat their chests now. The Arabs repeat the same errors because they fear to look inward, see their flaws, and appear weak. I have long favored the Arabs mimicking Israel (to an extent) if you can believe it. Figure out why the enemy wins, adopt his winning tactics for yourselves, then joust again. The Arabs can learn much from Israeli and even US society, nauseating as it sounds.
This post has been removed by a blog administrator.
Dear Prof. Landis,
I've just heard you on the BBC,and while I'm quite impressed with your grasp of the Syrian/Lebanese situation,I beg to differ with you on the stand of the Syrian people.While they realize that the US, France and others are out to 'get' the regime, there is nothing that the majority of them could not welcome more. This is what they have been dreaming of for decades.
As for Kinident (for those of you who may have forgotten, this is an amalgamation of king and president) Assad's speech, it was vintage Dr.Gobles. This man and the clique he presides over lie, repeat the lie and then lie again in the hope that some people eventually will beleieve them. It was a dispicable attempt to instigate sectarian violence, which has been born out by the call by their proxies, Hizbollah, for massive demonstrations tomorrow, Tuesday.Incidentally, I hope readers who have seen Monday's edition of the newspaper, "Al-Quds Al-Arabi", have noted the front page photo of Syrian 'laborers' demonstrating in Beirut in support of their 'Kinident'.Apart from the effrontery of having Syrians demonstrate in support of Bashar in Beirut, it is notewrothy that of the two bare-chested 'laborers' leading the demonstartion, the one on the left of the photo, holding the usual photo of the 'kinident', has a portrait of the 'martyr' Basil Al-Assad,the original Crown Prince, tattooed on his chest(enough said). If the international community is serious about effecting a Syrain withdrawl from Lebanon, then it must ensure that the Syrian regime withdraws from Damascus. This will kill several birds with one stone. It will bring genuine democracy to both Syria and Lebanon, put an end to the incessant Iranian interference in Lebanese affairs and help stabilize Iraq.
bb
c
to the neo-con expat,
"If the international community is serious about effecting a Syrain withdrawl from Lebanon, then it must ensure that the Syrian regime withdraws from Damascus. This will kill several birds with one stone. It will bring genuine democracy to both Syria and Lebanon, put an end to the incessant Iranian interference in Lebanese affairs and help stabilize Iraq."
You don’t have to remind your master neo-cons of their plans and conspiracies in the region. Be sure that its all in plan, As was the Iraqi plan ready with all its explicit lies and excuses over WMD and links to Bin Laden.
Unfortunately for you and your masters, the US is in a deep hole of dirt in Iraq with an estimated lifetime insurgency/resistance for around ten years with internal resources as announced by the Americans themselves.
American domcracy, freedom and liberation!!!!!!
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/content/news/epaper/2005/03/06/m16a_videoscene_0305.html
The Hizbollah demonstration in Beirut:
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml;jsessionid=OWDKIR5QPJWUKCRBAE0CFEY?type=topNews&storyID=7840996
In a piece entitled “They can march too”, on the indimedia site, Abhinav Aima quoted another article by Pratap Chatterjee, of corpwatch.org, which raised questions about the origin and funding of the large TV screens and “complex technical infrastructure “ that were displayed during the anti-Syrian protests in Beirut, and the thousands of identical flags waved by the protesters. It might be useful and necessary to point out that Lebanon is not some back of the beyond culturally and technically and that, with at least four international-level festivals every year (Baalbeck, Beiteddine, Bustan, Byblos, etc) featuring opera, theatre, music, dance, etc, and numerous smaller local festivals all year round, two dozen large screens and the accompanying technical gear are not difficult to find in the country and certainly do not need to be brought in surreptitiously at the last minute by some obscure US company specializing, as the piece says, in orchestrating mass events (such as protests in the very few hours following an unforeseen assassination?). As for the flags, the question has come up here and there, mostly from people who are used to countries where flags are sold in supermarkets in all sizes and shapes and displayed in front yards and windows on many occasions, all year round, which is not the case in Lebanon... The fact is that in the early days of the protests people took to the streets with whatever Lebanese flags – large or small - they had at home; if they had any. Flags are usually sold in Lebanon by street vendors, in different sizes and materials, only on the occasion of Flag Day, Army Day or Independence Day, and one would usually only buy one or two so that one’s kids could wave them. Later, many more flags appeared and it may simply be that the factories producing those flags were called upon to produce more and in one size. How come the same question is not raised regarding the flags – identical to the others - that were handed out by Hizbollah on Tuesday March 8th ?
Dear Mr. Linday,
You saw my question to you and then you came about and answered me back with the wrong assumption. I do believe that our biggest enemy is our leaders who hinder any effort we make to better our societies. Now on the other side is the original enemy which you came about mentioning. While you do admit the need for us to democratize ourselves and become more scientific to face the Jews, you went back and claimed that our leaders are only acting to self preserve "themselves, their family, their clan, their tribe, their ethnic group, their religion, the sect".
You do have the right reading but with the wrong conclusion I am afraid. When we see western countries tolerating and befriending themselves with the Saudis, king of Morocco, Mubarak, Qaddifi (now), Bin Ali, Saddam (in the past), we only conclude that the West could not care to install democracy in out region as long as the local leaders are preserving the interest of the west and managing to keep the lid on the Islamic political current. Now if these leaders are doing so while oppressing their people and stealing their countries then be it.
Now Assad is not as fortunate as the rest even though he wants to be. With the Golan still occupied (which was lost when his father was the Defense Minister), he can not act in a Qaddafi fashion until he gets that land back (at least some of it). If he can get it back then he will sign the sale of his mother as long as he is still in power. When this happens then he will be a good guy like the rest of the Arab leaders. He can even give some freedoms to the people now that his family is the richest family thus more economic freedoms are necessary to wash his family's bloody and filthy body.
As long as the Israelis want everything without giving back anything, he will not be able to sign since he has no excuse. AND THIS IS THE MAIN REASON WHY HE IS KEEPING TO THIS 40 YEAR OLD RHETORIC. It only for this reason and don't be naïve to think for any principles. He lost Lebanon a few days ago because Israel wants to sign peace with Lebanon therefore the pressure is on and he can not treat Lebanese the way he can treat Syrians anymore. Only Israel can save him by giving the Golan back. But why should they without Bashar posing any threat to them. A local proverb in Syria goes: "A barking dog does not bite"
So what do we do as Syrian (or Arab) people? We get shot if we demonstrate. We get demolished if we try a revolution. We can not rally the West behind us because we can not serve their interests the same way we these dictators do. We have to sell our souls to join the ruling class. If we don't (or don’t get a chance) then we can only get poorer. The intellects would write on the internet (just like the looser I am) or if I am not an intellect then I would become a fundamentalist hoping for a fast death taking to heaven.
PATHETIC ISN'T IT MR. LINDSAY!!! Please don't suggest democracy without suggesting how to do it.
Hi there Anon. All angry and no place to go with ur rage? :) It's ok. How can I be of service to you, the Syrian people, and the Arabs? You are saying that Bashar has no principles whatsoever involved in getting Golan back or supporting the Pallies or Hezbollah, it's all just raw, naked, brutal power politics. For how to become more democratic? Since the regime is under siege right now, it is paranoid. Why does the Syrian regime fear the protestors? Do they fear having the share power and money with others?
Is that it? Or is more noble? Do they fear that protestors are not patriotic? I think, if the regime is frightened of an opposition, it is important for the Syrian Opposition to convince the regime, and the Syrian people, that you are a *patriotic* opposition. There is a fear that the Opposition will be traitors like these Chalabis and Allawis, who urge the enemy to drop bombs on the heads of their own people to steal the throne and sell the nation.
There is no need to overthrow Bashar or the Baath, certainly not now.
Certainly there are many opponents who want to be amongst the patriotic opposition. Why can they not approach the regime gingerly, inform the regime of their patriotic opposition, and ask to be a loyal opposition? You know, if you were European in the 40's, with Hitler breathing down your neck, would you talk revolution? Such is the Syrian and larger Arab state. The Opposition needs to take some patriotic lines on some very basic Arab, Muslim and progressive stands that resonate with the people.
If you are patriotic opposition, the regime need not fear you. Invite them to surveill you, investigate you. A patriotic opposition should be tolerated by Bashar in these times - but the nation-sellers, no.
As far as what to do, do you have jobs? Are you in school? What's going on in your lives?
Post a Comment
Links to this post:
Create a Link
<< Home