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Opinion-editorials decyphered - 15 June 2005
Rewriting the Ba’ath Congress
Decyphering
A year after the exercise called “Black dawn” was done to simulate the effects of a nuclear attack at NATO headquarters, former Senator Sam Nunn performed again the same operation of propaganda at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Atlantic Alliance. Once again words tell aboutt a terrorist organization, similar to al-Qaeda, which strikes upon the core of the NATO institutions, thus causing the death of many civilians and a major economic and environmental crisis. In the International Herald Tribune, Nunn analyzed the consequences of his “war game” with Pierre Lellouche, president of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. For them, “Black dawn” showed that Europe was unprepared to face a terrorist threat. Therefore, the strengthening of security measures was recommended for the nuclear sites in Europe and around the world. The main target: the nuclear facilities of the former USSR, whose number Washington expects to limit.
In Le Figaro, the very atlantist president of the European Commission and vice-president of Security and Justice Affairs, José Manuel Barroso and Franco Frattini, announced their security plan for Europe. They also insisted on the terrorist threat against the continent, expressed their satisfaction for the common outcomes and urged to strengthen the instruments of the anti-terrorist fight, that is, the alignment of the European legal procedures with the American Patriot Act.
In both cases, the anti-terrorist fight is used to justify decisions made by Washington. This problem, however, could be reversed. Thus, in an interview in Die Welt, the Pakistani Minister of Interior, Aftab Khan Sherpao, made a statement justifying the anti-terrorist fight in his country. When insisting on the excellent status of his country in this regard, he mentioned that Islamabad had to be compensated with an economic aid.
In Lebanon, legislative elections that will end on June 19 still continue. It is especially difficult to understand the rationale that urges the different parties and alliances among community groups, because the differences will vary substantially depending on the region.
In an interview made by La Republica, taken up in Russian by Inopressa, Saad Hariri, son of the assassinated Prime Minister Rafic Hariri, expressed his satisfaction for his victory in the region of Beirut and was setting up himself as candidate for the post of Prime Minister. He denounced the Syrian influence on Lebanon and implicitly accused President Emile Lahoud of being an accomplice in the assassination of his father. This happened when the Hariri’s widow had just been elected under the rules of the Hezbollah, which is accused, however, of being pro-Syrian.
The electoral campaign was characterized by the assassination, on June 2 in Beirut, of the Franco-Lebanese Samir Kassir. An open-minded journalist, Kassir had taken strong positions against Damascus, including Israel and several political movement of Lebanon. Therefore, he had a lot of enemies, although in France, the media has only spoken of his anti-Syrian commitment. Again, even though there was no evidence, as in the case of the assassination of Rafic Hariri, Damascus was in the mediatic dock. Surprisingly, France has not demanded any explanation from the Lebanese government even thought it is about one of its citizens. Washington had requested above all that the international investigation on the death of Rafic Hariri equally included that of Samir Kassir. But such claim was taken out of the text that condemned this murder, as unanimously voted by the UN Security Council on June 7.
Whatever the case might be, for Antoine Basbous, director of the Arabic Countries Observatory and former spokesman of the Lebanese Christian militias during the massacre of Sabra and Shatila, there is no doubt that Syria is to be blamed for these assassinations. In Le Figaro, he called the purge organization in the country to kick out the politicians or officers who had or would have had links with Damascus. More ambiguously, the head of the ICCPPP, the International Civil Campaign for the Protection of the Palestinian People, Nahla Chahal, denounced the crime in Le Monde without mentioning the culprits. Only called by the pronoun “they”, the killers are, nevertheless, presented as such, so that the reader of Le Monde who has read various articles lashing out the Syrian responsibility, the culprits’ identity leaves little room for doubt.
At the same time, in Damascus, the 10th Congress of the Syrian Ba’ath, the Bachar El-Assad Party was opened. On this occasion, The Independent published excerpts of the opening speech by the Syrian president in which Bachar El Assad lashed out, without mentioning it, the United States for the use of the new technologies and information to destabilize his country and the rest of the Arabic countries. As a defensive action, he called for the Arab unity once again.
The Baas congress should have been characterized mainly by the adoption of two motions for a gradual opening of the regime. It is especially about the legalization of the political parties under a long validation process (which should result in a next pluralist presidential election but without any opposition party, which would campaign). Also on the spotlight was a reform of censorship, which would later be, not under the Ministry of Interior, but under the unanimous agreement of the Council of Ministers (which would make it difficult to implement). This would be accompanied by economic reforms. Hence, these reforms would be the foundations to speed up the democratization of the Syrian regime without facing the collaborators of the deceased Hafez El Assad.
However, there are few analysts who share this point of view. Regarding the congress, the opinions are more determined by the need to justify the forthcoming operations rather than by an objective vision of its development.
The English edition of the Lebanese daily paper Daily Star, interviewed two Syrian analysts, who have different opinions about this issue. For Ziad Haidar, Damascus is going through a transition process in order to separate the Ba’ath from the State without destabilizing the country. But for the novelist and collaborator of the Brookings Institution, Ammar Abdulhamid, nothing could be expected from the Ba’ath. It is a corrupted party that has failed at all levels and which the Syrians should overthrow.
In the New York Times and the International Herald Tribune, the Syrian journalist and writer, Yassin al-Haj Saleh, indicated that the Ba’ath would only come up with cosmetic reforms, without actually changing anything. However, he feared that the overthrow of Bachar El Assad would destabilize the country and called Washington to be careful with its actions.
For the president of the Reform Party of Syria - a satellite organization of the NED/CIA-, Farid N. Ghadry, on the contrary, there is no time to waste. The Syrian power is in a desperate situation and Syria is in a pre-revolutionary stage. Hence, he set six months as a deadline for Bachar El-Assad before he falls. In the Washington Times, he urged Washington to be ready to intervene when the time comes.
Voltaire Network
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15 June 2005
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Authors and Sources of Op-Eds Decyphered
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“A repetition of the unthinkable”
Authors
Pierre Lellouche, Sam Nunn
Source
International Herald Tribune (France)
Reference “ Now in rehearsal, the unthinkable,” by Sam Nunn and Pierre Lellouche, International Herald Tribune, May 31, 2005.
Summary On Tuesday, we carried out an exercise called “Black Dawn” before NATO’s Parliamentary Assembly. In this simulation, a jihadist terrorist network acquires a “dirty bomb” and detonates it outside the gates of NATO’s headquarters. More than 300 representatives from NATO countries attended this exercise that represented this unthinkable tragedy: hundreds of thousands of casualties, severe economic tensions as well as enormous social and environmental suffering
Out of this scenario, two fundamental truths are clear: catastrophic terrorism can and must be prevented and Europe can and must do more in that sense. Though fictional, the Black Down scenario was based on real-world facts. Radical terrorist groups who try to hit military targets in Europe and the United States and acquire enriched uranium exist, and, only in Europe, this material can be found in some 50 research laboratories - sometimes poorly protected.
We have not done enough on both sides of the Atlantic to prevent this scenario. In 1993, the United States implemented a system aiming at improving security in Russian facilities, but it is not enough. Similarly, the Global Threat Reduction Initiative is not enough. It is necessary that the G-8 countries take steps to destroy or protect nuclear material in Europe and around the world. Europe must develop multilateral organizations against terrorism, and the United States and the European Union must come together to fight it.
“What kind of association for European renovation?”
Authors
Franco Frattini, José Manuel Durao Barroso
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Former Italian Foreign Affairs Minister of the administration of Silvio Berlusconi (2002-2004), Franco Frattini is a vice-president of the European Commission in charge of the Justice, Freedom and Security files.
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Source
Reference " Quel partenariat pour le renouveau européen ? ", by José Manuel Barroso and Franco Frattini, Le Figaro, May 31, 2005.
Summary We live in times of change and thus the European Commission launched an appeal for the implementation of an association for European renovation. With this perspective, the Commission designed its working program for the next five years.
The first objective of this association is prosperity. The Commission gave new momentum to Lisbon’s strategy for expansion and employment that will allow for the release of the dynamic economic potential that Europe contains. Achieving the second strategic goal, solidarity, also demands renovated actions: implement cohesion policies that may allow reducing the gap between the rich and the poor. Currently, the Commission makes efforts to promote security - the third strategic objective. In 2004, the European Council approved a program of great magnitude, the so called Program of The Hague, which aims at strengthening freedom, security and justice within the Union. Through common efforts we will be able to implement, more easily, an effective policy of immigration and asylum and, at the same time, defend our co-citizens against the world threat of terrorism and organized crime.
The Commission has just presented a new action plan that transcribes the Program of The Hague in concrete stages and measures. Ten priorities have been identified to respond to the main questions and problems inherent to freedom, security and justice that have an influence on our daily lives. We hope member countries will support this action plan in the coming weeks. Only a few years ago, the member states were in charge of fields like justice and the war against terrorism and the international organized crime. However, the September 11 or the March 11 attacks showed that the only possible answer to these threats is common action. The first measures, like the European arrest warrant, proved its effectiveness.
Soon, the ten new members of the European Union will eliminate their internal borders and will administrate them on an integrated basis. As to the issue of visas, we recommend creating common centers in charge of examining petitions. With the green book on immigration we began a consultation process with civil society in regards to the treatment that should be given to legal economic immigration on a European scale. Each State should be aware that its decision will have repercussion over the others and it is necessary to set up a common policy to firmly face clandestine immigration and the trade of human beings. We should not forget the delicate issue of the integration of immigrants’ communities either.
The policy of common security must be accompanied by a policy that guarantees individual rights. We will recommend the creation in 2005 of a new body in charge of fundamental rights that will give Europe a new tool to defend and promote these rights. Our new action plan is not a simple bureaucratic project. It relies on a serious analysis of the reality. The European Parliament, member countries, national parliaments, public powers at all levels, social agents and the civil society, in general, should be fully associated.
"A War in which the Opponent is Ignored"
Author
Aftab Khan Sherpao
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Aftab Khan Sherpao is the Pakistani minister of the Interior.
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Source
Die Welt (Germany)
Reference “ Kein Krieg, in dem man den Gegner kennt ,” by Aftab Khan Sherpao, Die Welt, June 7, 2005. Text adapted from an interview.
Summary Twenty people lost their lives in Islamabad on May 27 as a result of an attack carried out during a religious demonstration that assembled thousands of people. You can not control everyone. From work carried out by our services since September 11, 2001, it is worthy to highlight that numerous members of Al Qaeda were able to sneak into Pakistan. Without our efforts the situation would be worse than in Afghanistan.
We have carried out a great number of secret operations. The bad news is public, not the good news. We are smashing Al Qaeda. The network is no longer in operating condition; we have neutralized several of their high level leaders. What we are doing is not for the United States, but for the security of our country and for Islam. Muslims, as everyone else, are concerned about terrorism. When members of Al Qaeda go to Pakistan, some of them remain in the interior, but others go to the cities where they think they will be safer. Khaled Sheikh Mohammed was stopped in Rawalpindi, where he had settled down. We arrested others in Peshawar, Karachi, Lahore and other cities. This is a war in which we don’t know the opponent.
We are keeping an eye on Talibans identified by the Afghan government, we have them listed. They are people who cooperated with Al Qaeda. We have 3.2 million Afghan refugees in Pakistan. We cannot arrest all of them; it is necessary to proceed in a selective manner. It is difficult to know if the Pakistani population supports the anti-terrorist operations. The need for anti-terrorist action is something that I am convinced of and something that foreign investors hope to see in order to have a flourishing economy, employment and infrastructure. If we do not bring law and order, we won’t attract investment. In that sense, I believe that the policy adopted after September 11, 2001 by General Pervez Musharraf will be rewarded.
"I Am Willing to be Prime Minister but the Friends From Syria Must Leave"
Author
Saad Hariri
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Saad Hariri, son of the former first Lebanese Minister Rafic Hariri, is the general director of Saudi Oger, one of the largest firms in the Middle East specializing in construction projects in Saudia Arabia as well as in Africa, Europe and The United States. He is also the president of the executive committee of Omnia Holdings and Oger Telecom, dedicated to telecommunications in the Middle East and Africa. He is a member of the administrative council of Oger International, Entreprise de travaux internationaux, Saudi Investment Bank, Saudi Research and Marketing Group and Future Television. He is a candidate in the Lebanese legislative elections in Beirut.
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Inopressa (Russian Federation)
Reference “ Я готов стать премьером, но следует убрать друзей Сирии ,” by Saad Hariri, Inopressa, May 30, 2005. Adapted from an interview originally published by the Italian newspaper The Republic.
Summary I believe that in an atmosphere of tranquility and with the help of good advisers, I will seek to fill the position of prime minister. However, there exist too many symbols of the past, which constitute a threat to the country. All of those holding positions of responsibility in the security and intelligence services must leave. One of them is Lahud, who is prepared to stay and direct the country as before, when he allowed intelligence services to interfere with the matters of all ministries and cabinets. If I become prime minister it will be advisable to get rid of some people. On the other hand, no one can do anything against someone who is above me in the hierarchy line, and I am concerned about this. Those who murdered Rafic Hariri can do the same to Saad Hariri. Nothing could prevent it, but I will continue forging ahead.
After the elections, we will begin negotiations and find a peaceful solution, just as we did in the past. The only difference between Hezbollah and the remaining militias is that they constitute an opposition force to Israeli occupation. A part of Lebanon remains occupied. The problem of the Shebaa farms is something secondary, but let us suppose that we were able to dismantle Hezbollah and that the farms remain occupied by the Israelis: in that case, the Lebanese army will have to face the occupation. This would mean the beginning of a war between Israel and Lebanon. The Israelis should abandon the Shebaa farms, since this territory belongs to Lebanon.
The relationships between our country and Syria are those of two bordering countries: respectful and of mutual sovereignty. We have always maintained good relations with the United States. The peace process proposed in 2002 by Prince Abdallah’s heirs was much more serious. We wanted peace established with Israel. We hope the peace process will continue to move ahead with the participation of our nation, the Syrians and the remaining Arab countries.
“Lebanon’s Difficult Recovery”
Author
Antoine Basbous
Source
Le Figaro (France)
Reference “ Lebanon’s Difficult Recovery ,” by Antoine Basbous, Le Figaro, June 6, 2005.
Summary The murder of Samir Kassir, a brilliant intellectual and fighter for freedom in an Arab world, which so much represses this value, plunged Lebanon into mourning. A participant in the “Beirut Spring,” Kassir paid little attention to actions of terror carried out by Syrian-Lebanese security services. His pen did not tremble, despite constant moral harassment, while most of the Lebanese political class acquiesced to orders of the Syrian “gauleiter.”
The reaction caused by the murder of Rafic Hariri last February 14 represented to him-and to the entire people-the hope that independence, freedom, democracy and a just state would be reestablished. He also dreamed of seeing Syrians rid of the Baas reign. All those who thought that Syria had withdrawn from Lebanon should reconsider their opinions. Syrian intelligence services are maintaining their presence in Lebanon and Lebanese administrations continue, replete with agents.
The salvation of Lebanon is incompatible with its archaic and contaminated regime. What is necessary is radical structural reform of the current system, since the regime rests on widespread corruption and a security apparatus, conceived and installed fifteen years ago by the president of the republic, and which operates under his authority as head of the army and later as president, who takes advantage of his membership in the Christian community. The time has arrived to eliminate this anomaly that consists of a system of communities not regulated through national representation, based on the merit of the elites nor by community ownership of citizens. We should create parties that surpass the framework of communities and that modernize political life. To do this, we must end the practice of Syrian money being invested in the political class, as well as that of Damascus’ collaborators. For this, we must constitute a just state and independent justice.
Before achieving these fundamental reforms, it would be convenient to pay attention to the most essential thing, that is to say, that the return to independence and democracy be not blocked by crimes and destabilization acts perpetrated by the intelligence services. It is therefore crucial that the informal “international directorate,” created around Paris, Washington, Riyadh and Cairo, and controlled by the General Secretary of the UN, continues to maintain close surveillance on the country of cedar.
Lebanon is a country under recovery, whose democratization could become an decisive encouragement for the countries of the region. It will be necessary that Samir Kassir be the last apostle of freedom, who is murdered. The East lacks intellectuals of his temper and bravery - conduits of modernity who dare to challenge the security apparatus. It is necessary to turn the page of terror, so that the Lebanese people may keep marching toward freedom and democracy, and to allow Syrians to move away from a totalitarian system tomorrow.
“To Samir Kassir, He Who ‘They’ Killed for Not Giving up Ground”
Author
Nahla Chahal
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Nahla Chahal he is sociologist, associate professor of the University Saint-Esprit of Kaslik, in Beirut, and columnist with the newspaper Al Hayat of London. He is member of the CCIPPP, the International Civil Campaign For the Protection of the Palestinian People.
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Source
Le Monde (France)
Reference “ To Samir Kassir, qu’ ’ils’ ont tué pour ne pas perdre pied ,” by Nahla Chahal, Le Monde, June 6, 2005.
Summary Samir Kassir and I met on many occasions, sometimes in violent ways. But another different type of violence has just been taken Samir Kassir. And that makes him my friend. His death had as an objective using terror to have everyone silent. The murder of Samir Kassir mainly shows the untenable situation of those who decided to eliminate him. “They” are losing ground: amid the crossfire of US pressure, on one hand, and popular dissatisfaction on the other.
“They” are not able to understand the limits of US pressures or able to identify their demands. “They” act against their “national subjects” to show them their total intolerance with regard to the agitation that these people experience, of any type that is. Several days ago, authorities in Egypt paid and sponsored a group of criminals who charged against the demonstrators of the Kifaya movement, which means “it is already enough.” Women were those most aggressively attacked. Evidently, besides attacking them, the objective was to undress them; literally speaking; to humiliate, to terrify, to stop them. That doesn’t work, but it is the only thing that “they” can do.
Isn’t Iraq a possible precursory example of all that? In order to prevent that trail of devastation from expanding to other places, we have to say “no” today! and to set the basis of a political life, where terror finds no place. It is the only means of braking the descent into hell.
“Our Enemies Aim At The Destruction Of The Arab Identity”
Author
Bachar El Assad
Source
The Independent (U.K.)
Reference "’Our enemies aim at the destruction of Arab identity’ ", by Bachar El Assad, The Independent, June 8, 2005. This text has been adapted from the opening speech at the 10th Congress of the Syrian Baath Party, held in Damascus.
Summary Since the last congress of the Baath Party, held in the year 2000, many important political developments have occurred in the world that have made the Arabs reflect about their ideas and convictions. This has plunged us into a state of uncertainty and confusion for it has taken place amidst a wave of information and ideas that have reached us through the new communication technologies. Such a revolution has influenced the theories, life styles and cultural identities of the Arabs. It has sown a feeling of unease in our youngsters.
The forces moving behind these developments have created a virtual reality that leads us to a direction chosen by others. It leads to the removal of the Arab identity as far as culture, politics and morals are concerned. We have been defeated even before the fight. The aim is to destroy the Arab identity, which is the basis of our unity. As members of the Baath Party, we should redouble our intellectual efforts to consolidate our national existence and to protect our cultural identity by speeding up our development. These objectives are not contradictory.
“Expect Very Leisurely Change From the Baath Congress”
Author
Ziad Haidar
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Ziad Haidar is a Syrian analyst.
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Source
Daily Star (Lebanon)
Reference "Expect very leisurely change from the Baath congress ", by Ziad Haidar, Daily Star, June 6, 2005.
Summary By the time the 10th Congress of the Syrian Baath Party was about to begin, there was little consensus on what could happen or which could be Syria’s future status. When Bachar El Assad came to power in 2000, it was obvious that he would follow his father’s policy, modernizing it. Today, the situation has turned more uncertain.
Syria does not maintain diplomatic relations with the United States since the withdrawal of the U.S. AmBa’athador. The future of the relations with Europe is unclear and even Jacques Chirac seems not to be in a hurry to resume them. Syria had to pull out of Lebanon even when the Arab States were talking about normalizing their relationships with Israel.
There were three possible scenarios during the Congress:
 A “Coup d’état with white gloves”: Bachar El Assad would substitute those responsible for the country’s political and economic issues, and launch a big crusade against corruption to strengthen his power.
An economic and political opening accompanied by a structural transformation of the Baath Party.
Purely superficial, cosmetic changes.
The opposition considered the third to be the most likely, but actually the second is the more real. In fact, the opening does not affect the supremacy of the Baath Party, as guaranteed in Article 8 of the Constitution. Criticized by the opposition, many think that such article has the advantage of stabilizing the country by consenting to a gradual opening of the political system. The opposition parties won’t be allowed in there using racial, religious or ethnic programs.
This congress should establish the beginning of the division between the Party and the State.
“Some Thoughts On A Mundane Baath Event”
Author
Ammar Abdulhamid
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A Syrian novelist living in Damascus, Ammar Abdulhamid is coordinator of the Tharwa Project and a researcher at the Saban Center for Middle East Policy of the Brookings Institution.
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Source
Daily Star (Lebanon)
Reference "Some thoughts on a mundane Baath event", by Ammar Abdulhamid, Daily Star, June 6, 2005.
Summary Comments have boomed out in Syria both about the Congress of the Baath Party and the possible opening of the regime in that country. Actually, that congress will be an opportunity for our “wise leader” to take another step forward. After all, he has not made a mistake for months now, and in this field, he has never disappointed us. It’s better if we laugh, it’s the only thing we can do in front of those who still believe that the change can come from the corrupt elites of the Baath Party.
The Baath failures are many. It didn’t manage to preserve the territorial integrity of the country in 1967. It lost the Golan and could never regain it, neither by political ways nor by any other. It never built an educational system or a health system that could work. It could not ensure social peace among the communities. How can a party with such a history be a solution?
Nothing will come out of the Baath Party Congress. Unfortunately, Syrians fear the chaos that a change would bring about. Nevertheless, the Congress will make the Baath failure so evident that this would be the beginning of its end. Syrians should take the initiative.
“Don’t Rush The Revolution”
Author
Yassin al-Haj Saleh
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A Syrian journalist and writer, Yassin al-Haj Saleh spent time in prison in his country from 1980 to 1996.
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Sources
International Herald Tribune (France), New York Times (United States)
Reference " Don’t Rush the Revolution ", by Yassin al-Haj Saleh, New York Times, June 4, 2005.
" Syria: Don’t rush the revolution ", International Herald Tribune, June 6, 2005.
Summary On Monday, the Baath Party of Syria began its 10th Congress. The second one since Bachar El Assad seized power in 2000, but the first since the collapse of the Iraqi Baath. This congress will determine Syria’s future to a large extent, whether towards an opening or towards recoiling in itself. Today, after the retreat from Lebanon, achieved through international pressure, the Syrian government is hesitating. The regime lost a satellite and lost prestige. However, after having retreated from Lebanon, Assad’s government has recovered a little. But the stronger he feels, the less concessions he makes.
In March, the Syrian AmBa’athador to the United States had promised that there would not be political prisoners in Syria. I doubt whether he repeats that promise today. According to Human Rights defense organizations, there are still 1500 political prisoners in Syria, and since March, 40 persons have been arrested. In my condition of former prisoner, incarcerated for 16 years, I feel particularly skeptic as to the Syrian government’s intentions.
The Congress could decide to open elections for the rest of the parties, but the Constitution would continue to give supremacy to the Baath. A change like this would only be superficial, cosmetic. Nobody expects that an end is put to the state of emergency that protects the Baath power.
Paradoxically, the international pressures weaken the regime, but strengthen the Bachar El Assad’s circle and the Syrian President against his father’s former allies. Undoubtedly, he will avail himself of the Congress to get rid of some of them. But in order to do this, he will have to adopt a personal position in favor of the only one party and give guarantees to the Security forces. It’s this attitude which represents an obstacle to the reforms, not the old guard.
The Syrians, however, reject any foreign influence, which would plunge the country in the same chaos prevailing in Iraq. International pressures are needed which, through the application of economic sanctions, force Syria to change. Returning the Golan would be used as an exchange in case of good behavior. Let’s not forget that regime’s changes are easy but have nothing to do with the stabilization of a country.
“Time For Change In Syria”
Author
Farid N. Ghadry
Source
Washington Times (United States)
Reference "Time for change in Syria ", by Farid N. Ghadry, Washington Times, June 1, 2005.
Summary Revolutions are born when various factors converge. According to Professor Jonathan Adelman, three factors must converge:
That intellectuals begin to denounce the regime’s politics. This is what is happening in Syria since six months ago.
That economy does not work all right. And since the Syria Accountability Act, the Syrian economy is under crisis.
That the elites split up. And the alauitas start to believe that their blind support to the Bachar El Assad regime is counterproductive. Also, the Sunnite financial elites are worried about Damascus’ policy.
According to Professor Jack Goldstone, two additional elements are required: the lack of mobilization of the youth and the emergence of a dual authority. Young people stay in Syria but they are more and more dissatisfied. There is not a division within the government yet, due to the fear instilled by the Syrian information service. So far, there has not emerged an authority opposing Bachar El Assad, but the day the people start to demonstrate will mark the end of Damascus’ regime.
The United States should be willing to lead a revolution in Syria in six months and prevent this being similar to that of Iran in 1979.
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