Syria - Opposition Organises against Assad

[C. Flower]

I've been posting on the mass revolt in Syria on the thread on "Arab activism"

Now that an organised opposition is emerging, the situation is moving on.

The appearance of the US and French envoys at demonstrations last Friday week and Hilary Clinton's condemnation of Assad afterwards was an end to the silence that had been maintained while over 1,000 peaceful demonstrators and mutinying soldiers had been killed by Assad's regime.

Only the total intransigeance and courage of the protestors, who repeatedly and in growing numbers have marched out into streets, with banners, to face close range gunfire, forced the US into this position.

Now there is an "official opposition" being put together.

Given what happened in Libya, this is a very dangerous stage, as the Libyan opposition went on to form common cause with the US and NATO and to assault their own people with bombing.

People stepped into leadership positions who had been close to the Gaddafi and who had no real track record in opposition.

The people who have the right to select a leadership are the masses of ordinary people who have demonstrated. I hope they are able to keep control over their "leaders" and to steer their country to a non-sectarian and democratic regime, and push on with the people of the other states who are "rising" to consolidate power in their own hands.

http://www.breakingnews.ie/world/act...ad-513037.html

[Griska]

This is a political struggle, and can only be won politically, and inside the country. This will take time: it is clear from Tunisia, Egypt and elsewhere that the Arab spring will be a long process. In Syria too, we need time to learn lessons, build capabilities, address fears and create the image of a new Syria – a country with strong state institutions, as the basis for democracy, but without a power structure over and above that of the state.

I like this.
It addresses the fact that the Syrian struggle is political and requires a Syrian answer.

http://mondediplo.com/blogs/syrians-...om-and-dignity

[C. Flower]

The bombardment of poor housing areas in Latakia yesterday, by the Syrian navy.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6b9wBPP3g1Q"]Syrian Military Pound Coastal City - YouTube[/ame]

People march in support of Latakia

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WCqjS7XCgU&feature=related"](08.14.2011) Idlib | Ma'arrat Al-Numan stands in solidarity with Latakia - Free Syria - YouTube[/ame]

Child killed in Latakia (graphic)

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-G7K2Pfnem8&feature=related"](08-14-11) Latakia | Little girl Ala Jablawi Murdered by Assad Thugs - YouTube[/ame]

[TotalMayhem]

I believe I'd like to see a link to it

http://www.politicalworld.org/showpo...&postcount=298

I opened this thread to discuss Syria, so unless you have a good reason, I'll be moving these posts.

I only replied to your mentioning Libya in the OP.

[C. Flower]

http://www.politicalworld.org/showpo...&postcount=298

I only replied to your mentioning Libya in the OP.

I mentioned Libya in the context of what was happening in Syria. If your posts had shed any light on what is happening in Syria I would not have moved them.
I've replied to your post on the Libya thread.

[TotalMayhem]

Well, Hillary publicly condemned Assad but the good people of Syria shouldn't hold their breath. They are rather safe from Western "liberation" as Syria's oil reserves are marginal. Bigger fish to fry for the West.

[C. Flower]

Obama calls on Assad to step down - oil sanctions going in place. UK, Britain and Germany also call for Assad to step down. Clinton says they will not intervene as this is not the will of the Syrian people.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-...ct-sheet-syria

Obama's blog on this -

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2011/...ashar-al-assad

Today, President Obama called for the President of Syria, Bashar al-Assad, to step aside and took the strongest financial action action against the Syrian regime thus far. Here is President Obama's full statement on the situation in Syria:

The United States has been inspired by the Syrian peoples’ pursuit of a peaceful transition to democracy. They have braved ferocious brutality at the hands of their government. They have spoken with their peaceful marches, their silent shaming of the Syrian regime, and their courageous persistence in the face of brutality – day after day, week after week. The Syrian government has responded with a sustained onslaught. I strongly condemn this brutality, including the disgraceful attacks on Syrian civilians in cities like Hama and Deir al Zour, and the arrests of opposition figures who have been denied justice and subjected to torture at the hands of the regime. These violations of the universal rights of the Syrian people have revealed to Syria, the region, and the world the Assad government’s flagrant disrespect for the dignity of the Syrian people.

The United States opposes the use of violence against peaceful protesters in Syria, and we support the universal rights of the Syrian people. We have imposed sanctions on President Assad and his government. The European Union has imposed sanctions as well. We helped lead an effort at the UN Security Council to condemn Syria’s actions. We have coordinated closely with allies and partners from the region and around the world. The Assad government has now been condemned by countries in all parts of the globe, and can look only to Iran for support for its brutal and unjust crackdown.

The future of Syria must be determined by its people, but President Bashar al-Assad is standing in their way.

[TotalMayhem]

But will Obama let his words follow the bombers?

[C. Flower]

The army has gone in to Deir el-Zour, eastern Syria, this morning with tanks and has made mass arrests.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/...reaking32.html

There seems now to be a linked organisation of "Local Co-ordination Committees" - in spite of the repression, organisation seems more coherent than it is in Libya, where much of the opposition is area based, rather than national.

[Lapsedmethodist]

Well, Hillary publicly condemned Assad but the good people of Syria shouldn't hold their breath. They are rather safe from Western "liberation" as Syria's oil reserves are marginal. Bigger fish to fry for the West.

Oil's got nothing to do with it. The Arab League has no intention of helping to destabilise a regime which is a conduit for Iranian support for Hamas and Hizbollah. The fact that the protesters were burning Hezbollah flags at one stage wouldn't have endeared them to the Arab Long War theorists. Ghadaffi on the other hand was heartily sick of the Palestinians who hung around Tripoli, and funnelled financial aid to corrupt PLO and then PA figures , so he could be targeted by the Arab League on a "nothing to lose here" basis.

[fluffybiscuits]

The Americans have pulled their ambassador out of Syria

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-15431926

The US has pulled out its ambassador to Syria, Robert Ford, because of concerns for his safety, officials say.

Mr Ford angered Syrian authorities by showing solidarity with activists involved in an uprising against President Bashar al-Assad's rule.

A US spokesman said Mr Ford had left Damascus at the weekend after "credible threats against his personal safety".

Last month, Mr Ford and colleagues were pelted with eggs and tomatoes when visiting an opposition figure

[C. Flower]

Interesting interview with the leader of the Free Syrian Army

http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/n...eople%E2%80%99

[Griska]

Robert Fisk in Syria:


[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9ilFnwrKIE"]‫لقاء مع روبرت Ù�يسك Robert Fisk independet syrian tv 30 10 2011‬‎ - YouTube[/ame]

[C. Flower]

via twitter

@cassflower We don't like that the whole world is saying there is civil war & insurgency in Syria, bcz Syrian ppl start defending themselves

They're young ppl who could not take the corruption, injustice. & mafia style gov

According to the Jerusalem Post, the US has assembled and islamic-dominated Transitional Council - same as in Libya.

The US has no problems with Islamic regimes but has the horrors at the thought of progressive democratic or socialist government.





http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Op-EdCo...aspx?id=246447

[Griska]

[quote=C. Flower;203595]via twitter

@cassflower We don't like that the whole world is saying there is civil war & insurgency in Syria, bcz Syrian ppl start defending themselves
/quote]

It's a fair point.
Protesters defending themselves hardly constitutes civil war.

According to the Jerusalem Post, the US has assembled and islamic-dominated Transitional Council - same as in Libya.

The US has no problems with Islamic regimes but has the horrors at the thought of progressive democratic or socialist government.

http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Op-EdCo...aspx?id=246447

The U.S. doesn't want social revolution to progress to it's logical conclusion.