Telegraph View: Father and son Assad have kept Syria politically oppressed and economically backward.
Syria's President Bashar al-Assad delivers a speech to his cabinet Photo: Reuters
By Telegraph View
7:46AM GMT 31 Oct 2011
15 Comments
The casual dress, the apparent absence of security around his suburban bungalow, a perfect command of English, the ability to laugh at himself: in his interview with The Sunday Telegraph, President Bashar al-Assad of Syria presented a disarming face. Yet he gave no indication of reforms which would begin to satisfy his people, more than 3,000 of whom have died since demonstrations against his regime erupted in March. Rather, with a nervous eye on what happened to Muammar Gaddafi in Libya, he warned that foreign military intervention in Syria would cause an earthquake across the region, resulting in "tens of Afghanistans". The message was clear: we will do things at our own pace, so back off.
Mr Assad is offering continuity, as against uncertainty were he and his government to fall. Yet it is worth remembering what this continuity entails. For over 40 years, father and son Assad have kept Syria politically oppressed and economically backward. Over the past seven months, that has escalated into the use of tanks and helicopter gunships against civilians and the contraction of an economy subject to an EU ban on oil exports and a collapsing tourist sector. Despite being a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, Syria has tried to acquire nuclear weapons. As a supporter of groups such as Hamas, Islamic Jihad and Hizbollah, it remains on the American list of state sponsors of terrorism.
And along with Iran, its only ally, it has played a malign role in neighbouring Lebanon.
That is the kind of continuity the Syrian people and the wider world could do without. Mr Assad's interview reveals a delusional state of mind common to those who have been in power for too long. Redemption for Syria will come only when he and his Alawite coterie are gone.
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Assad: I won't waste my time with opposition - 30 Oct 2011
Assad interview: 'I live a normal life - that's why I'm popular' - 30 Oct 2011
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Showing 15 comments
kalam
Today 03:56 PM
I agree with Blackadder2
Islamists are waiting for Asad to fall, so those fanatical groups he banned, can come out and take control and introduce Sharia Law and persecute non-Sunnis, which are regarded by many Sunnis, as non-Muslims.
…it remains on the American list of state sponsors of terrorism.
According to leaked reports, friendly US Gulf Arab Countries like Kuwait, UAE and Saudi Arabia have generated funding for banned terrorist groups. So no action taken against these clowns and human rights abuses in those countries .
Blackadder2
Today 10:25 AM
The Assad regime is a typical Socialist regime for the region, brutal and economically backward, but it might be the least bad option for Syria.
Assad is like a man with a tiger - the Sunni majority - trapped in his living room. It is angry and it may well overwhelm him. He can strike it through the door, prod it and make it back off for a while. If he can contain it, it won't break out and kill his family and guests (the other Syrian minorities). We have all seen what happened in Iraq post-invasion, but that had an aggressive Sunni minority fighting the Shia, here 75% Sunni, if controlled by radicals, could be murderous for the Alawites, Shia, Christians and Druze.
The West seem to be saying "Let the Tiger out, he's quite cuddly" but they don't have to face the Tiger, for now.
This is not popular protest, it is an armed insurrection. Is it funded by Saudi elements? Does anyone ask who is paying for the uprising and getting them guns?
______ goldenrule
Today 12:46 PM
Why do so many western people assume Arabs are mere stupid puppets of demagogues who never learn? Unconscious racism? Assad's regime is using extreme torture and mass murder to try to stop the Arab Democratic Uprising overthrowing his totalitarian regime. The protesters come from all sections of Syrian society, but it is true most are Sunni. The protesters know that the regime is trying to defeat them by stirring up sectarian divisions. If Assad carries on with the current situation where mostly Sunnis are being tortured, raped and killed by mostly Shia Alawites, then this will lead to sectarian violence. Assad is creating the Sunni Tiger you speak of, but he will find he cannot deal with it. He calculates that Iran and Saudi will be drawn in, and his regime will be safe between the opposing forces. Also you must realize in Syria the wealthy families from all religions and the clergy have been bought by the regime. The Assad regime is the worst possible outcome for Syria and the region. It is worth repeating that young people are going to their graves and into torture chambers with the believe that people in democratic countries support their struggle. We must act as human beings, there is no choice.
____________ Blackadder2
Today 05:07 PM
It's not about assumptions about Arabs, but which people might come out on top. If an armed group leading an uprising seizes power, then it is possible (and perhaps likely) that it will impose its will on the population, as a State. Look at Iraq for inter-communal violence without a revolution, look at Lebanon, look at Israel/Palestine.
The problem for Syria is one where I would say "I wouldn't start from here" but they are where they are. The Syrian regime is a dreadful Cold War hangover, meddler in Lebanon, sponsor of terrorism and I wouldn't wish it on anyone. I think your Iran/Saudi duel is already happening. I want the softest landing for the Syrians, even the Chinese seem to want it sorting, which is heartening. What I fear is that in a revolution, the bloodthirsty get their way: Russia 1917, Spain 1936. The normal decent people always get caught up in others' battles.
____________ Fasdunkle
Today 04:26 PM
Do you think a new minted islamic theocratic state is better for Syria? Many Syrians will disagree with you.
wellbeloved
Today 10:15 AM
Assad must be sh!tting himself after watching gaddafi's end
______ toadbrother
Today 04:09 PM
And therein lies the problem. Assad is watching other regimes fall all around him, and knows that the bulls eye is painted on his forehead as well. At this point he has two choices; try to crush the uprisings or run.
But Syria is not Tunisia or Libya, nor even is it Egypt, where the Army permits one person or another to rule. Assad has a powerful friend in Iran, and Iran has beaten down a would-be Persian Spring successfully.
Beyond that, Assad knows full well that where no one in Moscow or Beijing gave a damn about Gaddafi, Damascus and its league with Tehran make this an entirely different situation. China and Russia will not readily permit this particular cabal's feathers to be ruffled, in large part because they, like the United States know very well that the road to Tehran begins in Damascus, that war upon Syria may very well create a conflagration far beyond what the modern Great Powers want.
______ Blackadder2
Today 12:40 PM
They made sure that Gaddhafi sh*t himself by sticking a knife up his bottom, it seems, the footage is out there.
Assad's position is much easier now, fighting to the death if it comes to it.
simon_coulter
Today 09:32 AM
Is Assad as conditioned as you would imply - or is he a man who had no choice but to accept the Fate his dynasty placed upon him - giving up the planned career of a mild and caring man as an ophthalmic surgeon - only when the first choice heir was killed.
Bashar al-Assad, if not the mere puppet figurehead of a wider ruling faction doing increasingly unpleasant things to retain power, surely now has to act with great autocratic harshness purely to survive in the situation he finds himself in.
If he was to tell the ruling clique he planned to announce that he was resigning and going into exile - would he leave the room alive - would pressures we don't know about be applied on him?
Bashar may indeed be a ruthless, self-motivated, deluded ruler - for whom nobody should make excuses, but I do wonder about that. In the end it looks as though he will go one way or another, because Syria is looking even more isolated than usual.
You want to say God-only knows what will succeed the Alawite cabal - but I suspect extremist followers of Allah have plans about that, as in the rest of the region.
haphaestus
Today 08:36 AM
I would love to see dismantling of Syrian state. However due to the rise of sharia law and the islamofascists governments in tunisia, Lybia and Egypt I am not so sure supporting the downfall of Assad is really in the wests best interests.It seems quite plausible that even worse human rights abuses will follow if Assad is overthrown (though I think too this is eventually inevitable).
Its a terrible delimma, one of damned if you do, damned if you dont. In light of this I am in favor of the west sitting this one out. Perhaps if Syrians have to go through the real work of a revolution (which will require all minorities to cooperate in more then just demonstrations), we will see a much greater respect for human rights when it is done.
______ hatebigots
Today 10:50 AM
For years people whined about supporting arab dictators was a fuel to sialmic extremism. Not helping the revolutions is bad now for these whining people, who just criticize.
You said lots of truths but I believe we must support the revolutionaries. My country was ruled by fascists who said "Commies will take over if we fall". When they fell, reds didnt took over.
I believe we should take risks & help them. If we have to deal with islamists... We deal with fascists, reds and arabian tyrants and they were beaten (are being beaten in last case). We could do that again. After all, how can violent irrational fanatics succeed in our times? Not very common today.
____________ haphaestus
Today 05:15 PM
the only way we will really know if the syrian people want the changes that come are if they achieve those results themselves
Sam Chuckie
Today 08:34 AM
'Redemption for Syria will come only when he and his Alawite coterie are gone.'
This article is sickening. The DT has become a cheerleader for genocide? I suppose Syria would be better off without Christians and Druze too? An Islamist couldn't have put it any better.
All Arab nations are economically backward with primitive economies. Without oil the few that are relatively wealthy would be incredibly poor. Syria's economic situation, which is better than Egypt's, cannot be blamed on Assad.
Does the DT believe that an Islamist regime which would replace schools with madrassas and stop women working will promote economic development and freedom?
______ goldenrule
Today 12:57 PM
Why assume Arabs are idiots? You must understand the Middle East is colonized internally and externally. The Arab Democratic Uprising is the century old reaction to this. Syria cannot continue as a corrupt dictatorship, where control if exercised by torturing children, or breaking spines as the Syrian Mukharbarat do in their "German Chairs". Syria is a country where religious leaders must be supporters of the regime to stay in office. What kind of Islam or Christianity is this? I suggest researching Syria and thinking of the golden rule. Reflect on "if I was Syrian what would I want?" Develop your imagination friend.
lobrio
Today 08:27 AM
At least if it should explode in Syria and there is another overthrow, the people of Lampedusa will not have to be concerned about even more diversity and enrichment of their proud society......too far and circuitous ! Not certain about our own porous shoreline though ! The MP for Peckham and Buck Rogers her parachuting compadre will be set to welcome them here for our enrichment I guess !
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What do you think ?
Các anh chị nghĩ thế nào về nhận định của Báo Telegraph "Syria: Assad's malign role" , đã cho rằng cả cha con của Assad (tổng thống Syria) đã và đang bám lấy chính sách đàn áp chính trị và đưa kinh tế Syria thụt lùi tụt hậu ?
Các anh chị có ý kiến phê bình gì thêm từ "15 Comments" của độc giả ?
Trong bài Nhận Định trên , báo Telegraph có đưa ra hai bài viết khác
_ Assad: I won't waste my time with opposition - 30 Oct 2011
_ Assad interview: 'I live a normal life - that's why I'm popular' - 30 Oct 2011
Một kẻ đang lãnh đạo đất nước, đang cầm quyền lại có thể cho rằng giải quyết những đòi hỏi của dân , những người dân không đồng ý với những sai trái của kẻ cầm quyền là phí thời gian, thử hỏi kẻ cầm quyền đó có còn xứng đáng tiếp tục cầm quyền ?
Khi người dân Syria đứng lên chống đối thì dùng bạo lực đàn áp, tù đày, bắt bớ, giam cầm, bắn giết, tàn sát không nương tay, những tên cầm quyền độc tài dã man như Assad có đáng cho dân Syria LẬT ĐỔ như Ben Ali, như Hosni Mubarak, như Gadhafi???
Bản chất bọn cầm quyền độc tài là tham quyền cố vị và dã man tàn bạo như nhau, không thua kém lòai ÁC THÚ .
NGÀY TÀN của những tên bạo chúa độc tài tàn bạo, những con ÁC THÚ dã man này rồi cũng sẽ Ô NHỤC như nhau .
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