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March 19, 2005
Reform Party of Syria
It may not be widely recognized, but there are freedom movements for just about every country in the Middle East. Note that I don't call them "national liberation" movements, as that smacks of the communist revolutionary movements that moved countries from the frying pan to the fire.
One of the organizations is the Reform Party of Syria. I don't know much about them, and don't have time to do a lot of research other than a quick google search which didn't turn up much. I did find a November 2003 article about them in National Review which leads me to believe that they are genuine and not a front group with some nefarious purpose. You can check out their position papers on their website and decide for yourself, but they look like the real deal to me, by which I mean committed to bringing democracy Syria.
Here's one of their recent press releases:
The Syrian pullout from Lebanon is being portrayed in the Syrian press as a victory. Not only did the Syrian people receive the army with open arms but the media has not been less enthusiastic about the event.Although the Syrian army has been stationed in Lebanon since 1976, most of its personnel are indeed happy to return home.
In line with such events, the Syrian government has tightened its grip unto the media by closing some of the operations of non-Syrian television stations and forbidding Lebanese newspapers to be distributed in Syria unless they walk the Syrian line.
For yet unknown reasons that is stoking the fires of the rumor mill, Baschar al-Assad has been in Aleppo for sometime. Some believe it is to lead the stifling of any Kurdish uprising and some have said that he has escaped Damascus because of an internal coup carried by Ghazi Kanaan, the minister of Interior. None of this buzz has been verified but the fact that it is taking place is weakening the regime. .
Syrians in general have grown accustomed to life under duress to such an extent that most see the Lebanese situation as stifling further of their own liberties. Their sense is that the Syrian regime will certainly tighten its controls to discourage any uprising. Dissidents feel that the Lebanese momentum is being stifled by two factors: 1) There is no interest by the international community, as of yet, to call for freedom in Syria and, 2) They are afraid if they take matters in their own hands, they will be subjected to atrocities such as the ones seen in Iraq in the early nineties.
A demonstration celebrating March 8, an infamous day in the history of Syria, was met with beatings by student Ba'athists loyal to the regime. Some of the people who demonstrated were Riad al-Turk, the most popular political figure in Syria. Yet, only 100 people showed up and quickly disbursed.
In addition to fear, Syrians are hopeful that events in Lebanon will lead to their freedom. But they are not ready yet to take matters in their own hands unless they know that the international community can and will support their uprising.
I am not scholar enough to verify any of this, but it all sounds plausible. Anyway, we must support organizations that want to bring democracy to Syria and other countries, and the Reform Party of Syria looks like one of them.
Posted by Tom at March 19, 2005 9:00 AM
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