Important birds erea in Syria

Posted on 11/27/2011 by tareqnouman

Abu Zad: Site description An upland area at the southern end of the Jibal al-Sharqi (Anti-Lebanon) range, 50 km by road from Damascus, and centred on Abu Zad, a small village with small orchards and very small fields lying at 1,500 m above the resort village of Bludan. The nearby village of Halbun is at 1,700 m. To the west, vertical cliffs fall to Zabadani far below, and mountains to the north-east rise steeply to 2,462 m within c.10 km. The land above the village is open, with sparse grassland, scattered scrub and bare rock, and is snow-covered in winter.

Baath Lake: Site description A shallow, 10-km-long lake formed by a dam on the Euphrates (Al-Furat) at Mansurah, less than 10 km to the east of and below the main dam of Buhayrat al-Assad (Lake Assad) at Tabqa. The upper reaches are particularly shallow with a number of islands fringed by Phragmites reedbeds

Bahrat Homs: Site description A semi-artificial, eutrophic reservoir lying 15 km south-west of Homs and just west of Qattiné, formed by impoundment of the Nahr al-Asi (Orontes river). The banks of the north-eastern half are steep, while the very flat south-western shores, together with the influx of water from snow-melt in spring and subsequent evaporation during the summer, lead to the extent of open water varying from 3,000 ha in summer to 5,300 ha in winter; water depth is 4–8 m. There are some islands, but not suitable for breeding birds. The shores are generally bare mud, and the lake_s marginal and aquatic vegetation is very limited; bankside vegetation includes Tamarix, Salix, Nerium, Phragmites and Typha. The surroundings are very open, with no trees of any size but still generally green and verdant. To the south the land is fertile and cultivated, but to the north is a large area of lava flow. Villages are scattered around the lakeside; the main human activity is farming, though there is considerable fishing, plus large factories near Qattiné.

Buhayrat al-Assad: Site description Buhayrat al-Assad is a huge reservoir of more than 63,000 ha created by a dam on the River Euphrates (Al-Furat) near the town of Al-Thawra, and occupies c.80 km of the valley (north-west end at 36°18´N 38°10´E, south-east end at 35°49´N 38°28´E). The shores are mainly steep and rocky, and the water appears oligotrophic, being very clear and without sediment. Much of the surrounding area is dry, stony, and almost devoid of vegetation. However, the Ministry of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform has recently afforested large areas on the southern shore and around Al-Thawra with Olea, Cupressus, eucalyptus and Amygdalus, including an offshore island (Jazirat al-_Ayd or Jazirat al-Thawra) which is being established as a nature park with a tourist centre and a network of vehicle tracks. The island is linked to the mainland by a causeway with a gate. Sugar-cane and cereals are cultivated in the south-east. The dam is used for hydro-electric power generation. Jabbar Castle is a historical site on the east side of the lake near the dam.

Buhayrat al-Khatuniyah: Site description A mesotrophic, spring-fed, natural lake (its area is variously quoted as being from 50 ha to c.800 ha) together with the surrounding _clay_ desert, c.50 km east of Al-Hasakah and between the small settlements of Khatuniyah and Al-Hul (6 km from the international border). The mean depth of the lake is or was 8 m, and the vegetation includes Tamarix. The lake is used for fishing, hunting and recreation, and the surrounding area for grazing.

Buhayrat al-Laha: Site description The only remaining natural coastal wetland, south of Hamidiyah and only c.2 km north of the Lebanese border. The coast is low and predominantly sandy, with some permanent rivers; settlements are few and small.

Jabal Abdul Aziz: Site description A mountain range (up to 920 m) lying west of Al-Hasakah and running for c.50 km east–west. The southern slopes are gentle, but the northern slopes are a very steep, linear scarp with frequent cliffs. Numerous small wadis drain the slopes. The steppe vegetation includes Pistacia, Prunus and Rhamnus scrub, with extensive shrubs of Artemisia, Atriplex, Helianthemum and Teucrium. There is an extensive and ongoing afforestation project, planting Pistacia, Pinus brutia and P. halepensis

Euphrates valley: Site description The entire valley of the River Euphrates (Al-Furat), from its entry from Turkey at 36°49´N 38°02´E to its exit into Iraq at 34°29´N 40°56´E, apart from Buhayrat al-Assad (see site 007) and Baath Lake (see site 008). The valley lies 80–250 m below the surrounding plains, varying in width from 2 to 12 km. The river still flows in its original bed and is rich in islands, meanders, pools, oxbow lakes, alluvial cliffs, gravel pits and silted old water courses where the river has shifted, many of these being covered in Phragmites reedbeds. The water level used to flood 3–4 m higher in spring than in autumn, due to snow-melt in the Turkish uplands, but the completion during the last decade of several large dams in Turkey has now greatly reduced this annual flood. Natural vegetation includes riverine thickets of Populus euphratica, Tamarix, Salix and Typha. Intensive agriculture is carried out along its banks in _mazara_, vast areas of irrigated cotton and cereals with orchards and plantations of Populus and Pinus halepensis. The heavily cultivated steppe of the Jazirah region lies to the east and the Syrian Desert to the south-west. Gravel extraction occurs locally.

Jabal al-Bilas: Site description An isolated mountain (up to 1,105 m) lying c.70 km north-west of Tadmur (Palmyra). The landscape is eroded and the scant vegetation includes scattered trees/bushes of Pistacia, Prunus and Rhamnus, and shrubs of Artemisia, Atriplex, Salsola and Anabasis. There is some unspecified waterfowl habitat, presumably caused by winter flooding of depressions.

Jabal al-Bishri: Site description An isolated mountain in the semi-desert 80 km west of Dayr al-Zawr, rising to 851 m. There are occasional cliffs. The vegetation includes trees and bushes of Pistacia, Rhamnus, Prunus and Amygdalus, and is presumably a sparse steppe-woodland.

Jabal al-Shuah: Site description The eastern slope of the Jibal al-Nusayriyah range is a very steep scarp, lining the western edge of the Al-Ghab basin. A 1977 map based on surveys in the 1940s suggests that c.20,000 ha of woodland existed along the scarp at that time. The current extent of woodland is unknown but is still likely to be sizeable, since the steep slopes have presumably inhibited clearance for agriculture or other uses. The woodland is dominated by Abies cilicica, with Carpinus orientalis and Ostrya carpinifolia.

Jabal Sis: Site description A huge, extinct volcanic crater, the largest of many within a huge basalt lava field which covers much of southern Syria and northern Jordan. Jabal Sis (Sies) lies near the eastern edge of the basalt, 100 km east-south-east of Damascus and 55 km south of the main road running east from Damascus to Iraq. The volcano rises about 100 m above the surrounding plain. Spring rain lies in small lakes and pools in scattered pans of impermeable clay, and there is a rain-fed lake at the foot of Jabal Sis itself. Vegetation is sparse. The terrain is impassable to vehicles except along tracks, of which there are few. Nomadic pastoralists graze large flocks in the area in spring and early summer.

Jabal Slenfeh: Site description A relatively well-wooded mountain area, centred on the village of Slenfeh c.20 km north-east of Al-Ladhiqiyah (Lattakia), on the western slopes of the Jibal al-Nusayriyah range. The woodland is dominated by Abies and Cedrus. The area is generally densely populated with small settlements.

Ras al-Ayn: Site description A vast area of steppe around the border settlement of Ras al-Ayn, through which the seasonal Khabur river flows in winter and spring, north-west of Al-Hasakah. Much of the steppe along the Khabur valley is now under irrigated cultivation of wheat and cotton. Trees and scrub occur along the Khabur river, especially at Ras al-Ayn where there is a patch of c.100 ha of dense Salix bushes, fed by a very powerful, sulphurous hot spring.

Reference

http://www.ecotourismsyria.com

Beyond the smell, Onion and garlic

Posted on 11/27/2011 by tareqnouman

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Syrians are one of the most infected people with global famous diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, etc. Such diseases are too expensive to treat and few can afford paying the high prices of their medicines. So, if you are one of those sick people this article will help you to find one of the most magnificent medicines the will never coast you more than 100 SP per week.

The onion and garlic plants are related to each other and originated in Asia. A variety of types exist of each of these vegetable, including small garlic and elephant garlic, red onions and yellow onions. Garlic and onions contribute flavor and texture to culinary dishes and medicinal compounds to herbal remedies. Ancient cultures utilized these vegetables for their benefits as we do today.

Active Components

The primary active compound in garlic is allicin, which gives the bulb its characteristic odor along with many of its healing benefits. Before garlic is crushed, it contains the odorless sulfur-containing chemical alliin, which converts to allicin upon crushing. Onions activate sulfur-containing compounds, mainly thiosulfinates including allicin, when they are processed, such as being minced or crushed via the enzyme alliinase. Onions also contain the flavonoid quercertin, which is found in a higher concentration in onions than any other fruit or vegetable.

Mechanism of Action

Allicin and other antioxidant compounds in garlic boost health by helping to neutralize free radicals. Free radicals damage your cells and are believed to contribute to numerous health conditions including heart disease and cancer, as well as the aging process, according to University of Maryland Medical Center. Antioxidants might prevent or reduce some of the damage by free radicals that is caused over time. Onions also boost health by helping to neutralize free radicals and contain flavonoids like quercertin that provide strong antioxidant action. Depending on the variety, onions also can contain the flavonoids kaempferol, found in leeks, and anthocyanins, found in red onions.

Garlic Research

Clinical research on garlic is promising in three main areas, according to University of Maryland Medical Center. The first is decreasing the progression of cardiovascular disease by helping reduce blood pressure and cholesterol. Garlic also strengthens the immune system, which might help your body fight off disease and protect against cancer. Garlic also might help prevent the onset of the common cold. Garlic also is being studied for properties that might help protect against parasites like roundworm; antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial uses; and combating fatigue.

Onion Research

The top uses for onions supported by clinical data are preventing appetite loss and age-related changes in your blood vessels, such as with potential cholesterol-lowering effects, according to the World Health Organization. Clinical studies also demonstrate possible antihyperglycaemic effects, which might help you manage diabetes, but more research is needed, according to WHO. Onion also has been studied for use as a diuretic, treating bacterial infections like dysentery, treating ulcers, as an asthma aid, and promoting healing of wounds.

Cancer Prevention

The sulfur compounds found in onions and garlic protect cells from developing cancer, according to a 2004 study by researchers from the University of Naples. The study found the compounds may be particularly effective for preventing prostate cancer. Researchers said the results warranted further research, particularly because garlic and onions are frequently consumed vegetables that cause no side effects.

Immune System Support

The active compounds in garlic, onions and ginger enhance immune function, according to herbalist Susan Mead. She recommends adding them to culinary dishes daily to improve overall health. Fresh herbs contain more of the active compounds, and all three consumed together is more beneficial than consuming them individually, according to Mead.

Relieves Gastritis

Garlic and onion destroy a bacteria called Helicobacter pylori, which causes gastritis, an inflammation of the stomach lining that causes stomach pain, indigestion, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting. The active compounds responsible for the health benefit are flavonoids, a type of antioxidant, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.

Improves Cardiovascular Health

Garlic and onions inhibit platelet aggregation, improving blood flow and overall cardiovascular health, according to a 1999 study by researchers from the Faculty of Science in Kuwait. The study found that while both vegetables decrease blood clotting, only garlic’s effectiveness increases as higher levels of the herb are administered. Garlic reduces platelet aggregation by as much as 50 percent. Both vegetables produced more significant results in the raw form.

So go have some onion and garlic, eat them fast and forget about the smell, because you will wish you have borne the smell all day instead of the bearing the pain of falling sick.

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Baladna

Active Components

Mechanism of Action

Garlic Research

Onion Research

Cancer Prevention

Immune System Support

Relieves Gastritis

Improves Cardiovascular Health

So go have some onion and garlic, eat them fast and forget about the smell, because you will wish you have borne the smell all day instead of the bearing the pain of falling sick.

The Observers’ crisis

Posted on 11/27/2011 by tareqnouman

Isn’t it wrong to give the one you claim to be doing very dangerous crimes the chance to wash his traces? Is it logical for the observers to be led by the ones they should observe?!

On the other hand, isn’t it right that each stat has its sovereignty that it should fight for? Isn’t it wrong for the enemy to become the judge? How could Syria accept a protocol that has been made by the ones it accuses of being behind its current crisis?

Syria has come up with some amendments to the Arab League protocol in order to make it acceptable but the Arab League on Sunday announced its rejection of the amendments proposed by Syria to the draft protocol regarding sending observers to Syria.

The AL General Secretariat claimed in its statement that the amendments and changes proposed to the protocol by the Syrian side “would affect the core of the document and would radically change the nature of the mission which is to oversee the implementation of the Arab initiative to end the crisis in Syria and protect Syrian civilians.”

The statement said that the AL decision came “following consultations between the AL Secretary General Nabeel al-Arabi and Chief and members of the Arab ministerial committee in charge of the Syrian issue.”

Official Syrians Sources said that the changes proposed by Syria were designed to protect the country’s sovereignty and dignity.

Syrian officials do not want it to be called an observing mission, but prefer calling it an Arab League mission in order to be acceptable. Such changes, the sources added, do not affect the spirit of the mission.

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem said on Sunday that some phrases of the Arab League’s monitoring protocol were “unattainable” and reflected “unbalanced stances.”

Al-Moallem said that the protocol, submitted to the Syrian government by the AL to permit observers into the country to verify whether it has taken measures to protect civilians, fully ignored the Syrian sovereignty: “The protocol includes broad phrases, some of them are unattainable” the Foreign Minister said, adding that the protocol should come as a result of a negotiations between two parties and shouldn’t be dictated from one party on the other.

“We have nothing at all to hide,” he said, adding that all that Syria has asked for is to be informed of the places the AL ministerial committee plans to head to.

Syria has offered amendments to the protocol that don’t interfere with the nature or the details of the mission of the AL observers, al-Moallem said, adding that the amendments aim to facilitate the work of the AL mission in a perfect way.

He went further saying that the amendments came from Syria’s keenness on the national sovereignty and the government’s role in preserving its people’s security.

The AL issued on the 16^th of the month in Rabat, Morocco a draft deal on the Arab mission of 500 observers to Syria and gave the Syrian government three days to sign it after the regional group suspended Syria’s membership.

On Thursday, al-Moallem suggested modifications on the AL deal. However, the AL rejected on Sunday Syria’s proposed modifications on the mission, saying that the proposed modifications introduce “radical changes” to the mission of the observers.

Syrian Views

These Ping-Pong media massages put us in front of big questions, the answers of which we tried to get from the people of Syria themselves.

Joumana. Na, 28 years old woman said: “As long as the observers keep their observations to themselves and the security forces can continue butchering civilian people, then they will agree to the League’s deal.”

Ammar. Ah, 24 years old, said: “The Arabs have been observing mass-murders among their people for at least 1000 years; now they want front row seats?! This is a fake protocol; they have put it only to be rejected so they can execute the American agenda.”

Iman. KA, 49 years old, woman said: “I can’t find any logic in the amendments, I can’t believe that our government is asking the AL to do such amendments, because it is clear that they are trying to fool everybody! When you have a war you cannot talk about sovereignty, the blood is covering the streets in Hama and Homes and they are talking about changing the title of the protocol! They are not serious, I was optimistic about the protocol and that it will save the Syrian blood from both sides (the protesters and the army) but the government had destroyed all my hopes in a new start that saves the Syrian blood.”

Nour. Sh, 36 years old, said: “We have seen the result of western interference in the Middle East: Chaos everywhere. I am sure that they-the regime-will agree. They have no choice; they will remain the leaders of the nation and bring changes. The nation will settle down. I suspect that the US and Israel, who have alternative motives could make the AL present such a protocol. This protocol could open the door wildly in front of the enemy, Mr. al-Moallem and his assistants had made the right choice by giving such amendments.”

“This revolution is a little about democracy and a lot about settling old scores.” Ghada. SH, 36, woman said. She added: “It was started by freedom and reform seeking Syrians. Now, its momentum is maintained by Muslim Brotherhood activists, and supported by Sunni regional powers, currently in a state of cold war with Iran, in addition to anti-Syrian regime Lebanese who have lost their beloved ones during the years where the Syrian army was in Lebanon. So, such amendments have been put to impede the observers, no one asks for such amendments unless he wants to hide something. The AL has made the right decision by refusing the amendments, they don’t want to be unfair with the Syrians, they are practical and they are working for the good of the Syrian people.”

Moulham. Za, 39 years old, male said: “Supporting a revolution for the sake of supporting a revolution is insane. Gaddafi came to power through a revolution. In 1979, young Iranians were chanting for ‘freedom and democracy’; look at the great example of freedom and democracy in Iran that resulted from that revolution! So, what the AL seeks is to implement the American agenda in Syria and to destroy the last standing country against Israel and the American imperial project in the Middle East. As for the amendments, I agree with Mr. al-Moualem, he is the man whom we should rely on to save Syria from the conspiracies.”

Ghofran. AS, 46 years old, man said: “About one third of the casualties in the current conflict were Syrian soldiers and pro-regime civilians. These numbers are provided by anti-regime activists. Out of the remaining two thirds there is a percentage of innocent protesters killed by savage murderers. There is also a percentage made of armed insurgents. This is confirmed by countless reports from Syrian family members and friends in addition to YouTube videos. And the government is still asking for amendments?! What the hell, I don’t believe the way they use to gain time, this protocol will help to save Syria from the coming war, but what I can’t understand is how did the Syrian officials manage to put more than 18 amendments to a protocol of two and a half pages, I have heard that they asked the AL to change the title! I can’t believe how cheap the Syrian blood has become!”
Ahmad. So, 36 years old, male said: “The rejection of the amendments is the proof that this league and committee is nothing but toys in the hands of America. All what they need is to force Syria to kneel in front of the enemy, but they will never see us kneeling. The protocol is a flagrant violation to the sovereignty of Syria, 500 observers to walk and move in Syria freely?! No one can accept that, they want to send their agents to Syria, Syrians can solve their problems, to hell with the AL.”
Farhan. Ka, 48 years old, man said: “With a regime tightly controlled by a sprawling military/intelligence apparatus, and its members armed to the teeth and fearful for their lives, supporting a weak revolution that has little chance of toppling that regime by force (with the unlikely possibility of military intervention in Syria) is only going to lead to more blood and innocent deaths. A more logical approach is to pressure both sides to sit down and negotiate a peaceful resolution.”

Samaoa`l Ja, 46 years old, said: “This protocol is the passport for external intervention, it will lead to nothing but more misunderstanding. I refuse the protocol and admire the government because they are awake and have open eyes that can discover the hidden plans and intentions behind it. The government is protecting our history and shaping the future of Syria and the Syrians.”

Hanna. AH, 34 years old, housewife said: “What a waste of time! Anything proposed by the west, is used as means of intelligence for future attacks. Don’t do it Syria, they are not on your side. Just go and finish your civil war. Russia, Iran, and China have your back. Don’t fall to al-Qaeda and western pressure. They are trying to defeat you, to destroy the last reluctance castle against Israel and imperialism, this protocol is a trap, but they-in Syria-are awake and know what is going on around them, so Syria will be fine and will never bow in front of anyone, or under any circumstances.”

Global points of view

“World powers will do as much as they can to turn up the heat on the Syrian government”, British Foreign Secretary William Hague said on Monday, calling President Bashar al-Assad’s so called crackdown on eight months of protests “appalling and unacceptable.”

Hague was speaking before a meeting in London with representatives of Syrian opposition groups, in an intensification of British contacts with Assad’s opponents.

“We will increase the pressure on the Syrian regime,” he said, adding that he had spoken to the Arab League after Syrian government ignored its Saturday deadline to pull the military out of urban centres, free political prisoners and start a dialogue.

“The behaviour of that regime is appalling and unacceptable and of course we will do what we can to support democracy in Syria in the future,” Hague said.

Hague said international pressure had already been ratcheted up on Syria, pointing to European Union sanctions on Syria’s oil exports. “We are working this week on a further round of sanctions which I hope we can agree next week,” Hague added.

In turn, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the West was urging regime’s opponents not to seek compromise.

“We see a situation in which the Arab League is calling for an end to violence and the start of talks, while absolutely contradictory calls are coming from Western capitals and the capitals of some regional countries,” he said.

Those nations, which Lavrov did not name, are “directly recommending that the opposition not enter dialogue with the regime”, he said, according to Interfax. “This is like a political provocation on an international scale.”

Opposition’s views

Inside Syria, Syrian opposition members said that Syria’s stance was just a stalling tactic: “We have warned in the past and we warn again that these are the methods of the regime to waste time,” said Omar Idilbi, a Beirut-based member of the Syrian National Council, an umbrella group of regime opponents. “This is just an attempt by the regime to gain more time.”
Syrian activists called the protests after weekly Muslim prayers on Friday to urge countries around the world to expel Syrian ambassadors, a move they hope will isolate the regime. The protests led to more than 20 being killed on Friday alone.

Syrian authorities blame the violence on foreign-backed armed groups which they say have killed some 1,100 troops and police. According to a United Nations account, more than 3,500 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in the unrest.

The protocol, the amendments, and the sanctions are the recent dilemma in Syria, no one knows what will happen for sure, but all what they know is that Syria should escape this bad period and shape the new bright future as soon as possible.

The Syrian opposition as seen by Syrians

Posted on 11/27/2011 by tareqnouman

After decades of being in the shadow the Syrian opposition members are now in the spot light and are facing the tough mission of standing before the Syrian people to be judged and evaluated. Are they going to be accepted by the people? Would they be able to gain their trust, or would they remain the victims of pre-judgments and suspicions?

Are they really capable of bringing true change and development to the country while maintaining its unique social fabric or are they carrying a sectarian agenda that can destroy that fabric once and forever?

In this long and 2-parts report we will try to sum up the most known figures of the Syrian opposition and see what Syrians from different backgrounds have to say about them. Please always remember that getting a Syrian citizen to say his opinion is a much tougher job if he is pro-opposition than it is if he is a pro-regime. Therefore, the percentage of negative opinions against positive ones does not reflect in anyway the true balance of power in the Syrian society.

Dr. Burhan Ghalioun

President of the Syrian National Council

Born in 1945, in Syria, Dr. Burhan Ghalioun is a Syrian (Also carries a French passport) political scientist and professor of political sociology at ‘Universite de Paris-Sorbonne’, and, as of August the 29^th, the president of the Syrian National Council, the main body of the current Syrian opposition.

One of the common accusations pro-regimers always make about Syrian opposition figures is being Islamists or members of the ‘Muslims Brotherhood’. An accusation that cannot be used against Dr. Ghalioun, who is known to be one of the most famous theorists for secularism in the Arab world or even on global level.

Burhan Ghalion is also the director of the ‘Centre d’études de l’Orient Contemporain’ and professor of Arabic civilization at the ‘Sorbonne-Nouvelle-Paris-III’ University. He is the author of numerous books, dealing with sociological and political issues of the Islamic world, most written in Arabic with several of them translated to French.

H.M, 32 years, teacher said: “This man is nothing but a tool in the hands of the western monsters, he is implementing the famous agenda of imperialism, and I don’t care whether he is a political scientist or a fisherman. He is not human; he leads the massacre in Syria by leading the SNC. We kicked him out of Syria before because his attitudes were not acceptable in Syria, so now he is trying to take revenge on the regime, so he is not thinking about any kind of reforms, he simply seeks revenge. I will never trust such a man and will never live in Syria if he and his gang ruled it.”

Maher.O, 35 years old, said: “I have heard and read about him, actually I respect educated people, and he is very educated, but to lead Syria, I don’t think so! Because to lead Syria you have to have the proper experience that allows you to manage the problems and to give the proper solutions, he doesn’t have such an experience. Besides that, he can’t make any step forward without being led by foreign powers. As a human I respect him because he is a very educated man, but I don’t want him to be an official in Syria, he is leading the opposition who has caused free killing of the citizens. He should forget Syria and, as for me, I will never vote for him under any circumstances.”

“Of course I support him” KH.S, 50 years old, engineer said, “He is the man who will fulfill the demands of the free people in Syria, he is the new hope; a very educated man who knows what he is doing and understands the needs of free Syrians. I trust him because he has suffered enough to be ready to come up with the right plans regarding how to rule Syria and lead it to the free and respectable life. He is good enough for me and for everyone else to lead the reforms. He has the experience to lead the development process in Syria. Of course I will vote for him and will support him to the end. By the way, I don’t believe that he is being led by the super powers in the west; he was one of the poor people in Syria. At least he will be working in his graduating filed.”

Radwan Ziadeh

Member of the Syrian National Council

A Visiting Scholar at ‘The Institute for Middle East Studies (IMES)’ at ‘Elliot School of International Affairs’ at George Washington University.

He is most recently a Prins Global Fellow at Hagop Kevorkian Center for Near Eastern Studies at New York University and Visiting Scholar at The Center for Contemporary Arab Studies (CCAS) at Georgetown University.

Before that he was Reagan-Fascell Fellow at National Endowment for Democracy (NED) at Washington DC and Visiting Scholar at the Center for the Study of Human Rights at Columbia University in New York City. He was also a Visiting Fellow at Chatham House (The Royal Institute of International Affairs) in London and a visiting scholar at Carr Center for Human Rights at Harvard University (2008-2009). In 2007-2008 he was a Senior Fellow at United States Institute of Peace (USIP) in Washington, DC.

Basheer. Ba, 36 years old, male said: “Do you call him a man?! Do you imagine him talking on behalf of the Syrian people?! I can’t accept dealing with this butcher, how the hell do you ask me about considering him as an official? OMG, he has the voice that everybody on earth hates, I will kill him myself. He doesn’t know anything about politics, he doesn’t have the respectable appearance that could make you proud of in front of the world. I know his past, he is nothing but a boy who used to reject everything and theorize everything. He is not suitable for Syria the land of lions and eagles, the land that fights the most dangerous enemy on earth; Israel. He is a childish, he is a toy in the American hands, I don’t know how the Americans think! Do they really believe that Syrians will follow such a boy?! Is he a Syrian at all?! I have never heard that he works in politics before. I will not allow anyone to lead Syria or let’s say destroy Syria while he is sleeping in the lap of the Americans!”

Khozama. Na, 38 years old, female said: “I think he belongs to a specific group of people in Syria, even though, this group of people refuses him as the rest of the Syrians do. I don’t believe that there is one Syrian who could support such a man, who tends to allow the external intervention in Syria. He is begging for external intervention, he and the rest of the gang (SNC). Anyway, I don’t respect him and I will never accept him as a Syrian citizen, I have many suspicions that he bought his certificate from American universities, he should forget what he is doing and stay home.”

Riad Seif

Born on 25 November 1946, Seif is a Syrian political dissident, formerly a member of the Syrian Parliament and a prominent businessman, who founded and led the Forum for National Dialogue. Seif was elected to parliament in 1994 as an independent and again in 1998. He is also a businessman who, for many years, held the rights for Adidas trademark in Syria.

According to Seif, his career in industry started with a workshop for manufacturing shirts in 1963, and in 1993 he began building the new ‘Adidas’ workshops in Syria, the first of their kind.

Ehssan Re, 45 years old, male said: “I used to respect this man, he was a hard working man, but I don’t know what happened to him, he lost his mind, he denied all what the Syrian regime offered him and all the facilities he had got to build his career! He is a thankless man, and I don’t respect or nor trust him anymore, he bit the hand that offered fed him, and he doesn’t have the experience that allows him to be a neutral and good official in Syria. Syria is facing a war because of his and his fellows’ attitudes.”

Mouna Hu ,36 years old, female said: “He is a merchant, so, Syria is just a deal for him, he is trying to win, he will not pay all this time and money just for the sake of the Syrians. We all know the greed of the merchants and how they think. He used to be a member of the parliament, he tried to take advantage of his position, but when the regime out-casted him, he turned against it. He is not a good Syrian citizen; I will never support him ever.”

Mounaf. Ya, 45 years old, male said: “I respect him and I will support him. I’m sure that he knows what is he doing, he doesn’t want to destroy Syria, he is trying to shape a new future for Syria, he is a good Syrian citizen and his family has its history in serving Syria through the hard times. He loves Syria and plans with his fellows to create the chance for the Syrians to choose the way they want to live the future. He is a very ambitious man and he is trying to rescue Syria.”

Riad Shakfeh

Secretary General of the Syrian Muslim Brotherhood

Born in Hama 1944 and married with 6 kids. He used to work in the ‘Syrian Company of Irrigation Constructions’. He was a military leader in the Muslim Brotherhood.

He was involved with the Muslim brotherhood when he was very young, he once heard his father praising the teachings of Imam Hassan al-Banna (founder of the Muslim Brotherhood’s ideology), and so he was eager to join the Muslim Brotherhood. He started attending the open meetings of the Muslim brotherhood in Albahssa mosque in Hama in 1956.

Shakfeh is currently the Secretary General of the Syrian Muslim Brotherhood.

Ena’am Mo, 41 years old, female said: “Are you serious?! Is that what they -the protesters-need?! The Muslim brotherhood again?! The killers of the innocent people! Do you really know who this man is? He is responsible for the bloodiest massacres in the history of Syria, he is a very dangerous, and malicious man. I have read a lot about him, I don’t trust him and I haven’t met anyone who trusts him or wish to deal with him, he is not open minded. He is cunning and he will destroy peaceful coexistence in Syria. I can’t imagine that there is anyone who will or could support this man or his movement.”

Tareq Sa, 25 years old, male said: “Actually I am a protestor, but I will never support him, I believe in secularism and I don’t want any kind of religious ideas or slogans to participate in shaping the future of Syria. This man represents the fanatic Islam so he is not suitable at all to join the reforming plans. We all know the history of this man and the bad events related to his name. I don’t care if he is an educated man or a good political person; I refuse his attitudes and directions.”

Moukhtar Ba, 49 years old, man said: “Are you kidding me? AL-Shakfeh! He is not the one who will build the new Syria; do you like to replace the cars with camels?! He belongs to a very dangerous movement that has tried to destroy Syria in the past; I have heard that he, himself, had committed many crimes against humanity in Syria. I have many suspicions about his new supporters. I will never trust him or his party.”

Mohamed. Da, 40 years old, said: “Syria needs new blood, new minds and ideas, this man is too old for new Syria or even for being a candidate for any small position in Syria, I will fight against this man, he is not suitable because of his admitted crimes and his frozen mind. He belongs to the fanatic Islam which could destroy any society in the world; here in Syria we need open-minded people not criminals.”

To be continued

fun

Posted on 11/27/2011 by tareqnouman

Well, heroism is a relative thing!

“To fight against your own people till you die is not heroism; it is cowardice. If you want to see someone who has fought until death against his own people, just look at Nazi Germany, just look at Hitler, at Mussolini, at Nicolae Ceausescu in Romania.”

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Stopping a train by puffing!

“Today we have responded resolutely by introducing a set of new sanctions that prohibit all business with Iranian banks.”

British Foreign Secretary William Hague

Around Yemen in 90 days!

Yemen has been the scene of violent protests for months as his opponents demand he leave power after 33 years in office. Last week, Saleh told France 24 television that he would leave office “within 90 days” of an agreement with the council.

Cnn.com

Beginning of an end or End of a beginning

Posted on 11/19/2011 by tareqnouman

After a long and agonizing trip between Cairo and Damascus, the Arab League has come up with a solution for the Syrian dilemma that could potentially destroy Syria’s society, infrastructure and its strategic stock. This solution was to suspend Syria’s membership in the Arab league effective from November the 16^th and to giving the Syrian government no more than 4 days (ended yesterday) to execute the now well-known Arab initiative, an initiative that has been officially accepted by the Syrian government, but “they did nothing on the ground to help executing it” according to the Arab committee.

The Arab committee also threatened to impose diplomatic and economic sanctions on the Syrian government and regime. The Syrian government and refused these “pre-fabricated decisions” and explained that the Arab committee is nothing but a tool in the hands of the colonial powers used to destroy Syria, the first and only country that fights against Israel and the greed of the imperialism.

Tareq Neman, Baladna

Mr. Youssef Al-Ahmad the Syrian ambassador to the Arab league announced that “The Arab League today-the day of the meeting-turned into a tool for executing foreign agendas against a fellow Arab country. We tell them: You will be defeated. Syria will emerge stronger under the leadership of President Bashar al-Assad. We tell them: You made a bad bet, a losing bet and Syria will win, no matter what the deceptive channels say. The decision that was issued today does directly or remotely concern us. Syria had commitments in the Arab League initiative but the other countries should’ve also stopped their media incitement. We lost confidence in those cheap tools who were not faithful to their own mission. I have an obligation to say everything with full transparency.” he added. “Those who drafted this decision will be punished”.

Will be punished!!!!

This phrase holds many dangerous meanings and leads to more dangerous results. So how the Syrians understand this phrase? And what do they expect now that the 4 have all but run out?

Some answered on the streets…

Many Syrians (pro-regimers) rushed to the streets immediately after the meeting of the committee to express their anger against every Arab country that has approved the final decisions of the committee, accusing them with being agents to Israel and the Zionism. They attacked the embassies of Qatar and KSA, and followed that by attacking the Turkish embassy, all of this is claimed to be out of spontaneous anger.

Ahmad, 25 years old pro-regimer said: “This is an unfortunate step taken by the Arab League. This obsolete League has done nothing but promote the interest of the enemy of Arabs. If Syria can be punished for such actions then why does the Arab League not condemn the Western power, operating in the Middle East, who killed millions of people in Iraq and Libya? Why don’t other members of the League like Qatar give democracy to its own people? This dualism should be stopped. Today they suspend Syria’s membership at the time of crisis, and if Syria falls in the hands of Israel and America because of the actions of the Arab League members then who will be safe? So we should not tear our ranks and through ourselves into the hands of our enemies.”

Zafer Quadry, 48 years old said: “What happened to people’s rights in Syria. Syria has strong military and its role should be to protect against external enemies not to use the Syrian tax payers’ money to kill Syrian people. Wake up regime, learn from Libya and Egypt. Allah is watching over Syrian people. I agree with the decisions, all of them, let it burn.”

Azzam Safi, 35 years old explained why he hates the Arab League: “The Arab League consists of
1, Saudi Arabia, A US gas station and a good happy customer of US weapons producers.
2, UAE, a money transit center for US and western banks and money laundry center for low level criminal like drug smugglers in the Middle East and with minor tropical tourist attractions. Also a good happy customer of US weapons producers.
3, Bahrain, a US Navy base and a good happy customer of US weapons producers.
4, Qatar, a US air craft carrier that does not move and a good happy customer of US weapons producers.
5, Oman, a Trust fund for bailing out US criminals in the Middle East, whether they are mercenaries shooting people in broad daylight in Pakistan or Hikers in Iran.
6, Iraq, a country full of business opportunities for companies like Halliburton, Exxon Mobil, Xe Services (previously Black Water). For US citizens they can proceed there with no caution, feel free to shoot, kill, mutilate, torture, rape or do whatever you want, they can’t do anything to stop you.
7, Egypt, a revolted country which has overthrown former US puppet Mubarak, but pretty much nothing has changed over there.
8, Jordan, a complete joke as an Arab country.
9, Libya, a country that has recently overthrown its dictator and still has more than 200 billion worth of assets frozen and will be forever frozen in European countries. Also, the terrorists there who have been financed, armed and trained by Americans and Europeans won’t accept to lay their weapons down.
Seriously, these people want to criticize Syria? Or just want to destroy it? We have a very wise leadership that can stand against this conspiracy. There will be no war, our president is a diplomatic man he will never choose the war as an answer.”

Another man agreed with Azzam saying: “What is the worth of this organization? It is a group comprised of a bunch of US puppets and stooges and as expected they took no time to respond to the dictates of their masters. The greatest joke is that two of the countries in this group are Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, the two who acted together as hand and glove to carry out the most brutal suppression of their Shiite population. What right do these morons have to suspend Syria’s membership? Americans seem to be unable to learn any lessons. All countries in the world act according to their interests except USA which sees everything especially in ME from the perspective of the interests of the Zionist Regime. It is ready to sacrifice its interests to make sure that the Zionist regime continues to survive. It influenced the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to come out with a fraudulent document against Iran, it coaxed the Arab League to suspend Syria’s membership and it is sabotaging a democratically elected government in Lebanon through its local puppet Hariri.”

What will happen?

According to the current situation in Syria, after the sanctions by the United States, France and UK, many political analysts seem to be sure that Syria will follow the Libyan path:

“I think there will be a wide war in the ME, I believe that Syria does not have the same natural resources as Libya, but Syria is important for its strategic geographic position.” Somar.Ha said in an attempt to analyze the near future of the ME and Syria, “If the West launches a war on Syria, they will probably have to pay a price that is much higher than the price they in the Libyan War. The war probably will even turn into a blasting fuse and lead the entire Middle East to an irremediable chaos. Therefore, it is a gamble for the West to launch a war in Syria, and it is uncertain whether the West will win or not. Syria has a far stronger military than Libya. Syria’s military is probably the strongest in the Arab world. If Assad resolves to fight to the end, the Syrian war will be much more crueler than the Libya war, with more deaths and longer duration.” Somar ended.

Amal.Ko, 28 years old, refused the possibility of the war: “I don’t think there will be a war, no one can afford it after the war of Libya and the chaotic situation in USA and UK, they are trying to push Syria to the end and force it to comply with the Arab League decisions. No war will take place in Syria and Israel will not give Iran the chance to hit it with a nuclear weapon.”

As another opinion; “From the West’s viewpoint, the Arab League is mainly seen as an alliance of dictators; however, expulsion from the ‘club’ will have diplomatically damaging consequences for Syrian regime. This is to be welcomed, for it will be the first diplomatic step on the path to the removal of the tyrant; it will also be the first official Arabic condemnation of al-Assad’s regime. So they will do whatever it takes to get rid of this regime , there will be a great war, the mother of all wars, USA and other countries will exploit it to take revenge from Iran, Israel will take the chance to end its enemies in Palestine and Lebanon. If a war in Syria occurs, blood, violence, and chaos will again become key buzzwords in the Middle East and North Africa. Under current circumstances, a Syrian war would cost Western powers dearly, and it would be an unwise move and a risky gamble to launch such a war.” Aktham.F, 48 years old said.

Nadia IsHak, 50 years old, said: “I believe that the president will never let it go to war, he is a wise man and he will step down if he surely concludes that there will be a war. But, as I think, what will happen is the following: The Arabs will discover that Syrians are doing the right thing, and they are ready to do more to avoid the Libyan scenario, so the Arab League will give the regime another chance to re-write the future and to end everything in a very peaceful way, otherwise, Syria will get rid of the Arabian nationality and will join the Persian alliance.”

Syrian only Republic, no Arab

“I know that the Baath party will not agree with what is going on and will take the decision that Syria will not belong to the Arab nationality any more, actually the Arab nationality is a big lie. Syria is too civilized to be part of the Arab nationality. I believe that Syria will get rid of the League and its crazy people and will start a new future far from their-the Arabs- ignorance and cheats. Syria is fine, and nothing is going on the streets, all the army forces are in camps and the protesters are becoming fewer more and more.” Huda Ahmar,23 years old said.

Many people have agreed with Huda in changing the name of Syria from Syrian Arabic Republic to Syrian Republic, and they all agreed that there will never be a war in Syria, too.

Omar Houmaid, 35 years old said: “There will be no war, if Western powers launch a war against Syria, al-Assad may fire missiles on Israel, which will plunge the entire Middle East into an even greater chaos. Not long ago, al-Assad said during a meeting with the Turkish Foreign Minister that he would shower Israel with missiles if NATO or the United States attacks Syria. They are sure of that now, so there will be no war against Syria, but I believe that there will be a war among the Syrians themselves and it will be bloody and long. If you think that the situation in Syria will settle then you are wrong, the war will take place and last till 2014 the year of the presidential election. It is very difficult, if not impossible, to see a repeat of the Libyan scenario in Syria for many reasons, be it Syria’s strategic location or its important political role in regional stability.”

Kollet. GH, 39 years old female said: “Everything is possible; the Syrian regime has lost many of its supporters, even if this has not been openly declared out of fear of repression and arrests. If the Syrian regime guarantees the right to protest and commits to protect protesters or at least not to attack them, which is highly unlikely, we will certainly witness huge protests that will probably outnumber the pro-regime demonstrations. The regime is going through a crisis which might lead to divisions within its ranks in the coming few days. Its structure does not allow it to exist except in the way it did before the outbreak of the Syrian uprising on 15 March. It will collapse because it will lose China and Russia and will stand alone and lost between the inside protesters and outside threats”

A man who refused to mention his name said: “The fog is overwhelming the ends, no one can expect what will happen in Syria even the most educated diplomats can’t Speculate the future of the Syrian dilemma. But all what we can say is that it could be better only if the reactions of both sides were logic and humane. Whatever the results are, Syrian people are waiting and expecting the worse because they have been a subject to a very dangers brain washing tactics to plant the idea of sectarian war and the new holocaust for some sects in Syria. So, it will be a massacre, the end of Syrian society is coming”

The final decisions of the Arab Committee are supposed to be declared late after this issue of Baladna is printed, and no matter what these decisions are; they will have a dramatic effect on the way the situation in Syria develops. This will be the subject of our upcoming report in the next issue of Baladna.

Nabil AL-Arabi General Secretary of the Arab League

Posted on 11/19/2011 by tareqnouman

Short rectangular face:

He is a patient man, he has the ability to think in two things at the same time, he is thankful, generous and he gives more when he believes he should.

Wide forehead:

He is an executive man, he can do everything he is supposed to do, he is not as social as he looks, he likes being alone and thinking alone but he cannot make the right decision at the right time.

Round circular eyes:

He is not talkative, he is a good and smart man, he has a big fear of making mistakes and he refuses to admit his faults, he is not good in confessing others with his point of view, he likes to be leaded rather than being a leader.

Small nose:

He likes to stand in the shadow and think rather than being in the center of the events.

Small mouth:

He doesn’t like to get involved with long term negotiations, he likes to open his heart and to speak about his feelings more than talking about practices, and he is an emotional man.

Small chin:

He likes to be spoiled, he likes to have the time to express himself emotionally and physically. He is good at evaluating people and pre-judging others according to his personal knowledge.

Congratulation, you are pregnant!

Posted on 11/19/2011 by tareqnouman

This is the word you’ve been always waiting to hear, you’ll become a mom…

But, have you considered the sequences of this pregnancy? It’s a wonderful period of the woman’s life not doubt, yet it’s not going to be an easy journey.

In addition to the physical changes and fatigue during pregnancy, there are bigger and more important issues for pregnant women to deal with.

Under the pressures we have in our life one can only ask how does the psychological state of a pregnant affect her baby?

Actually, most women put their psychological state at the end of their concerns list when they are pregnant; they only care about the situation of the fetus, place and date of birth and the necessary equipments to receive it.

Usually gynecologists don’t interfere in psychological details and don’t ask or give the pregnant any psychological advises and instructions in this difficult period, so if you are a pregnant woman you should get some psychological information through reading or perhaps through watching TV programs related to this topic if you can’t ask psychiatrist.

Recent Researches now prove that not only genetic factors determine the tempers and mood of the child, but more important is the environment provided by the mother to her fetus while still in her womb, so in addition to a balanced diet that contains all the nutrients and vitamins needed by the mother and her unborn child, and doing appropriate sport such as walking or before birth exercises, the pregnant woman also needs to pay attention to her psychological state.

Exposure to a lot of pressure leads to the secretion of certain hormones which pass to the fetus through the placenta, of course the last thing the mother wants is that her baby would get anxiety and stress.

Researchers said that severe emotional and psychological stress experienced by women during pregnancy and even before, could be a factor in the emergence of fetal deformity, as studies has indicated that strong psychological pressure during pregnancy, such as job loss, divorce or separation between spouses, or grief over a dead person can lead to abnormalities and malformations in the fetus, because stress causes the rise in the hormone Cortisone, which leads to increase the level of sugar in blood, and reduces the proportion of oxygen in the tissues, which are main factors in causing birth defects to the fetus and premature placental abruption, while emotional stability of the pregnant causes the regularity of the functions of her organs such as the heart, liver, kidneys and metabolism, blood flow and regularity of the hormone system and many more, which helps the body to do its duty towards the fetus (the new guest) and gives him food and oxygen through the placenta.

The positivity and passivity in the psychological condition of the pregnant can be determined by how she looks to the pregnancy itself, some women deal with their pregnancy as a normal physiological event, they simply interact with it and live all its stages with utmost happiness, other women believe in some false beliefs and fears that are related to the period of pregnancy, which makes them live this stage with a lot of fear, tension, anxiety and panic, which affects them and the fetus and so the husband.

Mothers who have competitive work atmosphere and quick performance behaviors, and have the determination to overcome the problems, their children often have the same mental state, it means they are sharp, alert children and have very strong reactions towards the environment they live in, but it does not necessarily mean that they are frequent crying and hard to calm them down.

When the mother has an emotional stress, anxiety or depression, the movement of the fetus becomes more active and less stable, and the greater the psychological pressure the less stable the movement of the fetus, because instead of enjoying quiet and safe sleep, the hormones that enter through the uterus cause inconvenience to the fetus, and if these pressures were constant, probably the baby would be nervous, doesn’t sleep easily, and perhaps suffers from excessive activity, also from bouts of colic which happens because that the baby is unable to regulate his crying as he is overly sensitive to the environment surrounding him, and reacts to its changes through crying. On other hand, as the period of pregnancy is difficult for the wife, it’s also difficult for the husband, as every psychological and physiological changes happen to the wife it will affect the husbands in one way or another, he will not pretend that he understands this change in his the wife behavior very well, but a husband who can afford to deal with his wife, he will be happy at the beginning then as the symptoms of pregnancy increase his patience began to run out, and feels as if this woman is not who he married.

Enjoy the pregnancy!
Life in any place is nothing but a challenge, but despite the crowds of people, crowded cars, and the many tasks carried out by the mother under the time constraints, you can enjoy your pregnancy. Keep in mind the following tips:

* The anxiety about your pregnancy or your baby will increase your blood pressure psychological; ask your doctor about all what is going on in your mind of questions.

* Read as much as possible, reading will help you to relax.

* Practice sport, sport will not only benefit the circulatory system and muscle (particularly the pelvic area that is supposed to be strengthened to facilitate birth), but sport also helps to lift your mood. Yoga Sport is nice, it does not only help you to relax, but also it relieves back pain.

* Tell your husband about your feelings especially the feelings of anger or distress, this moral support will help you psychologically.

* write your diary, it helps you to write the daily activities that you have done and to express your feelings, especially if you find it very difficult to revel.

* If people around you are trying to entertain you let them do so, you deserve it.

* The most important thing is that you should be happy! The happier you are, the you’re stronger your immunity system will get. Take the opportunity of happiness and enjoy it.

The Arab Solution…Will it work?

Posted on 11/14/2011 by tareqnouman

Isn’t it good to hear the news of the last solution for the Syrian Crisis? Isn’t it good to know that the Arab initiative will put an end to the crackdown in Syria with all the souls that this will save? Is the Syrian regime going to accept this initiative as it is, without thinking about the protesters, especially that the initiative imposes immediate army withdrawing from all civilians areas? Or is it just another way to buy more time?

The long road in brief

At an emergency meeting held at the Arab league headquarter at the Egyptian capital Cairo on October the 16^th, the Arab League decided to give Syria a 15 day deadline to enact a cease-fire and agreed to form a committee led by Qatar with representatives from Algeria, Sudan, Oman and Egypt, and the Arab League chief Arabi to supervise the situation in Syria. Moreover, the Arab foreign ministers called for a national dialogue between Syrian authorities and the opposition.
According to the Arab initiative, solutions to end the crisis in Syria include initiating dialogue between Syrian government and the opposition, releasing political detainees and demonstrators, forming a national unity government led by an acceptable figure, as well as holding presidential elections by 2014.

Syria has rejected previous Arab initiatives, and it was not clear if this would be different, or if the regime was trying to gain time to try to crush the uprising.

Arab officials held a ‘frank and friendly’ meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Wednesday, October the 26^th, the head of the delegation said at the beginning of an Arab League effort to resolve a bloody seven months revolt, the most serious challenge yet to the 40 years old regime.

The Arab League Ministerial Committee, which includes the foreign ministers of Qatar, Egypt, Oman, Algeria, Sudan and the Arab League General Secretary Nabil al-Arabi, arrived to Damascus on October the 26^th to discuss ways of ending the seven-months-long crisis through dialogue between Syrian government and the opposition.
Syrian president Bashar al-Assad held a meeting in the Syrian capital with the Arab League Ministerial Delegation, which seeks to end the violence in Syria, SANA reported that the meeting was “positive”.
Qatari Prime Minister Sheik Hamad Bin Jassem Bin Jabr Al Thani was quoted saying that the Arab delegation felt that the Syrian government is eager to work with the Arab committee “in order to reach a solution”, “We feel Syrian government’s keenness to work with our committee,” said Jassim.

After a meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, visiting Qatari Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabr al-Thani, who heads an Arab League Ministerial Committee, said in a press conference with Syrian Foreign Minister Waild al- Moallem that the second meeting between Syrian leadership and the committee would be held on Sunday, November the 30^th.

“The ministerial committee’s meeting with al-Assad was clear and friendly. We will continue our meeting on October the 30^th,” the official SANA news agency reported Sheikh Hamad saying.
“What is important for us is that there should be no more victims from any side in Syria,” Sheikh Hamad told reporters. “The fighting should stop and the dialogue should begin between the Syrian brothers so that, God willing, they agree on points that fulfill people’s demands.”
Sheikh Hamad told reporters that the Arab committee and the Syrian government will hold another meeting on the 30 of November either in Syria or in Qatar.
The regime, as evident through its different media outlets, has taken a negative stance towards the initiative. For example, according to the pro-regime ‘Champress’, a Baath Party leader views the initiative as emerging from a US, European and NATO agenda, rather than Arab sovereignty.

The 2 sides met again on October the 30^th in Qatar with Syrian Foreign Minister Waild al- Moallem heading the Syrian delegation, Surprisingly it is romoured that the 2 sides have reached an agreement the details of which will be announced while this issue of Baladna is being printed.

Optimistic, pessimistic and rejecters

People in Syria are divided into optimistic, pessimistic, and rejecters when it comes to were they stand against the initiative. And what’s interesting is the ‘rejecters’ are from both sides and for completely different reasons.

While extreme pro-regimers refuse the initiative claiming that it represents an American and Western agenda, pro-revolution also refuse any initiative that doesn’t guarantee the immediate falling of the regime and even “criminalizing the regime with all the massacres it has committed” as Ephraim. A, 58 years, civil engineer said. He continues: “Although I know that the regime will never accept the initiative without any modification to make it doable and to form it in the suitable way to achieve his ambitions. Reports say that they have killed more than 3000 people, do you think that they will withdraw the army from cities? You are dreaming we all know the tricks of the regime I experienced its tricks and lies for more than 30 years. They will withdraw the army but will keep the security forces, law enforcements and the (Al-Shabbeha) surfing in the seas of blood they have already made.”

Sarah Sarhan, 29 years old, teacher said: “I don’t think they will accept the initiative, it will destroy them if they do. Don’t you see the people in the streets? they are not afraid of any kind of force, so imagine the situation when the official accept to withdraw the army; no one will stay at home and the demonstrations will overwhelm Syria. They are not fools; they will come up with a suitable form that will help the regime to keep his iron fist on Syria. We all know the low moral level of the Arab diplomacies; they will believe the regime while he slaughters the people in the streets”

“As it is known to all, the Arab initiative cannot stop the bloodshed, let alone launching the wheel of purposeful reforms. However, it is necessary in the context of the Arab and international actions in form at least. As for the regime, with its ‘spontaneous’ million-man loyalist demonstrations, it will only resolve the political conundrum towards which it has led Syria when it recognizes the widening and depth of the opposition represented by the youth on the streets and in the towns of Syria.” Ahmad. S, 45 years, lawyer said.

Ghofran.N, 26 years, Law Student said: “They will accept it, but according to their own conditions, they will accept it to implicate the oppositionists and push them to the edge to force them to accept the initiative. They know that the people refuse the initiative, so they will accept it to put the opposition in a tough spot: accept it and lose their internal supporters –the people-, or refuse it and lose their global supporters. This is the trap, and this is what will happen. The officials will say that they will withdraw the army but they will ask for permission to locate some check points to keep the cities safe and calm, then they will start to take revenge on each family and citizen in Syria with the absence of the media of course, as I have heard that Syrian officials have put an amendment to the original initiative, this amendment is to include controlling the media and stopping the so-called ‘biased’ campaigns against the Syrian regime and all its practices, which means that people will be killed without even a hope of being recognized by the world.”

“Officials said last Tuesday that they have reached a deal with the Arab League committee tasked with finding a way to end seven months of unrest and starting a dialogue between President Bashar al-Assad and his opponents. I have heard the state media reported the deal, without giving details, saying that an official announcement of the agreement would be made at the Arab League headquarters in Cairo on Wednesday. They (the Arab league) have sold the Syrian revolution whether the regime has accepted it or not.” Samer. Z, 51 years old, teacher said.

The optimistic people are very happy and awaiting the Syrian answer to the initiative: “We trust the government and the president, they will choose and do the right thing for the good of Syria, they will accept the initiative and will deal with it. President Al-Assad has the wisdom to foresee and follow the safest way to rescue Syria. This initiative is a hope but it is not complete, so the Syrian officials have amended it and made it as good as possible to be doable and useful.” Joumard. A, 25 years, student said.

Many people tried to show the unlimited trust and full support to the government. Ahmad Ka, 29 year, student said: “You must be sure that the Syrian government will accept this initiative because they want the best to the Syrian people, they want to stop the bloodshed. They want to save the Syrians from being victims of the disinterested media; the oppositionists will feel shame and will ask for forgiveness when they will know how wrong they were.”

With all that said and done, we still have to wait for the final agreement to be unleashed and the conflict in the Syrian streets will be about how useful the initiative will be and how many days it will take the government to put the initiative into effect, and whether it will be actually executed on the ground or bot, and how many people will fall before achieving the goals of this initiative.

michel kilo Independent Syrian oppositionist

Posted on 11/14/2011 by tareqnouman

Rectangular meaty face: He is a first class family man, he is tender, loves to meet new people, he hates being alone and hates when he is not listened to. He prefers to give the chance to the new blood around him. He is a talkative and interesting man. He is practical.

Forehead: He is pragmatic, logical, and expresses himself through facts. Small close eyes: He is smart, he knows how to discover weak points in anybody around him. He spends most of his time reading or writing. He has the ability to recognize any face he saw before. He is selfish and has the ability to hide his thoughts and ideas.

Thick long eyebrows: He is little bit skimpy, he loves to supervise everything around him and he might not be able to control his anger. He can’t do anything without being the one and only in control. He values assertiveness and tends to have quite a strong personality.

Wide cheeks: He is a strong, tough man. Serious and loves his family very much. He is a man with hard experiences. He is a man of steady attitude. He is stubborn.

Beg wide nose: He has strong will. He is brave; he might not have the ability to work for long time. He is self-centered and he might feel that he is above the law. Lipless mouth: He might be a little bit mean and self-centered, he can’t fulfill his promises or he is used to promise people depending on his ability to full fill his promises.

Small chin: He might be unable to accept loss. He is a little bit too lazy to achieve his goals or to fight for his needs in the right way.