Tide turns in Syria - Russian official
http://english.ruvr.ru/2011/09/19/56388829.html
Syomina Olga
Sep 19, 2011 16:56 Moscow Time
The Syrian government has managed to turn the tide in the country, Russian Federation Council's Deputy Speaker Ilyas Umakhanov said to express the mutual opinion of Russian senators who are currently on a visit to Syria as part of a delegation. Today they visited the southern city of Deraa and met with the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. This is what Mr. Umakhanov told our correspondent:
"Our main impression is confined to the fact that the leader of Syria is going to implement his plan of political reforms, constitutional changes and a new law on elections. A whole array of steps has been taken along this track, including the cancellation of the state of emergency.
The president said he realizes that the amount of political, social and economic problems accumulated in Syrian society requires serious measures that he is strongly determined to put into practice. What is needed here is public stability and consent.
I think that country's leaders managed to turn the tide following their visits to Damascus and Deraa, the heart of protest actions. As government officials and citizens of Deraa told us, the city, which used to be one of the key opposition strongholds, has seen no disturbances or rallies for two months already.
We walked along the streets without guards and saw people fearlessly visiting cafes in the evenings. Of course, some tension is still tangible there and we got out our message concerning the need to avoid further violence and victims. For the time being, the situation we've seen reflects relative calmness, at least in Deraa and Damascus," says Ilyas Umakhanov.
According to Mr. Umakhanov, the Syrian head of state was very grateful to Russian leaders for their consistent and firm stand, including that on the vote in the UN Security Council.
They expect Russia, a number of other countries and the international community as a whole to facilitate the inter-Syrian dialogue and the search for peaceful ways of overcoming the crisis, Ilyas Umakhanov stressed.
The delegation of Russian senators will keep getting acquainted with the situation in Syria and will hold a series of meetings with heads of religious communities and opposition members.
الابرش يؤكد مواجهة سورية سيلا من الأخبار المزورة.. واوماخانوف يعرض ارسال مراقبين روس الى الانتخابات السورية
Abrash confirms Syria face a barrage of false news .. Ahumakhanov displays and Russia to send observers to the elections Syrian
http://arabic.rt.com/news_all_news/news/567006
18.09.2011
Mahmoud Abrash, Chairman of the Syria's People's Congress studied with the Vice President of the Russian Federal Elias Ahumakhanov means of activating inter-parliamentary relations and exchange of visits and experiences in the field of parliamentary work between the two countries to coordinate common positions at international conferences.
Quoted a Syrian news agency "SANA" on Sunday September 18 for Abrash as saying that Syria is facing a barrage huge body of information and news forged on the situation where, no matter the size of the news and information should not be an alternative access to the reality of the events closely.
For his part, displayed on Ahumakhanov Abrash consider the possibility of Russia to send observers to the upcoming parliamentary elections, the Syrian and representatives of international parliamentary groups may contribute to raising the level of legitimacy and reputation of the elections and respect.
He also pointed to the need for continued cooperation between the competent parliamentary committees in Syria, Russia and the coordination of information policies and mechanisms of action in the parliamentary community, and exchange of expertise in the area of political reform, noting that the Syrian political leadership aware of the reality of the situation and mechanisms to address the crisis and unify the efforts of all forces for the good of the homeland .
French, U.S. views collide over the Arab Spring
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/International/2011/Sep-19/149119-french-us-views-collide-over-the-arab-spring.ashx
September 19, 2011 02:31 AM
By Antoine Ghattas Saab
Agencies
France's support for the recent Arab revolts is derived from the principles that govern its foreign policy.
These include democracy, the regular and peaceful transition of power, and basic freedoms that allow people to express their opinions free of constraints and pressure.
On this basis, Paris is convinced that the "Arab spring" is not to be feared. But this collides with American interests. The U.S. is looking for ways to secure its economic interests in the areas where popular uprisings are taking place.
This American-French split contrasts with years of agreement – they were the first countries to promote the values of freedom, dignity and the right to self-determination – doing so since the French and American revolutions which launched the concept of liberation from tyranny, even in the face of death and injury.
According to a French source, his country's authorities are convinced that countries are not dealing with the Syrian revolution in order to affect positive change, so much as in accordance with political and strategic calculations by international powers who wish to subject Damascus to their direct control.
This source believes that the U.S. is trying to convince involved decision-making countries to reconsider toppling Bashar Assad. This is related to the hidden Israeli desire to keep the current Syrian regime in place, an option that is considered better than the chance that fundamentalist religious movements might take control of the state.
Israel believes it has received initial signals suggesting this is a possibility from Egyptian and Jordanian attempts to oust its ambassadors, as well as the announcement by Egypt's prime minister that the Camp David Accords are not sacred and can be reconsidered.
This announcement was interpreted by diplomatic circles as the first step in reshuffling the cards in the Middle East, pulling back from the process of normalization with Israel.
It appears that France is no longer the benevolent state it used to be during the time of Jacques Chirac, with the current government exercising both the carrot and the stick. But while its rhetoric against bloody rule in Syria has increased, those observing France's diplomatic efforts expect it will show flexibility toward Assad and his regime in the hopes that it will be able to play the mediator between the regime and the opposition, thus proving it can undertake sensitive missions in future regional and international conflicts.
France is dealing with Iran similarly, where negotiations on its nuclear capabilities are ongoing and will not reach the level of military tension with Europe. It's also dealing sensitively with Hezbollah, a party that is profiting on several levels. First, it has a Cabinet that supports it. Second, Patriarch Beshara Rai has expressed desire to open channels of communication with the party, after divisions in the days of his predecessor.
The same French official believes that statements Rai made in France were met with resentment by American authorities, who felt they justified Hezbollah's attempts to seek a complete takeover of power in Lebanon.
This is especially true given that his statements were not the slip of a tongue, but were repeated on three consecutive occasions. This, according to the French official, will make Rai's anticipated visit to Washington in a few weeks difficult, and will make him unlikely to receive a warm welcome by President Barack Obama.
The French official gave the example of former Patriarch Sfeir, who was not welcomed on his first visit to Washington by then-president George W. Bush. This was a means of American pressure on the patriarch to direct his speech according to the current Western winds, which then required a complete separation from Damascus, Hezbollah, and their allies.
Report: U.S. Seeks Explanations as Vatican Postpones al-Rahi's Promotion to Cardinal
http://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/15300-report-u-s-seeks-explanations-as-vatican-postpones-al-rahis-promotion-to-cardinal
by Naharnet Newsdesk
19 September 2011, 09:23
Gemayels hold talks with Saudi princes and al-Hariri in Riyadh; Junblat with French officials
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Politics/2011/Sep-19/149121-gemayels-hold-talks-with-hariri-in-riyadh.ashx
September 19, 2011 02:31 AM (Last updated: September 19, 2011 11:21 AM)
The Daily Star
BEIRUT: Kataeb (Phalange) Party leader Amin Gemayel and his son, lawmaker MP Sami Gemayel, held talks with Future Movement leader Saad Hariri in Saudi Arabia Sunday and are expected to meet a number of high-ranking officials during an official visit to the kingdom.
The former president and his son are expected to meet with Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdel-Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Nayef bin Abdulaziz, head of the General Intelligence Directorate Muqran bin Abdel-Aziz, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal and others, An-Nahar reported Sunday.
Sources from the Kataeb party said that "the Saudi leadership is holding deliberations and discussions before it takes important steps related to the region, including Lebanon."
The five-day visit is also expected to renew close ties between Saudi Arabia and Lebanon.
Meanwhile, Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblatt met with high-ranking officials in Paris over the weekend.
Jumblatt discussed with French officials the situation in the Middle East and Lebanon.
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