In a rare public speech today, Syrian President Bashar Assad laid out what he called a “peace plan” aimed at reconciling with combating forces in the ongoing civil war, offering political reforms and a new constitution.
The offers were predictably endorsed by Assad’s supporters and angrily condemned by his opponents, with the US claiming the whole offer was an attempt to “cling to power” because Assad didn’t explicitly promise to resign immediately.
Assad’s offer of talks directly ruled out talks with Western-backed rebels, making them pretty much meaningless in the first place, but since those rebels have ruled out ever negotiating with Assad anyhow, both sides could rightly be accused of being stubborn and dragging the war on rather than accept a settlement.
In the end, the rebels are holding out for a “deal” that will unconditionally install them as a new regime, and Western supporters of those rebels seem content to egg them on under the assumption this will eventually be on offer.
How hypocritically ironic that the US would time and again "support" Mubarak and how he refused to step aside when people were demanding it. They viewed that as bringing "instability" to the region while they cry for Assad to immediately step down. Do the millions of Syrians who support him have no voice in the matter? Or are all decisions to be made in Western capitals?
Well, they can "slam" all they want, but the State Department spokesperson cleraly said with a straight face how US supports Geneva agreement. Now, they are courting Russia to restart discussion on Geneva agreement! If rebels know what is good for them, they will take Assad's plan for amnesty, and find a legitimate opposition party in Syria to join. Assad has every reason to be satisfied. Overconfident rebels fell into a trap, and had huge losses end od November and in December. Now, he is waiting for a better offer.
The nuts and the bolts of Geneva agreement is in cease fire, and putting together a transitional government made of equal parts of rebels and Assad government officials. Assad will not have any role in the process of organizing elections. But under Geneva agreement he can run for the President. Now, US and UK are trying to prohibit him from running. While US and UK may like to continue egging on the rebels, Saudi Arabia, Katar, Turkey, Iraq or Lebanon are happy with this going on. They would like to end this, and at this point they do not care if Assad stays in power.
Ditz:
Instead of your "editorializing"…or, at the very least, in addition to it…why not provide a link to an actual transcript of Assad's actual speech and actual words–so as to report the actual "facts", and to allow 'people' to come to their 'own conclusions' based on "facts"; rather than simply providing your own 'interpretation' of other "editorializing" from (linked) "Reuters" and "The New York Times" articles???
Here is a link to the actual transcript of Assad's actual words (which I'm almost certain you've seen):
http://www.sana-syria.com/eng/21/2013/01/07/46053…
Was that hard? Why not provide 'people' with "facts"?
The 'media' (not limited to the lame-stream) has been completely irresponsible and ridiculous when it comes to Syria coverage..
Tell the 'truth'' Ditz… You are not telling the truth–'we' (you included) all know this…I'm sure…
There is a time and place for "activism"; this is not one of them with respect to Assad and what the "Syrian people" may, or may not, 'want'–as you, Ditz, are not Syrian…
To me Ditz story was the same as Asads . I read it as a anti spring story . Of course I agree with Assad statement that the Aarb spring is only a bubble , that will pop no matter what the westren countries say or think . Its hard to believe the west really believes what they say ?
Jason: who the hell is the western to call on anyone wanting to replace a legitimate government beside such regimes being a illegitimate government themselves, a mafia type system, a vulture capitalism system wanting to use their militarism power to satisfy their masters. If they were presenting a legitimate democracy or for that matter democracy to begin with then they wouldent been kissing the hands or some other body parts of their masters in Saudis arabia or wahabbis and their effiliated terrorism when it comes to syria.., then again who would they turn too for regime change or nation building in Middle East or North Africa beside these terrorists. Who would Hillary Clinton trust but terrorists, the left overs terrorist from Afghanistan, Iraq or for that matter Kosovo, who would she trust beside home made mercenaries operating in Jordan and turkey helping these terrorists to terrorise Syrian people… Now answer me Jason: who the hell are theses people and who the the hell is giving them a legitimate rights or concerns putting the life of the working man and women on line for bunch of idiots dictating the U.S fireign policies.., who the hell is Divide Cameron of England and why should he give himsefe the right to decide for Syrian people beside Syrian people and their legitimate government, if it was not for U.S or for that matter EU militarism regimes (NATO) then there wouldn't be any empire…, would it…,Jason..? look: Syrian government is backed by the majority of the Syrian people and they are about 25millions out of 30million of them… How many western government is out there 20…? how many of them (head of stats) governing "westren" 15..? how many of these countries having " austerity" problems and do these westerners capable of solving their peopls social evonomic problems created by vuture capitalism…? do they represent the majority of their people…? Non.., not even Obama presents the majority of working man and women in U.S and in real time able solving people's social economic problems.., but creating wars they are good at…, so who are these westerners beside westrenes militarism regimes wanting to replace a legitimate government using and supporting terrorisim terrorising peoples from Vietnam war to south america to Kosovo to Libya and now Syria…, Jason I want you to tell the world who the hell is this western of yours that Syrian government.., or Bashir al Assad should have listened too and obey by their saying.., what is that "better plan" of these "westerners" beside what Syrian government have said long time ago.., "com on seat down with us lets talk" .., do they speak the same language as the Syrian government, do they know anything about Syria and Syrian people, is Syrian government ever been telling Americans or England what to do, or to those idiots in Saudi Arabia or Qatar what to do…? Look, jason.., empire is dead.., what is left of its system is his militarism regime that's needs to be dismentald.., only then the empire is willing to realize the truth.., Haggel is not the man.., not even close.., he will follow the old rules listening to his boss as the previouse and pervious one did by becoming loyal trying to save what is left of empire, the empire prestige…, if such thing even exist anymore.
I am deeply disappointed.
In Britain the speech got htrough, the Establishment having been caught out, and was repeatedlybroadcast ashot news.
That evening various commentators had abruptly changed their position, "well, the West may have seroiusly miscalculated…"
This is the speech any government leader would make when the country faces foreign threat.
It could be sen to be wildly received and he was mobbed.
Since America andtheir allies are behind it and control their Assets and paramilitaries itit hardly surprising he should reject them amd they be mad this morning.
Antwar.com should be reporting this.
Truth axis of evil, truth sponsors of terrorism are angry? Of cource!
Their sponsors: Internacional banksters and military indusrial complex need and want!!!! more wars, more destruction, more missery …… War is the most profitable bussines for them?!?!petr czech
Jason.., you need to go and find yourself a real job somewhere els. You dont speak the language of people who read this site.., and if you have noticed less people visiting this site.., some have tried to save your ass but no more. As Ben c.., have pointed out.., you are copying and pasting what already been said by others repeating the biased news from NYT or CNN or BBC and etc adding or reducing few words here and there.., thats not facts or journalism for that matter.., is personalized opinion with no place in a unbiased journalism.
Truth axis of evil, truth sponsors of terrorism are angry? Of cource!
Why should such an extraordinary strongly people-supported President as Assad resign in such a tense situation, because Western politicians want this? Since when foreign enemy countries do decide who is president in a given country? Aren't it the Syrian people who have the right to elect a president? Assad had 55 percent support of Syrians in a poll made by its Arab league enemies and it is now expected that he has 75 percent support since virtually nobody wants those killers to rule as USA puppets and introduce the Sharia.
Nevertheless, due to the facts that foreign mercenaries sent by USA/NATO/Saudis etc. are killing its people and destroy Syria, Assad offered a peace-plan.
But how does Jason Ditz comment this? ->
" both sides could rightly be accused of being stubborn and dragging the war on rather than accept a settlement."
Why should Assad negotiate which paid killers of the USA? They are tools, employees and can not negotiate. Their orders come from USA routed to them by Saudis/Muslim Brotherhood.
Assad did make a peace plan, this is a settlement. Is really Assad "stubborn and dragging the war on" or isn't it the antiwar writer Jason Ditz?
In any article Jason Ditz seems to ignore they key facts behind this long planned US war against Syria:
08oo.wordpress(DOT)com/2012/05/30/key-reasons-and-powers-behind-the-attack-on-syria/