What a time to be in Syria! What a time to be an Arab! What a time to be alive!
These are the thoughts flashing through my mind right now … I want to rush out in the street and celebrate (and will as soon as I finish writing this) …
Our revolution was growing slowly and was still a matter of small protests, though those were spreading across the country like wildfire when the regime hit back in Dera’a. There, the first protests were met by gunfire … five dead. Then, over night, more. The hospital there reports 25 dead, other sources saying 37, up to 100 as government forces were shooting people. State television has been running a lot of nature shows ...
What comes next?
Some worried aloud that it would be 1982 all over again, others pointed out that, in Yemen, it was shooting on this scale that got Saleh to say he'd step down and defectors to start emerging… but that was well into the protests. The regime still might have troubles ... or offer concessions ... or crack down hard ...
And the investors want a crackdown ...
A friend called me this morning to see if I wanted to go to Dera'a today ,,,
No, I said, no. I have some common sense!
There's a clip being mailed around here of Dera’a protesters --- while nearly all
slogans used appear to be the same elsewhere (God, Syria, Freedom), this was
caught on film and quickly became a favorite of Asad supporters -- where they are chanting "No Iran. No Hizbullah. We want a Muslim who is afraid God."
And the idea was spread that this is sectarian and anti-alawi.
Maybe some are.
However, the idea of sectarianism returning terrifies everyone, not just Alawis,
and strengthens the regime. Meanwhile, one of the two vice presidents, Mouallem, stated in public:
"We are not opposed to the Islamic currents that are rational and broadminded
which understand their true roots, but as for al-Qaida and the Taliban which
take their instructions from America, and pretend that they are against it, they
are condemnable."
And then came Bouthaina Shabaan’s statement just now … speaking on behalf of the Regional Command of the Baath Parth on al-Jazeera.
She promised that state employees would have their salaries raised by 30% effective today. Next week, new raises may follow …. New jobs will be created, medical coverage would be increased for all …
But more importantly that opposition parties will be given opportunity to form and operate (my guess is that the ‘Damascus faction’ of the Muslim Brotherhood will be legal soon) and freedom of the press effective immediately ….
That they may shortly end the country’s emergency law, in effect since 1963 …
That law courts will have more power
That protesters may say whatever they wish and all popular demands will be looked at …
And she added that she was in the room when the President ordered the security agencies not to shoot anyone – not one shot.
And she offered condolences to people of Daraa and says that the people have legitimate demands. She added that it is not strange that Syria is being targeted. Reports of political protests have been exaggerated by some media organizations and there are signs that they have been funded by foreigners, she said.
I want to pinch myself … I want to go out in the streets and dance …