Arab League suspension of Syria brings military intervention closer

international | anti-war / imperialism | other press

Monday November 14, 2011 19:19

by pat c

Chris Marsden reports on Arab League to suspend Syria and exposes the hypocrisy of some of the despots who voted in favour. Full text at link.

The vote by the Arab League to suspend Syria brings a step closer the possibility of external military intervention into what is already a de facto civil war. A meeting in Cairo Saturday told Syria it will be suspended from the Arab League and face sanctions if it does not end its crackdown on anti-government protesters. A total of 18 countries agreed to the suspension, beginning Wednesday. Only Syria, Lebanon and Yemen voted against, with Iraq abstaining.

Tens of thousands protested the decision in Syria in the squares of Damascus, Aleppo, Raqqa, Lattakia, Tartous, Hasaka and Sweida, and there were attacks made on the Saudi Arabian, Qatari and Turkish consular facilities.

For the most part, popular support for the Ba’athist regime of Bashir Assad in Damascus and other cities, despite its repressive character, is animated by fear of the alternative—the installation of a sectarian Sunni Islamist regime that will persecute Alawites, Christians and other minorities, and the growing danger of foreign military intervention.

The headline reason for the suspension of Syria from the Arab League—a death toll in the conflict rising above 3,500—has no credibility. Not only are many of the despotic regimes that signed on to the resolution currently carrying out the brutal suppression of their own people, including host Egypt, but they are also directly involved in arming and organising the opposition movement.

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Syrians protest over suspension from league

Mon Nov 14, 2011 20:53

Syrians protest over suspension from league

HUNDREDS OF thousands of Syrians thronged the central squares of cities across the country yesterday to denounce the Arab League’s decision to suspend the country’s membership as Turkey sent planes to evacuate diplomatic staff and their families after a night of attacks on embassies. The government called for an emergency Arab summit to discuss the situation, and invited league diplomatic and military observers to monitor implementation of its peace plan.

In Damascus, students, teachers, civil servants and other professionals flocked to a rally called by the ruling Baath Party. They gathered beneath a sea of flags at the square near the central bank to demonstrate support for the government.

“Freedom and Bashar,” they shouted, clapping. Ola Mathfouth, a young mother of four, said, “I expected such a resolution because the league was ordered by Israel and the US.”

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/world/2011/1114/122....html

'Sixty per cent are in the silent majority - they pray to God to stop the violence'

Dr Muhammad Habash is a progressive Muslim cleric, member of parliament and television star. He speaks frankly about the deepening crisis Syria faces. “The situation is complicated, [growing] more difficult.” The regime believes there is a “foreign agenda” behind the protests and “is still using the security solution . . . to destroy the opposition . . . The opposition has only one target, to destroy the regime. There are two kinds of opposition [groups]: external who want international intervention and internal who want no intervention. Twenty-five per cent of the people are with the regime, 15 per cent with the Syrian National Council [the opposition group favoured by Western powers] and 60 per cent are in the silent majority. They pray to God to stop the violence.” He observes: “Europe can play a positive role if it avoids any kind of armed intervention. We need [its] help to support democracy, help refugees and [mediate] between the government and civil society.” He says sanctions harm the people more than targeted individuals.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/world/2011/1114/122....html

Load of Bull

by Chicago Bull

Mon Nov 14, 2011 21:30

How can anyone have such a blinkered view. Assad the murderer isn't wanted at home let alone the rest of the arab world. His days are numbered.

WOW..

by opus diablos - the regressive hypocrite party

Mon Nov 14, 2011 21:35

All the way from Chigago and capable of pontificating not just for the Arab oil-puppets and the Arab street but the whole Arab world..

Is that why its called the windy city?

Anglo-Saxon Nazis must be stopped

by An Draigneán Donn

Tue Nov 15, 2011 11:47

The murderous reign of the Anglo-Saxon empire needs to be stopped in its tracks. Regardless of our opinion of the Syrian government, it must be supported by all Socialists. Trotsky gave the correct attitude of any Socialist, when he gave the hypothetical case of "democratic" Britain attacking fascist Brazil. Socialists must support fascist Brazil, as all the imperialists would do is put in their own fascist puppet. Whereas the defeat of Britain would greatly benefit the anti-fascist struggle in Brazil, and raise the consciousness of Workers in Britain. Sadly, Irish latterday "Trotskyists," i.e. the SWP and the SP, have caste the teachings of Trotsky aside, and now support the imperialists.

Get a grip!

by A Freeman

Wed Nov 16, 2011 19:52

US and UK aren't going to intervene in Syria, all that DD talk of "Anglo-Saxon Nazis" is just mindless blather. A civil war is developing there though, worrying times for Christians, Druze and other minorities in Syria.

who needs invasion?

by lefty

Wed Nov 16, 2011 21:44

you don't need to invade to mess up a country

Just pay and arm and send in a bunch of nutcase fundamentalists to cause trouble
Use the ensueing government crackdown as a reason to ratchet up pressure
contact political rivals of man in charge secretly and pay off / offer your support in return for them stirring it further
Stir up any natural tribal divisions in the country. Maybe a strategic killing or two by your special forces in local costume?
Apply sanctions financial embargos to crank up the heat. starving the people and killing their kids always pisses them off
Agent provocateurs can easily turn ensuing protests into nasty "riots"
Let your media dogs loose to stir the brew on tv with plenty of "artistic licence" taken with the truth
Have wargames on the border with a bunch of mad religious fundy neighbours armed to the teeth. Scare the shit out of them
<insert favourite well known CIA/MI5 dirty trick here>
Rinse repeat

Someone will probably beg you to intervene when the mess gets really bad

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Arab League suspension of Syria brings military intervention closer

Comments (6 of 6)