What strikes me most about Assad's third speech
Issandr El Amrani | Syria assad Bashar al-Assad just delivered his third public address since the uprising began in Syria. The previous speeches were cocky and confident, arrogant even. In this one he seemed uncomfortable and nervous, gone was the joking and swagger of a month ago. He even appeared to have lost some weight.
Assad offered a bunch of technocratic reforms: a new electoral law, a commitment to root out corruption, media reform, reform of municipal government, and the launch of a national dialogue for reform that will include 100 personalities. It was a technocrat's speech, not a leader or politician's speech, and he appeared rambling and perhaps even weak. Its contents were vague, and simply did not address the very serious crisis between the Syrian people and their state.
It's hard to interpret what this all means, because it was difficult to understand what Assad was pitching. He just didn't sell it, and we don't know who is supposed to big part of this national dialogue (although I've heard that longtime dissident Michel Kilo might be a part of it.) But it still feels too half-hearted, there was no grand gesture such as calling back security forces or addressing the refugee situation in Turkey (for instance by offering an amnesty and guarantees that they will be unharmed if they return and that the incidents that led to their flight will be investigated.)
It's very hard to judge from the outside where Syria is headed. This speech further muddles the picture, with Assad making a half-hearted conciliatory gesture that simply does not convince.
Reader Comments (7)
You are full of shit, This was a great speech that clarified exactly what the Syrian leadership intent is, in addition it also outlines historical events you subjective bustard
What exactly did he say? I listened to the whole speech and I have no clue what reforms he is offering. Te guy is a loser.
Yea for al-Assad! Don't let the U.S. do to your country what it did to IRAQ!
Great speech. he mentioned the dialogue he had with delegations of everywhere in the country and different segment of sciety, emphasized the role of the youth and that they will be the future's actor, especially with the law of parties which has been ready for a year as also the end of emergency law, but was delayed because they though to change the local governements was more important and inclusive for the two others.
He cant recall the troops since he is faced with people armed with advanced weapons (see Khaddam boasting about a coming Turkish intervention two months ago).
Syria wont be a new Iraq. This would be too disgusting for the million + Iraqi refugees of all confessions.
Assad is a sock puppet. His controllers would not let him make reforms regardless of his desire.
He is aware of the situation, he could hardly become passionate now.
People prefer risk of a more varied society above a dictate of security.
He is a liar, and the syrians are becoming tired of the leader of the shabiha in syria, at least he should try to lie more intelligently, but as an head of a mafia clan, acknowleging the real problemes, the demonstrations, the opposition is something he will never do.
He will be removed, his regime will fall with him all his corrupt and criminal familly,