The Meeting at Samiramis Hotel in Damascus

A group of 200 persons met at Hotel Samiramis in Damascus for eight hours and issued a final statement in front of the cameras of the official Syrian TV and those of Dunia Channel (semi-official). The meeting was presented as a consultative one for "independent" personality from the "opposition". Europeans and Americans were quick to support "the conference of the opposition". Every thing about this meeting was vague and shrouded in mystery: the late announcement, participation by invitation, meeting happened behind closed doors, no pre-announced list of participants, no pre-announced schedule, no guidelines for the "discussions", no clear idea who organized it, many rumors about who is and who is not participating, and even the epithet to be given (conference, meeting, discussion) to the meeting was not clear.

An introduction to understanding Syria today

A. Nazir Atassi

I find that, after three months of protest and numerous articles written on the subject, Syria remains a mystery to western readers and media alike. With all due respect to specialists in Syrian affairs, who added tremendously to our knowledge and understanding of Syria, a first-hand experience of a native of the country is still needed to elucidate certain issues that outsiders will rarely see or understand. Syria is still “the kingdom of silence”, to use the words of the prominent Syrian dissident Riyad al-Turk. It is a mystery enveloped in silence and thrown in the deepest abyss of fear. Nonetheless, plenty of hope for the future of Syria is in the air, and, for the first time, it is well justified. Syria will unravel with every day of protest, every voice raised, every protester killed, and every word written about it. In addition to patience and courage, well in supply these days, we need to talk about Syria; both Syrians and others need to talk about Syria because it would be a victory for non-violent activism. It will set the stage for 21st century activism if the Syrian uprising, as it is proceeding now, manages to effectuate a change of its ruling regime; one of few remaining Cold War era Stalinist regimes.