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Subscribe to RSSBashar Assad’s exiled uncle believes the Syrian president will not be able to stay in power, according to an interview Tuesday.
Rifaat Assad, who attempt to take power from Assad’s later father in the 1980s and now lives in exile, told BBC News that Bashar Assad help with the transition to a new government. He also suggested he would make a good replacement president.
"The problems are now general to all parts of Syria -- there are no places that have escaped violence -- so I don't think he [Bashar Assad] can stay in power," Rifaat Assad told the BBC News. "I would say, though, that he should stay so he can co-operate with a new government and offer the experience he has."
"A commission should go from the Arab League and the [U.N.] Security Council to monitor free and transparent elections," he added.
He claimed such elections would show that “the Assad family has got much more importance and support than some of the meaningless figures [of the opposition Syrian National Council] who we see on TV screens now."
Rifaat Assad was in charge of a military attack on the city of Hama in 1982 that killed between 10,000 and 25,000 people, according to BBC News.
'Horror'
And Ausama Monajed, of the Syrian National Council, said in an email to msnbc.com Tuesday that it was “true that Bashar Assad is finished,” but that Rifaat was “even worse.”
“The atrocities and massacres he [Rifaat Assad] committed in Syria, before he was forced into exile, can fill horror books! There is no way Syrians can accept him in any public position, let alone the presidency!” Monajed wrote.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced the Assad regime in Syria must stop killing its people or face "serious consequences." NBC's Andrea Mitchell has more.
Meanwhile, opposition activists accused Syrian troops of shelling two cities – Homs and Zabadani -- on Tuesday in a campaign to weaken opposition forces Assad's government before a ceasefire deadline next week.
Rebel fighters also kept up their attacks, killing three soldiers in separate actions in northern Syria, activists said.
Assad has agreed to a ceasefire negotiated by international peace envoy Kofi Annan from April 10, the latest effort to end a year of bloodshed stemming from an uprising against his rule.
Peacekeepers to arrive soon
An advance team from the United Nations' peacekeeping department will arrive in Damascus in the next two days to work out how observers can monitor the truce, Annan's spokesman said in Geneva.
But Syrian opposition figures as well as Western governments have already made it clear they are not convinced that Assad, who has failed to honor previous commitments, would keep his word this time.
Syria agrees to UN's April 10 peace plan deadline
"He is a liar," said Waleed al-Fares, an opposition activist in Homs, a city which came to symbolize the anti-Assad struggle as opposition-held areas endured weeks of bombardments and sniper fire.
Targets in Homs were coming under shelling on Tuesday, he said. Another opposition activist, Mortadha al-Rashid, told Reuters from Damascus that the western border town of Zabadani was also taking a pounding.
Syria says it won't back down first
"The regime shows no signs of stopping. There are people being shelled in Zabadani right now," another opposition activist, Mortadha al-Rashid said. "Where are Kofi Annan's words? Because we have never seen them on the streets."
Reuters contributed to this report.
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LOL thats like goebels saying hitler is done and he would make a fine replacement.
"All Countries Have A Choice Of What Kind Of Road They Build Together & What Kind Of Road They Build Will Decide Where That Road Takes Them"
"CHILDREN SEEKING WORLD PEACE" (Short Film Script)
Opening Scene;
We see the Outside of the United Nations Building next we see a man dressed in a suite carrying a brief case walking into the building he approaches the Desk of the Chairman of the United Nations, pulls out a very large manila envelope and hands it to the Chairman. The Chairman opens the envelope, reads the paper work and scratches his head, looks up at the Special Carrier with a bewildered look on his face and says; Wow this is an Extremely Unusual Request and it comes from very unusual sources this is a First for me.
Carrier
What do you mean unusual request, who sent the letter ?
Chairman
Did you notice the Post Marks on this letter ?
Carrier
Yes I did, and it also has so many different kinds of stamps on it from around the World.
I have never seen so many Stamps on one envelope in my life, so who is it from and what are they want ?
Chairman
It appears that they are following up on an idea that originated from a Film Script Writer in America who came up with an Idea of writing a short Film Script he Calls "Children Seeking World Peace" The writer posted it on line and some of the Country Leaders around the World liked the idea so that they implemented it.
Carrier
Implement what ?
Chairman
Every Country in the World picked two Young Students from one of their schools a boy and a girl to represent their Country and are asking for a "SPECIAL UNITED NATION'S MEETING" that will be attended by all of the Leaders in the World but this is the Catch.
The adults are not to speak at this meeting, only the Children will be allowed to speak at this Special meeting called "CHILDREN SEEKING WORLD PEACE"
Carrier
Wow, I see what you mean when you said an unusual request and that is comes from an unusual source you were right about that.
Chairman
There's more this request gets even more stranger they are requesting that we install a large garden area next to the United Nation Building before this meeting takes place that we don't plant anything in the garden area just leave it bare dirt, there are to be small signs placed every two feet next to the rows in this garden area with the names of each Country in the World next to each one of these signs there will also be a watering can containing water.
Carrier
Do you think that the Board will consider this bizarr & unusual request ?
Chairman
Yes I do after all these are the Children of the World, the next Generation seeking the opportunity for them to be part of the Peace Process from their Generation and we should give them the opportunity to do so.
Scene Two;
We see the inside of the United Nations building where many young children are standing paired off one boy and one girl facing all of the Adult Leaders from around the World these Children are from all walks of life all different nationalities and all dressed differently.
Every Girl is holding a small pot containing a different flower in it in one hand and a small shovel in their other hand.
Each Boy is holding a small pot containing a different kind of plant in one hand and a small shovel in his other hand.
(all of these flowers and plants are beautiful and very colorful)
Every Boy & Girl from their Country are wearing Name tags with their Countries names on the tags. The Children are just standing there in silence.
The inside of this building is silent at first then we hear whispers coming from the Adult Leaders, what is this all about, what do they want, this is strange.
Next we see a girl step forward from the row of children following behind her is another girl and a boy they are all three standing there for a minute and the room gets silent.
Then the boy speaks,
I have been chosen to speak on behalf of all of the Children in this room. We are standing here before all of you representing the Worlds Next Generation, Your Worlds Next Generation. We only have a few words to say to all of you here today.
All of us had several things that we wanted to say to all of you today but we all decided that words are not enough without all of Our WORLD LEADERS making a Solid Commitment to end all Wars in Our World Today ! ! !
So, we only have three words to say to all of you here today... " PLEASE JUST STOP"
(one of the girls standing next to this young boy translates this message in all languages)
The three young children stand there for a minute in silence then one of the two girls step forward she says, we only have one more request to ask from all of you in this building today, please follow us to the garden area located just outside this building.
(the other girl translates this request in all languages)
The other children in the building follow the three children exiting the building followed by the Adults.
Third Scene;
We see all of the children lined up still holding their flowers and plants in one hand and their shovels in their other hand they are paired off one boy and one girl standing along side of the garden rows facing their Countries signs that are placed in two foot sections of their Special Garden.
(we see all of the Adult Leaders standing around this garden in groups whispering to each other we can't make out what they are saying to each other but they have a confused look on their faces)
Next the same Girl that spoke earlier in the building is holding a flower in one hand and a small shovel in her other hand says, I would like all of the Adult Leaders from their Countries to stand in front of their Countries signs facing each of us. (translated by the girl standing next to this girl)
The Adult Leaders line up in front of their Countries garden signs facing these children then every child bends down at the same time and digs a small hole in the ground in their two foot section of this Special Garden. (each two foot garden section now has two small holes dug in them and everyone is silent)
Next we see the same girl that spoke earlier stand up after digging her hole in the garden she hands her Adult Counter Part Leader her Potted Flower and says, each one of these Flowers that all of us has brought here today Represent WORLD PEACE for Our Future.
she continues..
All of the Children Around the World requested this SPECIAL UNITED NATIONS MEETING to beg all of the Leaders of Our world to help us Plant our Flowers here today to end all Wars in our World Immediately and all of the Plants that the Boys brought here today represent Commitment To Do So.
(translated again by the girl standing next to her)
Next we see the Boy that spoke earlier at the meeting hand his Adult Counter Part his potted plant then the Girl that is speaking looks over at all of the other Children that are still standing next to their garden and she nodes her head.
Then, All of the Children say the words together, in their own languages in a loud & begging tone. "PLEASE JUST STOP"
Next, We see all of the Children reach in their pockets, pull out a small bag and pour out a few of seeds into each of their Adult Counter Parts hands.
The Girl speaker then says,
we are giving all of you our seeds to take home with you so you can plant them in your gardens as a reminder of your Commitment all of you made here today to; END ALL WARS In Our World IMMEDIATELY..THESE SEEDS ALSO REPRESENT FORGIVENESS for without forgiveness there can be no PEACE, so please pass these seeds on to your transgressor so the Peace Process can begin. (translated by the girl standing next to her)
Last Scene
We see all of the Adult Leaders bent down next to the Children planting the Children's Flowers & Plants together in their "Special World Peace Garden" Located in Front Of the "UNITED NATIONS BUILDING"
Fade Out..
Written by, Michael V. Caldwell, Always Striving To Be Part Of The Solution, Using Respect & Common Sense As My Guidelines To Follow At All Times...
Respectfully,Thank all of You, for taking the time to read this IMPORTANT & Very Badly Needed message.
"DREAM BIG DO BIG"
________________________________________________________________________________________
"ROAD TO PEACE" (film short story)
Opening Scene: (filmed in black & white, silent film)
We see an old Soldier walking down a dirt road with a machine gun under his arm
and carrying his young son on his shoulders.
The young boy and his father are dressed in their combat clothing and the boy
also has a machine gun gun tucked under his arm, suddenly they stop.
(our camera pans to a person sitting on a large rock on the side of the road)
We see the back of this person only, the person is wearing a black hooded robe
with their hood raised up.
(we pan back to the old soldier and his son)
The old soldier places his son on the road then pushes him in the direction
of the hooded stranger.
The young boy walks cautiously up to the stranger with his gun drawn
upwards as he gets closer we notice the person is small in stature then the boy
points
the gun at the back of the strangers head.
The stranger turns around slowly then we see it is a young girl, the girl
is the same age as the boy.
The young girl places a daisy in the barrel of the boy's gun.
(at that instant our film changes to color and remains in color)
Next, we see they young boy standing there with a blank look on his face he
then drops the gun on the ground, the gun vanishes and where the gun was we see
three books there instead.
The boy picks up the books curiously, then turns and looks in the direction
where his father was with an astonishment look.
(we show a close-up on boys face then we pan our camera to the father)
The boy's father is now standing there dressed in a white shirt and slacks and
holding sets of plans tucked under his arm in the place of a gun.
(we pan back to boy and girl)
We see the boy standing there dressed in the same attire as his father, with
three books tucked under his arm in place of his gun staring at the girl that
is still sitting on the rock, the girl has long curly brown hair and is now
wearing white clothing, she also has three books sitting next to her.
Closing Scene:
We see the backs of all three of them walking down the road towards the setting
sun, the boy and the girl are holding hands both of them carrying three books
tucked under their arms.
The father has three sets of building plans tucked under his arm and is walking
with his head up high..
Fade Out End...Or Beginning Of A Brighter Badly Needed Future For Our World.
The Assad family is a family of butchers....
All nations of the planet should have convened at the UN to allow foreign intervention in Syria, when they had a chance to do so. Syria is for the Syrian people to live in peace and with dignity! But now, they are being slaughtered like pigs and the international community should not allow it! For God´s sake, we live in the 21st century. Especially, in this particular case, the Arab League Nations should act overwhelmingly to cause the fall of those demented murderers Assad, both Bashar and Naher.
By their vote, twice, against intervention, Russia and China have demonstrated that they too want to have a free hand in their countries to maim, assassinate and jail their nationals, at will. They have plenty of experience in producing dead and mutilated bodies all over their countryside.
With this background, Assad promoted a fake, cynical referendum, on constitutional changes, to make everybody believe that he is the good guy, and that the people of Syria deserve to be slaughtered day after day, with no international reaction in sight.
Of course, all this, also, after recent elections in Yemen where a single candidate, the Vice-president of Saleh, another assassin, ran for reelection; and, of course, won.
And, not a word from the State Department or the majority of chanceries across the world, especially of those countries that consider themselves highly industrialized, super developed, and the world´s guardians of freedom, free democracy, and human rights.
Why doesn´t the International Penal Court seek to investigate and prosecute Assad´s animal behavior, ASP?
Sure, a cease fire is good news, but the Assassin himself – Assad family – should step down and be tried internationally for crimes against humanity. If this is not an aim of the UN, they will have failed miserably.
Nice, huh, after 40 years of his family being in power, this stupid animal named Bashar Assad -- all he knows is killing his own people with his country´s army. He´s been president for 11 years, but he has reached the point of no return and should be killed, alongside his family. The referendum should be for his ouster from this planet, period! He´ll surely lose. Lest, of course, in the case of Assad, countries like the UK, where his bitchy wife is from, try to give him asylum. At this point, any type of sectarian violence is better than outright killings by this demented moron and his brother Maher. The Sunni Muslims will in the end prevail, while the Alawite, related to Shiite Islam, will probably be massacred in Syria.
The Royal Saudis, and other blue blooded Arabs, including Assad, and other (assassins) “presidents” of the region´s economies, are not reforming anything in the political arena, like redefining their rules for economic growth in democracy, western-type. They´ll all be kicked out eventually! And, when the population realizes that the West did not help, they´ll surely turn to more fanatic means, engulfing both politics and religion, as in Iran!! Eventually, to protect oil sources the West might have to set up a NO-FLY ZONE all over the Middle East, case by case.
Bashar Al Assad is a despot, demented moron, and murderer – an international shame for the 21st century -- and should be executed quickly by Syria´s (shabiha in rebellion), or foreign, armed forces – the Mossad -- even for the sake of saving their skins if not solely to save Arab lives, while at the same time taking over and installing a temporary military government,, that over a period of 2 years could bring things back to normal. Needless to say, in the process, the armed forces there should be purged of any of Assad´s cronies so that these freedom fights continue for the benefit of the Syrian population.
The only political system that will last forever, so to speak, will be a western style-type democracy. Apparently this truth has been realized by a whole new generation of Syrians educated within and outside of that country. The internet has helped bridge the technological gap and to come to full realization that their young lives were meaningless and had no future with corrupt animals like Assad, in power. In Egypt, the military government should be forced to resign!
However, Syrians will not have freedom and dignity for a long time. They have to work at it, together with their armed forces that must see their role as only temporary -- 2 years -- until the country´s new institutional basis is set up so that political parties can prosper in peace and without fear. Once this is achieved, elections must be convened so that regional-party political representatives can be elected nationwide with a view to integrating a National Assembly to draft a new Constitution for the country. This would be the beginning of a new future for the Syrian population.
Meanwhile, if captured alive, the military government should prosecute Assad so that the death penalty can be brought to bear on this god forsaken animal, and his family. Their own and family assets, in general, should be confiscated in Syria as well as outside of the country. Those monies belong to the people of Syria.
But more than anything, the world must congratulate the Syrian population for acting with great courage, with their hearts and minds, to try to topple a ruthless and corrupt regime from the face of the earth. They should be armed by the rest of the world.
Needless to say many more countries will follow, not only in the Middle East – mainly, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Iran, etc. -- but also in Latin America, especially in the case of those with presidential lunatics trying to emulate the Cuban political system which under the noses of the USA and the rest of the Americas has failed miserably.
In general, the combination of authoritarian rule, high unemployment, poor opportunities for social advancement, demographic youth bulges, low public investment in education and health and other public services, and anger at high levels of corruption, and outright thievery, in the Middle East and North Africa, and in Latin America, will prompt public uprisings that will topple their leaders. Assad is definitely in this list after their close friend Gadhafi has moved on to better pastures, in hell! Needless to say, the Cuban government also needs to be overthrown!
Instead, Presidents from these poor, backward economies, that have not even approached the take-off stage in economic development should instead concentrate their public administration efforts in fighting corruption, reducing the size of their inefficient and corrupt public sectors, and increasing public/private investments with the help of the multilateral financial community -- including in the strategic social sectors; i.e., education, health, and basic services – to increase employment.
The UN Security Council should give the OK for NATO to intervene also in Syria, so that these people are not slaughtered like animals by their own army. The intervention at this stage should be humanitarian aid, drones, and light weapons with plenty of ammunition so that these peoples can defend themselves from the butchers of Damascus.
But what can the world do with stupid interventions like the one given NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen stating that the alliance had no intention of intervening in Syria, even if there was a UN mandate for this. He also rejected the idea of providing logistical support for possible ‘humanitarian corridors’ to Syria’s worst-hit cities. Rasmussen said that Syria is too complicated, ethnically, politically, and religiously, adding that Middle Eastern countries should find a solution to the conflict.
This very stupid general should resign his post. Rasmussen’s comments are risky, because they could actually give Syrian President Bashar al-Assad even greater confidence to crack down on the opposition, thus making NATO intervention more likely, if Assad uses now even deadlier force, at which point the West would come under rising pressure to intervene.
Get the cowardly generals out of the way, get them some boos and whores, and let them have a war with their cowardly selves.
McCain is right!! Strike the murderers now! In this sense, the USA should at least coordinate a first and good strike against the Syrian government. Hire Mossad??? I mean, so much sh-t is said about Israel wanting to stop Iran but meanwhile with the Iranians help, Assad is butchering thousands of human beings and Israel just sits idly by.
In the final analysis given the severity of the situation, the UN/NATO should propose that Syria, a sovereign country, transfer its right to national self-determination to an overseer. The UN should argue that given the failure and the criminality of the Syrian state, UN and NATO members have the power and moral right to suspend the principle of national self-determination. In other words, Syria should be taken over by the rest of the world to stop the mass assassinations being conducted there by Bashar Assad.
More than TEN THOUSAND SYRIANS HAVE ALREADY DIED in their fight for LIBERTY!
And the rest of the world, especially her neighbors, should not allow it!
GERMAN all this nonsenses did you come up with it all by yourself or the rest of the family helped . ASSAD took in one million refugees from IRAQ after we invaded , no country offered to help them , why didn't,he kill all these people after all he is such brutal SOB , COME ON MAN , get real every body wants out because he does not belong to the SAUDI AND QATARI AND WHOEVER CLUB , and he is Friend with IRAN , wow we were Friends with SADDAM at one time we gave him all the arms he want , even the chemical ones . so now you want to send our troops to fight for something that McCain said and our generals said ALQUIDA ,is the fighting ASSAD , LET ME SEE HERE YOU and McCain want to help ALQUIDA and our generals are stupid and McCain IS NOT, are SARA PLAIN neighbor buddy , do not tell me I bet you are .
apparently we live in the 21st century only when some people think its convenient.
If the UN sends in peacekeepers, they will just be targets. Sending in any NATO troops, as peacekeepers or not, will just draw fire from both sides of the street. The peacekeepers will not be able to do anything or stop anyone from continuing to fight. If the troops are from western countries, they will be considered invaders and crusaders by the Muslims and make the perfect target for the Iranians wearing Syrian uniforms. If the Arab League sends in the peacekeepers, their peace keeping will be for sale or rent, which ever is most convenient fo Assad. Peacekeepers without weapons or with weapons and no ammunition will be over ran, abused or killed or captured and ransomed. It is the way of the Arab world to do these things and to make a profit whenever possible. The only western peacekeepers that can go in there and survivie it are the French Foreign Legionnaires. They have a great history with Arabs, they will fight back and Arabs know it, and France is the only Country in the world that would support their troops to the maximum. The Brits and the US troops will be worried about what the media will say, show and televise. The Legionnaires will kick butts, kill bad guys and run off with all the available women. The Free (?) Syrians will of course be glad for any help, but they will be demanding of arms and money while dictating what you can or cannot do in their country. It is a lose - lose situation that NATO forces need to stay out of. If the Arab League wants to deal with it, let them. For the US, there should be a no money, no arms, no reconstruciton clause to any help we give them.
Dude, what's up with all those super-long postings. I've got dizzy just by scrolling down, jeez.
lol no kidding :)
another butcher wannabe dictator! do the assads ever have an honest family member?
The short answer is no. The Assad family established its power through legalized mafia and through this process, they've corrupted the past four generations and made bribery, theft, and unethical practices a normal business.
OMG Hillary is one ugly dude, s/he should keep mouth shut and hide behind that little sissy girl OBUMMER and let these other countries do their thing, how is our business, if some country tried to stick their nose in our stuff/ hell they would be finding their AZZ hitting the floor so Hillary,dude "but out" and as for OBUMMER well what can i say but get out of the WHITE house you can't fix anything you are a cluster phuck coming and going so please get GOING!!!!!!
just do your job and take care of our home(not yours / not Africa,/// traitor) America
Rifaat Assad as a good replacement for the current one??? Rifaat, if you or one of your thugs would stumble upon this message, please kol khara and stay out of Syria. You have been credited with stealing the lives of , at least, 20,000 (men, women, and kids) over the years and stealing hundreds of millions of dollars... and now you proclaim to be a good replacement!!! PLEASE.
Bud-3482243, What is your problem? You must have a bad case of OBAMAPHOBIA. You should get to the shrink as soon as possible.