Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad, spoke Wednesday, March 30 for the first time since the protests began March 15. He has said that the fight against corruption and unemployment was a "priority" of his next government, but has not announced an end to emergency rule or give any details on possible reforms.
His speech to MPs, came a day after the resignation of the government of Mohammad Naji Otri, in place since 2003. "It's an exciting time, which appears as a test of our unity," he said, beginning his speech, broadcast on television. "I know the Syrians are waiting for the speech last week, but I wanted to wait to have a complete picture of the situation ...
in order to avoid making emotional about who might be appeased people, but n would not have had any practical effect when our enemies are Syria. " The Syrian president, took office in 2000, was greeted by a standing ovation from MPs, who chanted "with our blood, our souls, we sacrifice ourselves for you, Bashar." Alleging a "conspiracy" against his country, he accused a "minority" of trying to sow chaos in Deraa, but said that the population of this southern city, where violent clashes took place, would succeed in overcoming troublemakers.
The announcement of liberalization was expected, but the speech was completed without reference to concrete reforms. "There was a series of measures that were announced Thursday. They will be subject to public discussion and in the institutions and there are others related to strengthening national unity in the fight against corruption and creating jobs that will be the priority of the new government, "he said.
"This is a very general discourse. I'm not sure it truly meets the expectations and I would say the anger of the Syrian people. We need concrete proposals today to meet the aspirations of the people," late Alain Juppe, the foreign minister, reiterating his call for reforms. For American diplomacy, the leader's speech "was not up to the reforms" that the Syrians "require".
Among the reforms proposed by Al-Assad, are lifting the state of emergency, a law on political pluralism and a relaxation of media law. In effect since the takeover by the Baath in 1963, the state of emergency significantly reduced civil liberties. It imposes restrictions on freedom of assembly and movement, and allows the arrest of "suspects or persons threatening security." It also allows the monitoring of communications and the diligence of the media.
The country is also subject to one-party rule: Article 8 of the Constitution stipulates that "the leading party in society and the state is the Baath Party," and Article 84 specifies that "the candidate for the office President of the Republic is made (the Parliament) on the proposal of the Ba'ath Party and then submitted to a referendum.
" According to the "index of democracy" drawn up by the Economist Intelligence Unit, the 152nd arrived in Syria on position 167 and is considered an "authoritarian regime". The protest movement, initiated on March 15 at the call of Facebook pages, including one entitled "Syrian Revolution 2011," called for sit-in Friday in Syria in memory of "martyrs" and to support the claims in favor of democracy.
The Syrian press posted on Wednesday, his preference for a government of technocrats to carry out reforms. "Ministers should be chosen for their competence, their honesty, their ability to make decisions, implement them and monitor their impact on daily life", says the government daily Tishrin. 
His speech to MPs, came a day after the resignation of the government of Mohammad Naji Otri, in place since 2003. "It's an exciting time, which appears as a test of our unity," he said, beginning his speech, broadcast on television. "I know the Syrians are waiting for the speech last week, but I wanted to wait to have a complete picture of the situation ...
in order to avoid making emotional about who might be appeased people, but n would not have had any practical effect when our enemies are Syria. " The Syrian president, took office in 2000, was greeted by a standing ovation from MPs, who chanted "with our blood, our souls, we sacrifice ourselves for you, Bashar." Alleging a "conspiracy" against his country, he accused a "minority" of trying to sow chaos in Deraa, but said that the population of this southern city, where violent clashes took place, would succeed in overcoming troublemakers.
The announcement of liberalization was expected, but the speech was completed without reference to concrete reforms. "There was a series of measures that were announced Thursday. They will be subject to public discussion and in the institutions and there are others related to strengthening national unity in the fight against corruption and creating jobs that will be the priority of the new government, "he said.
"This is a very general discourse. I'm not sure it truly meets the expectations and I would say the anger of the Syrian people. We need concrete proposals today to meet the aspirations of the people," late Alain Juppe, the foreign minister, reiterating his call for reforms. For American diplomacy, the leader's speech "was not up to the reforms" that the Syrians "require".
Among the reforms proposed by Al-Assad, are lifting the state of emergency, a law on political pluralism and a relaxation of media law. In effect since the takeover by the Baath in 1963, the state of emergency significantly reduced civil liberties. It imposes restrictions on freedom of assembly and movement, and allows the arrest of "suspects or persons threatening security." It also allows the monitoring of communications and the diligence of the media.
The country is also subject to one-party rule: Article 8 of the Constitution stipulates that "the leading party in society and the state is the Baath Party," and Article 84 specifies that "the candidate for the office President of the Republic is made (the Parliament) on the proposal of the Ba'ath Party and then submitted to a referendum.
" According to the "index of democracy" drawn up by the Economist Intelligence Unit, the 152nd arrived in Syria on position 167 and is considered an "authoritarian regime". The protest movement, initiated on March 15 at the call of Facebook pages, including one entitled "Syrian Revolution 2011," called for sit-in Friday in Syria in memory of "martyrs" and to support the claims in favor of democracy.
The Syrian press posted on Wednesday, his preference for a government of technocrats to carry out reforms. "Ministers should be chosen for their competence, their honesty, their ability to make decisions, implement them and monitor their impact on daily life", says the government daily Tishrin.
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