SYRIA AND BASHAR AL ASSAD RECEIVED A NEW ALLY : POPE BENEDICT XVI

Ambassador Housam Al-Din Alaa presented credentials to His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI as the Ambassador of the Syrian Arab Republic to the Vatican.

The Pope highlighted in a discourse on this occasion that ”Syria is a place dear and meaningful to Christians, from the origins of the Church. Since the meeting of the Risen Christ on the road to Damascus, Paul became the Apostle of Nations, many great saints who have shaped the religious history of your country.

Many are also archaeological evidence of churches, monasteries, mosaics of the early centuries of the Christian era that connect us to the origins of the Church.”

His Holiness added that ”Syria has traditionally been an example of tolerance, coexistence and harmonious relations between Christians and Muslims, and today’s ecumenical and interfaith relations are good” expressing his hope that friendship between all cultural and religious components of the Nation would continue and expand to the greater good of all, strengthening unity based on justice and solidarity.

The Pope underlined the need for advancing a comprehensive peace in the Middle East.

On his part, Ambassador Alaa spoke of the meanings of Syria’s tolerance, coexistence and harmonious life asserting that the meanings of National Unity has additional value in light of what the region faces of schemes to dismember it, spread confusion and extremism, and destabilize it.

The Ambassador also spoke of the outcomes of last year’s Damascus-convened international conference about the Islamic-Christian Fraternity, which welcomed the call by the Assembly for the Middle East of the Synod of Bishops for the achievement of just peace in the Middle East, implementation of UN Security Council resolutions, and for the taking of necessary legal measures as to end the Israeli occupation of the Arab Land, rejecting bids to change the demographic situation in the occupied Jerusalem.

THE TRUTH ABOUT THE BOY WHO BECOME A SYMBOL OF ANTI-SYRIAN UPRISING : HAMZA AL KHATEEB

UNITED STATES TERRORISTS KILLED HAMZA AL KHATEEB SAYS HIS FAMILY 

A report by the Syrian Television broadcast on Tuesday unveiled the truth about the story of martyr Hamza al-Khateeb, closing the door in the face of the lies and false accounts of the satellite channels and websites which badly used al-Khateeb’s pictures over days to serve their purposes.

Syrian people take to the streets to protest against Washington Post and New York Times lies about Hamza Al Khateeb murder

The report started with showing how in April 29th after Friday Prayer, people began to gather in some villages of Daraa countryside responding to inciting calls for Jihad, which were taken advantage of by armed groups to attack army, police and security forces and citizens, and set off toward the military housing compound in Said area where al-Khateeb was martyred.

“At that time, armed members showed up among the crowd and succeeded in misleading many young children into going with them to fire at the compound’s guards whose chief was martyred,” said the report.

It continued that al-Khateeb, who was found killed in the surrounding of the compound and still unidentified then, was transferred to hospital among the victims.

“At a late hour on Friday 29/4/2011, we were informed by the Coronary Department that body for unidentified boy was in the hospital,” said Samer Abbas, the judge in charge of the case.

Abbas added that after all the medical and legal procedures were taken and once the body was identified as Hamza al-Khateeb’s, it was handed over to the martyr’s family through the National Hospital in Daraa on May 21, 2011.

“Since I am the one who undertook the investigation and the medical check up, I came to know that al-Khateeb died while he was inside the military compound’s surrounding from several gunshots without any traces of torture on the body,” said judge Abbas, pointing out that al-Khateeb’s family can come and know all the details they want.

Coroner Akram al-Shaar who checked al-Khateeb’s body pointed out that after the body reached the hospital on April 29th, a legal commission including the judge and the coroner came to identify the body whose owner’s name was not known.

“A precise description of the body showed it belongs to a plump young man in his twenties,” said al-Shaar, adding that the body had three deadly gunshots which were the reason behind the death as proven by the x-ray photography and the examination of the gunshot muzzle wounds on the body.

“There weren’t any traces of violence, resistance or torture or any kinds of bruises, fractures, joint displacements or cuts,” the coroner pointed out, indicating that there period between the check and the handover of the dead body to his family was required for the identification.

Al-Shaar affirmed that the photos of the body which appeared by some channels and news agencies were taken after an advanced stage of disintegration after death which can be detected by any coroner through different manifestations on the body.

Syrian Television expose the lies around the so called martyr boy.

He pointed out that the photos taken by the Coronary Department, however, were new as they were taken immediately upon the arrival of the body which was only few hours after death.

The TV report continued to tell the truth about the story as told by the participants in the attack on Saida military housing compound.

Abdel Aziz al-Khateeb, one of the participants, told in detail how “I used to go with my friends Hamza al-Khateeb, Abdel Majeed al-Khateeb and Mohammed Sweidan to perform Friday prayers at the Grand Mosque in al-Jizah led by sheikh Haroon al-Zoubi and Talal Shkeir who were calling for Jihad.”

“We were holding meetings at al-Jizah Square to protect the participants in Friday gatherings in coordination with other sheikhs from other villages. There was a blacksmith who distributed sharp arms to us,” al-Khateeb added.

“On Friday, April 29th, I joined Hamza al-Khateeb and Mohammad Sweidan and Abdel Majeed al-Khateeb to the gathering place where we met other people from al-Mseifra and Bosra. We headed to the military residences in Saida accompanied by armed men. As we reached there, some demonstrators opened fire toward the compound injuring one soldier. Later, there was a heavy fire exchange and we had to hide behind trees,” al-Khateeb said.

He added that Hamza al-Khateeb was among the injured people. “He fell to the ground and I didn’t know what happened to him. I fled with Abdel Majeed al-Khateeb and Mohammad Sweidan.”

President Bashar al-Assad met the family of Hamza al-Khateeb on Tuesday afternoon and offered them condolences before discussing the death issue in detail.

Father of the martyr said President al-Assad was so “gentle and kind”, adding that the President promised to fulfill the people’s demands and make necessary reforms that serve the interests of the Syrian citizens.

Hamza’s father noted that it was President al-Assad who invited Hamza’s family to listen to them about their son’s death.

For his part, the martyr’s uncle said we received the body from Daraa National Hospital, stressing what has been showed is all proven and based on the coroner’s report written at the Attorney General.

He added that President al-Assad during the meeting stressed forming a committee to investigate the incident to reach the truth.

Professor of media psychology at Damascus University, Majdi Fares, said the incident of al-Khateeb’s death was used by some satellite channels and media in a biased way for misleading purposes through lies and fabrications.

In the same context, Interior Minister Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ibrahim al-Shaar issued a decision on forming an investigation committee chaired by Assistant Interior Minister to uncover the circumstances of the incident and reveal the results to the public opinion. The committee will start its mission today.

Concluding the report, the Syrian TV said the information which has been presented shows the fact that Hamza al-Khateeb has never been jailed or arrested recently.

SYRIA IS THE ONLY DEMOCRACY IN THE MIDDLE EAST- IS THE CONCLUSION OF AN EUROPEAN UNION SEMINARY

The Institute of International Relations and Economic Cooperation of Romania had organized on 19 of May 2011 the European seminar on the topic: Syrian Reforms. Building  a democratic society in the Middle East.

The seminar was sponsored by European Council on International Relations and was targeting the correct information of international affairs experts, journalists and politicians on the reform process inaugurated by Syrian president Bashar al Assad eleven years ago, when he ascended to power.

Presenting the actual facts, the speakers highlighted the fact that Syria has managed to overcome the recent international conspiracy against his unity and independence   , to repeal the terrorist aggression and to protect civil population against foreign and domestic enemies .

The main factor for this victory was based upon the political unity of people of Syria around charismating figure of president Bashar Al Assad   and the confidence in the reform process initiated by Damascus authorities. The Syrian victory in front of a modern type aggression , using the paraphernalia of a XXI century informatics war, by dint of mass media aggression, falsified media reports, incitement towards inter-ethnic and inter-religious clashes , sending highly equipped terrorist units , all proven the resilience of an open society , in full democratic restructuring process and in national identity reassertion  had underlined professor dr. Anton Caragea, the director of Institute of International Relations and Economic Cooperation of Romania.

Syria`s  strength point in this reform process are : an open society with a democratic structure in full consolidation , with 13 legal political parties framework , with an abundance of opinion debate and information’s rare encountered in the area.

Syrian society already enjoys the befits of multiparty system , independent and vigorous mass media presence , a civil society in full build up and is one of the most liberal societies in the Middle East, appreciated professor dr.Anton Caragea . Another speaker, professor .dr. Ioan M. Constantinescu, deputy director of Institute of International Relations and Economic Cooperation of Romania had offered in his report an analysis on the present day stage of reform process initiated by President Bashar Al Assad of Syria.

This new phase in reform process is constructed around a deeply rooted national wide consultation, including non-governmental bodies and entities and even key broker personalities that offered an in-depth research of real internal situation in Syria holding even community town level debates. By this way the Syrian reform will succeed, as is build on real national need assessment and is the fruition of a general consultation, concluded professor Constantinescu.

Other reports highlighted the mass media freedom enjoyed in Syria, the Syrian informational system resilience in front of outside forces propaganda.

All the participants congratulated Romanian position of being on the fore front of supporting Syrian people and leadership of President Bashar Al Assad. Romanian decision of tacking the side of good and democratic forces against the forces of destruction was emboldening  for many EU countries to have a positive stance toward Syria.

The seminar has concluded  with the general view of supporting and promoting Syrian reform process    and the certitude that Syrian upcoming electoral process will be held according to the reform program and will insure for Syria the continuation of her status as the most important consolidated democracy in the region .

NO MASS GRAVES IN SYRIA. JUST ORDER AND PEACE

DAMASCUS, (SANA)_ Minister of Information Dr. Adnan Mahmoud said the coming days will witness a comprehensive national dialogue in all Syrian governorates. In a press conference on Friday Dr. Mahmoud added that the government is currently implementing a comprehensive political, economic and social reform program in the interest of the people. ” There is a correlation between security and stability from one hand and the reform from the other hand,”

The Minister said that in light of the situation in some governorates, police and security forces have been sent to pursue the armed groups which perpetrated acts of killing citizens, terrorized people, burned public and private properties, halted social and economic life, threatened schools and public security. He affirmed that the army units arrested several members of the armed groups and seized a large quantity of weapons, ammunition and improvised explosive devices that were prepared to target citizens, the vital economic installations such as bridges, oil pipelines, railways and others as part of a plan to hit the social and economic life and public facilities in the country.

He mad it clear that this process led to the martyrdom of 98 officers and soldiers of the army and security forces in addition to injuring 1040 besides the martyrdom of 22 policemen and wounding 451 others, due to the strict instructions by President Bashar al-Assad not to open fire and use weapons.

Minister Mahmoud went on to say that targeting the army by armed groups wasn’t linked to demonstrations, but it was a result of the armed groups’ deliberate attacks on the checkpoints in some areas. He said after the restoration of tranquility, stability and security, the army units began to gradually depart from Banias and surroundings while the army units deployed in Daraa and surroundings are completing the gradual depart to return to their main camps.

Dr. Mahmoud pointed out that life in those areas has been gradually returning to normal where citizens start to exercise their normal activities.

The Minister hailed the important role of people that helped the army units detect and arrest those armed groups to be prosecuted. Dr. Mahmoud said the government is determined to restore security, tranquility and serenity to all governorates and separate between the right to peaceful demonstrations and the use of weapons, killings, terrorizing and vandalism to destabilize and hit the public life.

On the request of the UN Mission for Human Rights to provide humanitarian aid to people in Daraa, the Minister said the Syrian government and Syrian Red Crescent, were following up the situation in Daraa and there was no shortage of food and medicine.

“We have informed the UN that there was no need for any assistance to Daraa,” the Minister said, noting that no one of those organizations proposed to provide humanitarian aid when Syria experienced a five-year drought and Hasaka, north-east Syria, witnessed floods at the beginning of this month.

As for the European sanctions, Dr. Mahmoud regretted that these states adopted their positions depending on what was broadcast by some biased media and electronic sites on the events in Syria without making sure of the reality on the ground.

The Minister said ” That will not affect our determination to confront the armed groups and extremism,” adding “destabilizing Syria will not deter us from continuing the work to implement the comprehensive reform program.”

Regarding the national dialogue, Dr. Mahmoud said “President Bashar al-Assad met with popular activities from different Syrian governorates and listened to their opinions, demands and visions on what is happening in Syria,” adding that next days will experience a national dialogue involving all the Syrian governorates.

On statements of businessman Rami Makhlouf, the Minister concluded by saying that those statements express his own opinion and do not reflect the stance of the government and the leadership in Syria.

AN EUROPEAN UNION STATEMENT ON SYRIA

On 27 April 2011 the Board of Directors of European Council on International Relations  had convened in a special session to give a strong message of support for Syrian people and for Syrian Arab Republic independence and unity .

Professor Anton Caragea , President  of  European Council on International Relationshad read the final declaration of the meeting stating that :

Professor dr. Anton Caragea-President of European Council on International Relations

In front of  a media campaign of lies and disinformation  and manipulation regarding the events in Syrian Arab Republic we, the intellectual community of Europe we state our solidarity with Syrian people, victim of foreign intervention and aggression .

We voice our support for Syrian Arab Republic territorial integrity as is stated in all international law and United Nations Charta with territory of Golan as a integral part of Syrian Arab Republic as stated in the UN Charta .

We condemn the terrorist aggression that had launch attacks in Deraa , Latakia and Damascus  and we underline our support for the Government of President Bashar Al Assad as the soul legal , legitimate and unique representative of Syrian people.

We support the legal and lawful intervention of Syrian security forces against terrorist attacks in order to protect the life and property of Syrian people . Syrian security forces had only done their duty with honor and professionalism repealing the aggression and invaders from Syrian territory.

We condemn the media outlets that are calling terrorist attacks a revolution , mercenaries and terrorists as freedom fighter`s and advocate the destruction of Syria . We must state clear that in Syrian there is no revolution , in Syria a democratic reform process organized by President Bashar Al Assad is giving to every person the right to freedom of expression and human rights and dignity are provided for making useless any revolution.

Finally we express our trust in President Bashar Al Assad of Syria as the representative of the unity of Syrian people and the guarantor  of the integrity of Syria  , as the representative of reform policy for a better, democratic and free Syria. President Bashar Al Assad is in this grave hours the voice of people of Syria and is giving the example and dedication of  a true leader, we are respecting and we express our solidarity with him .

European Union must stand beside Syria as are under question the fundamental values that Europe is speaking for: freedom, independence, national unity and non-interference in internal affairs. If this principles will be forgotten not only Syria`s security will be under question but Europe and any other state existence will be subject to debate.   Supporting Syria , Europe is supporting herself.

In this difficult time European`s must not forget and abandon the brother people of Syria , the European-Syrian relation is a historical one and Europe must always stay behind Syria , his people and his leader, in the process of building a free and independent Syria.