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Al-Ahram Weekly 22 - 28 June 2000 Issue No. 487 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 22 - 28 June 2000 Issue No. 487
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Focus Opinion Culture Features Travel Living Sports Profile People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters Bashar's priorities
By Salama Ahmed Salama
The Baath Party has now completed the formalities to transfer power to Bashar Al-Assad. After the referendum scheduled for early next month, he will find himself in the thick of the problems inherited from his father. The aspirations the Syrian people have nurtured for the past 30 years will coalesce around him -- a daunting prospect for any leader.
In the past year, the Arab world has witnessed the death of four powerful leaders, all of whom had shaped their countries' destinies, for better or worse. At every funeral, the same question was asked: would the new ruler bring stability to his country, seek to implement policies enhancing the exercise of political and economic freedoms and exhibit the flexibility required to achieve peace with Israel?
While the order of priorities varied, the question of flexibility guaranteeing peace with Israel was always raised. The issue of stability and economic reform featured last, or at times was even disregarded. The order in which these points were cited, of course, has nothing to do with the Arab countries' ideal preference. The Arab regimes have spent over half a century resigned to the priorities imposed by the West. In other words, they have acquiesced to the imposition of the Arab-Israeli conflict as their first priority, at the expense of economic development, political reform, and the building of societies in which citizens are guaranteed freedom dignity. It never occurred to anyone that only strong, free nations are able to fight for freedom, to safeguard their countries and to resist plans of expansion and occupation of other people's land.
Whatever the manner in which power was transferred to Bashar, and regardless of the criticism leveled against the undemocratic policies that have characterised the Syrian regime, the main issue today is the list of priorities the new regime in Damascus will establish. There is every indication that Assad Jr knows the factors that have brought about Syria's current state of stagnation and isolation, led to the concentration of power in the hands of a few Baath politicians and bureaucrats and created ideal conditions for corruption.
It is rumoured that Bashar has ambitious plans for an anti-corruption campaign, the modernisation of the state apparatus, the use of modern technology in management, and economic reform. These are all important initiatives; if he does undertake them, he has every chance of securing his people's faith and demonstrating that he has the right priorities. Syria has spent over three decades waiting for the right moment to attain its external goals. To fulfil these, it has sacrificed its domestic aims; tragically, it has achieved neither.
Bashar, a political novice, seems to confuse the West. He is an unknown quantity, since no one has had the chance to assess him. This confusion was made clear in the conflicting views expressed by the French government. Hubert Védrine, the French foreign minister, was quick to express his doubt as to the young candidate's ability to maintain stability in Syria. President Chirac -- the only Western head of state attending President Assad's funeral -- welcomed the role Bashar could play in maintaining peace and stability in Syria.
This haste reflects not only a clear rift within the ranks of the French government (which as of this month will preside over the European Union), but also the West's instinctive tendency to interfere and pre-empt the course of events. It also reflects the clear difference in priorities. It was French Prime Minister Lionel Jospin who rushed to describe Hizbullah freedom fighters in Lebanon as terrorists, thus casting doubt on France's neutrality with regard to Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon.
Whatever the West expects of the new rulers in Jordan, Morocco, Bahrain and Syria, only the interests of the nations concerned -- and not pressure from the West -- must determine the future course of events.
