Anti-Syria Political Discourse
A simple analysis for the anti-Syria politicians’ political discourse does reveal some peculiarities about the ongoing crisis in Syria. First, there is a strong indication that such a discourse is mainly written- dictated- by one-side, which is the USA. Thus, when a US official issues a statement regarding the crisis, parroting by anti-Syria politicians, not to mention their media outlets, start and continue for a long period of time; US State Departments’ unbalanced , speedy and reckless comments on President Bashar Al-Assad’s January 6th, 2013 landmark speech is a clear example.
Other common characteristics of such a discourse are related to the speech acts used in anti-Syria discourse; directives acts giving orders to the legitimate Syrian authorities to do so and so and not to do that and that. Almost all of the orders given aim but to undermine the Syrian Government and denying it from practicing the legitimate right to self-defence in the face of the armed terrorists, mainly supported and backed by the anti-Syria speakers themselves! Twisting of facts is clear in their discourse; double standards in tackling issues of international concern, particularly terrorism, is clear. Thus, according to such a discourse, the heinous crimes, including torture, rape, looting, mutilation, perpetrated by the armed groups is a ”revolution”, while the right to protect Syrians by the Syrian Arab Hero Army is even a massacre! Terrorist in Syria are described as ”rebels”, in Mali, Afghanistan, UK, are but ‘terrorists!
The banners of human rights, sufferings, “numbered days”, defections, the displaced and the like cram anti-Syria political discourse; the politicians often usurp the legitimate right of the Syrians to express themselves and voice their own concerns and preoccupations. Anti-Syria politicians talk on behalf of the Syrians as if they themselves were the Syrians; the recent statements by the Qatari FM are a clear flagrant meddling! But can the Qatari Emir cite but a name of a Qatari MP; of course not, because there is not even a Parliament in the newly born State of Qatar! The Qatari petrodollars are almost responsible for every Arab blood shed during the so-called spring. Politicians like sultan Erdogn, Hollande, Cameron, who almost distanced themselves from their main task to serve their own countries and people, have been busying themselves, thanks to petrodollars and US dictations, with the smallest daily affairs of the Syrians. They have been parroting the same meaningless clichés. Knowingly or unknowingly, these politicians, not to mention the unjust sanctions imposed by their governments on the Syrians and Erdogan’s robbery of the Syrian bread, diesel and means of livings, do deviate from the simplest political reason!
Further, some statements by anti-Syria Syrian opposition parrot the said clichés; but with a touch of arrogance, ignorance and self-deception. Thus, they reject dialogue, and even reality on the ground and insist upon the toppling of the regime, which actually means but the slaughter of the majority of the millions of the Syrians, who are themselves the regime itself. Syria is built on plurality, institutions, and governing bodies. Ballot boxes, of which this very opposition is afraid, are the only means to change the status quo and not the bullets. Once more, such opposition is called upon to reconsider its stances and get involved on the Syrian ground through ballots and not bullets. If Syria and the Syrians are dear to you, as claimed by you, Syria and Syrians deserve life not death, progress not regress, construction and not destruction; stop your day-dreaming, renounce your discourse of sedition and hatred, and foreign intervention, and come to dialogue if you are interested. To oppose is a right, but to destroy and slaughter is a crime, isn’t it!
Dr. Mohammad Abdo Al-Ibrahim