Epstein Secrets

ialine.org> Sent: Tue Jul 12 04:21:07 2011 Subject: The Media Line MidEast Daily U.S. Protests Attack on Damascus Embassy U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Monday that Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad no longer has legitimacy" as a leader interested in reform as Washington formally protested an a

tack on Damascus Embassy U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Monday that Syrian President Bashar

on Monday and they also tried to force their way into the French embassy building. Others attempted to break into the residence of U.S. ambassador Robert Ford. The protests, presumed to have been organized by the Al-Assad government, came after visits by the U.S. and French ambassadors last week to the o

on him and switched gears — and began working actively for a transition to a democratic regime. The new policy was signaled by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's blunt statement on July 11 that Assad had "lost legitimacy" and that "our goal is ... a democratic transformation." Clinton has left the door open

entant. Oops! As of last week, the president and Hillary Clinton no longer think Assad possesses legitima

ts to encourage the Syrian opposition inside the country to unite, develop a clear agenda and build an inclusive leadership. Leading that effort is Robert Ford, the U.S. ambassador in Damascus; an administration official describes him as a "vehicle for transition." In meetings with dissidents, Ford is said

on him and switched gears — and began working actively for a transition to a democratic regime. The new policy was signaled by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's blunt statement on July 11 that Assad had "lost legitimacy" and that "our goal is ... a democratic transformation." Clinton has left the door open

entant. Oops! As of last week, the president and Hillary Clinton no longer think Assad possesses legitima

ts to encourage the Syrian opposition inside the country to unite, develop a clear agenda and build an inclusive leadership. Leading that effort is Robert Ford, the U.S. ambassador in Damascus; an administration official describes him as a "vehicle for transition." In meetings with dissidents, Ford is said

ve lost access to a key player in the region. And after all, what could he do that would deter a regime in a fight for its life? Pull U.S. Ambassador Robert Ford from Damascus? Impose a travel ban on Assad and his family? Press the Europeans to freeze Assad's money? In a world of symbols, these steps may make

ering as a sign of implicit approval of its actions. Indeed, Shaaban described the recent statements of President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Syria as "not too bad," and the sanctions against Syria as manageable. That can only mean one thing: If Washington fails to clarify its views on t

succumbed to calls from commentators and Syrian opposition leaders, and demanded Mr Assad's removal. The decision was a mistake. Earlier in the week, Hillary Clinton, secretary of state, noted that, "if the US called for Mr Assad's head, then what?". And indeed, then what? I lived in Syria for two years and still

f reform, with the US largely working behind the scenes. For the west, the most powerful and poignant moment in recent months came when US ambassador Robert Ford travelled to Hama, scene of protests, to show solidarity and monitor the regime's actions. His quiet move warmed usually hostile Sunni communities el