Peaceful solution vital

Limited strike will not change balance of power on ground

“THOSE who think that the American-British-French strike on Syria, was for the sake of supporting the right of the Syrian people and punishing the ruling regime for using chemical weapons against the innocent people are mistaken,” columnist and former director of the Culture Department at the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters Waleed Al-Rujaib wrote for Al-Rai daily.

“This strike actually falls within the same behavior that was followed by the capitalists to divide the influence throughout the world among them and this is what drove the world on the verge of catastrophes during both the World War I and World War II during the past century.

“However, the observers wonder, why this strike happened at a time when a team of specialists was preparing to investigate whether the Syrian regime had used chemical weapons against its people in Douma or not.

“Why did not this team give the opportunity to verify this claim? Apart from the above, they also believe that it is not logical that the Syrian regime uses this chemical weapon although it has achieved victories that are overwhelming.

“They say the above, not because Bashar Al-Assad’s regime is innocent of killing his people during the past seven years, in the most terrible ways, such as with the explosive barrel bombs, missiles, and so on.

“Rather, the logic of wars says that if the secret lies behind this limited strike, it will not change the balance of power on the ground. Assad and his regime, and his image as a hero opposed to the triple aggression?

“Hence, we wonder what is the secret behind the limited strike in question which shall not result in changing the balance of power on the ground, rather this strike shall force Al-Assad and his regime brighten his image and eventually project him as a hero in terms of resisting the tripartite aggression.

“In other words this aggression is nothing more than a pattern of imperialist behavior among nations: the resharing of power through wars, and the acquisition of the largest part of the Syrian cake, especially its oil and gas wells.

“However, if the United States hoped, through its plans and projects, to create a new Middle East by fragmenting and weakening it, and later control it politically and economically this part of the world, but the emergence of another international superpower has implicated the US plans, or at least will force it to the negotiating table and eventually blackmail the other superpower for the sake of obtaining a bigger part of the booty.

“Although in spite of the initial agreement, which has been mutually agreed on for some time, that America get Iraq and Turkey will obtain the Syrian north, while the Syrian wealth and military bases shall remain in the hands of Russia, with Bashar Al-Assad in the political power.

“But another ambitious new player, namely Iran has joined the game in order to stretch its political influence in the region under a sectarian cover.

“The opposition between Donald Trump and his declaration of determination to strike, made him committed to abide by his pledge to the world, despite the objection of some ‘seniors’ in his administration and an understanding with Russia that the strike will be limited, but gave the opportunity to remove Russian-made Syrian warplanes and put them in bunkers, so as not to be targeted.

“We are against aggression from any outside party on the Syrian people, and efforts should be focused on peaceful solution, so that the people can get their national democratic system, in which power will be transferred under free elections and a new constitution.”

Also:

Al-Rujaib

“The observers of the situation in sisterly Syria, in weeks if not the next few days will see the international attention concentrating on the Syrian province of Idlib in a bloody confrontation between the Syrian army and its Russian allies, the Iranians and Hezbollah militias on the one hand and the armed opposition on the other, represented by Al-Nusra Front, the Islam Army Organization and Al-Fath Organization and other armed factions,” columnist Dr Adel Ibrahim Al-Ibrahim wrote for Al-Anba daily.

“These organizations have gathered in this city (Idlib) following the (loss) of the areas of Aleppo, Homs and the eastern Ghouta and finally the Douma in the countryside of Damascus.

“Idlib, a city of about two million people and the last resort of the armed opposition in the Syrian north based on an agreement that had been concluded between Russia and the opposition is one of the alleviated tensions in Syria.

“Given the above unless the international powers move, what will happen in this city (Idlib) will cap what has occurred in other areas of Syria which have seen confrontations among the warring parties.

“In this context, we refer to the statement that was issued recently by the advisor to Imam Khamenei of Iran Ali Akbar Velayati during his recent visit to Ghouta in which he pointed out that Idlib will be the next station and soon.

“In response to the reaction of the Syrian and Russian governments to the recent (limited) that were waged by the three states recently (US, UK and France) on Syrian government locations, the whole world will be facing a difficult test as to what will happen in this tragic and humanitarian disaster by all means.

“In this context, the prospective attack by the Syrian regime and its allies, will undoubtedly show that the armed opposition factions still exist and there will be a fierce confrontation against this attack unless the world moves (to draw red lines and impose the no-fly zone) and work for a peaceful solution, as France recently declared, if it is true in terms of protecting the civilians and if the great powers don’t allow the killing of civilians by any means including the use of chemical weapons.

“I would say that because what the whole world will see will be shocking, especially that the Russian pride has been hurt by the American and European limited attack.

“Consequently, Russia’s reaction will be more intense and challenging the entire world, in general and the Security Council, the United States and European countries in particular and as such we shall hear no reaction from the world except condemnations and denouncements against more victims and human tragedies.”

“Advocates of freedom are calling for adhering to article No. 35 of the Kuwaiti Constitution which gives freedom to the followers of all divine religions and doctrines to practice their religion. However, they disregard the second article of the constitution which stipulates that the religion of the state is Islam, and Islamic Sharia is the main source of legislation,” Mubarak Mezyad AlMuosherji wrote for Al-Rai daily.

“Apart from the above, we see and hear them call for tightening scrutiny on the religion and doctrine followed by the majority in Kuwait. They do not denounce the laws and bylaws that reduce freedom for the majority to practice their religious rituals, and give immunity to their mosques from monitoring.

“The mosques are opened just few minutes before Adan prayers and then they are kept closed after that. The cultural or social activities that are held in mosques are based on specific procedures and supervision as well as with prior permission from the government.”

“President of the Philippines is fond of attacking Kuwait at every occasion, exploiting without caution the problems that Filipino workers in Kuwait have with their sponsors,” Abdulmohsen Mohammad Al-Husseini wrote for Al-Anba daily.

“Ministry of Foreign Affairs, after recording all speeches of the president, issued a statement in response to his criticisms against Kuwait. In reality, the Filipino workers signed direct contracts with those who were interested in employing them. The Kuwaiti government does not interfere in the agreements with those workers. It is unfortunate to see the president of the Philippines capitalizing the weak position of Kuwait to launch a political campaign as a prelude to his forthcoming reelection campaign.

“The Kuwaiti government is fair in its position, not manipulative like the president of the Philippines. The government has rejected all aspects that contradict situation of workers in the conditions set by the president of the Philippines, because they continue with their works without complaining to any authority.

“Regarding the isolated cases that happened to few workers, they will be referred to the security authorities and later to the judiciary without any governmental interference.”

— Compiled by Zaki Taleb