The last circle of Arab revolt is now Syria. The demonstrations beginning in the south of the country spread and climbed due to the “non-proportional use of force” by the government. Deaths, arrestments, snipers shoot, sieges with tanks and artilleries and oppression operation increase gradually and of course so do the casualties.
Recently the Assad Administration developed significant economic, political, strategic and commercial relations with Turkey. Visa free travel regime and free-zone both for commercial goods and people articulated new dimensions to the respective relations. It can be said the best relations Turkey developed with was Syria among the neighboring countries. The 48 strategic cooperation agreement and joint meeting of board of ministers are the obvious example for this.
Turkey recommended to Syria to realize reforms and democratic initiations and supported Syria seriously in terms of political practices both before and after the public movements in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya. Joint committees were established to take measurement in economy, politics and bureaucracy and many advices were made. The main purpose of these were to meet the right demands of public, to prevent the responses through persuading people concerning the planned reforms, to transform the regime by getting the confidence of public with the regulations extending over a period of time. However, unfortunately these reforms that the Assad Administration accepted from the beginning were not put into practice at all due to the events climbing day by day. The resignation of the government, acceptance the citizenship of Kurdish population and the abolishment of state of emergency continuing for 48 years couldn’t keep pace with the events and coming out developments. The administration failed to give confidence to the public and the demonstrations converted to revolts and insurgents. The response of the administration became more violent. And now the state and public are in a civil war. The toll of deaths exceeded thousands and the arrestments and detentions exceeded ten thousands.
Basher Assad failed to overcome the militaristic, authoritarian Baathist regime of the Shi’a minority although he wanted to. Thus the smiling and soft face of Assad was not adequate to settle down or prevent the current events. The Syrian Deep Sate preferred to oppress violently the right demands of public and began to prey on people.
The expected external responses are gradually increasing. The human right abuses startle both the region and the world. Asma Assad has left the country with her children. They are said to be in England. It is also said that she had serious arguments with her husband regarding the events.
The refugees escaping to Turkey heated up Ankara concerning the things likely to come out. It is obvious Turkey will be influenced the most by the events happened and to happen in Syria. Turkey never wants Syria to be like Iraq or Afghanistan and even Libya. She will never let this as well. Turkey is ready to do ever kinds of help or contribution for the settlement of the conflict. There are few or no other countries that can help Syria more than Turkey
The route map that Turkey offered is still on agenda. These are establishment of temporary reform government that will meet the demands of public, giving way to the political parties, announcing the date of elections and a presidential elections to be hold to which Basher Assad would also participate.
Syria is using its last chance. If she fails to open the way for the changes and transformations which will pass over her status quo, more difficult days will be awaiting Syria. We hope that Syria will be able to utilize the choice that Turkey offered in this conjecture.
Translation: El-Vanî