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SYRIA
New Path to Damascus
October 2001
02.00:
Satellite dishes are supposedly banned in Syria. Officially the heavily censored state-TV is the only source of TV-news.
The authorities are quietly accepting the fact that most Syrians ignore the satellite ban.
02.15:
On the streets of Damascus it is the un-official satellite stations that are favoured for news:
VOXPOP:
("Al Jazeera"..
"Abu Dhabi and Al Jazeera"
"Al Jazeera"..
"Al Jazeera"...
"Syrian TV".
"MBC, Al Jazeera and Abu Dhabi").
02.35:
Most Syrians ignore state-television. They choose selected news-channels from other Arab countries. And al-Jazeera is by far the most popular source of tv-news - produced in Qatar on the Arab Peninsula.
The war in Afghanistan has given al-Jazeera a breakthrough similar to the one CNN got during the Gulf-war 11 years ago.
TOPT: SANA AL SHALLAN, Housewife
("Al Jazeera is more open. You know!
They are faster with the news!")
TOPT: SHAROUD AL-GUNDI, pharmacist
ENGLISH
(It seems to be the most unbiased of all of them and it really does give you a very good collection of all that’s going on not just a specific point of view....)
TOPT: WAFA DAOUD, housewife
(It doesn't take sides with any of the factions.
It analyses all the news and reports from different angles")
03.22: (Military museum)
Outside the museum for military history in Damascus we see the ruins of an Israeli Phantom-plane, shot down many years ago.
But most of the artefacts are old Soviet MIG-fighter planes and space probes – all dating back to the cold-war, when president Hafes al-Assad's socialist dictatorship was an ally of the Soviet-Union.
03.55: (Funeral of Hafez al-Assad, June 2000. )
But times have changed. The Soviet-Union collapsed a decade ago. President Assad died in the summer of 2000.
Before his death he had made sure that his son Bashar would inherit the country. The repressed people of Syria would have no say.
04.19:
However, Bashar, who is a qualified doctor, has been working hard since he came to power to modernise and reform the country he inherited. He wants to make Syria part of the new global economy.
Allowing his people uncensored news-channels is only part of the transition - on the growing tide of liberalisation.
04.46:
Saeb Nahas is a leading businessman in Syria:
04.51: SAEB NAHAS, President, Nahas Enterprises:
ENGLISH i/v
("Nowadays you can see Syria is different, before Syria was completely absent abroad.... in the international events and especially in the international economic events – Syria was completely absent. Now you find Syria present”
Q. But do you think that Syria will be able to adapt to the modern world?
A: “Of course we have to.. it is not our choice -yes or no. We have to be in the trade, and we have to develop things.”
......develop the things")
05.30:
But the long road to greater liberalization is beset by obstacles.
Over the centuries Syria has been at the centre for various highly developed cultures. But equally the country has also experienced long periods of poverty, and isolation.
05.53: (Roman ruins)
Today peace and security remains a distant dream for the people of Syria. Syria sponsors anti-Israeli terrorist organisations like Hezbollah and is thus branded a ‘Rogue State’ by the US. But most Syrians remain adamant that groups like Hezbollah are legitimate freedom fighters – in a battle for their homeland. Many Syrians feel that they have been unfairly labelled by the US. And worry that they will become the next target in the war against terrorism.
06.23: Dr. ADNAN OMRAN, Minister of Information
("We regret that the American administration committed that mistake. But what is more important to us is the Syrian record Visa-Vi the majority of the countries of the world is not similar to what the Americans are saying.
We know for sure from American sources, and official ones, that this comes as a result of a struggle within the state department between those who are committed totally to Israel regardless of what Israel does or say”
06.59: On the streets, the Syrians closely follow the war against terrorism. But they believe that the real terrorists are to be found in Israel.
07.10: VOX POP:
TOPT: WAFA DAOUD, Housewife
("It is not Syria. It is not the Palestinians. Personally I believe that the Jews are terrorists and racists. It is the Jews, the Israelis, not the Arabs or the organisations here. There is nobody here supporting terror. Our organisations are fighting for liberation, and they don't attack Israel from Syria -- they belong to a people fighting for their land and their state")
07.39: VOX-POP:
TOPT: HISHAM HAMUSH, Doctor
(When it comes to the Americans, I believe that what is happening to them is a result of their own actions")
07.46: (Harvesting cotton)
Syria is still gripped by poverty and underdevelopment - but the cotton crop is very good this year and the harvest is going according to plan, and this provides for a substantial part of foreign earnings.
08.09:
Heavily loaded trucks are filling the roads from Northern Syria - taking the cotton from the fields to the processing plant in Tishrin.
Here the cotton is prepared for export.
08.32: - and Syria has no problems finding buyers for their cotton.
08.36: TAYSIR AL-MASHUR, Gen. Manager, Tishrin Cottonfactory
("The Syrian market consumes about 33%. The rest is exported.
Q: English – Is it difficult to sell the cotton abroad?
“No, not at all. Syrian cotton is in high demand, especially in Western Europe")
08.52:
The port in Latakia on Syria's Mediterranean coast is the biggest in the country.
09.00:
It is the departure point for the cotton leaving for Europe and the rest of the world. But although cotton is one of Syria's most successful exports, the income is far from solving the country's enormous economic and social problems. Syria is lagging far behind the development of her neighbouring countries.
09.20: (The Nobles's Palace)
The Nobleman’s Palace in the centre of Damascus. It is known as one of the best restaurants in Syria. With food and surroundings far more luxurious than can be found in the rest of this poverty stricken country.
09.33: FATINA AFRA, PR-chief, "The Noble's Palace"
ENGLISH
("All the people here they like it.. you know. They feel happy.. they don’t believe you can find it in Syria.. we make copies like Versailles.. you know.. everything you see from outside we bring in.
The copies of antique paintings and statues are mixed with pictures and sculptures of former president Assad.
10.05: (Correspondent to camera)
It's not surprising that only the very wealthy Syrians dine here. Dinner for two costs about 3000 Syrian pounds - £40, not too much for westerners, but to the Syrians it's almost two thirds of a normal monthly salary.
10.25:
There are a few very rich people in Syria, and these few are seriously wealthy. Decades of economic stagnation have almost eradicated the middleclass - and the vast majority of Syria's 16 million inhabitants are barely able to make ends meet.
Salaries are low - even if you find a job. Unemployment is rampant, especially amongst the young. And every year an additional 200,000 young people join the work-force - desperate to find a job.
10.57: (Bookfair)
October's bookfair in Damascus highlights the situation. Young people desperately search for knowledge from early morning till late at night. All clamouring for information - the stall with computer-literature is most popular. It is seen as the best way to succeed in the competitive labour market.
11.18: BILAL ASSAYAD, Student of economics
("Computers have become indispensable in business. There is hardly any job here or in other Arab countries - where they don't use computers. If you specialise in them you get a higher-paid position")
11.33
Syria is totally dependent on the export of agricultural products and raw-materials.
11.39: SABBAGH TEXTILES
This is one of the Sabbagh weaving mills in Aleppo; Northern Syria.
The Syrians are trying to turn their raw cotton into finished products themselves, before shipping them out. This is far more profitable, creating many new industries and providing many more jobs.
11.54: AMMAR SABBAGH, Director, the Sabbagh-group:
(English...
We are making here a whole textile business. We are doing towels and blankets, and bed spreads and table cloths. And 60% of our product is cotton product, as you know the cotton in Syria is good quality and good quantities.
We are exporting around 70% from the product of the towel or the cotton business, we are selling to Germany, to European countries, to America…
Q. Is it good business?
...of course it's a good business. Yes!")
12.35:
But factories like this are scarce - and unemployment runs high. The salaries are low and living-conditions are poor. The whole country needs investment - but it's hard to see from where it will come.
12.48:
That is why the government has initiated a serious overhaul of the banking- and finance-sector. The banking-system is outdated; a bureaucratic nightmare of rules and regulations. Development has been blocked - and investors are scared off by decades of state-planned economy.
13.06:
NABIL SUKKAR, Director, Business Consultant
("English...
This is because of a lack of a clear direction of the economy and a lack of an economic reform program. And so the private sector does not have enough confidence to invest at the level it can invest. Investors don’t just invest with tax incentives and so-forth. They need an over all environment to convince them, to convince them to invest, whether domestic investors or foreign investors. And that over all climate has not been provided over the past 10 years. What we are looking for is a clear assurances that the private sector will play a major role in the Syrian economy, a removal of all obstacles to production, export importation and so forth.. because we still have a high protective regime.")
14.03:
Everything remains tainted by the past. The state remains crippled from its long period of dictatorship and its close ties with the Soviet-Union.
14.11: SAEB NAHAS, President, Nahas Enterprises
("English
As you know in the 60’s, 70’s & 80’s all Syrians were directed to study in ex-Socialist countries. So those who had been graduates from socialist countries are now in the administration. And they have never heard about private banks and market economy etc.. Therefore for them it is rather difficult for them to implement these decrees with the necessary speed. . .....
speed")
14.46: (Damascus panorama)
To do business in Syria you need to have the right people on your side - corruption has become a huge problem. It infects all walks of life but especially state officials. The President of the Chamber of Commerce tries to explain:
15.01: Dr. RATEEB AL-SHALLAH, President, Chamber of Commerce
("English......
Our corruption is a special one. The purchasing power of the Syrian currency has gone down.. tremendously. But the salaries or wages have not gone up accordingly or the same extent. As a result whatever there is corruption is not only the result of greed but rather necessity. And I think that Syria is now studying very carefully how best to rid this problem. I think that recognising the problem is half the way to being able to solve it. I think that the Syrian Government is very serious about this point because it does really create a main hurdle for a smooth efficient jump from one position to one we want to go to.
....")
15.49:
Bashar al-Assad initiated a tough campaign against corruption – some officials were even arrested and imprisoned. But the campaign has now slowed right down. The problem of corruption may be as difficult to solve as the conflict with Israel; since the occupation of the Golan Heights.
16.07: SHOUTING AT GOLAN
("Good morning!
I am Mehdi's wife.
I am fine. How are You?
We miss you!.)
(From the Israeli side:
I am fine.
God bless you and your family")
(From the Syrian side:
Thank You.
How are the girls?)
16:29
Since the war in 1967 the Israeli/Syrian border has been closed, keeping many families split up for more than 30 years. Loudspeakers and binoculars are all that can now connect such families together.
16:43
TOPT: MOUNIRA KHUFEIRI, housewife:
(Who are you talking to?
My grandfather, my uncles and my aunts..
-When did you last meet?
- Did you ever meet them?
No, we have never met them.
But we spoke together about a year ago,
here on the border.")
17:00:
This is where the line of armistice runs along the Golan Heights. Israel conquered all of Golan during the war in 1967 - some of the local inhabitants ran away, others stayed and came to live under Israeli occupation. And so families became separated.
17:17
Every Friday some of the refugees will gather for this absurd family-reunion - which is the only way they can contact each other. Most of them have never been to the other side of the border - being children of the original refugees. But they all hope one day to be re-united:
TOPT: MOUNERI AND MORCEL KHUFEIRI,
17:34
("With God willing.. Sure.
There can be peace.. If they give us back the land, there will be peace. )
17:42
Syria was given two thirds of the Golan back in 1974. The capital Quneitra was deserted and destroyed and it remains so today. The people who lived in the Golans originally now reside in camps all over Syria. Their city will not be reconstructed until the day the Syrians gets back all of Golan.
TOPT: MOHAMMAD ALI, Head of Information, Quneitra
("To show the world that the Israelis respect nothing, they try to destroy everything.”)
18:17: Correspondent to camera:
Stand-up:
Israel and Syria border each other here on the Golan Heights.
The liberated Quneitra is surrounded by Israeli territory, the road to Damascus is the only route out.
18:31:
Israel maintains listening posts in the outskirts of Quneitra. These positions like the one at Mount Hermon to the west make up Israel’s military eyes and ears. They are able to closely monitor any Syrian movements and any communication for many, many miles around.
18:48:
And yet this is in fact the most peaceful Israeli borderline. Despite the desperate situation. Indeed there has not been serious trouble here for years.
19:01
It is peaceful enough for tourists to come and visit the city. A German tour group is visiting this ruined church. Like most countries in the region Syria still has a small Christian minority.
19:18
Syrians must obtain a special permit in order to travel to Queneitra. But this does not put people off, the city can get swamped especially on Fridays - the Muslim holy day – with many travelling the 40 miles from Damascus.
19:33:
Some have special reasons to visit the former Golan capital. Nawal fled in 1967, today she is re-visiting the Golans with her children and grandchildren. She tells us the reason for her return:
19:48: TOPT: NAWAL ISMAIL, Refugee and widow
("To see our villages and take in the smell from them.
we are looking at Tel Ali.
It belongs to us and always will.
It doesn't matter how long a time it will take!")
20:03
All of the negotiations between Israel and Syria about an Israeli withdrawal from the Golan have faltered. We ask Nawal whether she has any faith left in a return to her land..?
20:18: TOPT: NAWAL ISMAIL, Refugee and widow:
("With God's will and the leadership of Bashar we will return.
With the will of God we will return.
The children here will also dream of getting it back.
If they called for war right now, I would send them all off.
And I would lead them. I would carry water for them")
20:38:
The border area is filled with UN observers. Syria claims that it wants a peaceful solution to the conflict. There has been no armed incursion against Israel from Syrian territory for many years now. But the relationship with Israel remains tense because of Syrian support for extremist Palestinian organisations.
20:58:The Bekaa Valley
Much of the Lebanon is un-officially controlled by Syria - this includes several expensive military bases in the Bekaa-valley. Syria directly supports the Palestinian cause and spends a large chunk of the countries resources on the military. The Syrian Minister of Planning admits his countries spending on defence costs the country dear; but remains defiant:
21:21: TOPT:AITHAM AL-ZAIMI, MINISTER FOR PLANNING
ENGLISH
("We have to have to have a minimum of mobilisation, to maintain a military force. So we spend money on that. We spend 40-43% of our budget on military.. defence purposes. And this affects our productivity. We are in favour of peace.. but we do not want to buy our prosperity with the denial of our rights. Or denial of justice for the Palestinian people. We believe that we should continue to pay the sacrifice to pay the price until we get back the land. Until the Arab-Palestinian people are organised enabled rights. National rights to go back home or receive compensation. Until the Palestinian state is born, is recognised with Jerusalem as capital")
22:19:
The stern image of former President Assad is still prominent on the streets. But the dictatorship is slightly more tolerant now under his son Bashar.
Many dissidents jailed during Assad’s time have since been released; the new president has even allowed criticism of the former regime and its endemic corruption.
However there are signs that political persecution is gradually making a return. As critics of Bashars new government start to fill the jails.
We talked to Mr. Nuaissi from the Syrian Human Rights Organisation, a lawyer and former political prisoner:
22:55: TOPT: AKTHAM NUAISSI, Syrian Human Rights Org.
slow
("They are starting to arrest people at random,
bringing back memories of the regime which was normal under Hafes al-Assad,
where you were arrested just for expressing an opinion.
23:19 - When Bashar took over power, the situation improved substantially for those supporting human rights.
23:25 - But the powers resisting change are strong, and maybe stronger than the reformists in Syria.")
23:39
President Assad is now resting in peace in this magnificent shrine up in the mountains; northwest of Damascus. Many had hoped that with his death the harsh dictatorship would also disappear. But recent policy changes are making reformists wonder how different Bashar really is from his father.
24:00: Correspondent to camera:
If you ask who is in power today, cynics will say it is Hafez Assad exercising his power from the grave.
24:08 (Parliament)
Syria does have a parliament ...but it just rubber stamps policy for those in power. Bashar has not been courageous enough to remove those who were powerful under his father. And it is claimed that the old guard have slowly re-asserted their authority, clinging to their privileged positions. Or is the reformist president just trying to make sure he keeps key figures on board..?.
24:36: TOPT: IBRAHIM HAMIDI INTERVIEW, Chief correspondent, "Al-Hayat"
ENGLISH
("The future is for reform and the president knows that to make substantial changes you have to be very cautious and you have to take in consideration what you have. So he is not going to threaten the interests of the old guard just like this. I think he is doing it gradually because he doesn’t want to destroy the stability of Syria.... ").
25:05:
But it is the current war on terror that is seen as the greatest threat to stability in Syria. President Bashar refuses to support the American campaign in Afghanistan, and claims there are only ‘freedom fighters’ operating in Syria. The Syrian government is gambling that their position in the middle east is too strong for any direct US military action.
25:26: TOPT: ABDAN OMRAN , Minister of Information
ENGLISH
("I don't think that the American administration; regardless of any mistake which it has done here and there; I don’t think they will come to something which is totally unreasonable. I don’t think that they can run so much against the basic interests of the region ...”)
The end.