CATAPULT:

Syrian opposition meets in Washington (Lou Marano, 11/14/2003, UPI)

The Washington businessman who heads the pro-democracy Syrian opposition credits the Iraq War for "catapulting" his group into viability.

"None of this would have happened if we didn't have the Iraq War," Farid N. Ghadry said in an exclusive interview Friday with United Press International. "It was like water in a desert. Flowers are sprouting everywhere (in the Middle East). All we have to do is nurture these flowers, and we will have a field of dreams."

Opposition members are gathering in Washington for a closed, two-day session over the weekend just days after the Senate passed the Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Restoration Act, the provisions of which are expected to be approved by the House of Representatives. The reformers are scheduled to issue a statement Monday afternoon at a National Press Club Newsmaker event. [...]

Ghadry has spoken with tribal leaders and the heads of other parties. "We have come to the conclusion that this is a good time for us to talk about democracy and start deploying the hidden majority within the Syrian diaspora and inside Syria that really wants to see regime change."

Someone has to be the next domino--may as well be Assad.

Posted by Orrin Judd at November 16, 2003 9:59 AM