WHY NOT US?:

Hurdles ahead for Syrian reform: Syrian President Bashar al-Assad opened a highly anticipated three-day Baath Party Congress Monday. (Nicholas Blanford, 6/07/05, The Christian Science Monitor)

When Bashar al-Assad in March vowed a "great leap forward" for Syria at the Baath Party Congress, many said the young president would finally display his reformist credentials.

Perhaps he would launch a market economy to the replace the moribund statist system. Or maybe he would free all political prisoners and allow exiles to return.

But after an address that lasted barely 10 minutes, reformers' hopes were dashed.

President Assad steered clear of specifying any broad and imminent reforms that could help lower international pressure and appease rising domestic frustration. He told some 1,250 delegates that they should reform the economy and tackle corruption, but he avoided typical rants against Israel and the United States.

"The economic situation and improving living standards represent a priority for us," he said.

For the six Syrian opposition activists - a group of middle-aged businessmen, engineers, and former Army officers - who had gathered in a smoke-filled office to watch the speech live on television, Assad's address was disappointing.

"The president has no vision ... and said nothing about the suffering of the Syrian people," says one man, who, like his peers, declined to be named. "I'm not optimistic that this Congress will produce anything."

MORE:
Syrian vice-president steps down (BBC, 6/07/05)

Syrian Vice-President Abdul Halim Khaddam has resigned from the government and the ruling Baath party.

Mr Khaddam is said to have made his announcement during a meeting of the Baath party on the first day of a conference focusing on reform.

No reason has been given for his resignation and it is not known if the party has accepted it.

Mr Khaddam, a veteran hardliner, is seen as an architect of Syrian influence in neighbouring Lebanon.