Arab newspapers write on Palestinian dissent and Lebanese Shiites

Nothing is guaranteed for the Assad regime

President Bashar al Assad's Sunday speech suggested that Damascus is trying once again to resort to political solutions to deal with its internal crisis, rather than the violent security methods it had relied on during the past month of unrest, observed Tareq Homayed, the editor-in-chief of the London-based Asharq al Awsat daily.

The president's address confirmed that the decision-making circles in Damascus are well aware that recent events in Syria were not the outcome of a conspiracy, but rather legitimate popular demands. Mr al Assad emphasised the importance of securing a coherent internal front - a belated admission that the country's problems are indeed internal.

Clearly, the regime realised that its repressive methods against protesters are in vain in light of the ongoing escalation. Ever-rising demands did not shy away from denouncing the regime as a whole. "There is no point in obstinacy. Realism is of the essence in handling the situation. Of course had the same speech been delivered two weeks ago in parliament, it would have made a bigger impact. But now that the fear barrier is broken, nothing is guaranteed. In fact, the number of Syrian towns that took part in the protests suggests that the regime has entered a forbidden zone."

Mr al Assad's lengthy and detailed speech came late and short of the ceiling of demands in the streets.

Foreign corporations need solid goals

In a commentary for the UAE newspaper Al Emarat al Youm, the economist Najeeb al Shamsi put into question the feasibility of a new bill under study by the ministry of economy concerning foreign corporate ownership.

Al Shamsi wondered whether there was any reason for planning to grant foreign investors full ownership over their businesses. If passed, this law will come to cancel that of 1984 regarding commercial companies.

At issue is the timing chosen for expanding the scale of foreign corporate ownership, which begs the question: is this change likely to serve the national economy?

This also makes us inquire about the extent of the private foreign investments' contribution to the UAE. By the same token, have they offered opportunities to Emiratis in terms of jobs and professional development?

Even with the 1984 law, which specifies that Emirati partners remain the major shareholders, the foreign associates remained the biggest beneficiaries. They were responsible for flooding the UAE with foreign workers.

Full ownership can be good if it is implemented in accordance to well-studied rules and conditions advantageous to the state. Foreign investments should be medium or long term, and should bring added value to the economy as a whole. Most importantly, they should provide employment to Emiratis and contribute to the transfer of technology.

Palestinian state to be born in the streets

"Those who expect the state to be born at the negotiations table will never get it," said Marwan al Barghouti, the imprisoned Fateh leader on the eighth anniversary of his capture.

In a comment, the columnist Hussam Kanafani wrote in the Emirati Al Khaleej daily: "Al Barghouti spoke out about the three main elements: the negotiations standstill, the approach of the month of September, the date for the UN recognition of the Palestinian state, and national protest day set for May 15 to call for an end to occupation."

The anticipated protests must be the first and foremost preoccupation of the Palestinians and their leaders. Amid ongoing Arab revolts, the Palestinians cannot sit on the margin, silently watching the major historical changes that, sooner or later, will have a great impact on the future of the region.

"At this time of rebellion against dictatorships, the Palestinian people, mainly in the West Bank, are surely entitled to rise against their occupiers."

However, for their uprising to be successful it must be peaceful.May 15 will be crucial. Tens or even hundreds of thousands of Palestinians will take to the streets, heading for Israeli checkpoints and calling for independence. The scene-to-be will have strong repercussions in Palestine and across world capitals that are starting to recognise the Palestinian people's right to an independent and sovereign state.

Not all Shiites are members of Hizbollah

It is no longer a secret that some Gulf states are deporting Lebanese Shiites for security reasons. Saudi Arabia is not one of them, observed the columnist Daoud al Sharyan in an article for the pan-Arab newspaper Al Hayat.

Information reveals that those targeted had ties with Hizbollah or the Iranian Revolutionary Guard or were involved in communication with foreign parties or countries.

"The Gulf states have every right to protect their sovereignty and defend their security whichever way they deem fit, but it would be alarming if these measures were to include innocent Lebanese who committed no wrongdoing."

Discrimination against nationalities and sects reflects a narrow-minded perspective. Steps against rogue elements must not be generalised for that would reflect poorly on the image of the Gulf states and negatively impact Gulf-Lebanese relations.

"The secretary-general of Hizbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, was wrong to interfere in the affairs of Gulf states, but that doesn't mean that these states can count all Lebanese Shiites as members of Hizbollah."

* Digest compiled by Racha Makarem

rmakarem@thenational.ae