White House: Talk is Cheap When it Comes From Assad's Mouth

The White House yawned at Syrian President Bashir al-Assad's rambling, delusional hourlong address at Damascus University today, saying the dictator must embrace a transition to democracy "or get out of the way."

"There needs to be concrete action. There needs to be, first and foremost, a cessation of violence against innocent Syrians. There needs to be actual action towards political dialogue so that this transition to a more democratic Syria can take place," said White House spokesman Jay Carney.

"What's required in Syria is action, not words, not promises that reform will come in some period in the future, or that dialogue will happen after some review... Hey, look, I'm not saying that words are meaningless, but he needs to act on them. He needs to actually do something to fulfill the sentiment expressed in the desire for dialogue because that needs to happen. But first he needs to stop the violence," Carney added.

Assad promised amnesty, reforms and general good times ahead in a speech that prompted critics to describe the devious despot as delusional, out of touch and merciless.

"Syria’s destiny is to face crises; but it is also its destiny to be proud, strong, resistant and victorious. Its destiny is to come out of crises stronger thanks to the solidarity and cohesion of its society, its deeply rooted values and the determination of its people who are endowed with intelligence, civilization and openness," Assad said.

"It is you who prevented the confusion between the greed and designs of superpowers, on the one hand, and people’s desire for reform and change on the other. It is you who protected the flower of youth from being sacrificed to the greed of international powers. It is you who prevented all attempts of sectarian sedition scrambling at the gates of the homeland and cut off the head of the snake before it could bite the Syrian body and kill it," Assad said.

Critics everywhere shook their heads at the tone-deaf butcher Assad, who ordered the crackdown that has led to an estimated 1,300 death and sent 10,000 refugees to the Turkish border, all but ending an alliance between the Syrian and Turkish governments.

"Assad should clearly and precisely say: 'Everything has changed. We're transforming the system into a multi-party one. Everything will be organised according to the Syrian's people will, and I will be carrying out this process'," Turkish President Abdullah Gul said.

Others were not as polite.

"He’s trying to contain the situation, but it’s helpless," Yoni Ben-Menahem, Israel Radio director and chief editor, told The Jerusalem Post. "No one believes him anymore. He’s slaughtering his people, more than 10,000 refugees – and the massacres are continuing."

Kucinich Vote On Ending US Role in Libya Might Pass?

Updated 1:45 p.m. edt

It is official: Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) was sent an email today from the House leadership notifying him that his vote on the War Powers Act and ending U.S. involvement in the air campaign in Libya has been postponed.

The left-wing lawmaker suspects the move was made because of fear that his measure would pass.

"I am disappointed that the President and leadership feel the need to buy even more time to shore up support for the War in Libya. It’s not surprising that some are now wondering if a preliminary vote count on my resolution came out in favor of defending the Constitution," Kucinich said in a statement.

So far the vote has not been rescheduled.

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It was supposed to be just another symbolic vote in Congress.

But word today is that the bill calling for an end to particpation by the United States in Libya sponsored by left-leaning Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) could actually have enough support to pass -- even after Democratic leaders like Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) said they opposed the measure.

A coalition of peacenik Democrats and fiscally conservative Republicans who opppose spending the money to topple Moammar Gadhafi has emerged and could pass the measure, a House source explained a short while ago.

A vote scheduled for today in the House -- the same day NATO decided to extend the air campaign in Libya for three more months -- may have to be rescheduled, the source said.

White House: Hamas Must Mend Its Ways

The White House is being very cautious for now on the news today that the Palestinian political organizations Fatah and Hamas are reconciling, opening up the opportunity for a unified Palestinian leadership.

The deal clears the way for a new round of soon-to-be-announced Palestinian elections.

“We have seen the press reports and are seeking more information. As we have said before, the United States supports Palestinian reconciliation on terms which promote the cause of peace. Hamas, however, is a terrorist organization which targets civilians," said National Security Council spokesman Tommy Vietor.

"To play a constructive role in achieving peace, any Palestinian government must accept the Quartet principles and renounce violence, abide by past agreements, and recognize Israel’s right to exist,” Vietor added.

There is reason for hope: Fatah is the political party founded by the late Palestinian Liberation Organization leader Yasser Arafat -- once labeled a terrorist and then hailed as a peacemaker with Israel. There is no reason Hamas too cannot amend its ways and recognize Israel as the legitimate democracy it is and potential economic partner it can be.

Israeli hardline leader, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, slammed the Palestinian reconciliation accord even before it was announced.

“The Palestinian Authority has to choose between peace with Israel and peace with Hamas,” Mr. Netanyahu said in a televised address. “Peace with both of them is impossible, because Hamas aspires to destroy the state of Israel and says so openly.”

Revolution Remains in Hands of Egypt's Military

Anti-Mubarak protesters are looking to the Egyptian army to help overcome an onslaught of overnight attacks by violent thugs linked to the regime clinging to power.

“What we have seen over several days is the obvious rapport and bond that exists between the army as a respected institution in Egyptian society and the Egyptian people. We hope that that bond continues,” said State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley.

“We hope that the actions by these thugs does not change the dynamic on the street. We’re very concerned that this unleashing of violence (Wednesday) and this attempt at intimidation will change the dynamic on the street,” Crowley added.

If the hugely popular Egyptian army turns its sites on the regime, President Hosni Mubarak will have little choice but to resign, clearing the way for potential democratic reforms and a Pan Arab revolution in the Middle East.

But the longer Mubarak holds on the greater the chance that radicals can hijack the movement, potentially creating another opportunity for theocratic extremists to gain a foothold in the largest Arab country in the world, several Middle East scholars have warned.

U.S. officials have used back channels to appeal to Egyptian military leaders to help restore calm. Live video this morning carried on Al Jazeera and Reuters TV showed tanks separating the pro- and anti-Mubarak demonstrators after Tahrir Square in downtown Cairo turned into a war zone overnight.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, have both spoken to their respective counterparts in the Egyptian government and military, according to White House spokesman Robert Gibbs.

“Officers throughout our command ranks have spoken to their counterparts. It speaks to a couple of different things: One, the importance of robust military-to-military contact; being able to have the relationships and the knowledge of who you’re talking to and who you need to talk to in times of great crisis,” Gibbs said.

 “And I think it’s safe to say, again, each and every one of those conversations starts out with a conversation about restraint and nonviolence,” Gibbs reiterated.

Armed vigilantes, including some on horseback and riding camels, attacked unarmed workers, students and journalists with swords, clubs, rocks and Molotov cocktails. Some anti-Mubarak protesters responded in kind. It was troubling that the army stood by and watched.

Some in the violent mob reportedly have admitted to being paid by wealthy backers of Mubarak to wreak havoc on demonstrators, who for the most part have tried to gather peacefully to call for an end to the regime. Plain clothes police are believed to be among the menacing agitators, according to Arab and Western media reports, as well as eyewitness comments on Twitter.

There have been some others positive signs overnight. Egypt’s Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq apologized for the violence this morning and several European nations were preparing a joint statement calling for an immediate transition in Egypt, the BBC and Al Jazeera English reported.

Even Israel's right wing Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu has toned down his support for Mubarak, endorsing democratic reforms as path to peace, according to a statement from the Washington-based Israel Project.

Still, it seems none of the Western powers, led by the U.S., are willing to say outright that Mubarak must step down, though the White House contends it has been clear about its move away from its longtime ally.


“I think you have seen statements from throughout the world, both in the region and outside of the region, where President Obama and leaders have been clear about what needs to happen,” Gibbs said.

“Many of these changes are going to have to happen on the ground in Egypt, and only those in Egypt can determine when those demands have been satisfied. But it is clear that the Egyptian people need to see progress and change immediately,” Gibbs added.