Syria denounced the "interference" of France and the United States

[Darsh]

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The regime of Bashar al-Assad has not supported the visit of French and American ambassadors in Hama, the scene of demonstrations violently repressed.
Syria has summoned the ambassadors of France Sunday and the United States in Damascus to protest against the visit on Thursday and Friday to Hama, one of the main sites of contestation of the regime of Bashar al-Assad, without official permission.
Quoted by the official news agency SANA, the Syrian Foreign Ministry called the visit of French Eric Chevallier and the American Robert Ford "clear proof of the American and French interference in the internal affairs of Syria (confirming ) the existence of an external support (events) ".
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (expressed) its strong objection to their visit to the city of Hama without the agreement of the Ministry," writes Sana.
A national dialogue ... unopposed
This Sunday, a meeting of the National Dialogue, organized by the Syrian regime, was opened in Damascus.
Vice President Shara said at the beginning of the meeting that it was to prepare a large national meeting: "We will have a comprehensive national meeting during which we will announce the transition from Syria to a multi-state, democratic, where all will be equal and participate in building the country's future. "
Participants should discuss for two days of political reforms, including amendments to the Constitution, particularly the clause that makes the Baath party "the leader of the state and society."
Opponents of the regime of President Bashar al-Assad has decided to boycott the meeting. They claim before any dialogue "the withdrawal of Syrian forces from cities, the release of political prisoners and peaceful demonstrators, and an investigation into crimes committed against demonstrators," he told AFP on condition between the anonymity.

http://www.lexpress.fr/actualite/mon...ml#xtor=AL-447

It seems that Syria dosn't agree with this "scouting".

[Justice and Mercy]

Anyone else think that both of those ambassadors have pretty awesome names?

Hey, I even found a picture of Super Secret Agents Chevallier and Ford.



It's a surprinsingly ballsy move. Good for them.

[Graeme]

Anyone else think that both of those ambassadors have pretty awesome names?

Hey, I even found a picture of Super Secret Agents Chevallier and Ford.



It's a surprinsingly ballsy move. Good for them.

I believe Agent Chevalier has already established a forward operating base to try and oust Assad :

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krak_des_Chevaliers

[garudamon11]

Its not Syria, its Bashar

[Lazzeer]

Syria's an extremely unfortunate case, as due to its location and internal composition the international communities response has been rather muted, especially in comparison to Libya. This naturally all comes down to other countries having interests in Syria remaining stable, with Lebanon and Iraq fearing any sectarian fighting might spill over the border, Israel worried that a new government might be be more hostile to Israel, and Turkey and Jordan worried about refugees and the general instability. At the same time Syria is important to other states, with America also fearing the spillover of any sectarian fighting, Iran fearful of losing an ally, and Russia fearful of what any revolutionary developments may spell for its small but growing naval presence.

I think due to the totalitarian nature of the regime, and how effective it has previously been at stomping out opposition means that other countries are also worried about who would take over from the Assad/Ba'ath regime. No doubt that's what this visit is mostly about - finding out who the protesters really are and what the majority of them really want and what this spells for the region (and therefore whether or not they should endorse/support them or remain muted). Therefore naturally Bashar will dislike this and view it as meddling. The recent "national dialogue" conference may be part of a Syrian reaction to this, but to be honest the protesters seem to desire the departure of the regime, and I don't think Bashar thinks that things have gotten so bad that he needs to leave yet.