It is a media outlet even more remarkable that Syrian officials were not usually speak in Western media. Boutheina Shaaban, Special Advisor to President Bashar al-Assad - who often takes on the role of spokesperson - awarded the "New York Times an interview in which she displays confidence regime against the protests that rocked the country for two months.
"I hope we are going through the end of this story. I think the most dangerous moment is behind us.I hope, I think, "said Councillor journalists from U.S. daily, which had special permission to enter a couple of hours in the country to meet briefly with their interlocutor.
Since the beginning of the protest movement, Syria is in effect closed to journalists and the few reports emerging about the violence between security forces and opponents of the regime come from witnesses and activists of human rights.
On Monday, the Syrian Observatory of Human Rights (OSDH) has reported that authorities have made further arrests in the capital, Damascus and Banias, a town on the Mediterranean coast.Since the beginning of the revolt in mid-March, between 600 and 700 people were killed and at least 8,000 arrested, according to NGOs.
In this regard, Boutheina Shaaban justified in the New York Times "the repressive regime, which" may not be sympathetic with people who lead an armed rebellion. "
Sanctions "manageable"
The international community does not share this analysis. The sanctions against 13 officials and Syrian arms embargo adopted by the European Union (EU) to halt "repression against the people" came into force on Tuesday.
Among these leaders face particular Maher al-Assad, younger brother of Syrian president and head of the Republican Guard, officials said Tuesday morning.The Head of State, himself, is currently not covered by the EU sanctions.
The United States has in turn imposed economic sanctions on officials of the country and warned Friday that they could adopt new measures if Damascus did not put an end to repression.
But these retaliatory measures do not undermine the optimism of the plan. In the interview with U.S. newspaper, Councillor Bashar al-Assad believes that these sanctions are manageable. "This is a form of pressure that has often been used against us. Just arrange a time that our country will be safe again. We're not going to live forever this crisis," says she.
