| Headline: Reform planned at the right pace Source: Euromoney Date: July 2001 Author: Philip Moore Syrian officials and businessmen understand the need for economic restructuring to take advantage of regional and global opportunities. They are determined, though, to undertake it at their own pace and in ways that do not undermine social cohesion.
When Assad seized power in November 1970 it was after 24 years of independence that had been punctuated by coups and other threats to internal stability. Between 1958 and 1961 Syria had even seemed prepared to relinquish national sovereignty, joining forces with Egypt to form the United Arab Republic but hastily withdrawing when it emerged that Cairo would dominate the federation. With 16 changes of regime between 1943 and 1970, Assad’s preoccupation with restoration of internal stability rather than economic management or reform is understandable. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||