EVEN LE MONDE ECONOMIST NOW ADMITS SYRIA IS DESTABILIZED BY ARMED GROUPS AND TERRORISTS ...Syria: ‘Assad is part of the problem’-An interview with Samir Aita http://www.tlaxcala-int.org/article.asp?reference=5508

There are several tendencies in the uprising. There are areas -- not in Hauran, where it all began -- where there are people who agitate along religious lines. And there are historical problems in Hama and Jisr Al-Shugur. There is hatred there, and if they feel pressured, the people there resort to arms. In order to speak truthfully, I have to admit that yes, there are armed groups. But there are only a few of them and they are isolated. Of course there are other elements that want to engage Syria in sectarian fighting.

For example, the March 14th Movement in Lebanon. There is evidence that people from that group have smuggled weapons into Syria. Also in the area around the valley Kalach people have taken up arms. There, near the Turkish border, there are some people who have brought weapons into Syria from Turkey, and also near the Iraqi-Syrian border, there are weapons. None of this can justify a crackdown against the people on the streets.

Ninety-nine percent of the people who are participating in the uprising are courageous, nonviolent and still have a sense of humor.

[Samir Aita is an economist and chairman of A Concept mafhoum ,Samir Aita is editor in chief of Le Monde diplomatique's Arab editions, and president of the Club of Arab Economists...and for ten years he advised the Syrian regime regarding its reform program...Now...thanks for admitting there are armed groups being armed via external groups like Hariri and more...I have shown this since day one...nevertheless your claim 99% of protestors in opposition arent tied to these groups is silly and obviously unknowable...i take issue with more in his piece but will adress those points i take issue with later since i have to step out for a few...