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Syrians 'Obamistic' about US election outcome
People in Damascus are not gathering in cafes to watch CNN, like much of the world, but they patiently await the "good news" from Washington.
- By Sami Moubayed, Correspondent
- Published: 23:43 November 4, 2008
- Image Credit: AP
- US presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama is shown on the cover of The Economist magazine, on display at a kiosk in the Hamra district, Beirut.
Damascus: People in Damascus are not gathering in cafes to watch CNN, like much of the world, but they patiently await the "good news" from Washington.
"I have work to do, I will find out the results on November 6, there is no rush," Omar, a 40-year-old cab driver said.
However, many are counting the minutes until George W. Bush leaves the White House. They are acting as if the White House is secure in Barack Obama's pocket, with no thought even that John McCain might win.
"We are "Obamistic," said Firas, a Syrian residing in Houston told Gulf News.
Young people are particularly vocal about their feelings, as they feel hat the new president will directly affect their day-to-day lives. Under President Bush, young Syrians were denied studying or even travelling to the US, after anti-Arab and Muslim sentiment swept the nation following 9/11.
Sanctions
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Sanctions placed on Syria by the US affected businesses and their treatment at international airports.
"I tried to download software off the internet, but got a message that I am not allowed to because I have a Syrian IP address, thanks to George Bush," Gali, young Syrian resident of Damascus told Gulf News.
"My business requires sending and receiving brochures by post mail, and I can no longer do that with ease - nor can I receive a cheque from abroad because of sanctions," Sami, who works in tourism, said.
Syrians are not paying attention to the internal debate in Washington, but care deeply about the foreign policy agenda of the candidates.
When Obama refrained from condoning the US strike on Syria, after McCain praised it, Syrians noted it as "positive".
"How can any Arab-American vote Republican? They brought us the war in Iraq in 2003, and did little to stop the 2006 War in Lebanon, and now the attack on Syria!" Zuhair, a 21-year-old political science student at Damascus University told Gulf News.
"Obama is no angel, but at least he doesn't have an expansionist agenda," he added.
There are three schools of thought in Syria, one that supports Obama and another that believes that because of his colour he will have to prove his patriotism by pursuing radical agendas especially in the Arab world.
A third camp believes that Obama will be assassinated.
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