Bashir Assad Quotes
Despite the ethnic diversity within each nation, the social fabric of the region by and large is one.
Assad, Bashar al-. Interview with As-Safir. As-Safir, 27 Mar. 2003.
This mode of national definition is characteristic of many nations of Europe as well.
There are two ethnic groups in Fiji. The indigenous Fijians and immigrants from India and their descendants. The Indians originally came to trade and represent a globalized, mercantile culture whereas the indigenous tribes did not have the tradition of business. Over time, the minority Indians were economically more successful than the majority, which tended to resent the Indians. As the Indians were the political minority with no strong tradition of protection of minority rights, they became victims of discriminatory behavior in a nation where the traditional political structure of tribal chiefs and tribes dominated politics. Religion also separated the Hindu Indians from the Christian tribals. In the early 21st century, an Indian was elected prime minister, but this led to a revolt and coup by some traditional tribals. Finally the coup was put down but the society had been split apart and there was continuous argument over rights and whether the coups plotters should be punished.
The Psychological Strategy Board was a CIA entity. The Fairfield Foundation was the vehicle by which the CIA would funnel money to various groups as a part of its covert action program.
Bashar Hafez al-Assad is a Syrian politician who is the current President of Syria, holding the office since 17 July 2000. He is also commander-in-chief of the Syrian Armed Forces, General Secretary of the ruling Ba'ath Party and Regional Secretary of the party's branch in Syria.
