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Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/05/17/AR2005051701426.html
Syria Heralds Reforms, But Many Have Doubts
(Washington Post) Anthony Shadid - Beset by U.S. attempts to isolate his country and facing popular expectations of change, Syrian President Bashar Assad will move to begin legalizing political parties, purge the ruling Baath Party, sponsor free municipal elections in 2007, and formally endorse a market economy, according to officials, diplomats, and analysts. Emboldened opposition leaders, many of whom openly support pressure by the U.S. even if they mistrust its intentions, said the measures were the last gasp of a government staggering after its hasty and embarrassing troop withdrawal last month from neighboring Lebanon.