President Barack H. Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20500

August 15, 2011

Dear Mr. President:

We, a group of concerned Syrian-Americans, are writing to you regarding the recent events spreading across the Middle East, known as the Arab Spring.

As both Syrians and Americans, we are greatly concerned about the situation in Syria, in particular, the lack of an open diplomatic dialogue between our countries: the United States and Syria. It is evident that there is a major gap between the situation on the ground and the perception abroad.

As a group of concerned individuals who hold American values dear, while at the same time proud of our Syrian culture and heritage, we wish to see the resumption of the constructive dialogue between Syria and the West. Helping the Arab population transition to democracy and undergo reform in a peaceful manner is a prime opportunity for the United States to fulfill one of the cornerstones of its foreign policy outlined by the White House – to improve America’s standing and relations with the Arab world. Yet we must approach the Syrian issue in a way that sets the stage for a better long-term outcome for both US interests & the Syrian People.

Mr. President, we believe you are uniquely qualified to be a mediator between all parties, and have the distinction of being capable to create a lasting positive change in Syria and the region. We firmly believe that putting undue pressure on President Bashar Al- Assad and the Syrian government will be counterproductive both for the prospect of political reforms in Syria and for America’s interest in the region. The collapse of the Syrian Government most likely will lead to the extreme religious right coming into power and setting the country back by decades.

Today, in a country legendary for peaceful co-existence between minorities, problems are beginning to arise and friends, neighbors, and relatives are becoming suspicious of one another. The beautifully crafted social fabric that is the Syrian society is beginning to fray before our eyes, and Syria is starting to experience sectarian violence for the first time in its modern history. This very dangerous path is reminiscent of the situation in Iraq.

After nearly five months of political unrest, the majority of people living in Syria wishes to return to the calm that existed just few short months ago.

Mr. President, many of us have just returned from fact-finding missions in Syria where we met with Syrians from all walks of life, opposition, officials, and as of yet silent reform seekers. All of us have family members and friends who still live there, from whom we get daily feedback about the situation on the ground. The story in the western media is that of “an oppressive government killing innocent civilians to remain in power”. The reality however is far more complex.

President Barack H. Obama

August 15, 2011

Page 2

President Bashar Al- Assad has pushed forward a far-reaching political reform agenda that promises to transform the country into one with a more democratic, politically pluralistic secular future. Amongst these reforms is the establishment of a commission for the protection of universal human rights, and a new law for Local Governance that promises to decentralize decision making, retuning it to the local level, thereby giving more power to the voter. In addition the Syrian government is pushing forward a new multiparty law, a new media law, and is committed to constitutional amendments. Fundamental reforms as those contemplated by President Al- Assad and demanded by the opposition groups do take time, especially considering the challenges on the ground.

While legitimate demands of the public are being heard and met, one can not underestimate the seriousness of the problem that exists today with the proliferation of armed groups of extremists who want to overthrow the Syrian government at all costs and install an extremist government religious theocracy that will be both detrimental to the Syrian society, and American interests in the Middle East. There are credible reports that these people are closely aligned, at least ideologically with terrorist organizations, such as Al-Qaeda, and their “vision” for government is extreme and backwards. Acts of terrorism, such as exploding a vital pipeline near a dam so that the people in the surrounding villages cannot receive water, derailing a train on route from Aleppo to Damascus, burning government buildings in Homs, Hama, Deir Alzour, and Jisr Alshagour, and burning bakeries in rural areas so that the people do not have access to food are the work of these extremists. The actions of these groups are anything but constructive. Their interests lie only in stopping the advancement, in any form, of democracy, eliminating a stable government, and disrupting the peace in Syria. Their ideals and purposes are in direct conflict with US interests or values.

Despite what the media may portray, President Bashar Al- Assad remains popular with a large portion of the Syrian public.

To prevent the country from descending into a civil war costing more Syrian lives and a complete destabilization of the region, the United States and Syria should engage in active diplomatic talks on how to deal with this growing problem and help Syria with Its transition toward a politically pluralistic society that is more democratic.

The United States, the birthplace of democracy, is uniquely positioned to offer technical expertise to help this transition not through pressure but through active engagement.

President Barack H. Obama

August 15, 2011

Page 3

We, as Syrian Americans, are ready to engage and help the United States and Syria. We have a deep understanding of the situation in Syria, as well as a real passion & commitment to American values.

With utmost respect and appreciation,

Nasser Ani, M.D., FACS, FRCSc

Board Certified Orthopedics & Spine Surgeon

Ani Orthopedics Group

One Bethany Rd, Suite 21

Hazlet, NJ 07730

Tel (732) 513-9818

Samar Shami, M.D., FASDP, FCAP

Board Certified Dermatopathologist/Pathologist

Dermatopathology Institute of New jersey

225 Highway 35, Suite 201

Red Bank, NJ 07701

Tel (732) 450--0820

Ibrahim Ahmad, M.D., FACP

President, Kidney Care Specialists, LLC

2929 Stonewall Dr

Beavercreek, OH 45434

Cell 937-266-0225

Nazir Hussain

11140 Antietam Dr

Alta Loma, CA 91737

Cell: 951-836-5030

Home: 909-948-1782

Ammar M. Dieb
President, UEC
Universal Environmental Consultants

12 Brewster Road
Framingham, MA 01702
P: 508.628.5486
M: 617.984.9772
E:

Ayman Haidar, M.D.

President, Genesee Urgent Care, PC

2265 S Linden Rd

Flint, MI 48532

(810) 720-8700

(801) 720-3393 Fax

Mazen Daoud, M.D.

Advanced Dermatology Specialists
12580 University Drive

Fort Myers FL 33912

Phone (239) 274-0005

Hassan Abbass, M.D., FACS

President, Ohio ENT Associates

330 Aberdeen Lane

Aurora, OH 44202

Tel: 216-773-1100

Mounzer Ahmad

Top Real Estate Broker

Coldwell Banker Leader Realty

7101 N. Western Ave., Chicago IL 60645

E-mail:

Tel: 773-983-1553

Tamam Mohamad, M.D., FACC, FACP, RPVI

Assistant Professorof MedicineWayne state Univ.

Director, Cardiac Care Unit/DRH/Wayne State Univ.

Director, Cardiac Genetic Disorder Center/Heart and Vascular Institute,

Detroit Medical Center

4160 John R, Ste. 510
Detroit, MI 48201
Tel: (313) 993-7777

President Barack H. Obama

August 15, 2011

Page 4

Rami R. Rustum, M.D.
Medical Director, Merrimack Pain Management Associates, P.C.

50 Prospect St, Suite 101

Lawrence, MA 01841

An Affiliate with BID Medical Center in Boston, Care Group Health System
Harvard Medical School
Tel: 1-978-685 2455/2456

Yazan Khatib, M.D.

Co-Founder

First Coast Cardiovascular Institute

Office: 904-493-3333

Lin Khatib

10056 Deercreek Club Rd. E

Jacksonville, FL 3225

(904) 363-0209

Email:

Samir Suleiman, M.D.

7617 W. Belmont Ave.

Elmwood Park IL 60707

Tel: 708-583-1410

Amer Abboud, M.D

346 East Eastgate Place

Chicago, IL, 60616
Tel 773-895-9203

Nidal Obeid, DDS

8418 W. Crain St.

Niles IL 60714

Tel: 773-679-2421

M. Shafik Hashim, M.D.

Director of Ambulatory Anesthesia

Maimonides Medical Center

Brooklyn, NY

Samer Farah, M.D.

3250 Westchester Ave

Pelham bay, NY 10461

Joseph Atto, M.D.

2743 W. Peterson Ave.

Chicago IL 606659

Tel: 773-561-8200

Albert Abboud, DDS

4911 N. Kedzie Ave

Chicago IL

Tel: 773-934-9226

Tony Nahas, M.D.

6444 N. Central Ave

Chicago IL

773-631-5858

ManwalWasouf, DDS

6422 N. Washtenaw

Chicago IL 60645

Tel: 773-751-9568

Al Rayes

CEO, Transtour Express Inc.

12466 Lewis St., Suite 103

Garden Grove, CA 92840

Phone 714-448-6188

Email:

Pierre Chahraban, M.D.

Co- Founder, New England Cardiology

60 East St.

Methuen, MA 01844

Tel: 978- 725 5913

George Alcheikh

203 Lakeland Ct.

Schaumburg, IL 60173

Tel: 847-630-1758

Fadi Lahlouh

President, Lahlouh Printing Group

1649 Adrian Road
Burlingame, CA 94010


Tel: 650-823-4884

President Barack H. Obama

August 15, 2011

Page 5

Sargon Khenano Kousay Ahmad

Owner, Brothers Upholstery INC 7014 N. Kilbourn Ave

1625 Payne St. Lincolnwood IL 60712

Evanston IL 60201 Tel: 773-968-6180

Tel: 847-733-3333

Rawa Serieh Dr. Nidal and Dr. Wael Yacoub

6847 N. Trumbull Ave. Whitehall Medical & Dental Assoc.

Lincolnwood IL 60712 450 Pershing Blvd.

Phone: 312-927-5818 Whitehall, PA 18052

Tel: 610- 434 6678

George Atiyeh

Owner, American Architectural Metal John Aoude

575 Business Park Ln Owner, JMKW Shell Group

Allentown, PA 18109 969 William T Morrissey Blvd
Tel: 610- 432 9787 Dorchester, MA 02122-3200

Tel: 617- 265 1455

Hassan Chreim Rula M. Youssef, M.D.

166 Providence Rd. New England Cardiology

Grafton, MA 1641 Salem St.

Tel: 508- 839 3367 North Andover, MA 01845

Tel: 978- 689 0280

Talal Noumeh, DDS

Family Dentistry Fayez Abboud

1640 Union Blvd. 1112 E. Tilghman St.

Allentown, PA 18109 Allentown, PA 18109

Tel: 484- 347 0563

Georget Azar

Ola Hamdan 91 Faith Dr.

11 Price St. Catasauqua, PA 18032

Hopkinton, MA 01748 Tel: 484- 597 0885

Tel: 508- 435 6681

Sahar Atiah

Hafez Mohrez 1571 Paige Ave.

3309 N. 3rd St Allentown, PA 18106

Whitehall, PA 18052 Tel: 610- 366 9414

Tel: 484- 515 1905

Feda Abboud

Madeline Aoude 758 N. Jordan St.

136 Pellana Rd. Allentown, PA 18102

Norwood, MA 02062 Tel: 484- 347 4092

Tel: 781-762 4836

President Barack H. Obama

August 15, 2011

Page 6

Ebraham Melhim Al Mishtaye Charity

2135 Belmont St. President, Bashar Jarrah

Allentown, PA 18104 Allentown PA 18109

Tel: 610- 442 6130

John Nemah 160 members

1643 Washington Ave.

Northampton, PA 18067

Tel: 610- 295 7670 Layman Association of Zwaytiene

625 N. 2nd Street

Mouwaffak Makhoul Allentown, PA 18102

1931 E. Greene Tel: 610- 351 4317

Allentown, PA 18109 Represents 176 Members

Tel: 610-333 0616

Iesa Alhamwi Nazih Zarif

622 N. 2nd St. Owner, Five Stars Auto Sale

Allentown, PA 18102 91 Faith drive

Tel: 484- 223 5514 Catasauqua PA, 18032

Tel: 610- 390 0536

Sheyam Hadid

710 White Circle

Northampton, PA 18067 Aziz Wehbey

Tel: 610- 844 6604 Owner, A.W. Auto Sale

815 Hanover Ave.

Milad Achi Allentown, PA 18109

2110 Main St. Tel: 610- 820 8232

Whitehall, PA 18052

Tel: 610- 695 1623 Nidal Makhoul

Owner, Miller Diner

Khlail Alquraih 1865 Shadt Ave.

617 Limestone St Whitehall, PA 18052

Catasauqua, PA 18032 Tel: 610- 417 5486

Tel: 484- 866 3227

Eng. Nazir Hussain

Engineering Projects & Marketing

7349 Milliken Ave # 120

Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91737

Tel: 951-836-5030

American Amarian Syrian

Richard Koury Culture Association

5824 Ricky Ridge trl 521. N. Front Street

Orefield, PA 18069 Catasauqua PA, 18032

Tel: 610- 428 2589

Al- Baida Charity Represents 225 Members

President, Gus Soud

808 N. Kiowa St.

Allentown PA 18109

Tel: 610- 435 6569

130 members

President Barack H. Obama

August 15, 2011

Page 7

Samer Chaban, MBA

Fadi Bashour, M.D.

Safa Rifka, M.D.

Imad Yaakoub Jihad Kanawati

CC: Vice President Mr. Joseph Biden

CC: Madam Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton

CC: The Honorable Members of the U.S. Senate

CC: U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations

446 Dirksen Senate Office Building

Washington, DC 20510-6225

CC: The UN Chief: Mr. Ban- Ki Moon