Downstream Problems
(Signs of the Time - June 2000)
In order to help irrigate land, create jobs and provide electricity for a growing populace, Turkey has built the second of two dams along the Euphrates River. The Belkis Dam was completed April 29, 2000, and in its wake, nine villages and an entire town were flooded. Further downstream, Syria is now the recipient of a decreased water flow and an already parched land is becoming water starved. This month’s article will look at the problems plaguing Syria and the Euphrates River, with emphasis being placed on the political and geographical matters that have recently come to light.
A New Dam
Approximately three years ago, the Turkish government started work on this second dam
in what is referred to as the Southeast Anatolia Project, which is a centerpiece of
Turkey's massive water and hydroelectric development plans. The Ataturk Dam was completed
in 1996 and helped turn the once raging Euphrates River into a now mild stream. The Belkis
Dam, completed in April, 2000, will further deny Turkey’s downstream neighbors of
water and help to literally dry up the Euphrates. Revelation 16:12 speaks about the sixth
angel pouring his bowl on the great river Euphrates and having its water dry up to prepare
the way for the kings from the east.
This verse is usually interpreted to reflect the political drying up of the region in and around the Euphrates River. However, a strong argument can be made that the prophecy refers to both a political and literal drying up of the river. The literal drying up of the river will be particularly emphasized over the next several years while the area behind the dam is flooding, creating a new man-made lake. Filling the lake will reduce by 40% the downstream water flow into Syria. As one might expect, Syria has voiced concern over the "water theft" as they call it. According to Syria, Turkey is breaking international law by controlling the downstream water flow and drying up the river.
Hafez Assad
According to the London, England-based Sunday Telegraph, the ailing president
of Syria, Hafez Assad, suffered a cerebral hemorrhage. The newspaper reported, April 29,
2000,: "Mr. Assad suffered the stroke at the beginning of April, leaving him
incapacitated and with double vision. His public appearances are extremely limited and
only possible with heavy medication. He received heavy doses of steroids before a meeting
with Bill Clinton, the U.S. president." The 69 year-old dictator, already
seriously ill with a history of heart problems, failed to deliver his traditional address
to the nation on April 7, the anniversary of the founding of the Baath party. For the
first time during his presidency, he also missed the Independence Day celebration on April
17.
Mr. Assad’s failing health has and will set the Middle East peace clock back several years. The threat of a destabilizing succession battle in one of the most powerful and secretive Arab states has prompted Ehud Barak, the Israeli Prime Minister, and Mr. Clinton to back Mr. Assad as the best hope for peace in the region, despite his record as a sworn enemy of Israel. Unfortunately, Mr. Assad’s health has been deteriorating so quickly that American intelligence experts now believe he has only months to live.
Leadership vacuum feared
The death of Mr. Assad would create both a leadership vacuum and a power struggle to
replace him at the presidential helm. Although it may be too early to speculate, it is
assumed that Syria will face a vicious power struggle for the presidency between Mr.
Assad’s younger brother, Rifaat, and his son and chosen heir, Bashar. Whatever the
outcome, a post-Assad Syria is likely to take a tougher stand toward the peace process
because any new government will have to consolidate competing political forces in
Damascus.
Access to Galilee
Currently, the major stumbling-block to a peace settlement between Israel and Syria
centers around one of the most pristine natural resources in the Middle East -- water. Mr.
Assad has refused to budge over his demand that Syria should gain access to the Sea of
Galilee and the fresh water that the lake contains.
Israel has offered to withdraw from the Golan, which it has occupied since the 1967 war, but has insisted on keeping control of a 100 meter strip of land next to the lake, as well as the lake itself. The demand for Syria to have unfettered access to the Sea of Galilee and its fresh water supply is all the more pressing now that the Euphrates water had been cut by 40%. Hopes that Mr. Assad might be persuaded to back down from his demands of access to the Sea of Galilee diminish daily as the ever-reliable water supply from the north becomes increasingly unreliable and unpredictable. As a result, Syria must hunker down and find resources elsewhere – even at the cost of peace in the Middle East.
God’s plan and purpose is clear. During the kingdom age, the land will be refreshed and renewed and water will flow abundantly (Ezekiel 47). Until that day, however, water shall remain more precious than oil and wars will be fought over this precious commodity. Let us pray that a renewed land and people may be established on this earth shortly.
George Rayner