make/sun/javazic/tzdata/asia

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rev 243 : 6758988: (tz) Support tzdata2008h
Reviewed-by: okutsu
rev 245 : 6796489: (tz) Support tzdata2009a
Reviewed-by: okutsu
rev 246 : 6834474: (tz) Support tzdata2009g
Reviewed-by: okutsu
rev 247 : 6872467: (tz) Support tzdata2009l
Reviewed-by: okutsu
rev 249 : 6899397: (tz) Support tzdata2009r
Reviewed-by: okutsu

@@ -19,12 +19,12 @@
 #  
 # Please contact Sun Microsystems, Inc., 4150 Network Circle, Santa Clara,
 # CA 95054 USA or visit www.sun.com if you need additional information or
 # have any questions.
 #
-# @(#)asia      8.23
-# <pre>
+# This file is in the public domain, so clarified as of
+# 2009-05-17 by Arthur David Olson.
 
 # This data is by no means authoritative; if you think you know better,
 # go ahead and edit the file (and please send any changes to
 # tz@elsie.nci.nih.gov for general use in the future).
 

@@ -146,18 +146,89 @@
 Zone    Asia/Bahrain    3:22:20 -       LMT     1920            # Al Manamah
                         4:00    -       GST     1972 Jun
                         3:00    -       AST
 
 # Bangladesh
+# From Alexander Krivenyshev (2009-05-13):
+# According to newspaper Asian Tribune (May 6, 2009) Bangladesh may introduce
+# Daylight Saving Time from June 16 to Sept 30
+#
+# Bangladesh to introduce daylight saving time likely from June 16
+# <a href="http://www.asiantribune.com/?q=node/17288">
+# http://www.asiantribune.com/?q=node/17288
+# </a>
+# or
+# <a href="http://www.worldtimezone.com/dst_news/dst_news_bangladesh02.html">
+# http://www.worldtimezone.com/dst_news/dst_news_bangladesh02.html
+# </a>
+#
+# "... Bangladesh government has decided to switch daylight saving time from
+# June
+# 16 till September 30 in a bid to ensure maximum use of daylight to cope with
+# crippling power crisis. "
+#
+# The switch will remain in effect from June 16 to Sept 30 (2009) but if
+# implemented the next year, it will come in force from April 1, 2010
+
+# From Steffen Thorsen (2009-06-02):
+# They have finally decided now, but changed the start date to midnight between
+# the 19th and 20th, and they have not set the end date yet.
+#
+# Some sources:
+# <a href="http://in.reuters.com/article/southAsiaNews/idINIndia-40017620090601">
+# http://in.reuters.com/article/southAsiaNews/idINIndia-40017620090601
+# </a>
+# <a href="http://bdnews24.com/details.php?id=85889&cid=2">
+# http://bdnews24.com/details.php?id=85889&cid=2
+# </a>
+#
+# Our wrap-up:
+# <a href="http://www.timeanddate.com/news/time/bangladesh-daylight-saving-2009.html">
+# http://www.timeanddate.com/news/time/bangladesh-daylight-saving-2009.html
+# </a>
+
+# From A. N. M. Kamrus Saadat (2009-06-15):
+# Finally we've got the official mail regarding DST start time where DST start 
+# time is mentioned as Jun 19 2009, 23:00 from BTRC (Bangladesh 
+# Telecommunication Regulatory Commission). 
+#
+# No DST end date has been announced yet.
+
+# From Alexander Krivenyshev (2009-09-25):
+# Bangladesh won't go back to Standard Time from October 1, 2009, 
+# instead it will continue DST measure till the cabinet makes a fresh decision. 
+#
+# Following report by same newspaper-"The Daily Star Friday":
+# "DST change awaits cabinet decision-Clock won't go back by 1-hr from Oct 1"
+# <a href="http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=107021">
+# http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=107021
+# </a>
+# or
+# <a href="http://www.worldtimezone.com/dst_news/dst_news_bangladesh04.html">
+# http://www.worldtimezone.com/dst_news/dst_news_bangladesh04.html
+# </a>
+
+# From Steffen Thorsen (2009-10-13):
+# IANS (Indo-Asian News Service) now reports:
+# Bangladesh has decided that the clock advanced by an hour to make 
+# maximum use of daylight hours as an energy saving measure would 
+# "continue for an indefinite period."
+#
+# One of many places where it is published:
+# <a href="http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/business/bangladesh-to-continue-indefinitely-with-advanced-time_100259987.html">
+# http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/business/bangladesh-to-continue-indefinitely-with-advanced-time_100259987.html
+# </a>
+
 # Zone  NAME            GMTOFF  RULES   FORMAT  [UNTIL]
 Zone    Asia/Dhaka      6:01:40 -       LMT     1890
                         5:53:20 -       HMT     1941 Oct    # Howrah Mean Time?
                         6:30    -       BURT    1942 May 15 # Burma Time
                         5:30    -       IST     1942 Sep
                         6:30    -       BURT    1951 Sep 30
                         6:00    -       DACT    1971 Mar 26 # Dacca Time
-                        6:00    -       BDT     # Bangladesh Time
+                        6:00    -       BDT     2009 Jun 19 23:00 # Bangladesh Time
+                        6:00    1:00    BDST
 
 # Bhutan
 # Zone  NAME            GMTOFF  RULES   FORMAT  [UNTIL]
 Zone    Asia/Thimphu    5:58:36 -       LMT     1947 Aug 15 # or Thimbu
                         5:30    -       IST     1987 Oct

@@ -317,32 +388,104 @@
 Zone    Asia/Kashgar    5:03:56 -       LMT     1928 # or Kashi or Kaxgar
                         5:30    -       KAST    1940     # Kashgar Time
                         5:00    -       KAST    1980 May
                         8:00    PRC     C%sT
 
+
+# From Lee Yiu Chung (2009-10-24):
+# I found there are some mistakes for the historial DST rule for Hong
+# Kong. Accoring to the DST record from Hong Kong Observatory (actually,
+# it is not [an] observatory, but the official meteorological agency of HK,
+# and also serves as the official timing agency), there are some missing
+# and incorrect rules. Although the exact switch over time is missing, I
+# think 3:30 is correct. The official DST record for Hong Kong can be
+# obtained from
+# <a href="http://www.hko.gov.hk/gts/time/Summertime.htm">
+# http://www.hko.gov.hk/gts/time/Summertime.htm
+# </a>.
+
+# From Arthur David Olson (2009-10-28):
+# Here are the dates given at
+# <a href="http://www.hko.gov.hk/gts/time/Summertime.htm">
+# http://www.hko.gov.hk/gts/time/Summertime.htm
+# </a>
+# as of 2009-10-28:
+# Year        Period
+# 1941        1 Apr to 30 Sep
+# 1942        Whole year 
+# 1943        Whole year
+# 1944        Whole year
+# 1945        Whole year
+# 1946        20 Apr to 1 Dec
+# 1947        13 Apr to 30 Dec
+# 1948        2 May to 31 Oct
+# 1949        3 Apr to 30 Oct
+# 1950        2 Apr to 29 Oct
+# 1951        1 Apr to 28 Oct
+# 1952        6 Apr to 25 Oct
+# 1953        5 Apr to 1 Nov
+# 1954        21 Mar to 31 Oct
+# 1955        20 Mar to 6 Nov
+# 1956        18 Mar to 4 Nov
+# 1957        24 Mar to 3 Nov
+# 1958        23 Mar to 2 Nov
+# 1959        22 Mar to 1 Nov
+# 1960        20 Mar to 6 Nov
+# 1961        19 Mar to 5 Nov
+# 1962        18 Mar to 4 Nov
+# 1963        24 Mar to 3 Nov
+# 1964        22 Mar to 1 Nov
+# 1965        18 Apr to 17 Oct
+# 1966        17 Apr to 16 Oct
+# 1967        16 Apr to 22 Oct
+# 1968        21 Apr to 20 Oct
+# 1969        20 Apr to 19 Oct
+# 1970        19 Apr to 18 Oct
+# 1971        18 Apr to 17 Oct
+# 1972        16 Apr to 22 Oct
+# 1973        22 Apr to 21 Oct
+# 1973/74     30 Dec 73 to 20 Oct 74
+# 1975        20 Apr to 19 Oct
+# 1976        18 Apr to 17 Oct
+# 1977        Nil
+# 1978        Nil
+# 1979        13 May to 21 Oct
+# 1980 to Now Nil
+# The page does not give start or end times of day.
+# The page does not give a start date for 1942.
+# The page does not givw an end date for 1945.
+# The Japanese occupation of Hong Kong began on 1941-12-25.
+# The Japanese surrender of Hong Kong was signed 1945-09-15.
+# For lack of anything better, use start of those days as the transition times.
+
 # Hong Kong (Xianggang)
 # Rule  NAME    FROM    TO      TYPE    IN      ON      AT      SAVE    LETTER/S
+Rule    HK      1941    only    -       Apr     1       3:30    1:00    S
+Rule    HK      1941    only    -       Sep     30      3:30    0       -
 Rule    HK      1946    only    -       Apr     20      3:30    1:00    S
 Rule    HK      1946    only    -       Dec     1       3:30    0       -
 Rule    HK      1947    only    -       Apr     13      3:30    1:00    S
 Rule    HK      1947    only    -       Dec     30      3:30    0       -
 Rule    HK      1948    only    -       May     2       3:30    1:00    S
-Rule    HK      1948    1952    -       Oct     lastSun 3:30    0       -
+Rule    HK      1948    1951    -       Oct     lastSun 3:30    0       -
+Rule    HK      1952    only    -       Oct     25      3:30    0       -
 Rule    HK      1949    1953    -       Apr     Sun>=1  3:30    1:00    S
 Rule    HK      1953    only    -       Nov     1       3:30    0       -
 Rule    HK      1954    1964    -       Mar     Sun>=18 3:30    1:00    S
 Rule    HK      1954    only    -       Oct     31      3:30    0       -
 Rule    HK      1955    1964    -       Nov     Sun>=1  3:30    0       -
 Rule    HK      1965    1977    -       Apr     Sun>=16 3:30    1:00    S
 Rule    HK      1965    1977    -       Oct     Sun>=16 3:30    0       -
-Rule    HK      1979    1980    -       May     Sun>=8  3:30    1:00    S
-Rule    HK      1979    1980    -       Oct     Sun>=16 3:30    0       -
+Rule    HK      1973    only    -       Dec     30      3:30    1:00    S
+Rule    HK      1979    only    -       May     Sun>=8  3:30    1:00    S
+Rule    HK      1979    only    -       Oct     Sun>=16 3:30    0       -
 # Zone  NAME            GMTOFF  RULES   FORMAT  [UNTIL]
 Zone    Asia/Hong_Kong  7:36:36 -       LMT     1904 Oct 30
+                        8:00    HK      HK%sT   1941 Dec 25
+                        9:00    -       JST     1945 Sep 15
                         8:00    HK      HK%sT
 
-
 ###############################################################################
 
 # Taiwan
 
 # Shanks & Pottenger write that Taiwan observed DST during 1945, when it

@@ -1070,10 +1213,44 @@
 #
 # From Steffen Thorsen (2006-10-01), after a heads-up from Hilal Malawi:
 # http://www.petranews.gov.jo/nepras/2006/Sep/05/4000.htm
 # "Jordan will switch to winter time on Friday, October 27".
 #
+
+# From Phil Pizzey (2009-04-02):
+# ...I think I may have spotted an error in the timezone data for
+# Jordan.
+# The current (2009d) asia file shows Jordan going to daylight
+# saving
+# time on the last Thursday in March.
+#
+# Rule  Jordan      2000  max   -  Mar   lastThu     0:00s 1:00  S
+#
+# However timeanddate.com, which I usually find reliable, shows Jordan
+# going to daylight saving time on the last Friday in March since 2002.
+# Please see
+# <a href="http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/timezone.html?n=11">
+# http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/timezone.html?n=11
+# </a>
+
+# From Steffen Thorsen (2009-04-02):
+# This single one might be good enough, (2009-03-24, Arabic):
+# <a href="http://petra.gov.jo/Artical.aspx?Lng=2&Section=8&Artical=95279">
+# http://petra.gov.jo/Artical.aspx?Lng=2&Section=8&Artical=95279
+# </a>
+#
+# Google's translation:
+#
+# > The Council of Ministers decided in 2002 to adopt the principle of timely
+# > submission of the summer at 60 minutes as of midnight on the last Thursday
+# > of the month of March of each year.
+#
+# So - this means the midnight between Thursday and Friday since 2002.
+
+# From Arthur David Olson (2009-04-06):
+# We still have Jordan switching to DST on Thursdays in 2000 and 2001.
+
 # Rule  NAME    FROM    TO      TYPE    IN      ON      AT      SAVE    LETTER/S
 Rule    Jordan  1973    only    -       Jun     6       0:00    1:00    S
 Rule    Jordan  1973    1975    -       Oct     1       0:00    0       -
 Rule    Jordan  1974    1977    -       May     1       0:00    1:00    S
 Rule    Jordan  1976    only    -       Nov     1       0:00    0       -

@@ -1092,12 +1269,13 @@
 Rule    Jordan  1992    1993    -       Oct     Fri>=1  0:00    0       -
 Rule    Jordan  1993    1998    -       Apr     Fri>=1  0:00    1:00    S
 Rule    Jordan  1994    only    -       Sep     Fri>=15 0:00    0       -
 Rule    Jordan  1995    1998    -       Sep     Fri>=15 0:00s   0       -
 Rule    Jordan  1999    only    -       Jul      1      0:00s   1:00    S
-Rule    Jordan  1999    2002    -       Sep     lastThu 0:00s   0       -
-Rule    Jordan  2000    max     -       Mar     lastThu 0:00s   1:00    S
+Rule    Jordan  1999    2002    -       Sep     lastFri 0:00s   0       -
+Rule    Jordan  2000    2001    -       Mar     lastThu 0:00s   1:00    S
+Rule    Jordan  2002    max     -       Mar     lastThu 24:00   1:00    S
 Rule    Jordan  2003    only    -       Oct     24      0:00s   0       -
 Rule    Jordan  2004    only    -       Oct     15      0:00s   0       -
 Rule    Jordan  2005    only    -       Sep     lastFri 0:00s   0       -
 Rule    Jordan  2006    max     -       Oct     lastFri 0:00s   0       -
 # Zone  NAME            GMTOFF  RULES   FORMAT  [UNTIL]

@@ -1495,11 +1673,11 @@
                         9:00    Mongol  CHO%sT  2008 Mar 31 # Choibalsan Time
                         8:00    Mongol  CHO%sT
 
 # Nepal
 # Zone  NAME            GMTOFF  RULES   FORMAT  [UNTIL]
-Zone    Asia/Katmandu   5:41:16 -       LMT     1920
+Zone    Asia/Kathmandu  5:41:16 -       LMT     1920
                         5:30    -       IST     1986
                         5:45    -       NPT     # Nepal Time
 
 # Oman
 # Zone  NAME            GMTOFF  RULES   FORMAT  [UNTIL]

@@ -1575,15 +1753,100 @@
 # OR
 # <a href="http://dailymailnews.com/200808/28/news/dmbrn03.html">
 # http://dailymailnews.com/200808/28/news/dmbrn03.html
 # </a>
 
+# From Alexander Krivenyshev (2009-04-08):
+# Based on previous media reports that "... proposed plan to
+# advance clocks by one hour from May 1 will cause disturbance
+# to the working schedules rather than bringing discipline in
+# official working."
+# <a href="http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=171280">
+# http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=171280
+# </a>
+#
+# recent news that instead of May 2009 - Pakistan plan to
+# introduce DST from April 15, 2009
+#
+# FYI: Associated Press Of Pakistan
+# April 08, 2009
+# Cabinet okays proposal to advance clocks by one hour from April 15
+# <a href="http://www.app.com.pk/en_/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=73043&Itemid=1">
+# http://www.app.com.pk/en_/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=73043&Itemid=1
+# </a>
+#
+# or
+#
+# <a href="http://www.worldtimezone.com/dst_news/dst_news_pakistan05.html">
+# http://www.worldtimezone.com/dst_news/dst_news_pakistan05.html
+# </a>
+#
+# ....
+# The Federal Cabinet on Wednesday approved the proposal to
+# advance clocks in the country by one hour from April 15 to
+# conserve energy"
+
+# From Steffen Thorsen (2009-09-17):
+# "The News International," Pakistan reports that: "The Federal
+# Government has decided to restore the previous time by moving the
+# clocks backward by one hour from October 1. A formal announcement to
+# this effect will be made after the Prime Minister grants approval in
+# this regard." 
+# <a href="http://www.thenews.com.pk/updates.asp?id=87168">
+# http://www.thenews.com.pk/updates.asp?id=87168
+# </a>
+
+# From Alexander Krivenyshev (2009-09-28):
+# According to Associated Press Of Pakistan, it is confirmed that
+# Pakistan clocks across the country would be turned back by an hour from October
+# 1, 2009.
+#
+# "Clocks to go back one hour from 1 Oct"
+# <a href="http://www.app.com.pk/en_/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=86715&Itemid=2">
+# http://www.app.com.pk/en_/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=86715&Itemid=2
+# </a>
+# or
+# <a href="http://www.worldtimezone.com/dst_news/dst_news_pakistan07.htm">
+# http://www.worldtimezone.com/dst_news/dst_news_pakistan07.htm
+# </a>
+
+# From Steffen Thorsen (2009-09-29):
+# Alexander Krivenyshev wrote:
+# > According to Associated Press Of Pakistan, it is confirmed that
+# > Pakistan clocks across the country would be turned back by an hour from October
+# > 1, 2009.
+#
+# Now they seem to have changed their mind, November 1 is the new date:
+# <a href="http://www.thenews.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?Id=24742">
+# http://www.thenews.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?Id=24742
+# </a>
+# "The country's clocks will be reversed by one hour on November 1.
+# Officials of Federal Ministry for Interior told this to Geo News on
+# Monday."
+#
+# And more importantly, it seems that these dates will be kept every year:
+# "It has now been decided that clocks will be wound forward by one hour
+# on April 15 and reversed by an hour on November 1 every year without
+# obtaining prior approval, the officials added."
+#
+# We have confirmed this year's end date with both with the Ministry of
+# Water and Power and the Pakistan Electric Power Company:
+# <a href="http://www.timeanddate.com/news/time/pakistan-ends-dst09.html">
+# http://www.timeanddate.com/news/time/pakistan-ends-dst09.html
+# </a>
+
+# From Christoph Goehre (2009-10-01):
+# [T]he German Consulate General in Karachi reported me today that Pakistan
+# will go back to standard time on 1st of November.
+
 # Rule  NAME    FROM    TO      TYPE    IN      ON      AT      SAVE    LETTER/S
 Rule Pakistan   2002    only    -       Apr     Sun>=2  0:01    1:00    S
 Rule Pakistan   2002    only    -       Oct     Sun>=2  0:01    0       -
 Rule Pakistan   2008    only    -       Jun     1       0:00    1:00    S
 Rule Pakistan   2008    only    -       Nov     1       0:00    0       -
+Rule Pakistan   2009    max     -       Apr     15      0:00    1:00    S
+Rule Pakistan   2009    max     -       Nov     1       0:00    0       -
 # Zone  NAME            GMTOFF  RULES   FORMAT  [UNTIL]
 Zone    Asia/Karachi    4:28:12 -       LMT     1907
                         5:30    -       IST     1942 Sep
                         5:30    1:00    IST     1945 Oct 15
                         5:30    -       IST     1951 Sep 30

@@ -1716,10 +1979,62 @@
 # or
 # <a href="http://www.worldtimezone.com/dst_news/dst_news_gazastrip01.html">
 # http://www.worldtimezone.com/dst_news/dst_news_gazastrip01.html
 # </a>
 
+# From Alexander Krivenyshev (2009-03-26):
+# According to the Palestine News Network (arabic.pnn.ps), Palestinian
+# government decided to start Daylight Time on Thursday night March
+# 26 and continue until the night of 27 September 2009.
+#
+# (in Arabic)
+# <a href="http://arabic.pnn.ps/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=50850">
+# http://arabic.pnn.ps/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=50850
+# </a>
+#
+# or
+# (English translation)
+# <a href="http://www.worldtimezone.com/dst_news/dst_news_westbank01.html">
+# http://www.worldtimezone.com/dst_news/dst_news_westbank01.html
+# </a>
+
+# From Steffen Thorsen (2009-08-31):
+# Palestine's Council of Ministers announced that they will revert back to
+# winter time on Friday, 2009-09-04.
+#
+# One news source:
+# <a href="http://www.safa.ps/ara/?action=showdetail&seid=4158">
+# http://www.safa.ps/ara/?action=showdetail&seid=4158
+# </a>
+# (Palestinian press agency, Arabic),
+# Google translate: "Decided that the Palestinian government in Ramallah
+# headed by Salam Fayyad, the start of work in time for the winter of
+# 2009, starting on Friday approved the fourth delay Sept. clock sixty
+# minutes per hour as of Friday morning."
+#
+# We are not sure if Gaza will do the same, last year they had a different
+# end date, we will keep this page updated:
+# <a href="http://www.timeanddate.com/news/time/westbank-gaza-dst-2009.html">
+# http://www.timeanddate.com/news/time/westbank-gaza-dst-2009.html
+# </a>
+
+# From Alexander Krivenyshev (2009-09-02):
+# Seems that Gaza Strip will go back to Winter Time same date as West Bank.
+#
+# According to Palestinian Ministry Of Interior, West Bank and Gaza Strip plan
+# to change time back to Standard time on September 4, 2009.
+#
+# "Winter time unite the West Bank and Gaza"
+# (from Palestinian National Authority):
+# <a href="http://www.moi.gov.ps/en/?page=633167343250594025&nid=11505
+# http://www.moi.gov.ps/en/?page=633167343250594025&nid=11505
+# </a>
+# or
+# <a href="http://www.worldtimezone.com/dst_news/dst_news_gazastrip02.html>
+# http://www.worldtimezone.com/dst_news/dst_news_gazastrip02.html
+# </a>
+
 # The rules for Egypt are stolen from the `africa' file.
 # Rule  NAME    FROM    TO      TYPE    IN      ON      AT      SAVE    LETTER/S
 Rule EgyptAsia  1957    only    -       May     10      0:00    1:00    S
 Rule EgyptAsia  1957    1958    -       Oct      1      0:00    0       -
 Rule EgyptAsia  1958    only    -       May      1      0:00    1:00    S

@@ -1729,14 +2044,16 @@
 
 Rule Palestine  1999    2005    -       Apr     Fri>=15 0:00    1:00    S
 Rule Palestine  1999    2003    -       Oct     Fri>=15 0:00    0       -
 Rule Palestine  2004    only    -       Oct      1      1:00    0       -
 Rule Palestine  2005    only    -       Oct      4      2:00    0       -
-Rule Palestine  2006    max     -       Apr      1      0:00    1:00    S
+Rule Palestine  2006    2008    -       Apr      1      0:00    1:00    S
 Rule Palestine  2006    only    -       Sep     22      0:00    0       -
 Rule Palestine  2007    only    -       Sep     Thu>=8  2:00    0       -
-Rule Palestine  2008    max     -       Aug     lastThu 2:00    0       -
+Rule Palestine  2008    only    -       Aug     lastFri 2:00    0       -
+Rule Palestine  2009    max     -       Mar     lastFri 0:00    1:00    S
+Rule Palestine  2009    max     -       Sep     Fri>=1  2:00    0       -
 
 # Zone  NAME            GMTOFF  RULES   FORMAT  [UNTIL]
 Zone    Asia/Gaza       2:17:52 -       LMT     1900 Oct
                         2:00    Zion    EET     1948 May 15
                         2:00 EgyptAsia  EE%sT   1967 Jun  5

@@ -1978,12 +2295,59 @@
 # My buest guess at a Syrian rule is "the Friday nearest April 1";
 # coding that involves either using a "Mar Fri>=29" construct that old time zone
 # compilers can't handle  or having multiple Rules (a la Israel).
 # For now, use "Apr Fri>=1", and go with IATA on a uniform Sep 30 end.
 
-Rule    Syria   2008    max     -       Apr     Fri>=1  0:00    1:00    S
-Rule    Syria   2008    max     -       Oct     1       0:00    0       -
+# From Steffen Thorsen (2008-10-07):
+# Syria has now officially decided to end DST on 2008-11-01 this year,
+# according to the following article in the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA).
+#
+# The article is in Arabic, and seems to tell that they will go back to
+# winter time on 2008-11-01 at 00:00 local daylight time (delaying/setting
+# clocks back 60 minutes).
+#
+# <a href="http://sana.sy/ara/2/2008/10/07/195459.htm">
+# http://sana.sy/ara/2/2008/10/07/195459.htm
+# </a>
+
+# From Steffen Thorsen (2009-03-19):
+# Syria will start DST on 2009-03-27 00:00 this year according to many sources,
+# two examples:
+#
+# <a href="http://www.sana.sy/eng/21/2009/03/17/217563.htm">
+# http://www.sana.sy/eng/21/2009/03/17/217563.htm
+# </a>
+# (English, Syrian Arab News # Agency)
+# <a href="http://thawra.alwehda.gov.sy/_View_news2.asp?FileName=94459258720090318012209">
+# http://thawra.alwehda.gov.sy/_View_news2.asp?FileName=94459258720090318012209
+# </a>
+# (Arabic, gov-site)
+#
+# We have not found any sources saying anything about when DST ends this year.
+#
+# Our summary
+# <a href="http://www.timeanddate.com/news/time/syria-dst-starts-march-27-2009.html">
+# http://www.timeanddate.com/news/time/syria-dst-starts-march-27-2009.html
+# </a>
+
+# From Steffen Thorsen (2009-10-27):
+# The Syrian Arab News Network on 2009-09-29 reported that Syria will 
+# revert back to winter (standard) time on midnight between Thursday 
+# 2009-10-29 and Friday 2009-10-30:
+# <a href="http://www.sana.sy/ara/2/2009/09/29/247012.htm">
+# http://www.sana.sy/ara/2/2009/09/29/247012.htm (Arabic)
+# </a>
+
+# From Arthur David Olson (2009-10-28):
+# We'll see if future DST switching times turn out to be end of the last
+# Thursday of the month or the start of the last Friday of the month or
+# something else. For now, use the start of the last Friday.
+
+Rule    Syria   2008    only    -       Apr     Fri>=1  0:00    1:00    S
+Rule    Syria   2008    only    -       Nov     1       0:00    0       -
+Rule    Syria   2009    max     -       Mar     lastFri 0:00    1:00    S
+Rule    Syria   2009    max     -       Oct     lastFri 0:00    0       -
 
 # Zone  NAME            GMTOFF  RULES   FORMAT  [UNTIL]
 Zone    Asia/Damascus   2:25:12 -       LMT     1920    # Dimashq
                         2:00    Syria   EE%sT