Syria Still Squirming
U.N. investigator Detlef Mehlis has not found definitive evidence to prove Syrian involvement in the assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafiq Hariri, the Daily Star of Lebanon reported today. Mehlis, who visited Syria last week to interview senior Syrian officials, reportedly wants more time to investigate.
Ordinary Syrians are experiencing "excitement and fear" that Mehlis's probe could deal a "mortal"
blow to the government of President Bashar Assad, according to David Hirst, former Mideast correspondent of the Guardian. People are excited about the possible end of the autocratic Assad regime that has dominated the country for 35 years, he says. But they are also fearful that Iraq-style chaos might follow.
As if to underscore the government's insecurity, Syrian police broke up a small meeting of pro-democracy activists in a town south of Damascus on Monday, according to an Italian news agency.
By Jefferson Morley |
September 29, 2005; 3:00 PM ET
| Category:
Mideast
Previous: Venezuela, Cuba Decry U.S. Double Standard |
Next: Clarification
Posted by: WOW | September 29, 2005 05:35 PM
I would be very cautious about the claim that Mehlis has found no Syrian suspects. He has not officially announced any yet, yes, but that's only temporary. Numerous Arabic newspaper reports suggest that (a) he was very unhappy at the way the interviews were conducted in Damascus, with Syrian intelligence agents sitting in on the interviews, disguised as "legal advisors"; and (b) that Mehlis will announce high-level Syrian involvement at the appropriate time, perhaps when some kind of mechanism can be set up to ensure arrest. The fact that he has not done so is not a good indication of anything except that Mehlis has not yet wrapped up his investigation. Indeed, some Arabic press reports indicated yesterday that he intended to continue interviewing Syrians, perhaps even asking them to come to Lebanon for questioning.
The Syrians are spinning the news to imply that their cooperation with Mehlis was splendid, hence appearing to disculpate themselves. The reality, I think, is very different.
Posted by: Michael Young | September 30, 2005 04:03 AM
Bashar Assad, unlike his father who while a vicious mass murderer was smart and tough is both weak and stupid and the middle east will be better off if this idiot is removed from the stage.
Posted by: Jamie | September 30, 2005 11:23 AM
There is no regime, including Israel and the U.S., who has the high moral ground in the Middle East. However, I fail to see why it would be in Syria's national interest to kill Hariri. Our major problem is al-Qaida. It is a threat to everyone. Lets keep our eye on the ball for a change.
Posted by: P. J. Casey | October 3, 2005 03:59 PM
The comments to this entry are closed.
Whatever the neocons might have once wanted (remember the Syria next talk of a couple of years ago???), stability in Syria is must for now.
As for "the democracy sweeping through the ME" crowd, those deep thinkers failed to understand that in Sryia, to Jordan, to Egypt to Saudi in any free and fair election its the Moslem Brotherhood or its variation that wins hand down. And having been beatin down for so long, it will be hard not to want to turn the tables. Tho at least in Egypt the Brotherhood sure seems moderating. And despite all the misgivings secular Turks had with Erdogan, he seems to be doing a heck of a job. Maybe the Brotherhood wont be the disaster some predict. But my bet is that UBL will get his "Caliphate" soon enough.....