“Khaddam: Assad is acting like a school kid”"Khaddam predicts that Syria’s isolation will increase and that President al-Assad does not act in his political speeches like a President but rather like a student in high school who goes out to protest. On the Lebanese file, Khaddam saw in the discussion that Elaph had with him in Brussels that President al-Assad’s speech raises concern on the relationship with Lebanon because he predicted the results of the [Lebanese] national dialogue and connected it to his policies. Khaddam considers that some sides ... connection with Tehran and Syria ... places some suspicions on the results [of the national dialogue]. Khaddam praised the Resistance [Hezbollah] in liberating the south [of Lebanon] and said it is nationalistic but it has no right to be a part of a foreign country’s strategy.
"On Syria’s recognition of Lebanon and establishing relations with it, Khaddam said that drawing the borders is necessary and natural for the interest of the two countries. This issue is raised between Syria and its neighboring countries and it is natural to say that diplomatic representation is a normal thing in relations between countries.
“This is the text of the discussion with Khaddam in Brussels”
“E: Has Walid Jumblatt visited you? If so, was there an agreement between you two on collaborative moves on the Lebanese and Syrian arena?
“K: ‘I received Jumblatt before and after his visit to the United States of America and we laid out the developments on the Lebanese and Syrian arenas and our points of views met on collaborating for Lebanon and Syria.’
“E: From your political dealing in the last years with the Lebanese sides, do you consider that the current national dialogue could be 100 percent Lebanese? And do you consider recognizing the Resistance as purely nationalistic when its source of weapons and funding is from abroad? Do you believe that the Resistance is connected to the interests of the Syrian and Iranian regimes?
“K: ‘All Lebanese and all those who want security and stability in Lebanon wish the success of the Lebanese leaders in agreeing on all the issues at the national dialogue. There is no doubt that the dialoguers can make the conference 100 percent Lebanese if they consider its stability and security the priority over everything else. Assad’s speech at the party conference held recently in Damascus, however, is of concern because he defined in advance the results of the dialogue and linked them to his policies.
"He also divided the members of the dialoguers into two teams; a national team that is an ally and they represent the majorities and a minority team in Lebanon that receives instructions from abroad and is working against Lebanese interests. President Bashar also confirmed his continuous support for his allies and this speech sheds light on suspicions as to the results because of the connection of some sides with the policies of Tehran-Syria and on top of these are Nabih Berri and Hassan Nasrallah…
"As for the resistance, it is in its nature nationalistic and it did liberate the south of Lebanon and yes it did receive aid but that does not render it to be un-nationalistic. All resistance movements in the world received foreign aid but the minute the resistance becomes a part of [other] strategies that differ from its initial strategy that it was formed for, [well] then it looses it nationalistic trait and becomes a part of other strategies….the Resistance has no right to be a part of the strategies of the Syrian and Iranian regimes.’
“E: There are many demands to normalize the relationship between Lebanon and Syria. Why does the Baath party not want to recognize its separation from Lebanon, consider it an independent country and have diplomatic relations, the drawing of borders and direct dealing with the government instead of trying to directly influence Lebanese decisions and in the best of cases by going through parties that support it?
“K: ‘Syria since its independence had recognized the Lebanese country and its sovereignty and that was confirmed by the participation of the two countries in the Arab league charter and consequently recognizing it from a political and legal perspective. In light of this, recognitions were signed by a number of agreements between the two countries since independence. The Baath party also has this view as it deals with all Arab countries on this basis…as for using some Lebanese parties for its interest, this is not true. If it used it, then it happened for very narrow interests not for the interests of the Syrian country. As for securing the countries interests, it takes place through the relations between their enterprises.’
“E: Please comment on the last speech that President Assad made at the party Arab conference. On the internal side, do you signs of reform or opening up that might avoid the last confrontation between Syria and the international community? On the Lebanese front, do you see a continuity of the same threatening tone directed at this country?
“K: ‘Dr, Assad’s speech indicates that he is unaware of what [his] words mean and how they may affect the interests of the country and he is starting a speech war with the United States. There was no indication in his speech that showed reform or serious direction to treat the country's crisis that is economic in addition to the citizens suffering due to his security authorities. There is no doubt that his policies are going to increase Syria’s isolation and pressure from the international community. He does not act, in his political speeches, like a President but rather like a student in high school going out to protest.’
“E: [Do you have] Any information about the continuation of pursuing free voices and arresting political activists in Syria? And how do you explain the support of parties and syndicates such as the Arab syndicate of lawyers or some other international organizations for the Syrian regime?
“K: ‘The regime in its suppressing nature continues to let the security authorities abuse the citizens. I ask the security authorities to stop getting involved in arresting citizens and torturing them because they will hold this against you. As for support that some Arab parties are giving, well this is imagined support because we all know about the crisis that these parties are living in in their respective countries and their inability to develop and their unawareness as to the community's needs. The same goes for the syndicates that are run by some party members that are isolated from political life in their countries and none of these syndicates can be a part of a legislative institute in its own country. As for suppressing our movement, the regime is incapable of that because we express peoples suffering and let them know about freedom, progress, renaissance and living with dignity.’
“E: It appears that the attempts to put together a Syrian opposition is not moving. What have you achieved up till know around what you promised on forming a big political bloc or an exile government and are these steps coming soon?
“K: ‘Some forces are working very seriously to form an open front to all national forces and people who want to save Syria and establish a new democratic regime that includes general and individual freedom and raises the living conditions for all its citizens.’
“E: American aid to the Syrian opposition did not receive a wide welcome. How do you describe the American role in the development operation in Syria? Do you believe that there are common interests between the opposition and the American administration on this front or do each of you have different calculations?
“K: ‘Change in Syria is the responsibility of the Syrians alone…’
“E: Some countries including France are not welcoming, at the present time, a change in the Baath regime in Syria. Is this true? Are there any regulations on your opposing political work based in France? Are there any reasons which may prompt you to move your activities to another country?
“K: ‘Change in Syria is a national Syrian issue and has nothing to do with this country or that. My political activities do not conflict with the rules of this hosting country.’ - Elaph, United Kingdom
