Syria Replies … with Impotent Anger

Today morning, I did not find references to Khaddam’s interview yesterday in the Syrian press that I usually look at. I did find an article by Charles Ayoub, in the Diyar which questioned Khaddam’s credibility. However, some TV stations are now, as I’m writing this, airing the discussion within the private meeting of the “Majlis Al-Shaab Al-Souri Lilrad Aala Itihamat Khaddam”. One member has just said

“Khaddam has discussed democracy, now that he is living in his grand palace in Paris. When he was in government, he wasn’t just some concierge. He was a ruler, along with the president, and he did nothing.”

Another member asked

"Has he become a partner in the pressure on and the consipiracies against Syria? … Has he become a lawyer for the international investigative commission?"

The members of the Majlis were called up one by one to comment on the situation. Have such meetings ever been aired live before?

Two other comments played with his name
“Khaddam has become nothing but a servant against his country, and has sold his family …”

as well as

“Khaddam was a servant to his nation, but now he has become a servant to others … these [Khaddam’s] accusation are refuted … he discussed poverty in Syria, yet he himself had a very expensive statue behind him during his interview”

One also suggesting crossing out the word “Sayid” from before all references to Khaddam … since

“As I can tell from your looks, he does not deserve to be called Sayid Khaddam”.

One speaker said that

“Khaddam has sold his soul to the Devil …”

Now, along the more insulting lines that Syrian officials have used before, one official called Al Moustaqbal (and another channel that I didn’t catch) Nawaha wal Raddaha.

They have also accused Khaddam of working with Israel.

Update: Khaddam has been accused, by the Majlis, of being a traitor. Legal action against him will be taken.

posted by Lazarus, 4:54 AM