Interview with Syrian President Assad

A highly illuminating interview (for Argentinian TV) in which Assad argues that the Syrian people should decide who rules Syria in internationally monitored elections scheduled for 2014. They would be conducted according to constitutional reforms enacted in 2011-2012 that limit the power of the ruling Ba’ath Party. *

Assad also has some interesting observations on changes in US foreign policy under Obama. He notes our current president favors proxy wars relying on terrorist mercenaries rather than direct military intervention.

**The US clearly disagrees with Assad’s proposal, as he would likely win the elections. A substantial majority of Syrians want to retain secular government and are immensely fearful the rebels and their US and Saudi backers will install a repressive Islamic government (as in Libya).  I am reminded of the Obama administration’s decree in 2010  that socialist ex-president Jean-Bertrand Aristide could only return to Haiti if he agreed not to run for president. This was after two US-backed coups against Aristide, who was democratically elected, in 1991 and 2004. The US government also opposed the decision of the overwhelming majority of Venezuelans to elect socialist Hugo Chavez as president.

 

photo credit: Ammar Abd Rabbo via photopin cc