Syrian lawmakers demand ex-VP be tried for treason

Syrian lawmakers voted unanimously today to call on the government to put former Vice President Abdel-Halim Khaddam on trial for treason after he publicly broke with President Bashar al-Assad.

''We call on the justice minister to try Abdel-Halim Khaddam for grand treason and to take the necessary measures,'' speaker Mahmoud al-Abrash said at the end of a televised session.

''You don't deserve to be a Syrian,'' said a lawmaker, who did not give his name. ''You can go to hell because no Syrian will forgive you, who hoped to return to your country one day on an American tank.'' Syrian deputies are elected to parliament by popular vote but rarely diverge from the official line. They belong to a group of parties led by the ruling Baath Party.

''His comments last night constitute a criminal offence that reaches the level of treason and we demand he be put to trial before the Syrian security high court,'' said another lawmaker.

http://www.deepikaglobal.com/ENG4_sub.asp?newscode=128304&catcode=ENG4&subcatcode=

Haven't they heard?

Profile: Abdul Halim Khaddam
(...)

But the interview sparked speculation elsewhere that an undeclared battle for the future of Syria was under way.
(...)

While in power, Mr Khaddam remained fiercely opposed to any loosening of the Baath Party's grip on power.
(...)

Some observers see Mr Khaddam's extraordinary intervention from Paris as marking the start of a battle for the Syrian leadership.

In the Syrian parliamentary debate which followed Mr Khaddam's television comments, one MP warned him: "If you dream of returning to Syria on a US tank, no citizen will accept that."

More:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4572362.stm

the BBC article, and it is also quite funny:

`Abdul-Halim Khaddam on Syrian Policy in Lebanon; and those who rule (and have ruled) Syria. And why Rustum Ghazalah may get a strong urge to hurt himself. Probably like most Syrians and Lebanese (and other Arabs), I was glued to the screen. I watched the marathon interview with `Abdul-Halim Khaddam on the Saudi Al-Arabiyya TV. First, the setting. The interview was most likely conducted in Khaddam's new mansion/palace on rue foch in the heart of Paris, France. That is the home that was reportedly purchased for him by Hariri Inc. The palace was previously owned by A. Onasis and was purchased for Khaddam by Hariri Inc for $40 million (not to be confused with the other home that Khaddam reportedly owns in Nice, France and which was purchased for $20 million). That must be nice; in the past, he used to stay in Rafiq Hariri's home in Paris, that is now occupied by his widow Nazik. In fact, Khaddam's wife also used to stay in Hariri's home, for weeks when she had to go with her family on shopping missions. Those were the days; there will be more days, rest assured. But Khaddam was most clumsy in allowing the interview in this most extravagant and ostentatious home; Khaddam was speaking about the poverty in Syria, and a bronze statue was just behind him (see above). The gigantic fireplace was within view of the camera when the interviewer was seen on camera. Some of the lies he told should become legendary. I mean, for Khaddam to speak about corruption or about the rude behavior of Rustum Ghazalah in dealing with Lebanese politicians, is like Bush speaking on the need for competence and qualifications in the presidency of the US.

More:
http://angryarab.blogspot.com/2005/12/abdul-halim-khaddam-on-syrian-policy_30.html

In related news, Ali Sadrudin Al-Bayouni, the head of the Muslim Brotherhood in Syria, declared that "Khaddam’s stance could force a regime change in Syria" and turn it into a theocratic, oops..., into a "democratic country", of course. ;-)
http://www.islamonline.net/English/News/2005-12/31/article06.shtml

along with the current pResident.

Cheers,
Lori Price