FORMER SYRIAN VICE-PRESIDENT ABDEL-HALIM KHADDAM, SAYING: “That’s right, I was an official person in the regime. And therefore I know the structure of the regime. If we have a look at the systems in other countries, especially in the Arab world, these regimes which came after military coups and claimed to bring revolution and change, what did they do? Their people suffer from deprivation and injustice. And these regimes cannot be reformed. They must leave. A new generation, with new thoughts, must come. The time for these regimes has finished. They are not able to continue. Regarding the assassination of Rafik al-Hariri, the international court is dealing with that matter. And therefore we have to wait for the result of the investigation. But overall, the bigger problem Lebanon suffers from is still there. And this is the interference in their internal affairs – whether from the Syrian regime or from Iran. This could put Lebanon in an embarrassing situation, obstruct the internal life in Lebanon and put Lebanon on the brink of collapse. This is a dangerous situation which we don’t want for Lebanon. Because any damage in Lebanon would affect the Lebanese people and the Syrian people and the whole region.”
“All the Syrian opposition parties and the youth movement in Syria are calling for peaceful change. And therefore, they demonstrated peacefully. But the regime confronted them with bullets. And therefore the Syrians have borne these crimes, but they are keen to continue the demonstrations peacefully in order to achieve stability. It is not the Syrian intention to call for military intervention in Syrian affairs. But we asked the United Nations Secritary General to send an investigation committee into the crimes of the regime and refer it to the international court. The Syrian people will change the regime.”
“I am convinced there is no hope for change. I am also convinced this arbitrary regime cannot reform itself or its mistakes. Democratic regimes can reform themselves and their mistakes. That is why I decided to leave my post in the authority.”
“I know the hatred the Syrian people feel for their government. The deprived Syrian people see corrupt people who have everything while their own sons are deprived and have nothing. So it is natural that this will lead to revolt.”
https://reuters.screenocean.com/record/279367
