The defected Syrian Vice President Abdul Halim Khaddam called on President Bashar al-Assad to learn from the experiences of Tunisia, Egypt, and Libya, and to step down and hand over power to a transitional national unity government. This government would work on holding free elections for a constituent assembly that would exercise legislative authority, form a legitimate government, and draft a new constitution.
In a letter sent to Assad, a copy of which was received by “Al-Seyassah” yesterday, Khaddam said, “After you assumed the presidency, I was keen to assist you in moving the country from a state of suffering, poverty, fear, repression, and corruption to one of revival and progress. I presented to you a package of projects to achieve political, economic, administrative, and judicial reform, as well as a project to reform the (Ba’ath) party and develop its ideology and approach.”
He added, “All my ambition was to help you in the process of change, modernization, and development, because I saw the extent of the people’s suffering, the deterioration of conditions, and the hatreds generated by the regime’s practices domestically. However, you did not heed the advice and preferred to continue with the existing approach, with all its practices of marginalizing the people, repressing public and individual freedoms, and using all means of repression with all its tools to perpetuate the culture of fear.”
Khaddam confirmed that he discussed all this “with the late President Hafez al-Assad, and unfortunately, the voices of those around him were stronger than mine.” He added, “I hope you remember the last meeting of the Regional Leadership in late 2005 to discuss what could be proposed at the Regional Congress. At that time, I spoke about the poor internal conditions and what people were saying. I also said that the country was like a pile of straw that would ignite with the first matchstick. You may also remember my speech at the Regional Congress about internal conditions and foreign policy.”
He pointed out that he is addressing this letter to Assad while being fully aware of “the gravity of the situation in the country and the extent of all forms of tension, as well as the state of discontent and suffering due to the current conditions, especially the poor living conditions and the corruption wolves seizing the country’s wealth and resources, which has increased this suffering and the extent of discontent.”
Addressing Assad, he added, “For the sake of the people who have endured suffering, repression, killing, imprisonment, and poverty for forty-one years, I urge you to take a historic step by forming a transitional national unity government, handing over power to it, and stepping down so it can conduct free elections for a constituent assembly that will exercise legislative authority, form a legitimate government, and draft a new constitution for the country. The constituent assembly would also establish the legal framework for electing a new president for the country.”
He pleaded with Assad not to listen “to those who tell you that the army and security forces protect the regime. Reflect on what happened in Tunisia and Egypt and what is happening in Libya. Do not listen to those who advise you to stay and use force, for the situation is far more dangerous than that. Using force will lead to the fall of the army and security forces and result in a lot of bloodshed. The blood of any citizen should be more valuable than any power or presidency.”
Khaddam concluded his letter by telling Assad, “Do not hesitate, for the nation is more important than any individual or group of individuals and more important than all interests. Take a historic decision to save Syria and enter history through the door of patriotism, not through the door of repression and chaos mixed with blood.”
Khaddam had assumed the position of Syrian Vice President in 1984 and defected from the regime in December 2005 after a disagreement with President Bashar al-Assad.
Meanwhile, groups of youths from the Syrian “National Salvation Front” distributed leaflets in many neighborhoods of Damascus and Aleppo, urging Syrians to “rise up against the regime.” This was followed by a heightened security alert and thorough searches of all vehicles in those areas.
According to exclusive sources for “Al-Seyassah” yesterday, the leaflets stated that “oppression, injustice, suppression of freedoms, and corruption only lead to backwardness, weakness, and poverty. Tyranny produces defeats and disrupts the course of life, while freedom alone creates victories, fosters a safe and happy life, and revives hope for a prosperous future.”
The Front addressed Syrian youth, saying, “Consider the reality of the country, the suffering of the people, the violation of citizens’ dignity, the spread of poverty, and the collapse of values. Think about your future under continued repression and corruption. Think about the extent of the people’s suffering, the decline in living standards, the dominance of security forces, and the emergence of the corrupt wolves created by the ruling family.”
The statement continued, “Consider how most of you are unable to provide the bare minimum for a decent life and secure your future, while the children of the corrupt wolves enjoy wealth and a life of luxury. Think, young Syrians, of the millions living below the poverty line, while the wealth of the corrupt wolves grows through plundering the people’s money. Your ancestors liberated Syria from foreign colonization, and it is your responsibility to liberate it from the rule of corrupt tyrants.”
The Front warned that “acquiescing to tyranny produced the current reality of the country. Your struggle will create a new, bright reality filled with freedom and hope. Reflect on what your fellow youth in Tunisia and Egypt have done. Organize yourselves into groups and expand them. Strengthen your resolve to launch the march of victory and change. Uproot the culture of fear, for the ruling regime is more afraid, and fight for a prosperous future for yourselves and your people. Let your slogan be: Freedom is our goal, and struggle is our path.”
