Political sources: Assad in trouble
No official Israeli response to U.N. report tying Syria to Hariri killing, but political sources in Jerusalem say they were not surprised; report does not improve Assad’s position, one official says
Officials in Jerusalem declined comment on the United Nations report tying Damascus to the killing of former Lebanese PM Rafik al-Hariri, saying “this is a matter for the international community and the U.N., and they are the ones that should respond.”
“This time around, the Hariri murder was one murder too many. Later, the witnesses had to be silenced, Godfather-style,” one source said.
“(Former Syrian Interior Minister) Ghazi Kenaan could have revealed quite a few things...and his end is clear,” the sources said in reference to Kenaan’s reported “suicide.”
“We see what happens to dictatorial regimes these days. The possibility of top Syrian intelligence officials being put on trial before an international tribunal is a good reason to keep Syrian leaders sleepless,” one source added. “Saddam Hussein is on public trial, and now the Syrian regime is also on the witness stand. Later, this may lead to a shock, and a fundamental change in the Middle East.”
The sources also said the “rope is tightening” around Syrian leaders’ neck.
“Whether Assad knew, or says it was done without his knowledge, this doesn’t improve his position,” they said.
‘Politically motivated report’
And what will President Bush do? Sources in Jerusalem estimate that he will try to push for significant sanctions against Syria in the Security Council.
"It is difficult to assume that the regime will be brought down like in Iraq and that an all-out war will be launched. They have enough of that in Iraq and Afghanistan. We might assume that all possible pressures will be exerted on Assad. He may be forced, by additional measures, to block the border with Lebanon in order to lead to the complete removal of Syria from Lebanon, including from the Lebanese intelligence establishment," a source said.
On the other hand, MK Talab el-Sana (United Arab List) responded to the international investigation committee's report, saying that it is "politically tailor-made in order to provide the U.S. with a reason to interfere in Syria's business."
El-Sana claimed that this is not "Out of concern to find out the truth about the criminal murder, which only serves as an excuse in the eyes of the Americans."
"The Arab League must become involved and take initiative in order for the area not to suffer from another military adventure," he added.
The European Union, meanwhile, expressed its concern in light of the investigation committee's findings. Emma Udwin, a spokeswoman for the EU, said Syria must cooperate in the next stages of the investigation.
However, Udwin added that for the time being, it is unclear whether the EU will take practical steps against Syria.
