Bashar’s Secret Code

Does the Syrian president really send secret messages to his Lebanese allies?

Not-so-subliminal message (Photo credit: AFP)

Yesterday, MP. Walid Jumblat of the Progressive Socialist Party and March 14 bigwig accused the Syrian president, who was hosting the Arab League summit in Damascus, of “giving his allies in Lebanon the secret word to obstruct government business”. But why do those instructions have to be so topsy-turvy?

According to March 14, it’s because deniability is an important component of the Syrian modus-operandi. The Syrians are pursuing two, seemingly conflicting objectives. 1- Stall progress in Lebanon until a more sympathetic US administration replaces that of President George Bush. 2- Appear to be a constructive Arab partner to reduce its alienation and appeal to an impressionable ‘Arab-street’

Others, like the Lebanese opposition, argue that this logic wreaks of conspiracy theory. They contend that Syria has no influence over some parts of the opposition (Aoun and to a lesser extend, Hezbollah), and that the Arabs are putting too much pressure on Syria to do something it really can’t do.

So when the President of Syria says “The Lebanese should reach a consensus for their own problems”, some read it as “Our Lebanese allies should feel free to continue blocking a solution”, others as “The Lebanese should reach a consensus for their own problems”

So, whom do you believe?