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Australian Politician Swears Absolute Loyalty To Syria's Assad
A MILLIONAIRE Victorian businessman who has vowed unswerving loyalty to a Middle Eastern dictator is almost certain to take a Labor seat in Victoria's Parliament.Syrian-Australian trucking boss Khalil Eideh has been chosen by Labor to run for one of its safest Upper House seats in November. But the Sunday Herald Sun has seen two letters from Mr Eideh to the Syrian Government warning of Zionist threats, reporting to the terror-sponsor regime on Australians and pledging "absolute loyalty" to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Syria has been condemned by the US and the UN for "supporting terrorist groups" and was accused of involvement in the murder of Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. In an Arab newspaper in 2002, Mr Eideh wrote "Satan brigades are getting ready to enslave the Arab world", praising "Arab martyrs". The would-be MP has a wife in Melbourne, but in Lebanon he has a second female partner -- of whom his wife approves. While admitting to authorising the letters to Syria, Mr Eideh yesterday denied any extremist views and said he abhorred terrorism. "My first loyalty is to Australia, but, of course, with a Syrian background I like Syria," Mr Eideh said. The revelations will reverberate through the Government and Labor. The ALP said yesterday it would investigate the matter. In an October, 2002 letter to President Assad -- a few months before the start of the war in Iraq -- the magnate highlighted threats of "Zionist and colonial attacks on the Arab nation". It concluded: "Loyalty, total loyalty to your wise and brave leadership, and we promise to remain faithful soldiers behind your victorious leadership." In another letter, to the Syrian Government in June, 2001, Mr Eideh states: "The Syrian influence in Melbourne, Australia, is completely absent and doesn't play any role in the Australian political arena." He also reported on members of the Syrian-Australian community, saying they attended a lunch hosted by friends of former senator Edward Obeid, who he said "harbour ill will towards the Syrian Arab republic". ALP sources say Mr Eideh has Premier Steve Bracks's backing. Mr Eideh is managing director of trucking giant Blue Star Logistics, which sponsors Collingwood and Essendon football clubs. Close friends include federal frontbencher Lindsay Tanner, senator Kim Carr and state MP Liz Beattie. He lives in Roxburgh Park with wife Souad, but has a relationship with Maha, in her early 30s, in Lebanon. Mr Eideh yesterday said he had nothing for which to apologise. Of his declaration of "absolute loyalty" to Syria's dictator, he said: "What we mean by that is we support the president with the reform to get rid of corruption in Syria." Posted by: Anonymoose 2006-06-03 |
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