From Geostrategy-direct, subscription req'd. Syrian troops are filing out of Lebanon and Syrian officials are quietly preparing to flee their own country. Tensions in Damascus remain high, while confidence in the Assad regime has plunged to an all-time low. Many officials are preparing for either a coup or worse in 2005.
Voting with their pocketbooks and feet. "Electronic transfers, don't fail me now!"
For many officials the first step has been to transfer their considerable assets abroad. Second step is to get their considerable asses abroad. Syrian opposition sources said officials have been relaying their wealth to such countries as neighboring Cyprus, Turkey as well as longtime ally, France. In many cases, officials simply gave their trusted assistants cash to smuggle out to the West.
"Here, Ahmed, take this briefcase with you on your vacation to Switzerland. Don't forgot who you got it from, kapeesh?
"Yeah, Boss. You da man!"
Are these officials low-level peons? Far from it. They include President Bashar Assad's business partner, Rami Makhlouf.
The Washington-based Reform Party of Syria reports that Makhlouf, who is also Assad's cousin, has transferred hundreds of millions of dollars to France, the Republic of Cyprus and Turkey. The transfers were conducted under the cover of front companies.
Most of Makhlouf's wealth has been in such Syria's allies as Pakistan, where he obtained a cellular phone license. Makhlouf has been a leading player in oil smuggling, drug and arms trafficking and counterfeiting.
Creating value in a market economy, this chap.
Where Syrians flee, the Lebanese have already settled. As Syrian officials prepare for the departure, Lebanese officials on Syria's payroll have been leaving the country. Lebanon's security chief, Maj. Gen. Jamil Sayed, issued his resignation and was preparing to flee Lebanon.
"Our work here is finished. This tub is sinking, man the lifeboats to Frawnce."
Lebanese military intelligence director Maj. Gen. Raymond Azar has already fled for Paris. Azar, Sayed and others fear that the departure of Syrian troops from Lebanon would leave them open to prosecution on charges of torture, corruption or vulnerable to revenge attacks.
Or all the above and more!