| The check cleared, did it? |
 A high-ranking French official who wished to remain anonymous told Asharq al Awsat, in an exclusive interview, on Wednesday, his government "does not seek to topple the Syrian regime", as it considered any leadership changes, in Damascus or elsewhere, "an internal matter which cannot be forced by foreign powers". The source would not deny the current U.S administration was contemplating regime change. | Not for them to affirm or deny. Typical convoluted pseudo-Talleyrand politix on their part, though, deviousness for the sake of being devious... |
As for the future of Lebanese President Emile Lahoud, the source indicated Paris believes it was up to "the people of Lebanon to decide" depending on the findings of the UN commission investigating the death of former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri, headed by Detlev Mehlis. The French government would not, however, resist Lahoud's decision to resign, implying it preferred he left his post.
| Emil's check bounced, I guess... |
The source expressed its surprise at the manner Syrian officials responded to the international community and accused the country's leaders of being "deaf and mute" as "they appear to have lost control of events and are unable to respond to them."
| That's why I think they'll be gone in a year. That'll leave the Frenchies pouting in the cold again, unless they decide to climb on board at the last minute. I think it'll come without military intervention on our part, but it'd be easier if Baby Assad and his henchmen were at least left guessing about possible French involvement... |
The absence of clear policies in Damascus had raised questions in Paris question regarding the role played by President Bashar Assad, especially concerning developments in Lebanon and international pressure.
| Hoping the evidence doesn't come out too clearly, are they? |
French officials, according to the source, have formulated three explanations for such inconsistencies: Either the president does not enjoy full control over all elements in the government,
| I'm guessing he doesn't... |
or the Syrian leadership is powerless to construct a coherent policy to react to changing regional and international realities,
| The parts of the gummint he controls are ossified and utterly lacking in imagination; the part of the gummint he doesn't control is just as ossified and lacking in imagination. Any new leadership that emerges in Syria will be non-Baathist. The Islamists will attempt to make sure that it's them. They're ossified and lacking in imagination in yet another manner, but they make make up in viciousness and armaments what they lack in imagination and flexibility. |
or Damascus is unable to change its old ways, whereby its actions contradict its statements.
| That's the ossification I was talking about... |
Warning Syria that it is about to lose its last allies, in the region and beyond,
as governments are no longer prepared to back its policies, the source revealed Paris would maintain âits current position whilst it awaits the findings of the investigation to determine whether Damascus played any role in the assassination, from instigation, planning, or execution, or cover-upâ.
| "If the picture that emerges is sufficiently murky the gummint of La Belle France will claim it can't see through it and continue to maintain its present ambiguous and torpid position. Otherwise, you guys are on your own." |
| French motto: "When in doubt, obfuscate." |
Asked whether Syrian-Lebanese relations had recently changed, the source said the French government wanted to ensure Damascus was fully-aware of its changing relationship with Beirut and see it positively influence Lebanese politics in the new era by âencouraging its friends and allies to strive for a new national consensusâ. The source emphasized the moderate tone of French policies which sought to placate the U.S and urged it to âexercise cautionâ in its dealings with Syria and its continuing insistence that âregime change is unnecessary if Damascus successfully changes its policies towards Lebanon and other important issues.â
| See? They think it's gonna happen naturally, too. Maybe they know something I don't and think the Baathists may have a chance of survival. |
The source criticized Syriaâs lack of cooperation and its refusal to provide Frances with concrete policies to bolster its point of view.
| "Hollering 'Israel' at every turn has ceased to pass as coherent communication..." |
He added, âFrance will not cease its to be interested in developments in Lebanon, especially the trial of those responsible for killing Hariri and the full implementation of UN resolution 1559.â As for US threats against Damascus, the source dismissed claims Washington was currently busy planning for military intervention in Syria, claiming current US pronouncements were merely âpart of the ongoing pressures to change Assadâs policies on Iraqâ. He pleaded with Damascus to understand the current international situation and adapt with regional changes, without counting on a failure of US policies in Iraq.
| Even though the dark horse pays 100:1, chances are it's not going to finish. |
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