The Foreign Minister’s empty threats

The al-Assad regime, through the words of its Foreign Minister Walid Muallem, warned that it will undertake “tough measures” against states that recognize the opposition Syrian National Council, which was declared recently in Istanbul. The question here is: What exactly are these tough measures? Would Damascus, for example, prohibit the sale of its advanced weaponry to Europe, would it sink the Turkish economy, with Erdogan collapsing under the knockout blow, or would the al-Assad regime proceed to deploy its battleships in the seas and oceans to disrupt vital waterways? This is ridiculous, just as Muallem’s statement was bizarre, albeit no less surprising than his famous statement declaring that Syria would forget Europe exists on the map! Some may say for example that the al-Assad regime will cut off its relations with states that recognize the Syrian National Council, but this is doubtful. Despite the European and American sanctions, alongside those declared or due to be announced by Turkey, not to mention all the strong comments against the al-Assad regime and its symbols, the al-Assad regime has not severed ties or even withdrawn its ambassadors from any of these countries! This is not all of course, even Western ambassadors in Damascus; American, French and British, have expressed their views against the al-Assad regime in an unprecedented manner, declared their support for the Syrian revolution, and rushed to disprove the al-Assad media propaganda. No serious action has been taken against these ambassadors who have defended the revolution and the revolutionaries, and moved freely around Damascus, although the al-Assad regime had previously said that foreign diplomats had a restricted jurisdiction and were not allowed to move beyond it. Despite this, the ambassadors continue as they are and have not been asked to leave Syrian territory. The most severe punishment they have faced is having eggs and tomatoes thrown at them. In fact, one Syrian state journalist even called for more eggs and tomatoes to be thrown in the event that the ambassadors do not cease their support for the revolution! Therefore, are these tough measures with which Walid Muallem threatens states recognizing the Syrian National Council similar to the Western ambassadors’ punishments; eggs and tomatoes? Or is Muallem building on what was leaked through an Iranian news agency, reporting that al-Assad could ignite the Middle East within just six hours if his regime was attacked? The mere recognition of the Syrian National Council is without doubt a serious measure against the al-Assad regime. The international community has said repeatedly that the legitimacy of the regime is over, and more importantly the Syrians themselves have said that, and continue to say it, throughout the seven months of the revolution. True, the al-Assad regime has denied the Iranian news story about igniting the Middle East within six hours, but the media game is nothing new in our region. Thus the question, after Muallem announced he would forget Europe exists on the map, and today threatens tough measures against anyone who recognizes the Syrian National Council, is: What type of punishment will it be for those who recognize the Council? Will it be eggs and tomatoes or will it be a six hour plan to ignite the Middle East? We will know the answer soon, as the Council gains wider recognition.