Chief UN investigator Detlev Mehlis accused Damascus of using a Syrian witness in the inquiry into the killing of a former Lebanese prime minister as a Communist-like propaganda tool. German prosecutor Mehlis, quoted by a number of Lebanese and Arabs newspapers yesterday, said his investigation had not been undermined by witness Hosam Taher Hosam, who recanted his testimony. Hosam appeared on Syrian television this week to accuse Lebanese officials of an elaborate scheme of threats, bribery and torture to induce him to testify falsely against Syria and said the inquiryâs initial findings rested largely on his lies.âIâm used to this kind of propaganda,â Mehlis was quoted by Beirutâs as-Safir daily as saying. âIâve spent 40 years in Germany and we used to see such things in former eastern European countries.â Mehlisâ interim report in October into the Feb. 14 killing of Rafik Al-Hariri cast suspicion on senior Syrian officials and suggested the assassination was planned by top security officials in Damascus and their Lebanese allies. Syria has denied the accusations and called the Mehlis report politically motivated, saying Hosamâs testimony was the main source implicating Syrians. âThere is no main witness. There is a witness who might give information to the (investigation) commission. What Hosam said in Syria is different to what he told us,â Mehlis said. He said his team would ask to question Hosam again because he was trying to hamper the investigation.
Other newspapers gave a similar account of Mehlisâ briefing and an-Nahar newspaper said he expressed his astonishment as to how a Syrian committee also investigating Haririâs death had showed Hosam on television before questioning him. A Syrian official did not wish to comment on Mehlisâ remarks but said Damascus has conveyed to him the outcome of an investigation with Hosam in Damascus. âContrary to what has been published, Hosam was questioned in Syria and the minutes of the questioning were sent to Mr. Mehlis on Tuesday,â the official told Reuters.
The German was also quoted as saying he might seek to question more Syrian officials after his team quiz five of them in Vienna next week, denying there was a deal with Damascus over whom he could summon. The city was a compromise after Syria balked at Mehlisâ request to question them in Lebanon. âEveryone we ask to question, we will question... Cooperation is either total or there is no cooperation,â he said. âIf the investigations result in a request for arrests, the commission would recommend their arrests and the Syrian authorities would have to do it.â
His October report slammed Syria for failing to cooperate with the investigation. The UN Security Council, which authorized the probe, subsequently warned Syria to cooperate or face the prospect of further action. Mehlis is scheduled to submit his final report on Dec. 15.