 The president of the Progressive Socialist Party, MP Walid Jumblatt has the right to adapt with the changes of the international climate and the movement of the U.S.-Israeli winds in the region," said Syrian daily newspaper, Tishreen. Tishreen launched Wednesday a harsh attack against Jumblatt, describing his stands as "extremist and aggressive."
In comments to The Daily Star, PSP spokesperson Rami al-Rayess said it was "not the first time that the Syrian paper has attacked the party and its president, Walid Jumblatt." He added that such statements "were part of a continuous campaign to increase tension between the two countries."
| I'd call it a continuous campaign to intimidate their ex-colony, myself... |
"We have always tried not to hold debates with the paper, although we know that it is directly linked to the Syrian regime," Rayess said. "But the psychological analysis that was done by the newspaper falls into the campaign to increase tension," he added. Rayess further said: "Syria is not only employing this strategy in the media, but also in direct attacks and assassinations that began with the assassination attempt that targeted Minister Marwan Hamade in October 2004."
In a front-page editorial, Tishreen said Syria had firm values and would not breach its principles to take revenge on Jumblatt.
| "No, no! Really. We're not gonna boom him." |
It added that Jumblatt's positions "prompt us to analyze this sick and obsessed behavior and to return to the 'psychopathic personality' in order to find the right explanation for it."
| I think being on the hit list would have an effect on my mental equilibrium, too, come to think of it... |
It also described him as "a Don Quixote hero," who rushed to attack the Syria regime each time international leaders issued a statement against it. "The only thing constant about him is the inconsistency of his positions and stands," it said.
| He is kinda wiggly-greasy in his stands, but I think that runs in the family... |
"This sick and crazy behavior has psychological and mental reasons that we hope will be subject to a behavioral analysis, which would explain many weird positions and dangerous moodiness," the daily stated. Tishreen accused the Progressive Socialist Party leader of running after satellite television networks in an attempt to be regarded as "the stubborn struggler against the Syrian regime."
| I think that's attributable to being on the hit list, too. Remember, Hariri told Wally it was going to be one of them or the other. Wally just missed being the national hero, and Hariri just mised having his psyche analyzed in the Syrian party newspaper. |
The daily said Jumblatt's "dreams, desires and hopes were shattered as a result of [his] ties with the international colonial powers and some of their leaders."
"The entire Syrian people were offended by Jumblatt's nasty comments," the newspaper said, adding that Syria "is a state of institutions that respects its history, treaties, charters and fixed stands. Syria is proud of every free Arab man, who died defending Arabism ... it is proud of every Lebanese, who refuses to harm Syria, its leaders and its people. All the conspiracies and plans will fail and collapse, along with their inventors."
| Yasss... More insidious conspiracies, nefarious plots hatched in smoke-filled rooms by men of sinister aspect, all with the aim of harming Syria's honor and dignity... |
Tishreen's attack on Jumblatt came three days after the anti-Syrian politician accused Syrian authorities of being behind the series of political assassinations in Lebanon. |