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Syrian Diplomat Reveals Damascus Foreign Minister's Bargaining for Personal Interests
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The Foreign Minister's attempt to obtain a US visa in exchange for concessions reveals the continuation of the old approach of prioritizing personal interests over national issues
Former Syrian diplomat residing in the United States, Bassam Barbandi, directed sharp criticism at the Foreign Minister in the Syrian Interim Caretaker Government, Asaad Al-Shibani, accusing him of requesting an entry visa to the United States in exchange for providing answers to Washington's questions and inquiries.
Barbandi pointed out in a post published on his official social media account that "it is shameful that you ask the Americans to grant you a visa in exchange for giving them answers to their questions or inquiries," emphasizing that "responding to American requests is related to lifting or reducing sanctions, not granting visas or privileges."
The former diplomat noted that "Syrians deserve a dignified life after the injustice we all experienced, and Syrian demands and international sympathy are with the people first and foremost," considering that "linking special privileges for yourselves at the expense of Syrians is neither religious, moral, nor political."
Barbandi addressed World Bank meetings in his post, explaining that "they have an economic developmental nature and your presence in them is good, but either you go or no one goes - this is the old regime's mentality and it is rejected."
The diplomat warned of the complexities of US law, saying: "The United States' domestic law is stronger than international law, meaning they might give you a visa - international law - and arrest you because they don't recognize the current regime and consider it terrorist - domestic law."
Barbandi advised Al-Shibani saying: "Don't listen to people who used to relay news from Buthaina Shaaban and Bahjat Suleiman - if they were any good, they wouldn't have been discarded," concluding his message by emphasizing that "Syria is important because of its people, its population, its sacrifice, and your duty first and foremost is to serve the people only."
This post sparked a wide discussion on social media platforms, where opinions were divided between supporters of the criticism and skeptics of the accuracy of the information provided, while others saw this type of behavior as reminiscent of the previous governing approach that prioritized personal interests over national issues.
