SYRIATV — broadcast
20261102 180000 UTC
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[00:00:00] on a level, and a special platform
[00:00:02] that can result from such
[00:00:02] An ambassador, I mean, along these lines, but he is not for business meetings. Visit the exhibition from November 2nd to 5th
[00:00:06] in Damascus, Exhibition City, from 2 PM to 9 PM.
[00:00:13] difference. A peace ambassador does not
[00:00:15] points of view here in
[00:00:17] nominations begin from
[00:00:22] Ukrainian President Zelensky, he ultimately work in
[00:00:28] it to the crisis in found that this
[00:00:32] correct to bridge the rift in
[00:00:55] of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the sixties of
[00:00:57] There is a progression in this
[00:01:03] and making this after having served in the they have more experience and perhaps
[00:01:06] and this also applies to Foreign Minister Assad Al-Shaibani issued a decision appointing
[00:01:09] Muzna Al-Atrash as an advisor for peace affairs in
[00:01:12] But, but this does not the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Al-Atrash,
[00:01:14] mean that we attack this who hails from Suwayda Governorate, holds a certificate
[00:01:18] and also had relations with from the Higher Institute of Dramatic Arts
[00:01:22] the current ruling authority in diplomacy cannot know. and a degree in media. She also held the position of a member of the Syrian
[00:01:26] they have relations with Women's Advisory Council affiliated with the United Nations, and Muzna
[00:01:30] Al-Atrash was one of the figures who attended a session
[00:01:34] dedicated by the Security Council to hear
[00:01:37] testimonies regarding the events of the coast
[00:01:40] and Suwayda last
[00:01:42] year.
[00:01:52] of what this appointment For discussion, with me is Dr. Ahmed Tuma, politician and academic from Damascus, welcome to you. And with me
[00:01:56] is Bassam Al-Emadi, the former
[00:01:59] the south? Syrian Ambassador to Sweden, live from
[00:02:02] Rome. Welcome, Ambassador Bassam, and I'll start with Dr. Ahmed. So,
[00:02:05] the appointment of an advisor to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
[00:02:09] for peace affairs. What does this
[00:02:11] position mean at first? What is its nature, Dr.
[00:02:16] of building bridges with the community in Her qualifications are a diploma in Ahmed?
[00:02:18] the state I mean, it is certain that we are in dire need of peace. Um,
[00:02:23] and influence in and every step that brings us closer to peace in
[00:02:27] Jordan, with the Kurdistan Region, or Syria, and this appointment was made for a lady and especially if there was a problem in
[00:02:31] to work abroad or in Suwayda, then that reinforces this idea. We
[00:02:35] want a country and a
[00:02:38] civil state for all
[00:02:41] and experience and ability in its citizens, where all components and colors
[00:02:48] Don't accuse me of anything. That's issue. There are many players in that, hundreds her that depth in and from different segments meet. And if there was in the past
[00:02:50] That's right, but there are many a kind of
[00:02:53] authority or the competent administration difference of opinion that resulted in a major
[00:02:56] escalation of positions, then if
[00:03:03] between us and our brothers in deep diplomatic there is a possibility to cool these positions through the appointment of a peace ambassador,
[00:03:09] Does he have sufficient experience to work in this extensive experience in ah, from the children of
[00:03:14] led. Therefore, it is not that applies the Druze Monotheists here we are discussing ideas, I mean, we are not fortune-tellers on. Therefore, I don't know, community, then this will certainly be a positive thing, especially if this
[00:03:16] personality, I mean, as
[00:03:19] there are many advisors, I mean, in you kindly mentioned in the definition, that
[00:03:24] of Interior or European affairs, in she was from the Women's Council, from the United Nations team. Ah. This gives her an
[00:03:27] experience, but I didn't find that this additional status, despite the fact that she was historically
[00:03:30] known to have positions, ah, meaning
[00:03:34] perhaps not commensurate with the magnitude of the event. We will come, we will come to
[00:03:38] these positions, but you indicate that Syria is in dire need of peace
[00:03:41] and linked the matter to the Suwayda issue, but do you think
[00:03:45] that the name or the description, do you think it is indicative
[00:03:49] of the position you referred to? I mean, she is an advisor to the Foreign
[00:03:51] Minister for peace affairs. That's how, I mean, generally,
[00:03:57] he worked for a long time in if it was as you say, the description should have been an advisor. Let me
[00:04:03] of Foreign Affairs, since its establishment in
[00:04:07] say that the issue is a broader one, and it
[00:04:10] excuse me, I mean, this takes a large part from the moral
[00:04:12] aspect, as it is likely
[00:04:17] related to loyalty, here there is no that this appointment will reflect positively on the issue
[00:04:20] of Suwayda. And as long as
[00:04:26] My guest Dr. Ahmed says there is no shouldn't the matter is linked to peace, and certainly, in my estimation, the sister will undertake external
[00:04:28] roles. In the story of peace, and this is what
[00:04:32] the title refers to, in addition to the fact that she can
[00:04:36] be a link or
[00:04:38] a bridge between our brothers in Suwayda
[00:04:41] and the authority in Damascus,
[00:04:44] especially since she is from Al-Atrash, and this also reinforces
[00:04:50] everyone in the importance of dialogue and meeting between the parties. I,
[00:04:53] I look at this appointment positively,
[00:04:56] and we hope that something better will result from it.
[00:05:01] And if this is reinforced by
[00:05:03] other additions, other appointments,
[00:05:07] other understandings, then we in Syria are in dire need of
[00:05:10] each other. Well, can in any way
[00:05:14] the state of coolness, the state of push and pull,
[00:05:17] continue indefinitely? We want a solution, and we believe
[00:05:20] that the time has come to start with such solutions.
[00:05:24] Uh, Professor Bassam, from theater
[00:05:27] and media and the Higher Institute of Dramatic Arts to
[00:05:30] the Syrian Foreign Ministry. What do you think of this
[00:05:33] appointment, as my guest Dr. Ahmed also pointed
[00:05:36] out regarding the issue of Suwayda and linking
[00:05:41] Suwayda?
[00:05:44] Good evening, my dear sister, to you, to the honorable guest, and to the distinguished
[00:05:47] viewers. First, I will give you my professional
[00:05:50] opinion, I mean, I do not want to give a personal opinion or a personal judgment. No, I am asking for
[00:05:54] your professional opinion.
[00:05:57] I will give it to you after the professional discussion.
[00:06:00] Usually, the advisor in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
[00:06:04] traditionally, since the establishment
[00:06:08] the last century, is appointed
[00:06:13] ministry as an ambassador in multiple missions
[00:06:17] and has a specific specialization, I mean, let's say, for example, the socialist
[00:06:20] countries previously or the Western countries
[00:06:23] or the United States or the United Nations or international
[00:06:27] organizations. When he returns from his missions
[00:06:30] and is retired
[00:06:32] and has a good reputation
[00:06:35] and a good reputation regarding professionalism,
[00:06:39] he is appointed as an advisor in the Advisory Council of the Ministry.
[00:06:43] This is what was followed until the fall of the regime. The matter
[00:06:47] did not change, I mean, even when the Ba'ath came and Bashar
[00:06:50] came and others came, the matter remained as it was professionally.
[00:06:53] Now, in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, there
[00:06:56] are two levels. The first level is the political
[00:06:59] level. Usually, the minister is responsible
[00:07:03] for it. The second level is the technical
[00:07:06] or let's say
[00:07:09] technocratic level, and the directors of the administration are responsible for it.
[00:07:13] And the minister's assistants are between them and the minister.
[00:07:17] Now, the issue, I mean, we do
[00:07:19] not know what are the qualifications of the lady
[00:07:23] you mentioned, or the lady I.
[00:07:28] cinematic sciences, a university degree in media from Al-Hayat
[00:07:31] Al-Jadeeda. She also has experience, I mean, with the United
[00:07:35] Nations through the Syrian Women's Advisory Council. I mean, this is what
[00:07:38] the information in her resume says.
[00:07:42] Yes. So, I don't know the other
[00:07:45] capabilities, because these capabilities do not qualify
[00:07:48] her to be an advisor, even if she was in the Women's Council.
[00:07:51] I mean, this, and it seems that her age does not give
[00:07:57] the subject she will work on. In any case,
[00:08:00] the advisor should give the minister or the competent
[00:08:05] in the subject experiences they do not
[00:08:09] have. I mean, it is true that Al-Shaibani does not have
[00:08:13] experience, but nevertheless,
[00:08:16] the advisor should have the work
[00:08:20] he will be consulted
[00:08:24] don't you think that this criterion was not followed in the appointment of other
[00:08:27] advisors in the Foreign Ministry? Because
[00:08:33] American affairs, perhaps Jihad Makdissi is a special case
[00:08:36] due to his previous
[00:08:39] criterion that you refer to,
[00:08:43] Professor Bassam, I mean, especially regarding the issue of the advisor being
[00:08:46] formerly an ambassador and then becoming
[00:08:50] an advisor. This was not adopted in other
[00:08:52] cases. Why is it adopted now? This is
[00:08:56] also a question. Unfortunately, your words are
[00:08:59] 100% correct, and your question is also 100% correct. However,
[00:09:03] it seems that Minister Al-Shaibani has a special way of
[00:09:06] dealing with the Ministry of Interior, I mean, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and ambassadors
[00:09:10] and embassies, and he follows a special approach that is completely different from
[00:09:14] what other foreign ministries follow, whether in appointing directors
[00:09:18] of departments or in appointing ambassadors. And as you mentioned, Jihad Makdissi
[00:09:21] is perhaps the only exception among
[00:09:25] advisors. However, it may also be heard from those who
[00:09:28] listen to us now, Syrians, who said that the criterion that the regime followed
[00:09:32] previously is the criterion that should be, I mean, why
[00:09:35] the new
[00:09:38] state create its own criteria?
[00:09:40] Do you want us to reinvent
[00:09:44] the wheel? I mean, the wheel exists
[00:09:47] and all countries follow it. I mean, the matter is a purely
[00:09:50] technocratic and professional matter. Why
[00:09:54] does a doctor work as a doctor and an engineer
[00:09:57] work as a doctor and their work does not overlap?
[00:10:00] I mean, everyone has their specialty. Why in diplomatic
[00:10:03] work does a person come from an absolutely
[00:10:07] unknown background in diplomatic work and is called
[00:10:10] an ambassador or chargé d'affaires or director of administration? I mean, this
[00:10:14] work will lead to utter failure, utter
[00:10:17] failure. I mean, clear failure. The work
[00:10:20] requires professionalism. No one can be brought in and told
[00:10:24] to work as a doctor or an engineer or a diplomat.
[00:10:27] I mean, diplomatic work may be difficult
[00:10:31] to uncover until a long time later, after "Khurbat al-Basra" as they say.
[00:10:35] I mean, Professor Bassam, I mean, I try to present all
[00:10:40] the discussion, but for example, we also have exceptions even in Western
[00:10:43] models. I mean, when we talk, for example, about
[00:10:47] came from art and from cinema and became president
[00:10:51] of a country.
[00:10:53] That's a good question. Also, to you. The reason is that in other
[00:10:56] countries, there is an institution that runs
[00:11:00] itself, I mean, without anything, but the minister comes to give
[00:11:03] the final political decision, while the technical
[00:11:06] matter is carried out by the ministry, as I said,
[00:11:10] the minister's assistants, the directors of departments, and others. Then the minister
[00:11:14] comes and gives his political opinion and political guidance. In Ukraine,
[00:11:17] it is true that the president is there, but he has
[00:11:21] enough advisors and institutions to manage
[00:11:25] the state. I mean, he does not manage the state alone, certainly.
[00:11:28] He has a staff,
[00:11:31] embassies. Embassies usually have a diplomatic
[00:11:35] staff that handles affairs. The ambassador has
[00:11:38] only political guidance. There are administrative and technical matters that
[00:11:42] the new ambassador who has not worked in
[00:11:45] And also the minister, the minister previously, I mean, we had
[00:11:49] ministers recently who were professionals, or
[00:11:53] the ministers who were not professionals
[00:11:55] had what was called the Secretary-General of the Ministry, and then there were
[00:11:59] assistants to him who carried out the professional
[00:12:02] technical work. As for now, the minister himself does not
[00:12:05] have diplomatic experience, and the assistants
[00:12:09] and directors do not have experience. Bassam,
[00:12:12] excuse me, if we limit the discussion to the possibility
[00:12:17] can achieve regarding peace in Suwayda, don't you think
[00:12:21] that it is a choice that holds some validity, especially
[00:12:25] since she is from Suwayda? Muzna Al-Atrash
[00:12:28] is from the Al-Atrash family, a well-established family that has significant
[00:12:32] popularity within Suwayda, this family I mean. Therefore, can't
[00:12:36] this constitute a contribution to the possibility
[00:12:41] Suwayda? You mentioned two points.
[00:12:44] The first point regarding validity
[00:12:48] Suwayda, this is true, but this
[00:12:51] is not for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, because the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is required
[00:12:56] missions or in diplomatic work, and here the matter
[00:12:59] is different. It does not require validity, and it does not require
[00:13:03] professionalism
[00:13:06] dealing. It has become a regional issue, I mean, it is no longer just an internal
[00:13:11] the issue. We are talking about Jordan, we are talking about Israel.
[00:13:15] players. We are talking about Jordan, we are talking about the United States,
[00:13:19] we are talking about Israel. I mean, this is what the roadmap also says,
[00:13:22] which was approved in Amman. Yes, but
[00:13:25] regarding Syria,
[00:13:28] Suwayda is part of civil peace,
[00:13:31] not peace in the sense
[00:13:35] to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, external peace with other countries. As for the issue
[00:13:39] of Suwayda, it is internal civil peace, and it has no relation
[00:13:43] to an advisor in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It should have been an advisor in, for example,
[00:13:45] the Ministry
[00:13:49] any other ministry. However, in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this work is related
[00:13:52] to international work, not civil peace. Dr. Ahmed, what
[00:13:56] do you think of what Professor Bassam mentioned? I mean, he mentioned
[00:13:59] his opinion from a professional standpoint, especially since he was a former Syrian ambassador
[00:14:03] to Sweden. Please, Dr.
[00:14:05] Ahmed. I mean, let me say that some of what our brother
[00:14:09] Professor Bassam said is true, but
[00:14:13] not absolutely. The title of advisor or the position
[00:14:17] of advisor is given to a person who has progressed in this
[00:14:20] matter from a small employee to a large
[00:14:23] employee, never. So what about when
[00:14:26] he is an advisor for peace? A peace
[00:14:30] advisor has specific tasks, including bridging
[00:14:33] the rift, including creating
[00:14:36] positive relations with
[00:14:39] the international community and with the local community. And I have seen that
[00:14:43] many famous football players have become
[00:14:47] peace ambassadors in their countries and for major
[00:14:51] international organizations. Then the saying that it must be.
[00:15:03] from the context we are talking about, no, absolutely not.
[00:15:07] No, no, absolutely not. I do not agree with this criticism.
[00:15:10] I say specifically that a peace advisor
[00:15:13] has certain characteristics aimed at bridging
[00:15:16] the rift, aimed at uniting hearts. And he may
[00:15:20] be a personality
[00:15:23] who is not directly related to politics, but he is related
[00:15:26] to peace, he is related to civil peace,
[00:15:29] he is related
[00:15:32] to bringing views closer, excuse me, I mean, he is called an ambassador, for example,
[00:15:35] a UN ambassador for childhood.
[00:15:39] appointed as an advisor
[00:15:42] in, I mean, in
[00:15:44] the Ministry
[00:15:46] of Foreign Affairs. Excuse me, excuse me, please. No, I mean, I don't
[00:15:50] at all. The advisor, the advisor is not
[00:15:54] exclusive to personalities who move to this position
[00:15:58] in their hierarchy, especially the advisor, because whoever
[00:16:01] has a sound mind in a certain matter,
[00:16:05] then he is, by the Arabic linguistic definition, he is
[00:16:08] an advisor and can be consulted. So what about
[00:16:11] considering that Ms. Muzna, and not in her defense,
[00:16:15] belongs to
[00:16:18] Suwayda and comes from a respected and esteemed family among
[00:16:22] its people? And this appointment may lead
[00:16:25] to positive results in
[00:16:28] resolving the issue in Suwayda itself.
[00:16:31] We say that if the results of this appointment
[00:16:35] will lead to improving conditions and
[00:16:37] bringing views closer,
[00:16:40] appointment a white point through
[00:16:43] which we reach the people of Suwayda, we want to solve it in Suwayda, but my guest
[00:16:47] is worried that she was appointed as an advisor in the Ministry of Interior.
[00:16:51] Excuse me, I mean, we are talking about an advisor in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. No, no,
[00:16:54] never.
[00:16:56] You know that the issue of Suwayda, the honorable minister
[00:17:00] directly supervised it, and the agreement that
[00:17:03] took place in Amman a few months ago,
[00:17:08] which concerned Suwayda, made it part of the powers of the Ministry
[00:17:11] of Foreign Affairs. Therefore, saying that making her part of the Ministry
[00:17:15] of Interior, and it is not embarrassing to appoint
[00:17:18] other advisors in other
[00:17:21] ministries, but regarding this appointment, I personally do not
[00:17:25] find it embarrassing. Then I want to say even
[00:17:29] regarding the previous positions
[00:17:32] of Ms. Muzna Al-Atrash, you referred to them at the beginning of the discussion,
[00:17:36] and I do not want to forget
[00:18:07] this woman with her history,
[00:18:11] the following points. However, if the designation of this situation
[00:18:15] is for a higher interest, for the benefit of the state, from here you take this
[00:18:18] angle. But let me return to an idea I wanted
[00:18:22] to discuss at length, the idea that the only
[00:18:25] condition to reach an advisor is that he be
[00:18:28] hierarchical, as the Syrian regime used to do. The Syrian regime
[00:18:32] previously restricted all
[00:18:34] these
[00:18:36] groups of employees from his own group
[00:18:39] and promoted them until they reached
[00:18:42] the rank of advisor
[00:18:45] within one path
[00:18:48] that he permissible
[00:18:52] to cite in
[00:18:54] a point
[00:18:56] like this point by saying that we should
[00:19:00] follow the previous approach. And then, who said
[00:19:03] that ambassadors and
[00:19:06] officials of international
[00:19:10] missions all came through foreign ministries? This is Tom
[00:19:13] Baraka. He has no relation whatsoever to the
[00:19:17] hierarchy in the
[00:19:20] Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Rather, he is
[00:19:23] a working man whom the president directly chose to
[00:19:25] handle problematic files. If we want to cite the experience
[00:19:29] of Dr. Ahmed and also Temprat incidentally, he worked, I mean,
[00:19:34] the electoral matter. No, no,
[00:19:37] he has, I mean, he is not related in one way or another, but he also has,
[00:19:41] I mean, experience in electoral campaigns
[00:19:44] and so on. But Dr. Ahmed,
[00:19:47] appointment specifically seems to have caused controversy among Syrians.
[00:19:51] I mean, we were talking about some appointments
[00:19:54] loyalty, excuse me, listen to me, Dr. Ahmed, I mean, on the contrary,
[00:19:58] there is a history, perhaps close to the regime in one way or another.
[00:20:03] competence. This raises a question about the criterion that
[00:20:07] was adopted here. What is it? For
[00:20:11] Suwayda, okay, but what is the criterion?
[00:20:12] Well,
[00:20:16] well, saying that she is not competent is clear through
[00:20:20] her work within her specialty. It is clear that she is
[00:20:23] competent in her specialty. And by the way, she is
[00:20:26] 40 years old, so saying that she has no experience and is
[00:20:30] not wise. 87.
[00:20:30] 87.
[00:20:35] Okay, okay, I mean, 40 years old or what she
[00:20:45] says is her age, this is not a place to move on. What I want to get to
[00:20:48] are the benefits.
[00:20:52] an appointment,
[00:20:54] without denying that appointments should be
[00:20:58] more astute, more
[00:21:01] mature, and that each matter should be studied separately,
[00:21:04] so that
[00:21:07] nominations, leading to appointments.
[00:21:10] But if the nominations
[00:21:13] and appointments are from experts, all of whom
[00:21:18] path is
[00:21:22] the country, to find a point
[00:21:25] between us and our Druze brothers, and perhaps
[00:21:28] this appointment will have a positive effect at the international
[00:21:31] level, so that it is said that there has been inclusion
[00:21:34] of the Syrian society with its various components. And then,
[00:21:38] how can a personality
[00:21:41] that was
[00:21:45] a personality, I mean, there are, Dr. Ahmed, personalities from Suwayda who want a solution
[00:21:49] for Suwayda, perhaps
[00:21:52] they don't have this history that we are talking
[00:21:54] about.
[00:21:57] Okay, and we want such people.
[00:22:04] appointment merely
[00:22:08] because she has been
[00:22:11] appointed in this capacity. I reiterate
[00:22:14] that we want appointments to be disciplined,
[00:22:17] for personalities with high practice,
[00:22:21] for personalities who possess excellent intellectual
[00:22:24] qualities. All of this is required, and this is what the Syrian
[00:22:27] state as a whole should follow. But to say that a certain
[00:22:31] incident makes it a basis for all
[00:22:35] appointments, despite, incidentally, I repeat, I agree with
[00:22:38] my brother Dr. Bassam in some of what he presented,
[00:22:42] and he is right in what he said. So we do not want to
[00:22:46] degrade and undermine his right to
[00:22:50] express his point of view and benefit from the proposals
[00:22:54] that he
[00:22:56] can make if there is
[00:22:59] a correction to this path that we want to be
[00:23:03] ideal. Uh.
[00:23:07] Well, Professor Bassam, do you have a comment
[00:23:10] and in your opinion, to what extent can
[00:23:14] this appointment truly build on that?
[00:23:18] Why are you laughing? Please, Professor
[00:23:21] Bassam. My dear sister, I know the backgrounds regarding
[00:23:24] our brother Dr. Ahmed. Now he is following his course to be one
[00:23:28] of the chargés d'affaires and fears that we accuse him of lacking
[00:23:31] experience. No, Dr. Ahmed has political experience. That's not
[00:23:35] true, Professor Bassam.
[00:23:38] not true. I don't link this
[00:23:42] course to the position. I
[00:23:46] found in the choice of Ms. Muzna
[00:23:50] a benefit in bringing views closer
[00:23:53] Suwayda, and we want to solve the problem of Suwayda.
[00:23:57] It was
[00:24:03] and we do not read people's minds. Excuse me, Professor Bassam, I mean, he
[00:24:07] expressed his opinion and point of view, and he has the right to do so.
[00:24:10] And you also have the right to express your point of view without, I mean, these
[00:24:14] hints you referred to. No, no, I'm not
[00:24:17] hinting. I mean, he might
[00:24:20] fear that we accuse him, even though he is far
[00:24:24] from such a thing, because he is a well-known politician. The idea, please, Professor Bassam, please,
[00:24:27] sir. Yes, and he was a prime minister and
[00:24:31] everything, but now I'm not speaking personally.
[00:24:34] I'm speaking professionally.
[00:24:37] Dr. Ahmed, of course, has the freedom to express his opinion,
[00:24:41] but I mean, he mentioned some things that are not
[00:24:45] absolutely true. I didn't talk about the regime's situation
[00:24:48] or what the regime was doing. I said the Ministry
[00:24:53] the sixties, even after Bashar and his father
[00:24:57] before him took over, the ministry remained in this
[00:25:00] international, global pattern followed by all
[00:25:04] foreign ministries. So if the regime
[00:25:07] followed it, it doesn't mean that we should turn against it just
[00:25:10] because it was during the regime's time. This is one. Two, not
[00:25:14] all employees or ambassadors were
[00:25:17] loyal to the regime. Therefore, I personally
[00:25:21] two years before the revolution and separated from the ministry
[00:25:24] and resigned from the ministry. I mean, not
[00:25:27] everyone was as you mentioned, Dr. Ahmed. Rather, it was, and you
[00:25:31] know me in the coalition, I mean, we all worked in the coalition
[00:25:35] and worked in the revolution. Therefore, not
[00:25:40] the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was from the regime's
[00:25:42] group. There is a completely different matter. There are
[00:25:46] rules for work, rules for work that were followed and are followed by
[00:25:49] everyone. This is what I want to say now, that
[00:25:53] the rules regarding advisors are not only hierarchical,
[00:25:56] but the basic point is that they should have the professionalism
[00:26:00] and sufficient experience to provide advice.
[00:26:04] Secondly or thirdly, football
[00:26:07] players and others are called peace
[00:26:10] ambassadors, not peace advisors, and there is a big
[00:26:15] work in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and carries out non-protocol
[00:26:19] work that has no meaning regarding
[00:26:23] the state. As for the advisor, he has
[00:26:26] an office and provides consultations and gives consultations
[00:26:29] to the ministry, and this requires experience and professionalism. Therefore,
[00:26:33] some also raise distinctions between an advisor
[00:26:36] for peace affairs and an advisor for civil peace affairs. Can you
[00:26:40] clarify the issue for us, Professor Bassam?
[00:26:43] Yes, regarding peace, especially in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
[00:26:47] it is a matter that concerns relations with other
[00:26:50] countries, especially those with whom we have
[00:26:53] problems or a disruption in diplomatic
[00:26:57] work or hostility, etc.
[00:27:00] matter. As for the issue of civil peace, this relates to
[00:27:03] internal affairs, I mean, and I do not think that the appointment of a personality
[00:27:07] like this lady will make a big difference. I mean, there
[00:27:11] were personalities from from
[00:27:14] from Suwayda Governorate who had significant
[00:27:17] weight in the opposition
[00:27:21] Al-Hijri and with
[00:27:24] Suwayda, regardless of it being illegitimate. However,
[00:27:29] the state and they have relations there, and it was possible to benefit from
[00:27:32] their appointment. I mean, I do not want to give a personal opinion about Ms. Maraina
[00:27:36] because I do not know other things related
[00:27:40] to her diplomatic ability or what she wants to give
[00:27:43] or what she has to give in terms of advice. I only know
[00:27:46] that she does not have long or even
[00:27:50] short experience in the field. I mean, the step, the step itself, I mean,
[00:27:53] the creation of this position in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, does it not reflect an awareness
[00:27:57] and understanding of the seriousness of the situation in
[00:28:01] I mean, specifically after the repetition and continuation
[00:28:05] of daily Israeli violations, after what also happened
[00:28:07] with Jordan. Today, there is talk
[00:28:11] that there is a real Israeli threat to the Syrian
[00:28:15] south. There is talk about maps, and therefore, does this not reflect
[00:28:18] an awareness from
[00:28:21] of the seriousness of the situation, and therefore this position was created,
[00:28:26] who also appears to have good relations with
[00:28:29] so her resume says. My
[00:28:33] dear sister, the situation regarding Israel
[00:28:37] and its plans requires much more work than
[00:28:40] just appointing a peace advisor. I mean,
[00:28:43] there is much more work than
[00:28:48] of times. I mean, this appointment, as Dr. Ahmed said,
[00:28:52] may be for the sake of appeasement or so on, but for it to have
[00:28:55] a significant professional impact, I doubt that. I don't want to
[00:28:59] give a personal opinion about this work, but I doubt
[00:29:03] that. Because when a matter like this is presented to
[00:29:06] me, I look into the background of who was appointed as an advisor.
[00:29:12] field or not? Sufficient experience, of course, I don't mean
[00:29:15] hierarchy. I don't mean that he must be an ambassador. I talked about what
[00:29:19] was. You are insistent on your opinion that she has no experience. Well,
[00:29:23] in conclusion, I want to allow for a final
[00:29:26] comment from Dr. Ahmed. Please, Dr.
[00:29:29] Ahmed,
[00:29:32] our dear sister,
[00:29:34] Mr. Bassam's proposal, and I don't deny his merit
[00:29:37] and his role in the Syrian revolution and his
[00:29:40] good history, is a different
[00:29:44] matter. I want to say, well, if we brought a consultant from
[00:29:48] Al-Hijri group and from outside
[00:29:50] the ministry, wouldn't this
[00:29:54] contradict what he was proposing that the consultant
[00:29:57] should be hierarchical and should
[00:30:00] progress in the ministry until
[00:30:11] you keep repeating the word "hierarchical." I didn't say it. I only said
[00:30:14] that
[00:30:17] I meant the progression of an employee, a progressive
[00:30:20] employee from the beginning of his entry into the ministry
[00:30:22] until this proposal that you
[00:30:26] adopt. Please, Dr. Ahmed, wait
[00:30:29] a moment. What I want to reach is that the word
[00:30:33] "consultant" doesn't necessarily mean
[00:30:36] an administrative position or a purely advisory position
[00:30:39] in the absolute sense, but rather it is a position
[00:30:43] that combines between
[00:30:45] kinship ties and
[00:30:49] affection among the components of the Syrian
[00:30:53] people, also in terms of resolving
[00:30:56] difficult existing problems.