SYRIA - NEW OPPOSITION PARTY LEADER INTERVIEWED

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP05-01507R000100060013-5
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 27, 2012
• Sequence Number: 13
• Publication Date: August 5, 1988
• Content Type: MISC

Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/01/27: CIA-RDP05-01507R000100060013-5
?
FBIS-NES-88-158
16 August 1988
When we questioned the Al-Sayyid about Western hos-
tages, he replied: "I have no knowledge of these'hostages
or who holds them-but Islamic law is against the
holding of people in this way-maybe there is a hope of
releasing the hostages."
Nor was there any doubt that Samahah Fadlallah saw
Lebanon's politics as anything but international. "The
situation in Lebanon is affected and controlled by out-
side powers," he said. "But we have our aims and will
win in the end.
"Richard Murphy (the US Under-Secretary of State for
Middle East Affairs) says that the Lebanese presidential
election will be in the Mansur Palace (the Lebanese
Parliament) but the Lebanese themselves were not aware
of this. They were all surprised. Is this not proof of what
the big powers can do?"
The Al-Sayyid had no time for questions about America,
even though he clearly knew that the Americans and the
Iranians would soon publicly talk together. The United
States had given weapons to Israel, he said.
And the Israelis had fired a rocket at his home, a missile
which had killed his wife. United Nations officers have
confirmed that this indeed is true.
Samahah Fadlallah pointed to a jagged hole in the wall of
the room where his wife died. "The West has democratic
law", he said slowly. "This is what democracy has done
to this house."
Syria
New Opposition Party Leader Interviewed
JN0508124688 Paris AL- WA TAN AL-'ARABI in Arabic
5 Aug 88 pp 26-33-FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
[Interview with opposition figure Ahmad Sulayman al-
Ahmad by Tammam al-Barazi; date, place not given]
[Excerpts] [Passage omitted] [Al-Barazi] Let us now
move to the National Alliance for the Liberation of Syria
[NALS] and your joining the Alliance's General Secre-
tariat in its second session. Do you represent yourself or
yopr party, the National Democratic Party [NDP] [Al-
-I-tizb al-Watani al-Dimuqrati]?
[Al-Ahmad] I joined the NALS as an independent mem-
ber. I am proud that my party, the NDP, is broadly
represented in Syria. I am also proud that the brothers in
Syria informed me at that time that the leadership had
met secretly and elected me leader of the party and its
official spokesman. Had I joined the NALS as the NDP's
representative I would have been dutybound to ask for
more than one seat in the Constituent Assembly or in the
General Secretariat. [passage omitted]
[Al-Barazi] How many members does the NDP comprise
and who are the most prominent among them?
[Al-Ahmad] The pZrty comprises large masses from all
walks of life, from the cities and the countryside. I can
also confirm from reports I received that the party is the
major organized popular force in Syria. The most prom-
inent of its members are struggling in Syria. The party
also enjoys wide support in the Army. [passage omitted]
[Al-Barazi] When was this party established?
[Al-Ahmad] We were discussing it before I left Syria in
1980. We have spent much time in preparations and in
trying to find the best methods to express the people's
will and aspirations on one hand, and on the other, in
looking for vanguard men who will assume the respon-
sibility of the struggle for the attainment of our objec-
tives. Following my departure from the homeland, I
remained in constant contact with the brothers there. I
was informed on 17 April 1988 that I was elected as the
party's leader.
This date also coincides with the date of its proclama-
tion. We have chosen this date for the proclamation of
the party in view of the noble and important meaning of
this date, particularly considering Syria's present situa-
tion. There is no doubt that the establishment of this
party has come in response to a dire need among the
people, particularly since many sham parties have been
estabished, none of which really represents the people.
[passage omitted]
Velayati Meets With Hizballah in Damascus
PM1508103688 London THE TIMES in English
15 Aug 88 pp 1,1 18
[Robert Fisk and Nicholas Beeston report: "Iran in Talks
With Hizballah 'on Release of British Hostages"]
[Text) The Iranian Foreign Minister, Dr `Ali Akbar
Velayati, met a senior representative of the Lebanese
Hizballah movement in Damascus yesterday in an ini-
tiative that emphasized Tehran's determination to
secure the freedom of the Western hostages.
Dr Velayati, on a 24-hour visit to the Syrian capital, also
delivered a letter to President al-Asad of Syria from
President Khamene'i of Iran which is believed to have
touched on the fate of the captives.
There is considerable speculation that the Syrians may
be more eager than ever to play a role in freeing Western
hostages. The growing antipathy between Syria and
Hizballah may be connected with President al-Asad's
desire to ensure that the U.S. accepts a non-Phalangist
and pro-Syrian president in Lebanon. Presidential elec-
tions are due to be held on Thursday.
The Iranian Foreign Minister met Shaykh Subhi al-
Tufayli, who headed a delegation from the pro-Iranian
Hizballah movement, which is suspected of holding
Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/01/27: CIA-RDP05-01507R000100060013-5
 Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/01/27: CIA-RDP05-01507R000100060013-5
FBIS-NES-88-158
16 August 1988
most of the missing Westerners in Lebanon. The meeting
is believed to be the first by an Iranian at ministerial
level with a 'Hizballah leader since Tehran agreed to a
ceasefire in the Gulf War.
Shaykh al-Tufayli said the discussions dealt with impor-
tant Lebanese questions, but did not elaborate.
In London, a source close to the hostage negotiations
described the Damascus talks as "encouraging".
Dr Velayati also met other Lebanese Shia Muslim
leaders, including the Amal head, Dr Nabih Birri, and
vice-president of the Higher Shia Council, Shaykh
Muhammad Mahdi Shams al-Din.
In London, the Archbishop of Canterbury's top aide, Mr
John Lyttle, said it was now up to Iran "to use all its
undoubted influence in Lebanon to help to bring about
the release of Brian Keenan, John McCarthy and Terry
Waite."
Mr Lyttle ended his fourth and final round of negotia-
tions with Mr Reza Seyyed Mohammadi, a senior Ira-
nian envoy has now returned to Iran.
The English language newspaper TEHRAN TIMES,
which reflects the mainstream beliefs of the Iranian
regime, said Iran would "spare no effort to press ahead
with the release of the British hostages, particularly
Terry Waite, who is a British Christian clergyman". But
the newspaper also hinted that progress could hinge on
London's support for Tehran over a Gulf War peace
settlement.
In Tehran the Foreign Office's special envoy, Mr David
Reddaway, yesterday embarked on his second day of
talks with Iranian officials. Although the substance of his
discussions was not released, it is believed he too was
pressing the hostage issue, as well as. seeking guarantees
for the safety -of British diplomats if they return to
Tehran.
After two sessions with Foreign Ministry officials, Mr
Reddaway said the Iranians had agreed to let him visit
two Britons held at the Evin maximum security prison in
northern Tehran. "There is agreement I should see both
(Roger) Cooper and (Nicholas) Nicola some time this
week," he said. If the visits go ahead, it will be the first
consular access the Iranians have allowed Mr Cooper.
"All the developments so far augur well for the restora-
tion of London-Tehran relations at a cordial level," THE
TEHRAN TIMES said. The paper added in its commen-
tary that Tehran would expect British support in nego-
tiations with Iraq on border demarcation and repara-
tions once the UN brokered ceasefire comes into effect
on Saturday.
Observers believe the article provided one of the clearest
indications to date that Iran still expects to receive a
political pay-off if it manages to secure the release of
British hostages.
Meanwhile, the Hizballah militia suffered a further
humiliating blow at the weekend when one of its princi-
pal spiritual leaders in southern Lebanon was shot dead.
UN sources confirmed that more than 10 gunmen
stopped the Hizballah leader, `Ali Karim, as he was
driving through the village of Bir al-Salasil, shot him
dead and wounded his daughter, brother and sister, who
were with him.
The killing apparently took place only 700 yards from a
checkpoint of the Ghanaian UN contingent, and the
gunmen were identified by the Ghanaians as members of
the Shia Muslim Amal militia. The shooting, according
to Hizballah, took place on Saturday afternoon.
Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/01/27: CIA-RDP05-01507R000100060013-5
 Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/01/27: CIA-RDP05-01507R000100060013-5
0 ?
Near East & South Asia
ANNEX
Syria
CONTENTS
Hizballah Leader Interviewed on Cease-Fire [London THE TIMES 9 Aug] ........................................ 1
New Opposition Party Leader Interviewed [Paris AL-WATAN AL-'ARABI 5 Aug] ............................. 2
Velayati Meets With Hizballah in Damascus [London THE TIMES 15 Aug] ...................................... 2
Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/01/27: CIA-RDP05-01507R000100060013-5
 Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/01/27: CIA-RDP05-01507R000100060013-5
!00 000mW. 0
FBIS-NES-88-158
16 August 1988
Hizballah Leader Interviewed on Cease-Fire
PM0908112888 London THE TIMES in English
9 Aug 88 p 6-FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
ANNEX 1
[Report on interview with Hizballah leader Al-Sayyid
Samahah 'Abd al-Muhsin Fadlallah by Robert Fisk enti-
tled: "Iran Peace Bid Stuns Lebanon's Hizballah Faith-
ful"; date not given]
[Text] Khirbat Silm, southern Lebanon-The Al-Sayyid
Samahah 'Abd al-Muhsin Fadlallah used to be one of the
more self-confident men in southern Lebanon.
Turbaned, chain-smoking English cigarettes and wearing
a fine brown cloak with "Made in London" on the collar,
he is perhaps the most important of the Hizballah leaders
in this part of the country. His hatred of Israel and
America, his loyalty to Iran, ran as untidily through his
conversation as the narrow street which winds past his
Islamic college in the grubby little village of Khirbat Silm.
But his world has been broken apart by Iran's decision to
accept the UN ceasefire resolution in the Gulf War. He
admits openly that most Shi'a Muslims in Lebanon have
been stunned by Iran's sudden decision to talk directly to
the Iraqi regime which they had vowed to destroy.
"There is going to be a great change," he told THE
TIMES. "There is hope of releasing the hostages soon."
The Al-Sayyid still chain-smokes but his hand shakes as
he does so and he prefers to distance himself from the
young Hizballah fighters who hung upon his words.
Have the Shi'a people of Lebanon understood why Iran
has sued for peace, we asked him? The Al-Sayyid puffed
on his cigarette and thought. Indeed, he considered the
question for all of 15 seconds before replying, which in
itself was a form of comment.
"The people are of two kinds," he said. "There are those
who have a very good knowledge of the situation in the
Gulf who see why Iran accepted the UN resolution (for
the ceasefire).
"But there are others who are suspicious, who do not
understand what is going on. In Islamic law, all Muslims
must agree. This has been said by Ayatollah Kho'inha.
Just 18 months ago, the Al-Sayyid had sat in the same
chair and promised the imminent victory of Iran in the
Gulf War. Allah was on Iran's side, he had told us then.
He had refused to discuss the Western hostages in
Lebanon.
He was possessed of immense self-confidence and faith
in the victory of Shi'a Islam. Students sat around the
Al-Sayyid again when we questioned him yesterday
alongside the prelate's bearded son, 'Abd al-Sa'ib. There
was a large architect's model of an Islamic hospital which
Al-Sayyid Faddallah plans to build in a neighbouring
village.
The miniature hospital exists only in a glass case covered
in finger-prints. It will include, said the Al-Sayyid, a
medical wing, training department and a maternity
ward. Tiny model cars could be seen in the process of
driving up the main highway outside the hospital.
Where will he find the funds to build it? "Allah will help
us get the money from the richest Muslims in the area,"
he said. It was the only ghost of his former confidence to
emerge during our conversation.
Samahah 'Abd al-Muhsin Fadlallah is the first cousin of
Shaykh Muhammad Husayn Fadlallah, the man
regarded as the spiritual leader of all the pro-Iranian
Hizballah in Lebanon. Members of the Hizballah hold
most of the Western hostages in the country. Like his
cousin, the Al-Sayyid repeatedly disclaims any knowl-
edge of the Hizballah's or of the Western captives. But he
uses the title of "Ayatollah" and is widely believed to be
one of the most influential Hizballah figures in southern
Lebanon.
There were two Mercedes cars parked outside his home.
Serious young men observed our approach and depar-
ture from the Al-Sayyid's Islamic college.
He spoke in an almost metaphorical way, watching our
reactions to each of his comments to see if we had
understood its contents. "Iran is taking the war reli-
giously," he said. "and it is conducting its affairs in an
Islamic way. It has not sought land or tried to change the
geographic map of the area (by capturing parts of Iraq).
"And the Iraqis were just a machine used by the West.
The Islamic Republic was fighting because it wanted to
defend Muslims-but then the Iraqis used gas bombs
and started killing innocent people. From this point, Iran
wanted to stop the war and to show the world that it was
not interested in being a warlike nation."
The Al-Sayyid paused here for another 10 seconds and
stared at his latest cigarette. "The future is in Allah's
hands," he concluded.
When we asked about the Lebanese Shi'a Muslims held
in the Khiyan prison in the area of southen Lebanon
occupied by the Israelis, he suggested a parallel with the
Western hostages held in Lebanon.
Amnesty International has publicly expressed its disgust
at the reports of torture going on in the jail but the
Al-Sayyid was restrained.
"Everything there (at Khiyam) is related to the political
situation and whether these people who hold the Mus-
lims there (in Khiyam) decide to release them," he said.
Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/01/27: CIA-RDP05-01507R000100060013-5