QUESTIONS outnumber any possible description of a man every time we talk about Lebanese leader Walid Jumblatt, especially after he burnt the rescue ships which opposed his relations with Syria five years ago.  He also uttered many printable and unprintable words when he faced attacks on the Damascus regime.  In the past, Jumblatt launched scathing attacks against certain personalities but he has recanted these statements.  He even went as far as declaring that he has forgotten and forgiven those who assassinated his father.  With his mouth wide open, he admitted that he lied against the Syrian officials during his 25-year long relations with them after the assassination of his father.

Jumblatt has taken this step to enter Syria.  What lies behind this blindness?  When will the socialist leader renounce this position?  When will he begin to sing a melody he has been singing over the last five years? A strategic study on the situation of the Druze in the Middle East clearly indicates that Jumblatt does not need Damascus as much as the country needs him, considering his connection with the Druze in the occupied Palestinian territories and Lebanon, in addition to the achievements of the ‘Erz Revolution’ in which Jumblatt was a major actor.

This has placed him in a gainful political position in Lebanon and the entire region.  Retreat from his former position and appearance as a weak personality by apologizing to Syria has put him in a defeatist situation.  It is widely claimed that the May 7, 2008 incident prompted the Lebanese progressive socialist leader to fear for his life; thereby, succumbing to the whims of Hezbollah and Syria.  This argument is not convincing because the incident had a negative impact on the Syrian forces as was evident in the outcome of the parliamentary elections last year.
Allegations about Jumblatt’s situation in the 1960s and his fear of assassination are baseless, since the ‘Erz Revolution’ is more protected, while activities in the Lebanese desert are not exposed as in the past. Jumblatt himself should have realized this fact, so he would refrain from compromising with the Syrian regime unless there are more important issues.  Nobody knows these issues well other than the ‘Amir Al-Jabal’ (Leader of the Mountain), as the Lebanese used to call him.  The entire scenario may be one of the tricks of Abu Timor, who is patiently waiting for the postmaster to deliver his entry permit to Syria.

To hell with the political history the son of Kamal Jumblatt has been trying to hide by creating a defeatist and humble scenario.  Anybody who leads a freedom revolution should not, by any chance, prioritize personal interests over national welfare.
Whatever Jumblatt says in Syria or the outcome of his visit cannot reverse his outbursts over the last few months.  He burnt the rescue ship behind him once again but this time, along with his supporters, his history and that of the martyr Kamal Jumblatt.        
 
Email: ahmed@aljarallah.com