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This programme contains scenes which
some viewers may find upsetting.
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00:00:23,000 --> 00:00:30,119
O mio babbino caro...
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00:00:30,120 --> 00:00:35,559
Bashar al-Assad, a former eye
doctor in West London,
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00:00:35,560 --> 00:00:38,500
is
now president of Syria.
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00:00:38,881 --> 00:00:45,119
It's
a role he never expected.
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00:00:45,120 --> 00:00:48,559
His older brother, who had been
groomed for the job,
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00:00:48,560 --> 00:00:51,320
had
died in a car crash.
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00:00:51,321 --> 00:00:54,279
A comperar l'anello...
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00:00:54,280 --> 00:00:59,919
His wife Asma, a British-born Syrian
who studied computer science,
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00:00:59,920 --> 00:01:01,519
is now First Lady.
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00:01:01,520 --> 00:01:09,119
Si, ci voglio andare...
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00:01:09,120 --> 00:01:12,199
Together they dream
of reforming Syria,
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00:01:12,200 --> 00:01:16,679
making it a respectable
country on the world stage.
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00:01:16,680 --> 00:01:23,290
They have built an opera house,
and tonight is its opening night.
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00:01:24,880 --> 00:01:35,959
Andrei
sul Ponte Vecchio...
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00:01:35,960 --> 00:01:41,919
14 years later, 00:01:45,479
Over ten million will
have fled their homes,
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00:01:45,480 --> 00:01:50,759
and half a million people will
have been killed.
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00:01:50,760 --> 00:01:57,079
SONG CONCLUDES
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00:01:57,080 --> 00:02:00,960
APPLAUSE
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There's a Mafia-like character
to the Assad family itself.
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00:02:32,480 --> 00:02:35,300
It's
always dangerous.
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00:02:35,301 --> 00:02:42,479
I know the man behind the
presidency, I know the father
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00:02:42,480 --> 00:02:45,519
he is to his children, and I know
the husband that he is to me.
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00:02:45,520 --> 00:02:51,759
Um... And, more importantly,
I know that he's a man who cares.
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00:02:51,760 --> 00:02:56,079
You ask yourself, how does
this mild-mannered eye doctor,
27
00:02:56,080 --> 00:03:02,450
how does he end up killing hundreds
of thousands of people?
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00:03:25,671 --> 00:03:36,479
In 2004, wars are raging
in the Middle East.
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00:03:36,480 --> 00:03:36,479
GUNFIRE
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Watch out!
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00:03:38,701 --> 00:03:41,079
GUNSHOT
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00:03:41,080 --> 00:03:46,519
America and its allies are
fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan.
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00:03:46,520 --> 00:03:52,230
And in Iraq, they have
toppled Saddam Hussein.
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00:03:52,231 --> 00:03:56,079
The Assads have little
desire to help
35
00:03:56,080 --> 00:03:59,380
with
the so-called War on Terror.
36
00:03:59,381 --> 00:04:03,479
But Syria is right next
door to Iraq,
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00:04:03,480 --> 00:04:06,780
and the
West wants their support.
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00:04:06,781 --> 00:04:12,999
No-one quite knows
which side they're on.
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00:04:13,000 --> 00:04:19,130
They have Western instincts
but Middle Eastern roots.
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00:04:19,131 --> 00:04:25,159
It's clear, though, that they
dream of being accepted
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00:04:25,160 --> 00:04:28,759
as reputable leaders on the
international stage.
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00:04:28,760 --> 00:04:31,799
How are you? Hello.
Very nice to meet you.
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It sounds as though you've been
having a very busy time
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00:04:34,200 --> 00:04:37,020
since
you've been here.
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00:04:37,021 --> 00:04:41,839
OK, so you were a schoolgirl
in West London.
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00:04:41,840 --> 00:04:43,639
You
were an investment banker.
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00:04:43,640 --> 00:04:47,039
You are now one of the most powerful
women in the Middle East.
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00:04:47,040 --> 00:04:50,119
How have you coped
with that transition
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00:04:50,120 --> 00:04:52,759
to
life in the public eye?
50
00:04:52,760 --> 00:04:56,759
Of course, excuse me for saying
this, but the media thought
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00:04:56,760 --> 00:05:02,079
that this is another woman who's
going to be oppressed,
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00:05:02,080 --> 00:05:05,359
and is not going to have an active
role in the Middle East.
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00:05:05,360 --> 00:05:06,799
That
wasn't the case.
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00:05:06,800 --> 00:05:12,199
I wanted to get out, 00:05:16,119
Asma wants to be the epitome
of a modern First Lady,
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00:05:16,120 --> 00:05:21,679
a beacon of female progress
for the Syrian people.
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00:05:21,680 --> 00:05:24,500
But
she's got a problem.
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00:05:27,080 --> 00:05:30,560
Her in-
laws don't share that vision.
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00:05:48,331 --> 00:05:59,239
None of Asma's in-laws
are easy to deal with.
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00:05:59,240 --> 00:06:02,120
Bashar's
sister Bushra.
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00:06:02,121 --> 00:06:08,319
Bushra reputedly was
her father's favourite.
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00:06:08,320 --> 00:06:14,210
I mean, she'd got her father's
steely sort of will.
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00:06:14,211 --> 00:06:18,479
Bushra was a better choice
for president,
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00:06:18,480 --> 00:06:24,310
but she hasn't been chosen because
she is a woman.
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00:06:24,311 --> 00:06:29,359
Her husband, a charismatic military
leader, who may have eyes
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00:06:29,360 --> 00:06:32,360
on
the presidency himself.
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00:06:32,361 --> 00:06:38,199
Assef was one of the strongest
officers inside the Syrian Army -
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00:06:38,200 --> 00:06:41,680
and maybe
he could challenge Bashar.
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00:06:41,681 --> 00:06:47,599
Bashar's brother, a man
with a violent temper,
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00:06:47,600 --> 00:06:51,020
Commander
of the Republican Guard.
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00:06:51,021 --> 00:06:55,439
Maher is completely crazy,
as far as I'm concerned.
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00:06:55,440 --> 00:07:00,919
They're all bad, but I think Maher
is more on the Saddam Hussein side
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00:07:00,920 --> 00:07:03,320
of evil people.
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00:07:03,321 --> 00:07:11,799
And then there's the mother-in-law,
said to be the toughest member
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00:07:11,800 --> 00:07:14,140
of the family.
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00:07:14,141 --> 00:07:19,479
Since her husband's death in 2000,
it's said she favours
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00:07:19,480 --> 00:07:22,839
maintaining
the regime's hard line -
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but she only expresses her views
behind closed doors.
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00:07:28,911 --> 00:07:32,319
And what are you seeing here in
Syria in terms of women's equality,
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00:07:32,320 --> 00:07:33,919
things
are moving forward?
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00:07:33,920 --> 00:07:37,239
Absolutely, but we have
a strong base to go on.
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00:07:37,240 --> 00:07:40,319
Women in Syria have had
the vote since 1953.
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00:07:40,320 --> 00:07:43,879
Um... We have the highest percentage
of female parliamentarians
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00:07:43,880 --> 00:07:45,079
in the region.
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00:07:45,080 --> 00:07:48,559
So, yes, we are moving forward,
we're trying to close that gap,
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00:07:48,560 --> 00:07:55,290
the gender gap, and the environment
as a whole is very encouraging.
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00:08:15,431 --> 00:08:26,319
Asma came from a totally
different mind-set.
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00:08:26,320 --> 00:08:28,159
She
wants to be part of building
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00:08:28,160 --> 00:08:30,919
or modernising or doing
or participating
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00:08:30,920 --> 00:08:33,959
at
least as a First Lady.
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00:08:33,960 --> 00:08:36,600
She
has a role to run.
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Then
she discovered, no...
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00:08:40,400 --> 00:08:46,050
..she wasn't accepted as a
member of the family.
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00:08:46,051 --> 00:08:50,799
Bashar is relatively
new in the job as president -
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00:08:50,800 --> 00:08:54,040
and
needs his family's support.
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00:08:54,760 --> 00:08:58,180
So, he
allows them to sideline Asma.
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00:08:59,360 --> 00:09:04,770
For now, she's kept
out of the limelight.
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00:09:04,771 --> 00:09:09,279
Asma's problems, though,
look small when compared
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00:09:09,280 --> 00:09:11,560
to Bashar's.
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00:09:16,561 --> 00:09:22,079
He's
inherited from his father
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not only a country with a crumbling
infrastructure,
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00:09:25,200 --> 00:09:31,919
but one with a dubious reputation
for human rights abuses
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00:09:31,920 --> 00:09:36,999
and funding terrorist
groups across the Middle East.
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00:09:37,000 --> 00:09:40,759
So when America invaded Iraq,
Bashar was worried
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00:09:40,760 --> 00:09:43,640
that
Syria might be next.
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00:09:43,641 --> 00:09:49,319
To slow the Americans down,
he released Muslim fundamentalists
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00:09:49,320 --> 00:09:52,620
from his
prisons to fight in Iraq.
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00:09:52,621 --> 00:09:57,839
Now, though, the Americans have
found out what he's been up to,
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00:09:57,840 --> 00:10:02,799
and have him on the list of
countries they plan to get in line.
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00:10:02,800 --> 00:10:08,439
Syria still allows its territory
to be used by terrorists who seek
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00:10:08,440 --> 00:10:12,039
to destroy every chance
of peace in the region.
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00:10:12,040 --> 00:10:17,690
States like these constitute
an axis of evil.
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00:10:19,251 --> 00:10:29,519
Bashar al-Assad had increasingly
problems with everyone -
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00:10:29,520 --> 00:10:32,400
and
it was getting worse.
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00:10:32,401 --> 00:10:38,319
He was clearly not somebody
who was comfortable in his own skin.
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00:10:38,320 --> 00:10:41,199
This was partially a problem
that he had inherited a country
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00:10:41,200 --> 00:10:44,159
and a
regime that he had not built.
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00:10:44,160 --> 00:10:47,119
And Hafez
al-Assad was a brutal man,
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00:10:47,120 --> 00:10:49,439
but as they would say in Syria,
there was a logic to him -
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00:10:49,440 --> 00:10:50,799
you
could understand him.
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00:10:50,800 --> 00:10:56,879
Bashar, to this day, 00:10:59,460
in the Middle East.
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00:11:29,051 --> 00:11:37,919
Bashar, eager to win
the world's approval,
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00:11:37,920 --> 00:11:41,519
flies in an American biographer,
David Lesch,
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00:11:41,520 --> 00:11:44,700
to tell
their side of the story.
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00:11:44,701 --> 00:11:51,919
Between 2004 and 2008, Lesch spends
time with Bashar and Asma
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00:11:51,920 --> 00:11:55,280
and
records their conversations.
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00:11:55,281 --> 00:12:03,599
He did regret the fact that he had
to give up ophthalmology.
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00:12:03,600 --> 00:12:08,919
He really liked being
an ophthalmologist.
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00:12:08,920 --> 00:12:11,039
You do an operation,
somebody who can't see
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00:12:11,040 --> 00:12:12,719
all
of a sudden sees.
132
00:12:12,720 --> 00:12:18,879
It's very clear what happens,
there is an identifiable result
133
00:12:18,880 --> 00:12:21,280
of your action.
134
00:12:21,281 --> 00:12:27,519
He said, "As president,
I hardly ever get that."
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00:12:27,520 --> 00:12:31,079
He confided in me one time,
he said, "I've signed 100 decrees
136
00:12:31,080 --> 00:12:34,440
but only
four have gone through."
137
00:12:34,441 --> 00:12:37,039
He said, "And this is a dictator?
" HE LAUGHS
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00:12:37,040 --> 00:12:42,959
He said, "I have much less power
than most people think."
139
00:12:42,960 --> 00:12:46,439
You know, he inherited a
broken-down, dilapidated system.
140
00:12:46,440 --> 00:12:49,679
You know, he had tried to reform
some areas of government
141
00:12:49,680 --> 00:12:52,440
without
much success.
142
00:12:52,441 --> 00:12:55,639
And the old guard came
to him and just said,
143
00:12:55,640 --> 00:12:57,919
basically, young man,
you can't do this any more
144
00:12:57,920 --> 00:13:03,690
because it's going
to undermine our positions.
145
00:13:04,880 --> 00:13:11,430
Too many people were there
that weren't totally devoted to him.
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00:13:26,160 --> 00:13:28,380
THEY LAUGH
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00:13:31,000 --> 00:13:36,650
But Bashar's problems
are about to get worse.
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00:13:36,651 --> 00:13:41,239
Not only is there a war being fought
to the east in Iraq,
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00:13:41,240 --> 00:13:46,039
but to the west, another can of
worms is about to be opened -
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00:13:46,040 --> 00:13:47,639
Lebanon.
151
00:13:47,640 --> 00:13:50,719
It's supposed to be a country
in its own right,
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00:13:50,720 --> 00:13:56,790
but Syria effectively rules
Lebanon like a province.
153
00:13:56,791 --> 00:14:02,239
Now, though, some Lebanese
politicians have had enough
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00:14:02,240 --> 00:14:05,420
and
want to get the Syrians out.
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00:14:05,421 --> 00:14:10,879
They're led by a former
Prime Minister, Hariri,
156
00:14:10,880 --> 00:14:14,000
and
this man, Walid Jumblatt.
157
00:14:23,160 --> 00:14:29,230
Jumblatt has dealt with the Assad
family for decades.
158
00:14:29,840 --> 00:14:35,250
Bashar, he's different
from the father.
159
00:14:35,251 --> 00:14:39,879
The father, when I first
shook hands with him,
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00:14:39,880 --> 00:14:42,519
it was the 40th day 00:14:45,880
and I
knew that he was responsible.
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00:14:52,120 --> 00:14:58,430
He looked at me, and said 00:15:07,319
But, with time,
we met several times,
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00:15:07,320 --> 00:15:13,270
believe it or not, 00:15:20,510
The father was much
more intelligent, subtle.
166
00:15:20,880 --> 00:15:24,180
Bashar,
the son, he looks simple.
167
00:15:24,181 --> 00:15:29,799
Sometimes, when you first meet some
guy, either you like him
168
00:15:29,800 --> 00:15:32,119
or you dislike him.
169
00:15:32,120 --> 00:15:34,940
We
disliked each other.
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00:15:37,480 --> 00:15:43,850
What Jumblatt and Hariri want
is to get Syria out of Lebanon.
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00:15:44,000 --> 00:15:46,700
But
that's a problem.
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00:15:50,960 --> 00:15:56,970
Controlling Lebanon 00:16:01,519
Originally, Hafez sent
in a peacekeeping force
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00:16:01,520 --> 00:16:04,580
during
Lebanon's civil war.
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00:16:10,951 --> 00:16:21,159
But then he kept his troops
there and slowly took a stranglehold
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00:16:21,160 --> 00:16:24,700
over Lebanon's
politics and economy.
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00:16:24,701 --> 00:16:29,159
He had to fight two wars
against Israel to keep it.
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00:16:29,160 --> 00:16:31,999
REPORTER: Six
weeks ago, the Israelis knocked down
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00:16:32,000 --> 00:16:34,079
two
Syrian MI8 helicopters.
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00:16:34,080 --> 00:16:36,439
The Syrians promptly deployed
their SAM-6s,
181
00:16:36,440 --> 00:16:39,140
and
the crisis was on.
182
00:16:39,141 --> 00:16:43,679
It is Israel that wants
to destabilise the situation
183
00:16:43,680 --> 00:16:45,039
in Lebanon.
184
00:16:45,040 --> 00:16:47,479
And
when Israel attacks us,
185
00:16:47,480 --> 00:16:50,359
what other option will we
have but to fight?
186
00:16:50,360 --> 00:16:52,820
LOUD EXPLOSION
187
00:16:56,160 --> 00:16:59,580
In 2000,
Israel finally retreated.
188
00:16:59,581 --> 00:17:04,359
And so, for the Assad family,
Lebanon is one of Hafez's
189
00:17:04,360 --> 00:17:07,060
greatest victories.
190
00:17:09,911 --> 00:17:20,399
The Lebanese people
are still unable to exercise
191
00:17:20,400 --> 00:17:23,319
their
rights as a free people
192
00:17:23,320 --> 00:17:27,679
to make those choices and to take
those steps as a nation.
193
00:17:27,680 --> 00:17:30,879
It's important to remember
the requirements in that resolution,
194
00:17:30,880 --> 00:17:35,919
that Syria cease interference
in Lebanon's internal affairs,
195
00:17:35,920 --> 00:17:38,439
and remove Syrian
troops for Lebanon.
196
00:17:38,440 --> 00:17:40,919
So we're quite pleased.
This was a strong decision
197
00:17:40,920 --> 00:17:43,800
of
the Security Council.
198
00:17:44,480 --> 00:17:51,119
In September 2004, the UN takes side
with Jumblatt and Hariri
199
00:17:51,120 --> 00:17:55,759
and issues a resolution 00:17:58,220
once and for all.
201
00:17:58,221 --> 00:18:07,479
So now Bashar has a choice -
to get out of Lebanon
202
00:18:07,480 --> 00:18:11,319
and
destroy his father's legacy,
203
00:18:11,320 --> 00:18:17,439
or ignore the United Nations and
look ever more like a rogue state.
204
00:18:17,440 --> 00:18:23,450
His family have strong views
about what he should do.
205
00:18:23,451 --> 00:18:27,759
It's almost like a Shakespearean
drama playing out here.
206
00:18:27,760 --> 00:18:31,759
You've got these key figures
in the family that are pushing,
207
00:18:31,760 --> 00:18:36,559
they're pushing Hamlet
to make a decision.
208
00:18:36,560 --> 00:18:39,119
A withdrawal from Lebanon
would've been directly
209
00:18:39,120 --> 00:18:44,890
in opposition to what Anisa
wanted Bashar to do.
210
00:18:44,891 --> 00:18:50,479
We're not sure if she actually
favoured Bashar al-Assad
211
00:18:50,480 --> 00:18:53,360
to
be the next president.
212
00:18:53,361 --> 00:18:57,639
When
her husband dies,
213
00:18:57,640 --> 00:19:04,320
she is very much trying to keep
alive his legacy.
214
00:19:06,840 --> 00:19:13,570
She is the driving force making sure
that the regime stays on track.
215
00:19:14,891 --> 00:19:24,679
At first, Bashar decides
to try to tough it out
216
00:19:24,680 --> 00:19:27,860
and
ignore the United Nations.
217
00:19:27,861 --> 00:19:37,159
He summons former Prime Minister
Hariri for a face-to-face meeting.
218
00:19:37,160 --> 00:19:40,340
It's
said he threatens Hariri.
219
00:19:55,200 --> 00:19:59,920
INDISTINCT
CONVERSATION
220
00:20:03,440 --> 00:20:09,030
He came from that meeting
totally panicked.
221
00:20:10,040 --> 00:20:12,260
We met here.
222
00:20:12,261 --> 00:20:19,199
I said, look, these people,
this regime is dangerous.
223
00:20:19,200 --> 00:20:21,599
I knew the Syrians,
I knew their methods
224
00:20:21,600 --> 00:20:24,480
going
back to his father.
225
00:20:44,000 --> 00:20:49,599
He had this sort of complex
from a young age
226
00:20:49,600 --> 00:20:54,839
that he was never the chosen one,
the most loved one.
227
00:20:54,840 --> 00:20:58,839
Bashar was buffeted by his mother
probably on the one hand, saying,
228
00:20:58,840 --> 00:21:03,959
you know, grow a pair of balls,
be a man, man up -
229
00:21:03,960 --> 00:21:07,839
and felt that he was constantly
trying to prove himself
230
00:21:07,840 --> 00:21:10,180
to his mother.
231
00:21:10,181 --> 00:21:16,439
Here was Hariri getting
too big for his boots,
232
00:21:16,440 --> 00:21:18,919
and Bashar's thinking, "There's
no way he would've done this
233
00:21:18,920 --> 00:21:24,810
"to my father. I'm going to teach
this guy respect."
234
00:21:44,411 --> 00:21:54,759
Then, in Beirut,
the Lebanese capital...
235
00:21:54,760 --> 00:21:57,340
.
.a car bomb goes off.
236
00:21:58,800 --> 00:22:06,800
SIRENS
237
00:22:11,640 --> 00:22:15,279
SHOUTING
238
00:22:15,280 --> 00:22:17,199
NEWSREADER:
A massive car bomb has exploded
239
00:22:17,200 --> 00:22:19,159
in the centre of the Lebanese
capital Beirut,
240
00:22:19,160 --> 00:22:24,519
killing the country's former
Prime Minister Rafic Hariri.
241
00:22:24,520 --> 00:22:29,759
Hariri, the Lebanese politician
at the centre of Bashar's problems,
242
00:22:29,760 --> 00:22:32,220
has been killed.
243
00:22:32,221 --> 00:22:38,239
It's not easy to learn that one
of your closest friends
244
00:22:38,240 --> 00:22:40,700
has been killed.
245
00:22:40,701 --> 00:22:46,639
And I was the first one to announce
to the crowd inside the House
246
00:22:46,640 --> 00:22:51,990
that Rafic Hariri was
killed, was dead.
247
00:22:51,991 --> 00:22:57,479
Two weeks before his killing,
as if he had a hint
248
00:22:57,480 --> 00:23:00,039
that something will
happen to him, he said,
249
00:23:00,040 --> 00:23:03,639
"Look, I think they will either
kill you or kill me."
250
00:23:03,640 --> 00:23:06,100
They killed him.
251
00:23:19,040 --> 00:23:21,920
All
eyes turned to Syria.
252
00:23:21,921 --> 00:23:26,559
REPORTER: The assassination
sparked off a far-reaching political crisis
253
00:23:26,560 --> 00:23:30,919
amidst suspicions Syria
was involved.
254
00:23:30,920 --> 00:23:33,159
The assassination could not
have been undertaken
255
00:23:33,160 --> 00:23:37,839
without the knowledge of senior
figures in Syrian intelligence.
256
00:23:37,840 --> 00:23:41,519
This United Nations would be
seriously and significantly
257
00:23:41,520 --> 00:23:47,039
undermined if we were to turn
a blind eye to such activities.
258
00:23:47,040 --> 00:23:51,079
The United Nations launches a major
criminal investigation
259
00:23:51,080 --> 00:23:57,810
and appoints a special investigator
to find out who killed Hariri.
260
00:23:57,811 --> 00:24:01,119
Witnesses from inside Syria's
intelligence network
261
00:24:01,120 --> 00:24:05,679
name Bashar's brother Maher
and his brother-in-law Assef
262
00:24:05,680 --> 00:24:09,100
as being
behind the assassination.
263
00:24:09,101 --> 00:24:13,999
Assef Shawkat, 00:24:17,319
led several meetings with senior
Lebanese security officials
265
00:24:17,320 --> 00:24:23,690
to plan the attack, some in the
Syrian presidential palace.
266
00:24:24,000 --> 00:24:30,490
Assef Shawkat was one of the most
amazing figures in Damascus.
267
00:24:30,491 --> 00:24:33,719
He's aggressive,
268
00:24:33,720 --> 00:24:35,759
and
he knew what he wanted,
269
00:24:35,760 --> 00:24:39,639
and
he always was a warrior.
270
00:24:39,640 --> 00:24:43,060
He would
fight to achieve his goals.
271
00:24:44,080 --> 00:24:50,150
And you can tell that this man
is very, very ambitious.
272
00:24:50,280 --> 00:24:53,040
Very,
very ambitious.
273
00:24:53,041 --> 00:24:59,159
So now the world wants to know,
has Bashar's brother-in-law
274
00:24:59,160 --> 00:25:01,879
taken
the matter into his own hands,
275
00:25:01,880 --> 00:25:07,650
or was it Bashar who ultimately
gave the order?
276
00:25:07,651 --> 00:25:11,679
How did you first hear
about the assassination?
277
00:25:11,680 --> 00:25:13,959
Er,
through the news.
278
00:25:13,960 --> 00:25:15,799
I was in my office.
279
00:25:15,800 --> 00:25:19,479
As you know, because you've read
it and we've read it,
280
00:25:19,480 --> 00:25:22,159
there are witnesses
who have said that
281
00:25:22,160 --> 00:25:25,519
during one of Mr Hariri's
last visits to Damascus,
282
00:25:25,520 --> 00:25:28,279
he was threatened by you.
Did you threaten him, sir?
283
00:25:28,280 --> 00:25:30,599
This is
another illegal presumption.
284
00:25:30,600 --> 00:25:34,119
First of all, it's not my nature
to threaten anybody.
285
00:25:34,120 --> 00:25:37,879
It's, er... I'm a very quiet
person, and very frank,
286
00:25:37,880 --> 00:25:39,799
but
I wouldn't threaten.
287
00:25:39,800 --> 00:25:44,479
Would you have ordered
such an assassination?
288
00:25:44,480 --> 00:25:46,719
This is against our
principle and my principle,
289
00:25:46,720 --> 00:25:50,839
and I would never do
such a thing in my life.
290
00:25:50,840 --> 00:25:53,959
What do we achieve?
What do we achieve?
291
00:25:53,960 --> 00:25:57,879
I think what happened targeted
Syria, that will affect our relation
292
00:25:57,880 --> 00:25:59,999
with
the Lebanese people.
293
00:26:00,000 --> 00:26:03,839
So we wouldn't do it because it's
against our interests
294
00:26:03,840 --> 00:26:07,199
and it's against my principle. I
would never do it, it's impossible.
295
00:26:07,200 --> 00:26:09,319
APPLAUSE
296
00:26:09,320 --> 00:26:13,999
The pressure on Bashar to
leave Lebanon continues to grow.
297
00:26:14,000 --> 00:26:18,879
Syria, you get your troops and your
secret services out of Lebanon
298
00:26:18,880 --> 00:26:21,719
so that good democracy has the
chance to flourish.
299
00:26:21,720 --> 00:26:26,159
CHEERING
AND APPLAUSE
300
00:26:26,160 --> 00:26:30,239
Suddenly, Bashar is in
uncharted territory,
301
00:26:30,240 --> 00:26:32,559
and
he has to make a decision.
302
00:26:32,560 --> 00:26:36,199
I mean, regime change was something
that was very much at the top
303
00:26:36,200 --> 00:26:39,999
of his mind, that he could
effectively be toppled
304
00:26:40,000 --> 00:26:42,760
by
a US-led coalition.
305
00:26:42,880 --> 00:26:48,590
He actually felt a real
threat that he could go.
306
00:26:48,591 --> 00:26:54,479
Then, in March, just four weeks
after Hariri's death,
307
00:26:54,480 --> 00:26:59,479
Bashar caves in and agrees
to withdraw from Lebanon.
308
00:26:59,480 --> 00:27:01,999
NEWSREADER: In response
to mounting international pressure,
309
00:27:02,000 --> 00:27:05,159
Syria looks set to begin
pulling its troops out of Lebanon.
310
00:27:05,160 --> 00:27:11,559
An announcement is expected from
Syria's President Assad tomorrow.
311
00:27:11,560 --> 00:27:15,759
The family response was, 00:27:21,290
It's like you've lost
the family heirloom.
313
00:27:21,291 --> 00:27:27,719
His mother was upset
and angered with her son.
314
00:27:27,720 --> 00:27:29,479
This
was part of their legacy.
315
00:27:29,480 --> 00:27:32,999
He'd disappointed his mother,
he'd disappointed his father.
316
00:27:33,000 --> 00:27:35,799
There was no room for
negotiation on this,
317
00:27:35,800 --> 00:27:38,680
according
to his mother.
318
00:27:38,681 --> 00:27:45,079
At that moment,
it was very personal.
319
00:27:45,080 --> 00:27:50,319
It was very personal,
and the regime was isolated.
320
00:27:50,320 --> 00:27:55,910
That's when I felt
that it became emotional.
321
00:28:08,951 --> 00:28:18,559
And so it seems it's all
gone wrong for Bashar.
322
00:28:18,560 --> 00:28:21,759
He's been forced to give
up his father's legacy
323
00:28:21,760 --> 00:28:24,959
and, rather than making
Syria look respectable,
324
00:28:24,960 --> 00:28:29,479
they look ever more
like the axis of evil.
325
00:28:29,480 --> 00:28:34,279
I think this was the toughest
period in his presidency,
326
00:28:34,280 --> 00:28:39,719
because the whole international
situation was hostile.
327
00:28:39,720 --> 00:28:45,790
It was perceived as a direct
threat to Bashar himself.
328
00:28:45,960 --> 00:28:48,180
He was a man...
329
00:28:48,480 --> 00:28:51,240
.
.uncertain of himself.
330
00:29:03,640 --> 00:29:10,370
For Asma, this is not the First Lady
job as she would've imagined it.
331
00:29:10,371 --> 00:29:18,519
Her in-laws and husband
are the key suspects
332
00:29:18,520 --> 00:29:24,050
in a United Nations
murder investigation.
333
00:29:24,051 --> 00:29:34,199
There were lots of rumours
about Asma being in seclusion.
334
00:29:34,200 --> 00:29:39,430
And she did drop
out of the limelight.
335
00:29:39,431 --> 00:29:45,319
I remember seeing her for the first
time after the Hariri assassination,
336
00:29:45,320 --> 00:29:48,919
and I could hear all of the
Syrian ladies around me
337
00:29:48,920 --> 00:29:54,810
saying how thin she was,
and they were whispering.
338
00:29:54,811 --> 00:29:57,239
And they were wondering, I think,
what was going on
339
00:29:57,240 --> 00:30:01,559
inside of her family,
and maybe inside of her mind.
340
00:30:01,560 --> 00:30:03,799
Because everyone knew 00:30:09,990
that the Asma al-Assad we had come
to know wanted it to go.
342
00:30:09,991 --> 00:30:14,359
I think
it was the start for Asma,
343
00:30:14,360 --> 00:30:18,519
that you have to fasten
your seat belt.
344
00:30:18,520 --> 00:30:22,719
Because you are actually
going on a long struggle
345
00:30:22,720 --> 00:30:25,060
with this man.
346
00:30:25,061 --> 00:30:30,079
You know, when you are married,
in a way you are stuck as an Arab
347
00:30:30,080 --> 00:30:32,600
and Muslim woman.
348
00:30:32,800 --> 00:30:35,879
There
is no way back for her.
349
00:30:35,880 --> 00:30:39,799
Now for her it's
the battle of survival.
350
00:30:39,800 --> 00:30:43,519
Her survival, her children,
her husband and her status
351
00:30:43,520 --> 00:30:46,040
as the First Lady.
352
00:30:46,041 --> 00:30:52,599
So she stays by Bashar's
side through it all...
353
00:30:52,600 --> 00:30:57,199
..and then an opportunity emerges
that could help them distance
354
00:30:57,200 --> 00:31:00,740
themselves
from the Lebanon scandal.
355
00:31:07,691 --> 00:31:17,519
This morning, here in Rome, one
of the most remarkable popes
356
00:31:17,520 --> 00:31:21,119
of all
time will be laid to rest.
357
00:31:21,120 --> 00:31:27,250
They will all unite to say farewell
to Pope John Paul II.
358
00:31:35,480 --> 00:31:42,150
They seized this opportunity,
because the Vatican cannot say no.
359
00:31:42,151 --> 00:31:45,319
They can't say, "Don't
come to the funeral."
360
00:31:45,320 --> 00:31:51,090
Anybody who would 00:31:59,970
And they know that there
will be 150 heads of state.
362
00:31:59,971 --> 00:32:05,519
So it's a way to say,
Everything is normal."
363
00:32:05,520 --> 00:32:06,759
Hariri?
364
00:32:06,760 --> 00:32:09,079
Us?
365
00:32:09,080 --> 00:32:12,079
Come on. We're there,
it's our place.
366
00:32:12,080 --> 00:32:15,039
We're in the middle
of the King of Spain,
367
00:32:15,040 --> 00:32:20,279
Tony Blair, etc. We're like
these people.
368
00:32:20,280 --> 00:32:28,039
But I was really amazed by the way
that Asma was moving in a way
369
00:32:28,040 --> 00:32:30,680
to bump into people.
370
00:32:30,681 --> 00:32:34,719
To be like a magnet to attract.
Here,
371
00:32:34,720 --> 00:32:38,399
you see her talking with
Cherie Blair.
372
00:32:38,400 --> 00:32:40,079
Tony Blair.
373
00:32:40,080 --> 00:32:45,559
So the Assads are roaming, more or
less, towards them and he escaped
374
00:32:45,560 --> 00:32:50,359
but Cherie Blair stayed
to say hi to Asma.
375
00:32:50,360 --> 00:32:57,030
Because Asma is such a nice person.
She is lovely, she is beautiful.
376
00:33:00,320 --> 00:33:06,210
She was definitely looking
for that kind of image.
377
00:33:08,160 --> 00:33:13,570
I think she realises
how valuable she is.
378
00:33:13,571 --> 00:33:18,919
She uses herself as the asset
in the crisis, you know,
379
00:33:18,920 --> 00:33:24,690
to break the crisis,
this is what I am going to do.
380
00:33:24,691 --> 00:33:29,919
I think Bashar realised
that her presence could save him
381
00:33:29,920 --> 00:33:33,999
in a way, because their focus
would not be only on what
382
00:33:34,000 --> 00:33:38,559
he has done. The focus 00:33:43,599
and her beautiful
hair and her smile.
384
00:33:43,600 --> 00:33:48,279
And I think that gives
him confidence.
385
00:33:48,280 --> 00:33:53,690
Bashar was much more
powerful with Asma.
386
00:33:53,691 --> 00:34:00,679
And that's why she had to be
under the limelight,
387
00:34:00,680 --> 00:34:04,199
to distract the world 00:34:06,540
of the Assads.
389
00:34:16,481 --> 00:34:20,319
Later
in 2005, Bashar
390
00:34:20,320 --> 00:34:24,359
starts to change the
power dynamic
391
00:34:24,360 --> 00:34:27,660
inside
the presidential palace.
392
00:34:27,661 --> 00:34:31,919
He gets rid of the old guard,
the last remnants of his father's
393
00:34:31,920 --> 00:34:34,080
advisers...
394
00:34:34,081 --> 00:34:36,999
..and carefully
removes power from his
395
00:34:37,000 --> 00:34:42,710
problematic brother-in-law,
Assef Shawkat.
396
00:35:19,331 --> 00:35:28,399
And as he grabs the reins
at home, he also takes
397
00:35:28,400 --> 00:35:31,159
a
tougher approach abroad.
398
00:35:31,160 --> 00:35:34,039
He refuses to cooperate
with the UN investigation
399
00:35:34,040 --> 00:35:36,980
into
the murder of Hariri.
400
00:35:36,981 --> 00:35:41,559
And then that investigation
gets waylaid...
401
00:35:41,560 --> 00:35:44,800
..by
some unexplained incidents.
402
00:35:44,801 --> 00:35:50,199
A car bomb kills
a Lebanese investigator.
403
00:35:50,200 --> 00:35:54,079
A key suspect gives
a statement to the UN.
404
00:35:54,080 --> 00:35:59,670
But the next day, commits
apparent suicide.
405
00:35:59,671 --> 00:36:04,279
The star witness decides to take
back his entire statement, live
406
00:36:04,280 --> 00:36:06,860
on Syrian state TV.
407
00:36:06,861 --> 00:36:13,519
And a spy, thought to be involved,
is found at his home with a bullet
408
00:36:13,520 --> 00:36:15,159
in his head.
409
00:36:15,160 --> 00:36:17,800
Shot
at from the sea.
410
00:36:18,760 --> 00:36:25,370
The UN chief investigator quits,
saying he is in fear of his life.
411
00:36:25,371 --> 00:36:29,719
The case against the Syrian
regime collapses.
412
00:36:29,720 --> 00:36:33,319
And so if they did order the killing
of Hariri, they've got
413
00:36:33,320 --> 00:36:35,840
away with murder.
414
00:36:44,480 --> 00:36:47,359
RHYTHMIC APPLAUSE
415
00:36:47,360 --> 00:36:53,850
What the Syrian regime managed to
do, is just to escape from it.
416
00:36:53,851 --> 00:36:58,599
He believes that, sure, 00:37:01,540
that
the West are cowards.
418
00:37:01,541 --> 00:37:08,399
And being able to survive
it had shown him that the more
419
00:37:08,400 --> 00:37:12,359
you are tough, the more you don't
make any concessions,
420
00:37:12,360 --> 00:37:15,060
the
more you succeed.
421
00:37:16,600 --> 00:37:19,240
CHANTING
422
00:37:29,720 --> 00:37:32,060
He was tested.
423
00:37:32,061 --> 00:37:38,239
He was tested in 9/11,
tested in the Iraq war,
424
00:37:38,240 --> 00:37:40,879
tested in Lebanon,
425
00:37:40,880 --> 00:37:44,039
and
for him he overcame
426
00:37:44,040 --> 00:37:47,160
all
the crisis, all the tests.
427
00:37:47,161 --> 00:37:52,479
And he passed, and now
he's much more confident.
428
00:37:52,480 --> 00:37:57,239
He looks at himself differently,
I think.
429
00:37:57,240 --> 00:38:02,639
Bashar Al-Assad is under huge
pressure, yet when I met him
430
00:38:02,640 --> 00:38:05,799
yesterday he was calm 00:38:09,280
precision
about his choice of words.
432
00:38:09,281 --> 00:38:12,959
The United States has publicly said
that Syria is a member
433
00:38:12,960 --> 00:38:15,719
of an axis of evil.
434
00:38:15,720 --> 00:38:19,119
How do you regard that view
of your country and what can
435
00:38:19,120 --> 00:38:20,999
you do about it?
436
00:38:21,000 --> 00:38:23,199
Everybody cares about
his reputation,
437
00:38:23,200 --> 00:38:25,199
but we care more about
the reality.
438
00:38:25,200 --> 00:38:27,839
The biggest mistake
they committed in the West,
439
00:38:27,840 --> 00:38:32,479
they use the labels as a base
for political actions.
440
00:38:32,480 --> 00:38:33,879
There
is a big difference.
441
00:38:33,880 --> 00:38:36,999
It doesn't matter what you label
organisations or people
442
00:38:37,000 --> 00:38:39,839
or countries, the most
important things in politics,
443
00:38:39,840 --> 00:38:41,679
do
they have effects or not?
444
00:38:41,680 --> 00:38:43,919
As long as they are
effective on the ground,
445
00:38:43,920 --> 00:38:46,440
among the people.
446
00:38:46,441 --> 00:38:49,279
He is a sophisticated
chap, isn't he?
447
00:38:49,280 --> 00:38:52,039
He is quite impressive, yes. In
fact, he's very impressive.
448
00:38:52,040 --> 00:38:56,719
I used to think he might be directed
by a gang of his pretty rough
449
00:38:56,720 --> 00:38:59,239
father's
old, sort of, cronies.
450
00:38:59,240 --> 00:39:04,470
That doesn't seem to me
to be the case.
451
00:39:04,471 --> 00:39:09,639
As Bashar takes more
control of his family,
452
00:39:09,640 --> 00:39:15,590
the nature of their relationships
start to change.
453
00:39:15,591 --> 00:39:19,519
Bushra, Bashar's sister,
starts spending more and more time
454
00:39:19,520 --> 00:39:22,220
at
her house in Dubai.
455
00:39:29,440 --> 00:39:32,440
Which
is good news for Asma.
456
00:39:32,441 --> 00:39:37,399
The relationship with
Bushra was very fraught.
457
00:39:37,400 --> 00:39:40,919
Suddenly, you know, 00:39:44,100
if you
like, is no longer there.
459
00:39:46,440 --> 00:39:53,479
Her footing is much firmer and now
she can challenge even the mother,
460
00:39:53,480 --> 00:39:56,540
which
apparently happened.
461
00:39:58,240 --> 00:40:04,370
The mother, I think she became
sidelined, eventually.
462
00:40:04,371 --> 00:40:06,679
Hello.
463
00:40:06,680 --> 00:40:08,199
CROWD: Hello.
464
00:40:08,200 --> 00:40:11,359
Ladies and ladies.
465
00:40:11,360 --> 00:40:13,239
And some gentlemen.
466
00:40:13,240 --> 00:40:14,519
Good evening.
467
00:40:14,520 --> 00:40:17,559
A very, very, very warm Syrian
welcome to each and every one
468
00:40:17,560 --> 00:40:23,510
of you who've made the trip
to this part of the world.
469
00:40:26,291 --> 00:40:38,999
Asma grew up in the period of PR
and Princess Diana in Britain.
470
00:40:39,000 --> 00:40:43,879
Princess Diana had represented
an example of how somebody
471
00:40:43,880 --> 00:40:50,440
can be seen to be both Royal
and also close to the people.
472
00:40:51,560 --> 00:40:54,920
She becomes
engrossed in charity...
473
00:40:54,921 --> 00:40:58,879
..championing
certain issues.
474
00:40:58,880 --> 00:41:04,359
223 remarkable women,
by the time you ladies go home
475
00:41:04,360 --> 00:41:07,839
you would have cycled
over 350km.
476
00:41:07,840 --> 00:41:10,479
I am an investment banker 00:41:13,039
so numbers to me are
like milk to a baby,
478
00:41:13,040 --> 00:41:18,390
it's just something
I'm familiar with.
479
00:41:18,391 --> 00:41:21,559
Asma
is very ambitious.
480
00:41:21,560 --> 00:41:27,039
She was relishing the opportunity
to be seen in that light.
481
00:41:27,040 --> 00:41:32,199
It fitted with who
she wanted to be seen as.
482
00:41:32,200 --> 00:41:36,559
There are over two million refugees
living in Syria today.
483
00:41:36,560 --> 00:41:38,239
1.4 million...
484
00:41:38,240 --> 00:41:42,719
I think she was sincere
in wanting to help.
485
00:41:42,720 --> 00:41:45,719
She could have just hung
out and drank tea,
486
00:41:45,720 --> 00:41:47,999
and she didn't.
487
00:41:48,000 --> 00:41:50,199
Education
has to be relevant.
488
00:41:50,200 --> 00:41:53,439
And at the pace that the world
is changing, it's sometimes hard
489
00:41:53,440 --> 00:41:54,639
to keep up.
490
00:41:54,640 --> 00:41:57,159
But she
also got a lot out of it.
491
00:41:57,160 --> 00:42:02,510
She wanted to be the
First Lady of Syria.
492
00:42:02,511 --> 00:42:05,839
There was this other strange part
of her personality which,
493
00:42:05,840 --> 00:42:11,610
I think, power became
very important over time.
494
00:42:13,351 --> 00:42:22,439
And so Asma becomes
a new kind of entity,
495
00:42:22,440 --> 00:42:28,630
a modern First Lady 00:42:50,559
You are the first First Lady
of Syria. The wife of your husband's
497
00:42:50,560 --> 00:42:53,839
father
never took an active role.
498
00:42:53,840 --> 00:42:56,959
Have you run up against people
who say Mrs Assad
499
00:42:56,960 --> 00:42:59,999
should
not be in the public sphere?
500
00:43:00,000 --> 00:43:05,879
I genuinely believe that Syrians
are committed to the process
501
00:43:05,880 --> 00:43:07,519
that we've started,
502
00:43:07,520 --> 00:43:09,999
whether
it is me playing a role
503
00:43:10,000 --> 00:43:16,010
as a First Lady, or me
playing a role as an individual.
504
00:43:30,771 --> 00:43:39,439
I don't want to spend
any more time talking up here,
505
00:43:39,440 --> 00:43:41,719
I would rather spend
more of the time talking
506
00:43:41,720 --> 00:43:44,660
with
you ladies directly.
507
00:43:46,000 --> 00:43:51,230
Anyway, thank you so
much for coming.
508
00:44:02,600 --> 00:44:06,040
2007
is an election year.
509
00:44:12,411 --> 00:44:23,119
It's the second time his
presidency has been voted on.
510
00:44:23,120 --> 00:44:26,799
And although, as usual, his name
is the only one on the ballot,
511
00:44:26,800 --> 00:44:30,359
those that know him say
that it marks a turning point
512
00:44:30,360 --> 00:44:32,940
in his psychology.
513
00:44:34,371 --> 00:44:46,239
There was a real contrast,
I mean for me as a photographer,
514
00:44:46,240 --> 00:44:48,199
but
also as a Syrian,
515
00:44:48,200 --> 00:44:51,599
between
the first years of Bashar,
516
00:44:51,600 --> 00:44:57,759
one of his main decisions
was to say, "No portraits of me,
517
00:44:57,760 --> 00:45:01,239
"no statues, no songs,
no portrait of me.
518
00:45:01,240 --> 00:45:03,880
"Enough with this."
519
00:45:03,881 --> 00:45:08,199
It was a good step
towards modernity.
520
00:45:08,200 --> 00:45:14,570
And then, five years later,
we're back to the same old story.
521
00:45:24,440 --> 00:45:27,080
Portraits are back.
522
00:45:27,960 --> 00:45:30,180
Songs, etc.
523
00:45:30,181 --> 00:45:37,639
The young eye doctor from London
has disappeared and is now tough
524
00:45:37,640 --> 00:45:42,870
and clearly in charge
of the country.
525
00:45:46,560 --> 00:45:52,570
I was visiting Bashar
to coincide with the election.
526
00:45:52,571 --> 00:45:58,079
And by then, it had been clear
he had won 97% of the vote
527
00:45:58,080 --> 00:46:03,639
and the Bashar I thought I knew,
I thought he would just pooh-pooh
528
00:46:03,640 --> 00:46:06,879
the whole thing, I thought he
would say, "It's mostly arranged,
529
00:46:06,880 --> 00:46:13,079
I know I'm the only one on it, so
what else are they going to do?"
530
00:46:13,080 --> 00:46:15,879
But he said something quite
different and it told me a lot
531
00:46:15,880 --> 00:46:22,010
about him and perhaps the changes
that occurred in him.
532
00:46:22,011 --> 00:46:24,079
And
he said, "they love me."
533
00:46:24,080 --> 00:46:25,119
They love me.
534
00:46:25,120 --> 00:46:28,300
This
shows that they love me."
535
00:46:28,301 --> 00:46:38,119
Was there genuine enthusiasm
and perhaps popularity for Bashar?
536
00:46:38,120 --> 00:46:39,959
Sure.
537
00:46:39,960 --> 00:46:42,180
But not 97%.
538
00:46:42,181 --> 00:46:48,639
And I just sat back
and I thought to myself,
539
00:46:48,640 --> 00:46:54,110
Wow, you've drunk
the Kool Aid of power."
540
00:46:54,400 --> 00:47:00,110
I said, "Well, 00:47:14,559
A victory celebration takes place.
Tens of thousands gather
542
00:47:14,560 --> 00:47:16,799
in Damascus...
543
00:47:16,800 --> 00:47:19,159
..wearing
T-shirts with his face on,
544
00:47:19,160 --> 00:47:20,879
chanting his name,
545
00:47:20,880 --> 00:47:23,640
and
carrying torches.
546
00:47:42,731 --> 00:47:52,199
You get this reinforcement
that you are right in what
547
00:47:52,200 --> 00:47:55,839
you're doing, the fact
that the people are adoring you.
548
00:47:55,840 --> 00:47:58,999
Out in
the streets, praising you.
549
00:47:59,000 --> 00:48:00,479
He said to himself,
550
00:48:00,480 --> 00:48:03,479
Now I understand what
my father did."
551
00:48:03,480 --> 00:48:06,639
Now I understand why 00:48:10,679
And if
that countered the morality
553
00:48:10,680 --> 00:48:14,279
that perhaps
he brought into office,
554
00:48:14,280 --> 00:48:19,639
he maybe constructed a different
set of morals, where the ends
555
00:48:19,640 --> 00:48:22,220
justify the means.
556
00:48:22,221 --> 00:48:29,039
While the public still holds
out hope for reforms,
557
00:48:29,040 --> 00:48:32,959
in reality, Bashar's regime
clamps down even harder
558
00:48:32,960 --> 00:48:35,780
than
it did under Hafez.
559
00:48:35,781 --> 00:48:43,879
More and more writers and political
activists are sent to prison,
560
00:48:43,880 --> 00:48:46,119
often without trial.
561
00:48:46,120 --> 00:48:51,950
Many facing torture
for criticising the regime.
562
00:48:51,951 --> 00:48:56,759
The man who keeps the Syrian people
in line is Bashar's brother,
563
00:48:56,760 --> 00:48:58,740
Maher.
564
00:49:02,200 --> 00:49:07,960
Maher is the third boy
after Bassel and Bashar.
565
00:49:08,831 --> 00:49:18,439
He's the one that was always
used to frighten people.
566
00:49:18,440 --> 00:49:24,090
The same as they were
using Rifaat, the uncle.
567
00:49:24,091 --> 00:49:31,399
They always have the second
man in the family,
568
00:49:31,400 --> 00:49:36,119
that is the one that
frightens the others.
569
00:49:36,120 --> 00:49:39,959
You are all good,
nice and we are open,
570
00:49:39,960 --> 00:49:43,279
we forgive anyone who do any harm
to us. But the problem
571
00:49:43,280 --> 00:49:46,479
is, that guy is the bad guy,
he will do something so bad,
572
00:49:46,480 --> 00:49:48,959
he will torture you and kill
you and kill all your family,
573
00:49:48,960 --> 00:49:51,900
destroy
all your village.
574
00:50:30,511 --> 00:50:43,399
In 2008, Maher's actions start
spilling out into the public arena.
575
00:50:43,400 --> 00:50:45,560
GUNSHOTS
576
00:50:50,880 --> 00:50:54,040
GUNSHOTS CONTINUE
577
00:50:54,091 --> 00:51:03,679
When prisoners protest
against torture, their revolt
578
00:51:03,680 --> 00:51:06,380
is brutally crushed.
579
00:51:09,400 --> 00:51:12,280
17
prisoners are killed.
580
00:51:12,281 --> 00:51:18,839
And then, footage emerges 00:51:21,720
Regiment
and civilians.
582
00:51:24,120 --> 00:51:30,190
It looks like the man 00:51:41,200
MUSIC: La Vie En Rose
by Edith Piaf
584
00:51:54,051 --> 00:52:02,759
With the Iraq war now
in its fifth year,
585
00:52:02,760 --> 00:52:08,830
French President Sarkozy now
invites them for talks.
586
00:52:08,831 --> 00:52:15,199
At that time, I felt 00:52:17,519
because if they want to talk
about the peace process,
588
00:52:17,520 --> 00:52:19,319
Syria is essential.
589
00:52:19,320 --> 00:52:22,559
If they want to talk
about fighting terrorism,
590
00:52:22,560 --> 00:52:24,999
Syria is essential.
591
00:52:25,000 --> 00:52:28,120
They
say it takes two to tango.
592
00:52:30,211 --> 00:52:41,039
At this point the Assads go
on a big publicity drive.
593
00:52:41,040 --> 00:52:44,559
They hire three PR firms,
commission portraits
594
00:52:44,560 --> 00:52:47,620
from
famous photographers...
595
00:52:47,621 --> 00:52:53,879
..and give access to a French
documentary team.
596
00:52:53,880 --> 00:52:57,159
Thank you.
Pleased to meet you.
597
00:52:57,160 --> 00:52:59,159
Did
we keep you waiting?
598
00:52:59,160 --> 00:53:01,799
No, it's all right.
599
00:53:01,800 --> 00:53:06,039
We don't like to keep
people waiting.
600
00:53:06,040 --> 00:53:08,599
You can turn your face,
I know it is dangerous,
601
00:53:08,600 --> 00:53:11,000
just to see you.
602
00:53:11,001 --> 00:53:14,159
And you drive alone?
603
00:53:14,160 --> 00:53:15,279
Most of the time.
604
00:53:15,280 --> 00:53:19,679
Whenever I go to the palace,
I only drive myself.
605
00:53:19,680 --> 00:53:21,199
But
it is very un-secure.
606
00:53:21,200 --> 00:53:24,759
No, no, no. Syria is a very secure
country, it is not bulletproof
607
00:53:24,760 --> 00:53:27,760
and
you can open the window.
608
00:53:27,761 --> 00:53:33,519
Especially when we drive, 00:53:36,079
about three hours driving,
this is the most enjoyable
610
00:53:36,080 --> 00:53:37,599
thing for me.
611
00:53:37,600 --> 00:53:43,479
I think what's incredible
is not how he drives,
612
00:53:43,480 --> 00:53:47,559
it's the fact that he can listen
to all of us in the car
613
00:53:47,560 --> 00:53:49,599
for three hours.
I listen to the music.
614
00:53:49,600 --> 00:53:52,919
So there are three kids, there's me,
music, and he can put up with
615
00:53:52,920 --> 00:53:55,719
that for three hours and he's still
smiling when we get there.
616
00:53:55,720 --> 00:53:59,080
That's
the most incredible thing.
617
00:54:02,160 --> 00:54:05,999
They are
great actors and actresses.
618
00:54:06,000 --> 00:54:08,759
So
when you go to Damascus,
619
00:54:08,760 --> 00:54:12,319
when you meet Bashar,
when you meet his family,
620
00:54:12,320 --> 00:54:16,199
you know that there is 00:54:18,520
For us.
622
00:54:21,881 --> 00:54:26,799
He has many faces.
623
00:54:26,800 --> 00:54:29,439
He
is a multi-faces man.
624
00:54:29,440 --> 00:54:33,359
He
looks gentle, open-minded,
625
00:54:33,360 --> 00:54:38,839
then
he is the tough politician,
626
00:54:38,840 --> 00:54:41,540
then
he is the killer.
627
00:54:44,171 --> 00:54:55,639
You can be reformative
and you can be conservatively
628
00:54:55,640 --> 00:54:59,719
reformative, because, as I just
told you, I am reformative,
629
00:54:59,720 --> 00:55:02,839
so
we are moving forward.
630
00:55:02,840 --> 00:55:04,799
Slowly, but surely.
631
00:55:04,800 --> 00:55:08,559
We have to be a stable country,
especially as the problems started
632
00:55:08,560 --> 00:55:10,759
after
I became president.
633
00:55:10,760 --> 00:55:14,999
He said, Christian,
why don't we go together
634
00:55:15,000 --> 00:55:16,879
to the opera?
635
00:55:16,880 --> 00:55:20,800
CHEERING
636
00:55:28,731 --> 00:55:37,239
Of course, all the people
invited to the opera
637
00:55:37,240 --> 00:55:40,180
were
supporters of Assad.
638
00:55:43,840 --> 00:55:46,960
So it
was a big mise-en-scene.
639
00:55:46,961 --> 00:55:52,399
Bashar was driving
the car and he said,
640
00:55:52,400 --> 00:55:55,599
"Look at that. No, I don't need
any security. Here we are free,
641
00:55:55,600 --> 00:55:59,479
"we move freely, we have
no problems."
642
00:55:59,480 --> 00:56:04,770
Security, you can see around.
Come on!
643
00:56:05,640 --> 00:56:08,760
They
have people everywhere.
644
00:56:08,761 --> 00:56:12,959
The third thing is something
about me, about the way I live
645
00:56:12,960 --> 00:56:16,199
as a politician, is the
transparency.
646
00:56:16,200 --> 00:56:19,559
Be as transparent as
you can with the people.
647
00:56:19,560 --> 00:56:21,119
This
is very important.
648
00:56:21,120 --> 00:56:23,159
Say,
"I did a mistake..."
649
00:56:23,160 --> 00:56:28,399
There is a division
between image and reality.
650
00:56:28,400 --> 00:56:31,919
Once you're fully signed up,
once you can maybe separate in
651
00:56:31,920 --> 00:56:35,519
your mind the horrors 00:56:38,319
them somewhere in your brain,
where you don't have to access them
653
00:56:38,320 --> 00:56:40,599
on a regular basis,
and convince yourself
654
00:56:40,600 --> 00:56:44,599
that you are part of a
different agenda,
655
00:56:44,600 --> 00:56:47,600
then
you'll live with that.
656
00:56:57,361 --> 00:57:00,199
OK.
657
00:57:00,200 --> 00:57:03,240
INAUDIBLE
658
00:57:10,240 --> 00:57:14,639
One
time, my children asked him,
659
00:57:14,640 --> 00:57:17,199
my
daughter asked him,
660
00:57:17,200 --> 00:57:19,720
"What do you do?"
661
00:57:20,800 --> 00:57:27,410
She was trying to understand -
what does it mean to be President?
662
00:57:27,411 --> 00:57:32,639
And so she asked him,
she said to him,
663
00:57:32,640 --> 00:57:34,999
"Papa,
what do you do?
664
00:57:35,000 --> 00:57:38,060
"We
know you go to the office.
665
00:57:40,720 --> 00:57:43,900
"And
we see you on TV sometimes.
666
00:57:45,440 --> 00:57:48,080
"What is it you do?"
667
00:57:50,600 --> 00:57:56,070
And he said to her,
"I try and help people."
668
00:58:08,161 --> 00:58:12,679
There
really was a sense
669
00:58:12,680 --> 00:58:15,980
that Assad
was going to step down.
670
00:58:27,960 --> 00:58:34,270
He was using the ghost of his father
as leverage to fight on.
671
00:58:39,160 --> 00:58:42,160
EXPLOSION
672
00:58:42,210 --> 00:58:46,760
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