Date of Jamil al-Assad's departure for France, and whether he maintains influence over the maritime transport business in Latakia [SYR30258.E]

According to The Jerusalem Post, "Jamil (Assad( was reported to have been sent into exile on December 22 (1996(, accused of corruption" (10 Jan. 1997). The New York Times and The International Herald Tribune stated that Jemil al-Assad departed for Paris "late last month" (28 Jan. 1997; 29 Jan. 1997).

The New York Times added that "Jemil al-Assad, 64, who grew rich by extracting commissions on business activity in the northern cities of Tartous and Latakia, spawned so much resentment there that he has harmed the family's stature" (ibid.). The newspaper also indicated that President Assad came to see his brother Jamil "as a liability to the regime" (ibid.).

No information on whether Jamil al-Assad maintains influence over the maritime transportation business in Latakia could be found among the sources available to the Research Directorate.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

References


The Jerusalem Post. 10 January 1997. Steve Rodan, Jacob Dallal. "Who Bombed Damascus." (NEXIS)

The International Herald Tribune. 29 January 1997. Douglas Jehl. "New Riddles in Assad's Damascus; A Crackdown on Corruption or Maneuvering for the Succession?" (NEXIS)

The New York Times. 28 January 1997. Douglas Jehl. "Syrians Struggle to Decipher Assad Clan's Dirty Laundry." (NEXIS)

Sources Consulted


One oral source did not have information.

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Arab Law Quarterly [London]. 1993 - 1998. Quarterly.

Arab Studies Quarterly [Lake Forest, Ill.]. 1995 - 1998. Quarterly.

Dialogue [London]. October 1993 - 1998. Monthly.

Resource Centre Country Files: Syria.

Jane's Intelligence Review. Monthly. 1997-1998.

The Middle East [London]. November 1995 - 1998. Monthly.

Middle East International [London]. January 1995 - 1998. Bi-weekly.

Middle East Report [Washington]. September 1995 - 1997. Bi-monthly.

Monde Arabe Maghreb-Machrek [Paris]. January 1995 - 1998. Quarterly.

News From Middle East Watch [New York]. 1996 - 1998.

Pointer. a newsletter published by the Jane's Group, London.

Electronic sources: IRB database, Global Newsbank, LEXIS/NEXIS, Internet, REFWORLD, WNC.