During the first part of our journey we are part of a delegation of Italian volunteers who have collected and set up a humanitarian load for the population. As a thank you, before leaving Damascus, we are greeted by the president's wife: Asma al-Assad.
Obviously this was supposed to be an informal interview, not a press conference. He was then asked to leave any cell phones, cameras or recorders in the hotel. I, a journalist, was asked not to ask questions. When the first lady started speaking, I instinctively took out my notebook and started writing.
Here is the report of the meeting.
The Assad residence is not an armored fortress inaccessible in a secret location, it is a villa located in the city. What surprises you on arrival is the large number of buildings that surround it a few tens of meters away. At the entrance there are few armed guards. A busy road passes right in front of it.
The security device is not indifferent and the story of a Syrian who, during a clumsy turnaround right in front of the entrance, caused the number of rifles aimed at his head to increase tenfold in an instant and clearly shows that security is not not underestimated.
Entering the property we reach the base of a white circular staircase that leads from two sides to the front door. We are greeted by a cordial ceremonial officer who remembers leaving every device on the bus. Once we reach the top of the flight of stairs we enter.
On the left, as soon as you pass through the door, in a large entrance, we find a wonderful lady in her forties who welcomes us and shakes her hand to everyone. With elegance, he invites us to sit in a side room.
"Kill this as it looks like the hostess!" I begin to think as a doubt begins to make its way ... When, after a few minutes, Mrs. Assad enters the room where we have settled down, the uncertainty vanishes. It was her.
Asma al-Assad has cordial ways but after a few seconds of impeccable English, we remind you that "Italian semo". Ouday, one of our compatriots of Syrian-Lebanese origin, is again enrolled as an interpreter. Ouday is an energetic man who when he gets upset (in a couple of occasions I obviously haven't understood the words in Arabic but I perceived the verve) inspires fear. Hearing his Tuscan accent affected by an obvious emotion strikes me.
Mrs. al-Assad adapts and says that the violence and destruction we saw in cities like Maloula were perpetrated by Muslims. In the West it is also said that minorities in Syria are a goal. I am a Muslim but I do not use the veil. They are therefore one of the worst non-believers for terrorists. "Minority" is not therefore referred to a belief as one would like to pass. If we compare the world view, they are the absolute minority. It was centuries since they saw such forms of fundamentalism in Syria. You are now experiencing them also in Europe. È an ideological war that thrives in ignorance. The challenge is: how to help the new generation ideally and culturally? The youngest of my children attends the first grade. Half of his life he lived in war. He no longer remembers what simple actions like going to a restaurant or walking on a beach means. I'm talking about my son as an example of a whole generation. Think of the children growing up among the animals of Raqqa! They are our children whether the father serves in the army or is a terrorist. No one can blame any of the parents' responsibilities. We welcome a huge number of displaced people: women and children. My husband was very clear about this: we must protect them even though we know perfectly well where their men are (at the front to fight us, nda).
During these years I have met 8.000 families of martyrs ("fallen for the country", nda). Personally I sometimes feel ashamed in front of them, I think I haven't done enough. È it was the tenacity of the people to save us.
In spite of everything, we have excellent memories of Italy. As a Bashar university student he did not like to travel too long and he often came to your country. He rented a car and gradually turned it all over. In its heart, Italy still has a special place today!
(Photo: web)
