Where is Hilmi Musa? That lousy Syrian regime

The progressive press in Lebanon, like As-Safir and Al-Akhbar, have not reported on the plight of Hilmi Musa: the Palestinian journalist who works at As-Safir. Hilmi spent years in Israeli jails as an activsit for the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. Hilmi is the editor of the Israeli section in As-Safir and translates from the Hebrew press for the paper. He is active in progressive causes in Lebanon. Hilmi is a good friend of my sister, Mirvat, and I met him a few times over the years in Joseph Samahah's office. Hilmi was giving a talk in Damascus a few days ago when he was escorted after the talk by Syrian mukhabarat men, and he has not been seen or heard from since. The Hariri media are of course running with the story and reporting that Azmi Bisharah flew to Damascus to inquire. Palestinian sources in Damascus are reporting that the accusations center on "espionage for Israel." As my sister told me this mornining: if the accusations against Hilmi are true, then one can't trust anybody anymore.