Bashshar won't allow democracy

I never revealed this before.  But this well known Arab met with Bashshar a few years ago.  He talked to him about democratic elections in Syria.  Bashshar told him: it can happen but only years from now.  He said that if free elections are held now, the Ikhwan would win some 80% of the votes.  He said that he wants to build up the Ba`th Party first and then may allow elections.  Years later,  I can say that he has done a lousy job in rebuilding a dead and discredited political party.