The initiative of Ma`adh Al-Khatib

It has been reported that the "initiative" of Ma`adh Al-Khatib in negotiating with the regime has been dictated to him by the US government.  Al-Khatib (who was a cowardly and obedient cleric in his years of service in Syria) is proving yet again his obedience.  He knows when to speak and when to shut up.  But it is quite something: they say that Bashshar has committed war crimes worse than Hitler and then a day later they express willingness to negotiate with him and even to grant him amnesty.  I always thought that the exile Iraqi opposition before 2003 was the worse specimen of an Arab opposition.  I was wrong.