Hanna Batatu and the Syrian regime

I know I am very defensive about Hanna Batatu but this account by former official of the Syrian regime regarding an article that Batatu wrote about the Syrian regime is not credible at all.  He has Batatu saying: "I wish my hand was paralyzed before I wrote this article".  Anyone who knew this great man would categorically affirm that this was not his style of speaking at all.  Furthermore, the fact that he erred about the wife of `Abdul-Halim Khaddam does not discredit his writings about Syria.  What does Mr. Jabbur want us to do exactly?  I have had numerous conversations with Batatu about the Syrian regime and he never once expressed regret about his categorical opposition to the Syrian regime.  He would often comment about the intelligence and shrewdness of Hafidh Al-Asad and then add: if only he was on the right track, or if only he is a good man.  Always.