''I'm One Hundred Percent on the Side of the Syrian Revolution'' The Syrian poet Adonis was recently accused by Syrian opposition circles of not distancing himself clearly enough from the Assad regime. Khaula Saleh talked to him on the subject Mr Adonis, your statements on the events in Syria have prompted a great deal of criticism. A poet of your standing certainly has to react to the way people feel in his society. Yet if he denies their intelligence that means disappointing their hopes. Might one say that is exactly what happened between you and the protesters in Syria? Adonis: My opposition stance to the existing regime in Syria did not come about through these protests – it stems from much longer ago. I've been in a constant struggle with the existing regime's dictatorship for about 50 years. That means I'm automatically against it, of course.