That's like saying Iraq was a tolerant paradise in the 1970s. Sure, but at the expense of a lot of repression, and when the repressive government inevitably falls or the people have enough the results aren't pretty.
He really means Society. Syrian society was reasonable open, liberal, irreligious, and tolerant of (non-political) minorities. Not as open as European societies, but more open than the Gulf or Iran. Political opponents were oppressed of course.
I do not know how Iraq was in 1970, but Syrian government survived several elections, 6 years of civil war and international sanctions. I guess this 'represive murdering regime' is better than 'islamist paradise' terrorists are pushing.