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AA AADP AALC ABDALLAH FETHI ABDULHADI ABDULRAHMEN ABER ABLD ABLDG ABLG ABMC ABT ABUD AC ACABQ ACAO ACBAQ ACCELERATED ACCOUNT ACDA ACEC ACKM ACOA ACOTA ACS ACTION ADANA ADB ADCO ADCP ADEL ADEP ADIP ADM ADMIRAL ADPM ADRC AE AEC AECL AEGR AEIR AEM AEMED AEMR AER AESC AF AFAF AL HOURANI AFARI AFDB AFDIN AFFAIRS AFGHAN AFGHANISTAN AFIN AFL AFLU AFOR AFR AFSA AFSI AFSN AFU AFZAL AG AGAO AGENCIES AGENDA AGENGA AGIT AGMT AGOA AGR AGRI AGRIC AGRICULTURE AGS AGUILAR AGUIRRE AHMED AI AIAG AID AIDAC AIDS AIEA AIHRC AIN AINF AINFCY AINR AINT AISG AIT AJ AK AL ALAB ALAMI ALANAZI ALBE ALEXANDER ALI ALIREZA ALJAZEERA ALL ALNEA ALOUNI ALOW ALOWAR ALVAREZ AM AMAT AMB AMBASSADOR AMCHAM AMCHAMS AMCT AME AMED AMEDI AMEMR AMER AMERICAS AMEX AMG AMGE AMGMT AMGT AMIA AMLB AMPR AMT AMTC AMTG AN ANARCHISTS ANC AND ANDREW LEE WATKINS ANET ANTITERRORISM ANTOINE GHONDA ANTONIO ANTXON AO AOCR AODE AOIC AOMS AOPR AORC AORD AOREC AORG AORL AOWC AP APCS APDC APEC APECO APER APR APRC APRM AQ AR ARAB ARABBL ARABL ARABLEAGUE ARAS ARC ARCH ARENA AREP ARF ARG ARM ARMITAGE ARMS ARNOLD FREDERICK MORRIS AROC ARR ARRMZY ARSO AS ASA ASAC ASC ASCC ASCE ASCEC ASCH ASE ASEAN ASEC ASECARP ASECE ASECM ASECSI ASECVE ASED ASEDC ASEG ASEK ASES ASEX ASFC ASIC ASIG ASIR ASJA ASO ASOC ASPA ASR ASSEMBLY ASSK ASSSEMBLY ASUP AT ATFN ATPDEA ATRA ATRD ATRN AU AU-1 AUC AUNR AUSGR AUSTRALIAGROUP AV AVERY AVIAN AVIANFLU AVIATION AW AX AY AZ AZE B. BA BAGHDAD BAIO BAKOYANNIS BALKANS BAPOL BARACK BASHAR BATA BAYS BB BBG BBSR BC BCW BCXP BD BE BEAN BELLVIEW BEN BERARDUCCI BESP BEXB BEXP BEXPC BEXPPLM BEXT BF BFIF BFIN BFIO BG BGD BGMT BH BHUM BI BIC BIDOON BIH BILAT BIMSTEC BINR BIO BIOS BIOTECH BIOTECHNOLOGY BIT BITO BK BL BLR BLUE BLUNT BM BMENA BMGT BMOT BN BNUC BO BOIKO BOL BOND BOQ BORDER BOSNIA BOU BOUCHAIB KAKA BOUTERSE BP BPIS BPTS BR BRIAN BRITNEY BRITNY BRPA BRUSSELS BS BSSR BT BTA BTC BTIO BTIU BTRA BTT BU BUD BULGARIA BURMA BURNS BUSH BUY AMERICA BV BW BWC BX BXEP BY BZ CA CAC CACM CACS CAFTA CAIO CAJC CAMBODIA CAN CAPC CARC CARE CARIB CARICOM CARSON CAS CASA CASC CASCC CASCR CASE CASTILLO CAVO CB CBC CBD CBE CBG CBIS CBM CBSA CBTH CBW CCSR CCY CD CDB CDC CDCC CDCE CDG CDI CE CEA CEC CEDAW CEN CENSUS CENTCOM CENTRIC CEUDA CF CFE CFED CFG CFIS CFSP CG CGEN CGOPRC CH CHAD CHALLENGE CHAO CHAVEZ CHELIDZE CHENEY CHERTOFF CHG CHIEF CHN CHR CHR-1 CHRISTIAN CHRISTOF CHRISTOPHER CI CIA CIAT CIC CICTE CIDA CIO CIP CIS CITEL CITES CITIBANK CITT CIVAIR CIVS CJ CJAN CJUS CK CKGR CKOR CL CLEARANCE CLINTON CLMT CLO CLOK CM CMAE CMFT CMGT CMP CMT CN CNAR CNARC CNC CNO CO CODEL COE COL COLIN COLLECTIVE COLOMBO COM COMESA COMMERCE CON CONAWAY CONDOLEEZZA CONDOLEEZZA RICE CONEAZ CONG CONGO CONGRINT CONS CONSULAR CONTROL CONTROLS CORRUPTION COSI COUNTER COUNTER TERRORISM COUNTERTERRORISM COUNTRY COUNTRYCLEARANCE CP CPA CPAS CPC CPCTC CPPT CPUOS CQ CR CRIM CRIME CRIMES CRISTINA CRM CROATIA CROS CRS CRUZ CS CSCE CSEP CSIS CSW CT CTBT CTER CTERR CTM CTR CTRYCLR CU CUCO CUIS CUL CUSTODIO CV CVIA CVIC CVIS CVISU CVPR CVR CW CWC CWCM CWG CX CY CYNTHIA CYP CYPRUSARMS CZ DA DAC DAFR DAN DANFUNG DANIEL DAO DARFR DARFUR DAVID DAVID LEE HOWES DAVID WELCH DAVID WILLIAM RAY DB DC DCDG DCG DCHA DCI DCM DCOM DCRM DE DEA DEAX DEFENSE DEFENSEREFORM DELTAVIOLENCE DEM DEMARCHE DEMARCHES DEMETRIOS DEMOCRATIC DENNIS DEOC DEPORTATION DEPT DEPT FOR DS COMMAND CENTER DESI DHA DHLAKAMA DHLS DHRF DHS DHSX DIEZ DIPLOMACY DISENGAGEMENT DJ DK DKEM DMIN DMINE DO DOC DOD DOE DOJ DOMC DOMESTIC DOMESTICPOLITICS DONALD RUMSFELD DOT DPAO DPKO DPM DPOL DPRK DR DRC DRIP DRL DS DSR DSS DTFN DTRA DTRO DU DUNCAN CAMERON DVC DY EAC EAD EADI EADM EAG EAGER EAGR EAI EAIC EAID EAIDB EAIDCIN EAIDEGZ EAIDMG EAIDNI EAIF EAIG EAIO EAIR EAIS EAIT EAOD EAP EAPC EAR EARI EASS EATO EAUD EAVI EB EBEXP EBRD EBUD EC ECA ECCP ECCT ECE ECHEVARRIA ECIN ECIP ECLAC ECN ECOIN ECOM ECON ECONCS ECONEGE ECONOMIC ECONOMICS ECONOMY ECONOMY AND FINANCE ECOR ECOS ECOSOC ECOWAS ECPC ECPN ECPO ECPS ECPSN ECRM ECTRD ECUN ED EDA EDEV EDRC EDU EDUARDO EDUC EE EEB EEC EENG EENV EEOC EET EETC EFI EFIC EFIM EFIN EFIS EFLU EFN EFND EFNI EFQ EFTA EG EGAD EGAR EGEN EGHG EGOV EGOVSY EH EI EIAD EIAID EIAR EIB EICN EID EIDE EIDN EIFN EIN EIND EINDIR EINF EING EINN EINO EINR EINT EINV EINZ EIPR EIQ EISL EISNLN EITC EITI EIVN EK EL ELA ELAB ELAD ELAINE ELAM ELAN ELAP ELB ELBA ELBR ELEC ELECTIONS ELF ELIN ELN ELND ELNT ELTD ELTM ELTN ELTRN EMAIL EMED EMI EMIN EMN EMS EMW EN END ENDURING ENEG ENER ENERG ENERGY ENFR ENG ENGR ENGRD ENGRG ENGY ENIV ENLT ENNP ENR ENRC ENRG ENRL ENTG ENV ENVI ENVIRONMENT ENVR ENVT EON EOXC EP EPA EPAT EPCS EPE EPEC EPECO EPET EPIN EPIT EPPD EPRT EPSC EPTE EPTED EPWR EQ EQRD ER ERA ERD EREL ERGR ERICKSON ERIN ERTD ES ESA ESCAP ESCI ESDP ESENV ESF ESLCO ESOC ESOCI ESPS ESS ESSO ESTH ESTN ESTRADA ET ETA ETAD ETC ETCC ETD ETDR ETEL ETER ETEX ETFN ETIC ETIO ETLN ETMIN ETR ETRA ETRAD ETRB ETRC ETRD ETRDECD ETRG ETRK ETRN ETRO ETRP ETT ETTC ETTD ETTF ETTN ETTR ETTRD ETTW ETZ EU EUC EUCOM EUE EUEAID EUFOR EUM EUMEM EUN EUR EUREM EURM EURN EV EVENTS EVN EWRG EWT EWTR EWWT EX EXBS EXEC EXIM EXO EXPORT EXTERNAL EZ FA FAA FAC FAGR FAO FARC FARM FAS FATAH FBI FCC FCS FCSC FCSCEG FCUL FDA FDIC FEDULOV FEMA FERNANDO FGM FI FIGUEROA FIN FINANCE FINE FINR FINREF FINV FIR FISO FJ FK FKFLO FKLU FLU FM FMC FMGT FMLN FMS FO FOI FOOKS FOR FORCE FORCES FOREIGN FORWHA FP FPC FR FRA FRANCIS FRANCISCO RODENAS RUIZ FRANCISCO VILLA URBALEJO FRAZER FRB FREDOM FREEDOM FRELIMO FRIED FRN FRU FSC FSI FT FTA FTAA FWS GA GAERC GAMES GANGS GAO GARCIA GASPAR GATES GATT GAZA GAZPROM GB GBSLE GC GCC GCCC GE GEF GEORGE GERARD GESKE GF GG GH GI GIPNC GIWI GJ GKGIC GL GLOBAL GM GN GO GOG GOI GOMEZ GON GOVPOI GPGOV GPI GPOI GPOV GR GREGG RENE WALTER GRQ GS GT GTIP GTMO GTREFTEL GU GUAM GUANTANAMO GUIDANCE GUILLERMO GUTIERREZ GV GWI GY GZ GZIS HA HAMID KARZAI HARRIET HARRY HAWZ HCOPIL HDP HE HEAVEN HEBRON HECTOR HELGERSON HERCEGOVINA HG HHS HI HIGHLIGHTS HIJAZI HILARY HILLARY HILLEN HIPC HIV HIZ HK HKSX HL HLSX HN HNCHR HO HOA HOSTAGES HPKO HR HRC HRCS HRICTY HRIGHTS HRKSTC HSI HSTC HSWG HT HTCG HTSC HU HUD HUM HUMAN HUMANITARIAN HUMANR HUMANRIGHTS HUMOR HUMRIT HUNRC HURI HURRICANE HYDE HYLAND HYMPSK HZ IA IACHR IACI IACO IACW IADB IAEA IAES IAHRC IAIE IAII IASA IATTC IAZ IBB IBD IBET IBPCA IBRB IBRD IC ICAC ICAO ICC ICCAT ICCROM ICES ICJ ICRC ICRS ICSCA ICTR ICTY ID IDA IDB IDLI IDLO IDP IDR IE IEA IEAB IEF IF IFAD IFC IFIN IFM IFO IFR IFRC IG IGAD IGF IHO IICA IINS IIP IK IL ILAB ILC ILEA ILO IMC IMET IMF IMMIGRATION IMO IMSO IMTS IN INAUGURATION INCB IND INDO INF INFLUENZA INL INMARSAT INNP INPFC INR INRA INRB INRD INRO INRPAZ INS INSC INT INTEL INTELLECTUAL INTELSAT INTERNAL INTERPOL INV INVI IO IOC IOM IP IPET IPGRI IPK IPPC IPR IPROP IQ IQNV IR IRAN IRAQ IRAQI IRAQI FREEDOM IRC IRCE IRDB IRE IRL IRLE IRM IRMO IRNB IRPE IRQEGION IRS IS ISA ISAAC ISAF ISCA ISCON ISLAMISTS ISLE ISN ISNV ISO ISPA ISPL ISRAEL ISRAEL RELATIONS ISRAELI ISRAELI PALESTINIAN AFFAIRS ISSUES ISTC IT ITA ITALIAN ITALY ITECIP ITEIND ITELTN ITER ITF ITIA ITRA ITRD ITU IUCN IV IVIANNA IWC IWI IX IZ IZAORC JA JABER JAM JAMES JAPAN JAT JAWAD JCIC JE JEAN-PIERRE BEMBA JEFFERY JEFFREY JENDAYI JHR JI JIMENEZ JIMENEZ CHILDREN JK JKUS JM JN JO JOHANNS JOHN JOHN BOEHNER JOHNNIE JONATHAN CHAMAN JOSE ANGEL ALZUGUREN PERURENA JOSE NEY MILA ESPINOSA JOSE RAMOS HORTA JOSEPH BIDEN JP JS JSRP JUAN JULIAN RENE KIRCHOFF JUS JY KA KACP KACT KACW KADM KAID KALM KALR KANSOU KAPO KARIM WADE KATRINA KAUST KAWC KAWK KAWL KAWS KAWX KAYLA KBCT KBDS KBEM KBIO KBNC KBTC KBTR KBTS KBWG KCCP KCEM KCERS KCFC KCFE KCGC KCHG KCIP KCIS KCM KCMA KCMR KCOG KCOM KCOR KCPS KCRCM KCRI KCRIM KCRM KCRN KCRO KCROM KCROR KCRP KCRS KCRT KCSA KCSI KCSY KCUL KCUM KCVM KCWI KDCM KDDEM KDDG KDE KDEM KDEN KDET KDEV KDGOV KDGR KDHS KDM KDMR KDP KDRG KDRL KDTB KDUM KE KEAI KEANE KEBG KECF KEDEM KEDM KEDU KEIM KEM KEMPI KEMR KEMS KEN KENV KERF KERG KESO KESP KESS KEVIN KFAM KFCE KFE KFEM KFGM KFIN KFIU KFLD KFLO KFLU KFOR KFPC KFRD KFRP KFSC KFTFN KFTN KG KGCC KGCN KGHA KGHG KGIC KGICKS KGIT KGIV KGKG KGLB KGOR KGOV KH KHDP KHGH KHIB KHIV KHJUS KHLS KHMN KHOURY KHPD KHSA KHSL KHUM KI KIBL KICA KICC KICCPUR KICR KICT KID KIDE KIF KIFR KIIC KIIP KIL KILS KIMMITT KIMT KIND KINF KINL KINP KINR KINT KIPR KIPT KIRC KIRD KIRF KIRL KIRP KIS KISC KISK KISL KISM KISR KITA KIVP KIVR KJAN KJRE KJU KJUS KJUST KJWC KK KKIV KKNP KKOR KKPO KLAB KLAP KLBO KLEG KLFLO KLFU KLHS KLIG KLIP KLPM KLSO KLTN KM KMAC KMAR KMCA KMCC KMCR KMDR KMEPI KMFO KMGT KMIG KMNP KMOC KMPF KMPI KMPIO KMPL KMPP KMPT KMRD KMRS KMSG KMVP KMWN KN KNAO KNAP KNAR KNDP KNEI KNEP KNET KNMP KNN KNNA KNNB KNNC KNNF KNNO KNNP KNNR KNOP KNP KNPP KNPPIS KNPR KNPT KNRG KNRV KNSD KNUC KNUP KO KOC KOCI KOCM KOEM KOGL KOLY KOM KOMC KOMCCO KOMCSG KOMH KOMO KOMS KOR KOSOVO KOUYATE KPA KPAD KPAI KPAK KPAL KPALAOIS KPAM KPAO KPAS KPBT KPDD KPEM KPEO KPER KPET KPIN KPIR KPKO KPKP KPLS KPMI KPMO KPO KPOA KPOKO KPOL KPOP KPOV KPOW KPPAO KPPD KPRD KPRM KPRO KPROG KPRP KPRV KPSC KPTD KPTS KPWG KPWR KQ KQM KQRDQ KR KRAD KRAL KRCIM KRCM KRCS KRD KRDP KREC KREF KREISLER KREL KRF KRFD KRFR KRG KRGY KRIC KRIF KRIM KRKO KRM KRMS KRV KRVC KS KSA KSAC KSAF KSCA KSCI KSCS KSCT KSEAO KSEC KSEI KSEO KSEP KSI KSIA KSKN KSLG KSMT KSOC KSOCI KSPA KSPR KSRE KSTC KSTCC KSTCPL KSTH KSTS KSTT KSUM KSUP KT KTAO KTBD KTBT KTCRE KTDB KTDD KTDM KTER KTEX KTFIN KTFM KTFN KTFR KTFS KTIA KTIP KTLA KTNBT KTNF KTPN KTRD KTRF KTSC KTSD KTTB KTTC KTTP KU KUAE KUIR KUM KUNA KUNC KUNH KUNP KUNR KUS KUWAIT KV KVBL KVIP KVIR KVIS KVPR KVRC KVRP KW KWAC KWAK KWAWC KWBC KWBG KWBW KWCI KWCR KWGB KWHG KWIC KWIM KWIR KWKN KWM KWMJN KWMM KWMN KWN KWNM KWNN KWOMN KWPA KWPB KWPG KWPR KWRC KWRF KWRG KWUN KWWT KWWW KX KY KZ LA LAB LABOR LANSANA LANTERN LARREA LARS LAS LAURA LAVIN LAW LB LBAR LBY LE LEAGUE LEB LEBIK LEGAT LEGATT LEIS LEON LEVINE LEW LG LGAT LH LI LIB LICC LIMA LINE LK LMS LN LO LOG LOPEZ LORAN LOTT LOVE LR LS LT LTG LTTE LU LV LVPR LY LZ MA MAAR MACEDONIA MACP MANUEL MANUEL SERGIO GONZALEZ MAP MAPP MAPS MAR MARAD MARANTIS MARIA MARIE MARINO MARITIME MARK MARQUEZ MARR MARS MARTIN MARV MAS MASC MASS MATT MAYA MB MBM MC MCA MCAP MCAPARR MCAPN MCAPP MCAPS MCAT MCC MCCAIN MCCONNELL MCCP MCGRAW MCRM MCTRE MD MDA MDC MDO ME MEA MED MEDIA MEETINGS MENDIETA MEP MEPI MEPN MEPP MERCOSUR MESUR MEX MF MFA MFO MG MGL MGMT MGOV MGT MGTA MH MHUC MI MIAH MIC MICHAEL MICHEL MIGUEL FELIPE CANAHUATI YACAMAN MIGUEL VARGAS MALDONADO MIK MIKE MIL MILI MILITANTS MILITARY MILLENNIUM MINURSO MINUSTAH MITCHELL MJ MK ML MLS MMAR MMED MN MNLF MNNC MNNUC MNU MNUC MNUCH MNUCWA MNUM MNUN MNUR MNUS MNVC MO MOHAMAD MOHAMED HESHAM ELDIN YOUSSEF MOHAMMAD MOLINA MONTENEGRO MONUC MONY MOOPS MOP MOPP MOPPS MOPS MORALES MORG MOROCCO MORS MOS MOTO MOTT MP MPOL MPOS MPP MPS MQADHAFI MR MRCRE MRRR MRS MRSEC MS MSG MSIG MT MTAA MTAG MTCAE MTCR MTCRA MTCRE MTRCE MTRE MTRRE MTS MU MUC MUCN MUKASEY MULLEN MUNC MURAD MURRAY MV MW MX MY MZ NA NAC NACB NADIA NAFTA NAM NAMSA NANCY NAR NARC NARCOTICS NARR NAS NASA NAT NATEU NATGAS NATIONAL NATO NATOAFGHAN NATOBALKANS NATOIRAQ NATOOPS NATOPOLICY NATSIOS NAVO NB NBTS NBU NC NCCC NCD NCT NCTC NDI NDP NE NEA NEC NEGROPONTE NEI NELSON NEPAD NERG NET NEW NFATC NFMS NFSO NG NGO NGUYEN NH NI NICHOLAS NICOLE NIH NIPP NK NKWG NL NLD NLIAEA NLO NMFS NMNUC NMUC NNPT NO NOAA NOI NOK NON NONE NORAD NOTAG NOVO NP NPA NPG NPT NR NRC NRG NRR NRRC NS NSC NSF NSFO NSG NSSP NT NTDB NTSB NTTC NU NUC NUIN NV NW NZ NZUS OA OAO OARC OAS OASC OASCC OASS OAU OBAMA OBS OBSP OCBD OCEA OCED OCHA OCII OCRA OCS OCSE ODAG ODC ODIP ODPC OECD OECS OECV OES OESC OEXC OEXP OF OFDA OFDC OFDP OFDPQIS OFFICIALS OFPD OFSO OGAC OGIV OHCHR OHI OHIP OI OIC OICCO OIE OIF OIG OIIP OIL OIM OLY OLYAIR OLYMPICS OM OMAR OMB OMIG OMS ON ONA OPAD OPBAT OPC OPCD OPCR OPCW OPDAT OPDC OPDP OPEC OPET OPIC OPID OPOC OPPC OPRC OPREC OPREP OPS OPSC OPVIP ORA ORC ORCA ORECD ORED OREG OREP ORGANIZED ORP ORTA ORUE OSAC OSCE OSCI OSD OSEC OSHA OSIC OSTA OSTRA OTA OTAR OTHER OTHERSASNEEDED OTP OTR OTRA OTRABL OTRAO OTRAZ OTRC OTRD OUALI OVIP OVP OXEC OXEM OZ PA PAARM PAC PACE PAGE PAGR PAHO PAIGH PAK PAL PALESTINIAN PAMQ PAN PANAM PAO PAR PARALYMPIC PARCA PAREL PARK PARLIAMENT PARM PARMS PARN PARP PARR PARTIES PARTM PARTY PAS PASS PATRICK WARREN MAHURIN PATTY PAUL PAUM PB PBGT PBIO PBK PBOV PBPTS PBS PBST PBT PBTS PCI PCON PCOR PCRM PCUL PD PDA PDD PDEM PDIP PDOV PDRG PE PEACE PEACEKEEPINGFORCES PEDRO PEL PELOSI PEMEX PENA PENV PEPFAR PEPR PER PEREZ PERL PERM PERSONS PET PETER PETERS PETR PETRAEUS PETROL PF PFIN PFLP PFOR PFOV PG PGGOC PGIC PGIV PGKV PGO PGOC PGOF PGOG PGON PGOR PGOT PGOV PGOVE PGOVQL PGPV PGREL PGREV PGV PH PHALANAGE PHARM PHAS PHEM PHIM PHM PHSA PHU PHUH PHUM PHUMHUPPS PHUN PHUS PHYTRP PI PIA PICES PIF PIN PINB PIND PINER PINF PING PINL PINO PINOCHET PINR PINS PINT PINV PIR PIRF PIRN PJUS PK PKAO PKBL PKFK PKISL PKK PKMN PKNP PKO PKPA PKPAL PKPO PKPRP PKST PL PLAB PLAN PLEC PLN PLO PLUM PM PMAR PMAT PMDL PMIG PMIL PMIN PMR PMUC PN PNAT PNET PNG PNIR PNNL PNR PNRG PNS PNUC PNUK PNUM PO PODC POG POGV POINS POL POLG POLI POLICY POLINT POLITICAL POLITICS POLM POLMIL POLS POLUN POREL PORG POSTS POTUS POUS POV POWELL PP PPA PPAO PPD PPEF PPEL PPKO PPOL PQL PQM PRC PRE PREC PRED PREF PREG PREJ PREK PREL PRELEVU PRELM PRELPLS PRELTBIOBA PREM PREO PREP PRER PRES PRESIDENT PRESL PREV PREZ PRF PRFE PRFL PRGO PRGOV PRIL PRIVATIZATION PRL PRLE PRM PRO PROB PROCESS PROG PROL PROLIFERATION PROP PROPERTY PROTECTION PROTESTS PROV PROVE PRT PRTER PRWL PS PSA PSCE PSEC PSEPC PSHA PSI PSNR PSO PSOC PSOCI PSOE PT PTBS PTE PTEL PTEP PTER PTGOV PTIA PTR PTRD PU PUAS PUBLIC PUNE PUNR PUOS PV PVIP PVOV PVPR PVTS PWBG PWMN PY QA QADRI QEL QI QIZ QM QT QU QUAN QUOC RA RAED RAFAEL RAID RAMON RAMONTEIJELO RAS RATIFICATION RAY GUEVARA MILTON RBI RCA RCMP RE REA REACTION REALTIONS RECIN REF REFORM REFPAN REFUGEE REFUGEES REGION REGIONAL REID REIN REINEMEYER REL RELAM RELATIONS RELFREE RELIGIOUS REMON RENAMO RENE PREVAL REO REPORT REUBEN RF RFE RFIN RFREEDOM RGOV RGY RHUM RI RICE RICHARD RIGHTS RIGHTSPOLMIL RIMC RIVERA RL RLA RM RMA RO ROBERT ROBERT JOSEPH RODHAM RODRIGUEZ ROK ROME ROOD ROSS ROW ROY RP RPEL RPTS RQ RR RRB RREL RS RSO RSOX RSP RSZ RTT RU RUEHZO RV RW RWANDA SA SAAD SAARC SABAH SACU SADC SAFE SAIR SAIS SALOPEK SAMA SAN SANC SANR SAO SARB SARGSIAN SARS SASC SASEC SASIAIN SB SBA SC SCA SCCC SCE SCENESETTER SCHUL SCI SCIENCE SCNV SCOI SCOL SCOM SCPR SCRM SCRS SCRSERD SCUL SCVL SD SE SEC SECDEF SECI SECRET SECRETARY SECSTATE SECTOR SECURITY SEMAAN GABY EID SEN SENC SENG SENS SENU SENV SENVQGR SENVSPL SENVSXE SEP SERBIA SERZH SETTLEMENTS SEVN SEXP SF SFNV SG SGNV SGWI SH SHANNON SHI SHUM SI SILVASANDE SIMS SIPDI SIPDIS SIPR SIPRNET SIPRS SIUK SK SKCA SKEP SKI SKSAF SL SLM SLOVAK SM SMAR SMI SMIG SMIL SMIT SMITH SMRT SN SNA SNAP SNAR SNUC SO SOC SOCI SOCIA SOCIETY SOCIO SOCIS SOCISZX SOCR SOCY SOE SOFA SOI SOIC SOLI SOLIC SOM SOMALIA SOPN SORT SOSI SOVIET SOWGC SP SPAS SPC SPCE SPCVIS SPECI SPECIALIST SPILL SPP SPSTATE SR SREF SRIT SRS SRYI SSA SSH ST STAG START STATE STC STEINBERG STEPHEN HADLEY STET STP STR STUDENT SU SUCCESSION SUFFRAGE SULLIVAN SUMMIT SUR SUSAN SV SW SWHO SWMN SX SXG SY SYAI SYMBOL SYR SYRIA SYSI SYTH SZ TA TAGS TALAL TAUSCHER TAX TB TBI TBID TBIO TBIOZK TBKIO TBO TC TCOR TCSENV TD TDA TE TECH TECHNOLOGY TER TERAA TERFIN TERR TERROR TERRORISM TF TFIN TG TGRY TH THANH THE THERESE THIRDTERM THKSJA THOMAS THOMAS THOMMA THPY TI TIA TIBO TIFA TINT TIO TIP TITI TIUZ TJ TK TL TM TN TNDG TNGD TO TOPEC TORRIJOS TOURISM TP TPHY TPKO TPP TPSA TPSL TR TRAD TRADE TRAFFICKING TRBIO TRBY TRD TREAS TREASURY TREATY TREL TRG TRGV TRGY TRIO TRSY TRT TRV TRY TRYG TRYS TS TSA TSLP TSPA TSPL TSRL TSRY TSY TT TTFN TU TURKEY TV TVBIO TW TWRO TX TY TZ TZBY UA UAE UAID UAM UB UDEM UE UEU UG UGA UK UKR UKRAINE UM UMIK UN UNA UNAF UNAIDS UNAMA UNAMSIL UNAORC UNAUS UNBRO UNC UNCC UNCDF UNCDN UNCHC UNCHR UNCHS UNCITRAL UNCND UNCOPUOS UNCRED UNCRIME UNCSD UNCSW UNCTAD UNDC UNDEF UNDOF UNDP UNECE UNEF UNEP UNESCO UNFA UNFC UNFCYP UNFF UNFICYP UNFIYCP UNFPA UNGA UNGAPL UNGO UNHCR UNHRC UNICEF UNIDCP UNIDO UNIDROIT UNIFEM UNIFIL UNION UNKIK UNM UNMEE UNMIC UNMIK UNMIKI UNMIKV UNMIL UNMIN UNMOVIC UNO UNODC UNOMIG UNOPS UNP UNPAR UNPUOS UNRCCA UNRCR UNREST UNRWA UNSC UNSCAPU UNSCD UNSCE UNSCER UNSCR UNSCS UNSD UNSE UNTAC UNTERR UNTZ UNUS UNVIE UNYI UP UPU UPUO UR US USAID USAU USCC USCG USDA USDELFESTTWO USEU USG USGS USMS USNC USOAS USOP USPS USPTO USSC USTA USTDA USTR USTRD USTRIT USTRPS USTRUWR USUN UUNR UV UX UY UZ VA VANESSA VANG VAT VC VE VELS VEN VENZ VETTING VI VINICIO VIP VIS VISAS VISIT VM VN VO VOA VT VTEG VTFR VTIS VTPREL VTTBIO VTWCAR VXY VY VZ WA WAEMU WAKI WAR WARD WB WBEG WBG WCAR WCI WCL WCO WE WEBG WEBZ WEET WEF WEOG WET WEU WFA WFP WFPAORC WFPO WGC WGG WHA WHITMER WHO WHTI WI WILCOX WILLIAM WIPO WIR WITH WJRO WM WMD WMDT WMN WMO WOMEN WPO WRTO WS WSIS WTO WTRD WTRO WTRQ WW WWARD WWBG WWT WZ XA XAAF XB XC XD XE XF XFNEA XG XH XI XJ XK XL XLUM XM XO XP XQ XR XS XT XTAG XU XV XW XX XXX XY XZ YE YEH YI YL YM YMCS YS YU YURIY ZA ZANU ZB ZC ZCTU ZEALAND ZF ZFR ZH ZI ZIM ZJ ZK ZKGM ZL ZM ZN ZO ZOELLICK ZP ZR ZS ZT ZU ZW ZXA
AA AADP AALC ABDALLAH FETHI ABDULHADI ABDULRAHMEN ABER ABLD ABLDG ABLG ABMC ABT ABUD AC ACABQ ACAO ACBAQ ACCELERATED ACCOUNT ACDA ACEC ACKM ACOA ACOTA ACS ACTION ADANA ADB ADCO ADCP ADEL ADEP ADIP ADM ADMIRAL ADPM ADRC AE AEC AECL AEGR AEIR AEM AEMED AEMR AER AESC AF AFAF AL HOURANI AFARI AFDB AFDIN AFFAIRS AFGHAN AFGHANISTAN AFIN AFL AFLU AFOR AFR AFSA AFSI AFSN AFU AFZAL AG AGAO AGENCIES AGENDA AGENGA AGIT AGMT AGOA AGR AGRI AGRIC AGRICULTURE AGS AGUILAR AGUIRRE AHMED AI AIAG AID AIDAC AIDS AIEA AIHRC AIN AINF AINFCY AINR AINT AISG AIT AJ AK AL ALAB ALAMI ALANAZI ALBE ALEXANDER ALI ALIREZA ALJAZEERA ALL ALNEA ALOUNI ALOW ALOWAR ALVAREZ AM AMAT AMB AMBASSADOR AMCHAM AMCHAMS AMCT AME AMED AMEDI AMEMR AMER AMERICAS AMEX AMG AMGE AMGMT AMGT AMIA AMLB AMPR AMT AMTC AMTG AN ANARCHISTS ANC AND ANDREW LEE WATKINS ANET ANTITERRORISM ANTOINE GHONDA ANTONIO ANTXON AO AOCR AODE AOIC AOMS AOPR AORC AORD AOREC AORG AORL AOWC AP APCS APDC APEC APECO APER APR APRC APRM AQ AR ARAB ARABBL ARABL ARABLEAGUE ARAS ARC ARCH ARENA AREP ARF ARG ARM ARMITAGE ARMS ARNOLD FREDERICK MORRIS AROC ARR ARRMZY ARSO AS ASA ASAC ASC ASCC ASCE ASCEC ASCH ASE ASEAN ASEC ASECARP ASECE ASECM ASECSI ASECVE ASED ASEDC ASEG ASEK ASES ASEX ASFC ASIC ASIG ASIR ASJA ASO ASOC ASPA ASR ASSEMBLY ASSK ASSSEMBLY ASUP AT ATFN ATPDEA ATRA ATRD ATRN AU AU-1 AUC AUNR AUSGR AUSTRALIAGROUP AV AVERY AVIAN AVIANFLU AVIATION AW AX AY AZ AZE B. BA BAGHDAD BAIO BAKOYANNIS BALKANS BAPOL BARACK BASHAR BATA BAYS BB BBG BBSR BC BCW BCXP BD BE BEAN BELLVIEW BEN BERARDUCCI BESP BEXB BEXP BEXPC BEXPPLM BEXT BF BFIF BFIN BFIO BG BGD BGMT BH BHUM BI BIC BIDOON BIH BILAT BIMSTEC BINR BIO BIOS BIOTECH BIOTECHNOLOGY BIT BITO BK BL BLR BLUE BLUNT BM BMENA BMGT BMOT BN BNUC BO BOIKO BOL BOND BOQ BORDER BOSNIA BOU BOUCHAIB KAKA BOUTERSE BP BPIS BPTS BR BRIAN BRITNEY BRITNY BRPA BRUSSELS BS BSSR BT BTA BTC BTIO BTIU BTRA BTT BU BUD BULGARIA BURMA BURNS BUSH BUY AMERICA BV BW BWC BX BXEP BY BZ CA CAC CACM CACS CAFTA CAIO CAJC CAMBODIA CAN CAPC CARC CARE CARIB CARICOM CARSON CAS CASA CASC CASCC CASCR CASE CASTILLO CAVO CB CBC CBD CBE CBG CBIS CBM CBSA CBTH CBW CCSR CCY CD CDB CDC CDCC CDCE CDG CDI CE CEA CEC CEDAW CEN CENSUS CENTCOM CENTRIC CEUDA CF CFE CFED CFG CFIS CFSP CG CGEN CGOPRC CH CHAD CHALLENGE CHAO CHAVEZ CHELIDZE CHENEY CHERTOFF CHG CHIEF CHN CHR CHR-1 CHRISTIAN CHRISTOF CHRISTOPHER CI CIA CIAT CIC CICTE CIDA CIO CIP CIS CITEL CITES CITIBANK CITT CIVAIR CIVS CJ CJAN CJUS CK CKGR CKOR CL CLEARANCE CLINTON CLMT CLO CLOK CM CMAE CMFT CMGT CMP CMT CN CNAR CNARC CNC CNO CO CODEL COE COL COLIN COLLECTIVE COLOMBO COM COMESA COMMERCE CON CONAWAY CONDOLEEZZA CONDOLEEZZA RICE CONEAZ CONG CONGO CONGRINT CONS CONSULAR CONTROL CONTROLS CORRUPTION COSI COUNTER COUNTER TERRORISM COUNTERTERRORISM COUNTRY COUNTRYCLEARANCE CP CPA CPAS CPC CPCTC CPPT CPUOS CQ CR CRIM CRIME CRIMES CRISTINA CRM CROATIA CROS CRS CRUZ CS CSCE CSEP CSIS CSW CT CTBT CTER CTERR CTM CTR CTRYCLR CU CUCO CUIS CUL CUSTODIO CV CVIA CVIC CVIS CVISU CVPR CVR CW CWC CWCM CWG CX CY CYNTHIA CYP CYPRUSARMS CZ DA DAC DAFR DAN DANFUNG DANIEL DAO DARFR DARFUR DAVID DAVID LEE HOWES DAVID WELCH DAVID WILLIAM RAY DB DC DCDG DCG DCHA DCI DCM DCOM DCRM DE DEA DEAX DEFENSE DEFENSEREFORM DELTAVIOLENCE DEM DEMARCHE DEMARCHES DEMETRIOS DEMOCRATIC DENNIS DEOC DEPORTATION DEPT DEPT FOR DS COMMAND CENTER DESI DHA DHLAKAMA DHLS DHRF DHS DHSX DIEZ DIPLOMACY DISENGAGEMENT DJ DK DKEM DMIN DMINE DO DOC DOD DOE DOJ DOMC DOMESTIC DOMESTICPOLITICS DONALD RUMSFELD DOT DPAO DPKO DPM DPOL DPRK DR DRC DRIP DRL DS DSR DSS DTFN DTRA DTRO DU DUNCAN CAMERON DVC DY EAC EAD EADI EADM EAG EAGER EAGR EAI EAIC EAID EAIDB EAIDCIN EAIDEGZ EAIDMG EAIDNI EAIF EAIG EAIO EAIR EAIS EAIT EAOD EAP EAPC EAR EARI EASS EATO EAUD EAVI EB EBEXP EBRD EBUD EC ECA ECCP ECCT ECE ECHEVARRIA ECIN ECIP ECLAC ECN ECOIN ECOM ECON ECONCS ECONEGE ECONOMIC ECONOMICS ECONOMY ECONOMY AND FINANCE ECOR ECOS ECOSOC ECOWAS ECPC ECPN ECPO ECPS ECPSN ECRM ECTRD ECUN ED EDA EDEV EDRC EDU EDUARDO EDUC EE EEB EEC EENG EENV EEOC EET EETC EFI EFIC EFIM EFIN EFIS EFLU EFN EFND EFNI EFQ EFTA EG EGAD EGAR EGEN EGHG EGOV EGOVSY EH EI EIAD EIAID EIAR EIB EICN EID EIDE EIDN EIFN EIN EIND EINDIR EINF EING EINN EINO EINR EINT EINV EINZ EIPR EIQ EISL EISNLN EITC EITI EIVN EK EL ELA ELAB ELAD ELAINE ELAM ELAN ELAP ELB ELBA ELBR ELEC ELECTIONS ELF ELIN ELN ELND ELNT ELTD ELTM ELTN ELTRN EMAIL EMED EMI EMIN EMN EMS EMW EN END ENDURING ENEG ENER ENERG ENERGY ENFR ENG ENGR ENGRD ENGRG ENGY ENIV ENLT ENNP ENR ENRC ENRG ENRL ENTG ENV ENVI ENVIRONMENT ENVR ENVT EON EOXC EP EPA EPAT EPCS EPE EPEC EPECO EPET EPIN EPIT EPPD EPRT EPSC EPTE EPTED EPWR EQ EQRD ER ERA ERD EREL ERGR ERICKSON ERIN ERTD ES ESA ESCAP ESCI ESDP ESENV ESF ESLCO ESOC ESOCI ESPS ESS ESSO ESTH ESTN ESTRADA ET ETA ETAD ETC ETCC ETD ETDR ETEL ETER ETEX ETFN ETIC ETIO ETLN ETMIN ETR ETRA ETRAD ETRB ETRC ETRD ETRDECD ETRG ETRK ETRN ETRO ETRP ETT ETTC ETTD ETTF ETTN ETTR ETTRD ETTW ETZ EU EUC EUCOM EUE EUEAID EUFOR EUM EUMEM EUN EUR EUREM EURM EURN EV EVENTS EVN EWRG EWT EWTR EWWT EX EXBS EXEC EXIM EXO EXPORT EXTERNAL EZ FA FAA FAC FAGR FAO FARC FARM FAS FATAH FBI FCC FCS FCSC FCSCEG FCUL FDA FDIC FEDULOV FEMA FERNANDO FGM FI FIGUEROA FIN FINANCE FINE FINR FINREF FINV FIR FISO FJ FK FKFLO FKLU FLU FM FMC FMGT FMLN FMS FO FOI FOOKS FOR FORCE FORCES FOREIGN FORWHA FP FPC FR FRA FRANCIS FRANCISCO RODENAS RUIZ FRANCISCO VILLA URBALEJO FRAZER FRB FREDOM FREEDOM FRELIMO FRIED FRN FRU FSC FSI FT FTA FTAA FWS GA GAERC GAMES GANGS GAO GARCIA GASPAR GATES GATT GAZA GAZPROM GB GBSLE GC GCC GCCC GE GEF GEORGE GERARD GESKE GF GG GH GI GIPNC GIWI GJ GKGIC GL GLOBAL GM GN GO GOG GOI GOMEZ GON GOVPOI GPGOV GPI GPOI GPOV GR GREGG RENE WALTER GRQ GS GT GTIP GTMO GTREFTEL GU GUAM GUANTANAMO GUIDANCE GUILLERMO GUTIERREZ GV GWI GY GZ GZIS HA HAMID KARZAI HARRIET HARRY HAWZ HCOPIL HDP HE HEAVEN HEBRON HECTOR HELGERSON HERCEGOVINA HG HHS HI HIGHLIGHTS HIJAZI HILARY HILLARY HILLEN HIPC HIV HIZ HK HKSX HL HLSX HN HNCHR HO HOA HOSTAGES HPKO HR HRC HRCS HRICTY HRIGHTS HRKSTC HSI HSTC HSWG HT HTCG HTSC HU HUD HUM HUMAN HUMANITARIAN HUMANR HUMANRIGHTS HUMOR HUMRIT HUNRC HURI HURRICANE HYDE HYLAND HYMPSK HZ IA IACHR IACI IACO IACW IADB IAEA IAES IAHRC IAIE IAII IASA IATTC IAZ IBB IBD IBET IBPCA IBRB IBRD IC ICAC ICAO ICC ICCAT ICCROM ICES ICJ ICRC ICRS ICSCA ICTR ICTY ID IDA IDB IDLI IDLO IDP IDR IE IEA IEAB IEF IF IFAD IFC IFIN IFM IFO IFR IFRC IG IGAD IGF IHO IICA IINS IIP IK IL ILAB ILC ILEA ILO IMC IMET IMF IMMIGRATION IMO IMSO IMTS IN INAUGURATION INCB IND INDO INF INFLUENZA INL INMARSAT INNP INPFC INR INRA INRB INRD INRO INRPAZ INS INSC INT INTEL INTELLECTUAL INTELSAT INTERNAL INTERPOL INV INVI IO IOC IOM IP IPET IPGRI IPK IPPC IPR IPROP IQ IQNV IR IRAN IRAQ IRAQI IRAQI FREEDOM IRC IRCE IRDB IRE IRL IRLE IRM IRMO IRNB IRPE IRQEGION IRS IS ISA ISAAC ISAF ISCA ISCON ISLAMISTS ISLE ISN ISNV ISO ISPA ISPL ISRAEL ISRAEL RELATIONS ISRAELI ISRAELI PALESTINIAN AFFAIRS ISSUES ISTC IT ITA ITALIAN ITALY ITECIP ITEIND ITELTN ITER ITF ITIA ITRA ITRD ITU IUCN IV IVIANNA IWC IWI IX IZ IZAORC JA JABER JAM JAMES JAPAN JAT JAWAD JCIC JE JEAN-PIERRE BEMBA JEFFERY JEFFREY JENDAYI JHR JI JIMENEZ JIMENEZ CHILDREN JK JKUS JM JN JO JOHANNS JOHN JOHN BOEHNER JOHNNIE JONATHAN CHAMAN JOSE ANGEL ALZUGUREN PERURENA JOSE NEY MILA ESPINOSA JOSE RAMOS HORTA JOSEPH BIDEN JP JS JSRP JUAN JULIAN RENE KIRCHOFF JUS JY KA KACP KACT KACW KADM KAID KALM KALR KANSOU KAPO KARIM WADE KATRINA KAUST KAWC KAWK KAWL KAWS KAWX KAYLA KBCT KBDS KBEM KBIO KBNC KBTC KBTR KBTS KBWG KCCP KCEM KCERS KCFC KCFE KCGC KCHG KCIP KCIS KCM KCMA KCMR KCOG KCOM KCOR KCPS KCRCM KCRI KCRIM KCRM KCRN KCRO KCROM KCROR KCRP KCRS KCRT KCSA KCSI KCSY KCUL KCUM KCVM KCWI KDCM KDDEM KDDG KDE KDEM KDEN KDET KDEV KDGOV KDGR KDHS KDM KDMR KDP KDRG KDRL KDTB KDUM KE KEAI KEANE KEBG KECF KEDEM KEDM KEDU KEIM KEM KEMPI KEMR KEMS KEN KENV KERF KERG KESO KESP KESS KEVIN KFAM KFCE KFE KFEM KFGM KFIN KFIU KFLD KFLO KFLU KFOR KFPC KFRD KFRP KFSC KFTFN KFTN KG KGCC KGCN KGHA KGHG KGIC KGICKS KGIT KGIV KGKG KGLB KGOR KGOV KH KHDP KHGH KHIB KHIV KHJUS KHLS KHMN KHOURY KHPD KHSA KHSL KHUM KI KIBL KICA KICC KICCPUR KICR KICT KID KIDE KIF KIFR KIIC KIIP KIL KILS KIMMITT KIMT KIND KINF KINL KINP KINR KINT KIPR KIPT KIRC KIRD KIRF KIRL KIRP KIS KISC KISK KISL KISM KISR KITA KIVP KIVR KJAN KJRE KJU KJUS KJUST KJWC KK KKIV KKNP KKOR KKPO KLAB KLAP KLBO KLEG KLFLO KLFU KLHS KLIG KLIP KLPM KLSO KLTN KM KMAC KMAR KMCA KMCC KMCR KMDR KMEPI KMFO KMGT KMIG KMNP KMOC KMPF KMPI KMPIO KMPL KMPP KMPT KMRD KMRS KMSG KMVP KMWN KN KNAO KNAP KNAR KNDP KNEI KNEP KNET KNMP KNN KNNA KNNB KNNC KNNF KNNO KNNP KNNR KNOP KNP KNPP KNPPIS KNPR KNPT KNRG KNRV KNSD KNUC KNUP KO KOC KOCI KOCM KOEM KOGL KOLY KOM KOMC KOMCCO KOMCSG KOMH KOMO KOMS KOR KOSOVO KOUYATE KPA KPAD KPAI KPAK KPAL KPALAOIS KPAM KPAO KPAS KPBT KPDD KPEM KPEO KPER KPET KPIN KPIR KPKO KPKP KPLS KPMI KPMO KPO KPOA KPOKO KPOL KPOP KPOV KPOW KPPAO KPPD KPRD KPRM KPRO KPROG KPRP KPRV KPSC KPTD KPTS KPWG KPWR KQ KQM KQRDQ KR KRAD KRAL KRCIM KRCM KRCS KRD KRDP KREC KREF KREISLER KREL KRF KRFD KRFR KRG KRGY KRIC KRIF KRIM KRKO KRM KRMS KRV KRVC KS KSA KSAC KSAF KSCA KSCI KSCS KSCT KSEAO KSEC KSEI KSEO KSEP KSI KSIA KSKN KSLG KSMT KSOC KSOCI KSPA KSPR KSRE KSTC KSTCC KSTCPL KSTH KSTS KSTT KSUM KSUP KT KTAO KTBD KTBT KTCRE KTDB KTDD KTDM KTER KTEX KTFIN KTFM KTFN KTFR KTFS KTIA KTIP KTLA KTNBT KTNF KTPN KTRD KTRF KTSC KTSD KTTB KTTC KTTP KU KUAE KUIR KUM KUNA KUNC KUNH KUNP KUNR KUS KUWAIT KV KVBL KVIP KVIR KVIS KVPR KVRC KVRP KW KWAC KWAK KWAWC KWBC KWBG KWBW KWCI KWCR KWGB KWHG KWIC KWIM KWIR KWKN KWM KWMJN KWMM KWMN KWN KWNM KWNN KWOMN KWPA KWPB KWPG KWPR KWRC KWRF KWRG KWUN KWWT KWWW KX KY KZ LA LAB LABOR LANSANA LANTERN LARREA LARS LAS LAURA LAVIN LAW LB LBAR LBY LE LEAGUE LEB LEBIK LEGAT LEGATT LEIS LEON LEVINE LEW LG LGAT LH LI LIB LICC LIMA LINE LK LMS LN LO LOG LOPEZ LORAN LOTT LOVE LR LS LT LTG LTTE LU LV LVPR LY LZ MA MAAR MACEDONIA MACP MANUEL MANUEL SERGIO GONZALEZ MAP MAPP MAPS MAR MARAD MARANTIS MARIA MARIE MARINO MARITIME MARK MARQUEZ MARR MARS MARTIN MARV MAS MASC MASS MATT MAYA MB MBM MC MCA MCAP MCAPARR MCAPN MCAPP MCAPS MCAT MCC MCCAIN MCCONNELL MCCP MCGRAW MCRM MCTRE MD MDA MDC MDO ME MEA MED MEDIA MEETINGS MENDIETA MEP MEPI MEPN MEPP MERCOSUR MESUR MEX MF MFA MFO MG MGL MGMT MGOV MGT MGTA MH MHUC MI MIAH MIC MICHAEL MICHEL MIGUEL FELIPE CANAHUATI YACAMAN MIGUEL VARGAS MALDONADO MIK MIKE MIL MILI MILITANTS MILITARY MILLENNIUM MINURSO MINUSTAH MITCHELL MJ MK ML MLS MMAR MMED MN MNLF MNNC MNNUC MNU MNUC MNUCH MNUCWA MNUM MNUN MNUR MNUS MNVC MO MOHAMAD MOHAMED HESHAM ELDIN YOUSSEF MOHAMMAD MOLINA MONTENEGRO MONUC MONY MOOPS MOP MOPP MOPPS MOPS MORALES MORG MOROCCO MORS MOS MOTO MOTT MP MPOL MPOS MPP MPS MQADHAFI MR MRCRE MRRR MRS MRSEC MS MSG MSIG MT MTAA MTAG MTCAE MTCR MTCRA MTCRE MTRCE MTRE MTRRE MTS MU MUC MUCN MUKASEY MULLEN MUNC MURAD MURRAY MV MW MX MY MZ NA NAC NACB NADIA NAFTA NAM NAMSA NANCY NAR NARC NARCOTICS NARR NAS NASA NAT NATEU NATGAS NATIONAL NATO NATOAFGHAN NATOBALKANS NATOIRAQ NATOOPS NATOPOLICY NATSIOS NAVO NB NBTS NBU NC NCCC NCD NCT NCTC NDI NDP NE NEA NEC NEGROPONTE NEI NELSON NEPAD NERG NET NEW NFATC NFMS NFSO NG NGO NGUYEN NH NI NICHOLAS NICOLE NIH NIPP NK NKWG NL NLD NLIAEA NLO NMFS NMNUC NMUC NNPT NO NOAA NOI NOK NON NONE NORAD NOTAG NOVO NP NPA NPG NPT NR NRC NRG NRR NRRC NS NSC NSF NSFO NSG NSSP NT NTDB NTSB NTTC NU NUC NUIN NV NW NZ NZUS OA OAO OARC OAS OASC OASCC OASS OAU OBAMA OBS OBSP OCBD OCEA OCED OCHA OCII OCRA OCS OCSE ODAG ODC ODIP ODPC OECD OECS OECV OES OESC OEXC OEXP OF OFDA OFDC OFDP OFDPQIS OFFICIALS OFPD OFSO OGAC OGIV OHCHR OHI OHIP OI OIC OICCO OIE OIF OIG OIIP OIL OIM OLY OLYAIR OLYMPICS OM OMAR OMB OMIG OMS ON ONA OPAD OPBAT OPC OPCD OPCR OPCW OPDAT OPDC OPDP OPEC OPET OPIC OPID OPOC OPPC OPRC OPREC OPREP OPS OPSC OPVIP ORA ORC ORCA ORECD ORED OREG OREP ORGANIZED ORP ORTA ORUE OSAC OSCE OSCI OSD OSEC OSHA OSIC OSTA OSTRA OTA OTAR OTHER OTHERSASNEEDED OTP OTR OTRA OTRABL OTRAO OTRAZ OTRC OTRD OUALI OVIP OVP OXEC OXEM OZ PA PAARM PAC PACE PAGE PAGR PAHO PAIGH PAK PAL PALESTINIAN PAMQ PAN PANAM PAO PAR PARALYMPIC PARCA PAREL PARK PARLIAMENT PARM PARMS PARN PARP PARR PARTIES PARTM PARTY PAS PASS PATRICK WARREN MAHURIN PATTY PAUL PAUM PB PBGT PBIO PBK PBOV PBPTS PBS PBST PBT PBTS PCI PCON PCOR PCRM PCUL PD PDA PDD PDEM PDIP PDOV PDRG PE PEACE PEACEKEEPINGFORCES PEDRO PEL PELOSI PEMEX PENA PENV PEPFAR PEPR PER PEREZ PERL PERM PERSONS PET PETER PETERS PETR PETRAEUS PETROL PF PFIN PFLP PFOR PFOV PG PGGOC PGIC PGIV PGKV PGO PGOC PGOF PGOG PGON PGOR PGOT PGOV PGOVE PGOVQL PGPV PGREL PGREV PGV PH PHALANAGE PHARM PHAS PHEM PHIM PHM PHSA PHU PHUH PHUM PHUMHUPPS PHUN PHUS PHYTRP PI PIA PICES PIF PIN PINB PIND PINER PINF PING PINL PINO PINOCHET PINR PINS PINT PINV PIR PIRF PIRN PJUS PK PKAO PKBL PKFK PKISL PKK PKMN PKNP PKO PKPA PKPAL PKPO PKPRP PKST PL PLAB PLAN PLEC PLN PLO PLUM PM PMAR PMAT PMDL PMIG PMIL PMIN PMR PMUC PN PNAT PNET PNG PNIR PNNL PNR PNRG PNS PNUC PNUK PNUM PO PODC POG POGV POINS POL POLG POLI POLICY POLINT POLITICAL POLITICS POLM POLMIL POLS POLUN POREL PORG POSTS POTUS POUS POV POWELL PP PPA PPAO PPD PPEF PPEL PPKO PPOL PQL PQM PRC PRE PREC PRED PREF PREG PREJ PREK PREL PRELEVU PRELM PRELPLS PRELTBIOBA PREM PREO PREP PRER PRES PRESIDENT PRESL PREV PREZ PRF PRFE PRFL PRGO PRGOV PRIL PRIVATIZATION PRL PRLE PRM PRO PROB PROCESS PROG PROL PROLIFERATION PROP PROPERTY PROTECTION PROTESTS PROV PROVE PRT PRTER PRWL PS PSA PSCE PSEC PSEPC PSHA PSI PSNR PSO PSOC PSOCI PSOE PT PTBS PTE PTEL PTEP PTER PTGOV PTIA PTR PTRD PU PUAS PUBLIC PUNE PUNR PUOS PV PVIP PVOV PVPR PVTS PWBG PWMN PY QA QADRI QEL QI QIZ QM QT QU QUAN QUOC RA RAED RAFAEL RAID RAMON RAMONTEIJELO RAS RATIFICATION RAY GUEVARA MILTON RBI RCA RCMP RE REA REACTION REALTIONS RECIN REF REFORM REFPAN REFUGEE REFUGEES REGION REGIONAL REID REIN REINEMEYER REL RELAM RELATIONS RELFREE RELIGIOUS REMON RENAMO RENE PREVAL REO REPORT REUBEN RF RFE RFIN RFREEDOM RGOV RGY RHUM RI RICE RICHARD RIGHTS RIGHTSPOLMIL RIMC RIVERA RL RLA RM RMA RO ROBERT ROBERT JOSEPH RODHAM RODRIGUEZ ROK ROME ROOD ROSS ROW ROY RP RPEL RPTS RQ RR RRB RREL RS RSO RSOX RSP RSZ RTT RU RUEHZO RV RW RWANDA SA SAAD SAARC SABAH SACU SADC SAFE SAIR SAIS SALOPEK SAMA SAN SANC SANR SAO SARB SARGSIAN SARS SASC SASEC SASIAIN SB SBA SC SCA SCCC SCE SCENESETTER SCHUL SCI SCIENCE SCNV SCOI SCOL SCOM SCPR SCRM SCRS SCRSERD SCUL SCVL SD SE SEC SECDEF SECI SECRET SECRETARY SECSTATE SECTOR SECURITY SEMAAN GABY EID SEN SENC SENG SENS SENU SENV SENVQGR SENVSPL SENVSXE SEP SERBIA SERZH SETTLEMENTS SEVN SEXP SF SFNV SG SGNV SGWI SH SHANNON SHI SHUM SI SILVASANDE SIMS SIPDI SIPDIS SIPR SIPRNET SIPRS SIUK SK SKCA SKEP SKI SKSAF SL SLM SLOVAK SM SMAR SMI SMIG SMIL SMIT SMITH SMRT SN SNA SNAP SNAR SNUC SO SOC SOCI SOCIA SOCIETY SOCIO SOCIS SOCISZX SOCR SOCY SOE SOFA SOI SOIC SOLI SOLIC SOM SOMALIA SOPN SORT SOSI SOVIET SOWGC SP SPAS SPC SPCE SPCVIS SPECI SPECIALIST SPILL SPP SPSTATE SR SREF SRIT SRS SRYI SSA SSH ST STAG START STATE STC STEINBERG STEPHEN HADLEY STET STP STR STUDENT SU SUCCESSION SUFFRAGE SULLIVAN SUMMIT SUR SUSAN SV SW SWHO SWMN SX SXG SY SYAI SYMBOL SYR SYRIA SYSI SYTH SZ TA TAGS TALAL TAUSCHER TAX TB TBI TBID TBIO TBIOZK TBKIO TBO TC TCOR TCSENV TD TDA TE TECH TECHNOLOGY TER TERAA TERFIN TERR TERROR TERRORISM TF TFIN TG TGRY TH THANH THE THERESE THIRDTERM THKSJA THOMAS THOMAS THOMMA THPY TI TIA TIBO TIFA TINT TIO TIP TITI TIUZ TJ TK TL TM TN TNDG TNGD TO TOPEC TORRIJOS TOURISM TP TPHY TPKO TPP TPSA TPSL TR TRAD TRADE TRAFFICKING TRBIO TRBY TRD TREAS TREASURY TREATY TREL TRG TRGV TRGY TRIO TRSY TRT TRV TRY TRYG TRYS TS TSA TSLP TSPA TSPL TSRL TSRY TSY TT TTFN TU TURKEY TV TVBIO TW TWRO TX TY TZ TZBY UA UAE UAID UAM UB UDEM UE UEU UG UGA UK UKR UKRAINE UM UMIK UN UNA UNAF UNAIDS UNAMA UNAMSIL UNAORC UNAUS UNBRO UNC UNCC UNCDF UNCDN UNCHC UNCHR UNCHS UNCITRAL UNCND UNCOPUOS UNCRED UNCRIME UNCSD UNCSW UNCTAD UNDC UNDEF UNDOF UNDP UNECE UNEF UNEP UNESCO UNFA UNFC UNFCYP UNFF UNFICYP UNFIYCP UNFPA UNGA UNGAPL UNGO UNHCR UNHRC UNICEF UNIDCP UNIDO UNIDROIT UNIFEM UNIFIL UNION UNKIK UNM UNMEE UNMIC UNMIK UNMIKI UNMIKV UNMIL UNMIN UNMOVIC UNO UNODC UNOMIG UNOPS UNP UNPAR UNPUOS UNRCCA UNRCR UNREST UNRWA UNSC UNSCAPU UNSCD UNSCE UNSCER UNSCR UNSCS UNSD UNSE UNTAC UNTERR UNTZ UNUS UNVIE UNYI UP UPU UPUO UR US USAID USAU USCC USCG USDA USDELFESTTWO USEU USG USGS USMS USNC USOAS USOP USPS USPTO USSC USTA USTDA USTR USTRD USTRIT USTRPS USTRUWR USUN UUNR UV UX UY UZ VA VANESSA VANG VAT VC VE VELS VEN VENZ VETTING VI VINICIO VIP VIS VISAS VISIT VM VN VO VOA VT VTEG VTFR VTIS VTPREL VTTBIO VTWCAR VXY VY VZ WA WAEMU WAKI WAR WARD WB WBEG WBG WCAR WCI WCL WCO WE WEBG WEBZ WEET WEF WEOG WET WEU WFA WFP WFPAORC WFPO WGC WGG WHA WHITMER WHO WHTI WI WILCOX WILLIAM WIPO WIR WITH WJRO WM WMD WMDT WMN WMO WOMEN WPO WRTO WS WSIS WTO WTRD WTRO WTRQ WW WWARD WWBG WWT WZ XA XAAF XB XC XD XE XF XFNEA XG XH XI XJ XK XL XLUM XM XO XP XQ XR XS XT XTAG XU XV XW XX XXX XY XZ YE YEH YI YL YM YMCS YS YU YURIY ZA ZANU ZB ZC ZCTU ZEALAND ZF ZFR ZH ZI ZIM ZJ ZK ZKGM ZL ZM ZN ZO ZOELLICK ZP ZR ZS ZT ZU ZW ZXA
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Identifier | Subject | Date | Office | Classification | Tags |
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06COPENHAGEN1135 | DANISH FM TO DISPATCH NEW MIDDLE EAST ENVOY [...] (C) The Danish MFA notified us August 24 that FM Per Stig Moeller has decided to send his new personal representative for the Middle East, outgoing Danish Ambassador to Turkey Christian Hoppe, to Beirut, Tel Aviv and Damascus early next week to review efforts to implement UNSCR 1701. MFA Middl [...] | 2006-08-24 11:56:00 | Embassy Copenhagen | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL MARR MOPS LE SY DA |
06DAKAR3020 | SENEGAL INVITES ASSAD TO VISIT AND RECEIVES [...] (C) Before the Embassy could deliver reftel demarche, we discovered that Senegalese Senior Minister for Foreign Affairs Cheikh Tidiane Gadio was en route to Damascus. On December 13, Gadio extended an invitation to Syrian President Assad to visit Senegal; Gadio in turn received an invitation [...] | 2006-12-27 13:42:00 | Embassy Dakar | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER SY SG |
06DAMASCCUS4435 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Lebanon, Peace [...] Summary: Syrian papers over the weekend led with reports of President Asad's phone conversations with Italian PM Prodi, which focused on technical assistance to be offered to Syrian border guards, and featured a statement by the Syrian News Agency denying reports that Syria has accepted Europ [...] | 2006-09-11 13:21:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS1014 | IN THE FACE OF SECTION 311 SANCTIONS, SYRIA [...] (C) Summary: As we move to impose sanctions against the Commercial Bank of Syria (CBS) under USAPATRIOT Act Section 311, it has become increasingly clear that the threat of sanctions succeeded in making it difficult for Syrian public financial institutions to conduct business with foreign bank [...] | 2006-03-08 11:19:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN EINV PTER SANC SY |
06DAMASCUS1019 | FM MU'ALLIM BRIEFS EU AMBASSADORS [...] (C) Summary: Recently appointed FM Walid Mu'allim provided EU Ambassadors a diplomatic tour d'horizon at a dinner March 7 hosted by the Austrian Ambassador. According to a Hungarian diplomat who attended the dinner, Mu'allim offered no revelations or dramatic changes of course in his remark [...] | 2006-03-08 15:25:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV SY LE |
06DAMASCUS1054 | CIVIL SOCIETY ACTIVISTS PROTESTING 43 YEARS OF [...] (C) SUMMARY: A group of approximately fifty civil-society activists staged a protest against 43 years of Emergency Law at the Palace of Justice in downtown Damascus on March 9. There was little visible uniformed security in the area, one of Damascus's main pedestrian thoroughfares. A well-out [...] | 2006-03-09 14:17:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM SY |
06DAMASCUS1055 | SARG'S NEW VP SHAR'A: PROMOTED OR MOVED ASIDE, [...] (C) Summary: Observers here express uncertainty about the degree to which former FM Farouk al-Shara'a received a promotion when President Bashar al-Asad moved him from the Foreign Ministry to the Vice Presidency. One contact sees it as a SARG signal that it is ready to re-engage with the U.S [...] | 2006-03-09 14:21:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV SY |
06DAMASCUS1058 | TWO YEARS AFTER QAMISHLI RIOTS, WHERE ARE THE [...] (C) SUMMARY: As the March 12 anniversary of the 2004 Kurdish riots in northeastern Syria nears, multiple issues regarding Syria's Kurdish minority remain unresolved. Several hundred thousand Kurds in Syria remain without citizenship resulting in serious socioeconomic consequences; linguistic [...] | 2006-03-09 14:58:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM SY |
06DAMASCUS1082 | MOVING FORWARD ON THE SYRIA-TURKEY FREE TRADE [...] (C) Summary: The Syrian press reported last week on the Turkish Parliament's approval of the Syria-Turkey Free Trade Agreement (FTA),indicating that it would increase bilateral trade to $2 billion by 2007. Turkish diplomatic contacts have stated that implementation of the agreement is stil [...] | 2006-03-12 12:23:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON ETRD SY |
06DAMASCUS1107 | RIAD SEIF, FOUR OTHERS ARRESTED AT DEMONSTRATION; [...] (C) SUMMARY: Prominent opposition figure Riad Seif and four others were arrested on March 12 while participating in a predominantly Kurdish demonstration in front of the Prime Minister's office. According to human rights activists, Seif was arrested by State Security agents and was released [...] | 2006-03-13 15:19:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV SY |
06DAMASCUS1108 | MARCH MADNESS, SYRIAN STYLE, AS ARBITRARY ARRESTS [...] (C) SUMMARY: In addition to the recent detentions of Riad Seif and others during civil society-organized demonstrations, arbitrary arrests and detentions have continued in recent weeks. Targets have included a prominent civil society activist, the brother of a key post contact, and a journa [...] | 2006-03-13 15:27:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV SY |
06DAMASCUS1157 | SARG SEEKS ALTERNATIVE IN ISLAMIC BANKING [...] (C) Summary: This week, the Ministry of Finance used a conference on Islamic banking to present these banks as a viable alternative to Western financial institutions. Conference participants agreed that potential demand for Islamic banking in Syria is high, and significant enough for Syrian pr [...] | 2006-03-16 11:45:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN EINV SY |
06DAMASCUS1158 | SARG REPORTEDLY SETS OUT THREE NEW RED LINES FOR [...] (C) SUMMARY: A recent newspaper article in the influential regional Arab daily al-Hayat reported what is described as the SARG's demarcation of three "new" red lines for civil society activists, reflecting the regime's reaction to events of the last week. The three lines include: a ban on c [...] | 2006-03-16 14:35:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM SY |
06DAMASCUS1159 | SYRIA-IRAN RELATIONS FLOURISHING; IS FURTHER [...] (C) Summary: By official Syrian accounts, the country's relationship with Iran has flourished since the January visit of Iranian President Ahmadinejad to Damascus. Embassy contacts largely dismiss the immediate economic benefit of increased ties, but note that the two countries have formed [...] | 2006-03-16 15:37:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV SY IR LE IZ |
06DAMASCUS1160 | SYRIAN FORCES REPORTEDLY CLASH WITH JUND A-SHAM, [...] (U) The official Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported that Syrian troops killed the "most wanted member of the Jund al-Sham terrorist and takfiri organization" and his bodyguard on March 15 in Zabadani about 30 miles northwest of Damascus, seizing weapons, documents and a computer. Mohamma [...] | 2006-03-16 15:44:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV SY LE IZ |
06DAMASCUS1186 | REGIME SENSES SYRIA POLICY AT IMPASSE [...] (C) Summary: In separate meetings with Syria desk officer March 13, two key contacts noted that the SARG believes that U.S. policy towards Syria has reached an impasse, and that the U.S. is in the process of changing its approach. That shift will take six months, in their view, during which [...] | 2006-03-19 13:24:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINR SY LE |
06DAMASCUS1187 | SYRIAN MEDIA BANNER RELATIONSHIP WITH SPAIN [...] (U) Since late January, official Syrian media have played up stories involving Spain, asserting strengthened relations between the two countries. Examples of some of these stories include a February 26 story about a Spanish grant of more than USD one million for rural health centers, a March [...] | 2006-03-19 14:18:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY SP |
06DAMASCUS1216 | SARG EFFORTS TO RESTRICT EMBASSY OPERATIONS [...] (C) Summary: With increasing intensity over the past three months, the SARG has mounted an effort, spearheaded by the MFA, to restrict a range of Embassy operations. The SARG has imposed a new, centralized system of visa issuance, seriously impeding the travel of official Americans. It has [...] | 2006-03-20 15:38:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL AMGT SY |
06DAMASCUS1217 | SARG PUBLICLY DISMISSES 311 SANCTIONS, WHILE [...] (C) Summary: Through government media and public appearances, SARG officials are attempting to reassure their domestic audience that the USG's March 9 decision to impose USAPATRIOT Act Section 311 sanctions against the Commercial Bank of Syria (CBS) was purely political and that the government [...] | 2006-03-21 07:38:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN ETRD EINV SY |
06DAMASCUS1219 | HUMAN RIGHTS ROUND-UP: 2004 QAMISHLI RIOTS [...] (C) 2004 QAMISHLI RIOTS COMMEMORATED THROUGHOUT SYRIA: On March 12, Kurds throughout Syria observed the second anniversary of the 2004 Qamishli riots. Luqman Ois, an Azadi Party activist and member of the Kurdish Committee for Human Rights, told Poloff that a number of activities took place: [...] | 2006-03-21 08:36:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV SY |
06DAMASCUS1261 | SARG TRUMPETS BURGEONING ECONOMIC TIES WITH RUSSIA [...] (C) Summary. The recent meeting of the Russian-Syrian joint ministerial committee is one in a series of recent events ostensibly reflecting the increasing economic activity between the two countries. Though Syria remains a difficult place for anyone to do business, the Russians are reportedl [...] | 2006-03-22 10:50:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EINV ETTC SY |
06DAMASCUS1262 | ENSURING EXPORT CONTROL ENFORCEMENT UNDER THE SAA [...] (SBU) Summary: Syrian businessmen regularly report on the ease with which their fellow businessmen illegally import U.S. commodities with seeming impunity, as well as express concerns that the USG's lack of enforcement of the economic sanctions imposed under the SAA are hurting those that choo [...] | 2006-03-22 11:08:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON ETRD ETTC SY |
06DAMASCUS1273 | FACING DOUBLE-DIGIT INFLATION, SYRIANS NERVOUSLY [...] (SBU) Summary: Local media is giving increasing coverage to the issue of inflation, with contacts estimating that the prices of basic commodities are rising much faster than the officially reported rate of 6%. Prices have refused to come down after a series of shocks in 2005, indicating a gen [...] | 2006-03-22 14:03:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN SY |
06DAMASCUS1297 | KURDS TURN OUT EN MASSE TO PARTY-SPONSORED NOW RUZ [...] (C) SUMMARY: Thousands of Syrian Kurds turned out across Syria on March 21 to celebrate the ancient holiday of Now Ruz, the solar new year. Kurdish political parties organized festivals throughout Syria, combining folk dancing and Kurdish pop music with easily digestible political messages. [...] | 2006-03-23 14:43:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV SY |
06DAMASCUS1357 | KHADDAM'S NATIONAL SALVATION FRONT GARNERS MIXED [...] (C) SUMMARY: The March 17 unveiling in Brussels of the National Salvation Front (NSF) has received mixed reviews from civil society activists and other contacts. While activists distanced themselves publicly from the NSF, some contacts took a more nuanced position privately, maintaining [...] | 2006-03-27 15:21:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM SY |
06DAMASCUS1358 | PROMINENT OPPOSITION AND CIVIL SOCIETY FIGURES [...] (C) SUMMARY: SARG authorities have arrested or detained a number of prominent Syrian opposition and civil society figures within the last few days. Prominent activist and former political detainee Ali Abudullah, together with his eldest son Mohammed, were arrested on March 23 by unidentifi [...] | 2006-03-27 16:55:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM SY |
06DAMASCUS1359 | SECOND VICE-PRESIDENT SWORN IN, TOUTED AS [...] (C) SUMMARY: According to press reports, President Bashar al-Asad swore in Dr. Najah al-Attar as vice-president on March 23. Attar, a nominal political independent with a long career in senior positions in the regime of Hafiz al-Asad, will be responsible for cultural affairs. Press reports t [...] | 2006-03-27 16:55:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PINR PGOV SY |
06DAMASCUS1360 | THE DISSIDENT VIEW OF THE ASAD REGIME: AN [...] (C) Summary: Conversations with a range of former political prisoners in Syria over the past few months yield a consistent, extremely harsh view of the Bashar al-Asad regime and of Asad himself. They say the regime cannot be reformed and insist that Asad is not an agent for change. Because o [...] | 2006-03-27 16:55:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM SY LE |
06DAMASCUS1361 | SYRIAN VP VISITS EGYPT, SAUDI, AND IRAN [...] (U) Syrian VP Farouk al-Shara'a met with Egypt's President Mubarak March 23 in Sharm El Sheikh, Saudi King Abdullah March 24 in Jeddah, and Iranian President Ahmadinejad March 25 in Tehran. In his first regional trip since becoming VP, Shara'a delivered to each leader a letter from Syrian Pr [...] | 2006-03-27 16:56:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV SY LE EG IR SA |
06DAMASCUS1362 | Damascus Media Reaction: Arab Summit, Syria-Iran, [...] Summary: The Syrian weekend papers reported a statement by Sudanese President Omar Hasan al-Bashir prior to the imminent Arab summit in Khartoum, that "it is necessary that the Arab summit support Syria and reject pressures on it and on other Arab countries." Papers also reported the prelimina [...] | 2006-03-28 07:12:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS1366 | Damascus Media Reaction: Arab Summit, Lebanon, Iraq, [...] Summary: Syrian papers focused on the 18th Arab summit that will be inaugurated in Khartoum today. All papers reported President Asad's arrival in Khartoum to participate in the summit and featured photos of his meetings with Sudanese President Al- Bashir, Lebanese President Lahoud and Emir Sab [...] | 2006-03-28 12:57:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS1368 | SARG NERVOUS OVER BRAMMERTZ, DESPITE POSITIVE BODY [...] (C) Summary: Despite its continuing efforts to project calm, the mid-March Brammertz report seems to have provoked SARG anxiety about where the UNIIIC investigation is headed. A range of contacts report that the regime's guardedly positive public reaction to the mid-march UNIIIC report soured [...] | 2006-03-28 14:04:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KCRM SY |
06DAMASCUS1393 | FOUR SEASONS INAUGURATION SPEECH PROVIDES POSITIVE [...] (C) During the March 22 inauguration of the $100 million Four Seasons Hotel in Damascus, primary investor Saudi Prince al-Walid bin Talal used the occasion to praise Syria as a "defender of Arabism and Islam," as well as the strength of the Syrian-Saudi bilateral relationship. Chairman of West [...] | 2006-03-29 08:13:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON ETRD EINV SY |
06DAMASCUS1398 | EXPORT LICENSE APPROVAL FOR ICARDA IS IN USG INTEREST [...] (SBU) Summary: The International Center for Agricultural Research of Dry Areas (ICARDA),a not-for profit-organization headquartered outside Aleppo, has been unsuccessful in its most recent attempts to obtain a U.S. export license. Under the provisions of the Syria Accountability Act, a waiver [...] | 2006-03-29 10:22:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ETRD ETTC SY |
06DAMASCUS141 | KHADDAM, UNIIIC, AND A POSSIBLE CABINET RESHUFFLE [...] (C) Summary: Polchief met January 8 with XXXXXXXXXXXX, a long-standing Embassy contact, who described possible motives for the interviews being given by former Syrian VP Khaddam, as well as increased Alawite dissatisfaction with President Asad. XXXXXXXXXXXX also described a threatening outbu [...] | 2006-01-09 13:42:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS1430 | Damascus Media Reaction: President Asad's Interview [...] Summary: Syrian papers today led with President Asad's interview with the US PBS TV Network. All papers headlined President Asad's statement "We want to cooperate with the US Administration, and we can find common interests." The Khartoum Summit was the second focal topic in the Syrian paper [...] | 2006-03-30 08:44:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS1433 | XXXXXXXXXXXX DISCUSSES LONG-TERM COOPERATION WITH [...] (C) SUMMARY: Key opposition figure XXXXXXXXXXXX met with Poloff on March 26 to discuss a number of issues. XXXXXXXXXXXX confirmed that he is not applying for MEPI funding during this application cycle, but remains interested in pursuing other, "indirect" funding mechanisms from the USG. XX [...] | 2006-03-30 14:15:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PINR SY |
06DAMASCUS145 | ASAD VISITS JEDDAH, SHARM, AFTER QUICK SAUDI FM [...] (C) Summary: In a rapid, somewhat strangely choreographed set of visits January 8, President Bashar al-Asad met with Saudi King Abdullah in Jeddah and Egyptian President Mubarak in Sharm as-Sheikh, following a quick visit to Damascus by Saudi FM Saud al-Faisal the same day. The two sides is [...] | 2006-01-09 14:26:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS1457 | Damascus Media Reaction: Arab Summit, HAMAS (3/30) [...] Summary: Syrian papers continued to report on the Arab Summit in Khartoum and its final communique, which covered the following key points: On Palestine, the summit renewed commitment to the 2002 Arab peace initiative, which offered Israel a comprehensive peace in return for withdrawal from [...] | 2006-04-02 11:20:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS1460 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Iraq, Syria/Italy, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported Vice President Shara's meeting with a delegation representing the Iraqi Islamic Party. Headlines featured Shara's statement expressing the importance of maintaining Iraq's territorial integrity and forming a government of national unity, and rejection of attempt [...] | 2006-04-02 13:27:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS1465 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/US, Shara, Iraq (4/3) [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported President Asad's meeting with a US delegation from the Churches Panel for Peace in the Middle East, in which he reiterated the importance of coexistence and dialogue on all levels, asserting that all heavenly religions call for amity, moderation and humanity. T [...] | 2006-04-03 14:06:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS148 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Saudi Arabia, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported President Asad's summit meetings in Jeddah with King Abdullah and in Sharm al-Sheikh with President Mubarak. The goal of Asad's surprise trips to Saudi Arabia and Egypt was apparently to seek support from Arab leaders as he faces a U.N. probe into alleged Syri [...] | 2006-01-09 14:43:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS149 | CIVIL SOCIETY MULLS KHADDAM'S STATEMENTS, SARG'S [...] (C): SUMMARY: Civil-society activists continue to discuss recent statements by former Vice-President Abdul Halim Khaddam, particularly those related to any aspirations for a leading role in the Syrian opposition. Most activists acknowledge Khaddam's real ties to the opposition, noting that s [...] | 2006-01-09 15:18:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM SY |
06DAMASCUS1500 | AS AI OUTBREAKS SURROUND SYRIA, IS SARG CONCEALING [...] (C) Summary: Though avian influenza (AI) oubreaks have been reported in neighboring Jordan and Lebanon, Syria has not reported any suspected or confirmed cases. While local offices of organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) express confidence that the SARG would acknowledge [...] | 2006-04-04 08:41:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | TBIO KFLU EAGR SY |
06DAMASCUS1509 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/US, Iraq, Palestinian [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported the meeting of Dr. Buthaina Shabaan, Minister of Expatriates, with a US delegation from the Churches Panel for Peace in the Middle East. The meeting tackled practical and constructive means to deepen dialogue and communication and to bolster common grounds to ac [...] | 2006-04-04 13:15:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS1510 | UNDP AGREES TO HELP SARG LEASE AIRPLANES [...] (U) On April 4, local press reported that a UNDP expert was consulting with Syrian officials from the Ministry of Transportation, the Civil Aviation Establishment, and Syrian Arab Airlines regarding SyrianAir's desire to lease commercial airplanes. The UNDP expert's visit is part of a project [...] | 2006-04-04 14:17:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAIR ECON ETTC SY SANC |
06DAMASCUS1511 | THE SARG'S HOSTILE PRESS CAMPAIGN AGAINST SINIORA [...] (C) Summary: While stopping short of an all-out escalation in its negative media comments directed at Lebanese PM Fouad Siniora and his March 14 allies, the official SARG media -- and at least one ostensibly independent weekly -- have in the past week harshened their public tone on Lebanon. [...] | 2006-04-05 14:35:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS1512 | A LARSEN VISIT: CONFIDENT SARG UNLIKELY TO BUDGE [...] (C) Summary: As consideration continues of a trip by UN special envoy for 1559 implementation Terje Roed Larsen to Damascus, the prospects for success seem dubious from our perspective, primarily because of SARG confidence about its prospects in Lebanon and its overall regional position. Tha [...] | 2006-04-06 13:40:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS1515 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Saudi Arabia, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported the meeting of Syrian Minister of Expatriates, Buthaina Shaaban with Emir Salman Bin Abed al-Aziz Al Saud, Emir of the Saudi city of Riyadh, who described the Syrian-Saudi relations as distinguished, and pointed out continuing consultations between the two count [...] | 2006-04-06 14:12:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS1540 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/US, Iraq, Palestinian [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported the meeting of Dr. Buthaina Shabaan, Minister of Expatriates, with a US delegation from the Churches Panel for Peace in the Middle East. The meeting tackled practical and constructive means to deepen dialogue and communication and to bolster common grounds to ac [...] | 2006-04-06 14:24:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS1541 | Damascus Media Reaction: Lebanon, Syria/Austria (4/5) [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported a statement by President Emile Lahoud that his country seeks to maintain best relations with Syria, "because this is a permanent option for the interest of Lebanon in light of the fraternal Syrian-Lebanese relations." Papers also reported President Lahoud's meet [...] | 2006-04-06 14:25:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS1542 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Saudi Arabia, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported the meeting of Syrian Minister of Expatriates, Buthaina Shaaban with Emir Salman Bin Abed al-Aziz Al Saud, Emir of the Saudi city of Riyadh, who described the Syrian-Saudi relations as distinguished, and pointed out continuing consultations between the two count [...] | 2006-04-06 14:26:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS1635 | Damascus Media Reaction: US/EU Decisions to Halt Aid to [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported a Syrian Information Ministry statement denying a report by an Israeli newspaper that Syria had sent messages to Acting Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert seeking to resume peace talks between the two countries. The source told Syria's official SANA news agency [...] | 2006-04-11 13:35:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS1664 | PETROCANADA AND SHELL RECOMMIT TO SYRIA [...] (C) Summary. The SARG,s annual exhibition to promote its oil and gas sector met with modest success. The UK and Canadian embassies both officially participated in the exhibition and promoted their companies further involvement in Syria. Only one US company, IPR, participated in the exhibit [...] | 2006-04-12 08:56:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EINV EPET SY |
06DAMASCUS1666 | MU'ALLIM CONFIDANT ON BRAMMERTZ INQUIRY, IRAN [...] (C) Summary: Despite its attempts to project confidence, the regime remains concerned about the efforts of UNIIIC head Serge Brammertz, worrying that arrests of Syrian suspects and the formation of an international tribunal are on the way, according to Dr. Samir al-Taki, a confidant of FM M [...] | 2006-04-12 13:51:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS1667 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Iran, Syria/Iraq, [...] Summary: Syrian papers today reported that Ayatollah Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, Chairman of the Iranian Expediency Council, will arrive in Damascus today on a formal visit of a few days. Papers also reported that President Asad chaired a cabinet meeting during which he discussed mechanis [...] | 2006-04-13 05:53:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS168 | Damascus Media Reaction: Lebanon, Palestinian Elections, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported a demonstration by Lebanese students and youth outside a government office in Beirut to protest the visit of US Assistant Secretary of State David Welch. Papers also quoted an official media source in Damascus strongly criticizing the statement made by Welch i [...] | 2006-01-16 15:00:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS1692 | TWO IMPORTANT SUNNI LEADERS ASSESS KHADDAM'S IMPACT [...] (C) Summary: Two Sunni leaders, XXXXXXXXXXXX, assess that former VP Abdul Halim Khaddam is a useful tool who has already weakened the regime. They are counseling their friends in the opposition not to attack Khaddam publicly, regardless of their private reservations. One of these Sunnis XX [...] | 2006-04-13 11:44:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS1695 | EU DIPLOMATS SEE A CROSSROADS ON STRATEGY TOWARD [...] (C) Summary: European diplomats posted to Syria are increasingly questioning what they perceive as the EU policy of isolating the SARG. Some diplomats, especially those from Spain, Italy and Greece, but also from countries such the Netherlands and Austria, point to the regime's increased tie [...] | 2006-04-13 12:38:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV EU SY |
06DAMASCUS1696 | SUBSIDIES CREATING HEAVY FISCAL BURDEN [...] (C) Summary: The SARG spends billions of dollars on subsidies and support for inefficient State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) that are consuming a growing portion of state revenue. The subsidies are the largest fiscal pressure on the SARG budget with oil revenues declining, and their removal repre [...] | 2006-04-13 13:58:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN EINV SY |
06DAMASCUS1697 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Iran, Syria/China, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported President Asad's meeting with Sheikh Hashemi Rafsanjani, Head of the Iranian Expediency Council. The meeting dealt with mutual cooperation, the current regional situation, mainly in Iraq and Palestine, and the international conference due to be held in Tehran to [...] | 2006-04-13 14:24:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS1698 | DAMASCUS DECLARATION GROUP DECIDES NOT TO [...] (C) SUMMARY: Despite intense SARG pressure, members of the Damascus Declaration (DD) group who met April 6 decided not to publicly attack former VP Abdul Halim Khaddam or his recent alignment with Muslim Brother leader Sadreddin Bayanouni in the National Salvation Front. Rejecting the argu [...] | 2006-04-13 16:59:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM SY |
06DAMASCUS1723 | HUMAN RIGHTS ROUNDUP: SARG CONTINUES ARREST [...] (C) ABDULLAH FAMILY MEMBERS REMAIN INCOMMUNICADO: Father-and-son civil society activists Ali and Mohammed Abdullah remain incommunicado following their March 23 arrest (ref A). Abdullah's wife Wifa'a (and human rights activist Rezan Zeituneh) told Poloff on April 13 that the whereabouts of [...] | 2006-04-18 07:39:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV SY |
06DAMASCUS1754 | C-NE6-00262: KHADDAM'S AND BAYANOUNI'S FAUSTIAN [...] (S/NF) Summary: Former VP Abdul Halim Khaddam's public criticism of the regime and his move to ally himself -- via the National Salvation Front -- with Syrian Muslim Brotherhood leader Sadreddin al-Bayanouni continue to provoke the regime and stir tremendous speculation among the public and [...] | 2006-04-18 13:01:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET//NOFORN | PINR PREL PHUM SY |
06DAMASCUS1781 | Damascus Media Reaction: Independence Anniversary, [...] Summary: Papers reported the announcement by the Syrian government of a public fundraising campaign for the Palestinian National Authority to help fill the gap created by Western countries and Israel. The announcement was made in a joint press conference with Akhar Hashemi Rafsanjani, Chairman [...] | 2006-04-19 13:06:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS1782 | LIMITED ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OBSERVED IN SYRIA'S [...] (C) Summary: In conjunction with export license checks, econoffs visited Dayr ez Zawr (Dayr) and Qamishli, key cities close to Syria's border with Iraq. Residents in these two areas have historically maintained stronger cultural, ethnic, familial, and economic ties to Iraq than to Syria's cap [...] | 2006-04-19 14:00:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON ETRD ETTC SY |
06DAMASCUS1786 | Damascus Media Reaction: Asad/Anan, Syria/Iraq, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported that President Asad discussed developments in Iraq and Lebanon in a phone call to UN SecGen Kofi Anan. Both sides expressed hope for a softening of tension in the region. Papers also reported that President Asad conferred with Rostam Tamboraka, Chairman of th [...] | 2006-04-20 06:14:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS1815 | LABWANI GUARDEDLY OPTIMISTIC ABOUT QUIET [...] C) SUMMARY: Kamal Labwani and his family remain guardedly optimistic about his legal future, citing European Parliament pressure as the main factor for the SARG's failure to formally indict him on charges that could result in a life sentence. Should this international pressure continue, the [...] | 2006-04-20 13:10:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV SY |
06DAMASCUS1821 | Damascus Media Reaction: Palestinian Territories, Iraq, [...] Summary: Syrian papers today reported that the Syrian Popular Committee to Support the Palestinian People opened special accounts at the Real-Estate Bank of Syria and the branches of the Commercial Bank of Syria in Damascus, Hama, Homs, Lattakia, Aleppo, Tartus, Daraa, Swieda, Der-Ezzor, Kami [...] | 2006-04-20 13:34:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS183 | Damascus Media Reaction: Lebanon, Iraq, Palestinian [...] Summary: Syrian Papers reported additional statements by Lebanese and Egyptian factions voicing support for Syria and Hizbollah and condemning foreign intervention in Syrian and Lebanese affairs. On developments in the Palestinian territories, papers reported commencement of Palestinian legi [...] | 2006-01-17 15:14:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS1848 | SARG CONTINUES TO PLAY WITH ISLAMIC FIRE [...] (C) Summary: The SARG continues to play with the issue of Islam -- in the wake of its February use of mob violence against several European embassies -- in ways designed to shore up support for the regime. In the past month there have been numerous reports about regime outreach to the Islamic commu [...] | 2006-04-24 10:21:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KISL SY |
06DAMASCUS1853 | PALESTINIAN FM VISITS DAMASCUS [...] (C) Summary: Visiting Palestinian FM Zahar met with Syrian President Asad and, separately, with Syrian FM Mu'allim April 20 in Damascus, according to media contacts. The foreign ministers announced further discussions to upgrade diplomatic relations between the two governments and other SARG [...] | 2006-04-24 14:03:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | KPAL PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS1878 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Egypt, Syria/US, [...] Summary: Syrian papers today reported President Asad's phone call to President Mubarak to condemn the terrorist bombings that hit the Dahab resort in Sinai and to extend condolences on the victims. Papers also featured a statement by Dr. Buthaina Shaaban, Minister of Expatriates, during a mee [...] | 2006-04-25 12:34:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS1879 | Damascus Media Reaction: Lebanon/US, Syria/Palestinian [...] Summary: Syrian newspapers on 23 April criticized Lebanese PM al-Saniora's visit to and statements in the United States and maintained that "Washington has nothing to present to Lebanon other than Israeli demands." Syrian papers also reported a press statement by Foreign Minister Walid al-M [...] | 2006-04-25 13:43:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS19 | KHADDAM INTERVIEW CONTINUES TO PROVOKE ANGRY [...] (SBU) The December 30 interview that former Syrian VP Abdul Halim Khaddam granted to the al-Arabiyya TV network has provoked a torrent of denunciation and anger in Damascus. The People's Assembly held a special session the following day -- televised live on Syrian TV -- to allow a parade of p [...] | 2006-01-02 13:49:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS1909 | ASAD MEETS BRAMMERTZ IN DAMASCUS [...] (SBU) Summary: Syrian President Bashar al-Asad met with UNIIIC chief Serge Brammertz in Damascus April 25. The official Syria News Agency SANA issued a terse statement confirming the visit after Brammertz departed Damascus with his team. Media contacts acknowledged that very few details ab [...] | 2006-04-26 12:21:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KMCR SY IZ LE |
06DAMASCUS1910 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Lebanon, Syria/Jordan, [...] Summary: Syrian papers briefly reported President Asad's meeting with Serge Brammertz, Head of the UN Committee investigating the killing of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri. Brammertz also held a meeting with Vice President Al- Sharaa, which was attended by Deputy Foreign Minis [...] | 2006-04-26 12:24:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS1913 | SYRIANS SEE SOUR GRAPES IN JORDANIAN ACCUSATIONS [...] (U) The SARG on April 26 publicly rejected Jordanian accusations that arms were smuggled from Syria to Jordan or that a senior Hamas official was behind such an operation, according to the official Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA). According to SANA, "Hamas leaders based in Syria are political [...] | 2006-04-26 14:00:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KPAL SY JO |
06DAMASCUS1920 | HUMAN RIGHTS ROUNDUP: REPORT OF DEATH IN CUSTODY; [...] DEATH OF POLITICAL DETAINEE REPORTED: According to news reports, the body of 26-year old Mohammed Shaher Haysa was turned over to his family earlier this week. News reports in offshore media stated that Haysa had died as a result of torture. Human rights activist Anwar al-Bunni told Poloff [...] | 2006-04-27 13:15:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV SY |
06DAMASCUS1922 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Palestinians, Lebanon, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported that PM Mohammed Naji Ottri, in a cabinet meeting, called on Syrian citizens to take part in the fund-raising campaign for the Palestinian people scheduled to be launched next Sunday all over the country. Papers also reported that the first Arab-Euro Dialogue F [...] | 2006-04-27 13:47:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS1926 | SYRIA'S ECONOMY - FRAGILE STABILITY [...] (U) Summary. Syria,s economy is benefiting from the high price of oil and other positive trends, but faces two chronic economic problems that could become acute in the next two to three years: decreasing oil production and rising unemployment. The economy is also hamstrung by a number of sho [...] | 2006-04-27 15:21:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ETTC SY SANC |
06DAMASCUS1952 | AIRLINES IN SYRIA SEEKING TO OBTAIN AIRCRAFT [...] (C) Summary: According to a recently commissioned International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) report, only four to six of Syrian Arab Airlines' 16 airplanes are currently fit to fly. As a result of U.S. sanctions, SyrianAir is facing difficulty obtaining U.S. or European-sourced aircra [...] | 2006-04-30 13:31:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | EAIR ECON ETTC SY SANC |
06DAMASCUS197 | SLOW REFORMS, POLITICAL UNEASE: BANKS SEEK TO [...] (C) Summary: Syria's private banking sector continues to expand modestly, with two new banks beginning operations and the established banks opening new branches. However, contacts report that the SARG's erratic pace of reform has caused private banks to adopt conservative business plans that [...] | 2006-01-18 12:41:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | EFIN ECON EINV SY |
06DAMASCUS1979 | DARDARI ANNOUNCES SARG'S RECOMMITMENT TO ECONOMIC [...] (U) As the key-note speaker at the launching of a new economic NGO on April 29, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Abdullah Dardari, announced the SARG,s intention to move forward soon on new economic reforms, including: reducing subsidies, reforming the public sector, and reforming m [...] | 2006-05-01 11:36:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EINV ETTC PGOV SY SANC |
06DAMASCUS1987 | Damascus Media Reaction: Terrorism, Lebanon, Iraq, Iran, [...] Summary: Syrian papers featured a statement by the Syrian Foreign Ministry refuting the US annual report on terrorism, saying that the US war on terrorism hasn't achieved any positive results, but rather, increased terrorism, for two main reasons. One is the US and Israeli rejection of what Syr [...] | 2006-05-01 14:22:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS20 | PROTEST TENTS COME DOWN AS SYRIANS BREATHE MORE [...] (C) Summary: On December 23-24, the SARG dismantled the anti-Mehlis protest tents and took down some of the banners in Rawda Circle near the Embassy and in Umawiyeen Square. Our contacts say the SARG no longer needs the tents as a rallying point against international pressure. Rumors are ru [...] | 2006-01-02 14:23:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS200 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, [...] Summary: Syrian papers today reported Egyptian President Mubarak's meeting with US Vice-President Dick Cheney and headlined Mubarak's statement that Syria has cooperated with the IIC. News reports featured a statement by Saudi FM Saud al-Faisal to the Financial Times that Saudi Arabia has p [...] | 2006-01-18 14:19:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS2007 | Damascus Media Reaction: US Report on Terrorism, [...] Summary: Syrian papers cited a statement by Dr. Imad Mustafa, the Syrian ambassador in Washington, that the "US State Department report on terrorism is a new link in a series of reports that the United States issues for political reasons against those who do not agree with it or go along with i [...] | 2006-05-02 12:51:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS201 | STRONG INDICATIONS OF IMMINENT MASS AMNESTY TO [...] (C) SUMMARY: Within the last two days, Post has received multiple indications of an imminent presidential mass amnesty for political prisoners. Reports indicate that if such an amnesty is granted, jailed MPs Riad Seif and Mamoun al-Homsi are mentioned most often as likely to be freed. The e [...] | 2006-01-18 14:42:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM SY |
06DAMASCUS2032 | SYRIA PLAYS WITH THE PALESTINIAN ISSUE [...] (C) Summary: Since Palestinian Authority FM Zahar's April visit, the SARG has showcased its public support for the Palestinians, with a fund-raising campaign on behalf of the Palestinian people, public statements, and participation at a rally in a Palestinian refugee camp. According to an E [...] | 2006-05-03 10:39:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KPAL SY |
06DAMASCUS2033 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Palestinians, Lebanon, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported that Mohammed Zuhir al- Nashashibi, Member of the PLO Executive Committee, expressed thanks and great appreciation to President Asad for launching the national fundraising campaign for the Palestinian people. "The Palestinian people appreciate the wise and brave [...] | 2006-05-03 12:29:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS206 | SARG FREES FIVE DAMASCUS SPRING PRISONERS [...] (C) SUMMARY: Human rights activists and family members have confirmed news reports announcing the release of five of the six Damascus Spring political prisoners, including former MPs Riad Seif and Mamoun al-Homsi. Human rights activists were quick to point out that the release was not an amn [...] | 2006-01-19 14:03:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM SY |
06DAMASCUS2063 | CBS CONTINUING TO WEAKEN UNDER SECTION 311 [...] (C) Summary: Financial sanctions under USAPATRIOT Act Section 311 are beginning to weaken the Commercial Bank of Syria (CBS) as more financial institutions in Europe and the Gulf cease their business with the bank. The seriousness with which CBS management views the imposition of Section 311 [...] | 2006-05-04 09:26:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EINV EFIN SY |
06DAMASCUS2064 | OPPOSITION FOCUSING ON EXTERNAL PROJECTS WHILE [...] (C) SUMMARY: While domestic civil-society activity has slowed in the wake of security service crackdowns and in anticipation of the June 15 Brammertz report, post contacts indicate that the opposition is now focused on a number of external projects. On a regional level, the Damascus-Beiru [...] | 2006-05-04 10:34:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV SY |
06DAMASCUS2066 | SYRIAN WOMEN FLOCKING TO MUSLIM MOVEMENT [...] (C) Summary: A Syrian Muslim women's movement, the Qubaisis, is attracting attention for its apparently increasing social and political influence. The movement, which reportedly has 75,000 members in Syria with branches regionally and in the United States, promotes traditional Islamic values [...] | 2006-05-04 11:52:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | SOCI PGOV KISL SY |
06DAMASCUS2071 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/US, Syria/Palestine, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported that Dr. Faisal Miqdad, Deputy Foreign Minister, conferred with a delegation from the US Institute of Peace now visiting Syria. He commented that "the current US policy is contributing to complications in the region and is blocking efforts to achieve stability i [...] | 2006-05-04 13:08:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS2072 | SEIF SAYS SARG ONLY FEIGNING CONFIDENCE, FACING [...] (C) SUMMARY: In a meeting with Charge d'Affaires and PolChief on May 4, key opposition figure Riad Seif noted a recent decrease in SARG security scrutiny. However, he remains subject to a travel ban and will not participate in the upcoming Syrian-American Congress in person or via a live ho [...] | 2006-05-04 13:37:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM SY |
06DAMASCUS208 | IRANIAN PRESIDENT VISITS DAMASCUS [...] (C) Summary: Shortly after his noon arrival in Damascus, visiting Iranian President Ahmadinejad met January 19 with Syria's President Asad and later in an expanded session with Asad and Syrian and Iranian officials. Regional media reports previewing the two-day visit suggested that bilateral [...] | 2006-01-19 15:31:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV SY IR |
06DAMASCUS209 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Iran, Lebanon, Iraq, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported that Iranian President Ahmedinejad will arrive in Damascus today for a two-day state visit to Syria and will meet President Asad and senior Syrian officials. All papers featured a statement by President Ahmadinejad on Wednesday describing relations between Iran [...] | 2006-01-19 16:07:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS21 | IRANIAN ARCHITECT OF SYRIA-IRAN-HIZBALLAH [...] (C) Summary: Iran's incoming Ambassador to Damascus, Mohammed Hassan Akhtari, has returned for his second tour as Ambassador to Syria after overseeing the creation of the Syria-Iran-Hizballah triangle during his first tenure from 1986-1998, according to media reports. Akhtari's appointment [...] | 2006-01-02 14:40:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV SY IR |
06DAMASCUS2132 | Damascus Media Reaction: Terrorism, US/Israel, [...] Summary: Papers reported that Syria has called for an international conference to distinguish between terrorism and the right of self-determination. Minister of Interior General Bassam Abdul Majid said in a statement on the sidelines of a conference of Interior Ministers of the EU and Adjacent [...] | 2006-05-08 12:10:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS2133 | INTERIOR MINISTER REVEALS ABDULLAHS' WHEREABOUTS [...] (C) SUMMARY: More than a month after their detention by unidentified security forces, Interior Minister Bassam Abdul Majid has revealed to human rights lawyers the whereabouts and reasons for the arrest of prominent civil society activist Ali Abdullah and his son Mohammed. The two men, curre [...] | 2006-05-08 12:40:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV SY |
06DAMASCUS2134 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Lebanon, Palestinian [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported the visit to Damascus by Nabih Berri, Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament, and his separate meetings with President Asad and Vice President Faruq al-Shar'a. Berri briefed Asad and Shara on the results of the Lebanese national dialogue and status of relations betw [...] | 2006-05-08 13:28:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS2136 | SARG DIVIDED ON REACTION TO BRAMMERTZ; TILT [...] No summary [...] | 2006-05-08 14:01:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINR SY |
06DAMASCUS2137 | SARG DIVIDED ON REACTION TO BRAMMERTZ; TILT [...] (C) Summary: While noting that President Bashar al-Asad and others in the regime had emerged more confident after UNIIIC chief Serge Brammertz's April 25 questioning of the Syrian leader, MFA informal legal advisor Dr. Samir al-Taki termed such confidence misplaced. He voiced his suspicion [...] | 2006-05-08 14:17:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINR SY |
06DAMASCUS214 | AHMADINAJAD'S PHOTO OP VISIT TO DAMASCUS [...] (SBU) Syrian President Bashar al-Asad and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinajad met for three hours the afternoon of January 19, shortly after the latter's arrival in Damascus. The talks were attended by PM Naji al-Otri, FM Shara'a, Iranian FM Manouchehr Mottaki, and several other ministers [...] | 2006-01-20 12:37:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL ECON SY IR |
06DAMASCUS2163 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Iraq, Lebanon, Iraq, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported that Vice President Shara received Sheikh Jawad al-Khalisi, Secretary General of the Iraqi National Foundation Congress (INFC); at their meeting Shara reiterated Syria's condemnation of terrorist attacks that target innocent civilians and sow seeds of partition [...] | 2006-05-09 12:31:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS2164 | THE SARG'S NEW ECONOMIC SCORECARD [...] (SBU) Summary: The recently enacted 10th Five-Year Plan presents a number of quantifiable targets for reaching seven percent annual GDP growth and represents an agenda for reform against which the SARG's progress can be measured. The plan assumes that broad-based reform will allow the SARG t [...] | 2006-05-09 12:37:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EFIN EINV ETRD EIND ELAB EAGR ENRG SY |
06DAMASCUS2165 | RELEASED MP MA'AMOUN HOMSI SAYS REGIME [...] (C) Summary: Former MP Ma'amoun Homsi, released with his colleague Riad Seif in January after five years imprisonment, told PolChief in early May that the SARG has continued to periodically harass him and threaten his family to bully him into lowering his public profile. Homsi criticized t [...] | 2006-05-09 14:14:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM SY |
06DAMASCUS2166 | LABWANI INDICTED ON CAPITAL CHARGES; DEFENSE [...] (C) SUMMARY: According to a member of opposition activist Kamal Labwani's legal team, the criminal court has handed down an indictment charging him with having contact with a foreign power and encouraging the foreign power to invade Syria, a charge that could carry the death sentence. The de [...] | 2006-05-09 14:19:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV SY |
06DAMASCUS2189 | MARATHON ONE STEP CLOSER TO DIVESTING [...] (U) On May 10, the AP and other news services reported that Marathon Oil Company concluded a USD 127 million deal to develop an oil and gas concession in the center of Syria despite looming US sanctions. In spite of the news report implying otherwise, Marathon,s concession is actually quite o [...] | 2006-05-10 12:37:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | EAIR ECON ETTC SY SANC |
06DAMASCUS2192 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Palestinians, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported that Syria has received 53 families of Palestinian refugees who were trapped at the Jordanian and Iraqi borders for 6 weeks before. "Syria has taken necessary steps to host the Palestinian refugees in cooperation with the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) and t [...] | 2006-05-10 14:06:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS2211 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Palestinians, [...] Summary: Papers reported that the Palestinian government thanked President Asad for the Syrian fund-raising campaign for the Palestinian people and for receiving 244 Palestinian refugees coming from Iraq. That came in a phone call President Asad received from Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail H [...] | 2006-05-11 13:14:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS2212 | HUMAN RIGHTS ROUNDUP: HUMAN RIGHTS LAWYERS FACE [...] (C) HUMAN RIGHTS LAWYERS FACE REPRISALS: SARG scrutiny of civil society activists has now expanded to included human rights lawyers. Anwar al-Bunni told Poloff May 11 that the Syrian Bar Association has formally suspended him for one year on charges stemming from the 2001 Damascus Spring t [...] | 2006-05-11 13:50:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV SY |
06DAMASCUS2213 | DAMASCUS COMMUNITY SCHOOL FACES CRITICAL SITUATION [...] (U) Summary. Our ongoing discussion with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding residency permits for overseas-hire teachers at the Damascus Community School (DCS) took an ominous turn for the worse today, with receipt of a diplomatic note asserting that DCS must be licensed before the iss [...] | 2006-05-11 14:00:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | AMGT SY |
06DAMASCUS2214 | LABWANI ATTENDS FORMAL HEARING; FAMILY AND LAWYERS [...] (C) SUMMARY: Jailed opposition activist Kamal Labwani appeared before the presiding judge in his case on May 11 for an initial hearing, with the opening trial date to be announced in the upcoming days. Labwani faces charges of advocating the invasion of Syria by a foreign power and spreadin [...] | 2006-05-11 14:02:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV SY |
06DAMASCUS2238 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Kuwait, Iraq, Lebanon, [...] Summary: Syria papers reported that Syria denied Friday evening Jordanian claims on the training of Hamas members in Syria and criticized the UNSC bid to issue a resolution on Syria and Lebanon as "an obstacle to clearing the air." Foreign Minister Walid al-Mouallem said in a joint press co [...] | 2006-05-14 14:27:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS2263 | MORE CIVIL SOCIETY ACTIVISTS CHARGED, LABWANI [...] (C) SUMMARY: Activists Fateh Jammous, Ali Abdullah, and Mohammed Abdullah appeared May 14 for criminal court proceedings at the Palace of Justice in Damascus. Following a two-hour interrogation, Jammous was initially charged with encouraging sectarian civil war, which carries a life sentenc [...] | 2006-05-15 11:06:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV SY |
06DAMASCUS2264 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Sudan, Lebanon, Iraq, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported the visit to Damascus by Assamani Al-Waseela Assamani, Sudanese State Minister for Foreign Affairs, who conferred with Minister Walid al-Mouallem. Talks dealt with bilateral relations and means of boosting them in all fields. During the meeting, the Sudanese Min [...] | 2006-05-15 14:36:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS2265 | DESPITE OBSTACLES, PRIVATE INSURANCE COMPANIES [...] (C) Summary: Following the success of Syria's new private banking sector, private insurance companies are expected to begin operations before the end of 2006. Companies anticipate high demand for retail products such as medical and life insurance in an under-insured market that has been domin [...] | 2006-05-16 10:47:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN EINV SY |
06DAMASCUS2297 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Iraq, EURO-MED, Boycott [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported President Asad's meeting with Subhi Abdul Hamid, Secretary General of Iraq's Arab Nationalist Movement, which tackled the situation in Iraq and bilateral relations. President Asad confirmed Syria's support for efforts to restore Iraq's stability and security tha [...] | 2006-05-17 06:30:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS231 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Iran, President Asad's [...] Summary: Syrian weekend newspapers focused on the visit to Damascus by Iranian President Ahmadinejad and featured the joint communiqu issued at the conclusion of the visit confirming Iran's strong support of Syria to restore occupied territories to the June 4, 1967, line. Syria and Iran under [...] | 2006-01-23 08:32:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS2318 | DAMASCUS-BEIRUT DECLARATION CALLS FOR [...] (C) SUMMARY: Several hundred prominent Syrian and Lebanese citizens have signed the Damascus-Beirut Declaration, which includes a ten-point "joint future national vision" for reconciliation between the two countries. The document covers the spectrum of Syrian-Lebanese diplomatic, historic [...] | 2006-05-17 14:01:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM SY LE |
06DAMASCUS2319 | FULL TEXT OF DAMASCUS-BEIRUT DECLARATION [...] (U) FULL TEXT OF DAMASCUS-BEIRUT DECLARATION: 2. (U) BEGIN TEXT: 3. (U) The Lebanese-Syrian relations are witnessing quick deterioration that could cause a deep fracture between the two neighboring countries and the two sisterly peoples. This deterioration has grown since the exten [...] | 2006-05-17 14:02:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PHUM PREL SY LE |
06DAMASCUS2320 | WALK THE LINE: BETWEEN SYRIA'S SECURITY SERVICES [...] (C) Summary: Conversations with political contacts, including those in the opposition, point to the variety of techniques used by SARG security services to co-opt or intimidate Syrians. It is often in the middle range, between enticements at one end and threats and coercion at the other, th [...] | 2006-05-17 14:20:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PINR PINS SY |
06DAMASCUS2327 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Sudan, Lebanon, Olmert's [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported the visit to Damascus by al- Sammani al-Wasila al-Smmani, Sudanese Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, and his meeting with Vice President Shara who confirmed Syria's relief over signing the Abuja peace treaty. During the meeting Shara stressed Syria's support [...] | 2006-05-18 09:41:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS2337 | Damascus Media Reaction: UN Security Council resolution [...] Summary: Syrian papers featured a statement by the Syrian Foreign Ministry on the UN Security Council Resolution 1680 that was passed on Wednesday saying it poses "an unprecedented measure of interference in the core of sovereign and bilateral issues for member states to the United Nations. C [...] | 2006-05-18 12:10:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS234 | ASAD SPEECH: NATIONAL SOVEREIGNTY TRUMPS UN [...] SBU) Summary: Syrian President Bashar al-Asad followed up his meetings with Iranian President Ahmadinejad with a January 21 speech in Damascus in which he dropped broad hints that he might refuse to meet with UNIIIC investigators. At the Arab Lawyers Conference venue, Asad also specifically [...] | 2006-01-23 11:20:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY LE |
06DAMASCUS236 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Iran, Syria/Spain, [...] Summary: Syrian papers today reported positive reactions in Lebanon to President Asad's speech to the Federation of Arab Lawyers citing statements by former Lebanese Minister Wadi Al- Khazen, Kamal Shatila, President of the Lebanese People's Congress, Al-Diyar newspaper, and Hasan Nasrallah o [...] | 2006-01-23 14:52:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS2376 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Iraq/Italy, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported that Prime Minister Ottri sent cables of congratulation to Iraqi PM al-Malki and to Italian PM Prodi on the occasion of forming the new Iraqi and Italian governments. He expressed his confidence in developing cooperation between Syria and Italy to serve their jo [...] | 2006-05-23 06:55:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS2379 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/EU, Syria/Iran, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported a Syrian Foreign Ministry response to a May 19 European Presidency statement expressing EU concern about what it called the recent widespread harassment of human rights defenders in Syria. The EU Presidency urged Syria to review the cases of political prisoners, [...] | 2006-05-23 10:09:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS2391 | HUMAN RIGHTS ROUNDUP: LABWANI CASE POSTPONED; [...] (C) LABWANI TRIAL DELAYED; ASSOCIATE TELLS OF SARG INTIMIDATION ATTEMPTS: The trial of Kamal Labwani, scheduled to begin May 22, has been delayed after court officials claimed that no trial had been scheduled for that day. Labwani's family members, human rights lawyers, and a number of oppo [...] | 2006-05-23 12:38:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREF PGOV PREL SY IR |
06DAMASCUS2392 | FOUR MORE DAMASCUS-BEIRUT DECLARATION SIGNATORIES [...] (C) SUMMARY: Four signatories of the Damascus-Beirut Declaration (DBD),including prominent human rights lawyer Anwar al-Bunni, were interrogated on May 21 by investigatory judges at the Palace of Justice Criminal Court in Damascus. Bunni, who has been on a hunger strike for the last two days [...] | 2006-05-23 12:40:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS2393 | Damascus Media Reaction: EU Human Rights Statement, [...] Summary: Syrian papers continued their strong criticism of European countries, against the background of a statement from the EU Presidency criticizing the recent arrest of human rights activists in Syria. Papers also featured Information Minister Dr. Mohsen Bilal's meetings with Ambassadors o [...] | 2006-05-23 13:12:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS2401 | SYRIA PURSUES CASES AGAINST JUMBLATT AND KHADDAM [...] (C) Syrian authorities have requested that Interpol arrest Lebanese lawmaker Walid Jumblatt after a Syrian military prosecutor issued a warrant on May 22, according to local media and contacts. A Syrian military court issued a summons for Jumblatt on May 3 for "inciting against Syria," follo [...] | 2006-05-24 14:46:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KCRM SY LB |
06DAMASCUS2404 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Palestinians, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported the visit to Damascus by Palestinian Minister of Interior Said Siam and his meeting with VP Shara. Siam expressed the Palestinian government's and the Palestinian people's great appreciation for Syria's stances towards the Palestinian people. VP Shara reiterated [...] | 2006-05-25 11:14:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS2406 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Lebanon, Syria/Spain, [...] Summary: Syrian papers commemorated the anniversary of the liberation of south Lebanon and featured a statement by former Lebanese Prime Minister Salim al-Hoss criticizing the Lebanese government's cancellation of the formal holiday, which had been approved earlier for celebrating the liberati [...] | 2006-05-25 14:31:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS2424 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/UAE, Syria/UK, South [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported the visit of Vice President Shara to the United Arab Emirates and his meeting with Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al-Nhayan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister, which focused on recent developments in the region and bilateral relations. Papers also reported the visit to Damasc [...] | 2006-05-29 12:18:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS2439 | SYRIA'S RED HOT REAL ESTATE MARKET- A POTENTIAL [...] (C) Summary: Contacts suggest that Syria may be experiencing a real estate bubble, with property prices rising rapidly throughout the country, but especially in Damascus and the surrounding area. Speculators increasingly are active in the market, with some Syrians trying to take advantage of [...] | 2006-05-29 13:58:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EINV EFIN SY |
06DAMASCUS2466 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/UAE, NAM Summit, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported Vice-President Farouk al- Shara's visit to the UAE and his meeting with His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, President of the UAE, who received a message from President Asad regarding the latest developments in the region. Shara and Sheikh Khalifa re [...] | 2006-05-30 12:51:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS2487 | LABWANI TRIAL BEGINS; MALEH RECEIVES 10-DAY [...] (C) LABWANI TRIAL BEGINS: In a packed courtroom of human rights activists and his family and friends, the trial of opposition activist Kamal Labwani began on May 29, as Labwani entered a plea of "not guilty" on the charges of inciting a foreign power to invade Syria and disseminating false [...] | 2006-05-31 08:49:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV SY |
06DAMASCUS2490 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/China, NAM Summit, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported the speech by Dr. Faisal Miqdad, Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister, at the ministerial conference of the Non-Aliened Movement in Malaysia. Miqdad said that the continued Israeli occupation of the Syrian Golan is a result of defying international resolutions and of t [...] | 2006-06-01 06:22:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS2496 | EMBASSY DAMASCUS PROPOSAL FOR 2006 AMBASSADORS' [...] (U) Request: Post requests $20,000 from the Ambassadors, Fund for Refugees for the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) to buy X-ray equipment for a clinic under construction in the Damascus neighborhood of Saida Zeinab. 2. (U) Background and justification: The SARC was founded in 1942 and b [...] | 2006-06-01 08:01:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | PREF SY |
06DAMASCUS25 | Damascus Media Reaction: Khaddam's Statements to Al- [...] Summary: Syrian newspapers attacked former Vice President Abdul-Halim Khaddam over his statements to Al-Arabiya Television, in which claimed that President Bashar al-Asad threatened former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri several months before he was assassinated. Papers reported a stateme [...] | 2006-01-03 14:33:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS250 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Europe, Federation of [...] Summary: Syrian papers today reported President Asad's meeting with Francisco Javier Rojo Garcia, Chairman of the Spanish Senate, focusing on the necessity of reactivating the European role in the Middle East Peace Process, the ongoing modernization and reform process in Syria, and the Syria [...] | 2006-01-24 13:02:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS2504 | CENTRAL BANK, COMMERCIAL BANK OF SYRIA AND FINANCE [...] (C) Summary: Contacts report a conflict for authority over the banking sector among the leaders of the Central Bank, Commercial Bank of Syria and the Ministry of Finance. The Central Bank is seeking to claim control of the banking sector and at the same time establish its own tools of monetar [...] | 2006-06-01 08:04:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN EINV SY |
06DAMASCUS251 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Europe, Federation of [...] Summary: Syrian papers today reported President Asad's meeting with Francisco Javier Rojo Garcia, Chairman of the Spanish Senate, focusing on the necessity of reactivating the European role in the Middle East Peace Process, the ongoing modernization and reform process in Syria, and the Syria [...] | 2006-01-24 13:14:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS2516 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/UK, Syria/China, Lebanon, [...] Summary: Syrian papers continued to report on Foreign Minister Walid al-Mouallem's visit to China, featuring his meeting with Chinese President Hu Jintao. Earlier, President Hu Jintao opened the second ministerial meeting of the Arab-Chinese Cooperation Forum in the presence of Foreign Ministe [...] | 2006-06-01 13:27:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS2517 | WHILE ARRESTS SUBSIDE, SARG CONTINUES TO PRESSURE [...] (C) SUMMARY: While the arrests of Damascus-Beirut Declaration (DBD) signatories appear to have subsided for now, post contacts report that the SARG continues to pressure DBD signatories to withdraw their support of the Declaration. In an attempt to quell international reaction to the crack [...] | 2006-06-01 14:01:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV SY |
06DAMASCUS2518 | IRAQI REPRESENTATIVES IN SYRIA COMMENT ON NEW [...] (C) Summary: Iraqi contacts in Damascus commented recently on a range of issues, including the arrival of more Iraqis in Syria, Palestinian-Iraqis seeking refugee in Syria, the new Iraqi Prime Minister and next steps in the Syria-Iraq bilateral relationship. They asserted that up to 150,000 [...] | 2006-06-01 14:06:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PREF SY IZ |
06DAMASCUS254 | RIAD SEIF DETAILS FUTURE POLITICAL PLANS, ASKS FOR [...] (C) SUMMARY: Former MP and recently released Damascus Spring detainee Riad Seif laid out for the Charge d'Affaires January 24 his vision for a new, broad-based democratic party, noting that it would aim to delegitimize the SARG and bring a message of reform and democracy to the Syrian people. [...] | 2006-01-24 16:21:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM SY |
06DAMASCUS2554 | Damascus Media Reaction: Terrorism, Syria/China, [...] Summary: Government-owned Tishreen, the only paper to appear on Saturday, featured an Interior Ministry statement reporting the clash that took place Friday morning between an anti-terror unit and a terrorist extremist group near Omayyad Square in Damascus. The statement said that the clash r [...] | 2006-06-04 12:43:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS2593 | SYRIAN REGIME REBUILDING WALLS OF FEAR AND [...] (C) Summary: The crackdown on Syrian civil society and the opposition has gotten so intense that some observers argue that the regime of Bashar al-Asad is "rebuilding the walls of fear" that his father once erected. Even if the ten Damascus-Beirut Declaration activists are released, which i [...] | 2006-06-05 11:43:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINR SY |
06DAMASCUS2594 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Cuba, Syria/Palestinians, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported the visit to Damascus by Fernando Ramirez de Estenoz, Chief of the Foreign Relations Bureau of the Cuban Communist Party's Central Committee, featuring his meetings with Vice President Farouk Shara. A statement by the Syrian Arab News Agency said that talks focus [...] | 2006-06-05 12:46:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS2598 | SYRIA POINTS FINGER AT FOREIGN-BACKED ISLAMISTS [...] (C) Summary: Early in the morning of June 2, SARG security forces engaged armed attackers in a 25-minute shoot-out in Damascus on the compound of the Syrian TV and Radio headquarters, according to Emboffs at the scene and regional media reports. Casualty reports have varied, with up to four [...] | 2006-06-05 13:14:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY LE IZ JO |
06DAMASCUS2599 | SARG ENDS ITS PRESSURE ON EMBASSY SCHOOL -- FOR NOW [...] (C) Summary: In the past ten days the SARG has issued all of the required residence visas for some 45 direct-hire American and Canadian teachers and family members, ensuring their orderly departure at the end of the school year and return to Damascus Community School in the fall. For months [...] | 2006-06-05 14:04:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | AMGT PGOV PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS2632 | NON-PERFORMING LOANS IN THE PUBLIC BANKS- ANOTHER [...] (C) Summary: The SARG's public banking sector is hamstrung due to the fact that its six public banks are carrying a large number of non-performing loans. Contacts suggest that many of the loans may be held by the SARG, which borrows from the banks to finance public spending, or lost to the co [...] | 2006-06-06 12:13:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN EINV SY |
06DAMASCUS2633 | GAFTA: MORE BURDEN THAN BENEFIT FOR SYRIA? [...] (C) Summary: Although the Greater Arab Free Trade Agreement (GAFTA) was fully implemented on January 1, 2005, the benefits to Syria's economy have been limited. While trade exchange between Syria and the Gulf countries may have increased marginally, most Syrian business contacts and economis [...] | 2006-06-06 12:23:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON ETRD EINV SY |
06DAMASCUS2634 | UNHCR DAMASCUS FEARS FURTHER DEPORTATIONS OF [...] (C) At UNHCR Damascus' request, poloffs met June 5 with UNHCR's senior protection officer Dietrun Gunther and protection officer Tania Pesce about the SARG's treatment of Iranian Ahwazi refugee Saeed Saki, who has been accepted for resettlement in Norway. In January, SARG authorities detaine [...] | 2006-06-06 13:17:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREF PREL SY IR |
06DAMASCUS2636 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Palestinian Authority, [...] Summary: Syrian papers today reported the visit to Damascus of Ahmad Qurei', Special Envoy of the President of the Palestinian National Authorit, who conferred with President Asad and conveyed a message from President Mahmoud Abbas about the latest developments in the Palestinian arena and the [...] | 2006-06-06 14:18:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS2668 | PA ENVOY VISITS DAMASCUS, FACTIONS REPORTEDLY [...] (C) Summary: Visiting Palestinian Authority (PA) Special Envoy Ahmad Qureia (Abu Ala'a) met June 5 with Syria's President Bashar al-Asad, delivering a message from PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas and discussing Syrian-Palestinian cooperation and developments in the Palestinian arena, according to [...] | 2006-06-07 14:01:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | KPAL PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS2669 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Yemen, Syria/Cuba, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported Vice President Farouk al- Shara's two-day official visit to Yemen and his meeting with Yemeni President Ali Abdullah al-Saleh, conveying a message from President Asad on recent developments in the Arab and international arenas. Shara also met with Yemeni Vice Pr [...] | 2006-06-07 14:22:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS2685 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Cuba, Syria/Ukraine, [...] Summary: Papers reported that Deputy Foreign Minister Dr. Faysal Miqdad conveyed an oral massage from President Asad to President Fidel Castro of Cuba during his meeting with Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque. The message focused on recent political developments in the Middle East and [...] | 2006-06-08 12:55:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS2687 | TEHRAN'S INFLUENCE SAID TO BE SPREADING IN SYRIA [...] (C) Summary: Syria and Iran have exchanged a number of visits in the past several days: longtime SARG regime insider and VP assistant Muhammad Nassif Kheirbek was in Tehran on June 7, and the commander of the Iranian Army's Air Forces was in Damascus on June 6. One of our contacts mentioned [...] | 2006-06-08 13:53:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV SY IR |
06DAMASCUS2688 | DETAINEES REJECT PROPOSED LETTER TO ASAD, AS [...] (C) SUMMARY: A number of detained signatories of the Damascus-Beirut Declaration (DBD) have rejected a proposed letter of appeal to President Bashar al-Asad, saying that they would rather die in prison for their freedom of expression than to beg. They have also announced their plans to begi [...] | 2006-06-08 14:13:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV SY |
06DAMASCUS270 | SYRIAN MP SAYS INTELL CHIEF WANTS TO BE FRIENDS [...] (C) Summary: A Syrian MP and businessman told us January 24 that, despite a U.S. decision to freeze the assets of Syrian Military Intelligence (SMI) chief Asif Shawqat, the intelligence head still considered himself a friend of the United States and wanted to resume bilateral intelligence sh [...] | 2006-01-25 10:30:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV SY LE IZ IS |
06DAMASCUS2733 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Bahrain, Syria/UAE, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported the visit to Syria by King Hamad Bin-Isa Al Khalifah of Bahrain and his talks with President Asad. Both leaders stressed their support for the Palestinian people's legitimate rights and the establishment of their independent state, with Jerusalem as its capita [...] | 2006-06-11 13:22:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS275 | RIAD SEIF'S PROPOSALS FOR USG ACTION [...] (C) During a January 24 meeting (reftel),Former MP and recently released Damascus Spring detainee Riad Seif presented Charge with a list of suggested actions the USG could take to support opposition efforts in Syria. The following is a translation from the original Arabic: 2. (C) BEGI [...] | 2006-01-25 14:17:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM SY |
06DAMASCUS276 | SANCTIONS: REACTION TO THE SHAWKAT DESIGNATION [...] (C) Summary. The Treasury Department,s designation of President Asad,s brother-in-law, Asif Shawkat, received considerable regional press coverage and stirred some internal discussion in Damascus. The move was quietly welcomed by most groups, including the Sunni business community, though m [...] | 2006-01-25 14:25:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EINV ETTC PGOV SANC SY |
06DAMASCUS2777 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/US, Lebanon, Syria/Qatar, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported that President Asad received former US Senator James Abourezk, Chairman of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee on Sunday. Talks during the meeting concentrated on the situation in Iraq, Syria's full support for the political process there, and means [...] | 2006-06-12 11:59:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS2779 | MUTED SYRIAN RESPONSE TO FOURTH UNIIIC INSTALLMENT [...] (C) Summary: The SARG has so far limited its public reaction to the fourth report of the UNIIIC investigation into the assassination of former Lebanese PM Rafik Hariri, which was delivered to UNSYG Kofi Annan on June 10. SARG officials are relatively happy with the report but are generally [...] | 2006-06-12 14:00:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KCRM SY LE |
06DAMASCUS278 | SYRIAN MP SAYS INTELL CHIEF WANTS TO BE FRIENDS [...] (C) Summary: This is a corrected copy of Damascus 0270. Please disregard previous version. A Syrian MP and businessman told us January 24 that, despite a U.S. decision to freeze the assets of Syrian Military Intelligence (SMI) chief Asif Shawqat, the intelligence head still considered himse [...] | 2006-01-25 15:09:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS2781 | SECOND SYRIAN-EMIRATI ECONOMIC FORUM DRAWS [...] (SBU) The SARG continues to try to attract Gulf foreign direct investment (FDI),as evidenced by the second Syrian-Emirati Economic Forum, entitled "Visions Beyond Investment," which opened in Damascus on June 10 and drew a crowd of approximately 2000 the first day. The forum opening featured [...] | 2006-06-12 14:00:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON ETRD EINV SY |
06DAMASCUS2822 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/US, Syria/Venezuela, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported that FM Walid al-Mouallem received James Abourezek, Chairman of the American-Arab Anti- Discrimination Committee and former US Senator, and that they talked about American-Syrian relations, the situation in Iraq, and the Arab-Israel conflict. In a statement to S [...] | 2006-06-14 09:08:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS2858 | SYRIA ROUNDUP [...] (C) SERIES OF ARRESTS RELATED TO JUNE 2 ATTACKS REPORTED: Human rights organizations have reported that fourteen men and boys from the Damascus suburb of Erbeen have been detained by the SARG as suspects in the June 2 attack in Damascus on the compound of the Syrian TV and Radio headquarter [...] | 2006-06-15 09:44:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV SY |
06DAMASCUS286 | HUMAN RIGHTS ROUNDUP: ABDUL SALAAM FACES PRIME [...] (C): ABDUL SALAAM FACES WRATH OF PRIME MINISTER: The SARG has taken additional steps against Etana Press manager and civil society activist Maan Abdul Salaam, who has faced multiple confrontations with the SARG in recent months. According to Abdul Salaam, a directive was sent by the Prime M [...] | 2006-01-26 12:59:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM SY |
06DAMASCUS2864 | SYRIA SEEKS TO BLOCK ADMISSION OF ISRAEL'S MAGEN [...] (C) Summary: Syria's President Bashar al-Asad has authorized a Syrian effort to block Israel's Magen David Adom (MDA) into the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement at its June 20-21 international conference in Geneva, according to the head of the International Committee of the R [...] | 2006-06-15 13:27:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREF PREL PHUM ICRC IS SY |
06DAMASCUS287 | SYRIA'S IRAN GAMBIT: CONSUMMATING A MARRIAGE OF [...] (C) Summary: Syria-Iran relations resemble a strong, long-time marriage, albeit one of convenience, with Syria now being the junior partner, according to contacts, commenting on Iranian President Ahmadinejad's January 19-20 visit to Damascus. Syria and Iran sought to use the visit to demon [...] | 2006-01-26 13:06:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV SY IR |
06DAMASCUS2871 | DAMASCUS SEES FLURRY OF VISITS, MEETINGS LINKED TO [...] (C) Visiting Palestinian Authority (PA) FM Zahar met June 13 with Syrian FM Mu'allim to discuss the situation in the Palestinian territories, as well as the Palestinian-Syrian bilateral relationship, according to the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA). The head of the Palestine Liberation Organi [...] | 2006-06-15 14:43:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | KPAL PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS2877 | Damascus Media Reaction: Brammertz Report, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported an address by Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Miqdad to the UN Security Council at a session about the latest Brammertz report. Miqdad confirmed Syrian cooperation with the UN investigation into the killing of former Lebanese PM Rafik Hariri. Dr. Miqdad said, "we [...] | 2006-06-18 10:22:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS288 | RIYAD SEIF: WHAT IS HIS POTENTIAL? [...] (C) Summary: The SARG's January 18 release of former MP Riad Seif (with four other Damascus Spring detainees) has provoked a surge of assessments and predictions about his potential and his plans. Contacts are divided about Seif's political prospects, with admirers noting that Seif, a Damas [...] | 2006-01-26 14:00:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS2899 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Iran, Syria/Agha Khan [...] Summary: Syrian papers on (6/16) reported President Asad's meeting with Syrian official media figures. President Asad discussed on Thursday (6/15) with representatives of the government-run media the role of information, and mechanisms and conceptions that might contribute to its development. [...] | 2006-06-19 06:47:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS290 | SARG ABRUPTLY RAISES PRICE OF GASOLINE, CEMENT [...] (C) Summary: Without prior warning, the SARG increased prices for gasoline and cement on January 25, claiming in state-owned dailies that it was a necessary step to stop smuggling and black market trading in both commodities. The price hikes, which were not accompanied by a concommitant incre [...] | 2006-01-26 15:16:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN SY LE |
06DAMASCUS291 | Damascus Media Reaction: Golan, Lebanon, Palestinian [...] Summary: Syrian papers featured a statement by citizens of the Golan emphasizing that they are part of the Syrian Arab people and confirming adherence to national unity and genuine accord with their leadership in Syria. They announced their clear stands against all "conspiracies" against thei [...] | 2006-01-26 15:54:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS2935 | BACKBITING, BICKERING, AND EATING THEIR YOUNG: [...] (C) SUMMARY: Throughout the last eight months, a flurry of newly created human rights organizations have entered the Syrian civil society stage. However, the activists running these organizations are not new to the scene; instead, they tend to hail from splinter groups of still-existing or [...] | 2006-06-19 13:23:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV SY |
06DAMASCUS2938 | NEWLY RELEASED SYRIA DECLARATION ENCOUNTERS [...] (C) SUMMARY: While the recently published "Syria Declaration" calling for improvements in human rights policy and the passage of laws guaranteeing a range of civil liberties has gained international attention following its release on June 14, many civil society members are either unaware of [...] | 2006-06-19 14:14:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV SY |
06DAMASCUS2975 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Palestinians, OIC [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported that Vice President Farouk al-Shara discussed the latest developments in the occupied Palestinian territories and the ongoing national dialogue between Palestine factions with a Palestinian delegation headed by Khaled Meshal, Head of the Hamas Politburo. Mr. Sha [...] | 2006-06-20 13:11:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS2976 | HUMAN RIGHTS ROUND-UP: LABWANI TRIAL CONTINUES; [...] (C) LABWANI TRIAL CONTINUES: The trial of political activist Kamal Labwani continued June 19 at the Damascus Criminal Court, with numerous family members and Syrian activists present, as well as Poloff and a Finnish Embassy representative. Labwani, who faces charges of inciting a foreign p [...] | 2006-06-20 14:00:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV SY |
06DAMASCUS3 | SYRIA'S CORRUPT CLASSES [...] (C) Summary: The Syrian economy continues to be dominated by a "corrupt class" who use their personal ties to members of the Asad family and the Syrian security services to gain monopolistic control over most sectors of the economy, while enriching themselves and their regime benefactors. The [...] | 2006-01-02 10:50:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN PTER SY LE SANC |
06DAMASCUS3019 | Damascus Media Reaction: OIC Ministerial, Syria/Serbia, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported that FM Walid al-Moallem discussed with his Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul regional topics of joint concern and issues on the agenda of the 33rd session of OIC Foreign Ministers meeting held in Baku. During a meeting held on the margin of the OIC Ministerial, b [...] | 2006-06-21 14:11:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS3042 | DAMASCUS DECLARATION AIMS TO REVITALIZE EFFORTS [...] (C) SUMMARY: The Damascus Declaration group will assemble June 26 for a crucial meeting, aimed at creating a more clearly defined, structured organization and moving away from being a coalition of individuals, according to key opposition activist Riad Seif. Should the group succeed, Seif p [...] | 2006-06-22 14:13:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV SY |
06DAMASCUS3043 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Jordan, OIC Ministerial, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported that President Asad on Wednesday made a telephone call to His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan and that they discussed bilateral relations between the two sisterly countries. Talks also dealt with preparation for the meeting of the Syrian-Jordanian Higher Join [...] | 2006-06-22 15:00:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS3047 | COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR ALEXANDER PASCAL [...] (U) Embassy Damascus warmly welcomes and grants country clearance to Alexander Pascal, 2006 Summer Intern, for travel to Damascus from July 15 to August 20, 2006. 2. (U) POC for this visit is Elizabeth Lyne, Administrative Assistant, who can be reached at (work) (963) (11) 333-1342, Ext [...] | 2006-06-25 11:15:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | AMGT APER SY |
06DAMASCUS3049 | Damascus Media Reaction: Asad/Mubarak Summit, [...] Summary: Syrian papers highlighted the Syrian-Egyptian summit held Thursday between Presidents Asad and Mubarak that focused on the situation in the Arab region and bilateral relations. The opening session was attended by VP Faruk al-Shara and FM Walid al- Mouallem, as well as Minister of Info [...] | 2006-06-25 12:17:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS311 | SARG IMPLEMENTS TRAVEL BAN TO PREVENT "FUTURE [...] (C) Summary: In the wake of former VP Abdul Halim Khaddam's press campaign that began in late December, the SARG implemented a travel ban on an undetermined number of current and former officials and military officers. Former PM Mustafa Miru and his family, as well as relatives of deceased [...] | 2006-01-30 12:05:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS3121 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Kazakhstan, [...] Summary: Syrian papers today reported President Asad's meeting with Yar Mohammed Aritsayiev, Kazakh Minister of Information and Culture, which focused on bilateral relations of cooperation, and prospects of boosting them in the economic, cultural, and social spheres. Papers also reported Pres [...] | 2006-06-26 13:16:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS3123 | DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON SYRIAN REFOULEMENT OF UNHCR [...] (U) The CDA delivered a demarche to the MFA Chief of Protocol on June 26 per instructions in ref C & D. The CDA expressed USG concerns about the refoulement to Iran of the UNHCR-recognized refugee Saeed Saki, an Ahwazi Iranian activist, in direct contravention of Syria's commitments under A [...] | 2006-06-26 13:43:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREL SY IR |
06DAMASCUS313 | Damascus Media Reaction: HAMAS Victory, Mashaal Visit, [...] Summary: Syrian papers today reported President Asad's meeting on January 29 with Khalid Mashaal, Chief of HAMAS' Political Bureau. Talks dealt with the results of the Palestinian elections. President Asad congratulated Mashaal on the HAMAS victory and stressed that the results of the election [...] | 2006-01-30 12:08:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS3136 | Damascus Media Reaction: President Asad's interview with [...] Summary: All Syrian papers published President Asad's comprehensive interview with London-based al-Hayat about developments in the region. On impressions regarding retreat of the Arab role in the region, in the face of the growing Iranian role, President Asad said: "We have to define whether t [...] | 2006-06-27 11:26:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS3177 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Italy, Syria/Libya, [...] Summary: Syrian papers today featured a statement by Italian Journalist Stefanou Ciarini calling for more communication between Syrian and Italian intellectuals to bridge the gap created by 9/11 between the Islamic and Western civilizations. "European governments are following the US policy re [...] | 2006-06-28 13:17:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS3186 | SARG NEGOTIATES FOR RUSSIAN AIRCRAFT AS PART OF [...] (U) Syrian Minister of Transportation, Yarob Sulieman Bader, was in Moscow this past week negotiating with representatives from Ilyushin Finance and Voronezh Aircraft Construction Company on the purchase of seven new planes to update SyrianAir's fleet. Local, regional, and international press [...] | 2006-06-29 11:10:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | EAIR ECON EINV ETTC SY |
06DAMASCUS3194 | SYRIAN INFLUENCE GROWING WITH REGIONAL [...] (C) Summary: The SARG sees its influence growing in light of regional developments, including the recent kidnapping of an Israeli soldier, the June 28 Israeli overflight of Syrian President Bashar al-Asad's summer home, and Asad's separate June 28 meetings in Damascus with visiting Lebanese [...] | 2006-06-29 14:16:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM SY LE IS IR JO |
06DAMASCUS3223 | UNDER PRESSURE, SYRIAN REGIME STIRS STONE SOUP [...] (C) Summary: The ongoing Gaza crisis notwithstanding, the SARG is conducting its foreign policy in traditional Syrian style, playing for time and survival against international pressure on a range of issues. This was most recently demonstrated by the July 1 meeting between the visiting Qata [...] | 2006-07-03 11:45:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KPAL SY |
06DAMASCUS3256 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Israel, Syria/Lebanon, [...] Summary: Syrian papers today featured an official statement reporting that two Israeli military aircraft flew at low altitude near the Syrian coast in the Wadi Qandil area at dawn. Syrian Air Defense Forces fired at the planes, that then left the region. The source said the hostile act was an [...] | 2006-07-03 13:10:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS3258 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Qatar, Syria/Iran, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported President Asad's meeting with Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem bin Jabr Al Thani, that focused on the latest regional developments, particularly in the occupied Palestinian territories. Talks also touched upon bilateral relations between Syria and [...] | 2006-07-03 14:10:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS3261 | SOUTH AFRICA BUYS INTO 45% OF SYRIAN CELLULAR [...] (C) Local press reported that South African company MTN Group recently purchased Investcom, which owns Areeba, one of the two cellular companies in Syria. Deemed by the press to be a positive step for cellular services in Syria, the 5.5 Billion USD transaction, of which Areeba's share was 1 B [...] | 2006-07-05 11:14:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EINV ETRD SY |
06DAMASCUS3289 | Damascus Media Reaction: Palestinian Territories, Iraq, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported that President Asad headed a meeting of the National Progressive Front, during which he reiterated Syria's support of the Palestinian people and confirmed efforts to make their national dialogue a success. Asad said, "Syria stands with full force at the side of [...] | 2006-07-05 12:54:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS3305 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Saudi Arabia, Palestinian [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported that President Asad received a phone call from Saudi King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz which focused on the situation in the Middle East and bilateral relations. Papers also reported that Arab and Islamic groups at the UN in Geneva approved a draft resolution proposed [...] | 2006-07-06 12:24:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS3365 | HAMAS EXILED LEADER HOLDS DAMASCUS PRESS CONFERENCE [...] (U) Summary: The leader of Hamas' external political wing, Khalid Mish'al, held a lengthy press conference July 10 at a Damascus hotel, covering the rejection of U.S. and Israeli demands to release a kidnapped Israel soldier, ongoing international dialogue with Hamas, and Syrian support for [...] | 2006-07-10 14:26:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | KPAL PREL PGOV SY IS |
06DAMASCUS338 | HAMAS VICTORY PUTS SARG IN A STRANGE CORNER [...] (C) Summary: The senior PLO representative in Damascus, Khalid Fahoum, said on January 30 that Damascus-based Hamas leader Khalid Mish'al was confident of Hamas' ability to govern and would quickly move to shore up support for Hamas in the PLO, in the PA security services and in Palestinian [...] | 2006-01-30 15:56:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | KPAL PREL PGOV SY |
06DAMASCUS339 | Damascus Media Reaction: Palestinian Territories, Iraq, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported that Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Miqdad conferred with the Advisor to the Norwegian Foreign Minister for Middle East Affairs, during which Miqdad held Israel responsible for the exacerbated situation in the occupied Palestinian territories. The Norwegian Advi [...] | 2006-07-09 13:52:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS3437 | INITIAL SARG REACTION TO HIZBALLAH HOSTAGE-TAKING [...] (SBU) In the wake of the taking of two IDF hostages by Hizballah, VP Farouk Shara'a was quoted today as stating that he expected Israeli "escalation" against Syria. Al-Arabiyya satellite TV carried the quote but did not provide details. In a press conference after his meeting with Iranian nuc [...] | 2006-07-12 13:31:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV SY LE |
06DAMASCUS3451 | CHARGE URGES SARG TO PRESS HIZBALLAH FOR RELEASE [...] (C) Charge expressed the deep concern of the USG about the current regional crisis and Syria's role in it to his designated interlocutor at the MFA, Director of Protocol Amir Smadi. Meeting the morning of July 13, Charge urged the SARG in the strongest terms to exercise its influence on Hizba [...] | 2006-07-13 12:22:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL SY LE |
06DAMASCUS3453 | Damascus Media Reaction: South Lebanon, Syria/Iran, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported the deteriorating situation in south Lebanon in the wake of the Hizbollah capture of two Israeli soldiers. Headlines featured President Asad's consultations on the situation in Lebanon and the Palestinian territories with President Mubarak, UN SecGen Kofi Annan, [...] | 2006-07-13 12:41:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS3481 | Damascus Media Reaction: Israeli Operations in Lebanon, [...] Summary: Syrian papers focused on the tense situation in Lebanon. All papers reported a statement by Hassan Nasrallah, Hizbollah's Secretary General, saying that the resistance is ready for "an open war" against Israel, announcing that the resistance fighters had set fire to an Israeli wars [...] | 2006-07-16 12:54:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS3482 | TFLE01: SYRIA AS OF 1500 HOURS LOCAL, SUNDAY, [...] (C) Summary: The situation in Syria remains relatively calm. DAO reports no signs of a higher state of alert, except for air defense units that were moved to a heightened level in late June. The official Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported that President Asad spoke by phone with Lebanon [...] | 2006-07-16 13:08:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY LE |
06DAMASCUS3485 | TFLE01: SYRIA SITREP 02 AS OF 1230 LOCAL, MONDAY, [...] (S) Summary: Initial eyewitness reports estimated that as many as 20,000 Syrians participated in a SARG-orchestrated demonstration July 17 in downtown Damascus. Protesters mainly expressed pro-SARG and pro-Hizballah messages. Separately on July 17, the Syrian MFA's Protocol Director summone [...] | 2006-07-17 12:00:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET | PREL PGOV SY LE |
06DAMASCUS3487 | SARG SHEDS CROCODILE TEARS, AS IT ASSESSES COSTS [...] (C) Summary: The current conflict in Lebanon puts in play significant Syrian interests, with the potential for either windfall political profits or enormous costs. Political analysts here believe at a minimum that the SARG will benefit from the fatal weakening of Lebanese PM Fouad Siniora a [...] | 2006-07-17 14:10:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY LE |
06DAMASCUS3488 | SYRIA'S KAMAL LABWANI READS STATEMENT IN COURT [...] (SBU) Jailed opposition activist Kamal Labwani appeared July 16 in criminal court and read a three-page statement on his own behalf to explain his televised Al-Hurra and Mustaqbal interviews in late 2005 in which he called for diplomatic pressure to bring political changes in Syria. An anima [...] | 2006-07-17 14:29:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV SY |
06DAMASCUS3489 | TFLE01: IRANIAN FM VISITS DAMASCUS [...] (U) Iran's FM Manouchehr Mottaki visited Damascus July 17, meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Asad and delivering a message from Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who stressed Iran's stand with Syria in confronting any attacks or aggression, according to the official Syrian Arab New [...] | 2006-07-17 14:35:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PGOV KPAL SY IR LE |
06DAMASCUS3490 | TFLE01: SYRIA SITREP 03 AS OF 1300 LOCAL, [...] (S) Summary: The Ba'ath Party's highest policy-making body met July 17 and urged the SARG to prepare for all possibilities in view of Israel's continued bombardment of Lebanon, according to the official Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA). The SARG has rejected a proposed visit to Syria by UN env [...] | 2006-07-18 11:38:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET | PREL PGOV SY LE |
06DAMASCUS3491 | Damascus Media Reaction: Israeli Operation in Lebanon [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported that President Asad received a message from Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad expressing support for Syria in the face of any threat or attack. The message was conveyed by Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki when President Asad received Mottaki and [...] | 2006-07-19 04:46:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS3514 | REGIME MOVES TO DEFUSE SUNNI ANGER OVER EDUCATION [...] (C) Summary: A July petition to President Bashar al-Asad, signed by 200 prominent Sunni religious figures, protesting eduation reform plans that would impact Islamic schools, apparently caused concern at the upper levels of the Asad regime. Senior security officials intervened and asked the [...] | 2006-07-19 11:33:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KISL SOCI SY |
06DAMASCUS3515 | TFLE01: SYRIA DAILY SITREP 03 FOR WEDNESDAY, JULY [...] (C) Summary: A Russian envoy and the EU's foreign policy chief are expected to make separate visits to Syria, perhaps as early as July 20, and the SARG may reverse its refusal to receive UN Special Envoy Terje Roed-Larsen, according to a media contact. The Ba'ath Party's highest policy-makin [...] | 2006-07-19 12:28:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV SY LE |
06DAMASCUS3552 | Damascus Media Reaction: Israeli Operations in Lebanon [...] Summary: Syrian papers today reported a meeting by the Syrian Cabinet emphasizing readiness in all fields to face all future scenarios. PM Mohammed Naji Ottri underlined "the importance of coordination and integration of government performance, escalating readiness in all sectors, and taking t [...] | 2006-07-20 08:29:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS3573 | Damascus Media Reaction: Israeli Operation in Lebanon, [...] Summary: Syrian papers continued to focus on the Israeli military action in Lebanon. Headlines featured President Asad's phone call with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyib Erdogan, which dealt with "the continuing Israeli aggression against Lebanon and Palestine." Papers also reported that t [...] | 2006-07-20 12:52:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS3577 | TFLE01: SYRIA DAILY SITREP 05 FOR THURSDAY, JULY [...] (S) Summary: On July 20, Syria's President Bashar al-Asad met with Russian Middle East envoy Saltanov and, separately, called Turkish PM Erdogan to discuss the Israel-Hizballah conflict, according to media reports. The Ba'ath party's most important policy-making body met for the third conse [...] | 2006-07-20 13:48:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET | PREL PGOV SY LE |
06DAMASCUS3578 | TFLE01: SYRIA DAILY SITREP 06 FOR FRIDAY, JULY [...] (C) Summary: 2. (C) A demonstration in support of Hizballah began at 1900 hours July 20 at Ommayyad Circle, located about four blocks from the Embassy. Emboffs reported that the 1200-2000 demonstrators, mostly teenage males, waved Hizballah flags and shouted anti-American and anti-Israel [...] | 2006-07-21 11:02:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS3601 | TFLE01: SYRIA DAILY SITREP 07 FOR SUNDAY, JULY [...] (S) Summary: Contacts are reporting a dramatic rise in anti-American sentiment in Syria over the past ten days. The influential director of the Abu Noor Institute, Sheikh Saleh Kuftaro, called upon the SARG "to open the borders with Israel for resistance" during Friday prayers on July 21. O [...] | 2006-07-23 13:31:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET | PREL PGOV PHUM SY LE |
06DAMASCUS3602 | Damascus Media Reaction: Israeli Operation in Lebanon [...] Summary: Syrian newspapers continued to report on the Israeli operation in Lebanon. All papers reported that Bashar al- Ja'afari, Syria's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, called on the UN Security Council "to shoulder responsibility in putting an immediate end to the Israeli ag [...] | 2006-07-24 06:56:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS362 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Russia, Palestinian [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported President Asad's meeting with Yuri N. Baluyevsky, Russian Chief of Staff, which dealt with enhancing bilateral relations and with the latest regional and international developments. Papers also reported the joint press conference held by the Russian Chief-of-Sta [...] | 2006-02-01 14:21:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS3626 | Damascus Media Reaction: Israel/Lebanon, Palestinian [...] Summary: Syrian papers continued to report on the tense situation in South Lebanon. All papers featured a statement by Dr. Mohsen Bilal, Minister of Information, to Spanish daily "ABC" that "Syria will not sit tight if Israeli ground troops enter Lebanon and approach Syria. If Israel invades L [...] | 2006-07-24 12:35:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS3627 | TFLE01: SYRIA DAILY SITREP 08 FOR MONDAY, JULY [...] (S) Summary: Up to 250,000 people have entered Syria from Lebanon since the start of the Israel-Hizballah conflict, with up to 90,000 needing "immediate assistance," according to contacts. Displaced Lebanese are settling throughout the country, with many seeking aid from the government, Syr [...] | 2006-07-24 14:30:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET | PREL PGOV PHUM SY LE |
06DAMASCUS363 | CHARGE INFORMS DFM MU'ALLIM THAT AMBASSADOR WILL [...] (C) Summary: Using reftel points, Charge informed SARG DFM Walid Mu'allim February 1 that Ambassador Scobey would not be returning to post. Mu'allim called the decision a mistake. The DFM also took issue with the points raised on Iraq, Palestinian rejectionist groups, Lebanon, and the need [...] | 2006-02-01 15:42:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS3655 | TFLE01: SYRIA DAILY SITREP 09 FOR TUESDAY, JULY [...] (C) Summary: The SARG has yet to respond to a July 25 demarche from the Charge about steps required of Syria as part of efforts to halt the Israel-Hizballah conflict. The Damascus-based UN Resident Coordinator held a meeting July 25 for diplomatic representatives of donor countries to discus [...] | 2006-07-25 14:29:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM SY LE |
06DAMASCUS3658 | Damascus Media Reaction: Israeli Operation in Lebanon, [...] Summary: The Israeli military operation in Lebanon remained the major topic in the Syrian press. Papers reported that President Asad received telephone calls from UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and Greek Socialist Party leader George Panadreou, which focused on latest developments in Lebanon [...] | 2006-07-26 09:08:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS3660 | TFLE01: SYRIA DAILY SITREP 10 FOR WEDNESDAY, JULY [...] (U) Summary: Spain will present the Syrian position at the July 26 Rome conference on the Israel-Hizballah crisis, according to regional media, citing two visits this week by the SARG's Minister of Information to Madrid. Palestinian rejectionist groups in Damascus, including Hamas and Pales [...] | 2006-07-26 11:04:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PGOV PHUM LE SY |
06DAMASCUS3678 | Damascus Media Reaction: Israeli Operation in Lebanon, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported a statement by the press office of the Syrian Ministry of Communication and Technology denying reports circulated by electronic websites to the effect that Syria possesses information about al-Qaeda and that Syria is ready to offer it to the US. The statement de [...] | 2006-07-26 13:48:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS3679 | ANTI-AMERICAN, PRO-HIZBALLAH THEMES PREDOMINATE IN [...] (C) Summary: Rising anti-American sentiment is evident in Syria in response to the aerial bombardment Israel has unleashed on Lebanon in the past two weeks. Many contacts, reflecting widespread public sentiment, accuse the U.S. of using Israel's military might to impose its own agenda on Le [...] | 2006-07-26 13:54:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS3680 | SYRIA ACCOUNTABILITY ACT HITS HOME: ONE MAN'S STORY [...] (U) Summary. Sanctions imposed by the Syrian Accountability Act (SAA) are routinely circumvented in all business sectors, as many Syrian businessmen believe the benefits for doing so have outweighed the costs. Even when following the rules, the Syrian business community's perception is that [...] | 2006-07-26 15:24:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | EAIR ECON EINV ETTC SY |
06DAMASCUS3695 | SYRIA'S LABWANI SUFFERING ONGOING LEGAL WOES, RIAD [...] (C) Summary: Jailed opposition activist Kamal Labwani appeared July 25 in criminal court for the second time in two weeks, with the judge again postponing decision on the defense team's request to show in open court Labwani's televised interviews on Al-Hurra and Al-Mustaqbal. Labwani's next [...] | 2006-07-27 09:12:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV SY LE |
06DAMASCUS3700 | TFLE01: SYRIA DAILY SITREP 11 THURSDAY JULY 27, [...] (U) Summary: The head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, Ali Larijani, arrived in Damascus July 26 for talks with SARG officials on the crisis in Lebanon and the Rome Conference, according to Arab regional media. DAO reports increasing displays of pro-Hizballah Arabic-language banne [...] | 2006-07-27 13:39:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PGOV PHUM LE SY |
06DAMASCUS3701 | ASAD CONFIDENT ABOUT CURRENT SITUATION, WELCOMES [...] (C) Summary: Syrian President Bashar al-Asad met for an hour July 25 with David Lesch , his American biographer, who is in country with his family for a short visit. Asad appeared relaxed and confident about the way events were playing out in Lebanon. He mentioned the possibility of Syrian interven [...] | 2006-07-27 13:41:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY LE |
06DAMASCUS3711 | TFLE01: SYRIA DAILY SITREP 12 FOR SUNDAY, JULY [...] (C) Summary: An Israeli missile strike on July 29 destroyed the road serving a main Lebanese border crossing between Damascus and Beirut about five miles west of the official Syrian border crossing, effectively closing the crossing, according to contacts and press reports. Several hundred p [...] | 2006-07-30 12:44:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET | PREL PGOV PREF PHUM LE SY |
06DAMASCUS3718 | Damascus Media Reaction: Israeli operation in Lebanon [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported that Secretary General of Hizbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, stressed in a televised speech on al- Manar TV station that Israel has failed to achieve anything militarily so far in its 18-day aggression on Lebanon, and that Israel has received very tough blows. He adde [...] | 2006-07-31 07:14:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS3720 | FM MU'ALLIM CALLS FOR IMMEDIATE CEASE-FIRE, NOTES [...] (C) Summary: FM Walid Mu'allim told assembled chiefs of mission in Damascus July 30 there was no justification for the deadly attack at Qana and criticized U.S. diplomatic efforts for blocking the international community from imposing an immediate cease-fire. Mu'allim reported that he had be [...] | 2006-07-31 11:22:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL SY LE |
06DAMASCUS3721 | Damascus Media Reaction: Israeli War against Lebanon, [...] Summary: Syrian papers today reported the new Israeli massacre in Qana. Headlines featured President Asad's telephone conversation with Lebanese President Lahoud expressing pain and shock at the crime that Israel has committed against innocent civilians in Qana. President Asad reaffirmed Syria' [...] | 2006-07-31 11:27:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS3742 | TFLE01: SYRIA DAILY SITREP 13 FOR MONDAY JULY 31, [...] (S) Summary: For the second time in two days Israel bombed the main border crossing between Lebanon and Syria, more than three miles from the Syrian border. Syrian artillery, missile and ground forces are being defensively dispersed from their garrisons throughout Syria and Syrian air defenses [...] | 2006-07-31 13:04:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET | PREL PGOV PHUM PREF LE SY |
06DAMASCUS3744 | SYRIA'S LABWANI APPEARS IN COURT, DEFENSE ASKS FOR [...] (C) Syrian opposition activist Kamal Labwani appeared in court July 31, with the criminal court judge granting the defense team's request to play two televised interviews, including one with Al-Hurra, in an open court session, possibly as early as Labwani's next court appearance on August 23, [...] | 2006-07-31 14:02:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS3754 | TFLE01: SYRIA DAILY SITREP 14 FOR TUESDAY, AUGUST [...] (U) Summary: Syrian President Asad asked the Syrian military to raise its readiness, pledging not to abandon support for the Lebanese "resistance" against Israel, according to reports of Asad's July 31 annual address commemorating the foundation of the Syria Arab Army. Israel launched its t [...] | 2006-08-01 12:33:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET | PREL PGOV PREF PHUM LE SY |
06DAMASCUS3779 | Damascus Media Reaction: Israeli Operation in Lebanon, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported that President Asad addressed the Syrian armed forces on July 31 in a speech published in "The People's Army" magazine, marking the 61st anniversary of the foundation of the Syrian Army. Asad said that the anniversary is being observed this year "amid internati [...] | 2006-08-01 13:37:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS3805 | Damascus Media Reaction: Israel/Lebanon, Syria/Iran, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported that President Asad and Chinese President Jintao exchanged letters of congratulation marking the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. President Asad expressed confidence that the relations of friendship and co [...] | 2006-08-02 13:40:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS3806 | TFLE01: SYRIA DAILY SITREP 15 FOR WEDNESDAY, [...] (U) Summary: Syria's President Asad was expected to meet visiting Spanish FM Moratinos August 2 in Damascus, according to Arabic regional media. Germany's FM linked Syrian cooperation in ending fighting between Israel and Hizballah to closer relations with the European Union, including impr [...] | 2006-08-02 13:41:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET | PREL PGOV PREF PHUM LE SY |
06DAMASCUS3835 | TFLE01: SYRIA DAILY SITREP 16 FOR THURSDAY, [...] (U) Summary: Visiting Spanish FM Moratinos was scheduled to meet Syrian President Asad and VP Shara'a on August 3 in Damascus. Moratinos arrived in Damascus August 2 and met with Syrian FM Mu'allim, discussing the need for an immediate cease-fire, according to the official Syrian Arab News A [...] | 2006-08-03 14:33:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PGOV PREF PHUM LE SY |
06DAMASCUS3837 | SYRIAN ACTIVIST URGES U.S. TO LAY DOWN MARKERS [...] (C) Recently released Damascus Spring detainee Fawwaz Tello asserted in a recent meeting with Poloff that despite the ongoing Israel-Hizballah conflict, the SARG must not be allowed to cross "red lines" in its ongoing crackdown against Syrian human rights and civil society activists. The SARG [...] | 2006-08-03 14:59:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV SY |
06DAMASCUS3848 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Iran, Israel/Lebanon, [...] No summary [...] | 2006-08-06 12:24:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS3851 | TFLE01: SYRIA DAILY SITREP 17 FOR SUNDAY AUGUST 6, [...] (S) Summary: Syrian Information Minister Mohsen Bilal called the August 4 al-Qaa strike that killed 26 Syrians "a racist, fascist and terrorist act committed with American weapons." The Syrian Foreign Minister on August 5 sent two letters regarding the al-Qaa killings to the UN SYG and the he [...] | 2006-08-06 15:57:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET | PREL PGOV PHUM LE SY |
06DAMASCUS3863 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Lebanon, Syria/Qatar, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported that President Asad has sent a message of support and solidarity to Lebanese President Lahoud, conveyed by Foreign Minister Waleed al-Mouallem, to confirm Syria's solidarity with and support of the steadfastness of the Lebanese people and the national resistance [...] | 2006-08-07 13:18:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS3864 | PROPOSED SARG AVIATION DEALS TO AVOID US SANCTIONS [...] (U) Summary. Despite Minister of Transport Yador Sulieman Bader,s public touting of the attractiveness of the January 2006 Russian offer (Ref B) to sell Syrian Arab Airlines (SyrianAir) five to seven Russian-built aircraft to replace their aging Airbus/Boeing fleet, no deal has yet been signed [...] | 2006-08-07 13:30:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | EAIR ECON EINV ETTC SY |
06DAMASCUS388 | Damascus Media Reaction: HAMAS Election Win, Lebanon, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported President Asad's meeting with a delegation from the Council for the National Interest, a U.S. NGO. A SANA release stated that the talks dealt with ways of activating ties in the interest of both countries and thereby achieving security and stability in the region [...] | 2006-02-02 13:59:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS3896 | TFLE01: SYRIA DAILY SITREP 19 FOR TUESDAY AUGUST [...] (U) Summary: In Beirut, Syrian FM Walid Mu'allim continued praising Hizballah (the "Lebanese National Resistance"),noting in his public remarks that Lebanese PM Fouad Siniora had been politically strengthened by Hizballah's military successes. Mu'allim also rejected the draft UNSCR. Top SARG [...] | 2006-08-08 15:09:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PGOV PHUM LE SY |
06DAMASCUS3899 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Lebanon, Syria/Greece, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported that President Asad called Lebanese President Lahoud on August 8 to discuss the French- American draft UNSC resolution and the international positions on it. Both presidents stressed that any formula must have unanimous Lebanese support. During the conversation, [...] | 2006-08-09 07:44:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS391 | U.S. DELEGATION MEETS SYRIAN PRESIDENT, CALLS FOR [...] (C) Summary: A seven-member delegation, including former heads of U.S. missions, met separately February 1 with Syrian President Bashar al-Asad, FM Farouk al-Shar'a, and Hamas leader Khalid Mish'al, according to delegation members in a subsequent meeting with the Charge. The Asad meeting re [...] | 2006-02-02 14:46:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KPAL SY |
06DAMASCUS3914 | Damascus Media Reaction: Israeli Operation in Lebanon, [...] Summary: Syrian papers today reported that the Syrian Cabinet listened to a political review by Foreign Minister Mouallem confirming that Arab Foreign Ministers oppose any UN Security Council resolution on Lebanon that doesn't include Lebanese demands, and any other resolution that gives Israe [...] | 2006-08-09 13:07:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS392 | AN ALAWITE-SUNNI CHAT ON KHADDAM, FUTURE OF REGIME [...] (C) The criticisms and maneuvering of former VP Khaddam continue to generate intense private discussion in Syria. According to Sunni politician XXXXXXXXXXXX on January 30, a retired senior Alawite military officer pribvately endorsed Khaddam's views and noted fears that he and other former A [...] | 2006-02-02 15:08:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS3928 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Sudan, Syria/France, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported President Asad's meeting with Mostafa Othamn Ismael, Advisor to the Sudanese President, who reiterated the importance of working to stop Israel's aggression against Lebanon, and called for withdrawal of occupation forces from South Lebanon. Ismael expressed [...] | 2006-08-11 09:16:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS393 | NEW KFC IN SYRIA WITNESSES ITS FIRST ANTI-AMERICAN [...] (SBU) Summary: Having opened only recently with generous media coverage, demonstrators associated with the Committee to Boycott U.S. Products staged a protest against the new KFC restaurant in Damascus this week. The organizers of the protest are not affiliated with the Central Boycott Office [...] | 2006-02-02 15:12:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ETRD EINV SY |
06DAMASCUS394 | RIAD SEIF COMMENTS ON PRESS CONFERENCE, DISCUSSES [...] (C) SUMMARY: In a February 1 conversation with PolOff, prominent opposition figure Riad Seif discussed the SARG's prevention of the released Damascus Spring detainees' January 31 press conference and explained some of his requests for U.S. support in greater depth. In a later meeting, he d [...] | 2006-02-02 15:47:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM SY |
06DAMASCUS3945 | Damascus Media Reaction: UNSC Resolution on Lebanon, [...] Summary: Syrian papers gave prominent coverage to the adoption of UNSC Resolution No. 1701, with detailed descriptions of its contents. Papers also reported a press statement by Lebanese Foreign Minister Salloukh praising the UN Human Rights Council's resolution condemning the Israeli aggress [...] | 2006-08-13 13:00:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS3965 | SYRIA,S INVOLVEMENT IN IRAQ,S FUEL TRADE [...] (U) Syrians are involved in both the legal and illicit trade in oil and oil derivatives from Iraq. On the legal side, the Syrian Oil Marketing Bureau (OMB) imports 10,000 barrels per day (BPD) of crude oil and 1,000 BPD of residual fuel-oil (RFO) from Iraq. In exchange, the Syrians export 60 [...] | 2006-08-14 09:53:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | EFIN EPET KCOR JO KU SY TU IZ AE |
06DAMASCUS3969 | Damascus Media Reaction: Israel/Lebanon, Syria/Lebanon, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported that President Asad received a telephone call from UN SecGen Kofi Annan. Their talks dealt with the situation in Lebanon following the UNSC resolution and with implementation of the ceasefire. Papers also quoted an official Syrian source as saying that Syria sup [...] | 2006-08-14 12:42:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS3998 | ASAD SPEECH, ON-THE-GROUND REALITIES, FORESHADOW [...] (C) Summary: Until the August 15 speech of President Bashar al-Asad, the SARG adopted a tone of cautious, critical tone in its reaction to UNSCR 1701, expressing little enthusiasm but avoiding statements that could be read as outright rejection. Asad's combative speech was much more critica [...] | 2006-08-15 13:03:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV SY LE |
06DAMASCUS3999 | Damascus Media Reaction: Asad, Nasrallah, Olmert, [...] Summary: Syrian papers today reported that President Asad will deliver a speech focusing on the latest political developments in the region at the inauguration of the Fourth General Conference of the Syrian Journalists Union. Papers also featured a televised speech by Hassan Nasrallah, SecG [...] | 2006-08-15 14:00:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS4000 | ASAD ATTACKS MARCH 14 GROUP, ARABS, UNSCR 1701 IN [...] (C) Summary: In a defiant August 15 speech delivered in Damascus, Syrian President Bashar al-Asad adopted a confrontational tone and criticized different aspects of UNSCR 1701 and the negotiations that led to its passage. He underlined at several points the importance that facts on the grou [...] | 2006-08-15 15:19:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS4023 | Damascus Media Reaction: Asad's Speech, Syria/Germany, [...] Summary: Syrian papers today reported President Asad's address at the Fourth General Conference of the Syrian Journalists Union. President Asad delivered what the media described as his strongest attack ever on the Lebanese anti- Syrian parliamentary majority, Arab governments, Israel an [...] | 2006-08-16 12:11:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS4025 | SYRIA REJECTS MEETINGS WITH ICRC PRESIDENT, ICRC [...] (C) Summary: ICRC President Jakob Kellenberg cancelled a planned August trip to Syria after the SARG refused to offer him any high-level meetings, according to Damascus-based ICRC representative Jean-Jacques Fresard. Fresard described noted that in during a recent encounter with Hamas leader [...] | 2006-08-16 13:57:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET | PREL PHUM PGOV KPAL SY IR IZ |
06DAMASCUS4026 | SYRIA HUMAN RIGHTS ROUNDUP: TRIALS, TRAVEL BANS [...] (C) Summary: The SARG continues to crack down on Syrians critical of the SARG, pursuing court cases against activists such as Ali and Mohammed Abdullah and Fateh Jammous, and restricting travel by civil society figures, according to contacts. Despite the ongoing crackdown, the Damascus Decl [...] | 2006-08-16 14:09:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS404 | ANTI-EUROPEAN RIOTS HIT DAMASCUS, AS FOUR [...] (C) Summary: Mobs angered about cartoon depictions of the prophet Mohammed published in Europe ransacked and set on fire the Norwegian Embassy and the building housing the Danish, Chilean, and Swedish Embassies in Damascus in the late afternoon of February 4, destroying the first and heavily damagi [...] | 2006-02-05 14:36:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL ASEC SY |
06DAMASCUS4045 | INITIAL REACTIONS TO THE IKHTIYAR AND JAMA'A'S [...] (U) On 16 August, the quasi-independent Syrian news web site, Champress, ran an article on the Treasury Department's designation of Hisham Ikhtiyar, director of the Ba'ath Party Regional Command's National Security Bureau, and Jama,a Jama,a, former commander of Syrian Military Intelligence's h [...] | 2006-08-17 15:08:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON ETTC SY SANC |
06DAMASCUS4046 | Damascus Media Reaction: Asad's Speech, Syria/Britain, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported that the Syrian Cabinet stressed that President Asad's address to 4th General Conference of the Syrian Journalists Union reflected the impulse of the Syrian people and all the Arab nation and expressed the Arab street's support for the Lebanese national resistan [...] | 2006-08-18 06:23:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS4071 | Damascus Media Reaction: Lebanon/Israel, Syria/Norway, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported Israel's violation of the cease-fire in Lebanon through its landing attempt in Boudai village in the Bekaa Valley, and the ongoing dispute concerning France's participation in the international force. Papers also reported a meeting on Saturday between Foreign Mi [...] | 2006-08-20 12:59:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS4091 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Qatar, Syria/Egypt, [...] Summary: All Syrian papers today reported that Shaykh Hamad Bin-Khalifah Al Thani, Emir of Qatar, will pay a working visit to Syria today during which he will hold talks with President Asad that will focus on bilateral relations and current developments in the region. Papers also featured a [...] | 2006-08-21 11:39:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS4092 | SYRIANS DO A LITTLE DAMAGE CONTROL ON BASHAR [...] (C) Summary: Political and economic contacts in Damascus have largely written off the August 15 speech of President Bashar al-Asad as ill-timed and reflecting the young Syrian leader's inexperience and lack of political judgment. The speech has prompted renewed personal criticism of Bashar [...] | 2006-08-21 12:05:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY LE |
06DAMASCUS4094 | SURVEY OF SYRIAN WATER SECTOR - 2006 [...] (SBU) Summary: After years of national water shortages, it has become clear that Syria faces a water crunch that, if not addressed comprehensively, will balloon into a crisis in the medium to long term. Rapidly growing demand for water from various sectors of Syrian society in recent years com [...] | 2006-08-21 13:25:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAGR ECIN ECON EIND EAID SENV SY EWWT |
06DAMASCUS4128 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Qatar, Qatar/Lebanon, [...] Summary: Syrian papers today reported the working visit to Damascus by Shaykh Hamad Bin-Khalifah Al Thani, Emir of Qatar, and his meeting with President Asad, which focused on the Israeli aggression against Lebanon and its repercussions, the current Arab position, the situation in the Palesti [...] | 2006-08-22 13:28:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS4129 | DISPLACED LEBANESE DEPART SYRIA BY TENS OF [...] (C) Summary: As of August 21, an estimated 144,800 displaced Lebanese had departed Syria back to their country, with a relatively small number staying with Syrian host families, according to UN estimates. UN and international agency officials in Damascus expressed surprise and concern over [...] | 2006-08-22 15:20:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREF PGOV PREL SY LE IR IZ |
06DAMASCUS4161 | ROYAL DUTCH SHELL LARGEST WINNER IN CURRENT BID [...] (C) Summary. In addition to being awarded new concessions in the most recent bid round, Royal Dutch Shell is aggressively pursuing a number of new initiatives which, if successful, would expand the company's already considerable presence in Syria. More quietly and with a much lower profile, [...] | 2006-08-23 13:53:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EPET ETTC SY SANC |
06DAMASCUS4162 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Turkey, Syria/Spain, [...] Summary: Syrian papers today reported the visit to Damascus of Turkish Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul and his meeting with President Asad, that focused on bilateral relations, developments in Iraq and the Palestinian territories, the Israeli aggression against Lebanon [...] | 2006-08-23 14:36:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS4184 | Damascus Media Reaction: Asad Interview, [...] Summary: President Asad's interview with Dubai TV was the major topic in papers today. President Asad said he would view deployment of international troops along the Lebanon-Syria border as a hostile move toward his country. "It robs Lebanon of its sovereignty. No single state in the entir [...] | 2006-08-24 11:28:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS4186 | SYRIAN POLICY POST ASAD SPEECH: NO FUNDAMENTAL [...] (C) Summary: Despite Syrian President Asad's confrontational rhetoric in his August 15 speech, there is unlikely to be any fundamental change in the overall orientation of Syrian policies, either foreign or domestic, although periodic damage control will be evident as a tactical adjustment, [...] | 2006-08-24 16:22:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY LE |
06DAMASCUS4200 | DEFENSE SHOWS LABWANI INTERVIEW ON AL-HURRA IN [...] (C) Summary: The defense for jailed Syrian opposition figure Kamal Labwani showed in court August 23 two televised interviews with Labwani in which he repeatedly rejected foreign military intervention in Syria and the imposition of economic sanctions. A flap occurred at the end of the sessi [...] | 2006-08-27 11:45:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV SY |
06DAMASCUS4202 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Iran, Syria/Italy, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported that President Asad received a message from Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinezhad on developments in the region and bilateral relations, conveyed by Iranian Assistant Foreign Minister Mohammad Reza Baqeri. Baqeri also met with Vice President Shara and Foreig [...] | 2006-08-27 13:30:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS421 | KURDS DISMISS LATEST SARG GESTURES ON STATELESS [...] (C) SUMMARY: According to recent media reports, a delegation of 43 Kurdish tribal leaders recently met with high-ranking Syrian officials to discuss the restoration of citizenship for Syria's 300,000 stateless Kurds. While the SARG publicly touted the meeting as a further step towards resol [...] | 2006-02-06 11:31:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM SY |
06DAMASCUS4236 | UNICEF ACTING REPRESENTATIVE SKETCHES OUT SYRIA [...] (SBU) The Charg paid a courtesy call August 27 on UNICEF's acting director, Marc Lucet, who said that UNHCR, WFP and UNICEF planned to do a joint assessment of the remaining displaced Lebanese who are thought to be staying in private homes in about six locations in Syria. UN agencies had rep [...] | 2006-08-28 13:53:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREF PHUM PGOV SY LE |
06DAMASCUS4237 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/US, Syria/India, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported President Asad's meeting with US civil rights leader Jesse Jackson. Talks focused on regional and international developments and the current situation in Lebanon, the Palestinian territories and Iraq, and views were exchanged about reviving the Middle East peac [...] | 2006-08-28 14:00:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS425 | SYRIA CONTINUES ECONOMIC PRESSURE ON LEBANON [...] No summary [...] | 2006-02-06 14:57:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN ETRD EINV SY LE |
06DAMASCUS4251 | Damascus Media Reaction: Lebanon, Syria/Venezuela, [...] Summary: Syrian papers today led with reports of the visit to Lebanon by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan. Headlines featured Annan's meeting with Nabih Berri, Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament, and their press conference in Beirut, in which Annan expressed full solidarity with the Lebanese [...] | 2006-08-29 11:48:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS426 | Damascus Media Reaction: Cartoons on Prophet Mohamed, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported that on Saturday angry mobs protesting cartoons depicting the prophet Mohamed as a terrorist stormed the buildings housing the Danish and Norwegian Embassies in Damascus. Protestors set fire to both missions and pillaged the contents of the first-floor office o [...] | 2006-02-06 15:19:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS427 | SHEIKH CONFIRMS SARG INVOLVEMENT IN ESCALATING [...] (C) Summary: An influential Sunni sheikh provided details February 6 that seem to confirm SARG involvement in escalating the situation that led to the violent rioting in Damascus two days earlier, including communications between the PM's office and the Grand Mufti. He also noted that SARG aut [...] | 2006-02-06 16:05:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS4271 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Venezuela, Syria/Italy, [...] Summary: Syrian papers today led with the visit to Syria by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. Banner headlines reported the warm welcome prepared for President Chavez and featured the press statements made by President Asad and President Chavez at Damascus airport during which Chavez noted t [...] | 2006-08-30 11:40:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS4274 | UNHCR SEEKING ACCESS TO DETAINED AHWAZIS, SOLUTION [...] (C) Summary: UNHCR Damascus has stepped up efforts to gain access to three Iranian Ahwazis, who are recognized refugees and who are believed to be in detention in Damascus, despite press reports about their extradition back to Iran, according to senior UNHCR protection officer Dietrun Gunther [...] | 2006-08-30 14:45:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREF PHUM PINR SY IR IZ |
06DAMASCUS4283 | Damascus Media Reaction: Chavez Visit, Golan, Lebanon, [...] Summary: Syrian papers today continued to give prominent coverage to Venezuelan President Chavez's visit to Damascus. Papers reported that President Asad held a plenary meeting with his Venezuelan counterpart in the presence of members of the two delegations; afterward, the two leaders held [...] | 2006-08-31 13:03:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS4284 | THE SARG PLAYS WITH THE POWER SWITCH TO LEBANON [...] (SBU) Summary. Though the SARG,s chronic electricity shortage has recently threatened to turn acute, its most recent cutoff of electricity to Lebanon appears to have been an attempt to remind the GOL that Syria holds the economic levers in the bilateral relationship. End summary. 2. (U) [...] | 2006-08-31 13:58:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ENRG ETRD PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS4314 | SYRIA'S RIAD SEIF A HALF PRISONER, DAMASCUS [...] (C) Summary: Former Damascus Spring detainee Riad Seif met with A/DCM for 90-minutes August 30 to discuss ongoing events in Syria, including organizing by the Damascus Declaration group. Recently the group issued a statement criticizing the August 15 speech by Syrian President Bashar al-As [...] | 2006-09-05 06:37:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM SY |
06DAMASCUS4315 | EXPECTED SYRIAN PARTICIPATION IN UNGA [...] In response to Post's diplomatic note requesting information solicited in reftels, the SARG notified Post on September 4 that Syrian FM Walid Mu'allim will head the Syrian delegation to UNGA, accompanied by his spouse, Sawsan al-Khayat. According to the SARG's diplomatic note, other delegati [...] | 2006-09-05 07:26:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | OTRA OVIP PREL UNGA SY |
06DAMASCUS4340 | WITH TALK OF "RESISTANCE" ON THE GOLAN, ACCENT IS [...] (C) Summary: Recently contacts have reported that there is a still developing shift in regime thinking about the supposed benefits of continuing to keep the Golan front quiet. Press accounts have reported the nascent formation of "Syrian popular resistance" groups, modeling themselves on Hi [...] | 2006-09-05 16:12:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS4341 | Damascus Media Reaction: Annan's Visit, Syria/Lebanon, [...] Summary: Syrian papers led with reports of the visit to Damascus by UN SecGen Kofi Annan and his meeting with President Asad, Vice President Shar'a, Foreign Minister Walid al-Mouallem, and Deputy Foreign Minister Dr Faysal al-Miqdad. Talks focused on the need to consolidate the Lebanese ceas [...] | 2006-09-06 04:22:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS4365 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Lebanon, Palestinian [...] Summary: Syrian papers today reported President Asad's phone call to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan following up on the situation in Lebanon, and Annan's interview with the daily newspaper Al-Hayat (Sept. 6 edition) describing Syria's cooperation with the UN regarding regional issues as "pos [...] | 2006-09-06 13:29:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS4385 | Damascus Media Reaction: Lebanon, Peace Process, [...] Summary: Syrian papers today continued to focus on Lebanon, highlighting the visit to Lebanon by a Syrian popular delegation that represented social and parliamentary activists, in addition to Moslem and Christian clergymen. The intent of the visit was to confirm Syria's popular and formal s [...] | 2006-09-07 11:43:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS4419 | RUSSIAN FM MEETS SYRIAN PRESIDENT; SARG SAYS NO TO [...] (C) Visiting Russian FM Sergei Lavrov met for an hour September 7 in Damascus with Syrian President Bashar al-Asad followed by separate hour-long meetings with Syrian VP Farouk al-Shara'a, and FM Walid Mu'allim, according to a senior Russian diplomat here. The conversations focused on implem [...] | 2006-09-10 13:46:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV SY LE |
06DAMASCUS4436 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Lebanon, Peace Process, [...] Summary: Syrian papers today led with a statement to Egyptian TV by Information Minister Muhsen Bilal denying media reports that Syria accepted the deployment of European border guards to monitor the Syrian-Lebanese border. He stressed that the telephone conversation between President Asad a [...] | 2006-09-11 13:21:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS4439 | ARMED ASSAILANTS ATTACK U.S. EMBASSY, ONE LOCAL [...] (U) Summary: At least four assailants attacked the U.S. Embassy in Damascus at 1010 local time September 12, using grenades, gunfire and two apparent car bombs. One car exploded, but a van at the back gate did not. No U.S. Embassy personnel were injured, with the exception of a local guard [...] | 2006-09-12 10:53:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | ASEC PGOV PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS4441 | CHARGE PUSHES ASSISTANT FM HARD ON SECURITY IN [...] (C) Summary: Following the armed attack on the embassy September 12, Charge met with Assistant FM Ahmad Arnous, to press the SARG on his concerns about security for the embassy. Charge urged the SARG to be transparent and to offer full cooperation on the investigation including through bet [...] | 2006-09-12 14:21:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS4443 | SITREP 2: UPDATE ON DAMASCUS ATTACK [...] (C) Information obtained by RSO from local security officials and Embassy video footage provides more details about what actually happened during the September 12 attack on the Embassy. Video footage indicates that the attack against the Embassy began 10 minutes earlier than previously repor [...] | 2006-09-12 14:30:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV ASEC SY |
06DAMASCUS4446 | SARG COMPLAINT RE PERSONAL BANKING PROBLEMS IN [...] (C) On the margins of a late August meeting with the director of protocol at the MFA, another MFA official, Bassam Sabbagh, raised with the Charge a complaint from the Syrian Embassy in Washington that it was being cut off from necessary banking services in the U.S. Sabbagh had no specifics o [...] | 2006-09-13 13:56:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | EFIN PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS4448 | LOCAL PRESS REACTION TO ATTACK ON U.S. EMBASSY [...] (U) No one has yet claimed responsibility for yesterday's attack, but the SARG is publicly blaming militant Islamists. Asharq Al-Awsat reported that a "Syrian security member was killed by the bullets of an American Marine element that was on the roof of the Embassy." However, the RSO confirms [...] | 2006-09-13 15:39:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ASEC PGOV SY |
06DAMASCUS4482 | MEETING WITH SYRIA'S RIAD SEIF, DAMASCUS-BEIRUT [...] (C) Summary: A/DCM met with Damascus Declaration leader Riad Seif on September 12, just shortly before the attack on the U.S. Embassy. Seif said he had chosen to stop reporting to the security services and was traveling outside the city, including to Homs to meet with recently released Dam [...] | 2006-09-14 12:40:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM SY |
06DAMASCUS4534 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/PLO, Pope Anti-Islam [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported the visit to Damascus by former Palestinian PM Ahmad Qurei, who met with President Asad and conveyed a message from President Abbas. He also met with VP Shara and held a press conference in which he expressed hope that a Palestinian national unity government wo [...] | 2006-09-18 14:25:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS4560 | Damascus Media Reaction: Pope Anti-Islam Remarks, [...] Summary: Syrian papers today led with reports of Syrian Grand Mufti Badreddin Hassoun's meeting with the Papal Nuncio in Damascus, Giovanni Battista Morandini, in which Hassoun warned against inflaming a conflict between Islam and Christianity. He accused some hegemonic powers of seeking to [...] | 2006-09-19 12:07:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS4584 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Lebanon, UNGA Session, [...] Summary: Syrian papers today led with reports on Syrian- Lebanese relations, featuring the visit to Damascus by Fathi Yakan, Chairman of the Islamic Action Front in Lebanon, who met with President Asad and reviewed with him developments in the region, particularly in Lebanon in the wake of th [...] | 2006-09-20 12:06:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS4588 | REQUEST FOR PHYSICAL SECURITY ASSESSMENT TEAM [...] (C) Post appreciates Department's prompt reaction in dispatching DS agent Aylward who is serving a critical function supporting RSO at Embassy Damascus. RSO is currently involved in multiple efforts to investigate the attack on the Embassy and assess ways to make the Embassy safer. The SARG [...] | 2006-09-20 14:23:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ASEC PGOV ABLD SY |
06DAMASCUS4609 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Iran, UNGA Session, [...] Summary: Syrian papers today reported the visit to Damascus of Ali Larijani, Head of the Iranian Supreme National Security Council, and his meetings with President Asad and VP Shara, focusing on regional and international developments, especially in Iraq, Lebanon, and the occupied Palestinian [...] | 2006-09-21 13:13:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS4610 | CIRCUMSTANCE SAVES ASAD AGAIN [...] (C) Summary. Despite the isolation resulting from the SARG,s increasingly confrontational stance vis-a-vis the international community and its immediate neighbors, the country,s economy appears to once again be saved by circumstance from SARG incompetence and malfeasance. As a result of the c [...] | 2006-09-21 15:08:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PGOV PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS4612 | INITIAL EMBASSY EFFORTS TO PRESS SARG ON INCREASED [...] (S) Summary: In the wake of the September 12 attack on the Embassy, the Embassy has pressed the SARG through various channels for increased security for USG facilities in Damascus and for complete sharing of details of the SARG investigation into the attack. RSO has relied on informal conta [...] | 2006-09-21 16:31:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET | PGOV PREL PTER SY |
06DAMASCUS4613 | SYRIA HUMAN RIGHTS UPDATE: LABWANI IN COURT, [...] (C) Summary: Jailed political activist Kamal Lawbani appeared in court September 19, as an assistant public prosecutor reaffirmed potential capital changes against him. The public prosecutor's statement seemed to shift the basis for the charges from two televised interviews given by Labwani [...] | 2006-09-21 16:44:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV SY |
06DAMASCUS4614 | REACTIONS TO ATTACK ON EMBASSY IN DAMASCUS [...] (C) Summary: Syrian contacts have expressed relief that no Americans were killed or injured in the September 12 attack on the Embassy. Partly due to the almost complete lack of official information from the SARG on the attack, many contacts, echoing widespread street views, are speculating [...] | 2006-09-22 08:56:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER SY |
06DAMASCUS4635 | Damascus Media Reaction: UNGA session, UNSC Session on [...] Summary: Papers continued to report meetings held by FM Walid al-Mouallem on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meetings in New York, citing his meetings with Iraqi President Jalal Talbani, Costa Rica's Foreign Minister Bruno Ugharti, Iranian FM Manouchehr Mottaki, German Foreign Minist [...] | 2006-09-25 08:20:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS4679 | Damascus Media Reaction: Post-war maneuvering, UN [...] Summary: Syrian papers covered the latest Brammertz Report, focusing on the idea that Syria has been generally cooperative in the U.N. commission's investigation. The papers also covered a meeting between Minister of Foreign Affairs Walid al Mouallem and UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, who [...] | 2006-09-26 15:18:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS473 | Damascus Media Reaction: Prophet Muhammad Cartoons, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported that President Asad received Al-Sayyid Muqtada al-Sadr, leader of Al-Sadr Current in Iraq. Talks focused on the situation in Iraq, the results of the recent election, and the ongoing consultations to form an Iraqi government. The president called for unifying I [...] | 2006-02-07 13:57:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS4733 | Damascus Media Reaction: Post-war Maneuvering, Assad [...] Summary: The Syrian press on October 1 and 2 focused on the interview President Assad gave to Spanish daily El Pais. The papers covered Assad's call to start peace negotiations from the point they stopped in 2000. He said that peace could be achieved in 6 months if negotiations resume from [...] | 2006-10-02 12:34:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS4737 | "WHISTLE PAST THE GRAVEYARD" SYRIAN RESPONSE TO [...] (C) Summary: The SARG has publicly reacted positively to the latest Brammertz report but officials are privately troubled by some of its language, including the focus on linkages between the Hariri assassination and other politically-targeted killings that occurred in the same time frame. [...] | 2006-10-02 15:52:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY LE |
06DAMASCUS4779 | Damascus Media Reaction: Post-war Maneuvering, Rice's [...] Summary: The Syrian press on October 4 and 5 focused on the October 1973 War between Arabs and Israel. All government-owned papers earmarked full pages to mark the 33rd anniversary of the war. They described it as "the first Arab War in the History of the conflict (between Arabs And Israel) [...] | 2006-10-05 09:16:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS4796 | THE SARG FETES AN EU ASSISTANCE VISIT [...] (C) Summary. The SARG has used the visit of a delegation from the European Commission this week to imply, once again, that Syria,s international isolation is coming to an end. Delegation members assert to us, however, that they anticipate no change in EU policy towards the SARG for the fores [...] | 2006-10-06 06:49:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | EAID ECON PGOV PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS4797 | SYRIA HUMAN RIGHTS ROUNDUP: PROTEST PREVENTED, [...] (C) Summary: Security services used limited force to prevent a demonstration October 5 in downtown Damascus, which had been called for by three leading Kurdish parties and publicly supported by the Damascus Declaration group and the externally based National Salvation Front. Security agents [...] | 2006-10-06 07:18:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV SY |
06DAMASCUS4798 | ASAD DEMANDS RE-ENGAGEMENT [...] (C) Summary. In back-to-back interviews with European media, (Der Spiegel and El Pais),President Asad made points in public that we have heard in private: the SARG will not allow the status quo to endure; the only way to avoid further conflict is if there is a policy-level USG re-engagement [...] | 2006-10-06 08:06:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS4844 | Damascus Media Reaction: Post-war Maneuvering, MEPP, [...] Summary: The Syrian press focused on the following issues October 6-9: All government-owned papers published the full texts of the interviews which President Assad gave to the BBC on October 9 and to Kuwaiti daily al-Anbaa on October 7. They focused on the President's accusation that the [...] | 2006-10-10 14:53:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS4845 | JAILED SYRIAN ACTIVIST LABWANI CALLS FOR MORE [...] (C) On October 3, Poloff met with the wife of detained political activist Kamal Labwani, the couple's daughter, and a Labwani cousin. Mrs. Labwani had visited her husband in prisoner earlier that day. She said he was in good spirits and health, however, as in the past, the couple was not abl [...] | 2006-10-10 15:03:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM SY |
06DAMASCUS4876 | THE SARG OVERSTATES THE POWER OF A TURKISH-SYRIAN [...] (C) Summary: Turkey will begin supplying Syria with approximately 200 megawatts of electricity per year through an electrical grid connection with Turkey's Birecik power plant. After having remained static for three years, the implementation of this agreement will still only provide 3.3% of Sy [...] | 2006-10-11 16:06:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON ENRG ETRD PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS4877 | SYRIA'S DAMASCUS DECLARATION GROUP PLANS TO GO MORE PUBLIC [...] (C) Summary: Damascus Declaration leader XXXXXXXXXXXX said in an October 3 meeting with A/DCM that the Damascus Declaration group turns a year old this month and plans to expand its activities from internal group organizing to public outreach. The group is still waiting for a response about [...] | 2006-10-11 16:12:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM SY |
06DAMASCUS4886 | Damascus Media Reaction: Post-war Maneuvering, MEPP, [...] Summary: The Syrian press focused on the following issues October 11-12: Syrian papers covered the visit to Damascus of Bahrain's Foreign Minister Sheikh Khaled Ben Ahmad Al-Thani. Sheikh Khaled conveyed a message from King Hamad of Bahrain to President Assad on issues related to the Midd [...] | 2006-10-12 12:19:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS4898 | NO SIGN OF IMPROVED SYRIA-EGYPT RELATIONS, [...] (C) SYRIA-EGYPT RELATIONS: Poloff met with an Egyptian diplomat October 11 to discuss recent press reports about an October 10 summit between Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Syrian President Bashar al-Asad, which ultimately did not take place. The diplomat said that relations between the two l [...] | 2006-10-12 14:51:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY EG |
06DAMASCUS4974 | Damascus Media Reaction: Post-war Maneuvering, MEPP, [...] Summary: The Syrian press covered (October 13 - 16) the following topics: President Assad met with Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos on Sunday. Papers quoted Moratinos as saying that "Syria is part of the solution rather than the problem." President Assad held an Iftar o [...] | 2006-10-17 12:55:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS5 | SARG TRUMPETS NEW GULF INVESTMENT [...] (C) Summary: According to SARG announcements in local and international news, the Syrian economy attracted billions of dollars of foreign direct investment (FDI) from Arab sources during 2005. The investors have yet to make major commitments, however, and the announcements are a continuation [...] | 2006-01-02 11:36:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | EINV ECON SY |
06DAMASCUS5026 | Damascus Media Reaction: MEPP, Palestinian Developments, [...] Summary: The Syrian press between October 17 - 19, covered the following issues: President Asad met with Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos on Sunday. Papers quoted Moratinos as saying that "Syria is part of the solution rather than the problem." President Asad held an Iftar [...] | 2006-10-19 12:22:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS5031 | U.S.-SYRIA RELATIONS, SITUATION IN LEBANON, [...] (C) Summary: Describing U.S-Syria relations as at their lowest point ever, pro-regime foreign policy analyst Imad Shueibi, told A/DCM October 15 that anger and frustration in the regime towards the U.S. have reached new heights in the wake of the September 12 attack on the Embassy and what is [...] | 2006-10-22 05:49:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL SY LE IS |
06DAMASCUS5059 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/UAE, Syria/Slovakia, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported that President Asad received a phone call from President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan in which both leaders talked about the situation in the region and bilateral relations between Syria and the UAE. Papers also reported Dr. M [...] | 2006-10-22 14:07:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS5061 | SARG HIGHLIGHTS PROBLEMATIC STOCK MARKET TO [...] (C) Summary: The SARG is moving ahead on its efforts to open a Syrian stock market by formalizing the establishment of the new exchange. Some contacts assert that Syria could open the exchange in 2007 and that it will provide many benefits to the Syrian economy, including, stimulating capita [...] | 2006-10-22 15:55:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN EINV PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS5095 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Iran, Syria/Spain, Peace [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported that President Asad received a letter from Iranian President Ahmadinejad conveyed by visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Manuchehr Mottaki. The letter focused on regional developments, mainly in Iraq and the Palestinian territories. President Asad and Minister [...] | 2006-10-29 15:50:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS5096 | SARG TO SIGN RUSSIAN AIRCRAFT DEAL [...] (C) Former Russian Prime Minister and current President of the Russian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Yevgeni Primakov, is in the middle of a two day visit to Damascus. In addition to consultations with President Asad and others yesterday, leading Shi,a businessman, Saeb Nahas told Charge [...] | 2006-10-30 11:45:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | EAID EAIR PGOV PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS5097 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Russia, Syria/Poland, [...] Summary: Syrian papers today reported President Asad's meeting on October 29 with Former Premier of the Russian Federation Yevgeny Primakov. Talks focused on current international and regional events and bilateral relations. Primakov presented to President Asad the Arabic version of his ne [...] | 2006-10-30 12:01:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS512 | Damascus Media Reaction: Beirut Riots/Accusations [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported that Muqtada al-Sadr, Leader of the al-Sadr Movement in Iraq, has rejected accusations that infiltrators enter Iraq through Syria, stressing that there is not any evidence of this. Al-Sadr, during a visit to the Syrian northeastern city of Raqqa described Syr [...] | 2006-02-08 14:15:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS5137 | Damascus Media Reaction: Peace Process, Lebanon, Iraq, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported President Asad's meeting with a delegation of the Foreign Journalists Association in which he underscored the role of media and journalists in conveying facts and enhancing communication among civilizations. President Asad answered questions about the peace pro [...] | 2006-10-31 13:16:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS514 | DANISH COMPANY ALRA FACES THREATS AND ECONOMIC LOSSES [...] (SBU) Summary: In the wake of the destruction to the Danish and Norwegian Embassies in Damascus, many Syrians are encouraging non-violent protests of the Mohammad caricatures, including a general boycott of Danish products. The Syrian distributor for Alra Danish dairy products says that as a [...] | 2006-02-08 15:09:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ETRD EINV SY |
06DAMASCUS516 | SYRIA: ESF ANTI-TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS PROJECT [...] (U) Post is submitting two projects in order of priority for the ESF Anti-Trafficking in Persons Projects. Post currently does not have any anti-trafficking projects and would be able to monitor and evaluate project progress with the assistance as described in reftel. 2. (U) First Projec [...] | 2006-02-08 15:46:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KWMN KCRM PHUM ASEC ELAB SMIG SY |
06DAMASCUS5160 | Damascus Media Reaction: Lebanon, Peace Process, Iraq, [...] Summary: The main focus in Syrian papers today was Lebanon. Papers featured reports on the confiscation of a 'suspicious' parcel by customs at Beirut International Airport containing silencers for military pistols. The parcel, dispatched from the UK through "Liban Post" Lebanon's postal serv [...] | 2006-11-01 13:03:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS517 | THE MUSLIM BROTHERS IN SYRIA; PART I: COULD THEY [...] (U) This is the first of two cables that assess the potential political influence of the Muslim Brothers in Syria. 2. (U) PART I. DIFFICULTIES IN ASSESSING MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD POWER; CONSTRAINTS ON MB INFLUENCE 3. (C) Summary: In the wake of former VP Khaddam's flirtation with the M [...] | 2006-02-08 15:47:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER KISL KDEM SY |
06DAMASCUS5187 | Damascus Media Reaction: Arms Smuggling [...] Summary: Syrian newspapers today reacted to statements by Terje Roed-Larsen, the UN Secretary General's envoy to Lebanon, and John Bolton, US Ambassador to the United Nations, saying that weapons continue to be smuggled to Lebanon from Syria. Papers featured a statement on Wednesday by Le [...] | 2006-11-02 13:26:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS5189 | SARG COMPLAINTS ABOUT SYRIAN EMBASSY IN WASHINGTON [...] (C) FM Mu'allim's chef de cabinet Bassam Sabbagh met Charge October 31 to complain that Syrian Ambassador to the U.S. Imad Mustafa has problems sending faxes and making phone calls to the MFA here from both the Syrian chancery and his residence. Sabbagh said Mustafa had called the Minister t [...] | 2006-11-02 13:59:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS527 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Russia, Lebanon, Iraq, [...] Summary: Syrian papers featured a statement by Alexy Tserub, Russian Ambassador in Tunis, during a press roundtable confirming his country's rejection of pressure against Syria. "Syria has implemented what was requested from her in the UN Security Council resolutions and she has fully cooperat [...] | 2006-02-09 14:51:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS5276 | Damascus Media Reaction: Arab Parliament Conference, [...] Summary: Syrian papers today reported President Asad's meeting with Arab Parliamentarians attending a meeting of the Interim Arab Parliament in Damascus. Arab League SecGen Amr Mousa also attended. President Asad held a separate meeting with Mousa, which focused on current events in the Ara [...] | 2006-11-07 11:06:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS5277 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Jordan, Syria/Libya, Arab [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported that President Asad received a letter on Saturday (11/4) from King Abdullah II, focusing on regional developments and ties between Syria and Jordan. The letter was conveyed by Abdul Hadi Majali, Speaker of the Jordanian Parliament and Chairman of the Interim A [...] | 2006-11-07 11:06:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS5279 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Europe, Syria/Lebanon, [...] Summary: Syrian papers today reported President Asad's meeting on November 6 with Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Store, focusing on Syrian-European relations, general developments and a potential European role in the Middle East peace process. Headlines featured a joint press conferen [...] | 2006-11-07 14:56:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS528 | MOOD OF THE SARG; CABINET RESHUFFLE RUMORS [...] (C) Summary: A long-time Embassy contact reported February 8 that the regime is satisfied with the fallout from the February 4 rioting in Damascus, believing it allowed the SARG to present itself as a great protector of Islam and because the caricature/rioting "narrative" has overwhelmed any [...] | 2006-02-09 15:37:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS5284 | THE REFORMER EMERGING? [...] (C) Summary. After having kept a lower profile for most of the summer, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Abdullah Dardari, reemerged recently to announce a number of new economic reforms. The initiatives are part of the SARG,s slow and halting effort at reforming its moribund econo [...] | 2006-11-08 14:46:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN PGOV PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS5285 | SYRIAN BANKING CONFERENCE HEAVY ON CHEERLEADING, [...] (C) Summary. A recent Syrian banking and financial services conference served as a showcase of self-congratulation for the SARG,s economic reforms, asserting Syria is an engaged member of the global economy. Various conference speakers bashed United States policy towards Syria and speculated [...] | 2006-11-08 16:09:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN EINV PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS5288 | Damascus Media Reaction: Palestinian Territories, Peace [...] Summary: The Syrian press today focused on the deteriorating situation in the Palestinian territories in light of the recent Israeli escalation, especially in Beit Hanoun. Papers reported Foreign Minister Mouallem's meeting with Khalid Mish'al, Chief of HAMAS' Political Bureau, and Dr. Ahma [...] | 2006-11-09 11:37:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS5289 | FM MUALLEM TO VISIT IRAQ? [...] (C) Though we have heard conflicting reports from our Syrian interlocutors, those purporting to be speaking on behalf of the regime insist Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem will visit Iraq next week, on or about November 12. Hashem Akkad, MP and Asif Shawkat intimate, told us as of Novemb [...] | 2006-11-09 16:14:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER SY |
06DAMASCUS5290 | POST RECOMMENDATIONS FOR STATEMENT ON SYRIA [...] (C) Summary: In response to USG queries, Syrian civil society and human rights activists favor a U.S. statement in support of political reform and greater respect for human rights in Syria. There is also agreement that such a statement should call upon the SARG to ensure the well-being of a [...] | 2006-11-09 16:19:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS5295 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/US, US Veto of Gaza [...] Summary: Syrian papers on November 13 reported President Asad's meeting with a US Protestant delegation, headed by Pastor Rick Warren, a prominent Protestant cleric. They discussed Syrian-American relations. The American delegation said that the US administration was mistaken in not start [...] | 2006-11-13 14:50:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS5302 | ARAB LEAGUE BOYCOTT MEETING - READOUT [...] (U) Summary. The semi-annual meeting of the Arab League Boycott Office (ALBO) was held November 6-9 in Damascus, with representation from the same 14 countries that attended the last meeting in May 2006 (ref A). Some participants feel the semi-annual conference has outlived its usefulness and [...] | 2006-11-14 14:05:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ABLD ECON KBCT PHUM SY |
06DAMASCUS5304 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Senegal, Syria/Oman, Syrian [...] Summary: Syrian papers today (Nov. 14) reported that President Abdullah Wad of Senegal received an oral message from President Asad on bilateral relations and regional and international developments. The message was conveyed by Minister of Information Dr. Mohsen Bilal. The Senegalese presi [...] | 2006-11-14 14:10:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS531 | THE MUSLIM BROTHERS IN SYRIA, PART II: COULD THEY [...] (U) This is the second of two cables that assess the potential power of the Muslim Brothers in Syria. 2. (U) PART II. REASONS FOR THE EXAGGERATED ESTIMATES OF MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD INFLUENCE 3. (C) Summary: Most estimates of potential Muslim Brother support range between ten and thirty [...] | 2006-02-09 16:06:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER KISL KDEM SY |
06DAMASCUS5314 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Palestinians, Syria/Iran, [...] Summary: Syrian papers today (Nov. 15) reported that Vice President Shar'a met separately with Faruq Qaddumi, Chief of the PLO Political Department, and Dr. Mustafa al-Barghuthi, Secretary of the Palestinian National Initiative. Talks focused on the situation in the occupied territories and [...] | 2006-11-16 12:48:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS5316 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Iran, Lebanon, Iraq, [...] Summary: Syrian papers featured a statement by Dr. Sami Khiyami, Syrian Ambassador to the UK, in an interview broadcast on Wednesday (Nov. 15) by the Syrian Satellite TV channel, saying that Syria has repeatedly declared that it will be the prime beneficiary from revelation of the truth abou [...] | 2006-11-16 14:48:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS5318 | Damascus Media Reaction: Asad/Annan, Syria/Qatar, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported that President Asad received a telephone call from UN SecGen Kofi Annan during which they reviewed political developments in Lebanon and Iraq. Papers also reported President Asad's meeting with Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassem Bin Jabr Al Thani, [...] | 2006-11-19 15:36:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS5320 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/UAE, Syria/Iraq, Golan, [...] Summary: Syrian papers today reported that President Asad received on Sunday (Nov. 19) a letter from Sheikh Khalifa bin Zaied Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, concerning bilateral relations. The letter was delivered by the UAE Ambassador in Damascus Yousef al-Medfaei. On [...] | 2006-11-20 13:59:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS5326 | SYRIAN VIEWS ON FM MOALLEM,S VISIT IRAQ [...] (U) UNTIL THE NOVEMBER 21 ASSASSINATION OF PIERRE JAMAYEL, FOREIGN MINISTER WALID MUALLEM,S TRIP TO IRAQ DOMINATED THE HEADLINES AND CONVERSATIONS IN DAMASCUS. SYRIANS OF VARIOUS STRIPES VIEWED THE VISIT AS A SUCCESS AS IT EXTENDED SARG INFLUENCE IN IRAQ WITH BOTH ITS TRADITIONAL ALLIES AND T [...] | 2006-11-22 16:26:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER SY |
06DAMASCUS5327 | TURKISH-SYRIAN FTA: THE VIEW FROM DAMASCUS [...] (C) Summary. After over a year of no movement, Syrians generally view Turkey,s recent announcement that the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two countries was ratified, and will enter into effect on January 1, 2007 as a sign of Turkish political support for the SARG as it works to emerge [...] | 2006-11-22 16:40:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON ETRD PREL SY TU |
06DAMASCUS5328 | THE VIEW FROM THE SYRIAN HINTERLAND [...] (C) SUMMARY: A/DCM, ACCOMPANIED BY A/ARMA, VISITED DEIR AZOUR, NOVEMBER 13-14, MEETING TWICE WITH THE HEADS OF TWO LARGE BEDOUIN TRIBES THERE. THE TWO EXTREMELY URBANIZED SUNNI TRIBAL LEADERS WERE FOCUSED ON U.S. POLICY IN THE REGION AND ASKED REPEATEDLY ABOUT WHETHER THE US. HAD MADE OR IN [...] | 2006-11-22 16:58:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS5338 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Russia, Lebanon, Iraq, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported that Deputy Foreign Minister Dr. Faisal Miqdad received Russian Deputy FM Alexander Sultanov on Saturday (Nov. 25). Talks focused on developments in Palestine, Lebanon and Iraq. The two sides stressed the importance of continuous consultations between the two [...] | 2006-11-27 10:04:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS5341 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Russia, Syria/Lebanon, [...] Summary: Syrian papers on Nov. 27 reported President Asad's and VP Shara's meetings on Nov. 26 with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Sultanov, focusing on the tension in the region caused by foreign interference. In statements following the meeting, Sulatanov described his meetings [...] | 2006-11-27 13:31:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS5343 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Cyprus, Med-Euro [...] Summary: Syrian papers on Nov. 28 reported President Asad's meeting on Monday with Dimitris Hristofyas, Speaker of the Cypriot Parliament, focusing on the situation in the region and bilateral cooperation. Papers also reported Syrian FM Mouallem's participation in the Med-Euro Ministerial [...] | 2006-11-29 07:49:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS5345 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Canada, Syria/Lebanon, [...] Summary: Syrian papers on November 29 reported that the Foreign Ministry summoned the Canadian ambassador to Damascus, Mark BelliO1, to protest Canada's vote against the two resolutions adopted by the UN Human Rights Council regarding the Israeli violations in the occupied Syrian Golan and th [...] | 2006-11-29 15:02:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS5346 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Canada, Syria/Lebanon, [...] Summary: Syrian papers on November 29 reported that the Foreign Ministry summoned the Canadian ambassador to Damascus, Mark Belli, to protest Canada's vote against the two resolutions adopted by the UN Human Rights Council regarding Israeli violations in the occupied Syrian Golan and the Pale [...] | 2006-11-29 15:02:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS5348 | STAFFDEL TALWAR MEETING WITH FM MU'ALLIM AND [...] (C) SUMMARY. Professional staff member on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Puneet Talwar, met with Foreign Minister Mu'allim and Deputy Foreign Minister Mikdad on November 22 in two separate meetings to discuss Lebanon, Iraq, U.S.-Syrian relations, and the broader issues of the Middle E [...] | 2006-12-03 07:37:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV SY |
06DAMASCUS5349 | SARG FEELING CONFIDENT IS THE MESSAGE TO STAFFDEL [...] (C) SUMMARY: Professional staff member on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Puneet Talwar, held meetings in Damascus November 22 with an opposition member, informal SARG advisor, journalist, and others. The common perspective from the meetings is that the SARG feels it is operating from [...] | 2006-12-03 07:37:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV SY |
06DAMASCUS5358 | Damascus Media Reaction: Peace Process, Lebanon, Iraq, [...] Summary: Syrian papers on Dec. 3 featured a Dec. 2 press statement by Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi in Rome stressing the importance of dialogue and cooperation with Syria to solve the region's issues and establish stability. Mr. Prodi warned against the partitioning of Iraq, saying th [...] | 2006-12-04 10:04:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS5361 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Palestine, Syria/Italy, [...] Summary: Syrian papers on Dec. 4 reported the visit to Damascus by Palestinian PM Ismail Hanieh and his meeting with PM Ottri on Dec. 3, focusing on bilateral relations and regional developments. Papers also reported FM Mouallem's meeting on Sunday with Mr. Chizari Maria Raghalini, Direct [...] | 2006-12-04 14:29:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS5362 | IRAQ/SYRIA RESUMPTION OF RELATIONS [...] (C) Charge spoke to both the Iraqi Charge and the Algerian Ambassador (Iraq had been represented here as an interests section of the Algerian Embassy) on the status of resumption of Syrian-Iraqi diplomatic relations. Iraqi Charge Sabah al-Imam said that since the November 19-21 FM Muallim vi [...] | 2006-12-04 15:27:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | IZ PGOV PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS5367 | GERMAN FM STEINMEIER'S VISIT TO DAMASCUS [...] (C) Summary. German FM Steinmeier paid a very brief visit to Damascus to discuss, primarily, regional issues. Nothing was promised by either side and little progress was made on influencing either countries, stance on regional conflicts. Nonetheless, the local German Embassy assesses the vi [...] | 2006-12-06 13:43:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER SY |
06DAMASCUS5368 | Damascus Media Reaction: Golan Prisoners, Palestinian [...] Summary: Syrian papers on Dec. 6 reported that on Dec. 5 the Syrian Foreign Ministry addressed formal messages to UN SecGen Kofi Annan, the Chairman of the Security Council, the High Commission for Human Rights, and the Human Rights Council, informing them about the poor health of Sitan Nmr A [...] | 2006-12-06 13:51:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS5371 | ISLAMIC BANKING IN SYRIA: DESIRED, BUT VULNERABLE [...] (C) SUMMARY: Clearly behind the rest of the region in allowing Islamic banking, the SARG is now prematurely rushing forward on opening the sector, as it has done with the stock market and other "economic reforms," to assert that just like its Arab neighbors, it too has joined the modern globa [...] | 2006-12-07 11:17:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN EINV SY |
06DAMASCUS5377 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Turkey, Shara, Lebanon, [...] Summary: Syrian papers on Dec. 7 reported that President Asad received Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Dec. 6 The two leaders reviewed the situations in Iraq, the occupied territories, and Lebanon, and mutual cooperation, reiterating the importance of achieving security and s [...] | 2006-12-07 15:06:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS5378 | SYRIANS REFUSE TO DEPORT ACCUSED AMCIT MURDERER [...] (U) This is an action request, please see paragraph 5. 2. (SBU) The Syrian MFA notified us by a dipnote (text included below) received December 2 that the SARG has rejected our request to deport Amcit accused murderer Muaz Haffar (AKA to the Syrians as Omar al-Sawwaf). The dipnote, dated [...] | 2006-12-07 16:54:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL CASC ASEC SY |
06DAMASCUS5379 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/China, Baker/Hamilton [...] Summary: Syrian papers today reported that Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Moualem met on Dec. 9 with Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Chi Jion and an accompanying delegation. Talks focused on developments in the region, particularly in Lebanon, Palestine and Iraq, and on bilateral relations [...] | 2006-12-10 13:14:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS5380 | THREE GOVERNORS FIRED, THE QUESTION IS WHY? [...] (U) Summary. Amid allegations of incompetence and family scandals, three regional governors in Syria have been dismissed in the past ten days. Some argue the changes reflect President Bashar al Asad's focus on performance as a sign of seriouness on reform, while others believe the dismissals [...] | 2006-12-10 13:44:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON ETTC PGOV SY |
06DAMASCUS5381 | RIAD SEIF, OTHERS, VIEW LEBANON STRUGGLE AS [...] (C) Summary: Opposition figure Riad Seif and other Syrian contacts insist that the current political struggle in Lebanon is "the critical battle" for the U.S. and Europe. For Seif, that battle "must not be lost," if the U.S. wants to retain influence in the Middle East. He recommended U.S. [...] | 2006-12-10 15:11:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY LE |
06DAMASCUS5390 | COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR CODEL DODD, DECEMBER 19-21 [...] (U) Embassy Damascus welcomes and grants country clearance for the visit of Senator Christopher Dodd, and the other members of his delegation: Ms. Janice O'Connell (SFRC),and COL Mike Barbero, U.S. Army Senate Liaison. 2. (U) Control officer and point of contact for this visit is Pol/Econ [...] | 2006-12-12 13:00:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | AFIN AMGT ASEC OREP SY |
06DAMASCUS5395 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Netherlands, Syria/South [...] Summary: Syrian papers on Dec. 13 reported the visit to Damascus of Bernard Bot, Dutch Foreign Minister, and his meetings with President Asad, PM Shara and FM Mouallem, focusing on developments in Iraq, Lebanon, and the Palestinian territories. Both sides agreed to enhance bilateral relations [...] | 2006-12-13 12:36:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS5399 | INFLUENCING THE SARG IN THE END OF 2006 [...] (S) Summary. The SARG ends 2006 in a much stronger position domestically and internationally than it did 2005. While there may be additional bilateral or multilateral pressure that can impact Syria, the regime is based on a small clique that is largely immune to such pressure. However, Basha [...] | 2006-12-13 16:03:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET | PGOV PREL PTER SY |
06DAMASCUS5403 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/US, Syria/Senegal, [...] Summary: Syrian papers on Dec. 14 reported that President Asad met on Dec. 13 with US Democratic Senator Bill Nelson. Talks focused on the latest developments in Lebanon, Iraq and the Palestinian territories. President Asad called for non-interference in Lebanese affairs, since the Lebanese [...] | 2006-12-14 11:41:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL KMDR KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS5411 | PRESIDENT ASAD TELLS SEN. NELSON SARG WILLING TO [...] (C) SUMMARY: Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL),member on the Senate Armed Services Committee and on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (and soon-to-be appointed member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, we were told) met for approximately one hour with President Bashar al-Asad and FM Mu'allim [...] | 2006-12-15 12:42:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV SY |
06DAMASCUS5412 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Yemen, Syria/Italy, [...] Summary: Syrian papers on Dec. 17 reported President Asad's visit to Yemen and his meeting with Yemeni President Ali Abdallah Salih focusing on regional developments and bilateral relations. Papers also reported President Asad's press interview published Dec. 15 in a Rome-based daily La Rep [...] | 2006-12-17 14:00:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS5419 | REGIONAL SCIENCE CONFERENCE SEEN AS SUCCESS FOR [...] (U) Summary. Syria hosted from December 11-14 the fourth biannual Scientific Research Outlook (SRO-4) meeting of the UAE-based Arab Science and Technology Foundation (ASTF) in Damascus. In attendance were a handful of Americans, including Dr. Osman Shinaishin from the National Science Founda [...] | 2006-12-19 09:43:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | TSPL ECON EU SY |
06DAMASCUS5422 | REACHING OUT TO SYRIAN CIVIL SOCIETY [...] (C) Summary: While we continue to meet with and provide whatever support we can to political opposition figures and human rights activists in this very repressive atmosphere, we are also attempting to reach to Syria's wider civil society. This wider civil society in Syria may provide a signif [...] | 2006-12-21 06:19:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS5423 | Syria/UAE, Syria/Lebanon, Syria/PLO, Syria/EU, [...] Summary: Syrian papers on Dec. 18 reported President Asad's visit to the UAE on Dec. 17 and his meetings with UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Talks dealt with the deteriorating situation in the occupied territories. Both leaders stressed the necessity of preventing clashes [...] | 2006-12-21 07:42:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS5424 | Syria/UAE, Syria/Russia, Syria/Iraq, Lebanon (12/19) [...] Summary: Syrian papers on Dec. 19 reported President Asad's arrival in Moscow starting a two-day working visit to the Russian Federation during which he will hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the situation in the Middle East and ways to strengthen bilateral relations. Paper [...] | 2006-12-21 07:43:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS5428 | Syria/Russia, Brammertz Report, Palestinian Territories, [...] Summary: On Dec. 20 Syrian papers focused on President Asad's Dec. 19 visit to Russia and his meeting with President Putin. Headlines featured this portion of Asad's statement in a news conference after meeting President Vladimir Putin. "We want to have a dialogue but you have to differentiat [...] | 2006-12-21 09:50:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS5429 | SYRIAN ACTIVIST ANWAR BUNNI IN COURT; EU REP TO [...] (C) Summary: Prominent Syrian human rights activist Anwar al-Bunni appeared briefly December 19 in Damascus Criminal Court on charges connected to his signature on a document calling for improved Syria-Lebanon relations, as well as for involvement with a European Commission-funded human righ [...] | 2006-12-21 10:44:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV SY |
06DAMASCUS5431 | SYRIA: 2006 COUNTRY REPORTS ON TERRORISM [...] (U) Maria d.G. Olson is the Embassy POC. Address: 6110 Damascus Pl. Dulles, VA 20189. Unclassified e-mail: OlsonM@state.gov. Tel: (963) (11) 3391-3785. Cell Phone: (963) 94405166. 2. (SBU) The Syrian Government continued to provide political and material support to Hizballah and pol [...] | 2006-12-21 12:11:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PTER ASEC PGOV SY |
06DAMASCUS5447 | SENATORS DODD AND KERRY PUSH PRESIDENT ASAD TO [...] (C) Summary. Senators Kerry and Dodd had a wide-ranging conversation with President Asad that focused on Iraq, Lebanon, and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. The Senators cautioned Asad that his relations with America would not improve without his regime changing its destabilizing policies [...] | 2006-12-28 06:44:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER SY |
06DAMASCUS5448 | SENATORS DODD AND KERRY DISCUSS REGIONAL ISSUES [...] (C) Summary. Senators Kerry and Dodd told FM Walid Mu'allim that the time was ripe for strong unilateral action by the SARG if it truly wanted to be part of the solution for regional crisis in Lebanon, Iraq, and among the Palestinians. Mu'allim commented that the SARG would pursue security an [...] | 2006-12-28 06:45:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER SY |
06DAMASCUS5449 | CODEL SPECTER MEETS SYRIAN FM MU'ALLIM [...] (C) Summary: Visiting U.S. Senator Arlen Specter met with Syrian FM Walid Mu'allim for 75 minutes on December 25 in Damascus. The conversation covered U.S.-Syria relations, Syria's desire for resumed peace talks with Israel, allegations that Syria continues to meddle in Lebanon, steps to st [...] | 2006-12-28 06:48:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PGOV LE IZ SY |
06DAMASCUS5452 | Syria/US, Syria/Russia, Lebanon, Iraq, Palestinian [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported the Dec. 19-20 visit to Damascus by US Senators Christopher Dodd and John Kerry and their meetings with President Asad and FM Mouallem. Talks focused on the level of relations between Syria and the United States and ways to activate the comprehensive peace pro [...] | 2006-12-28 17:08:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS5453 | Syria/AL, Syria/OIC, Syria/Japan, Syria/Yemen, Iran, [...] Summary: On Dec. 24 Syrian press reported President Asad's Dec 21 meeting with SecGen of the Arab League Amr Mousa in which Mousa briefed Asad on the consultations he conducted on behalf of the AL regarding developments on the Lebanese arena. Headlines featured President Asad's support for t [...] | 2006-12-28 17:27:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS594 | IRAQI CLERIC MOQTADA SADR VISITS SYRIA, MEETS ASAD [...] (C) Summary: Iraqi Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr arrived February 5 in Damascus for an extended visit that included two meetings with the Syrian President on developments in Iraq and elsewhere regionally. Sadr also visited the city of Raqqa, located between the Syrian capital and the Iraqi [...] | 2006-02-13 10:12:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV SY IZ |
06DAMASCUS598 | SYRIA JOINS THE UNOFFICIAL DEVELOPING NATIONS GROUP AT [...] (SBU) Summary: On February 6, the SARG announced that it had joined the unofficial developing nations group at the WTO, the latest in an ongoing campaign to portray the SARG as strengthening international economic relationships. Syria is receiving $1.6 million USD in pre-WTO accession assistan [...] | 2006-02-13 11:18:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ETRD ECIN SY |
06DAMASCUS601 | ASAD PROMOTES SHARA'A TO VP IN MAJOR CABINET [...] (C) Summary: In a major cabinet reshuffle, Syrian President Bashar al-Asad promoted his foreign minister to Vice President and appointed 11 new ministers with portfolio (and three new ministers of state). He retained his PM, DPM, and 17 ministers (three without portfolio). The most importan [...] | 2006-02-13 12:27:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS602 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Lebanon, Iran, Danish [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported a press statement to Lebanese magazine "al-Mughtarib" by Lebanese FM Fawzi Salloukh saying "there is a need for good ties with Arab countries, especially Syria." Salloukh considered the continuous Israeli violations of Lebanon's sovereignty and the maintenance of [...] | 2006-02-13 13:44:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS605 | ASSESSMENT OF TARGETED FINANCIAL SANCTIONS AGAINST [...] (C) Summary: Post offers the following observations based on its experience thus far with targeted financial sanctions against SARG officials and other Syrian entities. First, maximizing media coverage of the designation increases the "name and shame" effect. The designation of Asif Shawkat [...] | 2006-02-13 14:27:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | EFIN ECON ETTC SY SANC |
06DAMASCUS624 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Iraq, Lebanon, Danish [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported that Vice President Shara has informed Moqtada al-Sadr, Leader of the al-Sadr movement in Iraq, about Syria's decision to restore diplomatic relations with Iraq and exchange diplomatic representation at level of ambassadors after the formation of the new Iraqi [...] | 2006-02-14 14:43:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS625 | A YEAR AFTER HARIRI'S ASSASSINATION: ASAD STRIKES [...] (C) Summary: One year after the murder of Rafik Hariri, the Syrian regime seems both confident and, increasingly, willing to adopt a more confrontational stance towards the West, making moves such as receiving Iranian President Ahmadinejad in Damascus and facilitating the violent demonstrat [...] | 2006-02-14 15:44:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINR ECON SY LE |
06DAMASCUS63 | Damascus Media Reaction: Khaddam's Statements to Al- [...] Summary: Al-Ba'th reported a statement issued by the Khaddam family in the Syrian region of Banias expressing "rejection and denunciation" of Abdul-Halim Khaddam's statements to Al-Arabiya and saying that the former VP expressed his personal views only. The statement says the family members st [...] | 2006-01-04 13:20:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS639 | ALEPPO,S INDUSTRIALISTS GENERALLY UPBEAT [...] (C) Summary. During a recent visit to Syria,s second city, Aleppo, we found the business community there to be guardedly optimistic and pursuing expansion plans in a range of existing and new business sectors. The Aleppines attributed their less than critical assessments of the Bashar al-As [...] | 2006-02-15 10:09:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON ETRD ETTC SY |
06DAMASCUS641 | SARG PROCLAIMS 2005 TO BE YEAR OF INVESTMENT [...] (C) Summary: Though Syrian officials and the government-controlled press have dubbed 2005 the &year of investment in Syria,8 SARG investment figures are generally highly exaggerated and the profit-making potential of approved projects remain largely unrealized. Recent investment in Syria fa [...] | 2006-02-15 12:08:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EINV ETRD SY |
06DAMASCUS642 | SARG RELIEF AFTER UNIIIC'S VIENNA QUESTIONING; [...] (C) Summary: Long-standing Embassy contact Dr. Samir al-Taki told Polchief February 5 that the Syrian suspects who traveled to Vienna in mid-January for a second round of questioning emerged saying that UNIIIC investigators gave the impression they had no new leads to follow up on or question [...] | 2006-02-15 12:27:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KCRM SY IR |
06DAMASCUS65 | APPLYING TARGETED SANCTIONS TO SYRIA [...] No summary [...] | 2006-01-04 13:46:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAIR ECON ETTC SY SANC |
06DAMASCUS668 | Damascus Media Reaction: Al-Hariri Assassination [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported a mass rally by Syrians in occupied Golan observing the 24th anniversary of the 1982 strike, called by the sons of occupied Golan to reject Israel's annexation of the Golan and impose an Israeli identity on its sons. Speakers emphasized that they stood behind Pr [...] | 2006-02-16 12:16:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS669 | PLACING CART BEFORE HORSE, AND THE REIGNS IN THE [...] (SBU) After almost eight months of inactivity since President Asad signed the Syrian Security and Exchange Commission (SSEC) law in June 2005, local press reported this week that a commission finally has been named by presidential decree to draft the law for the creation of the stock market it [...] | 2006-02-16 12:26:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN EINV SY |
06DAMASCUS671 | Damascus Media Reaction: Al-Hariri's Anniversary [...] Summary: Syrian newspapers sharply reacted to the speeches that Walid Jumblatt, Sa'd al-Hariri, Samir Ja'ja, and other anti- Syria Lebanese figures delivered in the demonstration staged in Beirut to mark the first anniversary of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq al-Hariri's assassination. T [...] | 2006-02-16 12:33:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS672 | RIAD SEIF SUMMONED BY GID CHIEF, DAUGHTER DETAILS [...] (C) SUMMARY: One day after being detained, in blindfold and handcuffs, for five hours by unknown security service officers, prominent opposition figure Riad Seif was called in for another meeting with General Intelligence Directorate (GID) chief Ali Mamluk on February 16. Seif spent at least [...] | 2006-02-16 14:20:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM SY |
06DAMASCUS673 | BIOGRAPHICAL DATA ON SYRIA'S NEW MINISTERS [...] (C) SUMMARY: President Bashar al-Asad appointed eleven new ministers with portfolio and three new state ministers without portfolio on February 11. The following includes basic biographical (and previously unavailable) data on new appointees. END SUMMARY. 2. (U) MINISTER OF THE INTERIOR [...] | 2006-02-16 14:23:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINR SY |
06DAMASCUS674 | COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR BAGHDAD REFUGEE COORDINATOR [...] (U) Embassy Damascus welcomes and grants country clearance to Baghdad Refugee Coordinator Camille Hill for travel to Damascus from February 28 through March 4, 2006. After clearing customs, traveler will be met and assisted at the airport by an Embassy driver who will display a sign with the [...] | 2006-02-16 14:40:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | ASEC OTRA PREF SMIG SY IZ |
06DAMASCUS68 | APPLYING TARGETED SANCTIONS TO SYRIA [...] (C) Summary. As post has reported previously, the average Syrian would welcome targeted sanctions that focus on regressive elements within the Asad regime. The best mix in our judgement would be sanctions that are phased, multi-lateral, and widely publicized. Most of our Syrian interlocuto [...] | 2006-01-04 14:08:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | EAIR ECON ETTC SY SANC |
06DAMASCUS686 | HUMAN RIGHTS ROUNDUP: TAYYARA, ABDULLAH FREED; [...] (C) SUMMARY: Human rights contacts report that Najati Tayyara and Omar Abdullah have been released following their February 14 detentions. Meanwhile, the wheels of Syrian justice continue to grind slowly in the cases of human rights activists Nizar Rastanawi, Haithem Maleh, and Hassan Abdu [...] | 2006-02-20 15:11:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM SY |
06DAMASCUS69 | SARG ORDERS SYRIAN BANKS TO FREEZE KHADDAM'S ASSETS [...] (C) On January 2, the SARG ordered all Syrian banks, as well as those subsidiaries of foreign banks operating in the Syrian free zones, to freeze immediately the assets of former Vice President Abdul-Halim Khaddam and his family. A faxed letter from the Central Bank's Combating Money Launderin [...] | 2006-01-04 14:14:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN SY SANC |
06DAMASCUS701 | ANNOUNCEMENT TO FUND OPPOSITION HARSHLY CRITICIZED BY ANTI-REGIME ELEMENTS, OTHERS [...] (C) SUMMARY: Post contacts have been quick to condemn the USG's public statement announcing the designation of five million USD for support of the Syrian opposition, calling it "nave" and "harmful." Contacts insist that the statement has already hurt the opposition, and that the SARG will use it in [...] | 2006-02-21 14:49:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS702 | RIAD SEIF DETAILS RECENT SECURITY SERVICE [...] (C) SUMMARY: Leading opposition figure Riad Seif discussed his recent problems with security services, which have focused their energies and threats towards Seif's February 5 interview in an-Nahar newspaper. Seif also related that he received his first official invitation, via intermediar [...] | 2006-02-21 15:01:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM SY |
06DAMASCUS703 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Cartoon [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported Lebanese rejection of the calls for foreign custodianship and the positions expressed by the "March 14" forces. Omar Jaftali editorialized in Tishreen that it is shameful that some Lebanese have sold themselves for a fistful of dollars. However, he said that [...] | 2006-02-22 07:22:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS710 | IRAN-SYRIA ECONOMIC COMMISSION MEETS TODAY AMID [...] (SBU) Summary: The Syrian-Iranian Higher Economic Commission meets today in Damascus, but few contacts believe the meeting will produce any immediate results in improving the investment climate or increasing the two countries' anemic trade volume. Although the Commission is expected to addres [...] | 2006-02-22 14:01:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EIND EINV ETRD IR SY |
06DAMASCUS711 | SCANDINAVIANS MOVING QUIETLY TO REPAIR RELATIONS [...] (C) Summary: Nearly three weeks after three Scandinavian embassies in Damascus suffered moderate to severe damage in SARG-sanctioned demonstrations to protest the caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed in European media, it appears that all three governments are moving quietly to repair relation [...] | 2006-02-22 14:06:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS717 | EGYPTIAN DIPLOMAT SIGNALS MUBARAK VISIT TO DAMASCUS [...] (C) An Egyptian diplomat cited two recent phone calls between Syrian President Bashar al-Asad and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, as well as a Kuwaiti news report, as indicators of a possible upcoming Mubarak visit. The Kuwaiti article reported that Mubarak would visit Damascus on February [...] | 2006-02-23 13:31:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KPAL EG SY LB |
06DAMASCUS718 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria, Hamas, US Policy (2/23) [...] Summary: All Syrian papers reported an official Syrian statement condemning the attacks on the Shiite mausoleum and Sunni mosques in Iraq. Eid Abu Sekke opined in Al-Ba'th that the U.S. and its allies are not happy with the election of Hamas and are against democratic changes in the region wh [...] | 2006-02-23 14:18:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS727 | SYRIANS DENOUNCE ATTACKS ON IRAQI SHRINES AND [...] (U) Syrian officials and religious leaders strongly denounced the February 22 bombing of the Golden Mosque in Samara and subsequent attacks on Sunni mosques and warned against attempts to fragment Iraq's national unity. The Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) quoted an official source on February [...] | 2006-02-26 13:19:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL SOCI IZ SY |
06DAMASCUS728 | DAMASCUS-BASED HAMAS OFFICIALS TO TRAVEL TO MOSCOW [...] (C) Russian DCM Alexsey Erkhov told Polchief on February 26 that Hamas political leaders, including those based in Damascus, would likely travel at the beginning of March to Moscow where they would meet with Russian FM Sergei Lavrov and Deputy FM Alexander Saltanov. When asked whether Hamas [...] | 2006-02-26 13:25:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | KPAL PREL SY RS |
06DAMASCUS760 | MORE ON USG FUNDING OF SYRIAN OPPOSITION [...] (C) Summary: The USG's Syrian Democracy Announcement continues to provoke conflicting views here among the opposition and other political figures. Reftel reported on an initial sounding that produced primarily negative views. A second look at the issue has prompted a more nuanced set of rea [...] | 2006-02-27 09:57:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KDEM SY |
06DAMASCUS775 | READ OUT FROM IRAN-SYRIA ECONOMIC MEETING [...] (C) The annual meeting of the Iran-Syria Higher Economic Commission ended last week, meeting Syrians' already low expectations that it would lack economic significance (ref A). Government dailies trumpeted the signing of MOUs on a range of economic issues, from environmental protection to inv [...] | 2006-02-27 14:04:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EINV ETRD SY IR |
06DAMASCUS810 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria, Hamas, Secretary Rice's [...] Summary: Syrian papers highlighted the meeting held by F.M. Walid al- Mo'allem with Hamas leader Khaled Masha'al after the latter returned from his tour of the countries of the region. Ezeddin al-Darwish editorialized in Tishreen that he expects "further escalation" in the region after Secr [...] | 2006-02-28 10:29:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS844 | FACTS ON US BUSINESS ACTIVITY IN SYRIA [...] (SBU) The following information is offered for EU posts, consideration and reference when discussing aligning EU and USG policy vis--vis the SARG (ref A). Two discrepancies between USG and EU economic policy are apparent from Damascus: EU missions continue to promote business investment in S [...] | 2006-03-01 12:32:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EFIN EINV SY |
06DAMASCUS86 | Damascus Media Reaction: Khaddam, Mubarak/Chirac Summit, [...] Summary: Syrian papers today reported that the Finance Ministry has frozen the assets of Khaddam's wife, sons, grandchildren and their husbands and wives with the aim of securing the sum which will be revealed by the judicial investigation. The decision came in response to the deliberation i [...] | 2006-01-05 12:36:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS888 | SYRIAN FOREIGN POLICIES PAYING OFF, SAYS REGIME [...] (C) Summary: Longtime Embassy contact and regime insider Imad Shuebi asserted that the SARG is feeling confident in its standoff with the U.S. and is looking ahead with renewed assurance. Syria has correctly played its foreign policy cards on Lebanon, Hamas and Iran, and is reaping the bene [...] | 2006-03-02 14:11:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KPAL LE IR SY |
06DAMASCUS894 | RIAD SEIF COMMENTS ON SARG PRESSURE [...] (C) SUMMARY: During a March 2 meeting with Charge and PolChief, prominent opposition figure Riad Seif discussed his recent problems with Syrian security services and their strategy to shut down his activities, his interactions with other opposition figures as he continues to hone his politic [...] | 2006-03-02 14:50:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM SY |
06DAMASCUS90 | KHADDAM'S STREAM OF CRITICISM PUTS THE SARG BACK [...] Summary: (C) A range of contacts have described former VP Khaddam's December 30 interview with al-Arabiyya TV network as tremendously damaging to the regime. They characterize him as a very smart and highly experienced politician and statesman who would be unlikely to make such explosive re [...] | 2006-01-06 12:39:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS929 | HUMAN RIGHTS ROUNDUP: QAMISHLI VIOLENCE?; DAMASCUS [...] (C) CONTACTS DISMISS PRESS REPORTS OF KURDISH CLASHES WITH ARMY: Kurdish contacts dismissed press reports that an armed clash, resulting in many Kurdish injuries, had taken place in the northeastern city of Qamishli between Syrian armed forces and members of the PKK-affiliated Democratic Un [...] | 2006-03-06 07:06:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM SY |
06DAMASCUS958 | ASAD CALLS ON HAMAS NOT TO RECOGNIZE ISRAEL, [...] (SBU) Summary: In a March 4 speech at the opening of a pan-Arab conference in Damascus, Syrian President Bashar al-Asad urged Hamas not to recognize Israel, criticized efforts to oust Lebanese President Lahoud, and labeled U.S. actions in Iraq as part of a plan to divide and conquer the cou [...] | 2006-03-06 13:55:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL LB SY |
06DAMASCUS959 | SARG CHOOSES CONFRONTATIONAL STANCE IN MEETINGS [...] (C) Diplomats at the EC mission in Damascus were quick to downplay the importance of the visit last week of EU parliamentarian and President of the Parliament's Delegation for Relations with the Mashrek, Beatrice Patrie. SARG dailies reported that Patrie met with both Abdallah Dardari, Deputy [...] | 2006-03-06 14:03:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON ETRD EINV SY |
06DAMASCUS962 | MANAGING A TEMPORARY STALEMATE WITH THE SARG [...] (C) Summary: In important respects, U.S. relations with Syria seem to have reached an impasse. Over the past six weeks, Syrian contacts, some of them regime proxies, have voiced the opinion that the SARG senses it has hung tough with a set of hard-line policies that are paying dividends. As [...] | 2006-03-06 16:13:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS963 | SARG CLOSES EUROPEAN COMMISSION-FUNDED CIVIL [...] (C) SUMMARY: SARG authorities closed the European Commission-funded Civil Society Training Center on March 1, only nine days after its widely-covered opening on February 21. The training center is one of five recently launched EC-sponsored projects in Syria. The shutdown coincided with th [...] | 2006-03-06 16:32:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM SY |
06DAMASCUS987 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria, Hamas, President Bush's [...] Summary: Syrian newspapers highlighted statements by F.M. Walid al- Mo'allem during the Arab League's ministerial meeting that Syria has reached a "good understanding" with the International Investigation Committee. Papers also highlighted the meeting in Damascus of the Arab Parties Confere [...] | 2006-03-08 08:11:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DARESSALAAM811 | TANZANIA SUPPORTS SYRIA-LEBANON UNSC RESOLUTION [...] No summary [...] | 2006-05-18 14:19:00 | Embassy Dar Es Salaam | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL UNSC SY LE TZ |
06DJIBOUTI554 | DJIBOUTI RESPONSE: SYRIA-LEBANON RESOLUTION IN UN [...] On May 10, Poloff delivered reftel demarche to Nasser Mohammed Hassan, the Assistant Director for Bilateral Affairs in charge of America and Europe at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Poloff explained that this was an urgent matter, and Hassan replied that he would forward the information imme [...] | 2006-05-10 11:48:00 | Embassy Djibouti | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL UNSC SY LE DJ |
06DOHA127 | A/S SILVERBERG'S MEETING WITH QATARI FOREIGN [...] (C) Summary. A/S Silverberg met with FM Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani (HBJ) January 21 to discuss UN Security Council issues related to the Darfur conflict in Sudan and Syria's adherence to UNSC 1559. The Foreign Minister said Qatar is keen to cooperate with the United States. But he said he hoped [...] | 2006-01-26 14:30:00 | Embassy Doha | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL IR SU SY QA UNSC |
06DUBAI10 | GENERAL ABIZAID MEETING WITH ABU DHABI CROWN PRINCE AND [...] (S) Summary: CENTCOM Commander General Abizaid met December 27 in Dubai with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (MBZ) and Dubai Crown Prince and UAE Minister of Defense General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Ma [...] | 2006-01-02 12:28:00 | Consulate Dubai | SECRET | PREL MOPS MARR PTER XF TC IR IZ SY LE XD SO |
06DUBAI2600 | ETHIOPIAN DOMESTIC WORKERS IN THE UAE [...] No summary [...] | 2006-05-10 09:52:00 | Consulate Dubai | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON PHUM SOCI KCRM ET AE SY |
06DUBAI2762 | ETHIOPIAN DOMESTIC WORKERS IN THE UAE [...] No summary [...] | 2006-05-16 11:02:00 | Consulate Dubai | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON PHUM SOCI KCRM ET AE SY |
06DUBAI4503 | TFLE01:IRAN'S RESPONSE TO ISRAELI MILITARY ACTION IN [...] No summary [...] | 2006-07-17 14:52:00 | Consulate Dubai | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL IR IS SY LE ZP MOPS |
06DUBLIN293 | IRELAND UNLIKELY TO MAKE A STATEMENT ON SYRIAN [...] No summary [...] | 2006-03-22 10:25:00 | Embassy Dublin | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM SY EI |
06DUBLIN566 | IRELAND IN LINE WITH EU PRESIDENCY STATEMENT [...] No summary [...] | 2006-05-22 11:50:00 | Embassy Dublin | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM SY EI |
06EFTOUSUNNEWYORK1560 | SYRIAN AMBASSADOR STOPPED AT JFK INTERNATIONAL [...] This message is sensitive but unclassified. Please handle accordingly. 2. ACTION REQUEST: USUN has received a note verbale from the Syrian Mission to the UN which requests an explanation for the delay experienced by Syrian PermRep Ja'afari on arrival at Kennedy Airport on July 6. Acco [...] | 2006-08-17 15:03:00 | USUN New York | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | OFDP SY UN JA AFARI BASHAR |
06HELSINKI495 | SALE OF TELESCOPING MASTS TO SYRIA [...] (C) PolChief delivered subject demarche to Laura Kansikas-Debraise, MFA Director for the Unit on Arms Control. Kansikas-Debraise was unfamiliar with the Finnish company Mastsystem International which, as yet, has made no application for an export license to sell any communication or other equ [...] | 2006-06-01 10:59:00 | Embassy Helsinki | SECRET | ETRD ETTC FI PARM PCI PREL SY |
06HELSINKI842 | FINLAND TO STRONGLY URGE SYRIA TO RESPECT LEBANON [...] (C) Summary: DCM and PolChief met with MFA Political Director Vierros-Villeneuve Aug. 22 to express US disappointment regarding the Aug. 23 visit of Syrian FM Walid Al-Moallem to Helsinki; to remind the GOF of the need to isolate Syria diplomatically; and to urge that the Finns use the meeting [...] | 2006-08-22 12:25:00 | Embassy Helsinki | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL MOPS PGOV MARR FI SY LE |
06HELSINKI854 | FINNS TELL SYRIA TO HONOR UNSCR 1701; SYRIANS [...] (C) SUMMARY: On Aug. 23 in Helsinki, Finnish FM Tuomioja told Syrian FM Al-Moallem that the EU expected the Government of Syria (GOS) to support the ceasefire in Lebanon and wider peace in the Middle East by respecting all provisions of UNSCR 1701; by honoring the arms embargo in Lebanon; and b [...] | 2006-08-24 13:50:00 | Embassy Helsinki | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL MOPS PGOV MARR FI SY LE |
06HELSINKI934 | FINLAND RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE ON SYRIA [...] (C) Charge delivered subject demarche to Finnish MFA Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Markus Lyra September 13. She emphasized that the US and EU share the goal of preventing new hostilities in Lebanon and the rest of the region, but that our views on contacts with Syria continue [...] | 2006-09-13 13:58:00 | Embassy Helsinki | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER USUN LE SY EU FI |
06KIRKUK100 | SADRISTS SEEK TO BLOCK KURDISH DESIGNS FOR KIRKUK [...] (C) SUMMARY. The Sadr group is searching for ways to impede progress on the Kurdification of Kirkuk. A Sadr representative in Kirkuk said the Sadrists, who represented about 75 percent of the Shia Arab population in Kirkuk, were at odds ideologically with the Badr Organization on Kirkuk iss [...] | 2006-04-25 13:34:00 | REO Kirkuk | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KISL PHUM PINS PINR PREL IZ IR SY TU |
06KIRKUK104 | KDP ASAYISH CHIEF ON SECURITY ISSUES IN KIRKUK [...] (C) SUMMARY. The chief of Asayish in Kirkuk said the Iraqi Army and police in Kirkuk were neither effective nor serious in their duties because their loyalties were based on ethnic bonds. He said Hawijah was a terrorist safe haven and that its poor security situation had a negative effect o [...] | 2006-04-29 16:49:00 | REO Kirkuk | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KISL PINS PINR PREL PTER PNAT IZ IR SY TU |
06KIRKUK105 | PUK ASAYISH CLAIMS SECURITY DOMINANCE IN KIRKUK [...] SUMMARY. The PUK chief of Asayish (internal security) in Kirkuk complained that the MNF-I and Iraqi Army did not recognize the Asayish as a formal security force below the greenline and expressed frustration that the Asayish had to obtain MNF-I permission prior to making an arrest. He claime [...] | 2006-04-29 16:49:00 | REO Kirkuk | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KISL PINS PINR PREL PTER PNAT IZ IR SY TU |
06KIRKUK55 | KURDISTAN ISLAMIC UNION MAINTAINS A MODERATE, INDEPENDENT [...] (C) SUMMARY. The Kurdistan Islamic Party (KIU) hopes to be a viable option for Kurdish voters that are not satisfied with what they perceive to be the corrupt, self-serving policies of the KDP and PUK. KIU officials reputedly reject violence in the name of Islam and argued that the Iraqi Go [...] | 2006-03-07 19:12:00 | REO Kirkuk | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KISL PHUM PINS PINR PREL IZ IR SY TU |
06KIRKUK58 | KURDISTAN REGIONAL GOVERNMENT PUK PRIME MINISTER PUSHES FOR [...] (C) SUMMARY. In separate meetings, leaders of the Patriotic United Kurdistan (PUK) demanded that the next Baghdad government tackle TAL 58 issues: "Kirkuk is a part of Kurdistan." The leaders reaffirmed the PUK's support for the U.S. presence in Iraq and their desire for continuing long-term [...] | 2006-03-09 17:02:00 | REO Kirkuk | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM KISL PHUM PINR PREL IZ IR SY TU |
06KIRKUK61 | TRIBAL LEADER WARNS OF FUNDAMENTALISM, CORRUPTION IN KURDISH [...] (C) SUMMARY. The leader of the second largest Kurdish tribe in Iraq, the Harki, identified corruption, nepotism and the growth of Islamic fundamentalism fueled by economic instability as the major threats to democracy in the Kurdish region of Iraq. Shaykh Mahmud Asad Fattah Harki said that th [...] | 2006-03-14 12:21:00 | REO Kirkuk | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM KISL PHUM APER IR SY TU IZ PREL |
06KIRKUK96 | KURDISTAN ISLAMIC GROUP SEEKS U.S. RELATIONS [...] SUMMARY. (C) The Kurdistan Islamic Group (KIG) supported U.S. invasions in Afghanistan and Iraq, but has been disappointed with some U.S. actions toward it. The party seeks to uphold the holiness of Islam and advocates Sharia law as the main source of guidance on Iraqi law. The KIG and the [...] | 2006-04-21 13:08:00 | REO Kirkuk | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM KISL PHUM APER IR SY TU IZ PREL |
06KIRKUK98 | BADR ORGANIZATION IN KIRKUK COOPERATING ON SECURITY AND [...] (C) SUMMARY. The Badr Organization claims to be a multiethnic group in northern Iraq. Badr representatives claim most Shia Arabs in Kirkuk are Ba'ath loyalists. The Badr representatives claimed to defer security responsibilities to the Iraqi Army and police. The Badr Organization is postp [...] | 2006-04-25 13:34:00 | REO Kirkuk | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KISL PHUM PINS PINR PREL IZ IR SY TU |
06KUWAIT1675 | REGIONAL CT STRATEGY FOR IRAQ AND ITS NEIGHBORS: [...] (S REL AUS UK) Summary: Chiefs of Mission from Kuwait, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Syria conferred via video conference on April 26 to follow up on Regional Strategy Initiative (RSI) proposals first formulated at a March 7-8 counterterrorism (CT) strategy session in Kuwait (Ref A) to counter foreign [...] | 2006-05-11 03:36:00 | Embassy Kuwait | SECRET | PTER PREL PGOV IZ KU SY JO TU SA |
06KUWAIT4153 | IRAQ AND NEIGHBORS CONFERENCE REGIONAL CT [...] (U) This message, cleared by embassies Kuwait, Riyadh, Amman, Damascus, Baghdad, and Ankara, provides recommendations for regional activities to advance the counterterrorism strategy developed in March in Kuwait. While not exhaustive, the initiatives described below are in posts' opinion relatively [...] | 2006-10-17 21:54:00 | Embassy Kuwait | SECRET//NOFORN | PTER PREL KISL OEXC KU IZ SY JO TU SA |
06KUWAIT4284 | COUNTRY CLEARANCE REQUEST FOR JARED CAPLAN TO [...] Embassy Kuwait requests country clearance for consular officer Jared S Caplan to travel to Embassy Damascus to provide TDY consular assistance for the period November 1 - November 17, 2006. CA/EX has provided Caplan with TDY travel orders for his travel from Washington, DC to Damascus. 2. [...] | 2006-10-31 10:27:00 | Embassy Kuwait | UNCLASSIFIED | APER AMGT OTRA KU SY COUNTRY CLEARANCE |
06KUWAIT4680 | KUWAIT MFA OFFICIAL ON SYRIA ENGAGEMENT, HANIYEH [...] (C) Summary: According to MFA Arab Affairs Director Al-Mubaraki, Bashar al-Asad has signaled to Kuwait and others his readiness for a deal with the U.S. Kuwait has no plans to meet with the Syrians at a senior level. Palestinian PM Haniyeh could visit Kuwait in the near future, though deta [...] | 2006-12-20 06:36:00 | Embassy Kuwait | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL EAID KPAL KU SY |
06KUWAIT913 | REGIONAL CT STRATEGY FOR IRAQ AND ITS NEIGHBORS: [...] (S REL AUS UK) Summary: U.S. Chiefs of Mission and Embassy representatives from Kuwait, Iraq, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and Turkey met in Kuwait, March 7-8, as a first step to develop a regional counterterrorism strategy. Ambassador for Counterterrorism Henry Crumpton and U.S. interagency repres [...] | 2006-03-18 04:36:00 | Embassy Kuwait | SECRET | PTER PREL IZ KU SY JO TU SA |
06LIMA1833 | PERU: DEMARCHE ON SYRIA-LEBANON RESOLUTION IN [...] (U) Poloff delivered reftel points to the Foreign Ministry's Director of UN Affairs, Miguel Barreto on 3/10. On 3/11 Barreto told Poloff that the GOP in general supports the points, specifically the importance of restoring Lebanese sovereignty and independence. Barreto said he had not yet see [...] | 2006-05-11 22:27:00 | Embassy Lima | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL UNSC SY LE PE |
06LISBON1803 | PORTUGAL: URGING IRAN/SYRIA TO RESPECT ARMS EMBARGO [...] No summary [...] | 2006-08-24 15:14:00 | Embassy Lisbon | UNCLASSIFIED | IR LE SY MARR MOPS PREL PARM |
06LISBON1845 | PORTUGAL'S FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS WITH SYRIAN [...] (C) On August 29, the Foreign Minister's Diplomatic Advisor provided Charge d'Affaires with a read-out of Foreign Minister Amado's August 24 meeting with Syrian Information Minister Mohsen Bilal. Bilal asserted that the Middle East needed to be "reengineered" from the inside and that anything [...] | 2006-08-29 17:57:00 | Embassy Lisbon | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PO IR SY |
06LONDON6133 | (C) UK NOT SENDING DELEGATIONS TO SYRIA AND IRAN [...] No summary [...] | 2006-08-21 15:23:00 | Embassy London | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL MARR MOPS IR SY LE UK |
06LUXEMBOURG639 | PRIME MINISTER JUNCKER DISCUSSES THE IRAQ STUDY [...] (C/NF) During a private meeting with Ambassador Wagner on December 11, Prime Minister Juncker expressed hope that the Iraq Study Group (ISG) report would prove productive in helping the USG to resolve problems in Iraq. He said he was surprised that the study (and especially its findings) had [...] | 2006-12-13 15:55:00 | Embassy Luxembourg | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PGOV PREL SY LU EUN |
06MADRID1962 | SPAIN ON SYRIA/HIZBALLAH AND POSSIBLE TROOP [...] (C/NF) SUMMARY. The MOD Director General for Defense Policy told poloff on August 3 that, although Spanish FM Moratinos has said that it is "very premature" to talk about troop contributions before there is a UNSC resolution, Spain is likely to contribute 800 or more troops to an internationa [...] | 2006-08-03 13:45:00 | Embassy Madrid | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PREL MARR LE SY SP |
06MADRID2334 | SPAIN SEES ENGAGEMENT WITH SYRIA AS NECESSARY [...] (C) In a Sept. 13 meeting with MFA Director General for Middle East Alvaro Iranzo, PolCouns discussed reftel points on Syria, stressed that the United States strongly discourages high-level contacts with the SARG and made clear that the USG is not asking third parties to deliver any messages [...] | 2006-09-15 16:29:00 | Embassy Madrid | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER USUN LE SY EU SP |
06MADRID2893 | SPAIN: DEPUTY FM LEON ON MIDEAST CONFERENCE, [...] (C) Summary. In a wide ranging November 14 meeting with MFA Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Bernardino Leon, DCM reviewed the state of bilateral relations, relayed USG concerns regarding Spain's call for a new major Middle East conference, and discussed U.S. interest in stronger U.S.-Sp [...] | 2006-11-15 17:20:00 | Embassy Madrid | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL IS LE SY CU SP |
06MADRID2942 | SPAIN ON MEPP: WE SUPPORT QUARTET, NEED TO PUSH [...] (C) Summary. DCM called Javier Sancho Velazquez, Chief of Staff to Foreign Minister Moratinos, on November 22 to discuss reftel points and Spain's proposed Middle East initiative in advance of the November 24 Quintet meeting in Rome. DCM went over the demarche with Velazquez point by point [...] | 2006-11-22 18:34:00 | Embassy Madrid | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL SP IS SY |
06MANAMA1788 | READOUT OF BAHRAINI FOREIGN MINISTER'S OCTOBER 12 [...] (C) During an October 15 meeting covering the U.S.-Bahrain Gulf Security Dialogue (septel),the Charge asked MFA Assistant Secretary for Coordination and Follow Up Shaikh Abdul Aziz bin Mubarak Al Khalifa for a readout of Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa's October 12 visit [...] | 2006-10-15 14:31:00 | Embassy Manama | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL BA IS SY REGION |
06MANAMA2045 | URGING BAHRAIN TO RECONSIDER HIGH-LEVEL [...] No summary [...] | 2006-12-14 13:04:00 | Embassy Manama | SECRET | PREL PTER KPAL BA SY |
06MAPUTO1599 | MOZAMBIQUE - DEMARCHE ON RECONSIDERING HIGH-LEVEL [...] No summary [...] | 2006-12-15 08:15:00 | Embassy Maputo | CONFIDENTIAL | KPAL PREL PTER MZ SY |
06MONTREAL572 | AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH ICAO'S TCB DEPUTY DIRECTOR ON [...] (SBU) Summary and Action Request (para 9): The Deputy Director of ICAO's Technical Cooperation Bureau (TCB) Bachar Hakim, visited the Ambassador on May 17, 2006 to inform him of TCB's recommendations to Syrian Arab Airlines on the replacement of ten aging Boeing aircraft, which are currently [...] | 2006-05-18 19:18:00 | Consulate Montreal | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAIR ETRD ECON PREL ICAO CA SY UNDP |
06MOSCOW10382 | LAVROV'S MIDDLE EAST DIPLOMACY [...] (C) Summary: With FM Lavrov's September 7-9 trip to the Middle East, promotion of a "universal" peace process, experts' conference, renewed Syria track, and support for the Arab League ministerial session at UNGA, the GOR continues to seek "player" status in the region. Practically, GOR sup [...] | 2006-09-18 11:43:00 | Embassy Moscow | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PARM IS SY LE RS |
06MOSCOW11833 | RUSSIAN RESPONSE TO ATGM TRANSFER TO SYRIA [...] (S) SUMMARY: Russia's investigation into the transfer of anti-tank guided missiles to Syria has confirmed that some Russian-made weapons had been funneled to Hizballah. As a result, the head of the Tula design bureau responsible for the transfer has been fired, and the Foreign Ministry has [...] | 2006-10-20 15:23:00 | Embassy Moscow | SECRET | PREL PARM ETTC RS SY IS |
06MOSCOW12628 | RUSSIA KEEPS UP THE PACE IN MIDDLE EAST DIPLOMACY [...] (C) Summary: Following the assassination of Lebanese Minister Gemayel, Russia has become increasingly concerned about political violence in Lebanon, but is unwilling to press Damascus on its role. The MFA preferred to offer legalistic arguments about whether there was compelling proof of S [...] | 2006-11-27 08:18:00 | Embassy Moscow | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV IS SY LE IZ RS |
06MOSCOW13098 | MIDDLE EAST: MFA ON LEBANON, SYRIA AND IRAQ [...] (C) Summary: President Putin sought to lower tensions between Lebanon and Syria during back-to-back mid-December visits by PM Siniora and President Asad, according to the Russian MFA, and had urged that a solution to Lebanon's ongoing political crisis be found through negotiations and not i [...] | 2006-12-26 16:02:00 | Embassy Moscow | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV LE SY IZ RS |
06MOSCOW5008 | DEMARCHE DELIVERED: SYRIA/LEBANON RESOLUTION [...] No summary [...] | 2006-05-12 06:19:00 | Embassy Moscow | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL UNSC SY LE RS |
06MUSCAT1707 | NEA A/S WELCH MEETING WITH OMANI FOREIGN MINISTER [...] (C) NEA A/S Welch met December 12 with Omani Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs Yousef bin Alawi in Muscat. Bin Alawi personally drove A/S Welch and the Ambassador to a meeting with Sultan Qaboos (septel),and then hosted a working lunch for them with participation from Foreign Ministry [...] | 2006-12-20 07:21:00 | Embassy Muscat | SECRET//NOFORN | PREL PTER KPAL IR IZ SY MU |
06NEWDELHI166 | SYRIAN OIL DEAL DEMARCHE: INDIAN RESPONSE [...] (C) SUMMARY: In response to Ref-A demarche points, Additional Secretary Ahmad of India's Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas told CDA that he had had concerns about the economic benefit of the joint India-China purchase of equity in a Syrian oil field, and that -- had he known there would be [...] | 2006-01-10 01:47:00 | Embassy New Delhi | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL EPET ENRG ETRD PGOV IN SY CH IS LE |
06NEWDELHI3755 | MEA QUESTIONS SYRIA DEMARCHE [...] (C) Acting PolCouns delivered ref A demarche to MEA Joint Secretary (Americas) S. Jaishankar on May 30, and explained SIPDIS why a Syrian FM Walid Mu'allim visit -- if in fact true -- would undermine international efforts to isolate Syria and would be poorly viewed in Congress and the Admin [...] | 2006-05-30 12:15:00 | Embassy New Delhi | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PTER PINR KISL IN SY |
06NEWDELHI3844 | MEA SAYS SYRIAN FM WILL NOT VISIT INDIA [...] No summary [...] | 2006-06-02 09:54:00 | Embassy New Delhi | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PTER PINR KISL IN SY |
06NICOSIA197 | GOC OFFERS TO HOST MEETING OF SENIOR DANISH [...] (C) Danish Ambassador Svend Waever told Ambassador Schlicher on February 10 that the President's Diplomatic Advisor, Tasos Tzionis, had just called him with an offer to host a meeting on Cyprus between senior officials from Copenhagen and their counterparts from Damascus and Beirut to discuss [...] | 2006-02-13 07:50:00 | Embassy Nicosia | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM PGOV KISL DA LE SY GR CY |
06NICOSIA431 | DEMARCHE DELIVERED: URGING THE EU TO SPEAK ON [...] (C) On March 21, poloff delivered reftel message to Charalambos Hadjisavvas, who follows Middle Eastern issues in the MFA's office of bilateral affairs. Hadjisavvas agreed to pass the request to his director, but explained that, as with most issues related to human rights in the Middle East, [...] | 2006-03-21 15:15:00 | Embassy Nicosia | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM SY CY |
06NOUAKCHOTT1411 | MEETING WITH FOREIGN MINISTER: DARFUR, [...] (C) Darfur. In a December 12 meeting with Foreign Minister Ahmed Ould Sid'Ahmed to discuss several foreign policy matters, Charge raised the issue of last week's recent meeting in Khartoum of ACP countries, at which President Vall spoke on behalf of all West African members. Sid'Ahmed said h [...] | 2006-12-12 11:42:00 | Embassy Nouakchott | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL IS KPAL MR SU SY UNSC |
06PARIS105 | MUBARAK VISIT LEAVES GOF REASSURED OF EGYPT'S [...] (C) Summary: In the wake of the January 4 Mubarak-Chirac meeting, GoF contacts described Chirac and Mubarak as on the "same line" on Syria/Lebanon, and concluded that Egypt remains firm in its commitment to press Syria to cooperate with UNIIIC. Mubarak and Chirac agreed that Bashar al-Asad mu [...] | 2006-01-06 18:55:00 | Embassy Paris | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL SY LE EG KPAL IS IR IZ FR |
06PARIS1224 | MFA GENERALLY SUPPORTIVE OF U.S. POINTS ON [...] (C) Poloff reviewed reftel points on considerations for an international tribunal for UNIIIC suspects with MFA UN action officer for Middle East issues Selina Grenet February 23. Throughout the discussion, Grenet stressed GoF support for an international tribunal, while emphasizing the need [...] | 2006-02-27 19:11:00 | Embassy Paris | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL SY LE KJUS FR |
06PARIS1236 | 2/21 STAFFDEL TALWAR VISIT: IRAN, IRAQ, [...] (C) Summary: Senate Foreign Relations Committee Professional Staff Members Puneet Talwar and Tomicah Tilleman met a series of senior French officials February 21, in discussions that addressed Iran, Iraq, Syria/Lebanon, NATO/Darfur, Hamas, regional reform, and counterterrorism. On Iran, Chirac's Mi [...] | 2006-02-28 11:43:00 | Embassy Paris | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL IR PARM IZ SY LE KPAL IS KDEM PTER SU |
06PARIS128 | PRESIDENCY MIDDLE EAST ADVISOR ON SYRIA/LEBANON [...] (C) Summary: Presidential Middle East/Americas advisor Dominique Boche previewed the upcoming visit of Presidential Diplomatic Advisor Gourdault-Montagne to Washington, stressing the need to reassess U.S.-GoF efforts to pressure Damascus, without suggesting that such pressure be eased. Boche d [...] | 2006-01-09 17:16:00 | Embassy Paris | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL SY LE EG SA FR |
06PARIS1293 | SYRIA: FRANCE NOT INCLINED TO BLOCK EIB WATER LOAN [...] (C) Summary. French officials continue to suggest that France will not block the proposed EIB loan to support water projects in Syria. In our discussions with senior Elysee, MFA and Finance Ministry officials, they have been quick to note that Syria is not under EU sanctions, that the water [...] | 2006-03-01 17:40:00 | Embassy Paris | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL EAID EFIN SY LE FR |
06PARIS1296 | (C) MFA RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE TO EU-3 ON [...] (C) Summary: In a preliminary reaction to the U.S. white paper on Syria/Lebanon (ref A),MFA A/S-equivalent for NEA Thibault sought to emphasize the positive, while offering a variety of legalistic arguments on why EU sanctions on Syria were inadvisable or unachievable at this juncture. Thiba [...] | 2006-03-01 18:58:00 | Embassy Paris | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL SY LE FR |
06PARIS1428 | PARIS-BASED HARIRI ADVISOR ON LEBANON INTERNAL [...] (C) Summary: During a recent discussion, Basile Yared, a leading Paris-based advisor to Sa'ad Hariri, praised the Secretary for delivering the right message in Beirut on the SIPDIS need for a peaceful, constitutional presidential transition in Lebanon. Yared speculated that it would take t [...] | 2006-03-07 10:40:00 | Embassy Paris | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV SY LE EG SA FR |
06PARIS1588 | MARCH 4-6 CHIRAC VISIT TO SAUDI ARABIA: FOCUS ON [...] (C) Summary: Syria/Lebanon were the primary topics of President Chirac's March 4 and 5 meetings with Saudi King Abdullah, with Iran, Hamas/PA, and Iraq discussed to a lesser degree. Elysee contacts described the Saudi monarch as bitter over rejection of the Saudi initiative on Syria-Lebanon [...] | 2006-03-13 14:37:00 | Embassy Paris | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL SA LE SY IR IZ ECON FR |
06PARIS1699 | FRENCH ON PM DE VILLEPIN'S MARCH 13 WORKING VISIT [...] (C) SUMMARY: According to the French MFA, counter-terrorism and energy policy were the two central topics of Prime Minister de Villepin's March 13 talks in Madrid with Spanish Prime Minister Zapateros. Prior to the ministerial, the French sent a strong message to the Spanish MFA on their dissatisfa [...] | 2006-03-16 17:19:00 | Embassy Paris | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL SP FR SY LE |
06PARIS1700 | FRENCH MFA AGREES ON NEED FOR GREATER EU [...] (C) Summary: MFA officials share U.S. concerns on the deteriorating human rights situation in Syria, and have recommended that the GoF seek an EU presidency statement and joint EU demarche in Damascus to address the issue. MFA officials did not see much prospect for addressing Syria human rig [...] | 2006-03-16 18:41:00 | Embassy Paris | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM LE SY FR |
06PARIS1719 | (C) FRENCH MFA ON POLITICAL CONSULTATIONS WITH [...] (C) On the margins of a March 15 discussion on human rights in Syria (reftel),MFA DAS-equivalent for Egypt/Levant Herve Besancenot commented briefly on March 8-9 political consultations in Cairo between France and Egypt, for which the French delegation was led by MFA Political Director Stanis [...] | 2006-03-17 15:07:00 | Embassy Paris | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL LE SY EG KISL UNSC FR |
06PARIS1924 | CHIRAC'S DIPLOMATIC ADVISOR ON SYRIA/LEBANON, IRAN [...] (C) Amb Stapleton took the occasion of a meeting March 23 with President Chirac's Diplomatic Advisor Maurice Gourdault-Montagne (MGM) on another subject (septel),to discuss Middle East issues, focusing on Syria/Lebanon, Iran, and Iraq. Concerning Syria/Lebanon, MGM said the GOF continues t [...] | 2006-03-24 18:14:00 | Embassy Paris | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL FR SY LE SP UNSC |
06PARIS1925 | MIXED, BUT MOSTLY DISCOURAGING FRENCH RESPONSE TO U.S. DESIGNATION OF AL-MANAR [...] (S/NF) Summary and comment: In a preliminary response to U.S. designation of Al-Manar, senior Elysee officials reaffirmed GoF resolve in banning Al-Manar broadcasts in France due to hate speech concerns, while reiterating the GoF´s desire for continued contact with, and opposition to EU designat [...] | 2006-03-24 18:15:00 | Embassy Paris | SECRET//NOFORN | PREL LE SY PTER ASEC ETTC FR |
06PARIS3226 | MFA OPEN TO FURTHER INTERVENTIONS ON SYRIA HUMAN [...] (C) Poloff discussed reftel points on the deteriorating human rights situation in Syria with MFA DAS-equivalent for Egypt/Levant affairs Herve Besancenot May 15, urging a more forceful GoF public stance. While agreeing that SARG repression had increased, Besancenot conceded that the French em [...] | 2006-05-16 10:49:00 | Embassy Paris | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KDEM PHUM SY FR |
06PARIS3482 | (C) UK EMBASSY UPDATE ON KHADDAM TRAVEL TO UK, [...] (C/NF) UK Embassy First Secretary Tom Fletcher (protect throughout) updated poloff May 19 on the planned travel of former Syrian Vice-President Abdel Halim Khaddam to the UK, which has now been postponed to the last week of May/first week of June. Fletcher reported that Khaddam had delayed his [...] | 2006-05-23 14:35:00 | Embassy Paris | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PREL PGOV PINR UK SY FR |
06PARIS40 | MFA ON JANUARY 4 CHIRAC-MUBARAK DISCUSSIONS ON [...] (C) Summary: MFA DAS-equivalent for Egypt/Levant Herve Besancenot previewed the January 4 Mubarak-Chirac working lunch, expected to focus on Syria/Lebanon. Mubarak will brief Chirac on his January 3 discussions in Riyadh, during which the Egyptian president was expected to press King Abdallah [...] | 2006-01-04 16:27:00 | Embassy Paris | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL SY LE EG SA FR |
06PARIS4175 | (C) HARIRI ADVISOR ON RISING IRANIAN INFLUENCE IN [...] (C) Summary: During a June 13 discussion, longtime Hariri family advisor Basile Yared put a positive spin on the recent Brammertz report, which he viewed as compounding pressure on Syria. Yared viewed the SARG as seeking to destabilize the GoL, via arms and money transfers to Palestinian mili [...] | 2006-06-16 17:33:00 | Embassy Paris | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL LE SY IR PINR PTER EAID FR |
06PARIS4225 | (C) PESSIMISTIC ELYSEE LINE ON LEBANON/SYRIA [...] (C) Summary: Chirac's Middle East advisor Dominique Boche recently shared a pessimistic assessment of Lebanon/Syria developments, criticizing UNSYG Annan's passivity on the issue, and citing the potential for the Lebanese government to collapse, amid internal divisions and active undermining [...] | 2006-06-20 10:40:00 | Embassy Paris | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL LE SY IR PTER FR |
06PARIS4360 | (C) MFA OFFICIAL ASSAILS EU LACK OF SOLIDARITY ON [...] (C) Summary and comment: MFA DAS-equivalent for Egypt/Levant Herve Besancenot (protect throughout),during a June 22 farewell chat with poloff, criticized other EU members -- Spain and Austria in particular -- for going soft on Syria, and offered similar criticism of the Elysee for its more a [...] | 2006-06-23 14:41:00 | Embassy Paris | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL SY IS PGOV FR |
06PARIS4663 | GOF CLOSELY FOLLOWING IDF HOSTAGE CRISIS; WORRIED [...] (C) Summary and comment: An MFA contact told poloff July 6 that the GOF is closely following the Israeli/Palestinian crisis that began with the late June kidnapping of IDF soldier (and French/Israeli dual national) Gilad Shalit. Although the GOF has been rumored to be involved in negotiations [...] | 2006-07-07 12:34:00 | Embassy Paris | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL IS KPAL FR SY |
06PARIS5305 | TFLE01: FRENCH PRESIDENCY VIEW: ABSOLUTE [...] (S) SUMMARY: Presidential Middle East Advisor Dominique Boche offered a measured and candid take on where we are on Lebanon late August 4. Stressing that Franco-American cooperation on the UNSCR was excellent, Boche said he nevertheless feared that some key differences -- deriving from the op [...] | 2006-08-05 12:55:00 | Embassy Paris | SECRET | PREL AEMR MARR CASC LE KHLS FR IS SY IR |
06PARIS596 | CHIRAC MEETING WITH QATARI AMIR FOCUSES ON IRAN, [...] (C) Summary: Elysee contacts reported that President Chirac's January 27 discussion with the visiting Qatari Amir focused largely on Iran, with the Qatari leader stressing concern over Iran's nuclear program and its negative regional role. On Syria/Lebanon, Elysee contacts stressed that Chirac [...] | 2006-01-30 16:02:00 | Embassy Paris | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL QA IR SY LE KPAL FR |
06PARIS6056 | FRENCH NATIONAL ASSEMBLY DEBATE ON UNIFIL [...] (U) Summary: On Sept. 7, the French National Assembly debated France's participation in a reinforced UNIFIL. Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin hailed the lifting of the Israeli blocade of Lebanon, noted the despatch of a French interministerial team to assess reconstruction efforts, and c [...] | 2006-09-11 08:12:00 | Embassy Paris | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL LE SY IS FR |
06PARIS6061 | FRENCH NATIONAL ASSEMBLY DEBATE ON UNIFIL [...] (U) Summary: On Sept. 7, the French National Assembly debated France's participation in a reinforced UNIFIL. Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin hailed the lifting of the Israeli blocade of Lebanon, noted the despatch of a French interministerial team to assess reconstruction efforts, and ca [...] | 2006-09-11 08:43:00 | Embassy Paris | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL LE SY IS FR |
06PARIS6145 | DEMARCHE ON SYRIA DELIVERED [...] No summary [...] | 2006-09-13 13:15:00 | Embassy Paris | CONFIDENTIAL | FR LE PREL SY |
06PARIS6275 | MFA OFFICIAL SAYS FRANCE WANTS A SYMBOLIC QUARTET [...] (C) Summary: In a June 18 meeting, MFA DAS-equivalent Herve Besancenot (protect throughout) said that President Chirac's repeated calls for a Quartet meeting on the margins of the UNGA were meant to provide an alternative to the UNSC ministerial meeting on the Middle East proposed by the Arab [...] | 2006-09-19 17:18:00 | Embassy Paris | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL LE SY IS FR |
06PARIS6292 | MFA SURPRISED BY CHIRAC CALL FOR MIDDLE EAST [...] (C) Summary: When President Chirac announced Sept. 18 that he planned to call for an international conference on the Middle East, he caught the senior ranks of the MFA by surprise. For at least 24 hours, there was considerable confusion over what the French President meant. One MFA interlocu [...] | 2006-09-20 11:14:00 | Embassy Paris | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL LE SY IS FR |
06PARIS6740 | EGYPTIANS PRESS FRENCH FOR DETAILS ON [...] (C) Summary: Egyptian officials have been pressing their French counterparts to follow up on President Chirac's call for an international conference on the Middle East by spelling out what he hopes to achieve. The Egyptians believe the French may be backing away from the idea of an internatio [...] | 2006-10-12 14:35:00 | Embassy Paris | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL EG FR IS SY |
06PARIS6820 | PRESERVING LEBANESE PM SINIORA'S GOVERNMENT: [...] (C) Poloff shared reftel points 10/16 with Martin Guillard, the MFA's Office Director equivalent for the Levant (NEA/ELA). Guillard said the French are "absolutely in agreement" on the need to support PM Siniora and to pass a sobering message to Damascus. (He did not indicate whether the Fre [...] | 2006-10-16 16:28:00 | Embassy Paris | CONFIDENTIAL | FR KDEM PGOV PREL SY |
06PARIS6843 | FRENCH PONDER NEXT STEPS ON LEBANON [...] (C) Summary: While the French MFA's NEA and IO equivalents are convinced of the need to support PM Siniora, implement UNSCR 1701, and ensure UNIFIL's credibility, they have not yet ironed out differences in their thinking on potential next steps -- and may be seriously overestimating the poten [...] | 2006-10-17 13:35:00 | Embassy Paris | SECRET | FR KDEM PGOV PREL SY |
06PARIS6938 | FRENCH PRAGMATIC ON LEBANON, PEACE PROCESS [...] (C) Summary: An authoritative contact at the French MFA advocated a gradual elimination of Israeli overflights of Lebanon, evinced interest in promoting Nabih Berri as an alternative to Hizballah, and provided an update on French thinking about an international conference on the Middle East -- [...] | 2006-10-20 16:44:00 | Embassy Paris | CONFIDENTIAL | FR PGOV PREL SY |
06PARIS6945 | FRENCH PRAGMATIC ON LEBANON, PEACE PROCESS [...] (C) Summary: An authoritative contact at the French MFA advocated a gradual elimination of Israeli overflights of Lebanon, evinced interest in promoting Nabih Berri as an alternative to Hizballah, and provided an update on French thinking about an international conference on the Middle East -- [...] | 2006-10-20 17:01:00 | Embassy Paris | CONFIDENTIAL | FR PGOV PREL SY |
06PARIS7024 | SCENESETTER FOR NSA HADLEY'S NOVEMBER 3-4 VISIT TO [...] (C) When you meet him, Maurice Gourdault-Montagne's focus will be on some of the same subjects that are currently preoccupying us: Iran, Syria/Lebanon and NATO (global partnerships, Afghanistan.) We would expect MGM to be in his usual cooperative, problem-solving mode on the first two, wher [...] | 2006-10-25 17:34:00 | Embassy Paris | SECRET | PREL FR NATO KNNP IR IZ LE SY IS RS GG |
06PARIS7118 | ISRAELI DIPLOMAT THINKS WORST IS OVER ON [...] (S) Summary: The Israeli PolCouns told us 10/26 that "the worst is over" in terms of the public spat between France and Israel regarding overflights of Lebanon. The Israeli MFA has advised the Israeli Air Force to "cool it," and the French have assured the GoI that UNIFIL's commander will soon [...] | 2006-10-30 15:52:00 | Embassy Paris | CONFIDENTIAL | FR IS LE PGOV PREL SY |
06PARIS7211 | "WE'RE STUCK": FRENCH GLUM ON LEBANON, [...] (S) Summary: In an Oct. 31 meeting with NEA DAS Scott Carpenter, MFA A/S-equivalent for the Middle East and North Africa Jean Felix-Pagagnon said FM Douste-Blazy was unlikely to attend the November 30 session of the Forum For the Future in Jordan. Felix-Pagagnon went on to offer a remarkably [...] | 2006-11-03 16:22:00 | Embassy Paris | SECRET | FR KDEM PGOV PREL SY |
06PARIS7242 | MFA POLICY PLANNER SEES YEARS OF VIOLENCE AHEAD IN [...] (C) Christian Nakhle, head of the Middle East and North Africa cell at the Centre d'Analyse et de Prevision (i.e., the "CAP," the Quai's S/P-equivalent),shared his views of Lebanon and Iraq with NEA Watcher on 11/3. Nakhle, whose analyses are distributed within the MFA but do not constitute [...] | 2006-11-06 16:18:00 | Embassy Paris | CONFIDENTIAL | FR KDEM PGOV PREL SY |
06PARIS7321 | EGYPTIAN EMBASSY OFFICIAL: NABIH BERRI IS A JOKE, [...] (C) Summary: Embassy Paris NEA Watcher met 11/7 with his Egyptian counterpart, Yahya Oda, and 11/8 with Lebanese Charge d'Affaires Ghady al-Khoury (protect),to discuss political developments in Lebanon. While Oda predicted the current dialogue between the March 14 Group and Hizballah/Aounist [...] | 2006-11-09 11:27:00 | Embassy Paris | CONFIDENTIAL | FR KDEM LE PGOV PREL SY |
06PARIS7322 | FRENCH PRESIDENCY VIEWS ON IRAQ, LEBANON, AND [...] (C) Summary: A/DCM met 11/8 with Dominique Boche, President Chirac's foreign policy advisor for the Middle East and North Africa and received a short readout of Iraqi President Jalal Talabani's visit to France November 1-2. Boche noted that Talabani did not raise France's long-standing offer t [...] | 2006-11-09 11:28:00 | Embassy Paris | CONFIDENTIAL | FR IZ KDEM PGOV PREL SY |
06PARIS7417 | FRENCH HOPEFUL ON NABIH BERRI, CAUTIOUS ON [...] (C) On November 15, Damien Loras, Foreign Minister Douste-Blazy's cabinet advisor on the Middle East, said the Quai d'Orsay was encouraged by Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri's role in trying to bridge the gap between Hizballah and the March 14 forces. Loras conceded that the resignati [...] | 2006-11-16 16:35:00 | Embassy Paris | SECRET | FR KDEM LE PGOV PREL SY |
06PARIS7436 | FRENCH MOD COORDINATOR FOR MILITARY ASSISTANCE TO [...] (C) Summary: Vice-Admiral Jean-Marie Van Huffel, France's Coordinator for Military Assistance to Lebanon, told Emboffs November 17 that he looks forward to cooperating with the USG on meeting the equipment needs of the Lebanese Armed Forces. He spoke highly of his Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) c [...] | 2006-11-17 16:06:00 | Embassy Paris | CONFIDENTIAL | FR KDEM LE MARR PGOV PREL SY |
06PARIS7507 | DEMARCHE DELIVERED: MEETING ON SPAIN'S MIDDLE EAST [...] (C) Poloff delivered reftel demarche on November 22 to Herve Besancenot, MFA DAS equivalent for the Levant. In response, Besancenot made the following three points: First, the isolation of the Hamas-led PA government is radicalizing the Palestinian population; second, a continuation of the st [...] | 2006-11-22 13:40:00 | Embassy Paris | CONFIDENTIAL | FR IS LE PGOV PREL SP SY |
06PARIS7657 | DEMARCHE DELIVERED: PRESERVING THE DEMOCRATICALLY [...] No summary [...] | 2006-12-04 10:19:00 | Embassy Paris | SECRET | FR KDEM LE PGOV PREL SY |
06PARIS7668 | FRENCH MFA EVER MORE PESSIMISTIC ON LEBANON [...] (S) Summary: Damien Loras, Foreign Minister Douste-Blazy's cabinet advisor for the Middle East, told us December 4 that he was "quite pessimistic" about Lebanon's future and doubtful that PM Siniora's government would survive. Nevertheless, he said the MFA was not inclined at present to favor [...] | 2006-12-05 10:33:00 | Embassy Paris | SECRET | FR LE PGOV PREL SY |
06PARIS7684 | DOD U/S EDELMAN'S DECEMBER 1 MEETING WITH CHIRAC'S [...] (S) Summary: In a December 1 meeting with DoD U/S Edelman devoted primarily to Syria/Lebanon, French NSA-equivalent Maurice Gourdault-Montagne (MGM) assessed that Syria was the weakest link in the Hizballah-Syria-Iran axis and wondered whether Israel could apply more pressure on Syria, a questi [...] | 2006-12-06 13:08:00 | Embassy Paris | SECRET | FR IS KDEM LE PGOV PREL SY |
06PARIS7698 | LEBANESE DIPLOMAT THINKS HIZBALLAH HAS THE UPPER [...] (C) SUMMARY: LEBANESE A/DCM GHADY EL-KHOURY TOLD US DECEMBER 6 HE BELIEVED HIZBALLAH HAD THE UPPER HAND IN THE CURRENT CRISIS IN LEBANON THANKS IN LARGE PART TO ITS DOMINATION OF LEBANON'S SHI'A COMMUNITY. EL-KHOURY ASSESSED THAT MANY LEBANESE SHIITES WITH NO LOVE OF NASRALLAH'S IDEOLOGY -- IN [...] | 2006-12-07 11:54:00 | Embassy Paris | CONFIDENTIAL | FR KDEM LE PGOV PREL SY |
06PARIS7727 | ISRAELI FM LIVNI'S DECEMBER 5-6 VISIT TO PARIS [...] (C) Summary: Israeli FM Livni had a fairly terse exchange with FM Douste-Blazy on the status of the Sheba Farms and the need for the Palestinians to explicitly accept the Quartet principles. Douste-Blazy, to the surprise of his MFA underlings, asked Livni to consider entering into secret talk [...] | 2006-12-08 15:57:00 | Embassy Paris | SECRET | FR IS LE PGOV PREL SY |
06PARIS7787 | CHIRAC ADVISER HINTS AT SOFTENING IN FRENCH [...] (S) Summary: In a December 12 meeting, Dominique Boche (President Chirac's Middle East adviser) hinted at a possible softening in France's position on establishing an international tribunal for Lebanon. Boche said that France would support whatever position the Government of Lebanon (GOL) too [...] | 2006-12-14 10:09:00 | Embassy Paris | SECRET | FR KDEM LE PGOV PREL SY |
06PARIS7803 | HARIRI ALLY SEES MARCH 14 IN STRONG POSITION [...] (C) Basile Yared, Sa'ad Hariri's representative in Paris, told Poloff on December 14 that Arab League SYG Amr Moussa had a "difficult" meeting with Hizballah and Amal officials late December 13. According to Yared, Hizballah stunned Moussa by insisting not only that it obtain a blocking minor [...] | 2006-12-15 05:09:00 | Embassy Paris | CONFIDENTIAL | FR LE PGOV PREL SY |
06PARTO13 | (U) Secretary Rice's July 24, 2006 conversation [...] (U) Classified by: Arnold Chacon, Deputy Executive Secretary, S/ES, Department of State. Reason 1.4 (d). SIPDIS 2. (U) July 24, 2006; 4:30 pm; Beirut, Lebanon. 3. (U) Participants: U.S. The Secretary Amb. Jeffrey Feltman U/S Karen Hughes, R A/S David Welch, NEA Elliot Abra [...] | 2006-08-03 16:23:00 | US Delegation, Secretary | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | OVIP RICE CONDOLEEZZA LE SY IS PTER MOPS |
06PRAGUE1060 | CZECHS COMMIT AID TO LEBANON, TROOPS UNDER [...] (C) Summary and comment. The Czechs have continued to indicate a willingness to support the U.S. position throughout the Lebanon/Israel crisis, and are now committed to providing aid to Lebanon. The Czech MFA confirmed on August 28 that the Czechs will offer $1 million for Lebanon at the Stock [...] | 2006-08-31 09:28:00 | Embassy Prague | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL IR LE MARR MOPS SY XG EZ |
06PRAGUE1124 | CZECHS: STILL NO DECISION ON UNIFIL TROOPS (BUT [...] (C) Summary. The Czechs remain undecided on whether to commit troops to UNIFIL (the MFA still supports it, but MOD sources say budgetary constraints make troop commitment "highly unlikely"). Nevertheless, the Czechs have committed or spent nearly $1 million in humanitarian aid and assistance i [...] | 2006-09-13 13:33:00 | Embassy Prague | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL IR LE MARR MOPS SY XG EZ |
06PRAGUE539 | CZECHS CONCERNED ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS IN SYRIA [...] (SBU) A/DCM and Poloff met May 17 with Veronika Stromsikova, Czech MFA's Director of the Human Rights Department, to discuss reftel on human rights abuses in Syria. Stromsikova said the Czechs are concerned about deteriorating human rights conditions in Syria, and were aware of the abuses iden [...] | 2006-05-19 12:23:00 | Embassy Prague | CONFIDENTIAL | KDEM PGOV PREL SY EZ |
06RABAT2050 | MESSAGE TO THE ARAB LEAGUE REGARDING UPCOMING [...] This cable is sensitive but unclassified. Please treat accordingly. 2. (SBU) Poloff delivered reftel demarche to Hassan Hami, Chief of Division of Arab and Islamic Organizations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on November 3. Hami, spoke unofficially because Mohammed Azeroual, the Di [...] | 2006-11-03 16:06:00 | Embassy Rabat | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL IO IS IZ LE SY ECON MO |
06RABAT2259 | MOROCCO/IRAQ: NO REVELATIONS BUT ZEBARI GETS [...] (C) MFA Director General for Middle East and International Organizations Mohammed Azeroual briefed Polcouns December 13 on the December 6-8 visit to Morocco of Iraqi FM Hoshiyar Zebari. Azeroual said Zebari paid a courtesy call on the Speaker of the Lower House of Parliament Abdel Wahed Radi [...] | 2006-12-14 12:32:00 | Embassy Rabat | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL IZ IR SY MO |
06RIGA743 | LATVIA ON SYRIA [...] No summary [...] | 2006-09-14 15:07:00 | Embassy Riga | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL SY LG |
06RIGA848 | LATVIAN VIEWS ON LEBANON/SYRIA [...] No summary [...] | 2006-10-17 11:10:00 | Embassy Riga | SECRET | PREL PINR LE SY LG |
06RIYADH9 | SAUDI VIEWS ON IRANIAN AND SYRIAN ACTIVITIES IN [...] (S/NF) Summary: Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal and General Intelligence Presidency (GIP) director Prince Muqrin bin Abdul Aziz sought and shared views on Iran and Syria during a December 27 meeting with U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Khalilzad. They told the Ambassador that while it was possible t [...] | 2006-01-02 14:10:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET//NOFORN | PREL PGOV PTER PINR IR SA SY IZ |
06ROME1492 | ITALY CONTINUES TO SUPPORT HUMAN RIGHTS IN SYRIA [...] (C) Political Minister Counselor met May 16 with MFA Middle East Deputy Luca Del Balzo to deliver reftel, urging that the Italians speak publicly about the need for the SARG to improve its human rights record and release detainees. Del Balzo responded that the U.S., the EU and Italy were in [...] | 2006-05-17 11:31:00 | Embassy Rome | CONFIDENTIAL | KDEM PGOV PHUM PREL SY IT HUMAN RIGHTS |
06ROME2285 | DEMARCHE ON UNSCR 1701: ITALY [...] (C) Pol M/C August 12 delivered ref points to Italian Foreign Minister Massimo D'Alema's vice chief of staff, Alfredo Conte. Conte noted that the Secretary and D'Alema had spoken by telephone the previous evening, shortly after agreement was reached on the draft resolution. He said the FM ha [...] | 2006-08-12 11:15:00 | Embassy Rome | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER MOPS IS LE SY IT |
06ROME2436 | ITALY: THE DOGS BARK, AND THE PRODI CARAVAN MOVES [...] (S/NF) The main lesson for the US in PM Romano Prodi's first 100 days is that early and active engagement with this center-left government pays. The Italian reversal of position and decision to quietly maintain a civilian presence in Iraq despite military withdrawal reflected a deliberate cal [...] | 2006-08-31 08:14:00 | Embassy Rome | SECRET//NOFORN | PGOV PREL ECON MOPS PTER IZ LE SY IT |
06ROME2637 | VOLKER DISCUSSES IRAN, LEBANON AND SYRIA WITH [...] (C/NF) On Sept. 13 in Rome, EUR PDAS Volker met PolDir Terzi and other MFA officials, and PM Deputy Diplomatic Advisors Gentilini and Carnelos. Terzi thanked the U.S. for helping get Italy included in the Berlin Iran talks and called the common U.S.-EU position on Iran a major achievement. T [...] | 2006-09-19 09:04:00 | Embassy Rome | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PREL NATO EUN IR UNSC SY LE IT |
06ROME3272 | D'ALEMA TO CODEL WEXLER: MIDDLE EAST NEEDS NEW PUSH [...] (C) Summary. Foreign Minister D'Alema told visiting Congressman Wexler that the international community must press Israelis and Palestinians to kick start a new phase in peace negotiations, beginning with a genuine cease-fire and exchange of prisoners. He speculated that NATO could be a poss [...] | 2006-12-12 11:26:00 | Embassy Rome | CONFIDENTIAL | AF IR IS IZ LE NATO PGOV PREL SY XF IT |
06SANAA136 | YEMEN WILL RECEIVE BASHAR, DELIVER "TOUGH" MESSAGE [...] (C) Ambassador took the opportunity to deliver reftel points to FonMin Abubakr al-Qirbi on the sidelines of a reception for a visiting UK minister on January 24. Qirbi confirmed that the ROYG had "agreed" to allow Syrian President Bashar al-Asad to visit, but that the date had not yet been f [...] | 2006-01-25 12:02:00 | Embassy Sanaa | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL SY YE |
06SARAJEVO1695 | BIH REACTIONS TO THE CRISIS IN THE MIDDLE EAST: [...] (C) SUMMARY: The Israeli-Lebansese crisis, and the broader Middle East conflict are garnerning an increasing amount of public and political attention in BiH. Government statements and media reports are generally factual and correct, but some local public figures have begun to manipulate the [...] | 2006-07-28 17:11:00 | Embassy Sarajevo | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PREL PGOV ASEC IS LE SY BK |
06SKOPJE865 | MACEDONIA SUPPORTS U.S. POSITION ON SYRIA [...] No summary [...] | 2006-09-13 10:41:00 | Embassy Skopje | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER USUN LE SY EU MK |
06SOFIA1205 | BULGARIA SUPPORTS UNSCR 1701, MINISTER TO ATTEND [...] (C) We delivered reftel A & B talking points to Margarita Isaeva from the MFA's Near East and Africa Directorate on August 25. Isaeva was unaware of any planned delegations to or from Iran or Syria, and considered them unlikely for the foreseeable future. However, she promised to share our c [...] | 2006-08-25 13:30:00 | Embassy Sofia | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL EAID MOPS MARR IR LE SY SW BU |
06SOFIA1330 | BULGARIA: DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER ON HAMAS, SYRIA, [...] (C) SUMMARY. In response to Bulgaria's plans to open a diplomatic office in Ramallah following the formation of a "national unity" government in the Palestinian territories, Charge' cautioned deputy Foreign Minister Faim Chaushev, stressing the steps Hamas would have to take in order to legi [...] | 2006-09-18 15:43:00 | Embassy Sofia | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL XF AF IS LE SY IZ IR LY BU |
06STATE196230 | IRAQ STUDY GROUP REPORT GUIDANCE [...] This cable provides initial guidance for posts to use in responding to inquiries about the report of the Iraq Study Group, led by former Secretary of State James A. Baker III and former Representative Lee Hamilton. 2. BACKGROUND: The Iraq Study Group (ISG) was created on March 15, 2006 at t [...] | 2006-12-07 02:56:00 | Secretary of State | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PGOV MARR MOPS IZ IR SY XF |
06STATE199552 | GUIDANCE: CONSULTATIONS ON BRAMMERTZ REPORT, [...] (U) USUN is authorized to draw from the points in para 2 during consultations on the 6th UN International Independent Investigation Commission (UNIIIC) currently scheduled for December 18, 2006. 2. (U) Begin points. -- We welcome the 6th report from the UN International Independent [...] | 2006-12-15 19:05:00 | Secretary of State | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | UNSC PREL LE SY |
06STATE40904 | DISCOURAGING MORATINOS' SYRIAN STRATEGY [...] (U) This is an action request. See Para 5. 2. (C) Summary: Spanish FM Moratinos' unannounced March 7 trip to Damascus to meet with Syrian FM Muallim is at variance with US and EU policy on avoiding high-level visits to Damascus. This policy gives concrete form to the international isolation of th [...] | 2006-03-14 15:38:00 | Secretary of State | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV SP SY LE IS FR UN |
06TALLINN476 | DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON SARG HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES [...] No summary [...] | 2006-05-18 14:28:00 | Embassy Tallinn | CONFIDENTIAL | KDEM PGOV PREL SY EN |
06TALLINN774 | ESTONIA: IRAN/SYRIA ARMS EMBARGO DEMARCHE [...] No summary [...] | 2006-08-24 14:26:00 | Embassy Tallinn | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | MOPS MARR PREL IR LE SY XG EN |
06TALLINN849 | ESTONIA: DEMARCHE ON SYRIA [...] No summary [...] | 2006-09-18 07:18:00 | Embassy Tallinn | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PTER USUN LE SY EU EN |
06TELAVIV1582 | ISRAELI DEFMIN MOFAZ DISCUSSES IRAN, TERROR THREAT [...] (S) In a meeting April 20 with Senators Thad Cochran (R-MS),Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Judd Gregg (R-NH),Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz expressed Israel's gratitude for U.S. support in the Global War on Terror, and its cooperation in military and defense industry matters. Mofaz listed the [...] | 2006-04-21 13:05:00 | Embassy Tel Aviv | SECRET | PREL PTER PINS MASS MNUC EG SY LE IR IS GOI EXTERNAL COUNTERTERRORISM |
06TELAVIV1844 | OLMERT: CONVERGENCE TO BE MAIN THRUST OF MY [...] (C) Summary. In a meeting with CODEL Cochran on April 21, a tired but upbeat Ehud Olmert detailed his "convergence" plan to establish Israel's final borders within four years and begin the relocation of thousands of Israeli settlers. Olmert told the CODEL that he had formed a coalition of 84 [...] | 2006-05-11 07:26:00 | Embassy Tel Aviv | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EG IR IS KBCT KPAL PGOV PREL PTER SY GOI EXTERNAL ISRAELI PALESTINIAN AFFAIRS |
06TELAVIV2788 | KNESSET SPEAKER SAYS ISRAEL MUST REACT STRONGLY TO [...] (C) Summary: Knesset Speaker Dalia Itzik told the Ambassador July 12 that Israel must react strongly to Hizballah's July 12 kidnapping of two Israeli soldiers and killing of eight others in its cross-border attacks that day and that Israel cannot appear weak. She expressed hope that the internation [...] | 2006-07-14 11:51:00 | Embassy Tel Aviv | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER KWBG IS LE SY GOI INTERNAL EXTERNAL |
06TELAVIV2893 | DEFENSE INTELLIGENCE CHIEF: ISRAEL IS CHANGING [...] (S) Summary: Chief of Defense Intelligence (CDI) MG Amos Yadlin told U.S. Representatives Peter Hoekstra, Jane Harman, Rick Renzi, and Darrell Issa, Chairman and members of the House Permanent Select committee on Intelligence, respectively, and the Ambassador July 22 that the GOI's military goals i [...] | 2006-07-25 19:01:00 | Embassy Tel Aviv | SECRET | PREL PTER KWBG KPAL IS LE SY |
06TELAVIV299 | OLMERT TO CODEL KERRY: "I AM COMMITTED TO CARRY ON" [...] (C) Summary: Alternate Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told Senator John Kerry in a January 17 meeting that he is committed to carrying on Sharon's vision of setting the "political outcomes within the broad context of the roadmap." Olmert highlighted his commitment to pursue a serious dialogue wi [...] | 2006-01-20 16:52:00 | Embassy Tel Aviv | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER KWBG KPAL CH IR IS SY ETTC ISRAELI PALESTINIAN AFFAIRS PEACE PROCESS GOI EXTERNAL |
06TELAVIV3040 | ADVISOR TELLS PERETZ: IT'S SYRIA, SYRIA, SYRIA! [...] (C) SUMMARY: Pini Medan, an unofficial advisor to Defense Minister Peretz, told POL/C August 2 that he is advising Peretz at every opportunity that "recruiting Syria" is critical to achieving success against Hizballah and saving Israel's position vis a vis Lebanon. Syrian involvement is equally cri [...] | 2006-08-03 15:26:00 | Embassy Tel Aviv | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KWBG IS SY LE |
06TELAVIV3245 | ISRAELI MOD PRESSED TO TAKE QUICK STEPS TO HELP [...] (C) Responding to the Charge's urgings that Israel act quickly to end the sea blockade of Lebanon, re-open Beirut International Airport, and allow mobile bridges to be erected in southern Lebanon to facilitate shipments of outside assistance to needy Lebanese, Israeli MOD POL-MIL Bureau Head Amos G [...] | 2006-08-16 10:51:00 | Embassy Tel Aviv | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL MOPS PHUM PTER KPAL KWBG MASS LE SY IL |
06TELAVIV3316 | DEFMIN PERETZ AND CODEL SPECTER DISCUSS LEBANON, [...] (C) Summary: In an August 20 meeting with Senator Arlen Specter in Jerusalem, Israeli Minister of Defense Amir Peretz claimed victory against Hizballah, raised the possibility of talks with Syria, and expressed concern that the international community is not keeping its commitment to deploy a robus [...] | 2006-08-21 16:02:00 | Embassy Tel Aviv | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER EG IS IR LE SY |
06TELAVIV3317 | OLMERT TELLS CODEL SPECTER IT WILL BE "AMERICA'S [...] (C) Israeli Prime Minister Olmert stressed to U.S Senator Arlen Specter August 20 that the robust international force called for in UNSCR 1701 is an American concept and that the United States would bear responsibility should it fail to materialize and fighting resume between Israel and Hizballah. [...] | 2006-08-21 16:31:00 | Embassy Tel Aviv | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER MOPS LE SY IS KPAL KWBG |
06TELAVIV3390 | IS ISRAEL CONSIDERING NEGOTIATIONS WITH SYRIA? [...] (C) Summary and comment: Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni's decision to name a mid-level MFA official to study options for breaking the Syrian-Iranian link have fueled press speculation on the possibility of renewed Syrian-Israeli negotiations. The story received a boost when Internal Security Mi [...] | 2006-08-24 16:28:00 | Embassy Tel Aviv | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER SY IS |
06TELAVIV3440 | NEW ISRAELI MOD DG ASHKENAZI OUTLINES HIS GOALS [...] (C) New Israeli MOD Director General MGEN (Ret.) Gabi Ashkenazi told the Ambassador August 24 that his first priority is complete transformation of Israel's export control system and restoration of U.S. trust in it. He promised to personally involve himself in the legislative process so that Israel [...] | 2006-08-29 16:19:00 | Embassy Tel Aviv | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL ETTC MOPS MASS PINR SY LE IS |
06TELAVIV3441 | ISRAELI DEFENSE INTELLIGENCE ANALYSTS ON THE [...] (S/NF) On August 24, a group of Israeli Defense Intelligence (IDI) analysts briefed visiting Senate Foreign Relations Committee senior staffer Puneet Talwar on the IDI's preliminary assessment of the 34-day war between Israel and Hizballah in southern Lebanon. The IDI team was lead by Colonel [...] | 2006-08-29 16:35:00 | Embassy Tel Aviv | SECRET//NOFORN | PREL MOPS MASS SY LE IS |
06TELAVIV3561 | TOURGEMAN AND STAFFDEL TALWAR DISCUSS LEBANON, [...] (C) Summary: In an August 24 meeting, Shalom Tourgeman, foreign policy advisor to Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, predicted to Staffdel Talwar that budget wrangling will be taking place between the Ministry of Defense (MOD) and the Ministry of Finance (MOF) over the next few months as usual. The [...] | 2006-09-07 13:45:00 | Embassy Tel Aviv | CONFIDENTIAL | EAID ECON PGOV PREL KWBG IS LE SY |
06TELAVIV3607 | MFA DG ABRAMOVITCH DISCUSSES ABBAS, LEBANON AND [...] (C) In a September 7 meeting with the Ambassador, Israeli MFA Director General (DG) Aharon Abramovitch confided that Foreign Minister Livni's recent public remarks encouraging a renewed dialogue with Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas should not be interpreted as internal GOI p [...] | 2006-09-11 13:58:00 | Embassy Tel Aviv | CONFIDENTIAL | KPAL PTER PREL LE SY IS |
06TELAVIV3691 | (C) SNEH: SOLVE ISRAEL-PA CONFLICT BEFORE WAR WITH [...] (C) Summary: In an August 24 meeting with Staffdel Talwar, MK Ephraim Sneh said that that Israel needs to settle the decades-long conflict with the Palestinians in the next two or three years. Sneh stated that after the conflict with Hizballah the concept of unilateral disengagement from the [...] | 2006-09-15 14:15:00 | Embassy Tel Aviv | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KWBG LE IR SY IS |
06TELAVIV3692 | MFA'S BARKAN SEES A GROWING CHANCE OF WAR IN THE [...] (C) Summary: MFA Director of Strategic Affairs Nimrod Barkan told Staffdel Talwar that Iran was not behind the timing of the recent conflict with Hizballah, as Iran had deployed missiles to Lebanon for use on a future "D-Day." He said that the most significant strategic development this year [...] | 2006-09-15 14:21:00 | Embassy Tel Aviv | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KWBG SY IS |
06TELAVIV3732 | ISRAELI CT OFFICIALS DISCUSS ISRAEL-HIZBALLAH WAR, U.S.-ISRAEL CT COOPERATION [...] (S) Israeli counterterrorism (CT) officials were anxious to convince visiting S/CT Deputy Coordinator Virginia Palmer that Israel´s 34-day war with Hizballah in July and August had weakened the terrorist group and given Lebanese PM Siniora greater political will to take on Hizballah, but Israeli [...] | 2006-09-19 13:36:00 | Embassy Tel Aviv | SECRET | PTER PREL SY LE IS |
06TELAVIV4002 | ISRAELI ACADEMICS OFFER POST-LEBANON WAR [...] (C) Summary: The Charge, Political Counselor and PAO recently discussed Israeli politics and regional developments in the aftermath of the Lebanon war with leading academics and area experts from Israeli universities and think tanks. These academics, who spoke to us under the Chatham House ru [...] | 2006-10-11 13:04:00 | Embassy Tel Aviv | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PINR IS LE SY IR IZ |
06TELAVIV4042 | CODEL WARNER'S MEETING WITH ISRAELI DEFMIN PERETZ [...] (C) CODEL Warner's October 3 meeting with Israel Defense Minister Amir Peretz focused on lessons learned from Israel's war with Hizballah in southern Lebanon, and missile defense. (Reftels report on the CODEL's meetings with Prime Minister Olmert and Foreign Minister Livni.) Accompanied by MOD [...] | 2006-10-13 14:15:00 | Embassy Tel Aviv | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER MASS PGOV OREP KWBG LE IR SY IS |
06TELAVIV4069 | TWO FORMER IDF CHIEFS OF STAFF OFFER OPPOSING [...] (C) In separate meetings September 22 and October 10, former IDF Chiefs of Staff Amnon Lipkin-Shahak and Moshe Yaalon provided POL and DAO sharply differing assessments of how Israel should deal with Syria. These assessments mirror a broader debate in Israel, with political commentators and [...] | 2006-10-16 13:32:00 | Embassy Tel Aviv | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PTER MASS SY LE IR IS |
06TELAVIV4111 | DRUZE ELDERS: TIRED OF BEING TAKEN FOR GRANTED, [...] (C) SUMMARY. During a meeting October 6, Druze leaders told PolCouns and poloffs that after almost sixty years, Druze loyalty to Israel had still not been rewarded. They cautioned that unless conditions in their communities improved soon, young Druze would begin sliding toward extremism. Th [...] | 2006-10-18 09:54:00 | Embassy Tel Aviv | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL LE SY IS |
06TELAVIV4256 | LIEBERMAN JOINS THE COALITION [...] (C) Summary: In a meeting with the Ambassador on October 24, Yisrael Beiteinu (YB) party leader Avigdor Lieberman confirmed that he would join the governing coalition with the titles of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Strategic Threats, perhaps as early as October 25. Lieberman would [...] | 2006-10-25 16:56:00 | Embassy Tel Aviv | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PINR KPAL KWBG IS IR EG JO LE SY |
06TELAVIV4376 | ISRAELI MFA ON IMPROVING UNSCR 1701 IMPLEMENTATION [...] (C) Summary: MFA officials have outlined for poloffs their "initial thinking" on possible ways to improve implementation of the UN arms embargo contained in UNSCR 1701. The MFA would prefer to establish a UN sanctions committee to deal with Lebanon, but realizes that such a move is unlikely [...] | 2006-11-03 07:55:00 | Embassy Tel Aviv | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PARM ETTC PTER SY LE IS UN |
06TELAVIV4481 | ISRAELI REGIONAL EXPERTS SHARE VIEWS ON IRAN, [...] (C) Summary: During his recent visit to Israel, the Ambassador hosted a dinner at which DNI Negroponte asked a diverse group of Israeli experts to share their views on Iran, particularly Israeli perspectives on the intentions of the Iranian leadership. The DNI also solicited views on the pos [...] | 2006-11-09 16:31:00 | Embassy Tel Aviv | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PINR IS IR IZ SY KPAL |
06TELAVIV4604 | APHSCT TOWNSEND'S NOVEMBER 12 MEETING WITH MOSSAD CHIEF FOCUSES ON LEBANON, SYRIA AND IRAN [...] No summary [...] | 2006-11-24 13:02:00 | Embassy Tel Aviv | SECRET | PTER ECON OVIP AMGT ASEC SY LE IR IS |
06TELAVIV4605 | APHSCT TOWNSEND'S NOVEMBER 12 MEETING WITH ISRAEL [...] (C) Israeli MOD Director General Gabi Ashkenazi told Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism (APHSCT) Frances Fragos Townsend November 12 that although Israel does not expect another war with Hizballah in the near future, the MOD is studying what it could have done bet [...] | 2006-11-24 13:17:00 | Embassy Tel Aviv | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PREL ECON SY LE IR IS |
06TELAVIV4606 | APHSCT TOWNSEND'S NOVEMBER 12 MEETING WITH ISRAELI [...] (C) Israeli Director of Military Intelligence MGEN Amos Yadlin told Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism (APHSCT) Frances Fragos Townsend November 12 that Israel distrusts Bashar Asad's overtures regarding peace with Israel. Yadlin believes Asad is actually preparin [...] | 2006-11-24 13:34:00 | Embassy Tel Aviv | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER ECON PREL OVIP AMGT ASEC SY LE IS |
06TELAVIV4892 | CODEL NELSON AND ISRAEL DEFENSE INTELLIGENCE [...] (S) SUMMARY: On December 12, Colonel Amit Aviram of Israeli Defense Intelligence (IDI) briefed Senator Bill Nelson (FL) on regional security threats facing Israel. Aviram described the Middle East as caught in a struggle between moderates and Iranian-backed extremists, and said the growing Iranian [...] | 2006-12-20 10:36:00 | Embassy Tel Aviv | SECRET | PREL PGOV PINR KPAL IR SY LE IS |
06TELAVIV4914 | OLMERT TELLS CODEL DODD/KERRY HE IS READY TO MEET [...] (C) SUMMARY: SENATORS CHRISTOPHER DODD (CT) AND JOHN KERRY (MA) DISCUSSED THE CHALLENGE FACED BY THE U.S. AND ISRAEL IN DEALING WITH EXTREMISTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST WITH ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER EHUD OLMERT ON DECEMBER 21. AT THE TOP OF THEIR MEETING, SENATORS DODD AND KERRY AND PRIME MINISTER [...] | 2006-12-22 11:14:00 | Embassy Tel Aviv | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PINR IS KPAL IR SY LE IZ |
06TELAVIV4929 | SENATOR NELSON'S MEETING WITH LIKUD LEADER [...] (C) Summary: Senator Bill Nelson (FL) and his senior staff met with former prime minister (PM) and current Likud Party leader Binyamin Netanyahu on December 12 to discuss the Iranian nuclear threat. Netanyahu urged the U.S. to mobilize all its diplomatic and national efforts against Iran. [...] | 2006-12-26 09:54:00 | Embassy Tel Aviv | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PINR PTER IS IR IZ SY KPAL US |
06TELAVIV4971 | CODEL DODD AND KERRY'S MEETING WITH FOREIGN [...] (C) Summary. CODEL Dodd and Kerry discussed their visit to Syria, Israel's relations with the Palestinians, the rising power of Islamic radicalism, and the effect of sanctions on Iran during their December 21 meeting with Foreign Minister Livni. Livni stressed the GOI's reasons for rejecting [...] | 2006-12-28 08:16:00 | Embassy Tel Aviv | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER SY IR KWBG IS |
06TELAVIV5004 | OLMERT TELLS CODEL SPECTER HE IS SKEPTICAL ABOUT [...] (C) Summary: Senator Arlen Specter (PA) briefed Prime Minister Olmert on President Asad's willingness to negotiate with Israel. Specter noted that Asad had expressed a willingness to exert Syrian influence over Hamas, and pledged to cooperate with the Hariri assassination investigation and UNSCR 17 [...] | 2006-12-29 14:22:00 | Embassy Tel Aviv | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PTER IS KPAL SY ECON IR IZ GE |
06TELAVIV5005 | SENATOR SPECTER'S MEETING WITH LIKUD LEADER [...] (C) Summary: Senator Arlen Specter (PA) and the Ambassador met with former prime minister (PM) and current Likud Party leader Binyamin Netanyahu on December 27 to discuss Syria and the Iranian nuclear threat. Senator Specter reported on Syrian President Asad's interest in negotiations with [...] | 2006-12-29 14:37:00 | Embassy Tel Aviv | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PTER IS IR SY KJUS IN |
06TELAVIV5007 | FM LIVNI URGES CAUTION ON SYRIA IN MEETING WITH [...] (C) SUMMARY: Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA) discussed Syria, Iran and efforts to revive the Israeli-Palestinian Roadmap with FM Tzipi Livni on December 27. Describing his recent trip to Damascus, Senator Specter said Syrian President Bashar al-Asad had expressed an interest in negotiating with [...] | 2006-12-29 15:15:00 | Embassy Tel Aviv | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PINR IS KPAL IR SY LE |
06THEHAGUE1097 | NETHERLANDS/SYRIA: ADDRESSING HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES [...] No summary [...] | 2006-05-15 15:20:00 | Embassy The Hague | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM KDEM PREL SY NL |
06THEHAGUE120 | DUTCH SAY TOO LATE TO REVERSE EIB ACTION ON SYRIA [...] (C) Post conveyed reftel demarche January 4 to officials at the Dutch Ministries of Foreign Relations and Finance. On January 17, Econoffs followed up with Stefan van Wersch, Director of the Office for EU External Affairs, Directorate for European Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MF [...] | 2006-01-19 08:13:00 | Embassy The Hague | CONFIDENTIAL | ETRD EFIN PREL PGOV SY EUN NL |
06THEHAGUE2023 | NETHERLANDS/SYRIA: DUTCH AVOID HIGH LEVEL [...] No summary [...] | 2006-09-15 15:04:00 | Embassy The Hague | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER USUN EU LE SY NL |
06THEHAGUE2543 | NETHERLANDS/LEBANON: DUTCH SUPPORT ENGAGING WITH [...] (S) SUMMARY: The Dutch will continue to press Syria to become a more responsible actor and believe the international community should hold Damascus strictly accountable for its actions. The international community, however, should also be prepared to engage positively with Syria if/when it ac [...] | 2006-12-04 12:17:00 | Embassy The Hague | SECRET | PREL PGOV PTER KDEM MOPS LE SY NL |
06THEHAGUE2619 | NETHERLANDS/SYRIA: BOT'S ROAD TO DAMASCUS [...] (C) SUMMARY: Dutch Foreign Minister Bot used his December 12 visit to Damascus to press for quick resolution of a controversial child custody case as well as to discuss broader regional issues, including Iraq, Lebanon, and Israeli-Palestinian relations. Bot's Syrian interlocutors, including [...] | 2006-12-15 11:31:00 | Embassy The Hague | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL EUN SY NL |
06THEHAGUE462 | EIB/SYRIA: DUTCH WILL NOT BLOCK WATER LOAN [...] (C) Post delivered reftel points February 23 to officials at the Dutch Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Finance. On March 1, Econoffs followed up with Gita Salden, Director of the Office for International Economy and Financial Institutions, Foreign Financial Relations Directorate, Ministry [...] | 2006-03-02 17:09:00 | Embassy The Hague | CONFIDENTIAL | ETRD EFIN PREL PGOV SY EUN NL |
06THEHAGUE564 | NETHERLANDS DEMARCHE: URGING THE EU TO SPEAK OUT [...] (U) Poloff delivered reftel demarche March 15 to MFA Political Affairs Department Director Pim Dumore. Poloff also followed up with MFA human rights policy officer Eric Litver on March 17. 2. (C) Litver confirmed the EU is raising through diplomatic channels the closing of the European Com [...] | 2006-03-17 10:48:00 | Embassy The Hague | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL SY NL |
06THEHAGUE763 | NETHERLANDS/EU: APPROACHING THE EU IN ADVANCE OF [...] (C) SUMMARY: Poloff delivered reftel demarche April 7 to MFA European Correspondent Desiree Kopmels and Deputy Correspondent Bahia Tahzib-Lie. The Dutch do not expect the Balkans to be on the GAERC agenda and are content to let UN Special Envoy Ahtisaari set the pace for future status talks. [...] | 2006-04-07 16:03:00 | Embassy The Hague | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL ECON ETRD EUN YI MW SR BK BO IR UP SY |
06TOKYO2573 | JAPAN WILL LIKELY SUPPORT SYRIA-LEBANON RESOLUTION [...] No summary [...] | 2006-05-11 09:18:00 | Embassy Tokyo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL UNSC SY LE JA |
06TOKYO7047 | NO HIGH LEVEL SYRIAN VISITS TO JAPAN PLANNED [...] (C) Japan has no plans to host any high-level Syrian visits in the foreseeable future, according to Hitoshi Ishizuka of MOFA's First Middle East Division. Embassy Tokyo Political Officer told Ishizuka we would be interested in knowing in advance if any such visits do come onto the calendar. [...] | 2006-12-19 02:59:00 | Embassy Tokyo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER SY JA |
06TRIPOLI623 | NOVEMBER ARAB LEAGUE BOYCOTT MEETING [...] No summary [...] | 2006-11-01 13:24:00 | Embassy Tripoli | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PREL IO IS SY LY |
06TUNIS2910 | Beywatch: American Passports and African Development? [...] INTRODUCTION: This report is one of a series drafted by Post's entry level officers which have the "Beywatch" caption. We believe the perspectives offered in the following vignette will give the reader a sense of everyday life in Tunisia. For more information about Tunisia or the Embassy Tuni [...] | 2006-12-14 15:34:00 | Embassy Tunis | UNCLASSIFIED | SOCI CVIS SY TS |
06TUNIS2911 | TUNISIAN INTERACTION WITH SYRIA [...] (C) During his December 14 courtesy call with M'hamed Chelaifa, Director General for Asia and the Americas, Ambassador raised reftel demarche regarding Tunisian interaction with Syrian officials. Chelaifa said he was not aware of any high-level visits scheduled between Syria and Tunisia. He [...] | 2006-12-14 15:59:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KPAL PTER SY TS |
06TUNIS973 | TUNISIA ADVERTISES GOOD TIES WITH IRAN, SYRIA [...] (C) Summary. Through its mostly-government controlled press, Tunisian officials are playing up positive economic and cultural exchanges between Tunisia and officials in Iran and Syria. Two visits to Tunis within a week--Iranian Vice President for Tourism and Heritage on April 15, and Syrian P [...] | 2006-04-24 15:00:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM ETRD SY IR TS |
06USUNNEWYORK1198 | UN SECRETARIAT OUTLINES STEPS TO ESTABLISH HARIRI [...] (SBU) Summary. During a meeting with Department laywers and USUN Political and Legal officers on June 9, UN Office of Legal Affairs (OLA) lawyer Mark Quarterman and Department of Political Affairs (DPA) officer Alma Saliu said they believed they had reached agreement with Lebanese judges Chouc [...] | 2006-06-13 23:39:00 | USUN New York | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PTER KCRM PINR KISL UNSC LE SY UN |
06USUNNEWYORK1226 | UNSC EXTENDS UNIIIC MANDATE AND ALLOWS BRAMMERTZ [...] (SBU) Summary. The UN Security Council voted unanimously on June 16 to adopt UNSCR 1686 (text contained in ref A),which extends the mandate of the UN International Independent Investigation Commission (UNIIIC) until 15 June 2007 and "supports the Commission's intention" to extend further its [...] | 2006-06-16 21:17:00 | USUN New York | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PGOV UNSC SY LE |
06USUNNEWYORK1366 | LEGAL COUNSEL MICHEL REPORTS OLA/LEBANESE NEAR [...] (SBU) Begin summary: UN Legal Counsel Nicolas Michel told the P-3 on July 12 that UN lawyers and Lebanese judges Ralph Riachy and Choucri Sadr achieved progress last week in negotiating a draft agreement and statute to establish a tribunal to try those responsible for the assassination of fo [...] | 2006-07-14 21:01:00 | USUN New York | UNCLASSIFIED | UNSC PGOV PREL PTER KCRM SY LE |
06USUNNEWYORK1763 | HARIRI TRIBUNAL: UN LEGAL COUNSEL WELCOMES [...] (SBU) BEGIN SUMMARY: USUN Legal, accompanied by French Mission political officers, delivered points (ref A) regarding the draft Hariri tribunal agreement to UN Legal Counsel Michel on September 5. We noted USG support for his return to Lebanon that evening. In addition per ref B request, U [...] | 2006-09-07 22:35:00 | USUN New York | UNCLASSIFIED | KCRM LE MOPS PINR PTER SY UNSC |
06USUNNEWYORK1865 | UN LEGAL COUNSEL MICHEL REVIEWS STATUS OF TREATY [...] (C) Summary. During a meeting with UN Legal Adviser Nicolas Michel on September 25 to review progress towards a draft treaty establishing a tribunal to try those responsible for the assassination of former Lebanese PM Hariri, Ambassador Wolff praised the efforts of the UN Office of Legal Affa [...] | 2006-09-26 22:56:00 | USUN New York | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL UNSC LE SY |
06USUNNEWYORK1899 | ACTION REQUEST: FINALIZING THE UN-LEBANON TREATY [...] (SBU) This is an action request. Please see para 10. 2. (SBU) Summary. During a meeting between P-3 legal and political officers on October 2, French experts reported that the UN's Office of Legal Affairs (OLA) had revised the draft treaty establishing the Hariri tribunal to delete any re [...] | 2006-10-03 13:01:00 | USUN New York | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL UNSC SY LE |
06USUNNEWYORK1900 | UNSC WELCOMES LATEST BRAMMERTZ REPORT BUT DIFFERS [...] No summary [...] | 2006-10-03 13:06:00 | USUN New York | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL UNSC IS SY LE |
06USUNNEWYORK1907 | UNSC WELCOMES LATEST BRAMMERTZ REPORT BUT DIFFERS [...] (SBU) Summary. During a public briefing to the UNSC on September 29, UN International Independent Investigation Commission (UNIIIC) Head Serge Brammertz hewed closely to the contents of his latest report to the UNSC to document progress in the investigation into the murder of former Lebanese [...] | 2006-10-04 14:08:00 | USUN New York | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL UNSC IS SY LE |
06USUNNEWYORK2046 | UN LEGAL COUNSEL REPORTS ON EFFORTS TO CONCLUDE [...] (SBU) BEGIN SUMMARY: Legal Adviser John Bellinger and Ambassador Wolff met with UN Legal Counsel Nicolas Michel and his deputy, Larry Johnson, October 25, to discuss Lebanese and key Council members' views on the draft statute and agreement to establish a tribunal to try those responsible for [...] | 2006-10-26 20:07:00 | USUN New York | UNCLASSIFIED | UNSC PGOV PREL PTER KCRM SY LE |
06USUNNEWYORK2084 | SYG CONVENES P-5 TO SEEK EARLY AGREEMENT ON TEXTS [...] BEGIN SUMMARY: Secretary-General Annan met with the P-5 ambassadors on November 1, appealing to the P-5 to show flexibility and reach agreement within the next few days on the draft GOL/UN agreement and accompanying statute to establish a tribunal to try those responsible for the assassinati [...] | 2006-11-02 19:27:00 | USUN New York | UNCLASSIFIED | UNSC PGOV PREL PTER KCRM SY LE |
06USUNNEWYORK2085 | SECURITY COUNCIL REAFFIRMS UNSCR 1559 GOALS AMID [...] (SBU) Summary. During an October 30 closed-door briefing to the Security Council on the SYG's latest report on UNSCR 1559 implementation, SYG Special Envoy Terje Roed-Larsen praised the "historic" deployment of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) to south Lebanon, but highlighted the unfulfilled [...] | 2006-11-02 20:31:00 | USUN New York | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL UNSC KPKO IS LE SY |
06USUNNEWYORK2107 | JUMBLATT PRESSES FOR QUICK ESTABLISHMENT OF HARIRI [...] (C) During a meeting with Ambassador Bolton and USUN officers on November 2, Lebanese Druze leader and MP Walid Jumblatt and two aides argued that the tribunal to try those responsible for the assassination of Rafiq Hariri must be established by November 13, at which point Hizballah SYG Nasral [...] | 2006-11-03 15:54:00 | USUN New York | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL UNSC LE SY |
06USUNNEWYORK2187 | UNSC APPROVES AGREEMENT ESTABLISHING LEBANON [...] (SBU) SUMMARY. DURING CLOSED CONSULTATIONS ON NOVEMBER 21, THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED A LETTER PAGE 02 RUCNDTA2187 UNCLAS FROM THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT TO SYG ANNAN EXPRESSING SATISFACTION WITH THE AGREEMENT NEGOTIATED BETWEEN THE UN AND THE GOL TO ESTABLISH A LEBANON SPE [...] | 2006-11-24 14:54:00 | USUN New York | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL UNSC IS SY LE |
06USUNNEWYORK2265 | BRAMMERTZ PRAISES SYRIAN COOPERATION WITH HARIRI [...] (C) Summary. During an open meeting of the UNSC on December 18, UN International Independent Investigation Commission (UNIIIC) Head Serge Brammertz noted that his work had reached a "critical stage" which would prevent him from placing sensitive information about witnesses and suspects in the [...] | 2006-12-19 20:04:00 | USUN New York | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER UNSC SY LE |
06USUNNEWYORK549 | BRAMMERTZ SAYS HARIRI INVESTIGATION WILL TAKE [...] (C) BEGIN SUMMARY: Ambassadors Bolton and Sanders met March 15 with Serge Brammertz, Commissioner of the International Independent Investigation Commission (UNIIIC). Brammertz issued his first UNIIIC interim report on March 14, met with other P-5 ambassadors March 15, and briefed the Securit [...] | 2006-03-21 11:14:00 | USUN New York | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PGOV KCRM UNSC LE SY |
06USUNNEWYORK830 | UNDP FUNDING SYRIA AIRCRAFT STUDY [...] (C) Following up on reftel, USUN contacted UNDP at a high level on April 7 for further information. 2. (C) The project,funded by UNDP with the participation of ICAO,is a study to look at two issues: An expert from ICAO is doing a technical evaluation of Syrian Airlines so they can better [...] | 2006-04-20 23:41:00 | USUN New York | CONFIDENTIAL | EAIR ECON SY UNDP ETTC |
06USUNNEWYORK891 | UN ON LEBANESE TRIBUNAL, BRAMMERTZ EXTENSION [...] (C) Summary and Comment: The UN's Office of Legal Affairs (OLA) says it is bewildered by the request of Lebanese Justice Minister Charles Rizk to appoint a prosecutor-general now for the tribunal to be established to try any suspects in the murder of Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri. OLA's Mark [...] | 2006-04-28 22:33:00 | USUN New York | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL UNSC LE SY |
06USUNNEWYORK915 | LARSEN TELLS SECURITY COUNCIL WHY SYRIA NEEDS TO [...] (SBU) Summary. During private consultations with the UNSC on April 26, UN Special Envoy Terje Roed-Larsen robustly argued that full implementation of UNSCR 1559 would not be achieved until Syria responded to Lebanon's offer to demarcate their shared border and establish diplomatic relations. [...] | 2006-05-04 13:19:00 | USUN New York | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PGOV UNSC LE SY |
06USUNNEWYORK920 | PRESSING UN ON LEBANESE TRIBUNAL [...] (C) In a May 2 meeting with Nicolas Michel, the UN's Under Secretary General for Legal Affairs, Ambassador Wolff requested an update on the UN's efforts to draft a treaty to establish a tribunal to try any suspects in the murder of Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri. Ambassador Wolff emphasized tha [...] | 2006-05-04 21:12:00 | USUN New York | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV LE SY |
06USUNNEWYORK979 | HARIRI INVESTIGATION GOING WELL, BRAMMERTZ WILLING [...] (C) Summary: UNIIIC Commissioner Serge Brammertz told Ambassador Bolton May 10 that the investigation into the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri is "going well" although he will not be ready to announce major developments when he next reports to the Security Counci [...] | 2006-05-15 17:01:00 | USUN New York | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL SY LE |
06VATICAN264 | LEBANON: HOLY SEE ENVOY PROPOSAL ON HOLD [...] (C) Holy See FM equivalent Mamberti told the Ambassador December 18 that the Vatican had decided to hold off on sending an envoy to Lebanon (ref a),saying that circumstances were not right for such a mission. In a separate conversation, a Vatican official implied that the Holy See was waiti [...] | 2006-12-18 17:40:00 | Embassy Vatican | CONFIDENTIAL | LE PREL SOCI PHUM SY VT |
06VIENNA1482 | AUSTRIAN EU PRESIDENCY ISSUES DECLARATION [...] (SBU) Embassy Vienna delivered ref demarche to Austrian Foreign Ministry May 18. 2. (U) On May 19, the Austrian EU Presidency issued a declaration urging the Syrian authorities to reconsider all cases of political prisoners and immediately release all prisoners of conscience. The text [...] | 2006-05-19 15:13:00 | Embassy Vienna | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KDEM PGOV PREL SY AU |
06VIENNA2713 | DEMARCHE TO AUSTRIA ON SYRIA [...] (SBU) EconPolCouns delivered refetel demarche on September 12 to Wolfgang Lapuh, the Austrian MFA's DAS-level Middle East Director. 2. (C) Lapuh agreed with our assessment of Syrian policy. However, he noted that the EU had taken the general position that it was necessary to press our com [...] | 2006-09-12 14:56:00 | Embassy Vienna | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER USUN LE SY EU AU |
06VIENNA506 | AUSTRIAN, DANISH FMS MEET WITH MUSLIM [...] (U) Austrian Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik, in her capacity as EU Council President, and Danish Foreign Minister Per Stig Moeller held an informal meeting with leading Muslim Representatives in Vienna on February 16. Participants included the leader of the Islamic Faith Community in Bosni [...] | 2006-02-17 16:01:00 | Embassy Vienna | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PHUM EUN SY DA BK TU SP AU |
06VIENNA576 | EUROPEAN INVESTMENT BANK LOAN TO SYRIA: AUSTRIAN [...] (C) On February 24-25, post met separately with the following GoA officials to underscore reftel concerns with European Investment Bank (EIB) loans to Syria: Ralph Scheide, the Austrian MFA's Assistant Secretary-level Director for the Middle East and Africa; Melitta Schubert, Head of the MFA's [...] | 2006-02-24 16:34:00 | Embassy Vienna | CONFIDENTIAL | ETRD EFIN PREL PGOV SY AU |
06VIENNA833 | HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES IN SYRIA: AUSTRIAN RESPONSE [...] (C) Pol Unit Chief conveyed reftel points on March 17 to MFA DAS-equivalent for Middle East affairs Wolfgang Lapuh. Lapuh said the timing of the demarche was excellent. The MFA had received an EU report (note: presumably either from the EU Commission or Council Secretariat) detailing the sam [...] | 2006-03-20 14:38:00 | Embassy Vienna | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL SY AU EUN |
06WARSAW2246 | DELIVERY OF DEMARCHE - PRESERVING LEBANESE PM [...] (S) Pol External Chief delivered reftel talking points on Syrian efforts to destabilize the Lebanese political situation October 20 to MFA Middle East & Africa Department Director Krzysztof Plominski. According to Plominski, MFA U/S Witold Waszczykowski (de facto PolDir) was planning to visit [...] | 2006-10-20 15:01:00 | Embassy Warsaw | SECRET | PREL PGOV PTER KDEM PLN LE SY |
06WARSAW348 | POLAND WILL PROPOSE POSTPONEMENT OF EIB LOAN TO [...] (C) Begin Summary. Poland's MFA reported that it will recommend postponing a final decision on the EIB loan to the Syrian government until after a report on Syria's cooperation on the Rafiq Hariri assasination is provided to the UNSC in late March. Poland is uncertain that the postponement [...] | 2006-03-01 16:19:00 | Embassy Warsaw | CONFIDENTIAL | EFIN ETRD PREL PGOV SY PL |
06YEREVAN1263 | DEMARCHE ON SYRIA DELIVERED [...] No summary [...] | 2006-09-13 05:42:00 | Embassy Yerevan | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PTER USUN LE SY EU AM |
06ZAGREB1467 | CROATIA ON CEFTA: SIGN AND KEEP TALKING [...] (SBU) In a December 11 meeting with Croatian MFA State Secretary Hido Biscevic, Ambassador urged the GOC to show SIPDIS flexibility in working to find a solution to the current disagreement with Bosnia over CEFTA, stressing Croatia's role in the region and the fact that a CEFTA without Bosni [...] | 2006-12-12 14:47:00 | Embassy Zagreb | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ETRD PREL PGOV HR BK SY |
06ZAGREB1484 | AMBASSADOR PRESSES CROATIAN FOREIGN MINISTER ON [...] (C) The Ambassador told FM Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic December 14 that there is a lot of concern in Washington about the negotiations between Croatia and Bosnia on the Central European Free Trade Area. The USG hopes the GOC will find some way to reach a compromise that will allow BiH to sign CE [...] | 2006-12-14 14:30:00 | Embassy Zagreb | CONFIDENTIAL | ETRD PREL PGOV HR BK SY |
07ABUDHABI1177 | FOREIGN MINISTER ABDULLAH ON GCC +2, SYRIA, [...] (C) SUMMARY. Ambassador spoke with Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed (AbZ) on July 14 evening to discuss the planned GCC 2 meeting (Ref A),his upcoming trip to Syria with UAE President Khalifa, and Pakistan. END SUMMARY. GCC 2; Israeli-Palestinian Issue ----------------------- [...] | 2007-07-16 12:29:00 | Embassy Abu Dhabi | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV IZ IS SY PK AE |
07ABUDHABI1180 | DUBAI RULER/UAE PM MOHAMMED BIN RASHID ON IRAQ, [...] (S) Summary: On July 15, Ambassador met with UAE Vice President, Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Dubai Ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum (MbR). MbR complained about the Iranian influence in Iraq and voiced his belief that the current situation in Iraq is a civil war which w [...] | 2007-07-16 15:05:00 | Embassy Abu Dhabi | SECRET//NOFORN | PREL MARR MOPS PARM EAID IR IZ LE AF PK SY |
07ABUDHABI1479 | SCENE SETTER FOR ADMIRAL FALLON'S SEPTEMBER VISIT [...] (S) Admiral Fallon, Embassy Abu Dhabi welcomes you for your second visit to the UAE as CENTCOM commander. As you are aware, deepening ties with the UAE is all about relationships, and the relationship that most matters on the military front is that with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zaye [...] | 2007-09-05 13:59:00 | Embassy Abu Dhabi | SECRET | PREL PTER PARM MOPS MARR IR IZ AF LE SY AE |
07ABUDHABI168 | PSI: SHIPMENT OF U.S.-ORIGIN TEST EQUIPMENT TO SYRIA VIA [...] (SBU) Post delivered non-paper with container numbers to MFA on Sunday, February 3, DCM raising subject with Asst U/S for International Cooperation. Econchief followed up with the Ministry of Interior's coordinator for combating trafficking in WMD Major Mohamed Al-Kitbi and the MFA represent [...] | 2007-02-04 13:50:00 | Embassy Abu Dhabi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KNNP PARM PREL MNUC ETTC CA SY AE |
07ABUDHABI268 | PSI: SHIPMENT OF U.S.-ORIGIN TEST EQUIPMENT TO SYRIA VIA [...] No summary [...] | 2007-02-15 13:23:00 | Embassy Abu Dhabi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KNNP PARM PREL MNUC ETTC CA SY AE |
07ABUDHABI517 | PSI: SHIPMENT OF U.S.-ORIGIN TEST EQUIPMENT TO [...] No summary [...] | 2007-03-27 12:49:00 | Embassy Abu Dhabi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KNNP PARM PREL MNUC ETTC CA SY AE |
07ABUDHABI700 | CENTCOM COMMANDER ADMIRAL FALLON APRIL 24 MEETING WITH [...] No summary [...] | 2007-04-26 13:05:00 | Embassy Abu Dhabi | SECRET | PREL PARM IZ IR AF PK SY LE IS AE |
07ABUDHABI702 | CENTCOM COMMANDER ADMIRAL FALLON APRIL 24 MEETING [...] (S) Summary. On April 24 Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (MbZ) hosted CENTCOM Commander Admiral William J. Fallon for an introductory lunch, in what was the Admiral's first visit to the UAE since assuming command [...] | 2007-04-26 15:39:00 | Embassy Abu Dhabi | SECRET | PREL PARM IZ IR AF PK SY LE IS AE |
07ABUDHABI97 | U/S BURNS' JANUARY 22 MEETING WITH ABU DHABI CROWN PRINCE [...] (S) Summary. UAE FM Abdullah bin Zayed (AbZ) sketched for U/S Burns his impressions during a January 9 visit to Tehran. Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Zayed (MbZ) in a wide-ranging discussion expressed strong reservations about free elections in the Middle East, stating that greater democra [...] | 2007-01-24 12:50:00 | Embassy Abu Dhabi | SECRET | PGOV PREL PTER KPAL ETTC IZ IR IS SY LE AE |
07AITTAIPEI845 | MTAG: MACHINE TOOL EXPORT BY A TAIWAN COMPANY TO [...] No summary [...] | 2007-04-16 03:06:00 | American Institute Taiwan, Taipei | SECRET | PARM PREL ETTC TW SY |
07AMMAN1064 | SCENESETTER FOR PRM A/S SAUERBREY'S MARCH 13-16 [...] (C) SUMMARY: Embassy Amman welcomes your visit, and looks forward to building upon your discussions with key Jordanian officials and Ambassador Hale in recent days in Washington to advance our dialogue with the GOJ on the needs of Iraqis in Jordan, as well as the other refugee issues of mutual [...] | 2007-03-08 12:00:00 | Embassy Amman | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PREG PGOV PHUM SY IZ JO |
07AMMAN1067 | FEBRUARY PRM VISIT TO SYRIA AND JORDAN FOCUSED ON [...] No summary [...] | 2007-03-08 12:28:00 | Embassy Amman | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PREF PREL SY IZ JO |
07AMMAN1277 | A/S SAUERBREY DISCUSSES IRAQIS WITH GOJ [...] (C) SUMMARY: Assistant Secretary for Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM) Ellen Sauerbrey and Ambassador met March 14 with Bassem Awadallah, Director of King Abdullah's Office, and the head of the General Intelligence Directorate (GID) Muhammad Al Dahabi together to discuss the issue of Ir [...] | 2007-03-21 06:28:00 | Embassy Amman | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PREF PGOV PHUM SY IZ JO |
07AMMAN1380 | A/S SAUERBREY'S MEETINGS WITH UN AND NGO OFFICIALS [...] (C) SUMMARY: Assistant Secretary for Population, Refugees and Migration (PRM) Ellen Sauerbrey visited Jordan March 13-16 on the final leg of a regional tour focused on ensuring that displaced Iraqis receive effective protection and assistance, including expanded resettlement. Her meetings wit [...] | 2007-03-28 13:18:00 | Embassy Amman | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PREF PREL PTER PGOV PHUM SY IZ JO |
07AMMAN1508 | KING AND SENIOR OFFICIALS GREET [...] (C) Summary: The King and senior GOJ officials told a Jordanian-sponsored staffdel that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was the core issue in the Middle East. They described the burden large numbers of Iraqis impose on Jordan. The Minister of Labor explained the GOJ's plan to address repo [...] | 2007-04-09 14:22:00 | Embassy Amman | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KPAL ELAB IS JO IZ IR SY |
07AMMAN1629 | FORMER IRAQI DEFENSE INTELLIGENCE CHIEF REQUESTS [...] (S) Emboff met on April 3 with retired Iraqi Lt. General Khalid al-Jibouri, chief of Iraqi military intelligence from 1991-1995, at the latter's request. Jibouri explained that he came to Jordan from Syria in November, 2006, after leaving Baghdad due to repeated death threats. Noting that h [...] | 2007-04-17 14:18:00 | Embassy Amman | SECRET | PGOV PREF PINR IZ SY JO |
07AMMAN1801 | STATE SECURITY COURT UPDATE [...] SUMMARY: Jordan's State Security Court (SSC) sentenced Ziad al-Karbouli and three others to death and handed down prison sentences in three other terrorism-related cases, while Jordan's Court of Cassation upheld the SSC's death penalty verdict for would-be suicide bomber Sajida Rishawi. Meanw [...] | 2007-04-26 14:21:00 | Embassy Amman | UNCLASSIFIED | PTER PHUM ASEC IZ SY JO |
07AMMAN222 | TERRORISM TRIALS UPDATE [...] SUMMARY: JORDAN'S STATE SECURITY COURT (SSC) SENTENCED ROMAN AMPHITHEATER SHOOTER NABIL JAAOURA TO DEATH AND HANDED DOWN PRISON SENTENCES IN TWO OTHER TERRORISM-RELATED CASES. THE COURT CONTINUED PROCEEDINGS AGAINST THREE HAMAS MILITANTS WHO PLANNED ATTACKS IN JORDAN, AND ZIYAD KARBOULI, AN IRA [...] | 2007-01-18 14:39:00 | Embassy Amman | UNCLASSIFIED | PTER PHUM ASEC IZ SY JO |
07AMMAN2464 | KING AND SENIOR OFFICIALS WELCOME CODEL LEAHY [...] (S) Summary: King Abdullah told Codel Leahy that the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is the key issue facing Jordan, time was running out to make progress, and soon a two-state solution may not be perceived as feasible. The King urged Democrats and Republicans to present a unified position on [...] | 2007-06-10 06:36:00 | Embassy Amman | SECRET | PREL KPAL IS JO IZ IR SY |
07AMMAN2848 | FOREIGN FIGHTER DEMARCHE DELIVERED [...] (S) Polcouns delivered reftel demarche July 2 to Thamer Adwan, director of Foreign Minister Khatib's private office. Adwan had no substantive reply to our demarche, but promised to pass our concerns to the appropriate GOJ officials. Adwan also said the Foreign Ministry is seeking information [...] | 2007-07-03 10:09:00 | Embassy Amman | SECRET//NOFORN | PREL PTER SY IZ JO |
07AMMAN2989 | QUEEN AND SENIOR OFFICIALS HIGHLIGHT CHALLENGES [...] (C) SUMMARY: The Queen and senior GOJ officials told a GOJ-sponsored staffdel that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was the core issue facing the Middle East. They warned against a sudden withdrawal from Iraq and discussed key challenges they perceive as facing Jordan: extremism, Syrian and [...] | 2007-07-12 12:58:00 | Embassy Amman | SECRET | PREL KPAL IS JO IZ IR SY |
07AMMAN3208 | MODEST PROGRESS ACHIEVED AT JULY 26 RWG IN AMMAN [...] (SBU) SUMMARY. Modest progress was achieved during the July 26 Jordanian-Iraqi co-chaired Refugee Working Group (RWG) in Amman. In a significant breakthrough, the Government of Jordan announced the opening of its public and private schools to displaced Iraqis living in Jordan, regardless of t [...] | 2007-07-30 13:53:00 | Embassy Amman | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PREF SOCI EAID IZ JO SY EG IR TU |
07AMMAN3755 | UNABLE TO OBTAIN ITS WHEAT NEEDS FROM SYRIA, JORDAN [...] (SBU) The Government of Jordan, represented by the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT),signed an agreement with the Syrian government on September 5 to purchase 50,000 tons of Syrian wheat. This purchase is part of an ambitious January 2007 agreement between the two countries for GOJ purcha [...] | 2007-09-09 14:50:00 | Embassy Amman | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAGR ETRD PREL JO SY |
07AMMAN4392 | JORDANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER WELCOMES ISTANBUL SIDE [...] (C) Thamer Adwan, Director of Foreign Minister Khatib's private office, reported on October 30 that the FM (currently in China with King Abdullah) welcomes the opportunity to participate in the proposed Istanbul side meeting on Lebanon (reftel). 2. (U) Adwan noted that Khatib's schedule in [...] | 2007-10-30 14:50:00 | Embassy Amman | CONFIDENTIAL | LE PGOV PREL PTER SY |
07AMMAN4393 | JORDANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER WELCOMES ISTANBUL SIDE [...] (C) Thamer Adwan, Director of Foreign Minister Khatib's private office, reported on October 30 that the FM (currently in China with King Abdullah) welcomes the opportunity to participate in the proposed Istanbul side meeting on Lebanon (reftel). 2. (U) Adwan noted that Khatib's schedule in [...] | 2007-10-30 15:41:00 | Embassy Amman | CONFIDENTIAL | LE PGOV PREL PTER SY JO |
07AMMAN4732 | KING ABDULLAH UPDATES CODEL INOUYE ON SYRIAN [...] (S) CODEL Inouye accompanied by Ambassador met with King Abdullah on November 28 and discussed developments in Iraq, the Annapolis meeting and a potential opportunity to change Syrian behavior. End Summary. 2. (U) Senators Daniel Inouye and Ted Stevens, Ambassador, and Minority Staff Direc [...] | 2007-11-29 15:43:00 | Embassy Amman | SECRET | PREL SY JO |
07AMMAN4808 | JORDAN SUPPORTS IMMEDIATE LEBANESE PRESIDENTIAL [...] No summary [...] | 2007-12-06 13:04:00 | Embassy Amman | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KDEM LE SY JO |
07AMMAN4816 | STAFFDEL WELLS EXAMINES CONDITIONS OF IRAQIS AND [...] (SBU) Summary: During their five-day visit to Jordan, Staffdel Wells spoke with senior GOJ officials, refugee processing agencies, and NGOs in an effort to (1) better understanding the socioeconomic situation of Iraqi refugees in Jordan; (2) review refugee processing efforts and outcomes; and [...] | 2007-12-06 15:44:00 | Embassy Amman | CONFIDENTIAL | PREF PGOV SOCI EAID JO IZ SY |
07AMMAN668 | Unity Dam on Syria-Jordan Border Storing 3 MCM of Water, [...] (SBU) Summary: The Al Wehdah (Unity) Dam on the Yarmouk River along the Jordan-Syria border was completed in November 2006. The dam can store 110 million cubic meters (MCM) of water, but it currently holds only 3 MCM. When filled, the reservoir is designed to supply 50 MCM of drinking water [...] | 2007-02-13 06:38:00 | Embassy Amman | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | SENV PREL PGOV SY JO |
07AMMAN726 | RUN ON UNHCR OFFICES IS REGIONAL [...] (U) This message was cleared with Embassies Beirut, Cairo and Damascus. 2. (C) SUMMARY: Ref A reported that UNHCR's office in Amman is experiencing a spike in applications from Iraqis. UNHCR's offices in Damascus, Beirut and Cairo are also experiencing similar surges as UNHCR implements it [...] | 2007-02-15 16:51:00 | Embassy Amman | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PREF PGOV PTER SY LE EG IZ JO |
07AMMAN786 | LOCAL UNHCR OFFICIALS APPEAL FOR HELP ON IRAQIS [...] (C) SUMMARY: UNHCR officials in Jordan and Syria warn that the surge of Iraqis approaching their offices is starting to overtax their capacity. Even with increased staff and resources, UNHCR Jordan was forced to turn away hundreds of Iraqis seeking to register on February 19 so it could focus [...] | 2007-02-21 07:25:00 | Embassy Amman | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PREF PGOV SY IZ JO |
07ANKARA1085 | TURKEY PLEASED WITH SHARM MINISTERIAL, SEEKS INPUT [...] (C) Summary: Turkey is generally happy with the Sharm ministerial but seeks clarification ASAP on Iraq's plans for follow-on working groups (WGs),GOT Special Envoy for Iraq Celikkol told the Ambassador May 8. Celikkol asked for U.S. assistance in ascertaining what Iraq wants for the WGs -- e [...] | 2007-05-08 14:55:00 | Embassy Ankara | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV ENRG PREF PTER UN TU IZ SY |
07ANKARA1306 | TURKEY REQUIRES SYRIAN CARGO PLANE TO LAND [...] (S/NF) MFA Deputy Director General for Maritime and Aviation Affairs Basat Ozturk told us late May 29 that Turkish authorities had required the Syrian cargo aircraft suspected of illicit arms transfers (reftels) to land for inspection at Diyarbakir in southeastern Turkey. The aircraft compli [...] | 2007-05-29 16:20:00 | Embassy Ankara | SECRET//NOFORN | MOPS PREL TU IR SY |
07ANKARA1337 | GOT IRAQ ENVOY SEES POSITIVE SIGNALS FROM GOI ON [...] (S/NF) Summary: GOT Special Envoy Celikkol was encouraged by his May 27-28 visit to Baghdad, he told the Ambassador May 30. PM Maliki welcomed increased Turkey-Iraq cooperation and sent positive signals on the PKK, as did other politicians (even including DPM Salih). Celikkol said he was tol [...] | 2007-06-01 08:53:00 | Embassy Ankara | SECRET//NOFORN | PREL PTER ENRG ETRD TU IZ SY |
07ANKARA1347 | PKK TRAIN DERAILMENT REVEALS ARMS FROM IRAN [...] (S/NF) Summary: Weapons were found in the wreckage of a Turkish train coming from Iran and bound for Syria derailed by a PKK mine in Bingol province on May 25. Chief of Defense General Yasar Buyukanit confirmed to reporters the presence of un-manifested weapons on the train. See ref for othe [...] | 2007-06-01 13:05:00 | Embassy Ankara | SECRET//NOFORN | PREL ETTC PTER US IR SY TU |
07ANKARA1372 | CONGRESSIONAL STUDY GROUP ON TURKEY, CODEL NELSON [...] (SBU) Summary. PM Erdogan and FM Gul met May 28 with Codel Nelson and the Congressional Study Group on Turkey. An unusually upbeat Erdogan focused on the solid footing of the US-Turkish strategic relationship and Turkey's efforts to contribute to regional peace and stability, including in Af [...] | 2007-06-04 13:55:00 | Embassy Ankara | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PGOV MOPS TU US IZ SY AM LE |
07ANKARA1415 | TURKEY TO CONSIDER SCREENING SELECT IRANIAN AND [...] (S) Per ref a request, we approached the MFA South Asia Affairs and Aviation Affairs Departments to ask Turkey to deny overflight clearance to, or request inspection of, all Iranian and Syrian State aircraft that request overflight approval. South Asia Head of Department Murat Ahmet Yoruk qu [...] | 2007-06-06 15:27:00 | Embassy Ankara | SECRET | MARR MOPS PTER TU IR SY LE |
07ANKARA1417 | TURKISH MFA DETAILS IRANIAN ARMS FOUND ON TRAIN; [...] (C) Summary: MFA South Asia Department Director Ahmet Murat Yoruk listed for us on June 6 the arms recovered from a Turkish freight train derailed in a PKK terrorist attack in eastern Turkey May 25, including mortar shells, RPG barrels, rifle rounds, and smoke bombs. Yoruk said the MFA has de [...] | 2007-06-07 06:14:00 | Embassy Ankara | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL MOPS PARM IZ SY TU |
07ANKARA1533 | TURKISH FM TRAVELING TO DAMASCUS AND BEIRUT [...] (C) MFA Deputy Undersecretary for the Middle East and South Asia Feridun Sinirlioglu told Ambassador June 15 that FM Gul will travel to Damascus on June 21 and on to Beirut on June 22. Sinirlioglu said that in Damascus, Gul will seek to moderate Syria's reaction to the establishment of the [...] | 2007-06-15 12:50:00 | Embassy Ankara | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL OVIP SY LE TU |
07ANKARA1545 | TURKEY REVIEWING REQUEST TO DENY OVERFLIGHT [...] (S) Per reftel request, we met with MFA Aviation Department Head Hamit Olcay and South Asia Department Head Murat Yoruk on June 18 to request that Turkey deny overflight clearance to reftel Syrian Arab Airlines aircraft, in accordance with UNSCR 1718. Olcay checked with the MFA flight clearan [...] | 2007-06-18 10:20:00 | Embassy Ankara | SECRET | EAIR PARM PREL MNUC TU KN SY AM KZ TI TX UZ |
07ANKARA1589 | SYRIA TO NORTH KOREA FLIGHT DID NOT OVERFLY TURKEY [...] No summary [...] | 2007-06-21 13:58:00 | Embassy Ankara | SECRET | EAIR PARM PREL MNUC TU SY NK |
07ANKARA1605 | TURKEY CONFIRMS INTENT TO NOTIFY UNSC ABOUT [...] (C) MFA South Asia Head of Department Murat Yoruk confirmed on June 22 that Turkey fully intends to fulfill its obligations under UNSCRs 1737 and 1747 and notify the Security Council about the discovery of an Iranian weapons cache on board the train that derailed on May 25 in the Genc district [...] | 2007-06-22 13:49:00 | Embassy Ankara | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL MOPS PARM IZ SY TU |
07ANKARA1695 | TURKEY: CONTINUED SUPPORT TO STOP FLOW OF FOREIGN [...] (C) We delivered reftel demarche to Turkish MFA Special Iraq Coordinator Oguz Celikkol July 2. Celikkol, who is well informed on the issue, responded that the Turks have repeatedly told Damascus that for the sake of the entire region, they need to take the necessary measures to cut the flow o [...] | 2007-07-03 04:55:00 | Embassy Ankara | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER SY IZ TU |
07ANKARA2188 | TURKEY REVIEWING REQUEST TO DENY FLIGHT CLEARANCE [...] (S) Per reftel request, we met with MFA Aviation Department Head Hamit Olcay and Acting South Asia Department Head Ilhan Sener at 1030 local on August 24 to deliver demarche concerning reftel Iranian PARS Air flight. Olcay checked immediately with the MFA flight clearance department to determ [...] | 2007-08-24 11:10:00 | Embassy Ankara | SECRET | PARM PREL ETTC IR SY TU |
07ANKARA2196 | GOT OFFICIALS PRESS CODEL SPECTER ON CONTINUED [...] (C) SUMMARY: Turkish officials believe the U.S. must remain in Iraq to ensure the country's future as a unified state. They also see increased involvement by the United Nations as an asset. Senator Specter argued that Iraqi political leaders have had sufficient time to establish a power-shar [...] | 2007-08-24 14:47:00 | Embassy Ankara | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PGOV TU IZ IR SY |
07ANKARA2214 | TURKEY DENIES OVERFLIGHT CLEARANCE FOR IRANIAN [...] No summary [...] | 2007-08-28 14:03:00 | Embassy Ankara | SECRET | PARM PREL ETTC IR SY TU |
07ANKARA2307 | POSSIBLE VIOLATION OF TURKISH AIRSPACE BY ISRAEL [...] (C) Summary: Foreign Minister Babacan has expressed his concern over reports that Israeli warplanes may have violated Turkish airspace near the Turkey-Syria border on September 6. A full investigation is underway. According to press reports, jettisoned fuel tanks -- allegedly associated with [...] | 2007-09-10 15:10:00 | Embassy Ankara | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL MOPS SY IS TU |
07ANKARA2332 | TURKEY: FS MILIBAND ADVOCATES BOLD EU STEPS [...] (C) Summary and Comment: UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband utilized his first visit to Turkey to urge the GOT to take bold moves on EU accession. Regarding Cyprus, Miliband pressed for responsible Turkish engagement. FM Babacan's pitch for increased UK engagement with Syria fell flat. M [...] | 2007-09-13 10:06:00 | Embassy Ankara | CONFIDENTIAL | EUN IR IZ PREL SY TU UK |
07ANKARA2348 | TURKEY: SYRIAN FM'S VISIT OVERSHADOWED BY AIRSPACE [...] (C) Summary and Comment: Israeli jets' September 6 violation of Syrian and Turkish airspace overshadowed Syrian FM Mouallem's previously scheduled visit. Calling on Israel to provide an explanation, FM Babacan simultaneously urged all parties to show restraint for the sake of regional stabil [...] | 2007-09-14 14:53:00 | Embassy Ankara | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL IS LE SY TU IQ |
07ANKARA2394 | TURKEY TO INSPECT SHIPMENT BETWEEN IRAN AND SYRIA [...] (S) We provided reftel points on the potential shipment of sensitive equipment to Hizballah and Syria via IL-76 aircraft from Iran via Turkish airspace to Basat Ozturk, MFA Deputy Director General for Aviation and Maritime Affairs, on the morning of September 22. 2. (S) Ozturk informed us t [...] | 2007-09-22 09:24:00 | Embassy Ankara | SECRET | PARM PREL ETTC MASS SY IR TU |
07ANKARA246 | TURKEY: SARG FM MUALLEM'S VISIT [...] (C) SUMMARY: The February 1 visit of SARG FM Muallem to Ankara was the latest in a series of high level visits in both directions in recent months. Muallem's day of high-level meetings did not break any apparent new ground but focused primarily on ways the GOT and SARG could cooperate with ot [...] | 2007-02-05 16:38:00 | Embassy Ankara | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL ECON IQ SY LE TU |
07ANKARA2585 | SYRIAN PRESIDENT ASSAD VISIT TO ANKARA [...] (c) Turkish Presidency/PM foreign affairs advisor Davutoglu told Ambassador October 17 that Turkey worked hard during President Assad's visit to persuade Syria to participate in the Middle East Peace conference planned for Annapolis in late November if it is invited. 2. (c) Assad and FM Mua [...] | 2007-10-18 15:46:00 | Embassy Ankara | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER SY TU |
07ANKARA2587 | TURKEY: INTENSIVE MIDDLE EAST OUTREACH [...] (C) BEGIN SUMMARY. Turkish FM Babacan embarked on the second leg of an intensive period of Middle East and regional outreach this week. His October 17-19 visit to Egypt and Lebanon follows closely on the heels of his recent tour of Syria, Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian territories. As a [...] | 2007-10-19 08:02:00 | Embassy Ankara | SECRET//NOFORN | PREL IS IZ SA SY TU XF |
07ANKARA2640 | TURKEY: FM BABACAN CONTINUES REGIONAL ENGAGEMENT [...] (C) Summary: Turkish FM Babacan continued his intensive outreach to Middle East neighbors with trips to Egypt and Lebanon while, concurrently, Syrian President Asad and FM Mualem visited Ankara. GOT officials continue to urge the SARG to stem the flow of foreign fighters into Iraq and to play [...] | 2007-10-25 08:58:00 | Embassy Ankara | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL IS IZ LE SY TU XF |
07ANKARA2675 | TURKEY'S PARTICIPATION IN LEBANON SIDE MEETING [...] No summary [...] | 2007-10-30 14:53:00 | Embassy Ankara | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER LE SY TU |
07ANKARA2747 | TURKEY WILL CONSIDER REQUEST TO INSPECT FLIGHTS [...] (S) We shared ref a. points concerning potential shipment of sensitive equipment to Syria from Iran with MFA Department Head for Aviation Affairs Hamit Olcay on the morning of November 9. Olcay said a request for these flights has not been submitted, and GOT regulations require a 10-day advan [...] | 2007-11-09 12:35:00 | Embassy Ankara | SECRET | PREL ETTC MASS TU IR SY |
07ANKARA2942 | TURKISH EFFORTS ON LEBANESE PRESIDENCY [...] (c) Further to reftels, Ambassador spoke December 11 with Turkish Presidency/PM foreign affairs advisor Davutoglu about the Lebanese presidency state of play. Davutoglu said that he and PM Erdogan have been in touch on an almost daily basis over the past couple of weeks with key players in Bei [...] | 2007-12-11 16:54:00 | Embassy Ankara | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KDEM LE SY TU |
07ANKARA3000 | TURKEY: JORDANIAN KING DISCUSSES MEPP, SYRIA WITH [...] (C) Jordanian King Abdullah's discussions with President Gul and PM Erdogan during his December 10 visit focused primarily on regional security issues, according to MFA Levant desk officer Cem Ulusoy. All three leaders expressed support for the latest round of the Middle East peace process ( [...] | 2007-12-18 11:46:00 | Embassy Ankara | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL TU IS JO SY |
07ANKARA372 | IRAQ: TURKEY EAGER TO MOVE ON NEIGHBORS CONFERENCES [...] (S) Following up on ref email conveying the Secretary's interest in pursuing FonMin Gul's proposal to host a senior "Iraq neighbors" plus P5/G8 meeting in the near future, Ambassador met Feb. 16 with Gul and Feb. 19 with GOT Special Coordinator for Iraq Celikkol. They confirmed that Turkey en [...] | 2007-02-21 09:25:00 | Embassy Ankara | SECRET | PREL PGOV TU IZ IR SY EG SA |
07ANKARA50 | TURKEY: ERDOGAN SUPPORTS SINIORA IN LEBANON, BUT [...] (C) SUMMARY: Although PM Erdogan and Lebanese PM Siniora reportedly speak often and, according to remarks in the press attributed to iniora, "have had a visible chemistry together," it seems the GOT prefers to support "stability" in Lebanon above all else. Erdogan met with most Lebanese polit [...] | 2007-01-10 16:21:00 | Embassy Ankara | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL TU LE SY |
07ANKARA527 | TURKISH READ ON BAGHDAD/CAIRO/ISTANBUL CONFERENCES [...] (C) Summary: Turkish MFA Special Representative on Iraq Oguz Celikkol, just back from meetings in Tehran, told DCM March 8 that the Iranians have committed to participate at both the March 10 preparatory meeting in Baghdad and the expanded Istanbul ministerial, which the Turks hope will take [...] | 2007-03-08 14:36:00 | Embassy Ankara | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL TU IZ IR SY |
07ANKARA931 | TURKEY PREPARED TO ENGAGE IN IRAQI NEIGHBORS PLUS [...] (C) SUMMARY: Turkey will send a delegation to Sharm el-Shaikh to participate in the May 3-4 meetings of the International Compact with Iraq and the Neighbors Plus Ministerial, but FM Gul may be unable to make the trip due to domestic political requirements. GOT Special Envoy for Iraq Amb. Ogu [...] | 2007-04-19 14:14:00 | Embassy Ankara | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL TU IZ EG IR SY |
07ANKARA969 | AMBASSADOR PRESSES GOT ON ATTENDANCE AT SHARM [...] (C) Summary: Turkey is still weighing its level of attendance at the May 3-4 Sharm el-Sheikh meetings on Iraq, according to PM/FM foreign policy advisor Davutoglu. Turkey is still smarting from Iraq's decision not to hold the ministerials in Istanbul, and will press Iraqi FonMin Zebari for an [...] | 2007-04-26 09:37:00 | Embassy Ankara | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PTER TU IZ IR SY EG |
07ANKARA996 | TURKEY WILL SEND MINISTER TO SHARM MEETINGS, [...] (C) Summary: Turkey will send a state minister (to be named) to the May 3-4 Iraq meetings at Sharm el-Sheikh, GOT officials and the Iraqi Ambassador confirmed to us. MFA expects Iran and Syria will also send ministers. FonMin Gul reportedly appealed to visiting Iraqi FonMin Zebari April 26 f [...] | 2007-04-27 12:59:00 | Embassy Ankara | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PTER TU IZ IR SY EG |
07ASHGABAT599 | TURKMENISTAN RESPONSE TO SYRIAN OVERFLIGHT [...] No summary [...] | 2007-06-18 09:36:00 | Embassy Ashgabat | CONFIDENTIAL | EAIR PARM PREL MNUC KN SY AM KZ KG TI TX UZ |
07ASHGABAT604 | TURKMENISTAN DENIES OVERFLIGHT TO SYRIAN FLIGHT [...] (S) Turkmenistan's Foreign Affairs Deputy Chairman Rashit Meredov called in Charge on June 19 to inform her that the flight referred to in ref b had requested overflight both to Pyonyang and back. The flight had reported it was carrying baby food. Meredov said the government had approved the [...] | 2007-06-19 12:20:00 | Embassy Ashgabat | SECRET | EAIR PARM PREL MNUC KN SY AM KZ KG TI TX UZ |
07ATHENS1087 | GREEK VIEWS ON BEST APPROACH TO SYRIA [...] (C) On May 24, A/Polcouns delivered ref a demarche on Syria's sham presidential referendum to Deputy Director of the Greek MFA A-6 Division for Middle East Affairs Giorgos Ayfantis. Ayfantis promised to inform his superiors of the U.S. position, though he said Greece took another view of the [...] | 2007-05-24 15:00:00 | Embassy Athens | CONFIDENTIAL | EUN GR KDEM PGOV PHUM PREL SY |
07ATHENS1740 | TRAVEL BAN ON SYRIAN ACTIVIST RIAD SEIF [...] (C) Polcouns delivered reftel demarche to Ambassador Vassilis Papaioannou, Director of the MFA's Middle East Department. Papaioannou was aware of the difficulties faced by Riad Seif, whom he had met during an earlier posting. Papaioannou believed that Greece's voice carried more weight as p [...] | 2007-08-31 12:49:00 | Embassy Athens | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV EUN JA KDEM PHUM SA SY GR |
07ATHENS1866 | GREECE POSITIVE ON EU MISSION FOR LEBANON [...] (C) We delivered reftel points to the Greek MFA's Penny Douti, Deputy Director of the MFA Directorate for Common Foreign and Security Policy. After reviewing the points, Douti termed them "right," and "fully consistent" with the Greek position on this issue. 2. (C) Douti cautioned that t [...] | 2007-09-17 11:16:00 | Embassy Athens | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY IS LE EUN GR |
07ATHENS1951 | FOLLOW-UP: GREEK FIRM'S POSSIBLE BID TO SUPPLY [...] (S) PolMil Chief revisited ref A demarche (and ref B interim reply) with the MFA's Dionyssios Kyvetos, the responsible officer in the MFA's Directorate for International Organizations and Nonproliferation. Kyvetos said that following his ref B meeting with Embassy officials in April 2007, he [...] | 2007-09-28 13:33:00 | Embassy Athens | SECRET | PREL PARM ETTC SY GR |
07ATHENS2345 | GREECE CONFIRMS MISSILE PARTS INCLUDED IN SUSPECT [...] (S) A/Pol Counselor met 12/12 with MFA Senior Non-Proliferation officer Dionyssios Kyvetos and MFA non-proliferation officer Photis Bourloyannis. They noted that Greece had "finally" received a formal report from France on 12/10 of the French experts' analysis of the contents of the cargo de [...] | 2007-12-12 14:38:00 | Embassy Athens | SECRET | PARM PREL KNNP ETTC EWWT GR FRN KN SY |
07ATHENS801 | DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON GREEK FIRM'S POSSIBLE BID TO [...] (S) Dep Polcouns and Poloff delivered demarche (ref a) concerning the possible bid by Greek company XXXXXXXXXXXX to supply multispectral camouflage netting to Syria, to Greek MFA D1 Directorate for International Organizations and Nonproliferation officer Dionyssios A. Kyvetos. Kyvetos stated [...] | 2007-04-23 14:07:00 | Embassy Athens | SECRET | ETTC GM GR IR PARM PREL SY CBW |
07BAGHDAD1069 | ESTABLISHING SCHOOLS FOR IRAQI CHILDREN IN JORDAN [...] (SBU) Summary: The Minister of Displacement and Migration would like to establish schools for Iraqi children in Jordan and Syria and will appeal to international donors to support the idea. While the Government of Iraq has not discussed the issue with the governments of Syria or Jordan, the M [...] | 2007-03-27 18:19:00 | Embassy Baghdad | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PREF IZ JO SY |
07BAGHDAD1157 | TALABANI WELCOMES AMBASSADOR, DISCUSSES ARAB [...] (C) SUMMARY: The Ambassador met with Iraqi President Jalal Talabani and Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari March 31 to present his credentials. They discussed Talabani's trip to Riyadh for the Arab Summit and the side meetings he held with other Arab leaders, including a discussion on Kirkuk and the P [...] | 2007-04-04 09:22:00 | Embassy Baghdad | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SA IR SY IZ |
07BAGHDAD1696 | PM OF IRAQI KURDISTAN DISCOUNTS NATIONAL [...] (C) On May 17 outgoing Kurdistan Regional Coordinator Yellin, accompanied by incoming Acting Regional Coordinator Patterson, paid a farewell call on Nechirvan Barzani, the Prime Minister of the Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). Barzani said that Iraqi Sunni and Shia Arabs will never [...] | 2007-05-23 01:41:00 | Embassy Baghdad | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS PINR ECON PREL US IR SY IZ |
07BAGHDAD1762 | CODEL BAIRD MEETS IRAQI PARLIAMENT LEADERSHIP [...] (C) Summary: Representatives Brian Baird (D-WA) and Christopher Shays (R-CT) met Council of Representatives (CoR) Speaker Mahmoud Mashadani and First Deputy Speaker Khalid al-Atiya for a review of the situation in Iraq on May 22. The Speaker gave a Sunni perspective, with al-Atiya naturally [...] | 2007-05-28 01:43:00 | Embassy Baghdad | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV SY IR JO IZ |
07BAGHDAD1793 | AMBASSADOR'S MAY 27 MEETING WITH TURKISH IRAQ [...] (C) Summary: In a May 27 meeting with the Ambassador, Turkish MFA Iraq Envoy Oguz Celikkol said Turkey will propose that the Neighbors Conference energy working group meet June 14-15 in Istanbul. Celikkol and the Ambassador discussed ways to keep participation in the working group from becomin [...] | 2007-05-29 15:09:00 | Embassy Baghdad | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PGOV ENRG TU SY IZ |
07BAGHDAD1850 | NINEWA'S FUEL CRISIS -- EASED BUT STILL SEVERE [...] (C) The Manager of the Northern Oil Distribution Company, Mohammed al-Zibari, reports that up to 40 per cent of Ninewa's fuel needs are now being met by fuel deliveries from Bayji refinery. New fuel contracts with Syria and Turkey are pending; renewed deliveries from those countries are requ [...] | 2007-06-04 14:18:00 | Embassy Baghdad | CONFIDENTIAL | EPET ECON PGOV SY TU IZ |
07BAGHDAD1978 | COUNTRY CLEARANCE REQUEST FOR BAGHDAD REFUGEE [...] (SBU) Embassy Baghdad requests country clearance for refugee coordinator Rafael Foley to travel to Syria June 20 to June 22. The purpose of the trip is to join visiting Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration Office Director of Assistance for Asia and the Near East Richard Albright and [...] | 2007-06-16 12:01:00 | Embassy Baghdad | UNCLASSIFIED | PREF AMGT ASEC SY IZ |
07BAGHDAD1994 | DEPUTY SECRETARY CALLS ON VP ABDEL MEHDI FOR [...] (C) Summary. The Deputy Secretary pressed Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq (ISCI) Vice President Adel Abdel Mehdi June 12 that Iraqis needed to make this the "last minute" in the effort to achieve progress on key reconciliation legislation. Abdel Mehdi replied that principles of the hydrocar [...] | 2007-06-17 16:57:00 | Embassy Baghdad | SECRET | ECON EPET IR IZ PGOV PINS PNRG PREL SY XF |
07BAGHDAD1995 | DEPUTY SECRETARY DISCUSSES BSP WITH LOCAL IRAQI [...] (C) The Ambassador hosted Deputy Secretary Negroponte, Special Advisor to the Secretary on Iraq Satterfield and four Baghdad community leaders for dinner at his residence June 12. Primary topics of discussion were the Baghdad Security Plan (BSP),elections, and what would happen if U.S. force [...] | 2007-06-17 17:12:00 | Embassy Baghdad | CONFIDENTIAL | IR IZ PGOV PINS PREL SY XF |
07BAGHDAD2021 | DEPUTY SECRETARY EMPHASIZES LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES [...] (C) Prime Minister Maliki told the Deputy Secretary that the hydrocarbon law and the de-Baathification reform law would be sent to the Council of Representatives this week and passed this month. He expressed doubt, however, that progress on legislative priorities would lead to a reduction in [...] | 2007-06-19 11:53:00 | Embassy Baghdad | CONFIDENTIAL | IR IZ PGOV PINS PREL SY XF |
07BAGHDAD2022 | DPM ZOBAIE DISCUSSES SERVICES, BUDGET EXECUTION [...] (C) During a meeting with the Deputy Secretary, Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and chairman of the Baghdad Security Plan's services subcommittee, Salam Zobaie (Sunni, Iraqi People's Conference) described security as the best service the Iraqi Government (GOI) can provide. He criticized budget ex [...] | 2007-06-19 12:03:00 | Embassy Baghdad | CONFIDENTIAL | IR IZ PGOV PINS PREL SY XF |
07BAGHDAD211 | IRAQI PM ON BAGHDAD SECURITY, PROPOSED BORDER [...] (S) Summary: In a January 17 meeting with MNF-I Commanding General (CG) Casey and the Ambassador, Iraqi PM Maliki agreed to proposals for traffic controls in Baghdad to prevent suicide and vehicle borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) attacks. The CG told the PM he is satisfied so far w [...] | 2007-01-19 17:58:00 | Embassy Baghdad | SECRET | PREL PGOV MOPS PTER PBTS IZ IR SY |
07BAGHDAD229 | TALABANI GIVES READOUT OF SYRIA VISIT, PASSES [...] (C) SUMMARY: Iraqi President Jalal Talabani told the Ambassador in a meeting on January 21 that Syria had agreed to cooperate in improving the stability and security of Iraq, but they needed improved trade relations as well. The Syrians told Talabani they also wanted to improve relations with [...] | 2007-01-22 12:47:00 | Embassy Baghdad | SECRET | PGOV PREL IZ IR SY |
07BAGHDAD2530 | CHARGE'S JULY 29 MEETING WITH NSA RUBAIE [...] (S) SUMMARY: In a July 29 introductory call, National Security Advisor Rubaie told Charge Butenis that he expected MNF-I Commanding General Petraeus would have an easier time in September identifying progress on the security-related benchmarks than Ambassador Crocker would have with regard to [...] | 2007-07-30 17:22:00 | Embassy Baghdad | SECRET | IR IZ JO MOPS PGOV PREL PTER SA SY TU |
07BAGHDAD2582 | BORDER SECURITY: U.S. OBSERVER STATUS, GOI [...] (S/REL ACGU) SUMMARY: In a meeting with Pol-Mil Counselor August 2, Deputy Foreign Minister Abbawi related that Syria was resisting granting observer status to the U.S. at the upcoming Border Security Working Group in Damascus August 8-9. He agreed to continue advocating the matter with his S [...] | 2007-08-03 14:15:00 | Embassy Baghdad | SECRET | IR IZ JO PGOV PREL PTER SA SY |
07BAGHDAD266 | TALABANI REPORTS ON SADR REPRESENTATIVE'S VISIT, [...] (S) SUMMARY: Iraqi President Jalal Talabani told the Ambassador in a meeting on January 24 that he had met with a Sadrist the day before who told him they were ready to accept indirect communication with the U.S. as well as U.S. troops in Sadr City. Talabani agreed to work on his own version o [...] | 2007-01-25 19:06:00 | Embassy Baghdad | SECRET | PGOV PREL IZ SY |
07BAGHDAD2683 | AUGUST 8-9 BORDER SECURITY WORKING GROUP MEETING: [...] (S) SUMMARY: GOI and neighboring country delegations plus P5, UN, EU, and Arab League observers met in Damascus August 8-9 to develop steps to be taken by participants to stem the flow of foreign terrorists and arms fueling the violence in Iraq. While all neighboring countries were unanimous [...] | 2007-08-13 03:37:00 | Embassy Baghdad | SECRET | PREL PTER IZ SY |
07BAGHDAD2751 | GOI DIPLOMACY WITH JORDAN, SYRIA YIELDING PROGRESS [...] (S/NF) SUMMARY: PolMil Counselor met with DFM Labeed Abbawi August 16 to clarify details of the follow up to the Border Security Working Group held in Damascus August 8-9. PolMil Counselor also conveyed to Abbawi U.S. interest in holding trilateral talks with Syria and Iraq (reftel). Abbawi ag [...] | 2007-08-19 01:49:00 | Embassy Baghdad | SECRET | IR IZ JO PGOV PREL PTER SY |
07BAGHDAD2873 | GOI HEARS NEW TONE IN DAMASCUS, AWAITS ANSWER ON [...] (S/NF) SUMMARY: PolMil Counselor met with DFM Abbawi August 26 to discuss PM Maliki,s recent visit to Damascus (reftels),outcomes from the visit, and the prospects for cooperation between Syria, Iraq, and the U.S. in addressing terrorism in Iraq and the region. Abbawi described the positive [...] | 2007-08-27 10:11:00 | Embassy Baghdad | SECRET//NOFORN | PREF PREL PTER EG IZ JO KU SA SY |
07BAGHDAD294 | LEADING IRAQI SHI'A PARLIAMENTARIAN ON SYRIA, THE [...] (C) Summary: Ali al-Adeeb, one the leaders of the Dawa party and the deputy leader of the Shi'a coalition in the Council of Representatives (CoR),gave the Ambassador a positive readout of his recent trip to Syria as part of President Talabani's delegation. He said that Shi'a coalition nego [...] | 2007-01-29 10:57:00 | Embassy Baghdad | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PINS IZ SY |
07BAGHDAD2996 | IRAQI REFUGEE PROCESSING: CAN WE SPEED IT UP? [...] (U) Summary: The U.S. has provided substantial assistance to Iraq's two million refugees, over USD 120 million in FY-07, which is considerably more than all other donors combined. Assistance also involves resettling some refugees; over 10,000 UNHCR referrals are pending. The process typicall [...] | 2007-09-07 02:04:00 | Embassy Baghdad | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREF PHUM PREL SY JO IZ |
07BAGHDAD3416 | KRG PRESIDENT BARZANI ON NATIONAL RECONCILIATION, [...] (C) SUMMARY: Senior Adviser to Ambassador pressed KDP Leader Barzani on need for cooperation on key national issues like hydrocarbons and national political accommodation. He also laid down a marker on Kurdish expansion in the Sinjar area south of Mosul. Barzani struck a pessimistic note abo [...] | 2007-10-12 18:31:00 | Embassy Baghdad | CONFIDENTIAL | PREF PTER PBTS PGOV IZ SY |
07BAGHDAD3608 | IRAQI DFM VIEWS ON TURKEY/PKK [...] (S) SUMMARY: At an October 30 meeting with Political-Military Minister-Counselor, Deputy Foreign Minister Labeed Abbawi related his concerns regarding the current PKK crisis and addressed items including Syria, Iran, and the Neighbors Process. He suspected that the Turkish military intended [...] | 2007-10-31 02:48:00 | Embassy Baghdad | SECRET | PGOV PREL PTER IR IZ SY |
07BAGHDAD362 | IRAQI PRESIDENT AGREES TO FACILITATE HYDROCARBON [...] (C) SUMMARY: In a meeting with the Ambassador on January 29, President Jalal Talabani agreed to go to Kurdistan with the Ambassador on February 3 to discuss the final details of the hydrocarbon law with KRG President Masud Barzani. The Ambassador said he would send Talabani a reasonable draft [...] | 2007-02-03 13:59:00 | Embassy Baghdad | SECRET | PGOV PREL IZ IR SY EG SA |
07BAGHDAD4125 | MOI ON FOREIGN TERRORISTS AND BORDER SECURITY [...] (C) SUMMARY: At a December 12 meeting, Pol-Mil M/C discussed foreign terrorists, border security, and the PKK with Interior Minister Jawad al-Bulani. While Syria had taken some actions and there had been a reduction in the number of foreign terrorists entering Iraq, Syria was hampered in its [...] | 2007-12-19 10:56:00 | Embassy Baghdad | CONFIDENTIAL | PBTS PGOV PINS PREL PTER IZ SA SY |
07BAGHDAD420 | UNAMI SRSG QAZI REPORTS SYRIAN AND SAUDI VIEWS ON [...] (C) Summary: On February 5, UN Special Representative to the Secretary General (SRSG) Ashraf Qazi told DCM and the Ambassadors of France, UK, Russia and the Chinese Charge that, during his recent trip to Damascus, Syrian interlocutors had expressed support for the Baker report and characterize [...] | 2007-02-08 09:49:00 | Embassy Baghdad | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PREF PINR UN SY SA IZ |
07BASRAH64 | FOREIGN FIGHTERS IN BASRAH? [...] (S - REL MNF-I) On June 28, three British soldiers were killed by an IED as they were escorting a convoy from the Basrah Palace to the Basrah Air Station. British forces subsequently recovered a video recording of the incident. British sources believe that the male voices overheard on the rec [...] | 2007-07-22 09:48:00 | REO Basrah | SECRET | PTER MOPS IZ IR LE SY |
07BEIJING4457 | JULY 3 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: YANG DPRK VISIT, PAPAL [...] Key points at the July 3 MFA Press Conference were: -- The MFA said FM Yang would meet with DPRK leader Kim Jong Il this afternoon. -- China holds an open attitude toward the restarting of the Six-Party Talks and all parties should jointly set a date for the resumption of talks. -- The [...] | 2007-07-03 11:06:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL UNSC KS KN JA VT MP RS SN MY SY EC |
07BEIJING6199 | (S) CHINA URGED TO RECALL MISSILE-RELATED STEEL EN [...] (S) Poloff delivered retel message concerning China Precision Machinery Import and Export Corporation's efforts to supply Syria's Mechanical Construction Factory with missile-usable specialty steel to MFA Arms Control and Disarmament Department Missile Division Deputy Director Wang Daxue on Se [...] | 2007-09-20 10:12:00 | Embassy Beijing | SECRET | PARM MTCRE PREL ETTC CH KS SY |
07BEIJING6974 | A/S SILVERBERG MEETING WITH MFA IO DG WU HAILONG [...] (C) In an October 31 meeting, A/S Silverberg disagreed with her MFA counterpart's positive assessment of the situation in Burma; when MFA International Organizations Director General Wu Hailong called for the international community's patience, A/S Silverberg laid out specific steps the Burmes [...] | 2007-11-05 09:31:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM PREF SY LE BM YI IR IZ KN |
07BEIRUT1 | SAUDI AMBASSADOR ON HIZBALLAH VISIT, BERRI [...] (S) Saudi Ambassador Abdulaziz Khoja, meeting with Ambassador Feltman on 12/30, said that Hizballah members Na'im Qassim and Mohammed Fneish would not have been reassured by their 12/27 audience with King Abdullah. Abdullah rebuffed their attempts to encourage a Saudi-Syrian dialogue, insist [...] | 2007-01-03 06:57:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PTER LE SY SA |
07BEIRUT1000 | LEBANON: BERRI ADMITS SCUTTLING THE ARAB LEAGUE [...] (C) In a 7/5 meeting, Speaker Berri gave his version of the demise of the Arab league initiative that collapsed in late June. While he tried to lay the blame on March 14th, it was clear that Berri had received instructions from Damascus to focus strictly on the "national unity government" -- [...] | 2007-07-06 07:38:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER SY LE |
07BEIRUT1005 | LEBANON: RIZK ON SPECIAL TRIBUNAL "HOMEWORK," [...] (S) Minister of Justice Charles Rizk told the Ambassador in a 7/5 meeting that he and PM Siniora had agreed that, at the beginning of next week, Siniora will send to the UN the candidates for judges and deputy prosecutor for the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. Rizk would like us to whisper qui [...] | 2007-07-06 13:20:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PTER KCRM LE SY |
07BEIRUT1018 | LEBANON: BERRI OFFERS GUARANTEE NOT TO TOPPLE [...] (C) According to a new proposal presented by a close aide of Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, the opposition finally will provide March 14 with the long sought-after guarantee not to resign from a national unity government. In return, the opposition wants its say in who will be Lebanon's next [...] | 2007-07-09 15:40:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER SY LE |
07BEIRUT102 | LEBANON: SECTION 1206 PROPOSAL FINAL COORDINATION [...] (C) Embassy Beirut has completed a coordinated review of its Fiscal Year 2007 Section 1206 funding request for military assistance to the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF). All elements of the Embassy support this funding request. 2. (C) The Section 1206 request for Lebanon reflects a carefu [...] | 2007-01-19 11:18:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | MASS PARM PGOV PREL PTER SY LE IS |
07BEIRUT1047 | LEBANON: LOW EXPECTATIONS FOR PARIS CONFERENCE [...] (C) Lebanese political representatives have low expectations for the July 14-17 conference in St. Cloud, outside Paris, though many tell us they note a change in tone and rhetoric from some of Lebanon's more militant parties, such as Hizballah. The French also harbor no illusions about the co [...] | 2007-07-13 14:56:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1056 | LEBANON: NAHR AL-BARID: BIG STEP FOR LEBANESE [...] (C) As the Lebanese Armed Forces' eight week old confrontation with Fatah al-Islam nears its end, one thing is certain: after years of Syrian domination and internal passivity, the LAF has surprised most observers by showing that it can stand on its own two feet. Despite suffering what for L [...] | 2007-07-16 15:12:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT107 | LEBANON: GERMAN ACTIVITIES TO SUPPORT LEBANESE [...] (C) The German Embassy DCM has provided us with an overview of German support for enhancing Lebanese government control over points of entry by air, sea, and land. She described activities launched after the adoption of UNSCR 1701 in August 2006, and which include customs assistance at Beir [...] | 2007-01-19 17:12:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | MOPS PTER LE GM SY |
07BEIRUT1074 | LEBANON: PM SINIORA LAMENTS BETRAYAL OF MARONITE [...] (C) A visibly upset PM Siniora told the Ambassador July 17 he was flabbergasted by what he saw as Maronite Patriarch Sfeir's ongoing attacks against GOL alleged efforts to marginalize Lebanon's Christian population. Stressing the GOL's policy of accommodating Christians was one of "conviction [...] | 2007-07-19 14:55:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT108 | LEBANON: PM SINIORA EXPECTS STRIKE ACTIVITY; [...] (C) Prime Minister Siniora interpreted Friday night's televised interview by Hizballah's Hassan Nasrallah as a clear indication that the anti-government March 8th coalition is not yet ready to negotiate a resolution to the current impasse. Siniora believes the disappointing turnouts of the [...] | 2007-01-22 06:13:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER EAID SY LE IS |
07BEIRUT1082 | FRENCH AMBASSADOR ON LEBANESE DIALOGUE AT LA [...] (C) In a 7/19 meeting with the Ambassador, French Ambassador Bernard Emie noted that France's "extremely modest expectations" for the La Celle-St. Cloud talks "were not exceeded." But, in Emie's calculation, the "chemistry worked," breaking the ice between Lebanese participants who in some [...] | 2007-07-20 15:12:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KDEM PTER LE SY FR |
07BEIRUT1087 | DISMAYED BY THE MARONITE PATRIACH, MARCH 14 [...] (C) Christians supporting the GOL are dismayed by what they see as a drift, if not shift, in the attitude of 87-year-old Maronite Patriarch Sfeir, away from March 14 values toward "neutral" positions that in practice benefit pro-Syrian forces. When the Patriarch came out recently in favor o [...] | 2007-07-23 15:03:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KDEM PGOV LE SY VT |
07BEIRUT1088 | LEBANON: MIXED REACTIONS TO LA CELLE-ST. CLOUD [...] (C) Lebanese participants in the July 14-15 La Celle-St. Cloud talks told Embassy that the talks succeeded in breaking the ice among Lebanon's feuding political parties, who had not sat down together as a group since the spring 2006 national dialogue. Herded together in a two-star, unaircondi [...] | 2007-07-23 15:36:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1090 | HAMADEH ON FRENCH CONSULTATIONS WITH IRAN AND SYRIA [...] (S) Minister of Communications Marwan Hamadeh, just back from an extended stay in France, told the Ambassador in a 7/23 coffee that he was "unsettled" by a meeting he had last week with French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, whom Hamadeh describes as a "friend of 30 years." Before talking [...] | 2007-07-24 05:24:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PGOV PTER LE SY IR |
07BEIRUT1094 | COUSSERON ON LEBANON DIALOGUE INITIATIVE, REGIONAL [...] (C) Meeting with the Ambassador on 7/24, French Special Envoy Jean-Claude Cousseran discussed follow-on to the dialogue in La Celle-St. Cloud and his regional visits. He said that, although he heard "nothing new" after a day in Beirut, he favored trying to keep a French-sponsored process al [...] | 2007-07-24 15:55:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KDEM PTER LE SY FR |
07BEIRUT1095 | LEBANON: HARIRI WARNS OF LONG-TERM IRANIAN [...] (C) March 14 and Sunni leader Saad Hariri, back from an extended stay abroad, expressed his concerns about the new French government's Lebanon policy, Iran's long-term intentions in Lebanon (with General Michel Aoun's active participation),and the need for a tougher US policy on Syria. Hari [...] | 2007-07-24 16:04:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT110 | SCENESETTER FOR PARIS III [...] (S) On the surface (and this is what we recommend emphasizing in our public messages),the January 25 Paris III conference is about Lebanon's proposed reform program and the financial assistance Lebanon needs to get through 2007 and move toward more sustainable debt levels. Lebanese from ac [...] | 2007-01-22 10:51:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | EFIN PREL EAID PGOV KDEM PTER LE SY |
07BEIRUT1100 | DESPITE MARCH 14 CONCESSIONS, HIZBALLAH REFUSES TO [...] (C) Despite what sound to be far-reaching concessions on the part of March 14 and GOL leaders, Hizballah rejected French Special Envoy Jean-Claude Cousseran's pitch to focus feuding Lebanese politicians on a package of initiatives. Hizballah also rejected renewal of the high-level National D [...] | 2007-07-25 07:11:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KDEM PTER SY LE |
07BEIRUT1122 | LEBANON: CHRISTIAN LEADERS VIEWS LAF COMMANDER [...] (C) National Liberal Party leader Dory Chamoun sees a two-year presidency under Lebanese Armed Forces Commander General Michel Sleiman as the only realistic option for resolving Lebanon's political crisis, and believes establishing the Special Tribunal before voting day will have a significan [...] | 2007-07-26 14:54:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1123 | LEBANON'S ACTING FOREIGN MINISTER ON VATICAN TRIP [...] (C) Meeting with the Ambassador on 7/25, Acting Foreign Minister Tariq Mitri, just back from Rome, said that he found Vatican officials generally willing to push Christian MPs to participate in the Parliament session to elect Lebanon's next president. But while on board philosophically, the [...] | 2007-07-26 16:14:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KDEM LE SY VT |
07BEIRUT1132 | LEBANON: BEIRUT ARCHBISHOP'S ASSESSMENT OF [...] (C) Summary: In a meeting with the Ambassador and Special Assistant on July 27, Archbishop Boulos Matar, the Maronite archbishop of Beirut, shared his evaluation of the upcoming parliamentary by-elections in the predominantly Christian Metn district. Matar believes General Aoun's candidate wi [...] | 2007-07-27 15:08:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1135 | LEBANON: PARLIAMENTARY BY-ELECTIONS: HARBINGER OF [...] (C) Lebanon's upcoming parliamentary by-elections are a critical precursor to the upcoming battle over the presidency. Not only do they represent an opportunity to boost March 14's dwindling (whether due to political assassinations or other intimidation) numbers, but the Metn race may well ma [...] | 2007-07-27 16:26:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1138 | DISGRUNTLED SWISS ENVOY TRASHES FRENCH DIALOGUE [...] (C) In a 7/26 meeting with the Ambassador, Swiss envoy Didier Pfirter projected both sour grapes and some reasonable-sounding analysis in trashing the French dialogue initiative. While smarting from being upstaged by the French diplomacy (with French envoy Jean-Claude Cousseran refusing to [...] | 2007-07-29 08:41:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KDEM LE SY |
07BEIRUT1139 | LAF COMMANDER SLEIMAN ON THE PRESIDENCY [...] (C) In a 7/27 meeting with the Ambassador and DATT that concentrated mostly on the fighting in Nahr al-Barid (septel),Lebanese Armed Forces Commander Michel Sleiman also spoke briefly of Lebanon's upcoming presidential elections. The Ambassador raised concerns that remarks attributed to Sle [...] | 2007-07-30 04:07:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PARM KDEM LE SY |
07BEIRUT1144 | MARCH 14 CONCENTRATES ON NASSIB LAHOUD AND BOUTROS [...] (C) While presidential politics are in suspended animation pending the outcome of the Metn elections on August 5, three options look increasingly likely as the 11/24 end of President Emile Lahoud's extended term approaches: 1) Parliament fails to achieve a two-thirds quorum, leaving either [...] | 2007-07-30 05:16:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KDEM PGOV LE SY |
07BEIRUT1145 | KOUCHNER'S TRIP: LITTLE TO SHOW, BUT KOUCHNER TO [...] (C) Although MP Boutros Harb perhaps best summed up current French diplomacy as "wishful thinking politics," French Ambassador Bernard Emie provided the Ambassador a relatively upbeat description of Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner's July 27-29 Lebanon visit. Emie said that getting togethe [...] | 2007-07-30 06:47:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KDEM LE SY FR |
07BEIRUT1149 | LEBANON: FORMER PM MIKATI'S POLITICAL ASSESSMENT [...] (S) Summary: On July 30, the Ambassador and Special Assistant met with former Prime Minister Najib Mikati to discuss upcoming parliamentary by elections and the prospects of various presidential candidates. Mikati, who has traditionally been linked to President al-Assad of Syria, made commen [...] | 2007-07-30 14:52:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PGOV PREL PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1153 | BERRI READY TO START DEALING ON PRESIDENCY [...] (C) Yanking the Ambassador into a private room on the margins of a larger 7/30 meeting (septel),Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, his voice lowered to a whisper, urged that the USG help to select acceptable candidates for Lebanon's presidential elections. On/about August 20, Berri will start [...] | 2007-07-31 09:54:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KDEM LE SY |
07BEIRUT1163 | SURPRISING MESSAGE FROM THE PRO-SYRIAN CAMP: [...] (C) In a 8/1 meeting with the Ambassador, former Minister Wadih al-Khazen -- close to both Lebanese President Emile Lahoud and Maronite Patriarch Sfeir -- insisted that Emile Lahoud will leave the presidency on schedule on November 24. Khazen also made a surprising proposition: if the USG [...] | 2007-08-02 11:24:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KDEM PGOV LE SY |
07BEIRUT1165 | LEBANON: RELIEF FOLLOWED BY DISMAY OVER MORATINOS' [...] (C) During a meeting with the Ambassador on 7/31, PM Siniora expressed relief that, in his view, Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos, who had visited Lebanon earlier in the week, was finally waking up to the mischief and havoc Syria was foisting onto Lebanon. He expressed satisf [...] | 2007-08-02 12:11:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KDEM LE SY SP |
07BEIRUT1175 | OUTGOING FRENCH AMBASSADOR ON LEBANON DEVELOPMENTS [...] (S) Outgoing French Ambassador Bernard Emie, meeting with Ambassador Feltman on 8/4, insisted that his 60-minute farewell call on President Emile Lahoud was done for protocol purposes only. Lahoud took the occasion to praise what he claimed was a return to French even-handedness and hinted [...] | 2007-08-06 05:21:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PGOV KDEM LE SY FR |
07BEIRUT118 | LEBANON: BERRI BACKS AWAY FROM RESPONSIBILITY; [...] (C) In a 1/22 meeting, Speaker Nabih Berri confirmed estimates heard in other quarters that Hassan Nasrallah and Michel Aoun are out to prove a point in the 1/23 demonstrations and intend to use every means available to portray the general strike as effective and broadly supported. Declarin [...] | 2007-01-23 06:56:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | IS LE PGOV PREL PTER SY |
07BEIRUT1186 | LEBANON'S METN BY-ELECTIONS: DID EVERYONE LOSE [...] (C) While the pro-independence March 14 majority and the Hizballah-Aoun opposition each picked up one seat in the parliamentary by-elections held 8/5 (reftel),the Hizballah-Aoun forces claim the bigger victory: before the two assassinations (of Pierre Gemayel and Walid Eido) that created t [...] | 2007-08-06 16:43:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KDEM PGOV LE SY |
07BEIRUT1199 | LEBANON: CODEL SHAYS MEETS ACTING FM - OR DID THEY? [...] (C) Summary: During CODEL Shays's brief meeting with Acting Foreign Minister Tareq Mitri, the group discussed the August 6 re-appearance of Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh in his official office and his decision to resume "management" of foreign relations for the first time since submitting hi [...] | 2007-08-08 05:24:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1209 | IRAN AND AOUN: THINKING ALIKE, ACCORDING TO [...] (S) Minister of Justice Charles Rizk, his presidential aspirant's heart beating faster than ever, told the Ambassador over an 8/8 lunch that he was delighted to receive Iranian Ambassador Mohammed Rida Chibani two days earlier. Chibani, who boycotts the Siniora cabinet in solidarity with Hiz [...] | 2007-08-09 07:46:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PGOV KDEM PTER LE SY IR |
07BEIRUT121 | LEBANON: MARONITE PATRIARCH SEES CHRISTIANS [...] (C) Ambassador Feltman and econoff met January 23 with Maronite Patriarch Sfeir, who expressed his concern that Lebanese Christians are fighting each other and did not appear engaged in trying to de-escalate the nationwide strike. The Patriarch agreed with the Ambassador's assessment that ex [...] | 2007-01-23 17:11:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KCRM PTER SY LE |
07BEIRUT1218 | AOUNIST MP STRUGGLING TO PULL HIS BOSS BACK FROM [...] (C) On 8/8, Aoun bloc MP Ibrahim Kanaan pleaded with the Ambassador for the USG to lighten up on Michel Aoun and also to help forge a genuine partnership between Aoun and the Hariri bloc. Aoun, who should be the best friend of America and the leader who can save Lebanon, risks being exploite [...] | 2007-08-09 14:17:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KDEM PGOV LE SY |
07BEIRUT122 | LEBANON: FORMER PRESIDENT GEMAYEL RECEIVES [...] (S/NF) On January 23, former President Amine Gemayel, father of slain Minister of Industry Pierre Gemayel, informed the Ambassador that the Iranian Embassy in Beirut contacted him last week to invite him to Tehran, with the hint that Iran would support him as president in order to resolve Le [...] | 2007-01-23 18:07:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET//NOFORN | PGOV PREL PTER LE SY IS |
07BEIRUT1220 | LEBANON: BRIEFING PM AND DEFMIN ON USG BILATERAL [...] (C) Ambassador and EmbOffs gave a comprehensive briefing of USG bilateral military assistance for Lebanon to PM Siniora and DPM and Defense Minister Murr. This briefing highlighted the dramatic growth of grant assistance from FY 05 to FY 07 in response to Lebanon's recent emergency requests. [...] | 2007-08-09 14:46:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL MASS MCAP SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1221 | LEBANON: PM SINIORA COMMENTS ON EU BORDER [...] (C) On the margins of a briefing on USG bilateral military aid (reftel),Prime Minister Siniora shared his concern that EU initiatives to protect the border with Syria could produce more harm than good. He is concerned that the Syrians will get credit for participating in an international i [...] | 2007-08-10 05:38:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1222 | LEBANON: CONGRESSMAN SHAYS HEARS VIEWS ON THE [...] (SBU) Congressman Christopher Shays (R-CT) made his third visit to Beirut August 6-7, where he held meetings with PM Siniora, Acting FM Tarek Mitri (septels) and political figures Minister Mohamed Safadi, Druze leader Walid Jumblatt, and March 14 MP Robert Ghannem. The visit occurred in the [...] | 2007-08-10 05:38:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | IS LE PGOV PREL PTER SY |
07BEIRUT1249 | MARONITE PATRIARCH FOR COMPROMISE PRESIDENT; [...] (S) In a 8/14 meeting with the Ambassador focused on Lebanon's upcoming presidential elections, Maronite Patriarch Sfeir said that he opposes amending Lebanon's constitution -- a position that, if heeded by the MPs, would rule out LAF Commander Michel Sleiman's front-running presidential bid. [...] | 2007-08-15 14:36:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL KDEM PGOV LE SY |
07BEIRUT1250 | BERRI ON PRESIDENCY, NATIONAL UNITY GOVERNMENT, [...] (S) In a 8/15 meeting with the Ambassador, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, quoting diplomatic traffic from the Lebanese Embassy in Washington, lashed out against the USG for opposing amendments to Lebanon's constitution. If for example the Lebanese want LAF Commander Sleiman as their next p [...] | 2007-08-15 15:58:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL KDEM PGOV LE SY IR |
07BEIRUT1252 | LEBANON'S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS: BUILDING [...] (C) A clear pattern exists in Lebanon of Syria's allies trying to prevent free and fair elections. In summer 2004, efforts by the Lebanese and the international community failed to prevent the Syrian-directed, three-year term extension of Lebanon's president, Emile Lahoud. Lahoud's shamele [...] | 2007-08-16 13:42:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PGOV KDEM PTER LE SY IR FR |
07BEIRUT1253 | LEBANON: ARMY COMMANDER APOLOGIZES FOR INOPPORTUNE [...] (C) Lebanese Armed Forces Commander General Michel Sleiman denied that his recent marks were an accusation against the US of providing insufficient military assistance, reaffirming instead Lebanon's deep appreciation for the USG's essential role in helping the army battle Fatah al-Islam extremi [...] | 2007-08-16 13:51:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1254 | LEBANON'S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS: BUILDING [...] (C) A clear pattern exists in Lebanon of Syria's allies trying to prevent free and fair elections. In summer 2004, efforts by the Lebanese and the international community failed to prevent the Syrian-directed, three-year term extension of Lebanon's president, Emile Lahoud. Lahoud's shamele [...] | 2007-08-16 14:44:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PGOV KDEM PTER LE SY IR FR |
07BEIRUT1255 | LEBANON: SCENESETTER FOR VISIT OF ADMIRAL FALLON [...] (C) Admiral Fallon: as the first CENTCOM Commander to visit Lebanon, your visit provides us an excellent opportunity to reinforce the message of strong U.S. support for Lebanon. Your visit comes during a critical period leading up to presidential elections this autumn, when the Lebanese are [...] | 2007-08-16 15:40:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL MASS MCAP SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT126 | MURR CLAIMS LAF COMMANDER'S COWARDICE WORKED TO [...] (S) In a meeting with the Ambassador on 1/24, Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Elias Murr acknowledged that Saudi-Iranian ties and a generalized fear of sustained violence helped persuade the March 8-Aounist opposition to suspend its road-blocking demonstrations after only one day. [...] | 2007-01-24 17:10:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PGOV KDEM PARM LE SY |
07BEIRUT1272 | LEBANON: MOVING TOWARDS THE LAUNCH OF THE GERMAN [...] (C) The German Border Security Pilot Program (BSPP) has made some strides and will "technically" be able to launch as scheduled on September 1. However, most of the equipment and capabilities will not be functional until approximately October 15. There are still unmet equipment needs and Ger [...] | 2007-08-21 14:45:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL MASS MCAP SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1320 | LEBANON: PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION HEADED FOR A [...] (C) With less than one month to go before the beginning of the two-month presidential election period, the gulf between the majority March 14 and opposition March 8 appears to be widening. The battle currently is being fought in the Christian arena, split into two opposing camps: one, represe [...] | 2007-08-28 12:34:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT133 | SAUDI AMBASSADOR DOWNBEAT ON IRAN-SAUDI TALKS ON [...] (S) While acknowledging that he did not yet have a full read-out of Saudi-Iranian contacts, Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Abdulaziz Khoja told Ambassador Feltman in a 1/25 meeting that he was "very pessimistic" about developments in Lebanon. He noted that he was leaving an hour later to fly t [...] | 2007-01-25 15:19:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PGOV PTER KDEM LE SY IR SA |
07BEIRUT1332 | LAF COMMANDER WON'T BE PRESIDENT, SAY MURR AND [...] (C) In separate 8/28 meetings with the Ambassador, Deputy Prime Minister Elias Murr and March 14 presidential candidate Nassib Lahoud offered -- despite their deep political and personal differences -- surprisingly similar advice: the USG should not oppose the presidential ambitions of LAF [...] | 2007-08-30 15:05:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KDEM LE SY |
07BEIRUT1333 | LEBANON: ACTING FM ON VATICAN RELATIONS AND THE [...] (C) On August 30, Culture and Acting Foreign Minister Tariq Mitri told the Ambassador that Vatican officials were pleased to have recently spoken with the Secretary about the upcoming elections in Lebanon. The Vatican finds itself in agreement with the U.S. on the need for Lebanon to elect a [...] | 2007-08-30 15:34:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KDEM LE SY VT |
07BEIRUT1334 | LEBANON: BERRI: FUTURE OF LEBANON DEPENDS ON [...] (C) Speaker Berri continues to insist on a two-thirds parliamentary quorum to hold a vote on the presidency, though he acknowledged that the constitution permits the vote to take place during the last ten days prior to the expiration of the current president's mandate with only a simple majori [...] | 2007-08-30 15:58:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1335 | LEBANON: CENTCOM COMMANDER VISITS WITH LEBANESE [...] (S) Admiral William J. Fallon, Commander United States Central Command met with Lebanese Armed Forces Commander Lieutenant General Michel Sleiman and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Elias Murr on 8/29 in Beirut, Lebanon at the Ministry of Defense. During these introductory meet [...] | 2007-08-31 04:05:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1336 | LEBANON: CENTCOM COMMANDER VISITS WITH PRIME [...] (S) Admiral William J. Fallon, Commander United States Central Command met with Lebanese Prime Minister Siniora on 8/29 in Beirut, Lebanon. During this introductory meeting, ADM Fallon and PM Siniora discussed recent fighting against terrorists in the Nahr Al Bared refugee camp, Palestinian i [...] | 2007-08-31 04:05:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1342 | LEBANON: GEAGEA CHARTS MARCH 14 ELECTION COURSE, [...] (C) A thoughtful and deliberate Lebanese Forces (LF) leader Samir Geagea outlined March 14's presidential election strategy and the opposition's efforts to scuttle or otherwise disrupt the election. Geagea stressed that the U.S. could best serve itself and Lebanon in the period before the el [...] | 2007-08-31 15:30:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KDEM LE SY |
07BEIRUT1343 | LEBANON: MARCH 14 PLANS FOR COUNTERING BERRI'S [...] (C) During a productive Saturday at the Serail, the Ambassador met on 9/1 with the Prime Minister, Minister of Telecommunications Marwan Hamadeh, and Minister of Social Affairs Nayla Mouawad. The March 14 members were all discussing Speaker Berri's proposal announced to great fanfare the prev [...] | 2007-09-02 05:21:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KDEM LE SY |
07BEIRUT1346 | WITH NAHR AL-BARID IN LAF HANDS, DEFMIN MURR [...] (S) On 9/3, Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Elias Murr called the Ambassador to report that the wife of Fatah al-Islam (FAI) leader Shakr al-Absi had positively identified the body of her husband, apparently killed on the last day of fighting on 9/2 in the Nahr al-Barid camp. Whil [...] | 2007-09-03 09:19:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PGOV PTER PARM LE SY QA |
07BEIRUT1360 | LEBANON: ITALIAN AMBASSADOR URGES URGENT US [...] (C) Italian Ambassador to Lebanon Gabriele Checchia, accompanied by Second Secretary Carlo Jacobucci, met with the Ambassador September 5 to provide a readout of EU High Representative Javier Solana's September 6 visit to Beirut (Italy was acting on behalf of the EU presidency in the absence o [...] | 2007-09-05 15:07:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1366 | LEBANON: VATICAN SENDING RIGHT MESSAGE, BUT IS [...] (C) Vatican officials will send visiting Lebanese Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir all the right messages concerning Lebanon's sovereignty and the upcoming presidential election, according to a March 14 contact who just returned from his own trip to the Holy See. It remains to be seen, however, whet [...] | 2007-09-06 15:05:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1377 | LAHOUD'S LEGAL ADVISOR: MILITARY "SOLUTION" IF NO [...] (C) In a 9/7 meeting with the Ambassador, Selim Jeressaiti, Lebanese President Emile Lahoud's legal advisor, stated that Lahoud's thinking regarding the presidential transition has evolved. Even if there is no consensus presidential successor, Lahoud will leave Baabda Palace at the end of h [...] | 2007-09-10 05:42:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KDEM LE SY |
07BEIRUT1379 | LEBANESE ANALYZE SAAD HARIRI'S INTENTIONS [...] (S) In a one-on-one conversation on the margins of a larger session (reftel),former Prime Minister Najib Mikati told the Ambassador that, in two recent meetings, MP Saad Hariri complained that USG backing of Fouad Siniora was coming at Saad's expense. Hariri and his stepmother Nazek were t [...] | 2007-09-10 05:53:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PGOV KDEM PTER LE SY |
07BEIRUT1383 | LEBANON: FRENCH POSITION IS WORRYING [...] (S) The analysis in Embassy Paris' excellent reporting (reftel being the most recent) on what appears to be a dismaying shift in France's Lebanon policy corresponds with the Lebanese impression of French views. (As we will report separately, the Egyptians may also be moving in this directio [...] | 2007-09-10 15:57:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PGOV LE FR SY IR |
07BEIRUT1407 | JUMBLATT WORRIED SAAD HARIRI IS DRIFTING TO [...] (C) Asking to see the Ambassador urgently on 9/13, Druse leader and MP Walid Jumblatt expressed concern about Saad Hariri's thinking. The March 14 meeting the previous evening was difficult, Jumblatt said, because Hariri, Boutros Harb, and Mohammed Safadi were too ready to give in to Parliam [...] | 2007-09-13 16:15:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KDEM PGOV LE SY SA |
07BEIRUT1408 | LEBANON: SINIORA: ELECTIONS PARAMOUNT, WITHOUT [...] (C) PM Siniora seemed surprisingly optimistic about the prospects for selecting a credible compromise presidential candidate in a September 12 meeting with visiting EEB PDAS Elizabeth Dibble. He reiterated his opposition to amending the constitution and stressed the election must be held wit [...] | 2007-09-13 16:20:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT141 | LEBANON: INTERIOR MINISTER INSISTS AOUN MARCHES [...] (C) On January 25, just as serious unrest at Beirut Arab University was beginning, Minister of Interior Hassan Saba told the Ambassador that the LAF would exercise more decisive control of the situation if further violence occurs. Minister Saba, whose ministry controls the ISF which has been [...] | 2007-01-26 16:29:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER LE SY IS |
07BEIRUT142 | LEBANON: NEW FOREIGN MINISTRY SECRETARY GENERAL [...] (C) In a 1/26 meeting, Ambassador Hicham Dimachkieh, the new Secretary General in the Foreign Ministry, discussed the factors which complicate Lebanon's relationship with its powerful and often obtuse neighbor. Exhibiting the caution of a diplomat who worked for many years in Syrian-dominate [...] | 2007-01-26 18:17:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER LE SY IS |
07BEIRUT1420 | LEBANON: PM WILL RECONSIDER INTERNATIONAL BORDER [...] (S/NF) During a September 15 meeting with the Ambassador, Prime Minister Siniora said that he had not been given a copy of the Spanish proposal for an EU border mission. Worried about Syria's ability to manipulate the negotiations in its own favor, the PM agreed that the GOL should be given an [...] | 2007-09-16 08:14:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PGOV PREL IS LE SY |
07BEIRUT1421 | LEBANON: FRENCH CHARGE BRIEFS ON KOUCHNER VISIT, [...] (S) In a 9/14 meeting with the Ambassador, French Charge d'Affaires Andre Parant was at pains and obviously under instructions to play up the French-U.S. shared vision on Lebanon and to downplay any differences. He said that, while France hopes for a consensus president, France, like the U. [...] | 2007-09-16 08:14:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PGOV KDEM LE SY FR |
07BEIRUT1422 | SAAD HARIRI ON PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS [...] (C) Meeting with the Ambassador on 9/15, MP Saad Hariri portrayed none of the proclivity to compromise on Lebanon's presidency that Walid Jumblatt darkly suspected only a few days earlier (ref a). Calling Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri "a liar," Hariri said that he was prepared to "go all th [...] | 2007-09-16 10:50:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KDEM LE SY |
07BEIRUT1423 | LEBANON: AMAL AND AOUN IN GAME OF BRINKSMANSHIP [...] (C) Both Amal and the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) continue to dig in their heels in their efforts to determine Lebanon's next president. While Amal's strategy focuses on the constitution (which it interprets to require a two-thirds quorum to elect president) to ensure a candidate of its lik [...] | 2007-09-16 11:15:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1424 | LEBANON: CONSIDERING THE SO-CALLED CONSENSUS [...] (S) As we have reported, March 14 leaders say that Nassib Lahoud is their first choice for president, with Boutros Harb the fall-back; March 8 leaders at least tactically suggest Michel Aoun is their only candidate. At the same time there is considerable talk by both sides about finding a c [...] | 2007-09-16 12:37:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PGOV KDEM LE SY |
07BEIRUT1435 | SAMIR GEAGEA ON AOUN'S ARMS, PRESIDENCY [...] (S) In a one-on-one meeting on 9/17, Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea complained to the Ambassador that the LAF is looking the other way as Michel Aoun, Hizballah, Suleiman Franjieh, and other pro-Syrians establish plans for an armed takeover of Lebanon. He claimed credible information ab [...] | 2007-09-18 12:48:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PTER KDEM PGOV LE SY |
07BEIRUT1436 | LEBANON: READY TO MAKE FIRST CONTRIBUTION TO THE [...] (U) This is an action request. Please see paragraph 4. 2. (C) Finance Minister Azour told the Ambassador on September 12 that, in addition to the $5 million the GOL plans to commit later this month to the account for the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, taken from GOL contingency accounts, he [...] | 2007-09-18 15:04:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1439 | UN ENVOY ON HIZBALLAH'S 'OPENNESS' REGARDING [...] (S) UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Geir Pedersen, meeting with the Ambassador on 9/18, claimed to have detected a new openness by Hizballah regarding Lebanon's presidential elections when he met with his "usual contact" (known to be Wafiq Safa, Hizballah's security chief) earlier that day [...] | 2007-09-19 07:12:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PGOV PTER KDEM LE SY |
07BEIRUT144 | LEBANON: INFORMATION MINISTER ON SYRIAN, IRANIAN, [...] (C) In a 1/26 meeting, Minister of Information Ghazi Aridi (Druse, allied with Walid Jumblatt) provided details on Syrian, Iranian, and Saudi diplomacy in recent days. Based on what he claims to know, Aridi was pessimistic that the 1/25 riots marked the end to the violence. Syria, he insis [...] | 2007-01-26 18:26:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PTER KDEM LE SY IR SA |
07BEIRUT1441 | LEBANON: FINNISH DIPLOMAT OFFERS VIEWS ON SYRIAN [...] (C) A visiting Finnish diplomat from Damascus sees Syria as pursuing a policy of "constructive chaos" in Lebanon, and views its motives for supporting an EU-proposed border mission as suspect. He perceives cracks in the Syrian regime that suggest its lifespan is limited, and advocated targeted [...] | 2007-09-19 14:24:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1442 | LEBANON: ANOTHER MP ASSASSINATED, ANOTHER BLOW TO [...] (C) March 14 MP Antoine Ghanem was killed September 19 in what appears to have been a targeted attack in Beirut's eastern suburb. Ghanem, a close ally of Druse leader Walid Jumblatt and Phalange leader Amine Gemayel, was a fervent critic of Syria. Ghanem's assassination comes at an especiall [...] | 2007-09-19 17:51:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT145 | CHATAH GRATEFUL TO USG FOR PARIS III SUCCESS [...] (C) Mohamed Chatah, Senior Advisor to Prime Minister Siniora, gushed exuberantly about U.S. leadership in achieving a successful Paris III conference. He expressed delight as well with the CEO Partnership event, saying that the GOL would now hire someone to serve as permanent liaison with t [...] | 2007-01-29 06:21:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV EFIN EAID LE SY |
07BEIRUT1451 | LEBANON: PATRIARCH URGES CONSENSUS PRESIDENTIAL [...] (C) Patriarch Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir told the Ambassador on 9/20 that he continues to believe in the need for a consensus presidential candidate as the only way to avoid a divided Lebanon. He agrees, however, with the need to stick to the principles outlined in the annual Bishops' statement, [...] | 2007-09-21 12:50:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1454 | LEBANON: PHALANGE LEADER SAYS MARCH 14 WILL FIGHT [...] No summary [...] | 2007-09-21 13:21:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1456 | LEBANON: PHALANGE LEADER SAYS MARCH 14 WILL FIGHT [...] (C) In a September 20 condolence call on Phalange party leader Amine Gemayel following the September 19 assassination of March 14 Phalange MP Antoine Ghanem, the former President said March 14 will continue to fight back politically, despite the "apocalypse of Sin el-Fil". Gemayel stressed the [...] | 2007-09-21 14:04:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1457 | LEBANON: MURR REBUFFS REQUEST THAT LAF ACT [...] (S) In a 9/20 meeting with the Ambassador, Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Murr agreed that March 8 forces and their allies were better armed, equipped, and trained than the March 14 bloc, should street violence break out. He concurred that Marada leader Suleiman Franjieh and, to [...] | 2007-09-23 07:50:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PARM PTER KDEM PGOV LE SY |
07BEIRUT1458 | LEBANON: HARB, MURR ACCUSE ROBERT GHANEM OF BEING [...] (S) As Lebanese muse about possible compromise presidential candidates, the name of West Biqa' MP Robert Ghanem -- an on-again/off-again affiliate (but not founding) member of March 14 -- comes up with increasing frequency. UN envoy Geir Pedersen was encouraged that Hizballah seemed open to [...] | 2007-09-23 07:51:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PGOV KDEM PTER LE SY |
07BEIRUT146 | LEBANON: AOUN ADVISOR ADMITS ERRORS; CLAIMS THE [...] (C) In a January 26 meeting, MP Ibrahim Kanaan, a senior Aounist advisor, admitted to emboff that Michel Aoun's Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) made serious errors of judgment on January 23, the date of a violent general strike in Beirut that resulted in three deaths and numerous casualties. K [...] | 2007-01-29 06:21:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | IS LE PGOV PREL PTER SY |
07BEIRUT1461 | LEBANON: BERRI'S LATEST TWIST: A DISGUISED [...] (C) Following a lengthy discussion between Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri's senior advisor and Pol/Econ Chief, Berri, in the latest twist in the opposition's tireless efforts to gain control of the presidency, is proposing a one-month trial period for his initiative to seek a consensus candida [...] | 2007-09-24 07:12:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1465 | DUELING WITH LEBANON'S ARMY COMMANDER ON SECURITY [...] (S) In a 9/24 meeting with the Ambassador, Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) Commander Michel Sleiman downplayed the risk of street violence. While Christian leaders allied with Hizballah like Suleiman Franjieh and Michel Aoun were actively arming their followers, Samir Geagea's Lebanese Forces r [...] | 2007-09-24 13:29:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PGOV PTER LE SY |
07BEIRUT1469 | LEBANON: IS SLEIMAN THE ACE UP BERRI'S SLEEVE? [...] (C) Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri has again gone on the offensive, this time postponing parliament's presidential election for one month to allow time for March 14 and March 8 to reach a consensus candidate. In a move in which Phalange party leader Amine Gemayel appears to be the unwitting a [...] | 2007-09-25 08:09:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT147 | BERRI OFFERS TO REMOVE TENTS, RESTART DIALOGUE -- [...] (C) Since Friday, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri has sent, successively, his brother Mahmoud, his foreign policy advisor Ali Hamdan, and (resigned) Amal-aligned Minister of Health Mohammed Khalifeh to see the Ambassador. Their message: that the Speaker is ready to use his influence to calm [...] | 2007-01-29 06:38:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PTER KDEM LE SY |
07BEIRUT1483 | LEBANON: BERRI INITIATIVE MOVING AHEAD [...] (C) As he promised he would, Speaker Berri called MPs to parliament on September 25 to begin the process of electing Lebanon's next president. Because only 74 MPs showed up, 12 short of the two-thirds majority needed to elect a president on the first round, the session was adjourned without a [...] | 2007-09-26 13:44:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1485 | LEBANON: FORMER PM MIKATI CLAIMS LAF COMMANDER [...] (S) In a one-on-one meeting with the Ambassador on 9/25, former Prime Minister Najib Mikati -- once and perhaps still close to Syria's Asad family -- stated his belief that LAF Commander General Michel Sleiman remains Syria's top choice for the presidency. Because of Hizballah's need to codd [...] | 2007-09-26 13:54:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PGOV PTER KDEM LE SY |
07BEIRUT1492 | LEBANON: CESAREAN SECTION FOR PRESIDENTIAL [...] (C) A key Phalange party member sees the election of a March 14 candidate as Lebanon's next president as the only way to put a definitive end to Syrian influence, which extends throughout Lebanon's security apparatus. Assassinations of March 14 MPs will continue, he predicted, but the Septembe [...] | 2007-09-27 12:16:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT150 | LIST OF AL-MANAR SHAREHOLDERS: POTENTIAL NAMES FOR DESIGNATION? [...] (U) This is an action request -- please see para 8 below. 2. (S/NF) Embassy Beirut´s consular section has obtained, through the Lebanese commercial registry, the listing of the 38 shareholders of the Lebanese Media Group, aka Lebanese Communication Group, Hizballah´s parent company for Al-M [...] | 2007-01-29 10:59:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET//NOFORN | PINR ETTC PTER LE SY |
07BEIRUT1504 | LEBANON: LAUNCH OF GERMAN BORDER PROJECT [...] (C) Summary: At the weekly donors meeting for the German Northern Border Pilot Program (NBPP) on September 26, Detlef Karioth, Coordinator of the NBPP, announced that the operational launch date had been delayed for another four weeks until November 15. There are a number of reasons for this [...] | 2007-09-28 11:34:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL MASS MCAP SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1511 | LEBANON: TACTICAL FLIRTATION (BUT NO STRATEGIC [...] (C) Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri appears, inadvertently, to be a miraculous match-maker: after years of political warfare, March 14 leaders and Michel Aoun's bloc are now gingerly exchanging tender glances, tentatively discovering beauties in each other that neither perceived before. Mar [...] | 2007-09-28 16:00:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KDEM PTER LE SY |
07BEIRUT1512 | LEBANON: GEAGEA: WHAT IS HARIRI COOKING UP? [...] (C) Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea believes accepting Free Patriotic Movement leader General Michel Aoun's offers of detente is the best way to coopt Aoun's presidential ambitions. He dismissed concerns that March 14's support could boomerang by increasing prospects for Aoun's candidacy, [...] | 2007-09-30 12:07:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1513 | LEBANON: ON EVE OF U.S. TRIP, HARIRI LOOKS AT [...] (C) On 9/28, MP Saad Hariri said he would have four requests for USG officials during his upcoming Washington consultations: first, accelerated support for the Lebanese army and police, including highly visible equipment to put Hizballah off balance; second, immediate embrace of Lebanon's n [...] | 2007-09-30 12:07:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KDEM PTER LE SY |
07BEIRUT1514 | LEBANON: MARONITE BISHOPS CALL FOR SOVEREIGN, [...] (C) In what many view as their clearest and most political statement ever, Lebanon's Maronite bishops issued their eighth annual "call" on September 19, a beacon of light on a day of tragic juxtaposition; just hours later a massive car bomb killed March 14 MP Antoine Ghanem, bringing to six the [...] | 2007-09-30 12:07:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1534 | LEBANON: A KINDER, GENTLER AOUN DISTANCES HIMSELF [...] (C) In a surprise change of heart, General Michel Aoun told the Ambassador he would not support a second government and hinted at a willingness to dissolve his 2006 MOU with Hizballah if he receives a better offer. Aoun, who has been reaching out to March 14 leaders in the past ten days, appe [...] | 2007-10-02 16:38:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1535 | LEBANON: WORRIES ABOUT RED LINES ON UNSCR 1559 [...] (S) Four well-informed Embassy contacts -- Walid Jumblatt, Nassib Lahoud, Boutros Harb, and journalist Sarkis Naom -- all argued in separate meetings with the Ambassador that pro-Syrian forces in Lebanon are using upcoming presidential elections to bury UNSCR 1559. They (and we) see this as [...] | 2007-10-02 16:43:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PGOV PTER LE SY IR |
07BEIRUT1540 | LEBANON: ACTING FM MITRI BELIEVES UNSCR 1559 [...] (C) Acting Foreign Minister Tariq Mitri does not believe the election of a new Lebanese president would necessarily fulfill the requirements of UNSCR 1559, as Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri is now claiming so as to be able to assert that 1559 will no longer be needed after elections. On the [...] | 2007-10-03 08:03:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY LE |
07BEIRUT1547 | LEBANON: MURR BACKS GHANEM AS PRESIDENT, URGES [...] (S) In a one-on-one meeting with the Ambassador on 10/3, Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Elias Murr urged that the USG, in meetings with MP Saad Hariri in Washington, encourage a consensus president. The costs of a March 14-elected president are too high for Lebanon to bear, Murr [...] | 2007-10-04 08:16:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PGOV KDEM LE SY |
07BEIRUT1554 | LEBANON: PATRIARCH SFEIR ON PRESIDENTIAL NAMES [...] (S) In a brief one-on-one conversation with the Ambassador about upcoming presidential elections, Maronite Patriarch Sfeir ventured into the "name game." Nassib Lahoud is the best candidate, and Boutros Harb is "very good." But, as March 8 will not accept them, they, like Michel Aoun (unac [...] | 2007-10-04 15:11:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL KDEM PGOV LE SY |
07BEIRUT156 | LEBANON: PM SINIORA DOESN'T SEE A NEAR TERM [...] (C) While warmly praising the U.S. and international support for Lebanon expressed at Paris III, Prime Minister Siniora was less hopeful regarding a near-term solution to his country's current political crisis. Siniora said that upon his return, he had reached out to Amal leader Nabih Berri [...] | 2007-01-30 07:38:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | IS LE PGOV PREL PTER SY |
07BEIRUT1565 | LEBANON: DELAYS WITH GERMAN BORDER PILOT ENHANCE [...] (C) Summary: At the October 4 weekly meeting for the German Northern Border Pilot Program (NBPP),donors listened to the long list of continuing delays affecting the launch date of the NBPP. During the meeting the proposed ESDP mission to the eastern border was raised, but the EU representati [...] | 2007-10-05 15:42:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL MASS MCAP SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1584 | LEBANON: PM SINIORA SUPPORTS CONINUED NEGOTIATIONS [...] (C) During an October 10 meeting with the Ambassador, Prime Minister Siniora expressed his desire to continue discussions on the EU proposal for enhanced security on the eastern border with Syria. During Siniora's recent visits to regional capitals, he found, to his surprise, that the Emir of [...] | 2007-10-11 06:46:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL MASS MCAP SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1599 | SCENESETTER FOR VISIT OF U/S DEFENSE EDELMAN [...] (C) Under Secretary Edelman: Welcome back to Lebanon. Your trip provides an excellent opportunity to reinforce the message of strong U.S. government support for Lebanon. You come during a critical period of the presidential election season. Parliament elects the president and is supposed to [...] | 2007-10-11 15:21:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PGOV PREL MASS MCAP SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1600 | LEBANON: PM SINIORA COMMENTS ON THE ELECTIONS, [...] (C) During a October 10 meeting with the Ambassador, Prime Minister Siniora expressed his dismay at some March 14 allies' willingness to give in so quickly to demands from the March 8 opposition that a consensus candidate for president be chosen. Siniora also stated his firm objection to a co [...] | 2007-10-12 07:10:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON IS LE PGOV PREL SY |
07BEIRUT1603 | LEBANON: PRO-SYRIANS SEE ADVANTAGES TO [...] (S) Selim Jeressaiti, Lebanese President Emile Lahoud's legal advisor, reported that LAF Commander Michel Sleiman remains the presidential candidate of choice for Hizballah and Syria. While expressing his own hope that a genuine consensus candidate would emerge instead, Jeressaiti argued th [...] | 2007-10-12 13:06:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PGOV KDEM PTER LE SY |
07BEIRUT1616 | LEBANON: DEFENSE MINISTER ADVOCATES "HALF PLUS [...] No summary [...] | 2007-10-16 15:55:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1617 | LEBANON: DEFENSE MINISTER ADVOCATES "HALF PLUS [...] (C) DPM Elias Murr agreed that a status quo scenario, i.e., a continuation of President Lahoud's and PM Siniora's mandates, was the opposition's current strategy on the presidential election. The best way to avoid this scenario, he argued, was a "half plus plus" candidate -- one who might not [...] | 2007-10-17 06:10:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET//NOFORN | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1625 | LEBANON: SINIORA TO USDP EDELMAN: ARMY IS KEY TO [...] (C) In an October 16 meeting with visiting Under Secretary of Defense for Policy (USDP) Eric S. Edelman and Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (DASD) Mark T. Kimmitt, PM Siniora stressed the need to strengthen the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) as the best way to empower the Lebanese state and [...] | 2007-10-18 07:40:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET//NOFORN | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS IR IZ LE |
07BEIRUT1626 | LEBANON: SLEIMAN DISAPPOINTS IN MEETING WITH USDP [...] (C) In an October 16 meeting with visiting Under Secretary of Defense for Policy (USDP) Eric S. Edelman and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Defense (DASD) Mark T. Kimmitt, a defensive Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) Commander Sleiman bristled at USG offers to participate in after action reviews wit [...] | 2007-10-18 07:40:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1633 | LEBANON: ON BORDER PROJECT, GERMANS LOOKING AHEAD [...] (C) A businessman whose firm is the logistical consultant for the German Northern Border Pilot Project (NBPP) told Poloff in an October 17 meeting that the NBPP continued to face serious delays and would not be fully operational by mid-February, rather than the target December 1 final deadline [...] | 2007-10-18 14:52:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PG PGOV PREL SY |
07BEIRUT1641 | LEBANON: LAF COMMANDER SLEIMAN POSTURES AS [...] (S) Over an extended one-on-one dinner with the Ambassador on 10/18, Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) Commander Michel Sleiman (whose dinner invitation, we believe, stemmed from recognition of the abysmal impression he made on Under Secretary of Defense Edelman two days earlier, reftel) SIPDIS [...] | 2007-10-22 04:48:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL KDEM PARM LE SY |
07BEIRUT1642 | LEBANON: INCREASINGLY HOSTILE RHETORIC WORRIES [...] (S) Some Lebanese contacts -- including relatively neutral figures like LAF Commander Michel Sleiman -- have connected a number of recent statements by Syrian and pro-Syrian figures to arrive at alarming conclusions. Believing that Lebanon is entering a particularly dangerous period, they wo [...] | 2007-10-22 04:48:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PGOV PTER KDEM LE SY IR |
07BEIRUT1647 | LEBANON: SCENARIOS FOR PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION [...] No summary [...] | 2007-10-22 12:52:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1648 | LEBANON: OPPOSING THE "STATUS QUO" DELAY OF [...] No summary [...] | 2007-10-22 13:12:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PGOV KDEM PTER LE SY |
07BEIRUT1650 | LEBANON: SCENARIOS FOR PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION [...] (C) With one month remaining before the end of President Lahoud's mandate on November 23, the opposing parties are no closer to reaching consensus on his successor or on the correct procedure for choosing one. Speaker Berri has again postponed the parliamentary voting session, this time until [...] | 2007-10-22 14:32:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1652 | LEBANON: OPPOSING THE "STATUS QUO" DELAY OF [...] (C) Reftel discusses possible scenarios for Lebanon's upcoming presidential elections. But increasing evidence suggests that -- if the pro-Syrians can't impose their own candidate through pressure for "consensus" -- the "second government" option is no longer the pro-Syrians' weapon of choic [...] | 2007-10-22 14:37:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KDEM PTER LE SY |
07BEIRUT1659 | LEBANON: A QUICK GUIDE TO THE PRESIDENTIAL [...] (SBU) The list of candidates to be Lebanon's president, by tradition a Maronite Christian, is growing longer as the end of current President Emile Lahoud's term on November 23 grows nearer. With its October 23 session now cancelled, parliament is scheduled to convene on November 12 in a second [...] | 2007-10-23 14:14:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1660 | LEBANON: MINDEF MURR OUTLINES STRATEGIC VISION FOR [...] (C) In an October 16 meeting with visiting Under Secretary of Defense for Policy (USDP) Edelman and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Defense (DASD) Kimmitt, a confident MinDef Murr SIPDIS outlined his views on Nahr al-Barid, border security operations, and his strategic vision for transformati [...] | 2007-10-23 14:24:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1661 | LEBANON: HARIRI RETURNS TO LEBANON, PURPORTS TO [...] (C) An alarmist Saad Hariri accused the U.S. of not doing enough to prevent Syrian interference in Lebanon, claiming the Europeans and Saudis are willing to follow a more aggressive U.S. lead. Now is the time to exert the utmost pressure to get Emile Lahoud out, Hariri argued, and March 14 ne [...] | 2007-10-23 15:02:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1665 | LEBANON: MARCH 14 PLEASED WITH EUROPEAN VISIT, [...] (C) Telecom Minister Marwan Hamadeh described the October 20 Lebanese political leaders' meeting with visiting French, Italian and Spanish foreign ministers as positive, especially on UNIFIL, and denied reports the Europeans are pushing Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) Commander Michel Sleiman as a [...] | 2007-10-24 13:51:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1670 | LEBANON: NEW CAMOUFLAGE FOR SLEIMAN [...] (C) Amal (and by extension, Syria) continues to appear to be seeking a presidential nomination for Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) Commander Michel Sleiman. Amal claims not to be pushing its own candidate, insisting the ball is now in the hands of the Christian leaders and the Patriarch. Once th [...] | 2007-10-26 08:14:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1677 | LEBANON: UPDATED DEMOCRATIC REFORM STATEGY [...] (C) Lebanon's democratic traditions go back at least to its initial elections, first held during the Ottoman rule Empire in 1854. The landmarks in Lebanon's democratic history are the 1924 Constitution, the National Pact of 1940, and the 1989 Ta,if Accord. Throughout Lebanon,s history democr [...] | 2007-10-26 13:36:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL MASS MCAP SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1678 | LEBANON: AOUN, CLAIMING THE ABILITY TO BOSS [...] (C) If Michel Aoun is thinking of realistic fall-back options to his presidential options as some of his advisors insist, he draws a line at discussing them. Yet his unusually passionless presentation differed from his sharp words, making us wonder -- especially when he threatened (or, some [...] | 2007-10-26 14:05:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KDEM PTER LE SY |
07BEIRUT1679 | LEBANON: EU, UN DIPLOMATS AGREE SLEIMAN IS [...] (C/NF) Over a 10/25 dinner hosted by the British Ambassador in honor of visiting UK Middle East envoy Michael Williams, the French Charge, UN Special Coordinator, UK Ambassador, Williams, and Ambassador Feltman all agreed: LAF Commander Michael Sleiman is the top choice of Syria and Hizball [...] | 2007-10-26 15:09:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PREL PGOV PTER KDEM LE SY |
07BEIRUT1680 | LEBANON: EUROPEANS SEE PROGRESS ON PRESIDENCY [...] (C) The Italian Ambassador to Lebanon, reporting on the October 19-20 visit of the French, Italian, and Spanish foreign ministers to Lebanon, noted progress in Speaker Berri's efforts to reach a consensus candidate and more conciliatory tones on the part of both Berri and PM Siniora. Despite r [...] | 2007-10-26 15:15:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1712 | ON LEBANON'S PRESIDENCY, NAJIB MIKATI SAYS SAUDIS [...] (S) In a 10/31 meeting with the Ambassador, former Prime Minister Najib Mikati (once and perhaps still close to the Syrian regime) mused that Damascus has two preferred options for Lebanon's presidential elections: first, extending the status quo (with Emile Lahoud remaining in Baabda Palace [...] | 2007-11-01 13:16:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PGOV KDEM PTER LE SY SA |
07BEIRUT1714 | LEBANON: HARIRI BLOC WOULD ACCEPT PATRIARCH'S [...] (C) Parliamentary majority leader Saad Hariri's cousin and Chief of Staff Nader recently delivered assurances on behalf of Saad to the Patriarch that his bloc would vote for any candidate selected by the Patriarch in order to avoid a presidential vacuum. Nader was skeptical, however, whether [...] | 2007-11-01 14:04:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1723 | LEBANON: ARMY COMMANDER, HIS PRESIDENTIAL [...] (S) In a one-on-one meeting with the Ambassador on 10/30, Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) Commander Michel Sleiman said that the LAF would try to "freeze" the situation on the ground, taking action against whichever side of Lebanon's cavernous political divide -- March 8-Aoun or March 14 -- woul [...] | 2007-11-05 04:52:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PGOV PTER KDEM LE SY |
07BEIRUT1724 | LEBANON: SAUDI AMBASSADOR OPPOSED TO "HALF PLUS [...] (C) Describing Hizballah as "evil," Saudi Ambassador Abdulaziz Khoja said that Syria and Hizballah want to postpone presidential elections indefinitely. But a March 14-provoked absolute majority ("half plus one") election would also be destructive for Lebanon, he argued, and Saudi Arabia op [...] | 2007-11-05 04:52:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PGOV KDEM PTER LE SY SA |
07BEIRUT1725 | LEBANON WILL NOT ATTEND ARAB LEAGUE CENTRAL [...] (C) No one from the Lebanese Government will attend the upcoming meeting of the Arab League boycott in Damascus, Minister of Economy and Trade Sami Haddad told Ambassador and Econoff on November 1, 2007. During the meeting, he called the GOL's Israeli Boycott Office in his Ministry to verify [...] | 2007-11-05 04:52:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | AL ECON ETRD IS KBCT LE PREL SY |
07BEIRUT1728 | LEBANON: PREVIEWING U.S. RESPONSE TO AN ILLEGAL [...] (C) Summary: Representatives from the opposition, predictably, protested what they view as U.S. interference in internal Lebanese affairs in response to Ref A demarche regarding economic and travel ramifications for those who participate in an unconstitutional government in Lebanon. Many view [...] | 2007-11-05 08:37:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1736 | LEBANON: BERRI URGES U.S. TO WORK ON AOUN [...] (C) Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri lamented the absence of parliamentary majority leader Saad Hariri from Lebanon, which he said prevented efforts to reach a consensus presidential candidate on time. If no consensus candidate is named before November 12, Berri said he would set a new date for [...] | 2007-11-06 15:36:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1737 | LEBANON: FRENCH CHARGE ADVOCATES TOUGH MESSAGE TO [...] (C) French Charge Andre Parant reported that French officials delivered tough messages to their Syrian counterparts during their November 3-4 meetings in Istanbul, warning that France would hold Syria responsible if Lebanon is unable to elect a president by November 24. Locally, a stronger Ch [...] | 2007-11-06 15:39:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1747 | LEBANON: FRENCH CHARGE SAYS FRANCE WILL PUSH [...] (C) French Charge Andre Parant believes it may be possible to convince the Patriarch to provide a short-list of presidential candidates, although he agrees that letting him decide on the names could result in less than ideal candidates. France is determined to find a solution before the midni [...] | 2007-11-07 14:15:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1749 | LEBANON: SAAD HARIRI UNHAPPY WITH THE FRENCH AND [...] (S) Saad Hariri -- billionaire, Parliamentary majority leader, and prime minister-in-waiting -- is annoyed. In a 11/7 meeting with the Ambassador, Hariri claimed to have been betrayed by the French. Whereas he had carefully worked out an option for selecting presidential candidates that wou [...] | 2007-11-08 07:35:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PGOV KDEM PTER LE SY FR |
07BEIRUT1750 | LEBANON: UNIIIC COMMISSIONER: STILL MUM ON NEXT [...] (S) UNIIIC Commissioner Brammertz's next report to the UN Security Council is unlikely to provide any anxiously-awaited conclusions. However, recent results from forensic studies, combined with a promising new line of investigation involving telecommunications, could help make the connection b [...] | 2007-11-08 11:44:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1752 | LEBANON: PATRIARCH SFEIR OPPOSED TO GIVING NAMES [...] (C) Maronite Patriarch Sfeir told the Ambassador on 11/08 that he is opposed to the French request that he provide a list of five acceptable presidential candidates for Saad Hariri and Nabih Berri to consider. First, he explained, he would offend all other Maronites if he would pick only fi [...] | 2007-11-08 14:59:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL KDEM PGOV PTER LE SY |
07BEIRUT176 | RIZK CLAIMS FRENCH, HARIRI BACKING FOR PRESIDENCY [...] No summary [...] | 2007-02-02 07:53:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | FR KDEM KINL LE PGOV PREL SY |
07BEIRUT1760 | LEBANON: GEAGEA WARNS OF DANGEROUS GAMES, AND IS [...] (C) Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea does not support France's efforts to convince the Patriarch to provide names of presidential candidates, fearing that, without an adequate safety net, this would lead to a weak president susceptible to Syrian and Hizballah influence. Citing Nassib Lahoud [...] | 2007-11-09 14:21:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1762 | LEBANON: PM SINIORA DOWNPLAYS SECURITY CONCERNS, [...] (C) PM Siniora confirmed that, in the event parliament fails to elect a president and his cabinet temporarily takes on presidential powers, he would move immediately to appoint new Shia ministers to replace the six opposition members who submitted their resignations one year ago. He claimed to [...] | 2007-11-09 14:33:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1764 | LEBANON: AOUN CLAIMS TO DROP OUT OF PRESIDENTIAL [...] (C) With the petulance of a sullen teenager who didn't get his way and whose unique genius is underappreciated, Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun says he is bowing out of the presidential race, although he has yet (as of 11/9) to make an official announcement. He reportedly told his M [...] | 2007-11-10 10:24:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1781 | LEBANON: MARCH 14 ANXIOUS, CONFUSED AFTER STRATEGY [...] (C) An anxious Minister of Social Affairs Nayla Mouawad on November 13 described a divided March 14 coalition strategy meeting the night before. While Christian leaders urged a half-plus-one presidential election (should no presidential solution be found before the expiration of Emile Lahoud [...] | 2007-11-15 08:01:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KDEM UNSC LE FR SY |
07BEIRUT1786 | LEBANON: BERRI STILL OPTIMISTIC ON PRESIDENTIAL [...] (C) Parliament Speaker Berri, suggesting he had not yet seen the Patriarch's list of presidential candidates, nevertheless was optimistic that he and majority leader Saad Hariri would be able to reach a consensus. If, however, they are not able to agree on a candidate, Berri rejected the fall [...] | 2007-11-15 16:25:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1787 | LEBANON: FORMER PM SAYS IT'S A CRIME NOT TO ELECT [...] (C) Former Prime Minister Najib Mikati, claiming, like many others, to have insider information on the Patriarch's list of presidential candidates, lamented the fact that the best candidate, Nassib Lahoud, would not be elected. He believed President Emile Lahoud would defy Hizballah's demand [...] | 2007-11-15 16:32:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1788 | LEBANON: PM SAYS FRENCH INITIATIVE KEY TO SUCCESS [...] (C) During a November 14 meeting with the Ambassador, Prime Minister Siniora expressed his thoughts on how March 14 could out-maneuver the opposition and ultimately choose a strong consensus candidate by supporting the French initiative. Siniora said that Patriarch Sfeir,s list is the key to [...] | 2007-11-15 16:45:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | MOPS PGOV PREL FR LE SY |
07BEIRUT1792 | LEBANON: AOUN REPRISING SPOILER ROLE, FRENCH [...] (S) If successful, the French initiative to solve Lebanon's presidential crisis will lead to a compromise president not wholly satisfactory to either the March 8 or March 14 political blocs. While far from ideal, that is probably the best solution possible, given domestic, regional, and int [...] | 2007-11-16 13:27:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PGOV PTER KDEM LE SY |
07BEIRUT1793 | LEBANON: SAUDI AMBASSADOR, JUMBLATT, HARIRI [...] (S) In back-to-back meetings on 11/16 with the Ambassador, Saudi Ambassador Abdulaziz Khoja, Druse leader Walid Jumblatt, and Ghattas Hariri (advisor to Saad Hariri and passing a message from Hariri) all noted that they are expecting violence to begin on Tuesday, November 20. Jumblatt claime [...] | 2007-11-16 13:34:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL ASEC PTER LE SY |
07BEIRUT1799 | LEBANON: AOUN PLAYING FOR HIGH STAKES [...] (C) Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun continues to believe that he and only he deserves the presidency, and will not participate in any efforts, including the French initiative, to find a consensus, according to his advisor and son-in-law, Gebran Bassil. Bassil envisioned two scenario [...] | 2007-11-16 15:01:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1800 | PRESIDENT'S LAWYER INSISTS LAHOUD WILL LEAVE [...] Summary: (S) President Emile Lahoud's legal advisor Selim Jerissaiti insisted that Lahoud plans to leave the presidential palace at the end of his mandate on November 24 and will do so without taking what Jerrissaiti admitted would be the unconstitutional step of appointing a second governmen [...] | 2007-11-19 08:02:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | IS LE PARM PGOV PREL PTER SY |
07BEIRUT1818 | LEBANON: AOUN PREDICTS VIOLENCE IF NO PRESIDENT IS [...] (C) Despite persistent rumors that he has made a deal over an abbreviated presidential term for Michel Edde, Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun continues to reject any candidate on the Patriarch's list of seven other than himself. His only fall-back is an interim cabinet (which we pre [...] | 2007-11-20 14:42:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1819 | LEBANON: MICHEL EDDE ON HIS POSSIBLE ELECTION FOR [...] (C ) Former Maronite League president Michel Edde claimed to DCM and poloff over dinner on November 19 that in a meeting earlier in the day, Michel Aoun had given approval for an Edde "transitional" presidency, on a vague understanding that Edde will not serve a full six year term but resign a [...] | 2007-11-20 16:42:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER FR SY LE |
07BEIRUT1820 | LEBANON'S PRESIDENCY: GHANEM, EDDE, SALAMEH STILL [...] (S) Despite French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner and Special Envoy Jean-Claude Cousseran shuttling among the major political players, the French initiative to solve Lebanon's presidential election crisis is faltering. Only three names from the Patriarch's original list of seven potential [...] | 2007-11-20 16:50:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PGOV PTER KDEM LE SY FR |
07BEIRUT1830 | LEBANON: ARAB LEAGUE SYG PREDICTS EDDE PRESIDENCY [...] (C) Visiting Arab League SYG Amr Moussa does not support the theory that chaos will result if no president is elected by the midnight November 23 expiration of President Lahoud's mandate. He believes either Michel Edde will be selected as the consensus candidate, or discussions will continue, [...] | 2007-11-21 16:51:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1831 | LEBANON'S PRESIDENCY: MICHEL EDDE'S VICTORY [...] (S) As of 11/21, Syria's allies continue to push hard for Michel Edde to be Lebanon's next president. Hizballah's Wafiq Safa predicted confidently to UN envoy Geir Pedersen that Saad Hariri, the strongest hold out against Edde, would eventually succumb to the pressure. Suleiman Franjieh tol [...] | 2007-11-21 17:03:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PGOV KDEM PTER PREL LE SY FR |
07BEIRUT1832 | LEBANON: HARIRI HOLDING FIRM, KEEPING "PLAN B" IN [...] (C) Majority leader Saad Hariri remains firm in his opposition to Michel Edde as president. Acknowledging that March 14 risked being blamed for blocking consensus, Hariri refuses to let the minority (with Syrian support) dictate Lebanon's next president to the majority. Having already conced [...] | 2007-11-23 04:41:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT184 | LEBANON: SPEAKER BERRI SURPRISINGLY FOCUSES ON [...] (C) In a 2/2 meeting, Speaker Berri told the Ambassador that despite recent unproductive discussions between Saudi Arabia and Iran regarding Lebanon, he believes options now exist to escape from the current impasse. Specifically, he listed three ways to establish the "critical" Special Trib [...] | 2007-02-02 17:09:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | IS LE PGOV PREL PTER SY |
07BEIRUT1849 | LEBANON: EMILE LAHOUD STILL INTENDING TO STEP [...] (C) Selim Jeressaiti, Emile Lahoud's legal advisor, told the Ambassador mid-morning today (11/23) that Lahoud will end his extended term as Lebanon's president as scheduled at midnight tonight. Jeressaiti said that Lahoud, despite tremendous pressure from Hizballah and Syria, will not appoi [...] | 2007-11-23 14:00:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PTER KDEM LE SY |
07BEIRUT1850 | LEBANON: BERRI ACCUSES HARIRI OF BLOCKING [...] (C) Speaker Berri continues his assertions that he is doing his best to reach a consensus president. All of Lebanon favored Michel Edde, he claimed, with the exception of majority leader Saad Hariri, who was blocking consensus. If no agreement is reached, Berri would postpone the November 23 [...] | 2007-11-23 14:13:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1852 | LEBANON: LAF COMMANDER SLEIMAN WANTS NEW [...] (C) In a 11/24 one-on-one meeting with the Ambassador, Lebanese Armed Forces Commander Michel Sleiman said all the right things: he and the army would respect and recognize the Siniora cabinet until Lebanon's next president is chosen, the army would strive to maintain security and stability, [...] | 2007-11-24 15:12:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KDEM PGOV PTER LE SY |
07BEIRUT1854 | LEBANON: HARIRI UNVEILS "PLAN B": SLEIMAN FOR [...] (S) Majority leader Saad Hariri, disgusted with the failed French initiative, resigned to the fact that March 14 is unable to elect one of its own candidates, and convinced the Syrians' real objective was a political void, now concludes that Syria has won. He does not believe PM Siniora's gov [...] | 2007-11-24 18:40:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1855 | LEBANON: HIZBALLAH'S STRONG CRITICISM OF ANNAPOLIS [...] (C) During a round of meetings the Ambassador had on November 23 and 24 focused on the presidency crisis, a number of Lebanese interlocutors expressed surprise about Hizballah's November 23 statement which carried particularly pointed criticism of the Annapolis Conference and Lebanese partici [...] | 2007-11-24 18:48:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | IS LE PARM PGOV PREL PTER SY |
07BEIRUT1856 | LEBANON: MARCH 14 CHRISTIANS CONTEMPLATING HALF [...] (C) March 14 Christians, following what the view as the failure of the French initiative and worried that the Siniora government will come under mounting attack if a president is not elected soon, are engaging the Maronite church in an attempt to revive support for a half plus one vote. Convin [...] | 2007-11-26 04:54:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1857 | LEBANON: MARADA FAVORS EDDE OR SLEIMAN [...] (C) Marada leader Suleiman Franjieh supports Michel Edde as president, but stresses the need to get Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun on board and to find a candidate who can safeguard Hizballah's interests. He suggests that, if a consensus is not reached, Lebanese Armed Forces Comma [...] | 2007-11-26 04:54:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1860 | LEBANON: OPTIONS FOR THE PRESIDENCY [...] (S) Summary: March 14's Muslim leaders, convinced that international support (i.e., pressure on Syria) is not sufficient to guarantee the election and survival of a March 14 president, are now bent on pursuing an option that, until a few weeks ago, was an anathema to them: LAF Commander Mi [...] | 2007-11-26 13:16:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PTER KDEM PGOV LE SY |
07BEIRUT1863 | LEBANON: PM SINIORA NOT WILD ABOUT SLEIMAN, BUT [...] (C) PM Siniora blasted the French for mismanaging its failed initiative to find a consensus president and humiliating the Patriarch in the process, during a November 26 meeting with the Ambassador. An otherwise relaxed Siniora bristled at each mention of Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel [...] | 2007-11-26 16:17:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1864 | LEBANON: DEFENSE MINISTER SUPPORTS ARMY COMMANDER [...] (C) Deputy PM and Defense Minister Elias Murr reported on November 24 that the army's deployment in downtown Beirut was proceeding smoothly, and he expected the situation to remain calm for the next few days (which it did). He fully supports Saad Hariri's "Plan B" to elect Lebanese Armed Force [...] | 2007-11-26 16:28:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1865 | LEBANON: GEAGEA AGAINST LAF COMMANDER SLEIMAN FOR [...] (C) March 14 leaders are back at the drawing board brainstorming how to break the political impasse over the presidency. In an 11/25 meeting with the Ambassador, Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea rejected Saad Hariri's plan to elect Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) Commander Michel Sleiman (reft [...] | 2007-11-26 16:45:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY FR PTER LE |
07BEIRUT1875 | LEBANON: TELECOM MINISTER OPPOSES CONSTITUTIONAL [...] (C) Telecom Minister Marwan Hamadeh fears electing Lebanese Armed Force Commander Michel Sleiman president would repeat mistakes of the past, mistakes that led to the assassination of former PM Rafiq Hariri. Hamadeh proposed instead that March 14 build on the positive momentum generated by Pr [...] | 2007-11-27 13:24:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1876 | LEBANON: AMINE GEMAYEL OPEN TO ARMY COMMANDER [...] (C) In a November 27 meeting with the Ambassador, March 14 member and former president Amine Gemayel did not altogether rule out the possibility of electing a strong March 14 president by a half plus one majority, but gave the impression he is gradually (if sullenly) accepting the candidacy o [...] | 2007-11-27 15:37:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KDEM SY PTER LE |
07BEIRUT1877 | LEBANON: WHY IS MARCH 14 READY TO CRY 'UNCLE' ON [...] (S) After we have been preaching unity to our March 14 and GOL contacts over the past few days, the message is taking hold: there is a March 14 leadership meeting tonight, and we detect a convergence of views among the major March 14 players. Yet, perversely, the unity points in the directi [...] | 2007-11-27 15:54:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PGOV PTER KDEM LE SY FR |
07BEIRUT1879 | LEBANON: BERRI PUTS BALL IN MARCH 14'S COURT [...] (C) Speaker Berri, still blaming others for failed efforts to reach a consensus president, now insists it is up to March 14 to make the next move, according to an advisor. Refusing to convene parliament absent a consensus, the Speaker continues to reject the possibility of a half plus one or [...] | 2007-11-27 16:30:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1884 | LEBANON: EVALUATING MICHEL SLEIMAN [...] (S) Reftel notes the reasons why March 14 leaders, after having courageously stood up against compromise with Hizballah and Syria for more than a year and despite three assassinations, are now moving forward with a plan to elect Lebanese Armed Forces Commander Michel Sleiman as Lebanon's nex [...] | 2007-11-28 08:06:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL KDEM PGOV PTER LE SY |
07BEIRUT1890 | LEBANON: SAAD HARIRI: WEIGHING PROS AND CONS OF [...] (C) Majority leader Saad Hariri, for lack of a better solution, is still intent on electing Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) Commander Michel Sleiman as president just two days from now. He claims to have received assurances from Sleiman on issues of key importance to the U.S. and believes he will [...] | 2007-11-28 16:30:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1894 | LEBANON: PM SINIORA WAITING FOR GREEN LIGHT TO [...] (C) PM Siniora, downplaying threats of violence, is ready to take the first steps toward amending the constitution to allow Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) Commander Michel Sleiman to be elected president, once all of the March 14 leaders are on board. Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea, calling [...] | 2007-11-29 16:24:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1897 | LEBANON: GEAGEA PUTTING THE BRAKES ON SLEIMAN [...] (C) Lebanese Forces (LF) leader Samir Geagea, critical of majority leader Saad Hariri's attempts to force the presidency of Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) Commander Michel Sleiman on his March 14 allies, is not "adamantly against" the idea. However, he conditions his support on an LF say in the [...] | 2007-11-30 07:58:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1898 | LEBANON: MARONITE LEAGUE ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT SLEIMAN [...] (C) The president of the Maronite League, Joseph Torbey, and fellow prominent Maronite leaders enthusiastically expressed their support for Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) Commander Michel Sleiman as president. Citing the problems the next president will face as "Lebanese problems, not Maronite p [...] | 2007-11-30 11:11:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KDEM SY LE |
07BEIRUT1899 | LEBANON: TRYING TO MAKE A SLEIMAN PRESIDENCY WORK [...] (S) Despite the backing of Saad Hariri, Fouad Siniora, Walid Jumblatt, and -- less enthusiastically -- Samir Geagea, Michel Sleiman does not yet have his six-year lease on the Baabda Presidential Palace locked in. Just as Hariri et al. had hoped, March 14's backing of Sleiman caught Hizballa [...] | 2007-11-30 12:14:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PGOV PTER KDEM LE SY |
07BEIRUT1904 | LEBANON: PATRIARCH SFEIR ANNOYED AT AOUN, PREFERS [...] (C) In a 11/29 meeting with the Ambassador, a glum Maronite Patriarch Sfeir groused about Michel Aoun and complained that the French, in forcing him to give a list of presidential candidates, had promised him that one of those named on the list would be elected by the parliament. Why, Sfeir [...] | 2007-11-30 16:17:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KDEM LE SY FR |
07BEIRUT1908 | LEBANON: MARCH 14 LEADER DECRIES PARTY'S [...] (C) National Bloc leader Carlos Edde expressed strong opposition and concerns regarding his March 14 allies' decision to back Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) Commander Michel Sleiman for president. Edde's "gut feeling" was that Sleiman was Syria's choice for president, and that, by electing him, [...] | 2007-12-03 15:39:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1916 | LEBANON: INCREASING THE HEAT ON THE PRESIDENTIAL [...] (S) The pro-Syrian March 8-Aoun forces have much to gain, and March 14 forces much to lose, from the ongoing delay in filling Lebanon's presidential vacuum. Tactically, March 14 has more bargaining power on selecting the prime minister and cabinet if the normal constitutional processes are [...] | 2007-12-04 14:42:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PGOV KDEM LE SY |
07BEIRUT1919 | LEBANON: DEFENSE MINISTER REVEALS "PLAN C" IF [...] (C) Deputy PM and Defense Minister Elias Murr believes the opposition's efforts to reach a "package" deal on Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) Commander Michel Sleiman's presidency will delay the election until next week. Murr agrees that such a package weakened the role of the president and, by imp [...] | 2007-12-05 10:41:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1925 | LEBANON: ACTING FM MITRI CREDITS SECRETARY RICE [...] (C) Acting Foreign Minister Tariq Mitri, who represented Lebanon in Annapolis, expressed satisfaction with the conference and hope for future steps, attributing his hope to the sincere dedication he sees in Secretary Rice. He explained to the Ambassador on December 6 that his own speech at t [...] | 2007-12-07 11:33:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL IS PHUM FR SY PREF KPAL KDEM LE |
07BEIRUT1928 | LEBANON: MICHEL SLEIMAN ANNOYED AT AOUN [...] (C) In a one-on-one meeting with the Ambassador on 12/6, LAF Commander Michel Sleiman expressed considerable annoyance with MP Michel Aoun, seeing Aoun as the primary obstacle preventing his election as Lebanon's next president. In a "who-does-he-think-he-is" sense of exasperation, Sleiman [...] | 2007-12-07 17:09:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KDEM LE SY FR |
07BEIRUT1931 | LEBANON: BERRI DEMANDING CONSENSUS ON HOW TO [...] (C) Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri insists on amending the constitution to elect Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) Commander Michel Sleiman as president via methods that bypass the Siniora government. Blaming, as usual, everyone but himself for the ongoing impasse, Berri cites Free Patriotic Movemen [...] | 2007-12-10 05:26:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1936 | LEBANON: SAAD HARIRI: OPPOSITION DOESN'T WANT [...] (C) Majority leader Saad Hariri believes that the opposition's continuing efforts to block the election of Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) Commander Michel Sleiman reflect Syria's desire to maintain a presidential vacuum. Still disillusioned with the French and expressing frustration with US poli [...] | 2007-12-11 08:22:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1942 | LEBANON: HARIRI DETERMINED TO BE PM [...] (S) In a one-on-one meeting at the end of a larger session (reftel),MP Saad Hariri told the Ambassador that he was determined to be Prime Minister in the cabinet to be formed after presidential elections. He said that, while in Saudi Arabia a few days earlier, he had a "heart-to-heart" tal [...] | 2007-12-11 14:37:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PGOV KDEM LE SY SA JO |
07BEIRUT1944 | LEBANON: NGO HEAD SAYS HIZBALLAH FAVORS SHIA IN [...] (SBU) Dr. Abbas Yaghi, a Shia local community leader from the north Bekaa region and Shia rival of Hizballah, described to Emboffs what he sees as Hizballah's favoritism towards the Shia in south Lebanon, to the detriment to those Shia living in the north Bekaa. Yaghi noted the vast difference [...] | 2007-12-11 15:37:00 | Embassy Beirut | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID ECON LE PGOV PREL SY |
07BEIRUT1945 | LEBANON: PM SINIORA BLAMES REGIONAL ISSUES FOR [...] (C) PM Siniora believes Syria's attempt to use Lebanon as a pawn in its efforts to secure regional recognition is the primary reason for the opposition's obstacles to electing Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) Commander Michel Sleiman as president. Urging strong international support for Lebanon, h [...] | 2007-12-11 15:46:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1950 | LEBANON: MILITARY TARGETTED IN LATEST [...] (C) A car bomb killed Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) Operations Director General Francois al-Hajj at approximately 7 a.m. on December 12, the second anniversary of March 14 MP Gebran Tueni,s assassination. The explosion occurred near LAF headquarters and the General's home in Baabda. The motive [...] | 2007-12-12 15:08:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1958 | LEBANON: CHRISTIAN LEADERS DISCUSS BG HAJJ [...] (C) The Charge met separately on December 13 with three Christian leaders, former president and Phalange party leader Amine Gemayel, Minister of Justice Charles Rizk, and head of National Liberal party Dory Chamoun, to discuss Brigadier General Francois al-Hajj's assassination (Ref A) and the [...] | 2007-12-14 16:29:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KDEM PARM SY PTER LE |
07BEIRUT1959 | LEBANON: ARMY COMMANDER ASKS A/S WELCH TO DELAY [...] (C) Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) Commander Michel Sleiman told visiting NEA Assistant Secretary David Welch December 16 that the investigation into the December 12 assassination of General Francois al-Hajj was focusing on Islamic extremists suspected of trying to undermine the army. Palestinian [...] | 2007-12-16 13:30:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1960 | LEBANON: A/S WELCH TELLS BERRI NO MORE DELAYS FOR [...] (C) NEA Assistant Secretary David Welch told Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri on December 15 the time had come for Lebanon to elect a president. Now that the difficult work of finding a consensus candidate had been done, there were no more excuses for holding the election. In a clear warning t [...] | 2007-12-16 18:30:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1968 | LEBANON: NEA A/S WELCH'S DECEMBER 15 MEETING WITH [...] (C) In a December 15 meeting with NEA Assistant Secretary David Welch, Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Elias Murr alluded to his strong belief that Hizballah and Syria had the most reason to assassinate General Francois Hajj. Murr also said he had positive leads to identify Hajj's [...] | 2007-12-17 17:00:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | OVIP MASS MOPS PARM PGOV PREL SY LE |
07BEIRUT197 | IS SAAD HARIRI SURRENDERING TO HIZBALLAH'S DEMANDS? [...] (S) In 2/6 meetings with the Ambassador, March 14 and GOL figures expressed deep foreboding about a rumored offer that Saudi Arabia and Saad Hariri were on the verge of accepting from Iran, Syria, and Hizballah to solve Lebanon's political crisis. According to rumors, March 14 -- by accepti [...] | 2007-02-06 15:35:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL KDEM PGOV PTER LE SY SA IR |
07BEIRUT1971 | LEBANON: WITH A/S WELCH, GEAGEA PRESSES HALF PLUS [...] (C) Visiting NEA Assistant Secretary David Welch delivered three messages to Lebanese Forces head and March 14 leader Samir Geagea on December 15: one, the time has come to elect a new president; two, those in charge should take responsibility for solving the impasse, and if they don't, the U [...] | 2007-12-17 18:21:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KDEM PTER SY LE |
07BEIRUT1973 | LEBANON: A/S WELCH'S MEETING WITH PM SINIORA [...] (C) During his December 15 meeting with Prime Minister Siniora at the Grand Serail, NEA Assistant Secretary David Welch pledged continued U.S. support for the March 14 majority and democracy in Lebanon. He assured the PM that the USG would make no deal with Syria or others at the expense of L [...] | 2007-12-17 18:29:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1974 | LEBANON: JUMBLATT TELL A/S WELCH MARCH 14 MORE [...] (C) NEA Assistant Secretary David Welch assured Druse leader Walid Jumblatt and other senior Druse officials of unwavering U.S. support for March 14 during his December 15-16 visit to Lebanon. Stressing the need for March 14 to remain united, he said the U.S. would support whichever course th [...] | 2007-12-18 08:38:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1978 | LEBANON: NEA A/S WELCH AND DAPNSA ABRAMS URGE [...] (C) Former President and Phalange leader Amine Gemayel hosted a December 19 luncheon for visiting NEA Assistant Secretary David Welch and Deputy Assistant to the President SIPDIS and Deputy National Security Advisor (DAPNSA) Elliott Abrams, attended by a strong showing of March 14 Christian [...] | 2007-12-20 14:53:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KDEM SY LE |
07BEIRUT1979 | LEBANON: WELCH AND ABRAMS MEET LEBANESE ARMY [...] (C) In a December 19 meeting with visiting NEA Assistant Secretary David Welch and Deputy Assistant to the President SIPDIS and Deputy National Security Advisor Elliot Abrams, a confident Lebanese Army Commander Michel Sleiman discussed the ongoing investigation of General Francois Al-Hajj's [...] | 2007-12-20 15:24:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET//NOFORN | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1982 | LEBANON: A/S WELCH AND DAPNSA ABRAMS WITH PM [...] (C) NEA Assistant Secretary David Welch and Deputy Advisor to the President and National Security Advisor (DAPNSA) Elliott Abrams updated PM Siniora on December 18 on the December 17 Paris meetings regarding the Palestinians and on Lebanon. A/S Welch informed Siniora about a potential Arab L [...] | 2007-12-21 14:52:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | OVIP PARM PGOV PREL PTER FR LE SY |
07BEIRUT1984 | LEBANON: PM SINIORA TELLS A/S WELCH "I CANNOT DO [...] (C) Prime Minister Siniora was grateful to receive a debrief on NEA Assistant Secretary David Welch's return visit to Lebanon. Speaking during the evening of December 19, A/S Welch and DAPNSA Elliott Abrams reiterated U.S. support for March 14 and the democratic processes in Lebanon. They ad [...] | 2007-12-21 15:03:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1985 | LEBANON: A/S WELCH WARNS BERRI TO HOLD ELECTION [...] (C) In a December 19 meeting with Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri, NEA Assistant Secretary David Welch and Deputy Advisor to the President and National Security Advisor (DAPNSA) for Global Democracy Strategy Elliot Abrams discussed the continuing impasse on the presidential election. 2. [...] | 2007-12-21 15:46:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | OVIP PARM PGOV PREL PTER FR LE SY |
07BEIRUT1986 | LEBANON: A/S WELCH AND FRENCH CHARGE EXCHANGE [...] (C) During a visit to Beirut following the December 17 Lebanon Ministerial in Paris, NEA Assistant Secretary David Welch and Deputy Advisor to the President and National Security Advisor (DAPNSA) Elliot Abrams discussed Lebanon's continuing political crisis with French Charge d'Affaires Andre [...] | 2007-12-21 16:04:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PARM SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT1994 | LEBANON: UNIIIC REQUESTS U.S. SATELLITE IMAGERY [...] (U) This is an action request. 2. (S) Post received letters from UN International Independent Investigation Commission (UNIIIC) Commissioner Serge Brammertz with requests for possible satellite imagery related to several assassinations and assassination attempts in Lebanon over the past sev [...] | 2007-12-27 09:51:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET//NOFORN | PGOV PREL PTER UNSC SY LE |
07BEIRUT2 | OPTIONS FOR THE TRIBUNAL [...] (S) As the Christmas-New Year and 'Eid al-Adha holidays come to an end, the Lebanese seem no closer to completing the approval process for the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. None of the options available to the GOL guarantee success; most ideas are unrealistic. Within GOL circles, there is g [...] | 2007-01-03 07:10:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PTER PREL KCRM LE SY |
07BEIRUT200 | LEBANON: SINIORA RECOMMENDS DUAL TRACK: [...] (C) In a 2/5 meeting with the Ambassador, PM Siniora interpreted Nabih Berri's support for a cross-confessional "tribunal document study committee" (reftel) as a Syrian ploy to avoid the fait accompli of a Chapter VII decision. Siniora maintained that Berri is clearly carrying out Syrian ord [...] | 2007-02-06 16:29:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER LE SY IS |
07BEIRUT2007 | LEBANON: MARCH 14 TURNS DOWN LATEST FRENCH EFFORT [...] (C) Parliament Majority Leader Saad Hariri's advisor Ghattas Khoury, explained to CDA and Poloff that the latest French proposal on solving the political crisis in Lebanon -- based on a 15-13-2 cabinet -- would be rejected by the majority. Khoury referred to the initiative as a Syrian proposa [...] | 2007-12-28 16:47:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER FR LE QA SY UNSC |
07BEIRUT2009 | LEBANON: NEW YEAR'S EVE "YEAR IN REVIEW" WITH PM [...] (C) Prime Minister Siniora conducted an informal "Year in Review" session with the Ambassador during a meeting on December 31, repeating some previously reported points about the threat to Lebanon's sovereignty in recent months. The Prime Minister also expressed surprising optimism about the [...] | 2007-12-31 16:19:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY IS LE |
07BEIRUT207 | LEBANON: LAWYER FOR JAILED GENERAL JAMIL AS-SAYED [...] (C) Akram Azoury, attorney for the jailed former head of Lebanon's Surete Generale, Jamil as-Sayed, met with DCM February 5 to present the case for as-Sayed's release from prison. Azoury, a respected human rights lawyer, said that the only basis for the Lebanese government's incarceration of [...] | 2007-02-08 09:55:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KCRM PTER SHUM LE SY |
07BEIRUT213 | HARIRI CALLS BERRI; EXPLORATORY COMMITTEE TO BE [...] (C) As a follow up to what Saudi Ambassador Khoja described as a "Berri initiative" earlier in the day (reftel),MP Saad Hariri, still in Riyadh, called Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri on Wednesday evening (2/7),in the first direct communication between Hariri and Berri since November. The [...] | 2007-02-08 16:32:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KDEM LE SY SA |
07BEIRUT219 | LEBANON: MODERATE SHIA LEADER DISCUSSES STATUS OF [...] (C) In a 2/7 meeting with the Ambassador, Dureid Yaghi, a moderate, secular Shia who is Deputy Secretary of Walid Jumblatt's Progressive Socialist Party (PSP) in the Hizballah-stronghold of Baalbek, confirmed other reporting sources that Hizballah has re-established itself as the de facto go [...] | 2007-02-09 14:38:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER CASC LE SY IR |
07BEIRUT22 | MARONITE PATRIARCH SFEIR ANNOYED AT LAHOUD, AOUN [...] (C) In a 1/2 meeting with the Ambassador, Maronite Patriarch Sfeir, in an unusually grouchy mood, was sharply critical of President Emile Lahoud and MP Michel Aoun. In Sfeir's view, Lahoud should follow the Patriarch's advice to step down; Aoun should yank his followers from the downtown si [...] | 2007-01-04 13:57:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PREF KDEM LE SY |
07BEIRUT221 | HARIRI'S ADVISOR CLAIMS BERRI NOT YET SERIOUS [...] (C) In a 2/10 meeting and lunch with the Ambassador, ex-MP Ghattas Khoury (accompanied by Nadar Hariri, cousin of Saad) expressed pessimism about the committee on which he serves that was set up as a result of a phone call between Saad Hariri and Nabih Berri (reftel). The March 8 representa [...] | 2007-02-12 06:35:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KDEM LE SY IR SA |
07BEIRUT227 | MIKATI SAYS SINIORA NOW AS MUCH SYRIA'S PROBLEM AS [...] (S) Former Prime Minister Najib Mikati (please protect) told the Ambassador in a 2/12 meeting that his brother Taha had recently visited Damascus. Acknowledging how peculiar it is for the GOL to negotiate the Special Tribunal with those likely to be tried, Taha told Najib that the Syrians ar [...] | 2007-02-12 16:48:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PTER PGOV KDEM LE SY |
07BEIRUT229 | LEBANON: LEBANESE FORCES' GEAGEA BELIEVES CIVIL [...] (C) In a 2/9 meeting with the Ambassador and emboff, leader of the Lebanese Forces (LF),Dr. Samir Geagea, stated that civil war is inevitable and there is no choice but to make appropriate preparations. He said U.S. help to the LF is the same as help to the Lebanese state, given that the [...] | 2007-02-12 17:01:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER LE SY IS |
07BEIRUT231 | LEBANON: HARIRI BELIEVES ACCEPTABLE POLITICAL [...] (C) In a 2/12 meeting, Future Movement leader Saad Hariri said that despite premature reports of its demise, the Saudi initiative remains alive, even though the Iranian regime may be trying to back out of its previous commitments. In essence, the resolution is comprised of three parts: expe [...] | 2007-02-13 08:06:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | IS LE PGOV PREL PTER SY |
07BEIRUT238 | LEBANON: ACTING FOREIGN MINISTER ACCEPTS [...] (C) In a meeting with the Ambassador on 2/13, Acting FM Mitri accepted three U.S. demarches: a request that Arab League members take a measured approach to the newly-formed Palestinian National Unity Government; a request to order partly GOL-owned Arabsat television to cease broadcasting an [...] | 2007-02-14 11:37:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER LE IS SY |
07BEIRUT250 | MINDEF MURR ON BUS BOMBING, HIZBALLAH WEAPONS, [...] (S) In a 2/14 meeting with the Ambassador and visiting NEA/ELA office director Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley, Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Elias Murr stated that the 2/13 double commuter bus bombing was a sinister message aimed at him. The buses originated in his home village, an [...] | 2007-02-15 14:38:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PTER MASS PGOV LE SY |
07BEIRUT251 | LEBANON: JUSTICE MINISTER READY TO WORK ON [...] (C) Lebanon has reached a crossroads, Justice Minister Rizk told Ambassador Feltman, NEA/ELA Office Director Abercrombie-Winstanley, and Econoff on February 15. The March 14 coalition can now block political progress and let Hizballah take the blame, or restore national unity through the leg [...] | 2007-02-15 15:53:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KCRM PTER SY LE |
07BEIRUT260 | LEBANON: PM SINIORA SEES PAUSE WHILE PARTIES [...] (C) In a 2/15 meeting, PM Siniora indicated only slight progress toward resolution of the country's political impasse. On the negative side, the Saudis "have stepped back," the Iranians are being opaque, Amre Moussa does not plan to return to Beirut anytime soon, and Speaker Berri will prob [...] | 2007-02-16 14:13:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER LE IS SY |
07BEIRUT280 | LEBANON: SHIA POLITICIAN REPORTS ON HIZBALLAH [...] (C) In a follow-up communication to a meeting held on 2/7, a moderate, non-Hizballah Shia political leader from Baalbek informed the Embassy that Hizballah has transferred "most" of its missile inventory from south Lebanon to the Baalbek district, where they exercise near complete control. D [...] | 2007-02-21 16:20:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER LE SY IS |
07BEIRUT281 | LEBANON: UNIIIC ATTEMPTING TO COMPLETE WORK BY [...] (C) In a 2/20 meeting, Peter Nicholson, chief investigator for UNIIIC, informed emboff that Commissioner Brammertz has instructed his staff to accelerate their pace in an effort to complete the investigation by the June 15 mandate expiration. Although Brammertz believes it is now likely tha [...] | 2007-02-21 16:34:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER LE SY |
07BEIRUT309 | LEBANON: ACTING FM DISCUSSES CLUSTER BOMBS, [...] (C) On February 27 Acting Foreign Minister Tarek Mitri raised Lebanese concerns on cluster munitions, support for the Palestinian government, and most significantly, how to address Hizballah arms smuggling across the Syrian-Lebanese border. Mitri set forth standard positions on cluster bombs [...] | 2007-02-27 16:54:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PREL MARR KPAL LE SY IS |
07BEIRUT31 | LEBANON: ZAHLE MP DISSATISFIED WITH AOUN AND [...] (C) Zahle Member of Parliament Illy Skaff (allied with Michel Aoun) in early January shared with Ambassador Feltman and emboff his disatisfaction from Aoun amidst continued frustration with the Hariris. Yet, asked about Hizballah, Skaff stated that Christian fears of Sunni fundamentalism and [...] | 2007-01-05 16:24:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KCRM LE SY |
07BEIRUT314 | LEBANON: GERMAN INITIATIVE FOR NORTHERN BORDER [...] (C) Despite considerable planning and effort by German Federal Police officials who have been assigned to Beirut, it appears the German Pilot Border Project will not actually be implemented until sometime this summer. According to German representatives in Beirut, PM Siniora has given them v [...] | 2007-02-28 16:48:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER LE SY IS |
07BEIRUT320 | LEBANON: UN MISSION TO LEBANON AND ISRAEL ON [...] (C) UN Senior Advisor Michael Williams visited Beirut February 27-March 1 to prepare a report to the SYG on implementation of UNSCR 1701. Williams remarks on his preceding visit to Israel were mostly negative. He was concerned at Israel's refusal to accept the visit of a UN cartographer to [...] | 2007-03-01 17:12:00 | Embassy Beirut | SECRET | PREL PTER MARR LE SY SI |
07BEIRUT337 | LEBANON: INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE FOR BORDER [...] (C) In a 3/2 meeting, the Border Security sub-group, a working-level unit of the larger International Security Assistance Donors Group that meets monthly in Beirut, discussed the current status of Lebanon's border security effort. Although the Siniora government wants the German-led Norther [...] | 2007-03-05 16:07:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER ARRMZY SY LE IS |
07BEIRUT348 | LEBANON: MINISTER HAMADEH DISCUSSES HIS UN [...] (C) In a 3/5 meeting with the Ambassador, March 14 leaders Marwan Hamadeh and Ghattas Khoury described their recent meeting with UNSYG Ban Ki-Moon in New York during which they argued that Chapter VII action may be the only realistic way to establish the Special Tribunal. They promised the [...] | 2007-03-06 16:17:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER LE IS SY SA |
07BEIRUT349 | LEBANON: BERRI DESCRIBES NEW PLAN TO RESOLVE [...] (C) Nabih Berri described a "new" plan as the last opportunity for Lebanon to avoid serious civil disobedience. He said that all sides (except possibly Michel Aoun) would emerge with their non-negotiable objectives intact. Under the Berri plan, the pro-government March 14 and opposition Mar [...] | 2007-03-06 17:24:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER LE IS SY SA |
07BEIRUT37 | UPDATE ON TRIBUNAL: DOCUMENTS SIGNED, GOL [...] No summary [...] | 2007-01-08 12:29:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KCRM PTER LE SY |