Damascus Media Reaction: Mehlis Report, Syria/Iran,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DAMASCUS 005961

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR PA, NEA/ARN, INR/IC/CD, INR/S:STHIBEAULT
VOA NEWS CA, NEA/PPD:CBOURGEOIS, DBENZE AND AFERNANDEZ,
IIP/G/NEA-SA RWINCHESTER
WHITE HOUSE FOR NSC
CENTCOM FOR CCPA

E.O.12958: N/A
TAGS: KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY
SUBJECT: Damascus Media Reaction: Mehlis Report, Syria/Iran,
Asad's Speech, Iraq, Iran (11/15)



1. Summary: Syrian papers today reported President Asad's
messages to Arab and world leaders, the Security Council
member states, the current chairman of the Arab Summit, the
current chairman of the Organization of the Islamic
Conference and Nonaligned Nations, the UN SecGen, and the
Arab League secretary general, on cooperation with the
international investigation commission and the relevant
Syrian proposals.

Papers also reported President Asad's meeting with Iranian
Foreign Minister Mottaki, who conveyed a message from
Iranian President Ahmadinezhad. All papers reported
Mottaki's press comments after his meeting with FM Shara,
saying that he exchanged views with Syrian officials on the
initiatives put forward by Iraq's neighboring states to
bring the Iraqi crisis to an end through direct involvement
of Iraqi people. Mottaki also said that he reviewed the
facts behind the assassination of former Lebanese PM Al-
Hariri, but he avoided any talk about mediating between
Syria and Lebanon. He said that Syria has cooperated with
the international commission of inquiry into the Hariri case
and that the commission is expected to follow up the case
free of political influence. Mottaki also said that he has
examined "suspicious US provocations in the region,"
complaining that "the US is exploiting every event to
further its interventionist goals."



2. Selected Headlines:

"President Asad sends messages to leaders of fraternal and
friendly countries, the Security Council member states on
cooperation with the international investigation commission
and the relevant Syrian proposals" (Government-owned
Tishreen, 11/15)

"President Asad receives a message from Iranian President
Ahmadinezhad and discusses regional and international
developments and pressure on Syria with Iranian FM Mottaki"
(Government-owned Tishreen, 11/15)

"Syrians in Al-Quneitra stage sit-ins and address a message
to Annan: We insist on our right to restoration of the
Golan" (Government-owned Al-Ba'th, 11/15)

"Lebanese politicians criticize Al-Saniora's government for
failure to carry out its promises. Hizbollah: We shall not
allow anybody to fool us" (Government-owned Al-Ba'th, 11/15)

"Sharon: We support the Al-Sanior'a government and the
disarmament of Hizbollah. Sharon and Rice criticize Syria
and Iran" (Government-owned Tishreen, 11/15)

"Arab member of the Kenesset, Talab al-Sane', calls for
solidarity with Syria: Syria's confrontation of pressure
protects stability in the region" (Government-owned
Tishreen, 11/15)

"An Arab League ministerial consultation on Iraq will be
held in Cairo on Friday. The Gulf Cooperation Council
welcomes the reconciliation conference" (Government-owned Al-
Ba'th, 11/15)

"The UN warns against human rights violations in Iraq. The
UN Human Rights report focuses criticism on armed militias
and the Iragi government and ignores practices by the
occupation troops" (Government-owned Al-Ba'th, 11/15)


3. Editorial Block Quotes:

"Beyond the News: The Red Lines"
Isam Dari, an editorialist in government-owned Tishreen,
commented: "In his speech, President Asad gave warning about
the present serious stage, in which the nation's past,
present and future have become a target. He said that they
[Americans] want to wipe out our identity and history and to
take away our future.
"President Asad's speech to the nation cannot be
summarizeed, and we cannot interpret what is already
understood and clear. If danger is surrounding Syria today,
tomorrow it will affect everyone, foremost among them those
who have chosen to be governed by the will of ambitious
strangers....
"Syria is a target regardless of what it does and how it
cooperates. The weapon of lies exists and has been tested.
They lie about the simplest matters, even about addressing
an invitation for someone to attend a certain conference.
They also lie about the Iraqi, Palestinian and Lebanese
issues and entice whomever they want and intimidate whomever
they choose. Moreover, woe upon those who stand up to this
conspiracy and defend independence and sovereignty, if this
independence and this sovereignty were to contradict their
plans for colonial trusteeship.
"From the very beginning, there have been lies and false
accusations, and, from the very beginning, the expression
'not enough' has prevailed. Also, from the very beginning,
intentions have been exposed and Syria has been a target.
Moreover, right from the beginning, we have chosen to hold
our heads high and defend right, justice, sovereignty and
freedom, for these are red lines over which we can never
bargain."
"False Testimony and Fabrication of Proof"
Ali Nasrallah, an editorialist in government-owned Al-
Thawra, commented: "The story of the Syrian detainee in
Ankara, who was intimidated and terrorized to give false
testimony against Syria, is a new episode in the series of
attempts to incriminate Syria in the Al-Hariri
assassination....

"If the Al-Saqqa story is added to the Al-Siddiq false
testimony and to the falsifications and contradictions in
the Mehlis report, all these prove several facts. In the
lead is the full acquittal of Syria of the crime of the Al-
Hariri assassination....

"The other important fact is that the parties that persist
in fabricating false testimony against Syria know quite well
who killed Al-Hariri. These parties strive to hide this fact
to incriminate Syria and to achieve the vicious goals of US
and Israeli circles and wealthy Lebanese politicians who are
their agents....

"If Mehlis seeks the truth, he must look for those who
intimidated Al-Saqqa, and the parties that support them."

Seche