Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ABUDHABI2072
2006-05-17 13:44:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Cable title:  

UAE PRESS CONDEMNS ARREST OF SYRIAN JOURNALIST

Tags:  KMDR KDEM PHUM SY AE 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO7980
PP RUEHDE
DE RUEHAD #2072 1371344
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 171344Z MAY 06
FM AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5200
INFO RUEHDM/AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS PRIORITY 0782
RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE
RUEHLB/AMEMBASSY BEIRUT 0494
RUEHDE/AMCONSUL DUBAI 6170
C O N F I D E N T I A L ABU DHABI 002072 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/17/2016
TAGS: KMDR KDEM PHUM SY AE
SUBJECT: UAE PRESS CONDEMNS ARREST OF SYRIAN JOURNALIST
MICHEL KILO (FOLLOWING HIS RECENT VISIT TO THE UAE)


Classified By: DCM Martin Quinn, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABU DHABI 002072

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/17/2016
TAGS: KMDR KDEM PHUM SY AE
SUBJECT: UAE PRESS CONDEMNS ARREST OF SYRIAN JOURNALIST
MICHEL KILO (FOLLOWING HIS RECENT VISIT TO THE UAE)


Classified By: DCM Martin Quinn, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Summary: Arabic and English language dailies
prominently covered the arrest of Syrian activist Michel Kilo
(who was in the UAE May 9-10 participating in a conference
hosted by Sharjah-based "Al Khaleej") and widely condemned
his detention. Reaction to the press coverage by the
official Emirates News Agency (WAM) may indicate that the
UAEG has hardened its position with regard to Syria. End
Summary.


2. (U) Both Arabic and English language dailies prominently
covered the arrest of Syrian activist Michel Kilo by Syrian
state security, and published editorials condemning his
detention. The Arabic daily "Al Khaleej" carried an unsigned
editorial urging the Syrian president to release Kilo and
other "hostages of conscience" in Syria specifically naming
Al Khaleej's Damascus correspondent Muhammad Abdullah. The
editorial begins: "Syrian authorities added Michel Kilo to a
long list of detainees . . . to punish for exercising their
free opinion" and adding" it is imperative to break all
chains and liberate all detainees and launch the new spring
in Syria that President Bashar promised his people."


3. (U) Under the header "An arrest made for no reason" an
editorial in the English daily "Gulf News" characterized
Kilo's arrest as "an inexplicable move by the Damascus regime
and a grave mistake that should be rectified immediately."
Several articles speculated that Kilo was arrested for
signing the "Damascus-Beirut declaration" which calls for
Syria and Lebanon to mend their "frayed relations." An
editorial in the English daily "Khaleej Times" stated that
"it is clear that Syria cannot tell its friends from its
foes" and that the Damascus-Beirut declaration "is a well
meaning and genuine attempt to bridge the growing gulf
between the two countries." It concludes with a call for
Syria and Lebanon to "free themselves from the heavy burden
of their recent history" and face their challenges together.



4. (C) Kilo was in the UAE last week speaking at an annual
conference hosted by Al Khaleej on May 9-10. The Embassy's
Syrian-born Information Specialist spoke to Kilo during the
conference about the situation in Syria and the controversial
document Kilo signed along with other Syrian and Lebanese
intellectuals laying out a framework for Syrian-Lebanese
relations. Kilo commented to FSN that Syrian security "is
furious about the document" simply because it places Lebanon
on the same footing with Syria and views Lebanon as an
independent and sovereign state. Kilo also voiced the fear
that he would be arrested upon his return to Syria.


5. (C) On May 17, UAEG's official news agency, The Emirates
News Agency (WAM),issued a story largely quoting the Khaleej
Times editorial verbatim. Although no further comment about
the detention was offered in the WAM article, the reprinting
of the editorial, virtually in its entirety, can be viewed as
official endorsement of the statements made, and may indicate
that the UAEG has hardened its position with regard to Syria.
SISON