Damascus Media Reaction: Lebanon, Syria/Austria (4/5)

UNCLAS DAMASCUS 001541

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR PA, NEA/ARN, INR/IC/CD, INR/S:STHIBEAULT AND
JMCCARTER, 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: Lebanon, Syria/Austria (4/5)


1. 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 meeting with Ammar
Moussawi and Mohammad Berjaoui, two leaders in Hizbollah, who
discussed attempts by some Lebanese parties to target and weaken
the Lebanese national resistance.

Syrian papers reported statements of the Austrian Ambassador in
Damascus, Karel Schrmek, underlining Syria's important role and
position in the region, particularly for Europe. At a celebration
attended by Syria's Grand Mufti and EU ambassadors in Syria,
Schrmek, whose country currently heads the EU, stressed the need
to boost ties between Syria and Europe and to work hard to expand
the culture of tolerance, amity and peace and prevent any kind of
extremism.

End of summary.


2. Selected Headlines:

"Foreign Minister al-Muallem briefs the cabinet on latest
regional and international developments. Muallem: President
Asad's participation in the recent Arab Summit in Khartoum helped
reach positive resolutions" (Government-owned Tishreen, 4/5)

"A US Study: Israeli lobby is behind the targeting of Syria"
(Government-owned Tishreen, 4/5"

"An Austrian call to enhance cooperation between Syria and the
EU. Schrmek, Austrian Ambassador in Damascus, Highlights Syria's
role in spreading the culture of peace and love" (Government-
owned Tishreen, 4/5)

"A Lebanese determination to make the national dialogue a
success, giving priority to citizens' issues. President Lahoud:
Lebanon's interest lies in establishing best relations with
Syria. Lebanese politicians call for government attention to the
daily life of Lebanese citizens, reject American tutelage, stress
commitment to national resistance, and assert that foreign
interference serves Israel" (Government-owned Tishreen, 4/5)

"Two Palestinians killed in Gaza. Israeli forces target
headquarters of the Palestinian Presidency in Gaza. Palestinian
Foreign Minister Zahar tours a number of Eastern Asian countries"
(Government-owned Tishreen, 4/5)

"US President Bush calls for accelerating the formation of the
Iraqi government" (Government-owned Tishreen, 4/5)


3. Editorial Block Quotes:

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"Al-Saniora and His Visit to Damascus"

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The Chief Editor of Al-Iqtissadya, an independent weekly,
editorialized (4/2): "What does Al-Saniora's handshake with
President Asad at the Khartourm Summit mean? Did Al-Saniora want
to express to the Arab leaders his good intention towards Syria
and towards Syrian-Lebanese relations...?

"We believe that distinguished Syrian-Lebanese relations should
be based on mutual respect and demarcation of borders.... Mutual
respect means, first, the accountability of all those who
contributed to the hysterical campaign to distort Syria's image
and deliberately accused Syrian of assassinating Rafik Al-Hariri
and presented false witnesses to the IIC and urged the UNSC
resolution to punish Syria for a crime it did not commit.

"The good intention that Al-Saniora marketed at the Khartoum
summit, and might market soon in Damascus, means that the
international investigation must not be restricted to Lebanese
victims; it must include investigation of the assassination of
Syrian labors in Lebanon. There should no distinction between
Syrian and Lebanese victims....

"Al-Saniora might come to Damascus tomorrow to discuss
demarcation of the border, opening embassies and opening a new
page in bilateral relations. But Al-Saniora will not enjoy
popular Syrian support because he has not brought the criminals
who assassinated bilateral relations to court....The Syrian
people will not forget the blood of Syrian laborers in
Lebanon....

"Al-Sanoira has not been neutral for a single day. In addition to
his position as Prime Minister, he is an employee of Saad
Al-Hariri, who is trying to use his wealth to prove the
impossible, namely, that Syria is responsible for his father's
assassination....

"Our message to Al-Saniora is that he should not hide in the
alleys but must appear boldly in public. Lebanon can mend what
the merchants of war and blood have spoiled.... The chance still
exists for accountability of those who sabotaged bilateral
relations...."

Seche