Damascus Media Reaction: Lebanon, Palestinian Elections,

UNCLAS DAMASCUS 000168

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, Palestinian Elections,
Iraq, Iran (1/11-16)

1. 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 in Beirut. The source
said the statement aimed to escalate pressure on Syria because of
its policies, which advocate stability and comprehensive peace
and oppose aggression and occupation. The source added that
Welch's statement constitutes a new, desperate attempt to raise
the morale of the forces and figures that oppose stability in
Lebanon and are hostile to Syria at a time when efforts are being
made to restore stability to this Arab country.
Papers also cited statements by Lebanese figures emphasizing
support for the Lebanese resistance and for Syria. One statement
is by Lebanese ex-Premier Salim al-Hoss, who criticized the
Lebanese voices that describe the Lebanese resistance as "weapons
of treachery" and acquit the Israeli enemy of the crime that
claimed the life of Rafik al-Hariri. Another statement, by
Lebanese ex-Parliamentarian Najah Wakim, totally rejects all
foreign intervention in Syrian and Lebanese internal affairs.

Papers also reported that Saudi Arabia and the UAE have declined
an official French request to grant political asylum to former
Syrian Vice President Abdul Halim Khaddam.

End of summary.


2. Selected Headlines:
"Syrian official source strongly criticizes statements in Beirut
by David Welch, US Assistant Secretary of State for Middle East
Affairs. The source stresses that these statements are a
desperate attempt to boost the morale of anti-Syrian figures in
Lebanon" (Government-owned Al-Ba'th, 1/15)
"Lebanese security forces violently curb a Lebanese demonstration
denouncing US intervention in Lebanon. Over 16 persons injured
and 3 others arrested during the demonstration"
"Office of Lebanese Presidency: Khaddam's statements are
unacceptable fabrications" (Government-owned Al-Thawra, 1/15)
"John Bolton, US envoy to the UN, attacks UN Chief Kofi Annan for
attending solidarity event with Palestinians" (Government-owned
Al-Thawra, 1/15)
"France looks for another asylum for Khaddam" (Government-owned
Al-Thawra, 1/14)
"Lebanese ex-Premier Salim al-Hoss: US pressure aims to impose
the Greater Middle East Project to destroy Arabism and tear the
region apart to serve Israel. Former Lebanese Minister Suleiman
Franjia: Syria has brought peace back to Lebanon; Jumblatt dreams
of fragmenting Lebanon" (Government-owned Al-Thawra, 1/14)
"Iranian President Ahmadi Najad: No concession regarding the
nuclear issue. Bush: We seek a diplomatic settlement" (Government-
owned Al-Thawra, 1/14)
"Mubarak discusses developments in Lebanon with Lebanese FM Al-
Saniora. Lebanese emphasis on maintaining relations with Syria
and rejecting foreign intervention" (Government-owned Al-Thawra,
1/13)
"Turkish FM Gul: No Cooperation with US and Israel against Syria"
(Government-owned Al-Thawra, 1/13)
"Disagreements once again over the Iraqi constitution. A US
General expects increase in attacks in Iraq" (Government-owned Al-
Thawra, 1/13)
"Amal and Hizbollah support healing rift with Syria on the basis
of the Taif Accord" (Government-owned Tishreen, 1/12)
"Palestinian resentment over Jerusalem siege. Ashrawi calls on
Washington to deter Israel. Hamas confirms its participation in
elections" (Government-owned Tishreen, 1/12)
"Iran calls on Europeans to understand the aim of its nuclear
activities. Iranian President: Iran's nuclear activities are for
peaceful purposes.
"Congress threatens to stop loans for reconstruction in Iraq.
Democrats answer Bush: Our loyalty is to our country not to you"
(Government-owned Tishreen, 1/12)


3. Editorial Block Quotes:
"Exhausted Excuses"
Muhammad Ali Buzah, an editorialist in government-owned Al-
Thawra, wrote (1/14): "Merchants of blood and politics in Lebanon
are escalating the situation and maintaining the climate of









and oppose aggression and occupation. The source added that
Welch's statement constitutes a new, desperate attempt to raise
the morale of the forces and figures that oppose stability in
Lebanon and are hostile to Syria at a time when efforts are being
made to restore stability to this Arab country.
Papers also cited statements by Lebanese figures emphasizing
support for the Lebanese resistance and for Syria. One statement
is by Lebanese ex-Premier Salim al-Hoss, who criticized the
Lebanese voices that describe the Lebanese resistance as "weapons
of treachery" and acquit the Israeli enemy of the crime that
claimed the life of Rafik al-Hariri. Another statement, by
Lebanese ex-Parliamentarian Najah Wakim, totally rejects all
foreign intervention in Syrian and Lebanese internal affairs.

tension whenever an attempt is made to heal the rift and
safeguard Lebanon's unity and Arabism and fraternal relations
with Syria.... These Lebanese, whose names were associated with
Lebanon's crisis and civil war and with collaboration with
Lebanon's enemies, have attacked the Arab endeavor, embodied by
the Saudi-Egyptian initiative, to contain the Syrian-Lebanese
crisis. This group has installed itself as the advocate of the
devil and the defender of Israel out of spite for Syria, Arabism,
and the valiant national resistance and its weapons and
sacrifices."
"This group risks dragging Lebanon, and with it the region, into
the fire and to partition.
"Maniac Walid Jumblatt, with the logic of collaboration and
humiliating mercenary subservience to the United States and
Israel, is repeating lies and falsehoods and spreading the poison
of hatred against Syria and its positions.... Jumblatt is
creating sedition in Lebanon and inciting against the resistance
as part of the conspiracy of Zionization, internationalization,
and the imposition of the so-called Greater Middle East plan....
This hysteria shows that these Lebanese figures are experiencing
a real crisis, as they know that they are mere pawns and cheap
tools who have sold themselves and their countries, and exhausted
their excuses that will soon be rejected and sent to their
natural place in the dustbin of history."
--------------
"The Maestro and the Orchestra"
--------------
Izz-al-Din al-Darwish, an editorialist in government-owned
Tishreen, commented (1/12): "Some Lebanese are not happy to see
Syrian-Lebanese relations return to their normal state of
brotherly relations based on neighborliness and mutual interests.
This repulsive and very small minority, which has links with
foreigners and which is loyal to them at the expense of the
homeland, publicly places itself on the other side and hinders
every effort to solve the problems in Syrian-Lebanese relations
and every attempt to heal the rift among the Lebanese themselves.
This Lebanese group appeared nervous during the Syrian-Saudi and
Syrian-Egyptian summits on Syrian-Lebanese relations.... They
directed abuse and accusations at and spread poison among the
Lebanese, heedless of the consequences. They have accused
everyone, including some Arabs, of treason. They have encroached
upon the nationalist leaders in Lebanon. And they have made
utterances that, to say the least, reflected blind hatred toward
Lebanon, Syria, and Arabs in general."
"The maestro [a reference to Progressive Socialist Party leader
Walid Jumblatt] and his orchestra are certain that the return of
Lebanese-Syrian relations to their normal state would mean, among
other things, the failure of their plans and, consequently, the
decline of their leadership. They are certain that the revelation
of the truth about the Al-Hariri assassination would take from
their hands the most important cards they use to tamper with
Lebanon and its relations with Syria. This is why they launch
media and political attacks, fabricate lies, level accusations,
draw strength from foreigners, and call for direct international
trusteeship. When one of them saw that relations with Syria and
the investigations of the Al-Hariri assassination were heading in








and oppose aggression and occupation. The source added that
Welch's statement constitutes a new, desperate attempt to raise
the morale of the forces and figures that oppose stability in
Lebanon and are hostile to Syria at a time when efforts are being
made to restore stability to this Arab country.
Papers also cited statements by Lebanese figures emphasizing
support for the Lebanese resistance and for Syria. One statement
is by Lebanese ex-Premier Salim al-Hoss, who criticized the
Lebanese voices that describe the Lebanese resistance as "weapons
of treachery" and acquit the Israeli enemy of the crime that
claimed the life of Rafik al-Hariri. Another statement, by
Lebanese ex-Parliamentarian Najah Wakim, totally rejects all
foreign intervention in Syrian and Lebanese internal affairs.

the right direction, he went so far as to call on the US
Administration to occupy Syria. He also urged foreign support to
crush the nationalist political regime in Syria! These people
know their real size in Lebanon and the Arab world."
--------------
"A Position that Gives No Cause for Joy"
--------------
Ahmad Dawwa, an editorialist in government-owned Al-Thawra, wrote
(1/15): "Palestinians should not be happy that the US has asked
Israel to allow the residents of Jerusalem to participate in the
legislative elections, because the American and Israeli
statements regarding HAMAS' participation in the polls give no
reason for joy. The remarks of US Assistant Secretary of State
David Welch on the need to exclude groups and individuals who
refuse to condemn terrorism and violence, who do not acknowledge
Israel's right to exist, and who refuse to disarm, do not
encourage optimism....
"Palestinians should be worried because Israel and the US are
bargaining with the Palestinian Authority over a purely domestic
issue and a legitimate Palestinian right. Any commitments made by
the Palestinian Authority as a result of such bargaining, such as
a pledge to disarm the resistance, would be unjustified and would
place more obstacles in the way of the Palestinian people as they
seek to end the occupation and establish their independent
state....
"The next few days will perhaps disclose details about the
American talks with the Israelis and the Palestinian Authority.
But these parties will be wrong if they believe that the
Palestinian people will agree to bargain over any of their rights
or to abandon any aspect of their steadfastness in the face of
the continuous Israeli aggression against them."
--------------

"A Step Serving the Umma and its Solidarity"

--------------

Isam Dari, an editorialist in government-owned Tishreen, wrote
(1/11): "The Arab nation will ultimately be able to overcome all
ordeals, no matter how intense and regardless of the power of the
foreign forces that cause them. Perhaps what we saw in Jeddah and
Sharm al-Sheikh three days ago [President Al-Asad's visits] and
the preceding activities, contacts, and consultations on the
highest levels provide the best proof that Arab leaders, at times
of hardship, adopt one position and one objective, namely,
protecting the nation and safeguarding its borders and existence.

"The entire Arab nation is facing major dangers, although the
accusations and threats are directed at Syria at this stage. All
Arabs are being burned by the fire of the US theory of
'constructive instability....' The war on Iraq and developments
in Lebanon and the Palestinian territories are part of the
American Greater Middle East plan....

"All weapons are being used today to subdue the Arab will, of
which Syria is the spearhead. The Jeddah and Sharm al-Sheikh








and oppose aggression and occupation. The source added that
Welch's statement constitutes a new, desperate attempt to raise
the morale of the forces and figures that oppose stability in
Lebanon and are hostile to Syria at a time when efforts are being
made to restore stability to this Arab country.
Papers also cited statements by Lebanese figures emphasizing
support for the Lebanese resistance and for Syria. One statement
is by Lebanese ex-Premier Salim al-Hoss, who criticized the
Lebanese voices that describe the Lebanese resistance as "weapons
of treachery" and acquit the Israeli enemy of the crime that
claimed the life of Rafik al-Hariri. Another statement, by
Lebanese ex-Parliamentarian Najah Wakim, totally rejects all
foreign intervention in Syrian and Lebanese internal affairs.

summits call for optimism and restore hope to our troubled souls.
They are a constructive step on a long road that we hope will
continue in order to serve the nation and its interests and
protect its threatened existence."


Seche