Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Iran, Syria/China,

UNCLAS DAMASCUS 001697

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: Syria/Iran, Syria/China,
Conference of Parliamentary Union of OIC Member States,
Palestinian Territories, Iraq, Lebanon (4/13)



1. 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 support the
Palestinian people.

Papers also highlighted President Asad's meeting on Wednesday
with Wang Li Chiwan, Member of the Politburo of the Central
Committee of the Chinese Communist Party, who confirmed support
for the modernization and development of Syria, restoration of
the occupied Golan, and a just and comprehensive peace based on
relevant international resolutions. Mr. Chiwan held a joint press
conference with Assistant Secretary General of al-Ba'th Arab
Socialist Party, Abdullah al-Ahmar.

The Syrian press also reported the fourth conference of the
Parliamentary Union of OIC member states in Istanbul, with the
participation of Mahmoud Abrash, Speaker of the Syrian
Parliament, who charged that "campaigns are being
launched against the future of the Islamic peoples and their
beliefs, and this has become a real conflict between the west and
the east." He added, "what was published regarding Prophet
Mohammed revealed the true picture of the hostile media campaign
against Islam and Islamic peoples." He called for a strategy to
confront these challenges.

End of summary.


2. Selected Headlines:

"President Asad reviews mutual cooperation and regional
developments with the Chinese Communist Party and discusses the
situation in Iraq and Palestine with Rafsanjani (Government-owned
Tishreen, 4/13)

"Al-Shara and Rafsanjani discuss latest developments in the
Palestinian and Iraqi arenas" (Government-owned Al-Thawra, 4/14)

"The Conference of the Parliamentary Union of OIC member states
inaugurated in Istanbul. Al-Abrash [Speaker of the Syrian
Parliament]: A strategy for facing campaigns against Moslems has
been adopted" (Government-owned Al-Thawra, 4/13)

"The ministerial committee on Iraq ends deliberations in Cairo
and underscores the importance of preserving Iraq's Arabism,
respect, unity and sovereignty. FM Mouallem calls for formation
of an Iraqi government and for withdrawal of foreign troops from
Iraq" (Government-owned Tishreen, 4/13)

"Lebanese President calls for expanding investigations into the
plot targeting Nassrallah" (Government-owned Al-Thawra, 4/13)

"Abbas warns against a disaster due to halt of aid to
Palestinians. Many Palestinians martyred and wounded during an
Israeli bombardment of Gaza Strip" (Government-owned Al-Ba'th,
4/13)

"Prodi: The Mediterranean Basin is of high importance to Italy"
(Government-owned Al-Thawra, 4/13)


3. Editorial Block Quotes:

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

"Assassination Attempt"

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

Khaled al-Ashhab, an editorialist in government-owned Al-Thawra,
commented (4/13): "Israel, in one way or another, was the party
that planned, financed, and did the training for the attempt on
the life of Hizballah Secretary General Hasan Nasrallah....

"Tools in Lebanon remained silent on the attempt.... Naturally,


they will not accuse the party that they kept accusing until
recently Syria. For they are not fools, and they do not want
people to accuse them of foolishness. And they will not accuse
Israel in any way, not because Israel is beyond accusation, but
because one cannot, no matter how fair, transparent, and
courageous, disavow his heart and hands...."

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

"Still There Is Hope"

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

Isam Dari, an editorialist in government-owned Tishreen,
commented (4/13): "It is sad that Arabs have been unable to
adopt a united position or at least forge an economic unity,
even though they know that there is no place in today's world
for small countries and blocs....

"Our big Arab homeland has all the elements of power that would
enable it to establish a competitive economic bloc capable of
standing fast in the world of major blocs....

"The only way out of the difficult Arab situation lies in the
reactivation of existing agreements and treaties in a way that
ultimately leads to the creation of solid grounds for a unified
Arab political position to confront challenges and ward off the
numerous dangers....

"Despite the complicated situation and the chronic differences,
there is still hope that the Arabs will unify positions and
achieve a better future...."

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

"Punishment of Victim"

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

Omar Jaftali, an editorialist in government-owned Tishreen,
commented (4/13): "UN organizations are warning against a
dangerous humanitarian disaster in the Palestinian territories
due to the American and European positions toward the
Palestinian government.... These US and European positions are
unfair and illogical.... They show blind bias toward Israel....

"They are punishing the victim because he is rejecting
humiliation and the abandonment of his rights.... The world is
not only watching the suffering of the Palestinian people, but
also deliberately making it worse...."

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