Damascus Media Reaction: Independence Anniversary,

UNCLAS DAMASCUS 001781 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: Independence Anniversary, Syria/Iran, Syria/Palestinians, Syria/Russia, Iraq, Lebanon, Rumsfeld (4/14-18) ¶1. Summary: Papers reported the announcement by the Syrian government of a public fundraising campaign for the Palestinian National Authority to help fill the gap created by Western countries and Israel. The announcement was made in a joint press conference with Akhar Hashemi Rafsanjani, Chairman of the Iranian Expediency Council, at the end of the pro-Palestine conference in Tehran. Syrian Vice-President Shara declared that bank accounts would be opened to receive donations to Palestinians in the Occupied Territories. Mr. Shara added, "I hope that Arab countries will not be swayed by the pretext that these funds will be used for terrorist activities. This aid will serve to avoid a real catastrophe in Palestine." Rafsanjani described the western countries' stand on Iran's uranium enrichment as "unjust," and stressed that Iran's nuclear program was not intended to harm any country in the region. Shara emphasized Iran's right to possess nuclear technology for peaceful purposes in accordance with Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Papers also reported a statement by Oleg Persipkin, the Russian President's Adviser for Arab Affairs, reiterating rejection of pressure on Syria. Persipkin said, "Syria has made great sacrifices for Lebanon's civil peace and security." Persipkin was Russian ambassador to Lebanon between 1996 and 2000. He chairs the Lebanese-Russian Friendship Association. End of summary. ¶2. Selected Headlines: "President Asad and Rafsanjani conclude their talks on bilateral relations" (Government-owned Tishreen, 4/16) "In a joint press conference: Shara: President Asad gives direction to launch a public fundraising campaign for the Palestinian people. Rafsanjani: Aggression against Iran is not in the interest of America and the region" (Government-owned Al- Thawra, 4/17) "President Putin's Adviser: We reject pressure on Syria" (Government-owned Tishreen, 4/17) "Parliament Speaker Abrash at the 3rd International Conference on Jerusalem: Ending the Israeli occupation is pivotal to stability, security and peace" (Government-owned Tishreen, 4/16) "Iran allocates $50 million of aid to the Palestinian people" (Government-owned Tishreen, 4/17) "US sanctions against the Palestinian people continue. Al-Zahhar calls on Arab countries to fulfill their commitment and to open doors for popular donations" (Government-owned Tishreen, 4/16) "The crisis over Iraq premiership is over. Terrorism claims the lives of scores of Iraqis. US army announces the killing of three of its soldiers" (Government-owned Tishreen, 4/16) "The Jerusalem Conference commences deliberations in Tehran: The Palestinian cause is the key to the Islamic Nation's salvation" (Government-owned Tishreen, 4/15) "SecGen of Hizbollah, Nasrallah, hopes that the debate on reform will not be sectarian: I will forgive those who are involved in the attempt on my life" (Government-owned Tishreen, 4/15) "Nine Israelis killed, scores injured in Tel Aviv operation. Hamas: A self-defense operation. Olmert unleashes threats against Palestinians" (Government-owned Al-Thawra, 4/18) "Israel threatens to reoccupy the Gaza Strip. Hanieh: Endeavors to isolate the government will fail. Washington blocks a UN Security Council resolution urging Israel to refrain from excessive use of force against Palestinians" (Government-owned Tishreen, 4/15) "Republicans and Democrats urge Bush to negotiate a solution with Tehran. Iran: We will persist in enriching uranium" (Government- owned Al-Ba'th, 4/18) ¶3. Editorial Block Quotes: -------------- "Rumsfeld and Generals" -------------- Against the backdrop of the criticism of US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld by retired Army generals, Nadya Dimyatti, an editorialist in government-owned Al-Thawra, wrote (4/17): "Observers and analysts believe the storms sweeping the White House, from the financial scandals to the eavesdropping law to the leak of information to mishandling of the hurricane response, will not die down with the resignation of Rumsfeld alone, because the other important element in the equation is Vice President Dick Cheney, who is also being asked to step down against the background of many mistakes. Would Rumsfeld's resignation save the US Administration from the war quagmire? The fact is that what is needed is a radical revision of US Middle East policy." -------------- - "Bush's Justifications for Defending Rumsfeld" -------------- - Charles Kamilah, a commentator in government-owned Tishreen, wrote (4/17): "President Bush did not defend Rumsfeld out of love for him so much as defending himself and his predicament in Iraq. He was trying to beautify the swamp where the amount of mud mixed with innocent blood is increasing. Any attempt to ignore this fact is a deception meant to prolong the life of an administration that has entered a crucial stage in its domestic crisis." -------------- "Not Iran's Nukes" -------------- As'ad Abbud, an editorialist in government-owned Al-Thawra, wrote (4/17): "Iran's nuclear program is being targeted not because of fear that Tehran might produce nuclear weapons, but because the West does not want Arabs and Muslims to reach an advanced scientific and technological level enabling them to keep abreast of international progress and protect their land and invest their fortunes. "Arabs and Muslims must focus on science and technology.... The Arab media must not raise fears over Iran's nuclear activity.... Iran is an important country in the region. It is one of the region's pillars. It is a free country and a decision-maker that does not make decisions without considering the interests of the world and the countries of the region. The Iranian hand has been extended to the sons of the region to sign a non-aggression treaty. There is no reason for concern. Islamic Iran is a peaceful country that has not engaged in any hostile action against any country in the region. On the contrary, it was subjected to real aggression and a hostile war supported by all the American voices in the world. It stood fast, struggled, and adopted a sincere position until it triumphed...." -------------- "Until the Last Drop" -------------- Izz-al-Din al-Darwish, an editorialist in government-owned Tishreen, commented (4/16): "The United States is using all its power and might to fight a small defenseless people suffering under the most vicious forms of occupation.... "The US Administration is issuing deterrent laws, taking strict measures, using all its influence at home and abroad, pressuring Europe and the UN Security Council, and threatening Arab and Islamic countries to prevent the provision of financial aid to the Palestinian people, who are besieged by the Israeli occupation from all directions.... "The true motive behind the American measures is to help Israel implement its plans in the Palestinian territories and force Palestinians to accept these plans.... Arabs and Muslims must rush to help Palestinians effectively...." -------------- "Partnership in Aggression" -------------- Isam Dari, an editorialist in government-owned Tishreen, wrote (4/15): "The US has obstructed a UN Security Council resolution calling on Israel to stop its open aggression against Palestinians.... "Isn't this true partnership in the aggression? Can we still believe that the current US Administration is able to play a role in bringing about peace in the region....? "Washington no longer takes the feelings of Arabs or the bases of the peace process into consideration. Indeed, it publicly declared its hostility toward Arabs through its occupation and destruction of Iraq and the spread of chaos all over the country and through its full partnership in the aggression on Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, and the Arabs.... "It is high time that Arabs realize this fact and deal with the US Administration on the basis of its hostile policies and positions toward them and its support for and partnership in the Israeli aggression. The problem is that most Arabs realize this fact but deliberately ignore it and call on us to kiss the dagger that is stabbing us." Seche