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:

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"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