Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06DAMASCUS1878
2006-04-25 12:34:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Damascus
Cable title:
Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Egypt, Syria/US,
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UNCLAS DAMASCUS 001878
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/Egypt, Syria/US,
Syrian/Lebanon, Iraq, Palestinian Territories (4/25)
UNCLAS DAMASCUS 001878
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/Egypt, Syria/US,
Syrian/Lebanon, Iraq, Palestinian Territories (4/25)
1. Summary: Syrian papers today reported President Asad's phone
call to President Mubarak to condemn the terrorist bombings that
hit the Dahab resort in Sinai and to extend condolences on the
victims.
Papers also featured a statement by Dr. Buthaina Shaaban,
Minister of Expatriates, during a meeting with a delegation of
the International Cooperation Council in the US, that the main
problem in the region is the absence of a solution to the Arab-
Israeli conflict and non-implementation of relevant international
resolutions. Shaaban briefed the delegation on the situation in
the region, saying that instability is a result of the Israeli
occupation of the Palestinian territories and the US occupation
of Iraq. The Minister said that "the terms being used by western
media connecting terrorism with Arabs and Muslims constitute a
serious menace to the future of relations between the eastern and
western worlds. Members of the visiting delegation reiterated the
importance of working with Syrian clubs and organizations in the
US to convey an accurate image of Syria and its culture.
The Syrian press reported that the Civil Committee on Syrians
Missing in Lebanon called for consideration of the issue of lost
Syrians in Lebanon as a primary item in any Syrian-Lebanese
talks. The statement added that the "fraternal Lebanese people
are innocent of the acts of the malicious parties who killed the
Syrian workers," and called for punishing those responsible for
the crimes and for getting back the 804 lost Syrians who are
still alive.
End of summary.
2. Selected Headlines:
"Terrorism strikes again in Sinai. Scores of fatalities and
casualties in three explosions that hit the Dahab resort.
President Asad denounces the criminal act and extends condolences
to President Mubarak for the victims" (Government-owned Tishreen,
4/25)
"The Civil Committee on Syrians Missing in Lebanon calls for
consideration of the issue of Syrians missing in Lebanon as
primary item in any Syrian-Lebanese talks" (Government-owned Al-
Ba'th, 4/25)
"Information Minister Bilal discusses enhancement of bilateral
cooperation with French Ambassador in Damascus" (Government-owned
Al-Thawra, 4/25)
On directives of President Asad and with the presence of Vice-
President Attar, the Popular Committee decides to start a public
donation campaign on Sunday to support the Palestinian people.
"Norway, following Switzerland, challenges Washington and
expresses readiness to meet with Hamas officials" (Government-
owned Tishreen, 4/25)
"Israel commences its disengagement plan in northern West Bank.
Hanieh calls for confronting challenges. Norway rejects US
pressure" (Government-owned Al-Ba'th, 4/25)
"In a Symposium on Water Security, the Arab League warns against
the dangers of Israeli robbery of water in Golan and South
Lebanon" (Government-owned Tishreen, 4/25)
"Nasrallah, SecGen of Hizbollah: We reject border demarcation in
Shebaa Farms under occupation" (Government-owned Tishreen, 4/25)
3. Editorial Block Quotes:
-------------- --------------
"Lebanon's Strength Is in its Pan-Arab Affiliation"
-------------- --------------
Muhammad Khayr al-Jammali, an editorialist in government-owned
Al-Thawra, commented (4/25): "US Assistant Secretary of State
David Welch stated that the United States wants Lebanon to be a
strong country.... Washington wants Lebanon to be strong against
its Arab brothers and their national hopes and ambitions,
primarily against Syria, because it is the firm opposition force
against the American-Israeli plans....
"The strong Lebanon that Washington wants is a Lebanon allied
with Israel.... The US Administration wants to see Lebanon in
this position for three reasons: to relieve Israel from
Lebanon's resistance, to compensate for its failure to make Iraq
a model for the Greater Middle East, and to turn Lebanon into a
burden for Syria and Arabs and their pan-Arab efforts to ensure
their security, existence, and identity....
"Lebanon will remain too strong to be isolated from its national
role and pan-Arab affiliations.... The future of the country
will be shaped by the Lebanese people and their nationalist
forces, which realize that Lebanon's real power lies in its pan-
Arab affiliation, national unity, and resistance against the
plans of subjugation and Westernization...."
--------------
"Kind with Officials, Tough on Issues"
--------------
Buthaina Sha'ban, Minister of Expatriates, commented in
government-owned Tishreen (4/25): "Some Arab officials [in what
appears to be a reference to Lebanese Prime Minister Fu'ad al-
Saniora and his meeting with President Bush] appear willing to
offer concessions on national causes in return for a short
meeting with President Bush or a public relations gesture from
other Western leaders or media....
"The warmth and intimacy that President Bush or other Western
leaders show toward visiting Arab officials are meant to
influence these officials into relinquishing Arab rights....
What does it mean to us when President Bush says that 'Lebanon
is a model for the Middle East'? Does it mean that other
countries in the Middle East will be Lebanonized in order to
turn Israel into the sole, hegemonic power in the region, as
Iraq was Lebanonized after its occupation? Hundreds of thousands
of Iraqi men, women, and children were killed and the country
was turned into warring sectarian parties, unable to create a
real democratic political system expressing the unity of the
people and their causes, free from ethnic and sectarian
considerations and from the personal interests of opportunist
politicians associated with this ambassador or that. Or does it
mean that the official who delights the US president to the
point that makes him pat this official's shoulder -- with the
same hand that signed the decision to cut aid to the Palestinian
people -- will become a model for anyone who wishes to win the
approval of the president and, consequently, earn an invitation
to visit Washington? He must pay the price of the visit in
advance by pursuing the resistance and stripping it of the
elements of survival. And in return for the visit, he must also
sell out family and neighborly relations with a country that has
all the bonds of common interests and joint destiny with his
country...."
--------------
"Fight to Serve America's Interests"
--------------
As'ad Abbud, a columnist in government-owned Al-Thawra,
commented (4/25): "The US administration endeavors to create new
animosities in the region, such as conflicts between Iran and
the Arabs, Sunnis and Shiites, and Muslims and Christians....
"Such conflicts would be a strong card in the hands of
Washington, enabling it to implement its plans without waging
new wars that it might lose....
"Creating hostile climates in the region in which Israel is
excluded and terrorism is used might be a tactic to throw the
region off balance and keep its countries busy with each other
so that the United States will not need to wage new wars. This
is one of the secrets of the deep hostility toward Iran and
Syria, as both reject hostility between them and insist that
Israel is the number one enemy in the region...."
Seche
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/Egypt, Syria/US,
Syrian/Lebanon, Iraq, Palestinian Territories (4/25)
1. Summary: Syrian papers today reported President Asad's phone
call to President Mubarak to condemn the terrorist bombings that
hit the Dahab resort in Sinai and to extend condolences on the
victims.
Papers also featured a statement by Dr. Buthaina Shaaban,
Minister of Expatriates, during a meeting with a delegation of
the International Cooperation Council in the US, that the main
problem in the region is the absence of a solution to the Arab-
Israeli conflict and non-implementation of relevant international
resolutions. Shaaban briefed the delegation on the situation in
the region, saying that instability is a result of the Israeli
occupation of the Palestinian territories and the US occupation
of Iraq. The Minister said that "the terms being used by western
media connecting terrorism with Arabs and Muslims constitute a
serious menace to the future of relations between the eastern and
western worlds. Members of the visiting delegation reiterated the
importance of working with Syrian clubs and organizations in the
US to convey an accurate image of Syria and its culture.
The Syrian press reported that the Civil Committee on Syrians
Missing in Lebanon called for consideration of the issue of lost
Syrians in Lebanon as a primary item in any Syrian-Lebanese
talks. The statement added that the "fraternal Lebanese people
are innocent of the acts of the malicious parties who killed the
Syrian workers," and called for punishing those responsible for
the crimes and for getting back the 804 lost Syrians who are
still alive.
End of summary.
2. Selected Headlines:
"Terrorism strikes again in Sinai. Scores of fatalities and
casualties in three explosions that hit the Dahab resort.
President Asad denounces the criminal act and extends condolences
to President Mubarak for the victims" (Government-owned Tishreen,
4/25)
"The Civil Committee on Syrians Missing in Lebanon calls for
consideration of the issue of Syrians missing in Lebanon as
primary item in any Syrian-Lebanese talks" (Government-owned Al-
Ba'th, 4/25)
"Information Minister Bilal discusses enhancement of bilateral
cooperation with French Ambassador in Damascus" (Government-owned
Al-Thawra, 4/25)
On directives of President Asad and with the presence of Vice-
President Attar, the Popular Committee decides to start a public
donation campaign on Sunday to support the Palestinian people.
"Norway, following Switzerland, challenges Washington and
expresses readiness to meet with Hamas officials" (Government-
owned Tishreen, 4/25)
"Israel commences its disengagement plan in northern West Bank.
Hanieh calls for confronting challenges. Norway rejects US
pressure" (Government-owned Al-Ba'th, 4/25)
"In a Symposium on Water Security, the Arab League warns against
the dangers of Israeli robbery of water in Golan and South
Lebanon" (Government-owned Tishreen, 4/25)
"Nasrallah, SecGen of Hizbollah: We reject border demarcation in
Shebaa Farms under occupation" (Government-owned Tishreen, 4/25)
3. Editorial Block Quotes:
-------------- --------------
"Lebanon's Strength Is in its Pan-Arab Affiliation"
-------------- --------------
Muhammad Khayr al-Jammali, an editorialist in government-owned
Al-Thawra, commented (4/25): "US Assistant Secretary of State
David Welch stated that the United States wants Lebanon to be a
strong country.... Washington wants Lebanon to be strong against
its Arab brothers and their national hopes and ambitions,
primarily against Syria, because it is the firm opposition force
against the American-Israeli plans....
"The strong Lebanon that Washington wants is a Lebanon allied
with Israel.... The US Administration wants to see Lebanon in
this position for three reasons: to relieve Israel from
Lebanon's resistance, to compensate for its failure to make Iraq
a model for the Greater Middle East, and to turn Lebanon into a
burden for Syria and Arabs and their pan-Arab efforts to ensure
their security, existence, and identity....
"Lebanon will remain too strong to be isolated from its national
role and pan-Arab affiliations.... The future of the country
will be shaped by the Lebanese people and their nationalist
forces, which realize that Lebanon's real power lies in its pan-
Arab affiliation, national unity, and resistance against the
plans of subjugation and Westernization...."
--------------
"Kind with Officials, Tough on Issues"
--------------
Buthaina Sha'ban, Minister of Expatriates, commented in
government-owned Tishreen (4/25): "Some Arab officials [in what
appears to be a reference to Lebanese Prime Minister Fu'ad al-
Saniora and his meeting with President Bush] appear willing to
offer concessions on national causes in return for a short
meeting with President Bush or a public relations gesture from
other Western leaders or media....
"The warmth and intimacy that President Bush or other Western
leaders show toward visiting Arab officials are meant to
influence these officials into relinquishing Arab rights....
What does it mean to us when President Bush says that 'Lebanon
is a model for the Middle East'? Does it mean that other
countries in the Middle East will be Lebanonized in order to
turn Israel into the sole, hegemonic power in the region, as
Iraq was Lebanonized after its occupation? Hundreds of thousands
of Iraqi men, women, and children were killed and the country
was turned into warring sectarian parties, unable to create a
real democratic political system expressing the unity of the
people and their causes, free from ethnic and sectarian
considerations and from the personal interests of opportunist
politicians associated with this ambassador or that. Or does it
mean that the official who delights the US president to the
point that makes him pat this official's shoulder -- with the
same hand that signed the decision to cut aid to the Palestinian
people -- will become a model for anyone who wishes to win the
approval of the president and, consequently, earn an invitation
to visit Washington? He must pay the price of the visit in
advance by pursuing the resistance and stripping it of the
elements of survival. And in return for the visit, he must also
sell out family and neighborly relations with a country that has
all the bonds of common interests and joint destiny with his
country...."
--------------
"Fight to Serve America's Interests"
--------------
As'ad Abbud, a columnist in government-owned Al-Thawra,
commented (4/25): "The US administration endeavors to create new
animosities in the region, such as conflicts between Iran and
the Arabs, Sunnis and Shiites, and Muslims and Christians....
"Such conflicts would be a strong card in the hands of
Washington, enabling it to implement its plans without waging
new wars that it might lose....
"Creating hostile climates in the region in which Israel is
excluded and terrorism is used might be a tactic to throw the
region off balance and keep its countries busy with each other
so that the United States will not need to wage new wars. This
is one of the secrets of the deep hostility toward Iran and
Syria, as both reject hostility between them and insist that
Israel is the number one enemy in the region...."
Seche