Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/US, Syria/Palestine,

UNCLAS DAMASCUS 002071 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/US, Syria/Palestine, Syria/Iran, Lebanon, Iraq, Iran's Nuclear Program (5/4) ¶1. Summary: Syrian papers reported that Dr. Faisal Miqdad, Deputy Foreign Minister, conferred with a delegation from the US Institute of Peace now visiting Syria. He commented that "the current US policy is contributing to complications in the region and is blocking efforts to achieve stability in the Middle East." Dr. Miqdad delivered a political review of Syrian policy vis-a-vis political developments in the region and Syria's principled stance on circumstances in Palestine and Iraq. Papers also reported that the US delegation met with Dr. Buthaina Shabaan, Minister of Expatriates, who called on the US Administration to reconsider its policies in the Middle East, noting that they serve neither US interests nor US-Arab ties. Shabaan emphasized that "Syria is working with the international community to achieve a just and comprehensive peace in the region in accordance with international legitimacy." She added, "Syria is taking firm steps in the process of reforming and developing all aspects of the life of Syrian society." Papers also featured a lecture delivered at Damascus University by Khaled Mashaal, Chairman of HAMAS' Political Bureau. Mashaal praised Syria's financial support of Palestinians. He said that "Syria's fundraising campaign represents a model of a positive Arab role in support of the Palestinian cause." Mashaal reviewed developments in the region and the siege that "has been imposed on Palestinians due to their democratic choice." The Syrian press also reported that Mohammad Suleimani, Iranian Minister of Communications and Technology, and Amr Salem, his Syrian counterpart, have signed a number of agreements in the fields of communications and information technology, valued at $30 million and expected to increase to $100 million. Later, Minister Salem signed a contract with his Iranian counterpart to import $70 million worth of communication cables from Iran. End of summary. ¶3. Selected Headlines: "Shabaan and Miqdad confer with a delegation from the US Institute of Peace: US policy contributes to complications in the region" (Government-owned Al-Ba'th, 5/4) "The Syrian fundraising campaign continues. Mashaal: Syria is an Arab and pan-Arab model of support for the Palestinian people" (Government-owned Al-Thawra, 5/4) "Author of the book of 'Hidden Evidence in Lebanon' and German expert in criminal science, Kolpil: The Israeli Mossad disabled the radars and Kolpil is ready to give evidence. A Lebanese call to investigate the Israeli role in the crime of the Al-Hariri assassination" (Government-owned Al-Thawra, 5/4) "The Palestinian government rejects Chirac's suggestions to solve the crisis of salaries. Hahieh: We have collected the necessary funds, but US pressures are blocking them" (Government-owned Al- Ba'th, 5/4) "A car bomb targets the Mayor of Al-Anbar. 58 Iraqis killed, two injured in Fallujah. In its first session, the Iraqi parliament discusses amendment of the constitution" (Government-owned Al- Ba'th, 5/4) "A European draft resolution to the Security Council to impose sanctions on Iran. Bolton calls for an alliance of countries that desire to impose sanctions on Iran [in case the UNSC fails to endorse such a step]. Tehran denounces the US policy of intimidation" (Government-owned Al-Ba'th, 5/4) ¶3. Editorial Block Quotes: -------------- "Alliance with Terrorism" -------------- Isam Dari, an editorialist in government-owned Tishreen, wrote (5/4): "Syria is coming under various forms of pressure these days applied by big international and regional forces and individuals who have volunteered to do everything they are ordered to do.... "The US Administration has never stopped its pressure on Damascus, whether directly or through quarters and individuals who want to please the master of the White House and his neoconservatives, even at the expense of dignity, sovereignty, and the 'principles' that this anti-Syria team is falsely bragging about.... "These people appear ready to do anything to tarnish Syria's image.... Today they wanted to affirm their flagrant hostility toward the Syrian people -- not the regime. They declared an unholy alliance with a group that has committed every evil act, spilled the blood of the Syrian people, and committed crimes against humanity, not only against Syria and the Syrians [in reference to the Syrian Muslim Brothers who are reportedly visiting Lebanon].... "The new Machiavellians, from Washington to Israel to some of the 'neighbors', have exposed themselves and forged an alliance with terrorism and the terrorists who are condemned by the peoples of the earth and the laws of heaven, only because the aim is to bring Syria to its knees and force it to turn against its principles.... "Syria will not turn against itself or shed its skin. It will not disavow its principles and the ambitions of its people and the Arabs, even if its enemies ally themselves with the devil himself, as well as with terrorism, terrorists, and highway robbers...." -------------- "Insistence on Failure" -------------- Omar Jaftali, a commentator in government-owned Tishreen, wrote (5/4): "The US Administration is acting against international legitimacy. It is using the logic of pressure and force against countries whose policies are based on the logic of law and the principles of international legitimacy, such as Syria. These countries reject US policy only when the Bush administration insists on pursuing an Israeli policy and surrendering to the plans of neoconservatives, who embroiled Washington in a war on Iraq and who insist on drawing a new map for our Arab region, one that serves their hostile plans and totally avoids the requirements and rights of the region in accordance with international law and UN resolutions." -------------- "Iran in Different Mirrors" -------------- Ali Abdul-Karim, a columnist in government-owned Tishreen, commented (5/4): "There are some regional apprehensions about the Iranian nuclear program.... "A fair and balanced vision would show that Iran's power is a guarantee more than a threat, because experience has proven that Israeli aggression cannot be curbed by negotiations or international resolutions unless there is a power for Israel to take into consideration.... "Washington's threats to Tehran do not serve stability in the region, especially since the United States has turned a deaf ear to the calls of all countries of the region, including Iran, to free the entire region from weapons of mass destruction...." Seche