Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06DAMASCUS2134
2006-05-08 13:28:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Damascus
Cable title:  

Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Lebanon, Palestinian

Tags:  KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY 
pdf how-to read a cable
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OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHDM #2134/01 1281328
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 081328Z MAY 06
FM AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8833
RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RUEHAM/AMEMBASSY AMMAN 5929
RUEHLB/AMEMBASSY BEIRUT 3798
RUEHEG/AMEMBASSY CAIRO 2308
RUEHRH/AMEMBASSY RIYADH 7004
RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV 0958
RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA 4379
RUEHJM/AMCONSUL JERUSALEM 0599
RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL//CCPA//
INFO RUEHNC/AMEMBASSY NICOSIA 6743
UNCLAS DAMASCUS 002134 

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/Lebanon, Palestinian
Territories, Iraq, Iran (5/8)

UNCLAS DAMASCUS 002134

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/Lebanon, Palestinian
Territories, Iraq, Iran (5/8)


1. Summary: Syrian papers reported the visit to Damascus by
Nabih Berri, Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament, and his
separate meetings with President Asad and Vice President Faruq
al-Shar'a. Berri briefed Asad and Shara on the results of the
Lebanese national dialogue and status of relations between Syria
and Lebanon.
Papers also reported that Juergen Cain Kuelbel, German researcher
and criminologist and author of "Hariri's Assassination: Hidden
Evidence," delivered a lecture at Al-Asad National Library Sunday
evening. During the lecture, Kuelbel touched upon evidence and
details he documents in his book, saying, "I discovered part of
the international conspiracy behind the crime that claimed the
life of Lebanese ex-premier Rafik al-Hariri," the criminologist
said. He pointed out that the crime preceded a plot to destroy
the historic ties connecting Syria and Lebanon. "Syria is
innocent and has nothing to do with that crime or the other
assassinations," the German writer underlined, indicating that
assassinations in Lebanon have their roots in the Lebanese civil
war and the Israeli occupation and its crimes in the country.
"Israeli intelligence stands behind this crime," the
criminologist noted, clarifying that the jamming equipment used
by the former Lebanese premier's convoy was out of order an hour
before the assassination. "No one can do that but the central
network that controls the electronic system of the equipment" he
added, suggesting that Israel is the only party that has such
capabilities. The lecture was attended by the Ministers of
Expatriates, Labor and Social Affairs, and Culture, along with a
number of Arab and Foreign ambassadors to Syria.

End of summary.


2. Selected Headlines:

"President Asad holds discussion with Nabih Berri, Speaker of
Lebanese Parliament, who briefs the President on the results of
the Lebanese National dialogue. Talks tackle distinguished
relations between the two countries" (Government-owned Tishreen,
5/8)

"Juergen Cain Kuelbel, German Researcher and Criminologist,

author of 'Hariri's Assassination, Hidden Evidence,' exposes
details and documented proofs: Syria is innocent of Al-Hariri
assassination" (Government-owned Tishreen, 5/8)

"Information Minister Bilal confers with Ali Al-Qahtani, Saudi
Ambassador to Damascus. Al-Qahtani: Syria is a strategic
extension for the Kingdom; Targeting Syria is a red line"
(Government-owned Al-Ba'th, 5/8)

"Lebanese circles warn against attempts to pave the way for
Israeli intervention in Lebanon. Aoun: The government must
resign. Wakim: The March 14 forces endeavor to fabricate crises"
(Government-owned Tishreen, 5/8)

"Palestinian Prime Minister Hanieh: Solving the financial crisis
is the responsibility of the whole international community"
(Government-owned Al-Thawra, 5/8)

"A Palestinian martyred in Lahia. The Quartet is to meet
tomorrow. HAMAS denies rumors about plans to assassinate
Palestinian President Abbas: Our arms are directed against
occupation. The European positions towards us are not uniform"
(Government-owned Tishreen, 5/8)

"A US soldier killed in Al-Anbar in Iraq. An agreement is reached
on a plan to sustain Arab communications with Iraq" (Government-
owned Tishreen, 5/8)


3. Editorial Block Quotes:

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

"Distribution of Roles"

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


Ahmad Dawwa, an editorialist in government-owned Al-Thawra,
wrote (5/8) "Samir Ja'ja, leader of the Lebanese Forces party,
called for keeping Lebanon away from the Arab-Israeli
conflict.... People like Ja'ja and Walid Jumblatt want to
isolate Lebanon from its Arab environment in favor of Israel's
control and hegemony....

MSI3002B NO E.O. LINE DETECTED OR INVALID EO LINE SECTION 0002

"We wonder how such calls could be made when Israel is still
occupying Lebanese territories and detaining dozens of
Lebanese....

"Such calls have two objectives: Taking Lebanon back to the
Israeli camp and igniting civil war. Differences over these
issues within the Lebanese society are enormous and no accord
over them can be reached....

"Coming days will reveal further details and connections. But
there are Lebanese forces that are alert to what is being
concocted against Lebanon in American and Israeli circles. They
will not allow Lebanon to turn into an Israeli pawn or to sign a
new 17 May agreement."

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

"Who Compensates the Victims?"

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

Izz-al-Din al-Darwish, an editorialist in government-owned
Tishreen, wrote (5/8): "The United States blesses Israel's
deadly starvation siege on Palestinians and uses its influence,
as the world's superpower, to tighten this siege and prevent any
country from breaking it, even through the transfer of
humanitarian financial donations for the Palestinian people....

"We wonder if any earthly or divine law allows such a siege...?
How can anyone in his right mind believe the Bush administration
when it says that it cares about human rights, democracy,
security, and peace...?

"The US Administration has created a deep gulf between the
United States and the rest of the world, particularly Arabs and
Muslims, and pushed the world to hate the United States....

"Americans have realized why the world is moving away from them.
They are preparing to call their administration to account,
either directly or through the next elections. But the question
remains: Who will compensate the victims of this administration
from among Palestinians, Iraqis, Afghanis, Iranians, and others
on the long list...?"

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

"An International Consortium Is the Solution"

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

Ali Nasrallah, an editorialist in government-owned Al-Thawra,
commented (5/8): "Iran's proposal to enrich uranium under the
supervision of an international consortium is an adequate way
out of the crisis of the Iranian nuclear program.

"The Iranian proposal provides a golden opportunity that the
international powers that sincerely seek a peaceful solution
should seize, to embarrass the United States and put an end to
its excuses.

"The Iranian proposal entails much flexibility and reflects
Iran's eagerness to find a solution to the crisis....

"Tehran's acceptance of a consortium to supervise uranium
enrichment is a strong message in all directions. It strengthens
the positions of China and Russia, which reject the principle of
sanctions or the use of force. It backs the United States,
France, Britain, and Germany into a corner. It also reduces

Washington's ability to apply pressure on Beijing and
Moscow...."

Seche