Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06DAMASCUS2211
2006-05-11 13:14:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Damascus
Cable title:
Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Palestinians,
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UNCLAS DAMASCUS 002211
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/Palestinians,
Syria/Sudan, Meqdad/Anan, Syria/Lebanon (5/11)
UNCLAS DAMASCUS 002211
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/Palestinians,
Syria/Sudan, Meqdad/Anan, Syria/Lebanon (5/11)
1. Summary: Papers reported that the Palestinian government
thanked President Asad for the Syrian fund-raising campaign for
the Palestinian people and for receiving 244 Palestinian refugees
coming from Iraq. That came in a phone call President Asad
received from Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Hanieh and a
cable of appreciation from Ali Mustafa, General Director of the
General Board of Palestinian Refugees in Syria. Farouk al-
Qaddoumi, Head of the PLO Political Bureau, also expressed
appreciation of Syria's support during his meeting with Ahmad
Abdul Karim, Chairman of the Syrian Arab Popular Committee for
Support of Palestinians.
Syrian papers also reported that Mustafa Otham Ismail, the
visiting Sudanese Presidential Advisor, held talks with Foreign
Minister Walid Al-Mouallem that focused on Syrian-Lebanese
relations, developments in the occupied territories, and the
situation in Iraq. FM Mouallem thanked Sudan for its efforts, as
a chairman of the Arab summit, to boost inter-Arab relations and
Arab solidarity. Dr. Ismail announced in a press statement that
preparations are underway to hold a Joint Syrian-Sudanese
ministerial committee meeting, noting that investment projects
have been proposed by both sides to cement cooperation. Ismail
also held talks with President Asad and Vice President Shara to
update them on events in the Arab arena, mainly in Iraq and
Lebanon. Talks also touched upon the latest developments in
Darfur.
Papers reported that UN SecGen Kofi Anan had a meeting with
Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Meqdad during which Anan
underlined Syria's vital role in the region. Anan also reiterated
the importance of implementing all UN resolutions related to the
Palestinian issue and the Middle East, stressing the necessity of
not exposing the Palestinian people to more problems,
particularly after the latest democratic elections. Dr. Meqdad
underscored the main role of the international organization in
easing tension in the region. "It is important to exert more
pressure to make Israel implement UN resolutions and withdraw
from the occupied Arab land in order to realize a just and
comprehensive peace in the Middle East," Dr. Meqdad said. Both
sides underlined the importance of the UN role in Iraq and
expressed full support for the Lebanese national dialogue, noting
the need to provide appropriate conditions to make the dialogue a
succeed.
Syrian papers also featured Information Minister Mohsen Bilal's
interview with Al-Manar satellite channel, in which he said that
"Syrian media will always be an honest conveyor of information to
Syrian, Arab and International societies and public opinion....
The Minister said that Syria looks positively at the Lebanese
national dialogue and wishes to have a unified and healthy
Lebanon. "Damascus's doors are always open to all honest and
national Lebanese who want to work hard to establish brotherly
and distinguished relations between Syria and Lebanon," he
clarified, stressing that those who work against this are working
against history and geography. The minister warned against
turning Lebanon into a conduit and base for conspiracies against
Syria. "We hope that Lebanon will not turn into an executive of
its foreign embassies' orders," he added, recalling all the
sacrifices Syria has made to protect Lebanon's security and
stability. "Supporting the Lebanese resistance is our choice
until a just and comprehensive peace is achieved in the region,"
he said. Dr. Bilal stressed Syria's commitment to UN resolutions
and Iraq's unity, stability and sovereignty. He criticized the US
double-standards policy regarding Israel, a policy that rejects
UN resolutions, particularly resolutions 242, 338, 425 and 104,
which stipulates the Palestinians' right of return.
End of summary.
2. Selected Headlines:
"President Asad receives a phone call from Palestinian Prime
Minister Ismail Hanieh, who thanks Syria for standing by the
Palestinian people. President Asad also receives a cable of amity
and loyalty from Ali Mustafa, General Director of the General
Board of Palestinian Refugees in Syria, thanking him for
receiving Palestinian children, women and men after a tough and
bitter siege at the Iraqi and Jordanian borders" (Government-
owned Tishreen, 5/11)
"Vice-President Farouk al-Shara and Foreign Minister Walid al-
Mouallem discuss with Mustafa Otham Ismail, Sudanese Presidential
Advisor, the latest developments in the region, and welcome
agreement on Darfur" (Government-owned Tishreen, 5/11)
"Information Minister Dr. Mohsen Bilal says in a meeting with
Lebanese Satellite TV Channel al-Manar: We welcome everyone who
works to establish distinguished relations between Syria and
Lebanon" (Government-owned Tishreen, 5/11)
"UN SecGen Kofi Annan meets Deputy Foreign Minister Dr. Faisal
Miqdad in New York and stresses Syria's pivotal role in the
Middle East" (Government-owned Tishreen, 5/11)
"A huge demonstration sweeps Beirut protesting the economic
policy of the Lebanese government. Lahoud: The Lebanese are fed
up with promises. Aoun: The cabinet is impassive towards Lebanese
citizens' sufferings. Israeli warplanes violate Lebanese air
space. Israeli forces shell South Lebanon" (Government-owned
Tishreen, 5/11)
3. Editorial Block Quotes:
--------------
"A Compass for those Who Have Lost Direction"
--------------
Khalid al-Ashhab, an editorialist in government-owned Al-Thawra,
wrote (5/11): "Syria, in the past 30 years, stopped the
bloodshed in Lebanon and protected the Lebanese from one
another....
"There is no crisis of confidence between Lebanon and Syria. The
crisis of confidence is between Lebanon and Lebanon, between the
genuine Arab Lebanon of resistance, which has not disavowed
itself or its blood, which is mixed with the blood of its
sisterly Syria, and the Lebanon of embassies, slogans, and
bombs....
"Lebanon needs to rise against those who have misled, sold, and
bought it, and who are today bargaining over its resistance and
destiny...."
--------------
"Political Diversity and Multiple Powers"
--------------
Adnan Ali, a commentator in government-owned Al-Thawra, wrote
(5/11): "The Gaza clashes between HAMAS and Fatah militants once
again underline the need to order the Palestinian home on a
sound basis and to direct the guns only toward the Israeli
enemy.
"The various Palestinian parties need to shoulder their
responsibilities and address their differences frankly, giving
the higher interest of the Palestinian people precedence over
all personal and party interests....
"Both HAMAS and Fatah are in power.... The two factions must
quickly find a formula not only to live together peacefully, but
also to achieve understanding and work jointly to serve the
interests of the Palestinian people...."
--------------
"Before the Collapse of Basra"
--------------
Isam Dari, an editorialist in government-owned Tishreen,
commented (5/11): "There must be effective Arab solidarity to
confront the dangers that are coming from the West and from
Israel....
"These dangers threaten all Arabs without exception.... The
Greater Middle East is meant to be built on the rubble of Arab
countries and under an Israeli leadership....
"What makes things worse is that Arabs themselves help these
plans, sometimes willingly and sometimes by complying with
foreign dictates.
"Arabs still have a chance to end this bizarre situation and
confront the threats.... All they need is resolve,
determination, and unity around one courageous position capable
of facing the storms....
"The United States can break every Arab country separately, but
it cannot break the will of the nation if it is united."
--------------
"Lack of Vision"
--------------
Hikmat Fakah, a commentator in government-owned Al-Thawra, wrote
(5/11): "Donald Rumsfeld stated recently that no one was able to
predict how long the Iraq war would last.... The only meaning of
this is that the United States uses its power haphazardly and
undertakes war whose objectives and results it does not know....
"This endangers American interests and causes damage to
others.... The presence of people like Rumsfeld in power is a
looming danger...."
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/Palestinians,
Syria/Sudan, Meqdad/Anan, Syria/Lebanon (5/11)
1. Summary: Papers reported that the Palestinian government
thanked President Asad for the Syrian fund-raising campaign for
the Palestinian people and for receiving 244 Palestinian refugees
coming from Iraq. That came in a phone call President Asad
received from Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Hanieh and a
cable of appreciation from Ali Mustafa, General Director of the
General Board of Palestinian Refugees in Syria. Farouk al-
Qaddoumi, Head of the PLO Political Bureau, also expressed
appreciation of Syria's support during his meeting with Ahmad
Abdul Karim, Chairman of the Syrian Arab Popular Committee for
Support of Palestinians.
Syrian papers also reported that Mustafa Otham Ismail, the
visiting Sudanese Presidential Advisor, held talks with Foreign
Minister Walid Al-Mouallem that focused on Syrian-Lebanese
relations, developments in the occupied territories, and the
situation in Iraq. FM Mouallem thanked Sudan for its efforts, as
a chairman of the Arab summit, to boost inter-Arab relations and
Arab solidarity. Dr. Ismail announced in a press statement that
preparations are underway to hold a Joint Syrian-Sudanese
ministerial committee meeting, noting that investment projects
have been proposed by both sides to cement cooperation. Ismail
also held talks with President Asad and Vice President Shara to
update them on events in the Arab arena, mainly in Iraq and
Lebanon. Talks also touched upon the latest developments in
Darfur.
Papers reported that UN SecGen Kofi Anan had a meeting with
Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Meqdad during which Anan
underlined Syria's vital role in the region. Anan also reiterated
the importance of implementing all UN resolutions related to the
Palestinian issue and the Middle East, stressing the necessity of
not exposing the Palestinian people to more problems,
particularly after the latest democratic elections. Dr. Meqdad
underscored the main role of the international organization in
easing tension in the region. "It is important to exert more
pressure to make Israel implement UN resolutions and withdraw
from the occupied Arab land in order to realize a just and
comprehensive peace in the Middle East," Dr. Meqdad said. Both
sides underlined the importance of the UN role in Iraq and
expressed full support for the Lebanese national dialogue, noting
the need to provide appropriate conditions to make the dialogue a
succeed.
Syrian papers also featured Information Minister Mohsen Bilal's
interview with Al-Manar satellite channel, in which he said that
"Syrian media will always be an honest conveyor of information to
Syrian, Arab and International societies and public opinion....
The Minister said that Syria looks positively at the Lebanese
national dialogue and wishes to have a unified and healthy
Lebanon. "Damascus's doors are always open to all honest and
national Lebanese who want to work hard to establish brotherly
and distinguished relations between Syria and Lebanon," he
clarified, stressing that those who work against this are working
against history and geography. The minister warned against
turning Lebanon into a conduit and base for conspiracies against
Syria. "We hope that Lebanon will not turn into an executive of
its foreign embassies' orders," he added, recalling all the
sacrifices Syria has made to protect Lebanon's security and
stability. "Supporting the Lebanese resistance is our choice
until a just and comprehensive peace is achieved in the region,"
he said. Dr. Bilal stressed Syria's commitment to UN resolutions
and Iraq's unity, stability and sovereignty. He criticized the US
double-standards policy regarding Israel, a policy that rejects
UN resolutions, particularly resolutions 242, 338, 425 and 104,
which stipulates the Palestinians' right of return.
End of summary.
2. Selected Headlines:
"President Asad receives a phone call from Palestinian Prime
Minister Ismail Hanieh, who thanks Syria for standing by the
Palestinian people. President Asad also receives a cable of amity
and loyalty from Ali Mustafa, General Director of the General
Board of Palestinian Refugees in Syria, thanking him for
receiving Palestinian children, women and men after a tough and
bitter siege at the Iraqi and Jordanian borders" (Government-
owned Tishreen, 5/11)
"Vice-President Farouk al-Shara and Foreign Minister Walid al-
Mouallem discuss with Mustafa Otham Ismail, Sudanese Presidential
Advisor, the latest developments in the region, and welcome
agreement on Darfur" (Government-owned Tishreen, 5/11)
"Information Minister Dr. Mohsen Bilal says in a meeting with
Lebanese Satellite TV Channel al-Manar: We welcome everyone who
works to establish distinguished relations between Syria and
Lebanon" (Government-owned Tishreen, 5/11)
"UN SecGen Kofi Annan meets Deputy Foreign Minister Dr. Faisal
Miqdad in New York and stresses Syria's pivotal role in the
Middle East" (Government-owned Tishreen, 5/11)
"A huge demonstration sweeps Beirut protesting the economic
policy of the Lebanese government. Lahoud: The Lebanese are fed
up with promises. Aoun: The cabinet is impassive towards Lebanese
citizens' sufferings. Israeli warplanes violate Lebanese air
space. Israeli forces shell South Lebanon" (Government-owned
Tishreen, 5/11)
3. Editorial Block Quotes:
--------------
"A Compass for those Who Have Lost Direction"
--------------
Khalid al-Ashhab, an editorialist in government-owned Al-Thawra,
wrote (5/11): "Syria, in the past 30 years, stopped the
bloodshed in Lebanon and protected the Lebanese from one
another....
"There is no crisis of confidence between Lebanon and Syria. The
crisis of confidence is between Lebanon and Lebanon, between the
genuine Arab Lebanon of resistance, which has not disavowed
itself or its blood, which is mixed with the blood of its
sisterly Syria, and the Lebanon of embassies, slogans, and
bombs....
"Lebanon needs to rise against those who have misled, sold, and
bought it, and who are today bargaining over its resistance and
destiny...."
--------------
"Political Diversity and Multiple Powers"
--------------
Adnan Ali, a commentator in government-owned Al-Thawra, wrote
(5/11): "The Gaza clashes between HAMAS and Fatah militants once
again underline the need to order the Palestinian home on a
sound basis and to direct the guns only toward the Israeli
enemy.
"The various Palestinian parties need to shoulder their
responsibilities and address their differences frankly, giving
the higher interest of the Palestinian people precedence over
all personal and party interests....
"Both HAMAS and Fatah are in power.... The two factions must
quickly find a formula not only to live together peacefully, but
also to achieve understanding and work jointly to serve the
interests of the Palestinian people...."
--------------
"Before the Collapse of Basra"
--------------
Isam Dari, an editorialist in government-owned Tishreen,
commented (5/11): "There must be effective Arab solidarity to
confront the dangers that are coming from the West and from
Israel....
"These dangers threaten all Arabs without exception.... The
Greater Middle East is meant to be built on the rubble of Arab
countries and under an Israeli leadership....
"What makes things worse is that Arabs themselves help these
plans, sometimes willingly and sometimes by complying with
foreign dictates.
"Arabs still have a chance to end this bizarre situation and
confront the threats.... All they need is resolve,
determination, and unity around one courageous position capable
of facing the storms....
"The United States can break every Arab country separately, but
it cannot break the will of the nation if it is united."
--------------
"Lack of Vision"
--------------
Hikmat Fakah, a commentator in government-owned Al-Thawra, wrote
(5/11): "Donald Rumsfeld stated recently that no one was able to
predict how long the Iraq war would last.... The only meaning of
this is that the United States uses its power haphazardly and
undertakes war whose objectives and results it does not know....
"This endangers American interests and causes damage to
others.... The presence of people like Rumsfeld in power is a
looming danger...."
Seche