Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06DAMASCUS2238
2006-05-14 14:27:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Damascus
Cable title:  

Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Kuwait, Iraq, Lebanon,

Tags:  KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY 
pdf how-to read a cable
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O 141427Z MAY 06
FM AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8962
RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RUEHAM/AMEMBASSY AMMAN 5948
RUEHLB/AMEMBASSY BEIRUT 3814
RUEHEG/AMEMBASSY CAIRO 2325
RUEHRH/AMEMBASSY RIYADH 7020
RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV 0984
RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA 4392
RUEHJM/AMCONSUL JERUSALEM 0615
RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL//CCPA//
INFO RUEHNC/AMEMBASSY NICOSIA 6756
UNCLAS DAMASCUS 002238 

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/Kuwait, Iraq, Lebanon,
Palestinian Territories, Syria/Italy (5/12-14)

UNCLAS DAMASCUS 002238

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/Kuwait, Iraq, Lebanon,
Palestinian Territories, Syria/Italy (5/12-14)


1. Summary: Syria papers reported that Syria denied Friday
evening Jordanian claims on the training of Hamas members in
Syria and criticized the UNSC bid to issue a resolution on Syria
and Lebanon as "an obstacle to clearing the air."

Foreign Minister Walid al-Mouallem said in a joint press
conference with his Kuwaiti counterpart Mohammed Salem al-Sabah
that "the Jordanian claim that Hamas members, who are trained in
Syria, have entered Jordan is inaccurate."

"Syria is concerned about Jordan and about the Jordanian people
as well as their security and is eager to develop relations
between Syria and Jordan," he said.

Asked about Syria's stance over the expected US-French UNSC
resolution on Syria, Minister Mouallem said "ties between
sisterly countries Syria and Lebanon do not need
internationalization and what the UNSC is trying to do is just to
block attempts to clear the air between Syria and Lebanon."

And if there is Syrian mediation between Iran and the Gulf
countries, Mouallem said "contacts between Iran and the Gulf
Cooperation Council countries already exist and there is no need
for mediators."

At the beginning of the press conference, Mouallem said that he
had conveyed to his Kuwaiti counterpart Sheikh Sabah, who invited
him to visit Kuwait, what Syria has heard from the Iranian side,
noting that he had listened attentively to the explanation made
and will convey that to the Syrian leadership.

Asked about statements of US Assistant Secretary of State David
Welch that Syria is the only country outside Lebanon that is
accused of assassinating former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik
Hariri, Mouallem asked, "I wonder why he doesn't issue his
documents" and stressed "I challenge that he has no proof" noting
that "Syria is the most affected party from the assassination of
the late al-Hariri."

For his part, Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah said "we have
talked about the role Kuwait might have to help to boost economic
openness in Syria saying "there is a Syrian-Kuwaiti joint

committee that will meet next month in Syria and that is a most
welcome point." He said that discussions with Foreign Minister
Mouallem have underlined the importance for the neighboring
countries of Iraq to hold a meeting as soon as possible after the
Iraqi government formation for discussion with brothers in Iraq
and to put a joint vision for the upcoming Iraqi role as well as
the role of neighboring countries in Iraq's security and
stability. Sheikh Sabah said "we talked about Iran's nuclear
file, the situation in Palestine and how to aid the Palestinian
people as well as the need to acknowledge the Arab peace
initiative and respect the Palestinian people's decision to elect
the one who represents them.

End of summary.


2. Selected Headlines:

"Kuwaiti Prince and Prime Minister receive Foreign Minister
Mouallem, and review regional issues and encouraging investments.
Sabah admires President Asad's developmental views on boosting
the economy. Mouallem: Damascus doors are opened for all Arab
brothers" (Government-owned Tishreen, 5/14)

"Syrian-Kuwaiti talks to boost ties and discuss the latest
developments in the region. Foreign Minister Mouallem voices
readiness to hold dialogue with the US noting there are no secret
channels with Bush administration. Kuwaiti Foreign Minister
Mohammed al-Sabah: Syria is working to serve Arab interests...
Kuwait will contribute to Syria's economic process" (Government-
owned Tishreen, 5/13)

"Qaddoumi discusses Palestinian developments with Foreign
Minister Mouallem. Vice President Shara receives an Iraqi
delegation reiterating the importance of maintaining Iraq's

integrity" (Government-owned Al-Thawra, 5/12)

"President Asad holds talks with Mayor of Istanbul and calls for
increasing Syrian investments in Turkey. Asad receives Farouk Al-
Qaddoumi Chairman of PLO Political Bureau and confirms:
Dialogue is the solution for inter-Palestinian disagreements"
(Government-owned Al-Thawra, 5/12)

"Palestinian FM Al-Zahhar: Hamas has no connection with smuggling
arms to Jordan... Hamas officials are ready to visit Jordan to
end the crisis" (Government-owned Tishreen, 5/14)

"Israeli occupation forces disperse an anti-separation wall
demonstration in Ramallah by force. Red Crescent confirms lack of
food and medical equipment in Gaza Strip" (Government-owned
Tishreen, 5/14)

"Abbas accelerates appeal for international aid before the
catastrophe exacerbates. One Palestinian martyred, ten wounded
in the West Bank" (Government-owned Tishreen, 5/13)

"Lebanese circles warn against failure of the national dialogue"
(Government-owned Tishreen, 5/14)

"Repercussions of the Beirut demonstration of last Wednesday
aggravate tension on the eve of national dialogue resumption in
Lebanon. Four military Lebanese killed in a helicopter crash over
Bekaa valley" (Government-owned Tishreen, 5/13)

"Ten Israeli jet fighters violate Lebanese airspace, reaching
Beirut. Lahoud: Syria has maintained Lebanon's unity" (Government-
owned Al-Thawra, 5/12)

"An American soldier killed in Baghdad. The Iraqi government will
be announced tomorrow" (Government-owned Tishreen, 5/14)

"Al-Fadila party withdraws from the Iraqi government. Four
marines killed in Anbaar, Iraq" (Government-owned Tishreen, 5/13)

"Four US soldiers killed in Baghdad and Mosul. Disputes postpone
announcement of the Iraqi government" (Government-owned Al-
Thawra, 5/12)

"President Asad congratulates election of Napolitano as president
of Italy" (Government-owned Al-Thawra, 5/12)


3. Editorial Block Quotes:

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

"Wagering on Foreigners"

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

Isam Dari, an editorialist in government-owned Tishreen, wrote
(5/13): "We know that the current US Administration is prepared
to present more draft resolutions to the UN Security Council to
harm and even besiege Syria. But we also know that some other
big and influential powers in today's world stand on the side of
justice and refuse to get involved in American plans that are
based on false foundations and predetermined hostile positions
toward Syria.

"For more than five years, Bush's administration has never
stopped applying pressure on Syria and directing accusations and
fabricating lies against it. But other superpowers, like Russia
and China, reject the continuation of the pressure on Syria and
assert that there is no need for new Security Council
resolutions against it.

"Now the Bush administration wants to obtain a Security Council
resolution demanding that Syria establish diplomatic relations
with Lebanon. Since when has the establishment of diplomatic
relations between countries been an American or an international
affair? Can other countries ask the Security Council to issue
resolutions demanding that the United States establish

diplomatic relations with this country or that? Has Bush's
administration forgotten that for half a century the United
States has not recognized the government in Cuba and has imposed
a relentless unjust siege on this country and its people?

"What is more remarkable is that while friendly countries in the
East and the West stand in the face of the pressure policy that
the Bush administration is pursuing against Syria, some 'Arab
brothers' volunteer to work, free of charge, for the American
master. They fabricate lies that harm Syria and the struggle of
the Palestinian people, or they make malicious accusations
against Syria from Washington and New York in an exposed harmony
between the neoconservatives who plan the US policy and groups
and individuals in the region who accepted to mortgage
themselves to foreigners and to abandon their national identity;
who considered Syria, not Israel, their archenemy; and who stood
in the American-Israel trench against nationalism, pan-Arabism,
and resistance.

"But we trust that these people represent only themselves. The
entire Arab nation, on the other hand, supports Syria. All the
friendly, honorable, and peace- and justice-loving nations in
the world also support Syria. So Syria needs not fear as long as
it wagers on all these and on right and justice."

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

"Unjust Policies"

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

Muhammad Ali Buza, an editorialist in government-owend Al-
Thawra, wrote (5/12): "The international quartet's meeting in
New York was part of the campaign of American-Zionist pressure
against Palestinians. Its aim was to tighten siege on the
Palestinian people and punish them for their democratic choice,
which brought HAMAS to power, and wrest unfair positions and
policies that would deepen tension and allow the Israeli
terrorism to proceed with the policy of belligerence, siege,
starvation, slaughter, and liquidation of the Palestinian
people....

"The Quartet failed to prove its credibility and role as a
supportive power entrusted with achieving stability and peace in
the Middle East.... The Quartet, on the other hand, showed that
it goes along with the American policy in its support for Israel
in its continuous wars and aggression against the Arabs.... This
would only prolong the crisis in the region.... Arabs, in
coordination with the forces of freedom and peace in the world,
need to apply pressure to change these policies and stop their
champions from participating in the crime of punishing and
destroying the Palestinian people...."

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

"Extending Bridges by Understanding, not by Spying"

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

Haytham Salih, a commentator in government-owned Al-Thawra,
wrote (5/12): "The US endeavor to market big lies in its foreign
policy on spreading democracy, namely its outreach initiative to
build bridges between American intelligence agencies and Arabs
and Muslims in the state of Michigan,

"Bridge-building, though a beautiful name with many positive
meanings that all the nations of the world call for, is in fact
nothing but an intelligence game invented by the
neoconservatives after the 11 September events to recruit people
to spy on others in favor of the American military mentality....

"Bridges between the US Administration and Arabs and Muslims
inside and outside the United States cannot be built by
recruiting Arabs to spy on their brothers and the sons of their
nation, or by eavesdropping on their conversations, monitoring
their movements, or dealing with them as suspects. Nor can they

be built by labeling Arabs as terrorists or potential terrorists
or viewing them with a suspicious eye. Rather, they can be built
through equality, respect, and trust for them inside the United
States, and through understanding, dialogue, balanced relations,
and noninterference in the domestic affairs of the Arab
countries in our region."

Seche