Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Iran, President Asad's

UNCLAS DAMASCUS 000231

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR PA, NEA/ARN, INR/IC/CD, INR/S:STHIBEAULT AND
JMCCARTER, VOA NEWS CA, NEA/PPD:CBOURGEOIS, DBENZE AND
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TAGS: KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY
SUBJECT: Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Iran, President Asad's
Speech to the Federation of Arab Lawyers, Lebanon, Iraq,
Palestinian Territories, France (1/20-22)


1. Summary: Syrian weekend newspapers focused on the visit to
Damascus by Iranian President Ahmadinejad and featured the joint
communiqu issued at the conclusion of the visit confirming
Iran's strong support of Syria to restore occupied territories to
the June 4, 1967, line.
Syria and Iran underlined the necessity of an Israeli pullout
from all occupied Arab territories, including the Syrian Golan,
the Palestinian territories and the Lebanese land that is still
occupied.
Both sides underscored the rights of the Palestinian people to
liberate their lands, return home, and establish an independent
state with Jerusalem as its capital.
The two sides expressed relief over the high level of political
relations between the two and stressed their interest in
developing economic relations and making use of the available
potentials of Syria and Iran.
The two sides reiterated condemnation of the assassination of
former Lebanese Premier Rafik Hariri, stressing their concern
that the international investigation take its course on a
professional, legal and neutral basis without exploiting the
crime for political ends that aim to pressure Syria.
The two sides expressed concern over continuation of foreign
intervention in Lebanese and Syrian internal affairs, drawing
attention to the negative repercussions of such intervention on
stability and security in the region.
The two sides reiterated their support for the current political
process in the region, stressing the need to achieve security,
stability and national reconciliation among all the Iraqi people,
welcoming in this context all the efforts exerted by the United
Nations, the Organization of the Islamic Conference, Iraq's
neighboring states and the Arab Initiative for National
Reconciliation.
The two sides welcomed the Iraqi elections to form a national
assembly and an Iraqi government in which all the Iraqi factions
will take part, stressing readiness to extend all forms of
support for the new Iraqi government.
The two sides stressed the importance of implementing UN
resolutions, ridding the Middle East of WMD, and subjecting
Israeli nuclear installations to international surveillance.
Syria and Iran stressed the right of all countries, including
Iran, to peaceful use of technology and nuclear energy in line
with the NPT, without selectivity or double standards.
In a joint press conference, both leaders confirmed support of
stability in Lebanon and the need to back the resistance and to
prevent interference in Lebanon's affairs.

President Asad expressed support of Iran's right to peaceful
nuclear technology and welcomed dialogue on this subject between
Iran and the concerned international parties.

On the issue of Iraq, both leaders stressed the need to boost the
current political process in Iraq, to work for Iraq's stability,
and to prevent interference in its internal affairs, and urged
foreign forces to withdraw according to a fixed timetable.

In an address to the Federation of Arab Lawyers in Damascus on
January 21, President Asad charged that what is happening between
Syria and Lebanon is part of "a global plot against all Arabs,
which has many facets."

Asad confirmed Syria's commitment to cooperate with UN
investigators but not at the expense of its national sovereignty.

President Asad vowed to speed up reforms aimed at introducing
more political freedom and a measure of democracy to Syria, but
said he would resist foreign pressure for change.

"We are still at the beginning of a long road, but we will not
let it be said that we have achieved nothing. Maybe the [pace] is
slow ... but we are speeding as much as possible."

"We are undertaking several projects that will boost public
participation and help enrich democratic life, whether it be
linked to the parties law or to election and local government
laws," Asad said.



2. Selected Headlines:

"President Asad and President Ahmadinejad finalize talks by
confirming deep political and economic relations. The final
communique emphasizes the importance of eliminating Israeli
occupation and warns against foreign intervention" (Government-
owned Al-Ba'th, 1/21)

"President Asad and President Ahmadinejad discuss in an open
meeting and a closed meeting the topics of Iraq, Palestine,
Lebanon and bilateral relations. Asad: Agreement on stability in
Iraq and Lebanon, rejection of internationalization, and
restoration of Palestinian rights. President Ahmadinejad: Syria
and Iran play a substantive role in the region" (Government-owned
Tishreen, 1/20)

"President Asad: Iran has the right to possess peaceful
Lebanese emphasis on reconciliation and rejection of US
Speech to the Federation of Arab Lawyers, Lebanon, Iraq,
Palestinian Territories, France (1/20-22)

1. Summary: Syrian weekend newspapers focused on the visit to
Damascus by Iranian President Ahmadinejad and featured the joint
communiqu issued at the conclusion of the visit confirming
Iran's strong support of Syria to restore occupied territories to
the June 4, 1967, line.
Syria and Iran underlined the necessity of an Israeli pullout
from all occupied Arab territories, including the Syrian Golan,
the Palestinian territories and the Lebanese land that is still
occupied.
Both sides underscored the rights of the Palestinian people to
liberate their lands, return home, and establish an independent
state with Jerusalem as its capital.
The two sides expressed relief over the high level of political
relations between the two and stressed their interest in
developing economic relations and making use of the available
potentials of Syria and Iran.
The two sides reiterated condemnation of the assassination of
former Lebanese Premier Rafik Hariri, stressing their concern
that the international investigation take its course on a
professional, legal and neutral basis without exploiting the
crime for political ends that aim to pressure Syria.
The two sides expressed concern over continuation of foreign
intervention in Lebanese and Syrian internal affairs, drawing
attention to the negative repercussions of such intervention on
stability and security in the region.
The two sides reiterated their support for the current political
process in the region, stressing the need to achieve security,
stability and national reconciliation among all the Iraqi people,
welcoming in this context all the efforts exerted by the United
Nations, the Organization of the Islamic Conference, Iraq's
neighboring states and the Arab Initiative for National
Reconciliation.
The two sides welcomed the Iraqi elections to form a national
assembly and an Iraqi government in which all the Iraqi factions
will take part, stressing readiness to extend all forms of
support for the new Iraqi government.
The two sides stressed the importance of implementing UN
resolutions, ridding the Middle East of WMD, and subjecting
Israeli nuclear installations to international surveillance.
Syria and Iran stressed the right of all countries, including
Iran, to peaceful use of technology and nuclear energy in line
with the NPT, without selectivity or double standards.
In a joint press conference, both leaders confirmed support of
stability in Lebanon and the need to back the resistance and to
prevent interference in Lebanon's affairs.


3. Editorial Block Quotes:
--------------
"Extraordinary Summit in Damascus"
--------------
An unsigned editorial in government-owned Al-Ba'th, said (1/20):
"Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinjad's visit to Damascus and the
discussions he held with President Asad have a special
significance....
"The hostile attack to which the two countries in particular and
the Middle East region in general are being subjected has
extended to its maximum possible limits and is taking the
fiercest and most vicious forms ever. The United States, its
subordinates and allies have taken off their masks and breached
all values and principles in their rabid endeavor to impose their
Speech to the Federation of Arab Lawyers, Lebanon, Iraq,
Palestinian Territories, France (1/20-22)

1. Summary: Syrian weekend newspapers focused on the visit to
Damascus by Iranian President Ahmadinejad and featured the joint
communiqu issued at the conclusion of the visit confirming
Iran's strong support of Syria to restore occupied territories to
the June 4, 1967, line.
Syria and Iran underlined the necessity of an Israeli pullout
from all occupied Arab territories, including the Syrian Golan,
the Palestinian territories and the Lebanese land that is still
occupied.
Both sides underscored the rights of the Palestinian people to
liberate their lands, return home, and establish an independent
state with Jerusalem as its capital.
The two sides expressed relief over the high level of political
relations between the two and stressed their interest in
developing economic relations and making use of the available
potentials of Syria and Iran.
The two sides reiterated condemnation of the assassination of
former Lebanese Premier Rafik Hariri, stressing their concern
that the international investigation take its course on a
professional, legal and neutral basis without exploiting the
crime for political ends that aim to pressure Syria.
The two sides expressed concern over continuation of foreign
intervention in Lebanese and Syrian internal affairs, drawing
attention to the negative repercussions of such intervention on
stability and security in the region.
The two sides reiterated their support for the current political
process in the region, stressing the need to achieve security,
stability and national reconciliation among all the Iraqi people,
welcoming in this context all the efforts exerted by the United
Nations, the Organization of the Islamic Conference, Iraq's
neighboring states and the Arab Initiative for National
Reconciliation.
The two sides welcomed the Iraqi elections to form a national
assembly and an Iraqi government in which all the Iraqi factions
will take part, stressing readiness to extend all forms of
support for the new Iraqi government.
The two sides stressed the importance of implementing UN
resolutions, ridding the Middle East of WMD, and subjecting
Israeli nuclear installations to international surveillance.
Syria and Iran stressed the right of all countries, including
Iran, to peaceful use of technology and nuclear energy in line
with the NPT, without selectivity or double standards.
In a joint press conference, both leaders confirmed support of
stability in Lebanon and the need to back the resistance and to
prevent interference in Lebanon's affairs.

hegemony upon the region...to redraw the Middle East map and
reshape its states and existing regimes....
"The United States has employed different methods and pretexts in
dealing with both countries. In Syria's case, it has employed
false claims about Syria's failure to control its border with
Iraq and has tried to implicate it in the Al-Hariri
assassination. As for Iran, the United States has made claims
about Iran's alleged endeavor to produce nuclear arms and support
terrorism. Despite all that, the US aims have become clear to the
public, that is, encircling Syria and Iran and leaving them with
two options. The first is to give in and do whatever they are
required to do, that is, surrender unconditionally and without
limitation, as a preliminary step toward joining the so-
called 'Greater Middle East' US plan. The second option is to
face the application of the Iraqi model to Syria and Iran, that
is, the imposition of siege, boycott and sanctions.
"Syria's response was similar to that of Iran, namely,
emphasizing its determination, despite all that this option
entails in the present regional and international reality, to
withstand difficulties, sacrifice and detriment. The choice to
resist has emerged from the fact that both countries have not
violated any international law or human code, have not defied any
of the principles that regulate international relations, and have
not breached UN resolutions or its charter...."
--------------

"Who Interferes in Others' Affairs?"

--------------
Isam Dari, an editorialist in government-owned Tishreen, said
Speech to the Federation of Arab Lawyers, Lebanon, Iraq,
Palestinian Territories, France (1/20-22)

1. Summary: Syrian weekend newspapers focused on the visit to
Damascus by Iranian President Ahmadinejad and featured the joint
communiqu issued at the conclusion of the visit confirming
Iran's strong support of Syria to restore occupied territories to
the June 4, 1967, line.
Syria and Iran underlined the necessity of an Israeli pullout
from all occupied Arab territories, including the Syrian Golan,
the Palestinian territories and the Lebanese land that is still
occupied.
Both sides underscored the rights of the Palestinian people to
liberate their lands, return home, and establish an independent
state with Jerusalem as its capital.
The two sides expressed relief over the high level of political
relations between the two and stressed their interest in
developing economic relations and making use of the available
potentials of Syria and Iran.
The two sides reiterated condemnation of the assassination of
former Lebanese Premier Rafik Hariri, stressing their concern
that the international investigation take its course on a
professional, legal and neutral basis without exploiting the
crime for political ends that aim to pressure Syria.
The two sides expressed concern over continuation of foreign
intervention in Lebanese and Syrian internal affairs, drawing
attention to the negative repercussions of such intervention on
stability and security in the region.
The two sides reiterated their support for the current political
process in the region, stressing the need to achieve security,
stability and national reconciliation among all the Iraqi people,
welcoming in this context all the efforts exerted by the United
Nations, the Organization of the Islamic Conference, Iraq's
neighboring states and the Arab Initiative for National
Reconciliation.
The two sides welcomed the Iraqi elections to form a national
assembly and an Iraqi government in which all the Iraqi factions
will take part, stressing readiness to extend all forms of
support for the new Iraqi government.
The two sides stressed the importance of implementing UN
resolutions, ridding the Middle East of WMD, and subjecting
Israeli nuclear installations to international surveillance.
Syria and Iran stressed the right of all countries, including
Iran, to peaceful use of technology and nuclear energy in line
with the NPT, without selectivity or double standards.
In a joint press conference, both leaders confirmed support of
stability in Lebanon and the need to back the resistance and to
prevent interference in Lebanon's affairs.

(1/21): "The United States does not have any proof that Syria is
interfering in Lebanese, Iraqi, or Palestinian affairs....
"If Syria, as they claim, interferes in the affairs of
neighboring Arab countries, is the occupation of Iraq not
interference in the affairs of another country? Isn't US
Assistant Secretary of State David Welch's statement, that
Hizbollah is a terrorist organization that must not be included
in the government, interference in Lebanon's domestic affairs?
"The United States rejects Hizbollah's presence in the Lebanese
government and rejects HAMAS' representation in the Palestinian
government after the forthcoming elections. Is this the promised
democracy that they want to impose on the Arabs by force?
"The United States is building its policy on lies.... The US
Administration must acknowledge its mistakes before people's
hatred of the American policies turns into hatred of the United
States."
-------------- --
"Superpowers Brandish Nuclear Deterrence"
-------------- --
Hanan Hamad, a commentator in government-owned Tishreen, wrote
(1/21): "French President Chirac took the concept of nuclear
deterrence to a new and more dangerous level when he threatened
to use nuclear weapons against any country launching a terror
attack on French territory or against its allies, or their
interests....
"The US Administration has been studying the possibility of using
nuclear weapons against adversaries, even in preemptive
strikes.... Chirac's statements give Washington the green light
to implement its new nuclear strategy...."
Seche