Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Iraq/Italy,

UNCLAS DAMASCUS 002376 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/Iraq/Italy, Lebanon/Egypt, Resolution 1680, Palestinian Territories, Israel/US (5/22) ¶1. Summary: Syrian papers reported that Prime Minister Ottri sent cables of congratulation to Iraqi PM al-Malki and to Italian PM Prodi on the occasion of forming the new Iraqi and Italian governments. He expressed his confidence in developing cooperation between Syria and Italy to serve their joint interests. Papers reported President Mubarak's meeting with Lebanese President Lahoud, on the sidelines of the International Economic Forum for the Middle East held in Sharm al-Sheikh. Mubarak underlined to Lahoud that Lebanon should have good relations with the Arab world, particularly Syria. "I agree with President Lahoud's stance, which calls for unifying the Lebanese and putting an end to any foreign intervention in Lebanese internal affairs," Mubarak said. Mubarak added that "negative stances by some Lebanese parties, particularly negative statements and campaigns, would only increase doubts about Lebanon's ability to recover." For his part, President Lahoud underlined that all Lebanese seek excellent ties with sisterly Syria, adding, "Lebanon will be stronger through Arab solidarity". Lahoud pointed out that his country welcomes every effort to enhance security and stability in Lebanon, particularly regarding restoring distinguished relations with Syria. Syrian newspapers continued to criticize UNSC Resolution 1680 as a "violation of the UN Charter" and "interference" in the domestic affairs of Syria and Lebanon. Ahmad Dawwa said in Al- Thawrah that Resolution 1680 shows US "despotic hegemony" and indicates that the US Administration has not learned from its mistakes. Papers also reported that the Arab Bar Association criticized UN Security Council resolution 1680 as a flagrant violation of legal principles and state sovereignty. Papers also reported Lebanese criticism of the resolution, from Mohammed Raad, Lebanese MP and Leader of al-Wafaa Bloc for Resistance, and Suleiman Franjieh, former Lebanese Minister, who stressed that Resolution 1680 is an intervention in internal Syrian- Lebanese affairs and sovereignty. End of summary. ¶2. Selected Headlines: "Prime Minister Ottri congratulates Iraqi PM al-Malki on forming the Iraqi government and Italian PM Prodi on forming the new Italian government. Ottri: Syria supports Iraq in all fields" (Government-owned Tishreen, 5/22) "President Mubarak confers with President Lahoud in Sharm al- Sheikh. Murbarak: There are foreign sides seeking to destroy Lebanon. Warnings against the repercussions of UNSC resolution 1680 on Syrian-Lebanese relations" (Government-owned Tishreen, 5/22) "The Arab Bar Association condemns UN Security Council Resolution ¶1680. A new cycle in the American plot to weaken Syria's steadfastness" (Government-owned Al-Thawra, 5/22) "Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov: Preventing the arrival of assistance to Palestinians is unacceptable and the West is afflicted with megalomania" (Government-owned Al-Thawra, 5/22) "Abbas meets Peres and Levi in Sharm al-Sheikh. A Palestinian woman is martyred in Nablus. The Palestinian resistance shells Sedrot settlement" (Government-owned Al-Ba'th, 5/22) "Scores of Iraqis killed in various attacks in Iraq. A security force is formed to keep security in Baghdad" (Government-owned Al- Thawra, 5/22) ¶3. Editorial Block Quotes: -------------- "Lebanon Is Targeted before Syria" -------------- Isam Dari, an editorialist in government-owned Tishreen, commented (5/22): "Issuing a UNSC resolution asking a country to establish diplomatic relations with another sets a precedent in international relations.... "Who will guarantee that the Bush administration will not ask the Security Council to force Arab countries to establish diplomatic, economic, and other relations with Israel, even though it occupies their lands, besieges a peaceable people, and practices aggression and terrorism at the highest levels...? "Syria did not oppose the establishment of diplomatic relations with Lebanon. It publicly informed the Lebanese side of this. Nor did Syria object to the demarcation of the border, beginning with the north, not with the land that is under Israeli occupation.... "Syria announced this without UNSC resolutions, manipulations, threats, and pressure. The relations that have existed between the two countries and peoples for thousands of years are hundreds of times deeper than any diplomatic relations, as they are relations of family bonds, blood, and common destiny.... "If diplomatic relations are imposed through the force of international resolutions resulting from American and French pressure, if this takes place today amid deterioration in the relations between the two countries, who will guarantee that the relations will not be broken off tomorrow or the day after due to incitement by Lebanese groups that have publicly declared their hostility toward Syria and received anti-Syrian forces that harbor evil intentions with respect to this country and its people...? "Syria wishes everything good for Lebanon. This is why it paid a heavy price with the blood of its people and the sweat of its workers for the sake of Lebanon and its unity and prosperity. But in the current situation and in light of the blatant hostility that some Lebanese are declaring, it is difficult to establish diplomatic relations immediately. When these individuals stop their hatred toward Syria, everything will become possible, without international mediation and foreign interference that target Lebanon more than Syria." -------------- "Another Wedge in the UNSC Body" -------------- Ahmad Dawwa, an editorialist in government-owned Al-Thawra, wrote (5/22): "UNSC Resolution 1680 shows the power of US hegemony and indicates that the Bush administration has not learned from its mistakes.... "The Bush administration is mistaken if it believes the policy it adopts toward the Security Council, which is based on hegemony and despotism, can smooth over the failure of its direct Middle East policy.... "The drafters of the resolution drove another wedge into the body of the Security Council, setting a serious precedent for the Council's interference in sovereign issues, contrary to the UN Charter. And by failing to ask Israel to discontinue its land, air, and sea violations of Lebanese sovereignty, they proved by words and deeds that they have no credibility with regard to the paragraphs on Lebanon and Syria in the resolution.... "The Lebanese political forces that welcomed the resolution miscalculated its internal and external risks because the internationalization of the Lebanese decision in this way is a grave violation of sovereignty, paving the way for later resolutions that might greatly endanger Lebanon.... "The American failures require that the Bush administration not show further stubbornness and ferocity in its approach to the region, but return to dialogue and the language of common interests. To resolve existing differences, this way is much shorter and more effective than the policy of dictates, which often produces negative and disastrous results...." -------------- "Olmert's Visit to Washington" -------------- Maha Sultan, a commentator in government-owned Tishreen, wrote (5/22): "Palestinians have the right to be worried about Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's upcoming visit to Washington.... "The US Administration has not hidden its intention to support Olmert's unilateral withdrawal plan, which he wants to impose not only on Palestinians but also on the international community.... "American statements that have tried to play down the importance of the visit in the past two days were meant for European consumption, because Bush needs Europeans in his current battle with Iran.... The US Administration actually does not need this diplomacy, because Europeans have repeatedly proven their subservience to American policy, whether they like it or not, especially when it comes to the Palestinian question...." Seche