Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/China, NAM Summit,

UNCLAS DAMASCUS 002490

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/China, NAM Summit,
Palestinian Territories, Iraq, Lebanon, Kabul Riots (5/31)



1. Summary: Syrian papers reported the speech by Dr. Faisal
Miqdad, Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister, at the ministerial
conference of the Non-Aliened Movement in Malaysia. Miqdad said
that the continued Israeli occupation of the Syrian Golan is a
result of defying international resolutions and of the unlimited
support given by some countries to Israel's colonial policies.
Papers also reported meetings by Miqdad on the sidelines of the
ministerial conference with Algerian Foreign Minister Mohammad
Bedjaoi, Moroccan Foreign Minister Mohammad Bin Issa, Ghanaian
Foreign Minister Nana Akufo-Addo, Indonesian Foreign Minister
Hasan Wirajuda and Malaysian Foreign Minister Sayyed Hamid al-
Bar. All papers featured the final communique of the conference,
supporting Syria's right to restoration of the occupied Golan on
the basis of the Madrid Conference, UN resolutions 242 and 338
and the land-for-peace principle. "The decision to annex the
occupied Golan is null and void and has no legal effect," the
final statement said, calling on Israel to implement UN Security
Council resolution 497 of 1981 in order to achieve just and
comprehensive peace in the region. The statement also rejected
unilateral US sanctions on Syria, considering the so-called Syria
Accountability Act a violation of international law and
conventions. It renewed support of the Palestinian people's right
to establish an independent state with Jerusalem as its capital.

On Syrian-Chinese relations, papers reported Foreign Minister
Walid al-Mouallem's visit to China and his meeting with Wen
Jiabao, Chairman of the Chinese State Council. Talks addressed
bilateral relations and means of developing them in all fields.
"We agreed, during President Asad's visit to Beijing in 2004, on
establishing comprehensive cooperation and friendship ties
between Syria and China," Jiabao said. "These relations are
characterized by confidence, mutual respect and economic
cooperation." The Chinese Premier stressed the importance of
enhancing coordination between the two countries and underscored
the necessity of enhancing economic cooperation. As for trade,
Jiabao expressed his country's wish to increase the volume of
trade with Syria. For his part, FM al-Mouallem conveyed to the
Chinese Premier Syria's appreciation for China's continuous
support of just Arab causes.

End of summary.


2. Selected Headlines:

"Chinese Head of State stresses Beijing's interest in overall
friendship with Syria, confirming that issues of the region must
be settled by peoples in the region" (Government-owned Tishreen,
5/31)

"The Non-Aligned Movement stresses solidarity with Syria and
rejects American sanctions against her. Deputy Foreign Minister
Miqdad: Israel challenges legitimate international resolutions
and receives unlimited support of its colonial policy. We are
called upon to uphold the UN Charter to increase participation in
international decision-making" (Government-owned Tishreen, 5/31)

"Deputy Foreign Minister Miqdad delivers Syria's speech at the
NAM Summit. The final communique supports Syria's right to
reclaim the Golan, and rejects sanctions on Syria" (Government-
owned Al-Thawra, 5/31)

"Due to Palestinian students' sufferings, British scholars
boycott their Israeli counterparts who support racism"
(Government-owned Tishreen, 5/31)

"The Palestinian dialogue witnesses some progress. Partial
payments of salaries will come soon. Seven Palestinians killed,
41 injured in an Israeli attack against Gaza. A French call for
mutual cool-down" (Government-owned Tishreen, 5/31)

"The Lebanese Government calls for adopting a clear stance
regarding Israeli aggression. President Lahoud: 'We maintain our
rights by maintaining national resistance.' Former Prime Minister
Karami: 'Discourse of the February 14 group is a US requirement"

"US military reinforcements in Al-Anbar. British worry in Basra.
One US soldier, scores of Iraqis killed in an attack on the
headquarters of the Iraqi Interior Ministry" (Government-owned
Tishreen, 5/31)


3. Editorial Block Quotes:
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"Restoring Memory"

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

Ali Qasem, a commentator in government-owned Al-Thawra, said
(5/31): "The recent assassination of the Islamic Jihad official
in Sidon and the Israeli aggression against southern Lebanon
have brought back to the Lebanese mind Israeli threats to the
country....

"Israel did not hesitate to blow the Lebanese situation apart
once again through a series of escalatory steps, assassinations,
and aggressions after the Lebanese arena became exposed and
fertile soil for Israeli security agencies and US and French
intelligence....

"Although many people warned against Israeli threats to Lebanon,
some Lebanese forces considered that an exaggeration.... The
Israeli aggressions against south Lebanon on 28 May have ushered
in a new stage in the Israeli approach to the Lebanese
situation, which was brought about by reckless practices and
positions that imagined that US sponsorship could offer
protection from Israeli bites....

"Everyone knows that what has been happening for years revolves
around one essential point, namely, disarming the resistance
through a process of revenge that Israel has planned, the US
Administration is implementing, and many Lebanese parties became
involved in when they went too far. The aim of this process of
revenge is to ease the defeat that was inflicted on Israel and
open a gap in the opposition to allow Israel to resume tampering
in the Lebanese arena...."

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

"The Advantage of Heading towards the East"

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

Sa'id Musallam, a commentator in government-owned Al-Thawra,
wrote (5/31): "The Syrian foreign minister held important talks
with Chinese officials in Beijing.... There is an urgent need to
develop relations with the Asian countries, especially as
American and European pressure and blackmail against Damascus
increase.

"Syria and the Asian countries have much in common, such as
political and social systems, appropriate climates for economic
integration, the need to open big markets, and independent
political decision-making and rejection of colonialism and
subservience."

"In general, the people of the East know us very well and we
know them very well. You do not find a Chinese, a Russian, or an
Asian saying that Arabs must be annihilated, denying Arab
civilization, or ignorant of how Israel occupied Arab
territories or of what the United States and the West want from
our region."

--------------
"Kabul Uprising"

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

Bassam Radwan, a commentator in government-owned Tishreen, wrote
(5/31): "Although the immediate cause of the popular uprising in
Kabul on May 29 was a road accident, the political, social, and
security situations in that country were the indirect reasons
for the confrontations between Afghans and US soldiers. The
security situation in the country is worsening, the political
situation is tense, and the Afghan people are experiencing
abject poverty and miserable living conditions under
occupation....

"But what is more important is that the Afghan people are known
for their hatred of occupation...."

Seche