Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/US, Lebanon, Syria/Qatar,

UNCLAS DAMASCUS 002777 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/US, Lebanon, Syria/Qatar, Syria/Yemen, Palestinian Territories, Iraq (6/12) ¶1. Summary: Syrian papers reported that President Asad received former US Senator James Abourezk, Chairman of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee on Sunday. Talks during the meeting concentrated on the situation in Iraq, Syria's full support for the political process there, and means to restore security in Iraq. The talks also dealt with the troubled peace process in the Middle East and Syria's firm stance towards it, based on international resolutions. Both sides touched upon terrorism and combating it, as well as Syria's current process of reform at all levels, particularly in the economic field. Papers also reported that the Lebanese party, "al-Maradah," headed by former Lebanese Minister Sulaiman Franjieh, underlined the strategic relations connecting Syria and Lebanon. The Party, in a document published on the 28th anniversary of the assassination of Tony Sulaiman Franjieh, father of Sulaiman Franjieh, his wife, daughter and companions in the Ihden massacre, called on all Lebanese to recognize the positive aspects of maintaining good ties with Syria and her main role in ending the civil war in Lebanon. The Party noted that Syria has supported the Lebanese army and resistance as well as the al-Taif Accord, stressing the importance of maintaining the strategic relationship between the Syrian and Lebanese people. On the other hand, "al-Maradah" Party described the Lebanese national resistance's weapon as an honor for Lebanon, saying that this weapon had been created to liberate the country from the Israeli occupation. "This weapon is legal because of Lebanon's right of resistance to protect itself from Israeli dangers and to liberate Sheba'a farms and the Lebanese captives in Israeli jails," the document added. In a statement issued during the commemoration, in which "al-Maradah" Party was launched, Sulaiman Franjieh stressed Lebanon's Arab identity, that rejects all kinds of foreign intervention in Lebanese internal affairs, calling upon all Lebanese to enhance the country's national unity. For his part, Lebanese ex-Premier Omar Karami called for early elections in accordance with the new electoral law to allow healthy representation of the Lebanese people in the parliament. He criticized foreign interference in Lebanon, indicating that the so-called "March 14th Forces" are leading Lebanon to the edge of collapse. Meanwhile, Lebanese ex-premier Najib Miqati stressed the importance of the fraternal relations between Syria and Lebanon. "Fraternity, history and geography connect the two countries," Mr. Miqati said in a statement. Papers also reported that Ahmad Ali Saed, Secretary General of the Yemeni Unionist Popular Liberation Party, expressed the Yemeni people's support for Syria's positions under the leadership of President Asad in the face of the pressures and threats to which she is exposed. This came in discussions held on Sunday between Assistant Secretary General of al-Ba'th Arab Socialist Party Abdullah al-Ahmar and Saed. Talks during the meeting dealt with the achievements of the two parties in their countries and the latest developments in the Arab region, particularly the situations in Palestine and Iraq and the foreign pressures against Syria. The two sides stressed the necessity of enhancing Arab solidarity in facing challenges and supporting the Palestinian people in the face of Israeli aggression, to establish their independent state with Jerusalem as its capital and maintain the right of return of the Palestinian refugees to their homeland. They also reiterated the importance of maintaining Iraq's territorial integrity and sovereignty by ending the foreign occupation of Iraq. All papers reported that Sheikh Hamad Bin Khaleifa al-Thani, Emir of Qatar, awarded an order of merit to Mr. Hajem Ibrahim, Syria's ambassador to Qatar, on ending his term of office, and expressed satisfaction over the distinguished ties connecting the two brotherly countries. "We wish for the brotherly Syrian people more development, progress and security in all domains of life," The Qatari Emir said. For his part, the Syrian ambassador stressed the deep-rooted relations between Syria and Qatar. End of summary ¶2. Selected Headlines: "President Asad receives Chairman of the American-Arab Anti- Discrimination Committee and reviews with him the situation in Iraq, the stumbling peace process, the issue of terrorism and the current reform process in Syria" (Government-owned Tishreen, 6/12) "Minister of Information Bilal: Syria is cooperating fully with Brammertz, Head of International Investigation Commission into the assassination of former Lebanese PM al-Hariri.... Syria seeks to unveil the truth about the killers of al-Hariri.... The doors of Damascus are open to Lebanese brothers" (Government-owned Tishreen, 6/12) "Lebanese figures warn against dangers of foreign intervention in Lebanon's internal affairs. Former Lebanese Prime Minister Karami calls for early elections. Former Lebanese Minister Franjieh: We reject hegemony" (Government-owned Tishreen, 6/12) "Prince of Qatar: We are proud of distinguished relations with Syria" (Government-owned Al-Thawra, 6/12) "Israeli massacres continue in Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Olmert threatens to liquidate Palestinian figures" (Government- owned Al-Thawra, 6/12) ¶3. Editorial Block Quotes: -------------- "A Response that Is an Announcement" -------------- Maha Sultan, a commentator in government-owned Tishreen, wrote (6/12): "The US reaction to the Gaza massacre was the most insolent of all previous American reactions to Israeli massacres.... "Not only did Washington defend the killing of Palestinian civilians, but it also thanked Israel for suspending the bombardment and called on the Palestinian Authority to stop what it called terrorist Palestinian actions against Israel.... "Had we been living in a world that supports justice and humanity, the officials of the US Administration -- before the Israeli terrorists -- would have been brought to trial before the whole world for committing and encouraging crimes against humanity.... "The worst and gravest thing about the US reaction to the Gaza massacre is that it ushers in a new stage marked by stronger collusion with the Israeli plans and the methods of realizing them, no matter how brutal these methods may be. This reaction is an announcement to Palestinians that they should expect nothing from the US Administration and the international community and its organizations. Will the deluded Palestinian leaders finally realize this and recognize the threat that this collusion poses to their entire cause?" -------------- "What Right Is This?" -------------- Izz-al-Din al-Darwish, an editorialist in government-owned Tishreen, said (6/12): "The United States tried to justify the killing of Palestinian civilians on the Gaza beach when it announced, in a more than provocative manner, that Israel has the right to defend itself.... "US Administration officials build their positions on pure Israeli considerations and sometimes upstage Israeli officials.... "Some Arab governments have kept silent and adopted harmful positions toward Israel's crimes thus opening the Arab arena for Israeli and American aggression and for deliberate killing and sometimes genocide against Arab citizens, who are bleeding around the clock in Palestine and Iraq...." -------------- "Gaza Beach Massacre " -------------- Ali Nasrallah, an editorialist in government-owned Al-Thawra, wrote (6/12): "The world community should not feel content with condemning the Israeli massacre on the Gaza beach, calling for self-restraint, or awaiting the results of the investigation that Israel said it will conduct.... "The massacre once again exposes the dirty racist Israeli mentality.... The United States is Israel's real partner in its criminal policy and racist practices.... The US reaction to Israel's killing of Palestinian civilians on the Gaza beach was more provocative than the crime itself, and more painful than the scene of the appalling killing.... "The Gaza beach crime, the massacres of Hadithah and Al-Ishaqi, and the thousands other crimes that television cameras did not capture or that have not yet been revealed, carry almost the same fingerprints. They are established war crimes against humanity. If they go unpunished because the balance of power and international politics would be upset, they will be left to history, which no one can forge...." -------------- "Israeli Massacre in Gaza" -------------- Samir Abd-al-Rahman, a columnist in government-owned Al-Ba'th, commented (6/12): "The hypocrisy of the world superpowers and the silence of some Arab countries encourage Israel to shed Palestinian blood every day.... "What is most ridiculous is Washington's expression of satisfaction with Israel's announcement that it halted the artillery shelling of Gaza.... Washington gives Israel an open authorization, through the so-called right of self-defense, to attack Palestinians.... "What is most astonishing is the call on Israel to investigate the Gaza massacre.... The results of any investigation will not be different from the results of US investigations into the massacres of Hadithah and Al-Ishaqi in Iraq.... "Israel, through its attacks on Palestinians, ultimately seeks to expel Palestinians who have remained in the occupied territories and to force Palestinians to drop their right of return...." Johnson-Casares