Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Palestinians, OIC

UNCLAS DAMASCUS 002975 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/Palestinians, OIC Ministerial, Syria/Italy, Lebanon, Iraq (6/19-20) ¶1. Summary: Syrian papers reported that Vice President Farouk al-Shara discussed the latest developments in the occupied Palestinian territories and the ongoing national dialogue between Palestine factions with a Palestinian delegation headed by Khaled Meshal, Head of the Hamas Politburo. Mr. Shara stressed the importance of making the nat ional dialogue a success and reaching common ground based on national principles that ensure the Palestinian right of return and the establishment of an independent state. He also reiterated Syria's full support of any offer that may contribute to enhancing Palestinian unity. Both sides stressed the importance of moving on the bilateral and Arab levels to break the unjust siege imposed on the Palestine people. Meshal expressed hope that the Palestinian national dialogue will produce positive steps. Papers also reported the 33rd ministerial meeting of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) in Baku, Azerbaijan, with the participation of Syria. Foreign Minister Walid al- Mouallem, heading an official delegation, represents Syria at the meetings. In an opening speech, the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, stressed the necessity of enhancing cooperation and coordination among the OIC member states in facing present challenges. He pointed out the importance of clearing up the true image of Islam, based on justice, tolerance and coexistence among different peoples. A number of Arab and Islamic Foreign Ministers are participating in the meetings. Papers also reported a statement to SANA by Massimo Dalima, Italian Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister, stressing the importance of Syria's role in establishing peace and security in the Middle East, saying that the new Italian government is willing to boost and enhance existing cooperation with Syria in all fields. Mr. Dalima described bilateral relations between Syria and Italy as excellent, saying that Italy is linked to Syria by very excellent ties in the economic and culture fields. Mr. Dalima added that Italy is committed to working side by side with the Syrian government and is very interested in developing and boosting existing relations with Syria. He also expressed his country's willingness to become directly involved in the process of establishing peace in the region. Answering a question about his forthcoming tour of the Middle East, Mr. Dalima said preparations are underway to outline the special agenda of the tour in the framework of Italy's willingness to play its role in establishing peace in the Middle East. He expressed hope that the peace process could be resumed on all tracks, saying that Syria is a central player in establishing the sought-for peace in the region, which is an important issue for which both Italy and Syria have worked for years. End of summary. ¶2. Selected Headlines: "Shara confers with Meshal, Head of Hamas Politburo. Talks focus on the importance of making the Palestinian National dialogue a success" (Government-owned TIshreen, 6/20) "Italian Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Massimo Dalima: We are determined to develop relations with Syria and committed to work to cement peace in the region" (Government-owned Tishreen, 6/20) "Israeli Prime Minister Olmert rejects international investigation of the Gaza beach massacre. Palestinians are optimistic about a national unity government. The Quartet endorses European mechanisms for aid to Palestinians" (Government- owned Tishreen, 6/19) "Foreign Minister of the OIC calls on the Red Cross and Red Crescent to shoulder responsibility in the Palestinian territories" (Government-owned Tishreen, 6/20) "The EU Commissioner Valdner casts doubts on Israel's unilateral plans. Progress in the Palestinian National Dialogue. Fatah and Hamas representatives call upon participants in the dialogue to shoulder their responsibility" (Government-owned Tishreen, 6/20) "Lebanon awaits the end of the investigation on the Mossad network in Lebanon to refer the file to the Security Council" (Government-owned Al-Thawra, 6/20) "The Free Patriotic Movement in Lebanon calls for toppling the government. The Amal Movement: Uncovering the Israeli spying network is a blow against sedition" (Government-owned Al-Thawra, 6/19) "President Asad reviews Syria's policy and bilateral relations with a Romanian Parliamentary delegation" (Government-owned Al- Thawra, 6/19) "At the Conference of Arab-American Committee for Combating Discrimination, Minister of Expatriates Shabaan: Coexistence and religious tolerance are characteristic of peoples of the region.... Violence and extremism are the result of double standards" (Government-owned Tishreen, 6/19) "A massive US military operation in al-Ramadi. Violence continues in Baghdad" (Government-owned Al-Ba'th, 6/19) ¶3. Editorial Block Quotes: -------------- "The Source of Syria's Power" -------------- Muhammad Khair al-Jammali, an editorialist in government-owned Al-Thawrah, commented (6/19): "In its contemporary history, Syria has experienced extremely delicate and dangerous circumstances, dealt with extremely difficult and complicated regional and international crises, and addressed many issues. In its approach to those circumstances, crises, and issues, it did not make mistakes in determining their backgrounds and serious repercussions on the stability of the region and international peace. It was the others who wrongly read events and crises.... Others always realized, later, that Syria was right in its positions. This happened in Syria's approach to the issue of terrorism and its positions on the Iraq-Iran war, the war on Iraq, and developments in the Arab-Israeli conflict. "Thanks to this clear vision and position and adherence to principles, and to national cohesion and the people's support for President Asad and his development policy, Syria will remain strong, not shaken by the winds of treachery and plotting and not affected by the storms of pressure, no matter how strong they may be...." -------------- "Volume of Penetration" -------------- Umar Jaftali, an editorialist in government-owned Tishreen, commented (6/19): "The exposure of the Mossad network in Lebanon was a clear message to those who are being unfair to the weapons of the national resistance. The message says that Israel is still enemy number one of Lebanon and the Lebanese.... "The Israeli infiltration into Lebanon was apparently not small. It shows that Lebanon is still a target for Israel and that Resolution 425 is still not fully implemented, in light of the occupation and the failure of the United Nations to stop the continuous harassment and aggression on Lebanese sovereignty...." -------------- "Reviews" -------------- Izz-al-Din al-Darwish, an editorialist in government-owned Tishreen, commented (6/19): "Israel has been, is and will be Lebanon's only enemy, in the past, present and future. As such, it harbors nothing but evil and treachery for the Lebanese.... It is surprising that while members of the Mossad network that was uncovered in Lebanon confess to involvement in assassinations and bombings, some [Lebanese] are defending Israel and promoting the possibility of peace with it on the basis of American promises to a Lebanon of the future.... "Developments in Lebanon since the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafiq al-Hariri are part of a carefully worked out plan seeking to create a rift between Lebanon and Syria and disarm the Lebanese resistance.... "The crime of the Al-Hariri assassination was certainly part of that plan.... Israel wants not only to keep Lebanon away from Syria but also to take revenge against the Lebanese national resistance and prepare the Lebanese arena for sedition and for security and political havoc. In this, it benefits from the UN Security Council resolutions on Syrian-Lebanese relations, resolutions that are, in fact, American-Israeli resolutions.... The discovery of the Mossad-affiliated network highlights the role and importance of the resistance as Lebanon's strongest weapon against Israeli aggression." -------------- "Palestinian National Dialogue" -------------- Muhammad al-Khadir, a commentator in government-owned Al-Ba'th, wrote (6/19): "Any Palestinian civil strife helps Israel to free itself from the resistance and continue its hostile plan of killing field leaders of the resistance, swallowing up the land, and convincing the world of the 'soundness' of its unilateral withdrawal plan amid the Palestinians' preoccupation with their differences.... "The Palestinian national dialogue must continue until results are achieved because the current splits serve only Israel and its plans...." Seche