Damascus Media Reaction: Palestinian Territories, Iraq,

UNCLAS DAMASCUS 003289 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: Palestinian Territories, Iraq, Lebanon (7/4-5) ¶1. Summary: Syrian papers reported that President Asad headed a meeting of the National Progressive Front, during which he reiterated Syria's support of the Palestinian people and confirmed efforts to make their national dialogue a success. Asad said, "Syria stands with full force at the side of the Arab Palestinian people in their ordeal as they face the oppressive Israeli machine." President Asad emphasized backing the political process and development of relations with Iraq on the basis of securing Iraq's national unity and achieving withdrawal of the occupation forces, expressing Syria's readiness to extend all aid in this respect. Further on the Palestinian issue, papers reported that President Asad received a telephone call from UN Secretary General Kofi Annan which focused on developments in the Palestinian arena and efforts to lift the siege and end the Palestinian people's sufferings, and cited a lecture delivered by Faysal Miqdad, Deputy Foreign Minister, at the Cultural Center in Deraa Province on Tuesday 4 July, confirming that Syria will always take the side of the Palestinian people and support their just cause. The Deputy Minister touched upon the US policies which seek to implement the Greater Middle East project, calling it "the illusion through which the USA aims to annihilate the Arab personality and impose Israel on the region." Miqdad criticized recent statements by John Bolton, US Ambassador to the UN, saying that "Bolton's extremist positions confirm US bias towards Israel on every occasion." Miqdad stressed that Syria will also stand by the Lebanese people, pointing to the great sacrifices Syria has offered for Lebanon. He also said, "Syria is concerned about the Iraqi people, who have been suffering greatly because of the US occupation," and underlined Syria's keenness for Iraq's national unity. End of summary. ¶2. Selected Headlines: "President Asad receives a telephone call from UN Secretary General Annan on the latest developments in the Palestinian arena, and heads a meeting of the National Progressive Front: Israeli accusations make us more committed to our rights and positions. With all its power, Syria takes the side of Palestinians. We support the political process in Iraq on the basis of national unity" (Government-owned Al-Thawra, 7/4) "Two Palestinians killed, four injured in the Israeli invasion of northern Gaza. Israel ignores the deadline set by captors of the Israeli soldier and stresses: Our goal goes beyond freeing the Israeli soldier" (Government-owned Tishreen, 7/4) "Arab and international mediations collide with Israeli stubbornness. Israeli Prime Minister Olmert gives the green light to invade Gaza" (Government-owned Al-Ba'th, 7/4) "Killing of two US soldiers and scores of Iraqis in Baghdad, Mahmoudiya and Mosel" (Government-owned Tishreen, 7/4) "Deputy Foreign Minister Miqdad: Syria stands by the Palestinian people's side and supports their legitimate causes.... Statements by John Bolton, the US Ambassador to UN, reflect the American bias to Israel" (Government-owned TIshreen, 7/5) "British Prime Minister Blair expects a massive withdrawal from Iraq within 18 months. President Bush: A timetable for withdrawal is an insult to our soldiers" (Government-owned Al-Ba'th, 7/5) "One Palestinian killed in an Israeli incursion into Jenin. Israeli forces bombard the Islamic University in Gaza. Israel links the establishment a Palestinian state to the destiny of the Israeli kidnapped soldier. The Palestinian authority calls on the UN Security Council to stop the Israeli aggression" (Government- owned Tishreen, 7/5) "Lahoud warns against striking at the bases of Lebanese reconciliation. Former Lebanese Minister of Defense Abdul-Rahim Murd: The February 14 team has become bankrupt; it endeavors to distort the role of an international tribunal" (Government-owned Al-Thawra, 7/5) ¶3. Editorial Block Quotes: -------------- "Contradictions of the US Age" -------------- Ali Qasim, an editorialist in government-owned Al-Thawra, wrote (7/4): "UN SecGen Kofi Annan was unable to denounce or condemn the Israeli aggression on Gaza. His position was, to say the least, regrettable and shameful for the international organization and the international community, which has turned into a negative spectator unconcerned with what is happening.... "The UN Secretary General's call for a halt to the destruction of the Palestinian infrastructure was yet another proof of the political fragility that governs the international position. It is as though the infrastructure is more important than the souls that are being killed, besieged, and starved by tanks and aircraft.... "This is an age of American contradiction, where people justify the aggression or remain silent about it, and where the capturing of a soldier while practicing aggression and occupation becomes the world's chief concern...." -------------- "A Whole People against One Prisoner" -------------- Omar Jaftali, and editorialist in government-owned Tishreen, wrote (7/4): "It is shameful that those who call themselves leaders of the free world and claim to be the champions of democracy are turning a blind eye to Israel's flagrant terrorism and employing themselves for the defense of one Israeli while intentionally ignoring the tragedy of an entire people and not giving any attention to their just cause.... "It is surprising that everyone in the world is advising Palestinians to release the Israeli soldier immediately or threatening them if they do not do, while no one is discussing the reasons for the problem and the state terrorism that the Israeli occupation forces and Olmert's government are practicing...." -------------- -- "A Series of Crises, and the Route to Damascus" -------------- -- Salim Abbud, a commentator in government-owned Al-Thawra, wrote (7/4): "Damascus' doors have been and will remain open to the Lebanese, but not through the power of international pressure or UN resolutions, which are the product of American and Israeli efforts and desires.... "The Lebanese team that derives power from foreigners does not want to enter Damascus with a spirit of brotherhood and a desire to establish fraternal relations. This team applauded the anti- Syria international resolutions and everything that harmed Syria.... "This team harmed Lebanon and all Lebanese who reject the separation of Lebanon from Syria, because Lebanon cannot exercise its sovereignty, Arabism, and cohesion with its geographic and historical environment by transcending Damascus...." -------------- "The United States Must Arrest John Bolton" -------------- As'ad Abbud, a columnist in government-owned Al-Thawra, wrote (7/4): "The United States wants Syria to arrest Khalid Mish'al, hand over many Palestinians, silence Hizbollah's guns, and send its army to attack the resistance in Iraq.... "This does not reflect recognition of Syria's action and ability. No, never, because when it comes to 'attacking the forces that resist the occupation of our countries,' Syria will take no action; no one in Syria can consider this. But it reflects recognition of the usefulness of the course of opposition to American plans, a line adopted by the peoples of the region and various leaderships in it: Syria, Iran, HAMAS and all Palestinian resistance forces, Hizbollah, and all those who reject this political and military invasion of the region, and they are numerous.... "John Bolton called on Syria to arrest Khalid Mish'al.... He believes we are nothing more than a policeman guarding the doors of his administration, which commits crimes against our peoples.... "Americans want the peoples of the region to fight each other on their behalf. But although there are 'traitors' in the region, the peoples of the region cannot do this. They cannot arrest Khalid Mish'al or Hizbollah's guns or the HAMAS movement or the Iranian nuclear reactor. They cannot do it because they see all of these as signs of sustained Arab existence.... "Washington can solve the problem when it offers a peace plan to end occupation and persecution of nations. Only then will it win. Let the US arrest those who mastermind sabotage and aggression in Israel. Let it arrest Ehud Olmert and John Bolton." Seche