TFLE01: SYRIA AS OF 1500 HOURS LOCAL, SUNDAY,

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 DAMASCUS 003482

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

PARIS FOR WALLER; LONDON FOR TSOU

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/16/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL SY LE
SUBJECT: TFLE01: SYRIA AS OF 1500 HOURS LOCAL, SUNDAY,
JULY 16, 2006


Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Stephen A. Seche for reasons 1.4 b/d


1. (C) Summary: The situation in Syria remains relatively
calm. DAO reports no signs of a higher state of alert,
except for air defense units that were moved to a heightened
level in late June. The official Syrian Arab News Agency
(SANA) reported that President Asad spoke by phone with
Lebanon,s President, promising Syrian resources for the
wounded and those seeking safe haven and for the rebuilding
of Lebanon,s infrastructure. It was Asad's first public
comment on the conflict. We have heard several reports of a
public protest for the morning of July 17 with the
participation of a wide variety of government offices. The
theme is unknown but will probably be pro-SARG and express
solidarity with the Lebanese and Palestinian people. Syrian
officials estimated up to 90,000 individuals have crossed
from Syrian into Lebanon in the past few days. The Director
of Protocol told the Charge that the FM himself had
authorized the issuance of border visas to all Americans and
that the SARG would authorize the entry three TDY consular
officers from Embassy Cairo whose services may be needed in
the event of a large influx of Amcits Many AmCits reported
crossing July 15 with no difficulty; they paid $15-20 at the
border for Syrian visas. Many Damascus hotels are full, and
airlines are struggling to keep up with demand for flights
out of the country. End Summary.

POLITICAL/MILITARY ISSUES


2. (C) The situation in Syria remains relatively calm. DAO
reports no tangible evidence of a higher state of alert,
except for air defense units that were moved to a heightened
state of alert since late June. There were rumors, however,
being picked up in the regional media, that Syria is calling
up some of its reserves to join their units. Syrian
officials were quoted July 16 denying reports that the IDF
had bombed a border area in Syrian territory July 15. The
official Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported that
President Bashar al-Asad spoke with Lebanese President Emile
Lahoud by phone to express solidarity with the Lebanese
people. He said he would put Syria,s resources at the
disposal of Lebanon to assist with rescuing and treating the
wounded and providing safehaven for those fleeing the
conflict, and providing building materials to help Lebanon
rebuild its destroyed infrastructure. It was Asad's first
public comment on the conflict since it erupted. MP and head
of the foreign affairs committee Noumeir al-Ghanem was quoted
on al-Jazeera July 15 stating that Syria was prepared to
respond proportionately to any Israeli aggression. He added
that Syria did not want to see the conflict spread outside
Lebanon. AP and regional press quoted Israeli Transportation
Minister and former Minister of Defense Shaul Mofaz July 16
as saying that a missile that struck Haifa railway station
was a Syrian missile. We have heard several reports of a
public protest for the morning of July 17 with the
participation of a wide variety of government offices. The
theme was so far unknown but will probably be pro-regime and
express solidarity with the Lebanese and Palestinian people.
Pro-Hizballah themes are also likely.

CONSULAR


3. (C) Syrian officials were quoted as estimating that some
90,000 individuals have crossed the border with Lebanon and
been allowed into Syria in the past few days. ACS received
reports late July 15 that an Amcit trying to cross the border
into Syria was turned back by Syrian authorities. The
Director of Protocol, the Embassy's designated MFA contact,
told the Charge that the FM himself had authorized the
issuance of border visas to all Americans. In response to
Charge's complaint that SARG immigration authorities were
only issuing visas with three days validity, an insufficient
period in which to make arrangements to depart Syria under
current conditions, the MFA undertook to see that the
duration was lengthened. MFA also agreed to issue visas in
Cairo for three TDY consular officers from Embassy Cairo
whose services may be needed in the event of a large influx
of Amcits.


4. (SBU) ACS continues to get a high volume of calls from
people in Lebanon who would like to know whether they should
leave Lebanon or wait for "the boat;" which land border to
take; and whether or not they can get across the border. ACS
is advising them to bring water, food, a full tank of gas, as

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much money in dollars as possible and a cell phone, if they
decide to cross. ACS is informing Amcits that they should be
allowed to enter Syria but does not advise them whether to do
so. The consular section is asking Amcits to telephone ACS
from the border if they have problems getting in and to call
to confirm entry into Syria. Many AmCits reported crossing
July 15 with no difficulty; they paid $15-20 at the border
for Syrian visas. Almost all families have a significant
quantity of cash with them. Our repat limit has been raised
to $4000/person with a max of $16,000 per family without
prior authorization from State. To date, ACS has done no
repats but has had one family who requested subsistence
funds. Our last warden message was 07/13/2006.


5. (SBU) Almost all hotels and shelters in Damascus are
reported to be full. Only two hotels had confirmed
availability for last night. ACS got a number of Amcits into
one of them. Consular section is checking again on
availability July 16.

ECONOMIC/COMMERCIAL


6. (SBU) British Air has switched its Beirut-London flight
to Damascus, giving the airline an additional flight out of
Damascus each day. Air France changed its 07/19 flight to a
larger plane. Austrian Air July 15 switched to flying in a
larger aircraft (the Airbus 321 as opposed to the 319) so as
to have 60 additional seats to offer per flight, according to
its local representative. Gulf Air is taking similar action.
Almost no confirmed seats are available on any airline
before 07/19, and already seats for that day are scarce.
Most people are waitlisted or told by the airlines to try
their luck at the airport.
SECHE