Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06DAMASCUS362
2006-02-01 14:21:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Damascus
Cable title:  

Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Russia, Palestinian

Tags:  KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY 
pdf how-to read a cable
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TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6808
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RUEHAM/AMEMBASSY AMMAN 5759
RUEHLB/AMEMBASSY BEIRUT 3654
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INFO RUEHNC/AMEMBASSY NICOSIA 6625
UNCLAS DAMASCUS 000362 

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/Russia, Palestinian
Elections, Kyoto Protocol, Lebanon, Iraq (1/31-2/1)


UNCLAS DAMASCUS 000362

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/Russia, Palestinian
Elections, Kyoto Protocol, Lebanon, Iraq (1/31-2/1)



1. Summary: Syrian papers reported President Asad's meeting
with Yuri N. Baluyevsky, Russian Chief of Staff, which dealt
with enhancing bilateral relations and with the latest regional
and international developments. Papers also reported the joint
press conference held by the Russian Chief-of-Staff and his
Syrian counterpart, Lieutenant General Ali Habib. The latter
said that "Syria adheres to its rights and will defend them,
relying on international legitimacy, relevant resolutions and
the support of its friends, foremost among them the Russian
Federation." Ali depicted ties between the two armies as long-
standing and solid. For his part, the Russian Chief-of-Staff
underlined the importance of respecting the sovereignty of other
states and the right of peoples to choose the life they want,
hailing the distinguished national bond in Syria and the
rallying of its people around the leadership of President Asad.
"This is an element of strength for Syria that helps it face
pressure and threats," the Russian Chief of Staff said.

Papers reported a SANA press release saying that Syria would
propose that Arab nations compensate Palestinians for any aid
Western powers might cut after the HAMAS victory in the
Palestinian elections. SANA quoted FM Shara as saying that Syria
would submit the proposal at the Arab summit scheduled for March
in Khartoum. "The move comes within the framework of continuous
Arab support for the Palestinian people, and the respect of its
will and choices," SANA said.

Papers also reported that Faisal Miqdad, Syria's Permanent Envoy
to the United Nations, presented to the UN SecGen Syria's Act of
Accession to the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Changes, 1997. The act stated that Syria's
accession to the protocol does not signify, in any case,
recognition of Israel and will not lead to any dealings with it
whatsoever.

End summary.



2. Selected Headlines:

"President Asad discusses bilateral relations and enhancement of

regional and international developments with the Russian Chief
of Staff" (Government-owned Al-Thawra, 2/1)

"A Syrian draft resolution to the Arab summit to continue Arab
aid to the Palestinian people" (Government-owned Al-Ba'th, 2/1)

"Clashes continue in the Palestinian territories. Two
Palestinians martyred in Jenin. HAMAS rejects Western blackmail:
A long ceasefire and no recognition of Israel" (Government-owned
Al-Ba'th, 12/1)

"Syria's Permanent Envoy to the United Nations Faisal Miqdad
presents the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan Syria's Act of
Accession to the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change" (Government-owned Al-Thawra, 2/1)

"HAMAS calls for a neutral and open dialogue with the Quartet.
Abbas reiterates the importance of continuing international aid
to Palestinians" (Government-owned Al-Ba'th, 1/31)

"Putin calls for not stopping aid to Palestinians, confirming
that his country's position on HAMAS' victory is different from
the West's" (Government-owned Tisheen, 2/1)

"Ministers of the Amal Movement and Hizbollah: US pressures are
behind the cabinet crisis" (Government-owned Al-Ba'th, 2/1)

"One British soldier killed, three injured in Basra. Al-Dulaymi
calls on the government to release detained Iraqi women"
(Government-owned Tishreen, 2/1)

"Iran warns against internationalizing its nuclear file. Paris:
The door of diplomacy is still open" (Government-owned Al-Ba'th,
2/1)


3. Editorial Block Quotes:

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

"Political Cross-eye?"
--------------

Muhammad Khair al-Jammali, an editorialist in government-owned
Al-Thawra, said (1/31): "American and European reactions to
HAMAS' election victory entail distortion of reality and
distortion of facts, as they portray Israel as a peace dove and
blame the obstruction of peace and the loss of opportunities for
peace on the Palestinian people and their resistance groups, who
stick to their weapons to protect their people and defend their
security and survival....

"Those who reject the results of the Palestinian elections are
political hypocrites, as they forget that Israel has adopted
terrorism as official policy and that it has never recognized
the legitimate Palestinian right of return, the establishment of
an independent state, and the restoration of Jerusalem....

"Israel's policy of aggression, destruction, settlement, and
denial of Palestinian rights is the reason for the deadlock in
the peace process on the Palestinian track...."

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

"HAMAS and the Challenge of Administering Palestinian Affairs"

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

Muhammad al-Khadr, an editorialist in government-owned Al-Ba'th,
wrote (1/31): "HAMAS' Political Bureau chief Khalid Mashaal
called on all Palestinian factions to participate in the next
government....

"The new Legislative Council has major missions to accomplish,
as expected by Palestinian citizens, who were exhausted by
Israeli sieges and aggression and the entrenchment of corruption
and poverty. The effort must start by putting the domestic front
and decision-making establishments in order. It should address
daily living concerns and secure the salaries of about 120,000
employees, whose management has moved from one political force
to another. There are other complicated issues, such as border
crossing points, economic development, security and order,
negotiations, and the fate of previously signed agreements.

"This is a mission too difficult for any one faction or
political force to shoulder. It dictates collective
participation, as called for by Mashaal...."

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

"Another Weapon in the Hands of the People"

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

Dr. Khalaf al-Jarrad, chief editor of government-owned Tishreen,
commented (1/31): "The HAMAS victory in the Palestinian
elections was a political disaster for Israel....

"Washington only supports democracy that does not allow
political forces hostile to the United States and its allies to
rise to power....

"As for the Arab region, the American policy toward the issue of
democracy is organically linked to the consolidation of trends
that support separation and fragmentation, seek help from
foreigners, and adopt the concepts of peace and normalization
with the Zionist entity, regardless of this entity's aggression,
expansionist ideology, displacement of millions of Palestinians,
public refusal to comply with international resolutions, and
occupation of Palestine, the Syrian Golan, Shebaa Farms, and
other Lebanese villages....


"What has happened in Venezuela, Brazil, Iran, Chile, and
Palestine points to strong popular inclinations and proves that
democracy is not a ready-made commodity that can be imported....

"We must be optimistic that the time of hegemony, dictates, and
coercion has begun to stagger, fall, and disappear."

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

"Deeds More Important than Words"

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

Omar Jaftali, an editorialist in government-owned Tishreen, said
(1/31): "The most important result of the Palestinian elections
is that it revealed the truth about those who claim to support
democracy in the West and their true position toward democracy
when it does not match their deviant ideas and double
standards....

"These people cannot claim that HAMAS' victory in elections
obstructed the peace process because this process was nominal
only, and ineffective, as Sharon's government aborted all its
requirements...."

Seche