Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06DAMASCUS3678
2006-07-26 13:48:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Damascus
Cable title:
Damascus Media Reaction: Israeli Operation in Lebanon,
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UNCLAS DAMASCUS 003678
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: Israeli Operation in Lebanon,
Terrorism, Syria/Russia, Syria/Turkey (7/26)
UNCLAS DAMASCUS 003678
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: Israeli Operation in Lebanon,
Terrorism, Syria/Russia, Syria/Turkey (7/26)
1. Summary: Syrian papers reported a statement by the press
office of the Syrian Ministry of Communication and Technology
denying reports circulated by electronic websites to the effect
that Syria possesses information about al-Qaeda and that Syria is
ready to offer it to the US. The statement described these
reports as "baseless," noting "they are simply distortions of
honorable stances of Syria." The press office noted that when it
asked a representative of the Sky News network about the subject,
he answered in an official statement that the "news is baseless
and the issue was not part of any statement or debate," adding
that the network did not attribute any of these statements to the
minister.
Papers also featured a statement by Russian President Putin upon
receiving the credentials of Dr. Hassan Risheh, Syria's new
Ambassador to Russia. Putin stressed that his country attached
great importance to developing Syrian-Russian dialogue about
urgent regional and international issues. "Russia has strong
relations with Syria, which is considered the most important
country in the Arab world, and will establish active cooperation
with it in the field of confronting international terrorism,"
Putin said. The Russian President underlined that the current
crisis in Lebanon has brought about dangerous humanitarian
consequences, confirming the urgent need to increase the
effectiveness of the UN in international issues.
Papers also reported that Dr. Mohsen Bilal, Syrian Minister of
Information, has described the Israeli aggression on Lebanon as
savage and an embodiment of systematic state terrorism. Meeting a
Turkish delegation, including parliamentary, media, cultural and
academic personalities, headed by Mohammed Bakkar Oglo on Tuesday
evening, Dr. Bilal criticized the US and a number of western
countries for their bias in favor of Israel despite the crimes
and brutal practices Israel is perpetrating against the Lebanese
and Palestinian people. Dr. Bilal vehemently condemned terrorism,
rejecting any link between Islam and terrorism, as terrorism is a
crime that has no religion, color or race, while Islam is a
religion of tolerance, coexistence and cooperation. For his part,
Mr. Oglo strongly criticized hostile Israeli practices against
the peoples of the region, backed by western countries, in order
to control their resources, expressing confidence that these
people will confront the Israeli-American schemes. He criticized
the international community's silence on the barbaric Israeli
crimes against Lebanon and Palestine, saying "we came here in
order to raise our voices over this silence."
End of summary.
2. Selected Headlines:
"The Syrian cabinet is briefed by Foreign Minister al-Mouallem on
latest political developments in the region. The cabinet hails
steadfastness of the Lebanese resistance" (Government-owned Al-
Thawra, 7/26)
"Arab Parliamentary Union calls for an immediate end to the
Israeli aggression against Lebanon. Speaker of Syrian People's
Assembly al-Abrash: We must support resistance and cement its
legitimacy" (Government-owned Al-Thawra, 7/26)
"Syrian Ministry of Communication and Sky News Channel deny
reports circulated by electronic websites on Syria's possession
of information about al-Qaeda" (Government-owned Al-Thawra, 7/26)
"Information Minister Bilal: The Israeli aggression against
Lebanon embodies systematic state terrorism" (Government-owned Al-
Thawra, 7/26)
"Hizbollah Leader Nasrallah: Confrontation with Israel will enter
the beyond-Haifa stage. Syria and Iran do not bargain on
resistance" (Government-owned Al-Thawra, 7/26)
"On the eve of the Rome Conference and in the wake of US
Secretary of State Rice's visit to Israel, Tel Aviv expands scope
SIPDIS
of aggression against Lebanon. The National resistance engages in
fierce battles with Israeli ground troops in Bint Jbeil. Speaker
of Lebanese Parliament Berri: Rice's proposals can't be
implemented, as they threaten to incite internal sedition in
Lebanon. Scores of Israelis killed or injured in rocket shelling
by Lebanese national resistance. Israeli raids target the
international peacekeeping forces in South Lebanon, killing 5
soldiers" (Government-owned Al-Thawra, 7/26)
"Putin confirms strong relations with Syria, reiterating the
importance of developing Russian-Syrian dialogue" (Government-
owned Al-Ba'th, 7/26)
3. Editorial Block Quotes:
--------------
"History Has no Mercy"
--------------
Omar Jaftali, an editorialist in government-owned Tishreen, said
(7/26): "The current diplomatic activity concerning Lebanon aims
to capitalize on the results of the aggression to serve the
American-Zionist plan....
"The United States proves every day that it is not only a
partner in the Israeli aggression, but also the decision-maker
....
"Before sending Condoleezza Rice to the region, President Bush
opened Pentagon assets wide to the Israeli aggression machine to
kill and destroy the Lebanese and their homes, installations,
and infrastructure with smart guided bombs. Bush also stressed,
after Rice's arrival, that there would be no immediate cease-
fire.
"The 'neocolonialists' target the entire Arab nation and thus
press the Arab nation to rush to defend its identity and dignity
before we all drown....
"History does not have mercy on those who turn their backs on
their brothers."
--------------
"Agenda of the US Aggression"
--------------
Ali Qasim, an editorialist in government-owned Al-Thawra, wrote
(7/26): "The United States insists on making more mistakes in
the region as it refuses to stop the Israeli aggression on
Lebanon....
"Instead of discussing the various proposals to end the
aggression, Washington is trying to exploit the aggression to
make up for the failure of its plan in Iraq, with a position
that not only appears bankrupt but also carries the seeds of a
new American crisis producing further disastrous consequences
for the region and the world."
--------------
"Might Does Not Break the Will of the People"
--------------
Isam Dari, an editorialist in government-owned Tishreen, said
(7/26): "The Israeli aggression against Lebanon shows the
impossibility of annihilating the Lebanese national resistance
and the failure of Israel's plan to sow sedition among the
Lebanese.
"Israel is waging an American war with clear objectives. The
evidence is that the rejection of the cease-fire came from the
highest levels in Washington."
"The Bush administration has succeeded in spreading chaos in the
world, from Afghanistan to Iraq to the occupied Palestinian
territories to Lebanon.... But force will not be able to impose
a new Middle East.... Military power can kill innocent people
and destroy the infrastructure of countries, but it cannot break
the will of nations and their aspiration for freedom, justice,
and a dignified life...."
-------------- ---
"The Brutal War against Lebanon, Lies and Facts"
-------------- ---
Salim Abbud, a commentator in government-owned Al-Thawra, wrote
(7/26): "Those who accuse Hizbollah of engaging in uncalculated
adventures and serving a non-Lebanese agenda ignore the history
of the Arab-Israeli conflict and the Zionist-American objectives
in the region.
"These people are the echo in the Arab world of an international
situation that twists facts for the sake of Israel and justifies
the positions of Arab regimes subjugated by American hegemony.
"The liberation of the two captured Israeli soldiers is not the
objective of the Israeli war on Lebanon. The declared and
undeclared objectives of this war make us more convinced than
ever before that Israel and the United States are the two powers
behind the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq
al-Hariri.... The aim is to force the implementation of
Resolution 1559...."
--------------
"Those Who Are No Longer Shy"
--------------
Ilyas Khuri, a commentator in government-owned Al-Ba'th, said
(7/26): "We regret that some Lebanese politicians, who insist on
their falsehoods and indeed on their connection with the forces
that are launching an aggression on Lebanon and working to
destroy it and wipe it off the region's geographic, political,
and economic map, are not happy that Syria is sending relief aid
to the Lebanese people and that it is hosting Lebanese refugees
on Syrian territory.
"Those politicians turn a blind eye to Israel's terrorism,
destruction, and massacres and continue their tendentious
campaigns, but this time against the Syrian assistance. They are
using malicious methods to try to hinder the arrival of this
assistance, impose a blackout on it, and deny it."
Seche
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: Israeli Operation in Lebanon,
Terrorism, Syria/Russia, Syria/Turkey (7/26)
1. Summary: Syrian papers reported a statement by the press
office of the Syrian Ministry of Communication and Technology
denying reports circulated by electronic websites to the effect
that Syria possesses information about al-Qaeda and that Syria is
ready to offer it to the US. The statement described these
reports as "baseless," noting "they are simply distortions of
honorable stances of Syria." The press office noted that when it
asked a representative of the Sky News network about the subject,
he answered in an official statement that the "news is baseless
and the issue was not part of any statement or debate," adding
that the network did not attribute any of these statements to the
minister.
Papers also featured a statement by Russian President Putin upon
receiving the credentials of Dr. Hassan Risheh, Syria's new
Ambassador to Russia. Putin stressed that his country attached
great importance to developing Syrian-Russian dialogue about
urgent regional and international issues. "Russia has strong
relations with Syria, which is considered the most important
country in the Arab world, and will establish active cooperation
with it in the field of confronting international terrorism,"
Putin said. The Russian President underlined that the current
crisis in Lebanon has brought about dangerous humanitarian
consequences, confirming the urgent need to increase the
effectiveness of the UN in international issues.
Papers also reported that Dr. Mohsen Bilal, Syrian Minister of
Information, has described the Israeli aggression on Lebanon as
savage and an embodiment of systematic state terrorism. Meeting a
Turkish delegation, including parliamentary, media, cultural and
academic personalities, headed by Mohammed Bakkar Oglo on Tuesday
evening, Dr. Bilal criticized the US and a number of western
countries for their bias in favor of Israel despite the crimes
and brutal practices Israel is perpetrating against the Lebanese
and Palestinian people. Dr. Bilal vehemently condemned terrorism,
rejecting any link between Islam and terrorism, as terrorism is a
crime that has no religion, color or race, while Islam is a
religion of tolerance, coexistence and cooperation. For his part,
Mr. Oglo strongly criticized hostile Israeli practices against
the peoples of the region, backed by western countries, in order
to control their resources, expressing confidence that these
people will confront the Israeli-American schemes. He criticized
the international community's silence on the barbaric Israeli
crimes against Lebanon and Palestine, saying "we came here in
order to raise our voices over this silence."
End of summary.
2. Selected Headlines:
"The Syrian cabinet is briefed by Foreign Minister al-Mouallem on
latest political developments in the region. The cabinet hails
steadfastness of the Lebanese resistance" (Government-owned Al-
Thawra, 7/26)
"Arab Parliamentary Union calls for an immediate end to the
Israeli aggression against Lebanon. Speaker of Syrian People's
Assembly al-Abrash: We must support resistance and cement its
legitimacy" (Government-owned Al-Thawra, 7/26)
"Syrian Ministry of Communication and Sky News Channel deny
reports circulated by electronic websites on Syria's possession
of information about al-Qaeda" (Government-owned Al-Thawra, 7/26)
"Information Minister Bilal: The Israeli aggression against
Lebanon embodies systematic state terrorism" (Government-owned Al-
Thawra, 7/26)
"Hizbollah Leader Nasrallah: Confrontation with Israel will enter
the beyond-Haifa stage. Syria and Iran do not bargain on
resistance" (Government-owned Al-Thawra, 7/26)
"On the eve of the Rome Conference and in the wake of US
Secretary of State Rice's visit to Israel, Tel Aviv expands scope
SIPDIS
of aggression against Lebanon. The National resistance engages in
fierce battles with Israeli ground troops in Bint Jbeil. Speaker
of Lebanese Parliament Berri: Rice's proposals can't be
implemented, as they threaten to incite internal sedition in
Lebanon. Scores of Israelis killed or injured in rocket shelling
by Lebanese national resistance. Israeli raids target the
international peacekeeping forces in South Lebanon, killing 5
soldiers" (Government-owned Al-Thawra, 7/26)
"Putin confirms strong relations with Syria, reiterating the
importance of developing Russian-Syrian dialogue" (Government-
owned Al-Ba'th, 7/26)
3. Editorial Block Quotes:
--------------
"History Has no Mercy"
--------------
Omar Jaftali, an editorialist in government-owned Tishreen, said
(7/26): "The current diplomatic activity concerning Lebanon aims
to capitalize on the results of the aggression to serve the
American-Zionist plan....
"The United States proves every day that it is not only a
partner in the Israeli aggression, but also the decision-maker
....
"Before sending Condoleezza Rice to the region, President Bush
opened Pentagon assets wide to the Israeli aggression machine to
kill and destroy the Lebanese and their homes, installations,
and infrastructure with smart guided bombs. Bush also stressed,
after Rice's arrival, that there would be no immediate cease-
fire.
"The 'neocolonialists' target the entire Arab nation and thus
press the Arab nation to rush to defend its identity and dignity
before we all drown....
"History does not have mercy on those who turn their backs on
their brothers."
--------------
"Agenda of the US Aggression"
--------------
Ali Qasim, an editorialist in government-owned Al-Thawra, wrote
(7/26): "The United States insists on making more mistakes in
the region as it refuses to stop the Israeli aggression on
Lebanon....
"Instead of discussing the various proposals to end the
aggression, Washington is trying to exploit the aggression to
make up for the failure of its plan in Iraq, with a position
that not only appears bankrupt but also carries the seeds of a
new American crisis producing further disastrous consequences
for the region and the world."
--------------
"Might Does Not Break the Will of the People"
--------------
Isam Dari, an editorialist in government-owned Tishreen, said
(7/26): "The Israeli aggression against Lebanon shows the
impossibility of annihilating the Lebanese national resistance
and the failure of Israel's plan to sow sedition among the
Lebanese.
"Israel is waging an American war with clear objectives. The
evidence is that the rejection of the cease-fire came from the
highest levels in Washington."
"The Bush administration has succeeded in spreading chaos in the
world, from Afghanistan to Iraq to the occupied Palestinian
territories to Lebanon.... But force will not be able to impose
a new Middle East.... Military power can kill innocent people
and destroy the infrastructure of countries, but it cannot break
the will of nations and their aspiration for freedom, justice,
and a dignified life...."
-------------- ---
"The Brutal War against Lebanon, Lies and Facts"
-------------- ---
Salim Abbud, a commentator in government-owned Al-Thawra, wrote
(7/26): "Those who accuse Hizbollah of engaging in uncalculated
adventures and serving a non-Lebanese agenda ignore the history
of the Arab-Israeli conflict and the Zionist-American objectives
in the region.
"These people are the echo in the Arab world of an international
situation that twists facts for the sake of Israel and justifies
the positions of Arab regimes subjugated by American hegemony.
"The liberation of the two captured Israeli soldiers is not the
objective of the Israeli war on Lebanon. The declared and
undeclared objectives of this war make us more convinced than
ever before that Israel and the United States are the two powers
behind the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq
al-Hariri.... The aim is to force the implementation of
Resolution 1559...."
--------------
"Those Who Are No Longer Shy"
--------------
Ilyas Khuri, a commentator in government-owned Al-Ba'th, said
(7/26): "We regret that some Lebanese politicians, who insist on
their falsehoods and indeed on their connection with the forces
that are launching an aggression on Lebanon and working to
destroy it and wipe it off the region's geographic, political,
and economic map, are not happy that Syria is sending relief aid
to the Lebanese people and that it is hosting Lebanese refugees
on Syrian territory.
"Those politicians turn a blind eye to Israel's terrorism,
destruction, and massacres and continue their tendentious
campaigns, but this time against the Syrian assistance. They are
using malicious methods to try to hinder the arrival of this
assistance, impose a blackout on it, and deny it."
Seche