Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06DAMASCUS426
2006-02-06 15:19:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Damascus
Cable title:
Damascus Media Reaction: Cartoons on Prophet Mohamed,
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UNCLAS DAMASCUS 000426
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: Cartoons on Prophet Mohamed,
Lebanon, Palestinian Territories, Iraq, State of Union Address
(2/3-6)
UNCLAS DAMASCUS 000426
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: Cartoons on Prophet Mohamed,
Lebanon, Palestinian Territories, Iraq, State of Union Address
(2/3-6)
1. Summary: Syrian papers reported that on Saturday angry mobs
protesting cartoons depicting the prophet Mohamed as a terrorist
stormed the buildings housing the Danish and Norwegian Embassies
in Damascus. Protestors set fire to both missions and pillaged
the contents of the first-floor office of the Chilean Embassy
located in the building housing the Danish Embassy. Papers
reported that the Syrian mufti and the Awqaf minister expressed
regret over the incidents.
Syrian papers also published a statement by the Syrian Foreign
Ministry in which the Ministry expressed its regret over the
acts of violence that accompanied the protests and damaged the
embassies in Damascus. In the statement the Ministry said, "We
understand the popular anger over the offences against the
Prophet but it is unacceptable for law and order to be violated
in the country."
The ministry's statement echoed comments by the country's top
religious leader, Grand Mufti Sheikh Ahmed Badreddine Hassun.
"It is regrettable that certain people have poorly expressed
their protest against the European newspapers' publication of
images that are offensive to the Prophet," he said.
Sheikh Hassun, whose comments were carried by state media,
suggested "elements who do not believe in dialogue were
introduced among the demonstrators" in Damascus. "We are sad
about their actions that harm our dialogue with the Danish and
Norwegian people," Sheikh Hassun said.
Syrian papers also reported that anti-terrorism units clashed
with an armed "takfiri terrorist group" in the town of Kafr
Batna outside Damascus. Takfiris are extremist Islamic militants
who label other Muslims as apostates, issuing religious fatwas,
or edicts, to kill others. A SANA release said the group was
planning to carry out terrorist attacks in Damascus and its
suburbs. The release added that the leader and two of his aides
were killed during an exchange of fire lasting 30 minutes.
End summary.
2. Selected Headlines:
"Syria expresses regret over the violent acts during the protests
which caused material damages at some embassies. No threats
against foreign citizens. The anger continues. Lebanese Interior
Minister Hasan Sabeh resigns following Beirut protest
demonstration" (Government-owned Tishreen, 2/6)
"Syria's anti-terrorism forces kill chief of a takfiri group,
arrest two of his assistants and confiscate weapons and
instruments of provocation." (Government-owned Al-Thawra, 2/6)
"The Mufti of the Republic: We hope for dialogue, and regret this
mode of protest" (Government-owned Al-Thawra, 2/5)
"Despite tight security measures, demonstrators storm the
embassies of Denmark and Norway in Damascus to protest insults to
the Prophet Mohamed" Government-owned Tishreen, 2/5)
"Denmark officially apologizes to Syria for cartoons on Prophet
Mohamed. French Ambassador in Damascus notes that publication of
cartoons of the Prophet are contrary to French values"
(Government-owned Al-Thawra, 2/3)
"The issue of cartoons on Prophet Mohamed escalates. Western
newspapers went to an extreme. Indications show that the crisis
will reach a dangerous state. Demonstrations sweep the Islamic
world calling for boycott of European products" (Government-owned
Tishreen, 2/4)
"The French Ambassador in Damascus Jean-Francois Girault:
Insulting religions is a foolish and disallowed act" (Government-
owned Tishreen, 2/4)
"The People's Assembly calls on world parliaments to confront
biased campaigns against Islam" (Government-owned Al-Thawra, 2/3)
"President Asad discusses with Arab-French Nida Society the role
of intellectuals and journalists in boosting dialogue. President
Asad: Syria's role is pivotal to realize peace and stability"
(Government-owned Al-Thawra, 2/3)
"The killing the Lebanese youth in the Shebaa Farms escalates.
Hizbollah retaliates. Lebanese FM Salloukh: The international
community is called upon to move and stop the Israeli
aggressions. Lebanese personalities: Lebanese resistance
confronts aggression" (Government-owned Tishreen, 2/4)
"Subsequent to a meeting with a delegation from the Council for
the National Interest: We refuse to place Hizbollah on the
terrorism list" (Government-owned Al-Thawra, 2/6)
"FM Farouk Shara confirms continued Arab support for
Palestinians. Khaled Mashaal, Chief of Hamas Political Bureau: We
work to form a national coalition government" (Government-owned
Al-Thawra, 2/6)
"Hamas confirms its right to self-defense. Two Palestinian
martyred in a new Israeli aggression against Gaza" (Government-
owned Tishreen, 2/6)
"Hamas is expected to form the cabinet soon. Washington to starve
the Palestinian people" (Government-owned Tishreen, 2/4)
"The Iraqi unified coalition chooses its candidate for Prime
Ministry today" (Government-owned Tishreen, 2/6)
"One US soldier killed near Baghdad. The final results of the
Iraqi elections will be announced soon. Additional $120 billion
to cover war costs. A news conference by Rumsfeld transforms
into a hearing on Iraq. (Government-owned Tishreen, 2/4)
3. Editorial Block Quotes:
--------------
"Even Apology Is Insufficient"
--------------
Ahmad Dawwa, an editorialist in government-owned Al-Thawra,
wrote (2/5): "The Danish government and some other European
governments, whose newspapers reprinted the cartoons about the
Prophet Muhammad, are responsible for the escalating protests in
the Islamic world and for any reactions that attacks on
religious sanctities might draw in the future....
"The Danish Prime Minister's failure to offer an apology at the
beginning led to the escalation of anger in the Islamic
world....
"The Arab and Islamic countries must apply pressure to drive
European countries to take legal measures against those who use
the freedom of speech to offend other societies and faiths...."
--------------
"Claims on Democracy"
--------------
Izz-al-Din al-Darwish, an editorialist in government-owned
Tishreen, commented (2/5): "The Arab citizens feel and see
clearly that they are directly targeted by Israel and America,
and they are convinced that what is being promoted as reform and
Western democracy raises scores of questions regarding the
causes, motives and consequences, especially in the light of
reports that show that there is a lot of wealth expended in this
effort to promote these ideas....
E
"This belief is enforced by the fact that the Arabs who are
impassioned by Western democracy have kept silent about the
deliberate insults to Muhammad, and indeed some have used these
attacks as an occasion to defend what they call the freedom of
opinion and expression...
"Israelis, Americans and some Europeans speak publicly of what
they call Islamic terrorism, but plunge into wars to insult Islam
and the Muslims, imposing sanctions on them, keeping them from
knowledge and technology; and then it is they who speak of what
they call political realism, opening up to others and receiving
their opinions...."
--------------
"Reasons of Israeli Anger"
--------------
Isam Dari, an editorialist in government-owned Tishreen,
commented (2/4): "Lebanese PM Al-Saniora's statement, saying
that Hizbollah is a resistance movement, might have disturbed
Israel and its allies and masters so it decided to commit the
crime of assassinating the 17-year old Lebanese shepherd in the
Shebaa Farms. This crime is like a message to the Lebanese
saying Israel is angry and dissatisfied with Al-Saniora's
statement and the subsequent step that was taken; namely the
return of the ministers from Hizbollah and Amal Movement to the
[Lebanese] government....
"Israel is angry because when the Lebanese and their government
say that the resistance is not a militia, they foil all Israeli
and American attempts to end the resistance based on Resolution
1559....
"Through the killing of the Lebanese boy, Israel told the
Lebanese that it will not leave Lebanon alone or allow accord
and reconciliation in Lebanon, and that its aggression will
continue in various forms....
"Will this drive some Lebanese to change their calculations and
not exclude Israel from what happened, is happening, and will
happen?"
--------------
"State of the Failure Address"
--------------
Samir al-Shibani, a commentator in government-owned Tishreen,
wrote (2/4): "In his State of the Union Address, President Bush
was unable to hide the signs of weakness and defeat....
Observers are fully convinced that Bush's war on Iraq has
failed....
"The US President showed unlimited bias towards Israel.... This
perpetuates tension and conflict in the region. It is necessary
for the peoples of the region, therefore, to stand fast and
entrench the concept of resistance as a method and behavior
because it is the only way to force Israelis and their
supporters to comply with the "ABCs" of peace. Any other wager
will lose. Indeed, it might heighten the aggressiveness of the
Israeli and American practices against the world".
--------------
"Who Provokes Hatred?"
--------------
Ahmad Hamadah, a commentator in government-owned Al-Thawra,
wrote (2/3): "While Arabs and Muslims call for dialogue and
understanding among nations and civilizations, many Western
countries close doors to dialogue with them, and their media,
supported by the Zionist lobby and Israel, launch campaigns
entailing lies and fabrications to harm Arab and Muslim
standing, distort their civilized image before the world public,
and describe them as terrorists, killers, and criminals....
"Cartoons about the Prophet Muhammad are part of the erroneous
understanding of the Arab and Muslim culture and civilization,
especially after the 9/11 attacks.... Such campaigns provoke
hatred among nations instead of promoting the values of
tolerance.... Arab and Islamic organizations must make further
efforts to advance the culture of tolerance and to explain to
misled people that Islam condemns attacks on any person
regardless of his race and religion...."
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: Cartoons on Prophet Mohamed,
Lebanon, Palestinian Territories, Iraq, State of Union Address
(2/3-6)
1. Summary: Syrian papers reported that on Saturday angry mobs
protesting cartoons depicting the prophet Mohamed as a terrorist
stormed the buildings housing the Danish and Norwegian Embassies
in Damascus. Protestors set fire to both missions and pillaged
the contents of the first-floor office of the Chilean Embassy
located in the building housing the Danish Embassy. Papers
reported that the Syrian mufti and the Awqaf minister expressed
regret over the incidents.
Syrian papers also published a statement by the Syrian Foreign
Ministry in which the Ministry expressed its regret over the
acts of violence that accompanied the protests and damaged the
embassies in Damascus. In the statement the Ministry said, "We
understand the popular anger over the offences against the
Prophet but it is unacceptable for law and order to be violated
in the country."
The ministry's statement echoed comments by the country's top
religious leader, Grand Mufti Sheikh Ahmed Badreddine Hassun.
"It is regrettable that certain people have poorly expressed
their protest against the European newspapers' publication of
images that are offensive to the Prophet," he said.
Sheikh Hassun, whose comments were carried by state media,
suggested "elements who do not believe in dialogue were
introduced among the demonstrators" in Damascus. "We are sad
about their actions that harm our dialogue with the Danish and
Norwegian people," Sheikh Hassun said.
Syrian papers also reported that anti-terrorism units clashed
with an armed "takfiri terrorist group" in the town of Kafr
Batna outside Damascus. Takfiris are extremist Islamic militants
who label other Muslims as apostates, issuing religious fatwas,
or edicts, to kill others. A SANA release said the group was
planning to carry out terrorist attacks in Damascus and its
suburbs. The release added that the leader and two of his aides
were killed during an exchange of fire lasting 30 minutes.
End summary.
2. Selected Headlines:
"Syria expresses regret over the violent acts during the protests
which caused material damages at some embassies. No threats
against foreign citizens. The anger continues. Lebanese Interior
Minister Hasan Sabeh resigns following Beirut protest
demonstration" (Government-owned Tishreen, 2/6)
"Syria's anti-terrorism forces kill chief of a takfiri group,
arrest two of his assistants and confiscate weapons and
instruments of provocation." (Government-owned Al-Thawra, 2/6)
"The Mufti of the Republic: We hope for dialogue, and regret this
mode of protest" (Government-owned Al-Thawra, 2/5)
"Despite tight security measures, demonstrators storm the
embassies of Denmark and Norway in Damascus to protest insults to
the Prophet Mohamed" Government-owned Tishreen, 2/5)
"Denmark officially apologizes to Syria for cartoons on Prophet
Mohamed. French Ambassador in Damascus notes that publication of
cartoons of the Prophet are contrary to French values"
(Government-owned Al-Thawra, 2/3)
"The issue of cartoons on Prophet Mohamed escalates. Western
newspapers went to an extreme. Indications show that the crisis
will reach a dangerous state. Demonstrations sweep the Islamic
world calling for boycott of European products" (Government-owned
Tishreen, 2/4)
"The French Ambassador in Damascus Jean-Francois Girault:
Insulting religions is a foolish and disallowed act" (Government-
owned Tishreen, 2/4)
"The People's Assembly calls on world parliaments to confront
biased campaigns against Islam" (Government-owned Al-Thawra, 2/3)
"President Asad discusses with Arab-French Nida Society the role
of intellectuals and journalists in boosting dialogue. President
Asad: Syria's role is pivotal to realize peace and stability"
(Government-owned Al-Thawra, 2/3)
"The killing the Lebanese youth in the Shebaa Farms escalates.
Hizbollah retaliates. Lebanese FM Salloukh: The international
community is called upon to move and stop the Israeli
aggressions. Lebanese personalities: Lebanese resistance
confronts aggression" (Government-owned Tishreen, 2/4)
"Subsequent to a meeting with a delegation from the Council for
the National Interest: We refuse to place Hizbollah on the
terrorism list" (Government-owned Al-Thawra, 2/6)
"FM Farouk Shara confirms continued Arab support for
Palestinians. Khaled Mashaal, Chief of Hamas Political Bureau: We
work to form a national coalition government" (Government-owned
Al-Thawra, 2/6)
"Hamas confirms its right to self-defense. Two Palestinian
martyred in a new Israeli aggression against Gaza" (Government-
owned Tishreen, 2/6)
"Hamas is expected to form the cabinet soon. Washington to starve
the Palestinian people" (Government-owned Tishreen, 2/4)
"The Iraqi unified coalition chooses its candidate for Prime
Ministry today" (Government-owned Tishreen, 2/6)
"One US soldier killed near Baghdad. The final results of the
Iraqi elections will be announced soon. Additional $120 billion
to cover war costs. A news conference by Rumsfeld transforms
into a hearing on Iraq. (Government-owned Tishreen, 2/4)
3. Editorial Block Quotes:
--------------
"Even Apology Is Insufficient"
--------------
Ahmad Dawwa, an editorialist in government-owned Al-Thawra,
wrote (2/5): "The Danish government and some other European
governments, whose newspapers reprinted the cartoons about the
Prophet Muhammad, are responsible for the escalating protests in
the Islamic world and for any reactions that attacks on
religious sanctities might draw in the future....
"The Danish Prime Minister's failure to offer an apology at the
beginning led to the escalation of anger in the Islamic
world....
"The Arab and Islamic countries must apply pressure to drive
European countries to take legal measures against those who use
the freedom of speech to offend other societies and faiths...."
--------------
"Claims on Democracy"
--------------
Izz-al-Din al-Darwish, an editorialist in government-owned
Tishreen, commented (2/5): "The Arab citizens feel and see
clearly that they are directly targeted by Israel and America,
and they are convinced that what is being promoted as reform and
Western democracy raises scores of questions regarding the
causes, motives and consequences, especially in the light of
reports that show that there is a lot of wealth expended in this
effort to promote these ideas....
E
"This belief is enforced by the fact that the Arabs who are
impassioned by Western democracy have kept silent about the
deliberate insults to Muhammad, and indeed some have used these
attacks as an occasion to defend what they call the freedom of
opinion and expression...
"Israelis, Americans and some Europeans speak publicly of what
they call Islamic terrorism, but plunge into wars to insult Islam
and the Muslims, imposing sanctions on them, keeping them from
knowledge and technology; and then it is they who speak of what
they call political realism, opening up to others and receiving
their opinions...."
--------------
"Reasons of Israeli Anger"
--------------
Isam Dari, an editorialist in government-owned Tishreen,
commented (2/4): "Lebanese PM Al-Saniora's statement, saying
that Hizbollah is a resistance movement, might have disturbed
Israel and its allies and masters so it decided to commit the
crime of assassinating the 17-year old Lebanese shepherd in the
Shebaa Farms. This crime is like a message to the Lebanese
saying Israel is angry and dissatisfied with Al-Saniora's
statement and the subsequent step that was taken; namely the
return of the ministers from Hizbollah and Amal Movement to the
[Lebanese] government....
"Israel is angry because when the Lebanese and their government
say that the resistance is not a militia, they foil all Israeli
and American attempts to end the resistance based on Resolution
1559....
"Through the killing of the Lebanese boy, Israel told the
Lebanese that it will not leave Lebanon alone or allow accord
and reconciliation in Lebanon, and that its aggression will
continue in various forms....
"Will this drive some Lebanese to change their calculations and
not exclude Israel from what happened, is happening, and will
happen?"
--------------
"State of the Failure Address"
--------------
Samir al-Shibani, a commentator in government-owned Tishreen,
wrote (2/4): "In his State of the Union Address, President Bush
was unable to hide the signs of weakness and defeat....
Observers are fully convinced that Bush's war on Iraq has
failed....
"The US President showed unlimited bias towards Israel.... This
perpetuates tension and conflict in the region. It is necessary
for the peoples of the region, therefore, to stand fast and
entrench the concept of resistance as a method and behavior
because it is the only way to force Israelis and their
supporters to comply with the "ABCs" of peace. Any other wager
will lose. Indeed, it might heighten the aggressiveness of the
Israeli and American practices against the world".
--------------
"Who Provokes Hatred?"
--------------
Ahmad Hamadah, a commentator in government-owned Al-Thawra,
wrote (2/3): "While Arabs and Muslims call for dialogue and
understanding among nations and civilizations, many Western
countries close doors to dialogue with them, and their media,
supported by the Zionist lobby and Israel, launch campaigns
entailing lies and fabrications to harm Arab and Muslim
standing, distort their civilized image before the world public,
and describe them as terrorists, killers, and criminals....
"Cartoons about the Prophet Muhammad are part of the erroneous
understanding of the Arab and Muslim culture and civilization,
especially after the 9/11 attacks.... Such campaigns provoke
hatred among nations instead of promoting the values of
tolerance.... Arab and Islamic organizations must make further
efforts to advance the culture of tolerance and to explain to
misled people that Islam condemns attacks on any person
regardless of his race and religion...."
Seche