Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Lebanon, Peace Process,

UNCLAS DAMASCUS 04436 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/Lebanon, Peace Process, Syria/Palestinians, 9/11 Anniversary (9/11) ¶1. Summary: Syrian papers today led with a statement to Egyptian TV by Information Minister Muhsen Bilal denying media reports that Syria accepted the deployment of European border guards to monitor the Syrian-Lebanese border. He stressed that the telephone conversation between President Asad and Italian PM Romano Prodi on September 8 did not touch on this issue. The talk was only about Italy offering technical assistance to Syrian border guards, he said. Minister Bilal explained that UNSC Resolution 1701 does not call for the deployment of international forces on the Syrian-Lebanese border. Al-Thawra featured a press conference held by Spanish FM Moratinos in Cairo with Egyptian FM Abul-Ghait, in which Morations confirmed that there is no need to change the principles of the peace process, primarily the land-for-peace formula, which, he said, is the only solution to the Palestinian crisis, and the Golan and Shebaa Farms issues. On Syrian-Palestinian issues, papers reported Syrian Vice President Shara's meeting with a Palestinian academic delegation headed by Dr. Azmi Bishara. Both sides agreed that developments in the Middle East are not in accord with US- Israeli desires and that a just and comprehensive peace that ends the Israeli occupation is the only guaranty of security and stability in the region. Papers also featured US preparations to commemorate the 9/11 attack and reported that President Bush is trying to use the occasion to bolster his declining popularity and restore his lost credibility. End of summary. ¶2. Selected Headlines: "Italian PM Prodi corrects media reports: President Asad did not intend at all to accept any deployment of European troops along the Syrian-Lebanese border; Syrian forces will monitor borders with Lebanon. Information Minister Bilal denies Syria's acceptance of European border guards" (Government-owned Al- Thawra, 9/11) "Spanish Foreign Minister Moratinos: There is no need to change the principles of the peace process, mainly, the land-for-peace formula" (Government-owned Al-Thawra, 9/11) �A; "Lebanese circles warn against foreign tutelage. Lebanese MP Aoun accuses the government of stealing international aid. Lebanese MP Hashem: Syria constitutes Lebanon's depth" (Government-owned Al-Thawra, 9/11) "Vice-President Shara briefs Palestinian academic delegation on latest developments and repercussions of the Israeli aggression against Lebanon" (Government-owned Al-Thawra, 9/11) "Palestinian President Abbas talks about a national unity government within days and Prime Minister Hanieh rejects the Quartet's conditions" (Government-owned Tishreen, 9/11) "The US observes the 9/11 anniversary. Bush with no popularity. Combating terrorism is a permanent war" (Government-owned Al- Ba'th, 9/11) ¶3. Editorial Block Quotes: -------------- "Desperate Endeavors to Foil Victory" -------------- Ali Nasrallah, an editorialist in government-owned Al-Thawra, commented (9/11): "As expected, the March 14 forces' statement continued attacking the Resistance and its weapons, ridiculing the victory that Hizballah achieved, and directing the fire of hatred toward Syria.... "All attempts in the statement to undermine the victory that the valiant Resistance achieved were expected and consistent with the line that the embassies of the trusteeship countries have drawn for the 14 March forces.... The March 14 leaders realize the serious threat that Hizbollah's victory posed to their political future. This is why you see them pushing ahead, first to protect themselves and second to please the capitals of the trusteeship and tell them: We are still able to play the role and perform the mission you assigned us...." -------------- "The Mentality With Which They Act" -------------- Izz-al-Din al-Darwish, an editorialist in government-owned Tishreen, wrote (9/11): "The international political and military activity in the region after Israel's defeat in Lebanon is primarily meant to maintain Israel's security and the comfort of the Israelis, not to bring about a just peace in the Middle East.... "The US Administration, which is an adventurous Likudist administration, is using everything in its power to support Israel and is recruiting its allies for this purpose.... Europeans, who are following behind the Bush Administration, tirelessly travel to and from the region and never stop consulting among themselves and with other parties, but only after obtaining approval from Israel. Prior Israeli approval is basic and indispensable.... The Arab allies of the United States, for their part, are acting in a way that shows both political stupidity and provocation.... "Unfortunately, this is the way Israel is being treated, even though everyone is convinced that Israel is a power of occupation, aggression, and terrorism.... However, the recent Israeli defeat in Lebanon at the hands of the Lebanese national Resistance turned the equation of the Arab-Israeli conflict upside down and imposed new facts that cannot be ignored in any way.... "The Resistance in Lebanon proved that Israel's defeat requires nothing but the will and determination to achieve victory and regain rights...." -------------- "We, America and 9/11" -------------- Abd-al-Fattah al-Awad, chief editor of government-owned Al- Thawra, commented (9/11): "Five years after the start of the war on terrorism, the world and the United States are less safe.... "The Bush Administration is acting foolishly with its war on terrorism. It is turning into a war against Arabs and Islam, and its efforts to promote democracy are resulting in sectarian sedition.... After five years, the security situation in Afghanistan is in its worst shape, with the country suffering from poverty, unemployment, and a growth in drug cultivation. Iraq, for its part, continues to bleed, with daily killings and a fertile soil for civil war.... "It is important for Arabs to learn the lessons of the past five years and evaluate their relations with the United States.... American plans that came out of the 9/11 womb were hostile plans, and they are now in the throes of death. "Under the 9/11 umbrella, the US Administration has committed many sins. No country can promote democracy and at the same time boast that it keeps secret prisons around the world. And no supporter of personal freedom can accept the idea of eavesdropping on telephone calls and monitoring personal mail.... "The most important lesson to be learned from the results of Bush's policy is that accepting American conditions is a disgrace.... One of the big mistakes of the US Administration is that it did not talk with those who opposed its policy.... But its biggest mistake was this blind bias for and mad sponsorship of Israel. "The experience of the past five years has proven that force cannot achieve security for anyone.... The US Administration must change its policy because the road it is taking is open to all negative possibilities." Corbin