Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06DAMASCUS5095
2006-10-29 15:50:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Damascus
Cable title:  

Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Iran, Syria/Spain, Peace

Tags:  KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0001
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHDM #5095/01 3021550
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 291550Z OCT 06
FM AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2206
RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RUEHAM/AMEMBASSY AMMAN 6334
RUEHLB/AMEMBASSY BEIRUT 4140
RUEHEG/AMEMBASSY CAIRO 2728
RUEHRH/AMEMBASSY RIYADH 7327
RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV 1346
RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA 4708
RUEHJM/AMCONSUL JERUSALEM 0923
RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL//CCPA//
INFO RUEHNC/AMEMBASSY NICOSIA 7059
UNCLAS DAMASCUS 005095 

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/Iran, Syria/Spain, Peace
Process, Lebanon, Iraq, Palestinian Territories (10/27-29)


UNCLAS DAMASCUS 005095

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/Iran, Syria/Spain, Peace
Process, Lebanon, Iraq, Palestinian Territories (10/27-29)



1. Summary: Syrian papers reported that President Asad received a
letter from Iranian President Ahmadinejad conveyed by visiting
Iranian Foreign Minister Manuchehr Mottaki. The letter focused on
regional developments, mainly in Iraq and the Palestinian
territories. President Asad and Minister Mottaki reviewed bilateral
relations. Papers also reported a meeting in Damascus between Minister
of Information Dr. Mohsen Bilal and a delegation of Spanish
journalists who came to Syria to acquaint themselves with political,
economic and social life in Syria and covey what they learn to their
audiences abroad.
Papers also featured an article by British Conservative MP Richard
Spring published in the British daily "The Guardian" on October 27
saying that peace in the Middle East couldn't be achieved without
Syria's participation. Spring called for working with Syria to
achieve peace in the Middle East, insisting this is the only way out
of the current situation.
End of summary.


2. Selected Headlines:

"President Asad receives a letter from President Ahmadinejad of Iran
on the regional situation and reviews bilateral relations and
consultations between Syria and Iran with Iranian Foreign Minister
Mottaki" (Government-owned Tishreen, 10/29)

"During a meeting with a delegation of foreign media journalists in
Damascus Information Minister Dr. Mohsen Bilal reiterates that the
US Greater Middle East Project is a dream that cannot be achieved"
(Government-owned Al-Thawra, 10/29)

"International report unveils that Israel used uranium in its latest
aggression against Lebanon. The UNIFIL Commander calls upon Javier
Solana, European Union Foreign Policy Chief, to stop Israeli
violations of Lebanese airspace. Hizbollah renews its call for
changing the government" (Government-owned Tishreen, 10/29)

"After Israel threats to reoccupy the Salah Eddin crossing, Egypt
deploys its forces along the borders with Rafah. Calm in Gaza after
renewal of agreement between Fateh and Hamas" (Government-owned

Tishreen, 10/29)

"A US analyst: The Bush Administration is facing pressures to reach
understanding with Syria for its strategic importance"
(Government-owned Al-Thawra, 10/29)

"Voices from Europe and Spain propagandize for a new peace
conference on the Middle East. The European Parliament: Syria is a
big country that must be respected. A British Conservative MP,
Richard Spring, confirms that peace in the Middle East can't be
achieved without Syria's participation" (Government-owned Al-Thawra,
10/29)
"Repercussions of Berri initiative: Lebanese parties: The
government's policies diminish the legitimacy of its continuation"
(Government-owned Al-Thawra, 10/28)
"The UN criticizes US law on combating terrorism" (Government-owned
Al-Thawra, 10/28)
"The Palestinian resistance imposes its conditions. Israel accepts
prisoner swap for releasing Shalit" (Government-owned Al-Thawra,
10/28)
"Author of the book, 'The Grand Transformation,' says: French
diplomacy during Chirac's reign is catastrophic" (Government-owned
Al-Thawra, 10/27)
"A French intelligence officer: the Mossad assassinated Al-Hariri"
(Government-owned Al-Thawra, 10/27)
"Eight US soldiers killed in Iraq subsequent to Bush's statements on
changing strategies in Iraq" (Government-owned Al-Thawra, 10/27)
"An international petition with 107 signatures of international
organizations and associations condemns Israeli and US crimes "
(Government-owned Al-Thawra, 10/27)


3. Editorial Block Quotes:

--------------
"The Olmert-Lieberman Government"
--------------
Adnan Ali, a commentator in government-owned Al-Thawra, wrote
(10/27): "Israeli statements and leaks regarding the Golan Heights
and chances of reviving peace negotiations with Syria indicate major

1. Summary: Syrian papers reported that President Asad received a
letter from Iranian President Ahmadinejad conveyed by visiting
Iranian Foreign Minister Manuchehr Mottaki. The letter focused on
regional developments, mainly in Iraq and the Palestinian
territories. President Asad and Minister Mottaki reviewed bilateral
relations.
Papers also reported a meeting in Damascus between Minister of
Information Dr. Mohsen Bilal and a delegation of Spanish journalists
who came to Syria to acquaint themselves with political, economic
and social life in Syria and covey what they learn to their
audiences abroad.
Papers also featured an article by British Conservative MP Richard
Spring published in the British daily "The Guardian" on October 27
saying that peace in the Middle East couldn't be achieved without
Syria's participation. Spring called for working with Syria to
achieve peace in the Middle East, insisting this is the only way out
of the current situation.
End of summary.

2. Selected Headlines:

confusion among Israeli military and political leaders.
"The military leaders, some of whom have drawn conclusions from the
recent war in Lebanon, say that it is in Israel's interest to sign a
peace agreement with Syria, even if the price is the return of the
entire Golan, because peace with Syria without the Golan, they
believe, is better for Israel than the Golan without peace....
"Some politicians share this opinion, but not all of them dare to
say it publicly because they do not want to be upstaged by the
rightists or their rivals, including Defense Minister Amir Peretz,
who, through his decision to stay in the government, despite the
inclusion of mentally retarded Avigdor Liberman in it, preferred to
defend his political future instead of continuing the deception
about his true positions toward the peace process."
"A few but increasing voices refuse to listen to the hallucinations
of Ehud Olmert and his gang in the Kadima Party and his other
extremist partners about the need for Israel to keep the Golan
forever. But these people find no opportunity to expand and impose
themselves, not only because the domestic Israeli policy has been
intensively mobilized against peace in the past few years, but also
because the guardians in Washington have not yet allowed Israel to
deal seriously with the issue of peace, especially on the Syrian
track...."
--------------
"Consequences of an Erroneous Policy"
--------------
Muhammad Khayr al-Jammali, an editorialist in government-owned
Al-Thawra, wrote (10/28): "Washington's wrong and unfair policy in
Iraq led the United States to a crisis with disastrous results for
the United States and the Iraqi people, worse than the results of
the Vietnam War....
"Donald Rumsfeld's recent statement that the Iraqi crisis cannot be
resolved by military force is an admission that the policy of force,
preemptive war, creative instability, and the restructuring of the
Middle East in a way that serves American and Israeli interests is
wrong. It proves that the only way out of the crisis of the Iraqi
war and its destructive impact on US interests, its prestige, and
its ethical reputation, lies in reversing the adventurous policy and
removing its tragic repercussions, primarily ending the occupation
of Iraq."
--------------
"Between Resistance and Squandering"

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

Isam Dari, an editorialist in government-owned Tishreen, wrote
(10/25): "Israelis continue to violate Resolution 1701 and provoke
Lebanon under the eyes and ears of the international peacekeeping
force, UNIFIL, and the whole world....

"The international community is unable to curb Israel's aggression
and departure from international law because of US support of
Israel....

"It is not strange for the Bush administration to support Israel's
terrorism because this administration itself practices terrorism and
aggression, not only in Afghanistan and Iraq, but also against all
countries and peoples that have rebelled and announced their


Papers also reported a meeting in Damascus between Minister of
Information Dr. Mohsen Bilal and a delegation of Spanish journalists
who came to Syria to acquaint themselves with political, economic
and social life in Syria and covey what they learn to their
audiences abroad.
Papers also featured an article by British Conservative MP Richard
Spring published in the British daily "The Guardian" on October 27
saying that peace in the Middle East couldn't be achieved without
Syria's participation. Spring called for working with Syria to
achieve peace in the Middle East, insisting this is the only way out
of the current situation.
End of summary.

2. Selected Headlines:

rejection of the US policy of domination and looting....

"If the international decision is controlled by the US decision,
what is the justification of Arab laxity at a time when
Palestinians, Iraqis, and Lebanese are being slaughtered by American
and Israeli hands?

"What is the justification for a Lebanese team that trades in the
slogans of sovereignty and independence but remains totally silent
toward Israeli violations of Lebanon's territory and airspace in
broad daylight...? We are not surprised by the position of this
Lebanese team. We do not think that those who treacherously stab
the resistance in the back, threaten it day and night, and call for
disarming and abolishing it, are sincere when they talk about
sovereignty, independence, and the truth. These people form one of
the sides of the alliance that is hostile to Lebanon, Arabism, and
independence. Independence is protected by the sons of the
resisting homeland, not by those who throw themselves in the laps of
ambassadors, consuls, and high commissioners and who draw strength
from foreigners against their compatriots...."

Corbin