Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Iran, Lebanon, Iraq,

UNCLAS DAMASCUS 005316 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, Lebanon, Iraq, Palestinian Territories, Israel/US (11/16) ¶1. Summary: Syrian papers featured a statement by Dr. Sami Khiyami, Syrian Ambassador to the UK, in an interview broadcast on Wednesday (Nov. 15) by the Syrian Satellite TV channel, saying that Syria has repeatedly declared that it will be the prime beneficiary from revelation of the truth about the al-Hariri assassination. However, if the International Tribunal is formed without solid evidence, it will only "make the tribunal a tool for political pressure on Lebanon, the national (Islamic) resistance and Syria." Khiyami stressed that Syria will remain the safeguard of security and stability in the region and will continue helping Lebanon to maintain its stability and to reach real sovereignty and independence. Dr. Khiyami, who also gave a lecture in Damascus on Tuesday, said that "some wise US politicians have started to change their tone and (are exerting) pressure in order to start a dialogue with Syria." "Everybody in the West is aware of the geopolitical importance of Syria, which makes her a basic player in any reconciliation in the region," Dr. Khiyami said. He added that Syria will continue its "constructive cooperation with the European countries that have political credibility and it wishes to reach out for a settlement in the region." Papers also reported a statement by US Secretary of State Condaleeza Rice at Ramstein Air Base in Germany as she flew to Hanoi for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation regional summit, on Tuesday (Nov. 14) in which Rice was skeptical about British Prime Minister Tony Blair's plea for US talks with Iran and Syria, saying that neither appeared interested in helping stabilize Iraq or the Middle East. "There is no lack of opportunity to talk to the Iranians. I think the question is: is there anything about Iranian behavior that suggests that they are prepared to contribute to stability in Iraq, and I have to say that at this point, I don't see it," Rice said. Rice did not rule out talks with Iran about Iraq, noting there is a channel between the US and Iranian ambassadors to Iraq "that, at some point, it could make sense to activate." But she made clear that she saw little profit in such discussions. "I will talk to anybody, anywhere, anytime, under the right circumstances, if I think we can make progress," she said. "But we have had, over the course of this administration, discussions with the Syrians, talks with the Syrians, envoys to the Syrians, and nothing has ever changed in their behavior." End of summary. ¶2. Selected Headlines: "Syrian Ambassador to London: Syria is the safeguard of security and stability in the region and is the first beneficiary from revealing the truth about al-Hariri assassination" (Government-owned Tishreen, 11/16) "Italian FM Dalima confirms Washington's need to establish dialogue with Syria and Iran. Rice: We are ready for dialogue with them" (Government-owned Tishreen, 11/16) "Lebanese demands continue for changing the government and conducting early parliamentary elections. Lahoud: The government has lost its constitutional authority. Berri: The government has violated the National Accord Charter. Al-Hoss and Karami: It is a coup against the constitution. Aoun: Modification must be in accordance with the one-third basis" (Government-owned Tishreen, 11/16) "European MPs call for criticism of Israel. A human rights mission will be dispatched to Gaza Strip. The UN Human Rights Council agrees on investigation into the Beit Hanoun massacre" (Government-owned Tishreen, 11/16) "Security deterioration in Israel increases the counter-emigration of Russian settlers to 600%" (Government-owned Tishreen, 11/16) "Booby-trapped cars kill tens of Iraqis in light of continuing absence of security in Iraq.... Six US soldiers killed in Baghdad and Al-Anbar" (Government-owned Tishree, 11/16) ¶3. Editorial Block Quotes: -------------- "They Are Not for Peace" -------------- Isam Dari, an editorialist in government-owned Tishreen, commented (11/16): "Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's visit to the United States was not a departure from the norm except, perhaps, for a sentence that can be construed as both a reprimand and an encouragement. stability in the region and will continue helping Lebanon to maintain its stability and to reach real sovereignty and independence. Dr. Khiyami, who also gave a lecture in Damascus on Tuesday, said that "some wise US politicians have started to change their tone and (are exerting) pressure in order to start a dialogue with Syria." "Everybody in the West is aware of the geopolitical importance of Syria, which makes her a basic player in any reconciliation in the region," Dr. Khiyami said. He added that Syria will continue its "constructive cooperation with the European countries that have political credibility and it wishes to reach out for a settlement in the region." Papers also reported a statement by US Secretary of State Condaleeza Rice at Ramstein Air Base in Germany as she flew to Hanoi for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation regional summit, on Tuesday (Nov. 14) in which Rice was skeptical about British Prime Minister Tony Blair's plea for US talks with Iran and Syria, saying that neither appeared interested in helping stabilize Iraq or the Middle East. "There is no lack of opportunity to talk to the Iranians. I think the question is: is there anything about Iranian behavior that suggests that they are prepared to contribute to stability in Iraq, and I have to say that at this point, I don't see it," Rice said. Rice did not rule out talks with Iran about Iraq, noting there is a channel between the US and Iranian ambassadors to Iraq "that, at some point, it could make sense to activate." But she made clear that she saw little profit in such discussions. "I will talk to anybody, anywhere, anytime, under the right circumstances, if I think we can make progress," she said. "But we have had, over the course of this administration, discussions with the Syrians, talks with the Syrians, envoys to the Syrians, and nothing has ever changed in their behavior." "The sentence was uttered by US President George Bush: Israel should train its forces in light of the results of the war on Lebanon, and the United States will provide it with weapons and technology. "Can this statement by the world's strongest and only superpower be interpreted as anything other than incitement for war and aggression? "It was obvious that Olmert immediately took the opportunity offered by this incitement to declare openly: The resumption of negotiations with Syria is impossible under the current circumstances. "Thus, and in such a simple way, the Bush administration and the Olmert government demolish all bridges and roads that might lead to peace. Indeed, Bush backtracked on statements by White House officials on the need to open dialogue with Damascus. This proves that this administration opposes peace more than Israel does, and that it has not yet learned the lesson of the recent election, which showed, for the first time, that the American public is dissatisfied with US foreign policy. In all previous elections, domestic issues were the main player. "The problem here lies not in rejecting dialogue with Syria and resuming peace negotiations, but in rejecting the very idea of a peace conference and in heightening tension in the region and beating the drums of war. Does this help bring about the security and calm in which the Bush administration trades, and which it falsely claims it wants to prevail in a region that has been suffering from the scourge of wars, disasters, destruction, and terrorism -- the terrorism that found a strong international sponsor to defend, support, and encourage? "In brief: Washington and Tel Aviv are jointly saying: No to peace. This is very natural. For the warmongers and the merchants of blood and destruction cannot make peace. stability in the region and will continue helping Lebanon to maintain its stability and to reach real sovereignty and independence. Dr. Khiyami, who also gave a lecture in Damascus on Tuesday, said that "some wise US politicians have started to change their tone and (are exerting) pressure in order to start a dialogue with Syria." "Everybody in the West is aware of the geopolitical importance of Syria, which makes her a basic player in any reconciliation in the region," Dr. Khiyami said. He added that Syria will continue its "constructive cooperation with the European countries that have political credibility and it wishes to reach out for a settlement in the region." Papers also reported a statement by US Secretary of State Condaleeza Rice at Ramstein Air Base in Germany as she flew to Hanoi for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation regional summit, on Tuesday (Nov. 14) in which Rice was skeptical about British Prime Minister Tony Blair's plea for US talks with Iran and Syria, saying that neither appeared interested in helping stabilize Iraq or the Middle East. "There is no lack of opportunity to talk to the Iranians. I think the question is: is there anything about Iranian behavior that suggests that they are prepared to contribute to stability in Iraq, and I have to say that at this point, I don't see it," Rice said. Rice did not rule out talks with Iran about Iraq, noting there is a channel between the US and Iranian ambassadors to Iraq "that, at some point, it could make sense to activate." But she made clear that she saw little profit in such discussions. "I will talk to anybody, anywhere, anytime, under the right circumstances, if I think we can make progress," she said. "But we have had, over the course of this administration, discussions with the Syrians, talks with the Syrians, envoys to the Syrians, and nothing has ever changed in their behavior." "In his new visit to Washington, Olmert succeeded, as his predecessors did. The American weapon and technology stores remained open for Israel to scoop as much as it wants to fuel wars and terror. This has always been the purpose of the American and Israeli weapons, and...goodbye peace." -------------- "A Punched Ball and Small Players" -------------- Khalid al-Ashhab, a commentator in government-owned Al-Thawra, wrote (11/16): "Washington's small agents in Lebanon went bankrupt after the series of losses and successive defeats that the US Administration and its plan in the region suffered.... "When a big merchant goes bankrupt, small agents and dealers are lost.... Their projects are destroyed and their ambitions frustrated.... They start searching for a lifeline by all means and at any price...." Corbin