Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06DAMASCUS5348
2006-12-03 07:37:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Damascus
Cable title:  

STAFFDEL TALWAR MEETING WITH FM MU'ALLIM AND

Tags:  PREL PGOV SY 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO4663
PP RUEHROV
DE RUEHDM #5348/01 3370737
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 030737Z DEC 06
FM AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2533
INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHDC PRIORITY
RUCQSAB/USSOCOM INTEL MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 DAMASCUS 005348 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

NEA/ELA; NSC FOR MARCHESE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/26/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV SY
SUBJECT: STAFFDEL TALWAR MEETING WITH FM MU'ALLIM AND
DEPUTY FM MIKDAD

REF: DAMASCUS 5330

Classified By: Classified by Charge D'Affairs Michael Corbin
for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 DAMASCUS 005348

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

NEA/ELA; NSC FOR MARCHESE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/26/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV SY
SUBJECT: STAFFDEL TALWAR MEETING WITH FM MU'ALLIM AND
DEPUTY FM MIKDAD

REF: DAMASCUS 5330

Classified By: Classified by Charge D'Affairs Michael Corbin
for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) SUMMARY. Professional staff member on the Senate
Foreign Relations Committee, Puneet Talwar, met with Foreign
Minister Mu'allim and Deputy Foreign Minister Mikdad on
November 22 in two separate meetings to discuss Lebanon,
Iraq, U.S.-Syrian relations, and the broader issues of the
Middle East. Mu'allim and Mikdad emphasized that Syria could
be a positive force for change in Iraq and that Syria was not
destabilizing Lebanon nor responsible for the Gemayel
assassination. They criticized U.S. policy in the region,
but said Syria was ready to work with the United States on a
comprehensive peace agreement if the U.S. was willing to
begin a real dialogue with the SARG. END SUMMARY.


2. (C) MU'ALLIM'S RECENT TRIP TO IRAQ: Mu'allim opened the
meeting with a discussion of his recent trip to Baghdad,
commenting that he is the only senior-level Arab official to
spend three days in Iraq in the current security situation.
He reported meeting with most of the Iraqi leadership, and
said that in the coming weeks there would be increased
contact between Syria and Iraq on various levels, including
the raising of flags in the respective capitals the first
week of December, an exchange of Ambassadors, and a visit to
Syria by President Talabani before the end of December to
discuss a mechanism for cooperation on security, economics,
and national reconciliation.


3. (C) IRAQ: Mu'allim stated that Iraq is a priority for
Syria, emphasizing that the SARG is committed to the success
of the Malki government as the alternatives are worse.
Mikdad added that Syria is already addressing Iraqi border
issues and claimed the SARG's inability to do more is a
result of Syria's necessary expenditure of resources on the
Golan, adding that the SARG asked the U.S. for technical
equipment to help with border security but received no
assistance. When asked about specific assistance Syria could
provide on Iraq, Mikdad emphasized Syria's good relations
with all Iraqi factions and said Syria could use these

contacts to work towards maintaining the territorial
integrity of Iraq, although he declined to offer specifics.


4. (C) LEBANON: Mu'allim stressed that despite the
suspicions, the SARG is not involved in destabilizing Lebanon
and in principle, Syria is committed to UN resolution 1701.
Mu'allim and Mikdad strongly objected to public statements
that Syria was responsible for Pierre Gemayel's assassination
and said that Gemayel was a moderate opposition leader who
did not have previous problems with Syria, that the event
happened in a Christian area in broad daylight, and that it
occurred on the day of deliberations of the international
tribunal on the Hariri assassination, all of which point away
from Syrian involvement in their view. Mu'allim and Mikdad
characterized the assassination as a criminal act perpetrated
by enemies of Syria. Mu'allim argued that France and the
United States are the foreign powers now interfering in
Lebanon and creating an imbalance by neglecting minority
groups. Mu'allim commented that the recent acceleration in
forming the international tribunal highlights its use as a
political instrument against the Syrian government. Mikdad
added that the tribunal was an obstacle to the United States
and Syria being able to work together on sovereignty for
Lebanon and forging a stable Middle East.


5. (C) U.S.-SYRIAN RELATIONS: Mu'allim discussed the status
of U.S.-Syrian relations, commenting that the U.S.
administration had tried to isolate Syria for three years,
had failed, and now needed to change its course. Both
Mu'allim and Mikdad contrasted the Clinton and Bush
Administrations, handling of Middle East policy, arguing
that the current administration only offered Syria demands,
not dialogue. Mikdad argued that Syria had provided
exemplary cooperation to the United States on the War on
Terror, but, &Syria received no praise, only accusations,8
and that while Syria was in a stronger position than last
year, U.S. policies were still hurting Syria. When asked if
the SARG thought the USG was trying to obtain regime change
in Syria, Mikdad said that SARG officials didn't care, as
they were focused on winning the hearts and mind of the
Syrian people.


6. (C) ARAB-ISRAELI CONFLICT: Mu'allim emphasized that Syria
is ready to move forward on the peace process. Mikdad added
that Syria would welcome U.S. efforts to help re-start

DAMASCUS 00005348 002 OF 002


negotiations over the Golan issue, and that if the United
States is willing to re-engage on the peace process Syria
would cooperate accordingly. Mu'allim and Mikdad stressed
that the SARG is working with Qatar to help the Palestinians
build a national unity government of technocrats and that
reports that Syria was the one blocking the formation of the
government were untrue. Mikdad added that Hamas external
political leader, &Khaled Mesha'al is not an agent in our
hand, we can tell him to work with his brothers, but he has
his own ideas. Hamas is not Syria.8


7. (C) IRAN: Mu,allim and Mikdad said the United States
should not see Syria and Iran in the same boat, emphasizing
that Syria's relationship with Iran was not an alliance, but
a strategic relationship built on furthering national
interests and priorities. They both said the United States
and Europe are the major powers, hinting that if there was
less international pressure on Syria, Syria's relationship
with Iran might not stay so close. Mu'allim went further,
saying that the United States should utilize Syria's good
relations with Iran to address regional issues. Asked if
Syria's relationship with Iran caused tensions with other
Arab states, Mikdad said no one could claim to be more Arab
than Syria, and that if Syria were to truly ally with anyone
it would be with other Arab nations.


8. (C) U.S. EMBASSY SECURITY: When asked about the security
situation of the U.S. Embassy in Damascus Mikdad said that
the SARG delinks the security of the Embassy from its
relations with the United States, feels that it is the SARG's
responsibility to protect all diplomatic missions in Syria,
and does its best to maintain the safety of diplomats in
Syria because the SARG is targeted by these same groups. He
added that the Embassy had to follow-up with its designated
MFA contact, a relatively low official who heads the Office
if Protocol, on any specific requests relating to its
security.


9. (C) AMIDEAST: When asked about the SARG's recent closing
of Amideast (reftel),Mikdad appeared unaware of the
organization. After a quick brief by an aide, Mikdad said he
did not know the details of the issue, but that what concerns
the SARG is "when these types of organizations go beyond
their educational mandate into politics." He said he would,
however, look into the matter.


10. (C) Staffdel Talwar cleared this cable.
CORBIN