STAFFDEL TALWAR MEETING WITH FM MU'ALLIM AND

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