Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Lebanon, Iran, Danish

UNCLAS DAMASCUS 000602 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, Iran, Danish Cartoons, Iraq, Palestinian Territories (2/13) ¶1. Summary: Syrian papers reported a press statement to Lebanese magazine "al-Mughtarib" by Lebanese FM Fawzi Salloukh saying "there is a need for good ties with Arab countries, especially Syria." Salloukh considered the continuous Israeli violations of Lebanon's sovereignty and the maintenance of the occupation of the Shebaa Farms and other Lebanese lands as issues that concern all Lebanese. He pointed out that UN resolution No. 425 is not fully implemented yet, and called upon the international community to shoulder responsibility regarding that matter. Papers also reported a statement to Lebanese "Al-Nour Radio" by Najah Wakim, Head of the Lebanese People's Party, saying that "there is a Lebanese national unanimity regarding weapon of Lebanese national resistance," and stressing that "resistance is still a strategic choice in facing the Israeli enemy and in defending the country." Salloukh confirmed that "hostility toward Syria just aims to open the road before Israel." He called on all Lebanese to enhance ties with Syria noting that "those who are calling for a feud with Syria are doing so with American support". End of summary. ¶2. Selected Headlines: "As demonstrations [protesting cartoons on the Prophet Mohammad] continue, Denmark seeks Malaysia's help to absorb Moslems' anger. Israeli settlers insult Islam on walls in Qalqilia" (Government- owned Tishreen, 2/13) "Jumblatt reiterates rejection of national resistance. Leader of the Lebanese People's Movement Wakim: Enmity towards Syria means opening the way in front of Israel. Former Lebanese Minister Wahab: The March 14th Powers were disrobed before the Lebanese people due to their connection with foreign parties" (Government- owned Tishreen, 2/13) "Lebanese FM Salloukh: Resolution 425 was not carried out; Lebanon wants the Shebaa Farms. Wahab: The Lebanese national resistance and its arms are elements of power and immunity [from attacks]" (Government-owned Al-Ba'th, 2/13) "After the US scandal in Abu-Ghraib, Iraqi citizens suffer from British brutality" (Government-owned Al-Ba'th, 2/12 "New photos unveil brutality by British soldiers towards Iraqi youths. Al-Jafari is designated as Prime Minister" (Government- owned Al-Thawra, 2/13) "Tel Aviv continues criticism of Moscow [for inviting HAMAS leader to Moscow. [Acting Israeli Prime Minister] Olmert confirms: We will confiscate Palestinian financial dues until HAMAS takes over authority" (Government-owned Tishreen, 2/13) ¶3. Editorial Block Quotes: -------------- -------------- "The Iranian Islamic Revolution: Challenges and Evolving Possibilities" -------------- -------------- Dr. Khalaf al-Jarrad, Chief Editor of government-owned Tishreen, commented (2/13): "Iran has cooperated with the IAEA... Its nuclear program is meant only for peaceful purposes. Yet the US and its allies have turned this normal issue into a problem because they simply do not accept for any developing country to possess and locally produce advanced technology and dispense with experts from other countries in its development process.... Israel and the United States want to keep countries of the region in a position of subservience, weakness, and humiliation.... "Iran and Syria have the same objectives to reject foreign interference in regional affairs, to confront the neo- colonialist forces, to adhere to independence, freedom, and dignity, and to defend the rights of oppressed peoples, primarily the Palestinian people, who have been subjected to the most dangerous forms of mass displacement, genocide, and annihilation. "The growing relations between the two countries show that the solidarity of brothers and friends is the practical response to threats, provocations, and pressure, regardless of their source, size, and objective.... Syria and Iran do not seek to establish an alliance or to return to regional polarization, nor do they direct their cooperation against anyone. But it is their right - - indeed their duty and the duty of all Arab and Muslim countries -- to cooperate, demonstrate solidarity with each other, to integrate in the areas of industry, transport, tourism, trade, and scientific and technological developments, to defend their independent political and cultural options; and to search for the best ways to exchange expertise for the sake of comprehensive socio-economic development and effective societal modernization. "Iran will be able to stand fast in the face of foreign threats, provocations, and conspiracies. Iran's political, strategic, and economic cards make others think thousands of times before engaging in any hostile or provocative actions against it. Never mind the intimidation, exaggeration, noise, and the media and diplomatic wars launched today from many capitals against Iran, its elected leadership, and independent political and developmental inclinations...." -------------- "Grasping a Straw for Escape" -------------- Ahmad Dawwa, an editorialist in government-owned Al-Thawra, commented (2/13): "The team of deception and internationalization in Lebanon is playing a suspicious role serving foreign plans in the region.... "Washington immediately repeats the anti-Syria statements and positions of this team, which grasps at straws to keep it from drowning now that the plan it is implementing against its country and its neighbors has been exposed.... "This team immediately implicated Syria in the riots that took place in Beirut last week, but it failed to produce any piece of evidence to prove it, as it had promised.... In an attempt to distract people from this scandal, Walid Jumblatt made his statement that Hizbollah is a militia, although his allies in the Future Current acknowledged a week earlier that Hizbollah is a resistance movement.... Jumblatt means what he says, especially since an American official made a similar statement about Hizbollah when the Lebanese PM met the party's demands two weeks ago.... It is obvious that some people no longer control their decisions...." -------------- "A Call for Acknowledging Truth" -------------- Ali Nasrallah, an editorialist in government-owned Al-Thawra, wrote (2/13): "Independent Western researchers like Arthur Butz and Roger Garaudy continued to suffer because they conducted scientific research and dared to conclude that the holocaust was fabricated to help create a Jewish state in Palestine.... "If Western countries see the offending cartoons [on the Prophet Muhammad] as part of freedom of the press and speech -- which is not -- it is more appropriate for them to accept the results of academic research conducted by independent Westerners who support neither Zionism nor the perpetrators of the alleged genocide crimes against the Jews. They should respect these results and stop muzzling researchers and academicians and accusing them of anti-Semitism...." Seche