Damascus Media Reaction: Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Cartoon

UNCLAS DAMASCUS 00703 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, Iraq, Cartoon Controversy, US Policy (2/21) ¶1. Summary: Syrian papers reported Lebanese rejection of the calls for foreign custodianship and the positions expressed by the "March 14" forces. Omar Jaftali editorialized in Tishreen that it is shameful that some Lebanese have sold themselves for a fistful of dollars. However, he said that most Lebanese will stand by the resistance and defeat any attempt at division or foreign dominance. On the cartoons published by western newspapers insulting the Prophet Mohammad, Ali Sahawa wrote in Al-Thawra that the cartoon controversy is part of a plan to enrage Muslims, who are on a collision course with Northern Europeans, who have high respect for human values and freedom of belief. End summary. ¶2. Selected Headlines: "Increasing Lebanese opposition to foreign custodianship and the positions of "March 14"; calls for early parliamentary elections before discussing the issue of the Presidency." (Government-owned Tishreen, 2/20) "President Asad discussed by phone with King Abdullah and President Mubarak the latest developments and issues of common interest." (Government-owned Al-Thawra, 2/20) "Lahoud: The slogans of some fuel the civil war" (Government- owned Al-Ba'th, 2/21) "While demonstrations continue and deaths increase, the Danish government faces an investigation into its responsibility for the cartoon crisis." (Government-owned Tishreen, 2/21) "News about the death of Israelis in the crash of a plane north of Suleimanieh " (Government-owned Tishreen, 2/20) "Tel Aviv admits coordination with Washington to isolate Hamas; Sweden responds to Israeli sanctions with extra aid to the Palestinians" (Government-owned Tishreen, 2/21) "Israel considers the [Palestinian] Authority an enemy and Washington retrieves $50 million" (Government-owned Al-Thawra, 2/20) ¶3. Editorial Block Quotes: -------------- "Arab Responsibility" -------------- Omar Jaftali, an editorialist in government-owned Tishreen, commented (2/22): "What is happening at the moment in Lebanon is a sample of American-Israeli targeting, and is a link in the chain of projects of hegemony that needs to be implemented as a launching-pad for other targets that will complement other links in the chain. "The statements and behavior of some Lebanese symbols who are know for their shady alliances are unfortunate, even shameful.... But what is the benefit to those who call for foreign intervention in Lebanese affairs? It is a fistful of dollars in return for facilitating the foreign objectives of redrawing the map of the region to complete the hegemony over the region's capabilities and future. "The picture is not dark, as the national and pan-Arab awareness of most Lebanese will return bright colors to the picture on the basis of adherence to the dignity and resistance that have defeated all attempts at division and internationalization. -------------- "Who is Responsible for the Harm to Islam?" -------------- Ali Sawaha, a columnist in government-owned Al-Thawra, wrote (2/21): "Those who have harmed the feelings of the followers of the prophet Muhammad cannot be exonerated from their criminal acts, nor can those who republished those shameful images of the prophet that elicited the widest protests and denunciations on the international level, even in Europe and America. This comes within the framework of a criminal mentality that aims to provoke further clashes between nations and to drag them into religious conflicts that will bring nothing but destruction. "The choice of Northern Europe to spark the controversy is intended to provoke the Islamic street and push it to violent and angry behavior toward the peoples of countries who score high in terms of respect for humanity and freedom of belief. " -------------- "Where is the Misleading Campaign Against Syria Heading?" -------------- Mohammad Abdulkarim Mustafa, a columnist in government-owned Al- Thawra, wrote (2/21): "There has scarcely been an occasion of an American official appearing on the media without leveling accusations and criticisms against Syria, thrusting Syria's name into the forefront of statements by the U.S. Administration about the problems of the world. It is extremely strange to thrust Syria's name into all major and minor issues despite the fact that Syria's policy is one of the most constant and clear in terms of combating terrorism on the one hand, and standing with the oppressed and showing sympathy with peoples whose lands are occupied by force, on the other. "The U.S. Administration, at the instigation of the Zionist entity that practices organized terrorism inside and outside the occupied Palestinian territories, has always declined to specify a definition for this phenomena that concerns all humanity. The Likudites in the White House oppose and ignore the need to define terrorism, in order that the label of terrorism can be stuck onto any party that opposes U.S. policies or interests around the world. "The surprising thing is the participation of some Arab media outlets in this campaign [against Syria], serving Israeli interests and ignoring the credibility and objectivity that are expected by the Arab street from these outlets." Seche