Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06DAMASCUS703
2006-02-22 07:22:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Damascus
Cable title:  

Damascus Media Reaction: Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Cartoon

Tags:  KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY 
pdf how-to read a cable
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RUEHLB/AMEMBASSY BEIRUT 3705
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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)

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