RIAD SEIF COMMENTS ON SARG PRESSURE

C O N F I D E N T I A L DAMASCUS 000894

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

LONDON FOR TSOU, PARIS FOR ZEYA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/02/2016
TAGS: PGOV PHUM SY
SUBJECT: RIAD SEIF COMMENTS ON SARG PRESSURE

REF: (A) DAM 702 (B) DAM 672

Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Stephen A. Seche for reasons 1.4(b)/(d
)


1. (C) SUMMARY: During a March 2 meeting with Charge and
PolChief, prominent opposition figure Riad Seif discussed his
recent problems with Syrian security services and their
strategy to shut down his activities, his interactions with
other opposition figures as he continues to hone his
political philosophy, as well as the SARG's increased use of
pro-Islamist rhetoric to shore up support. END SUMMARY.


2. (C) SECURITY SCRUTINY TAKES ITS TOLL, BUT DIPLOMATIC
PRESENCE WELCOME: Prominent opposition figure Riad Seif met
with Charge and Polchief on March 2 in his office. Seif,
looking well-rested, described the continued presence of
state security surveillance at his office and at the building
where both of his children reside (reftels). His daughter
added that Seif has at least two security agents following
him at all times, including to family events. When asked if
contacts with diplomats were causing problems for him, Seif
noted that such visits are a sign of support for him and his
family and act as protection. Were it not for this support,
the SARG would feel less constrained about punishing Seif.
Seif is convinced that now, the SARG will not re-imprison him
and "make him a hero", nor will they kill him and have to
"pay a big price."


3. (C) However, Seif made clear that the recent security
pressure has taken its toll on his work. Through their
intimidation tactics of mid-February (ref A&B),the SARG was
trying to isolate him and "break him down," sapping his
energy, distracting and frightening him. They managed to
weaken him briefly, because of the threats against his
family, he said. Seif noted that he will "continue to press,
but more calmly, more quietly," particularly in the next
month. "People understand that I have to be quieter."
Following the detention and questioning of his assistant,
Seif has also put plans to form a political party on hold.
When asked if the security services had told him directly to
stop his plan to organize a political party, Seif said no,
but that they had made clear to his assistant, with detailed
questioning, their interest in his plans for a party, and who
has shown interest in participating and helping finance his
activities. He noted that so far the security services have
not expanded their efforts at harassment and intimidation
beyond his family circle, but have collected the names of all
those who has visited to express support for his political
plans. Seif also noted that he has not been granted a
passport, with SARG authorities telling him that any action
is pending the receipt of documents from the Political
Security Directorate.


4. (C) CLEARER SENSE OF OPPOSITION LEADERSHIP ROLE AND
POLITICAL SELLING POINTS: Seif seems to have developed a
clearer perception of his role in the opposition. While
professing that he does not enjoy being in the spotlight, he
sees that "many sides believe I have the ability to play a
role that others cannot," particularly as a "connection
point" between different ideologies and individual
politicians. He feels the key to his popularity has been
that his character and program have never created enemies and
that he encourages people to be tolerant of each others'
political ideas. He also attributed his success to his
reputation of being "nonsectarian," particularly in his
(now-defunct) company's merit-based promotion system and
multiethnic management team. When asked if he is willing to
accept this leadership role, he said that he cannot escape
from it and is willing to pay any cost to achieve his aim of
the peaceful downfall of this regime. Nonetheless, he
recognizes that he cannot act as a "one-man show" but instead
must create an institution which embodies his clean,
uncorrupted reputation, said Seif.


5. (C) While his plans to form a party in the near future
are on hold, Seif detailed that the party's identity as a
clean, anti-corruption party that is respectful of religious
views would cut away power from Islamist parties that promote
themselves as the anti-corruption party. He described the
scope of the Islamists' societal platforms, noting that they
can spread their message via the mosque at funerals and
weddings, as well as at Friday prayers. Compared to this,
"we (secularists) have no chance." We must care for the
conservative society and not forget about them," said Seif,
noting that up to now, activists with secular ideologies have
had little contact with conservatives. Seif also emphasized
that societal conservatives are not limited to Sunni Muslims
only, but also can be found in any of Syria's religious
sects. "We must attract them with morals and respect their
beliefs and traditions."


6. (C) SARG ABUSING ISLAMIC ANGER TO ITS OWN ADVANTAGE:
Seif noted that the SARG has turned to pro-Islamist,
anti-Western rhetoric to shore up public support and remain
in power. "The SARG is abusing Islamic anger," and Seif
noted that since the February 4 embassy-burning
demonstrations, the previous purely anti-U.S. rhetoric has
been replaced by a more generalized anti-Western vitriol.
According to Seif, the SARG is going so far as to portray its
problems as the result of being a Muslim state and serving as
a defender of Islam against the anti-Muslim U.S. In this
environment, building relations with the West is particularly
difficult, he said.
SECHE