ANNAPOLIS CONFERENCE: SARG SAYS YES, SENDING VICE

C O N F I D E N T I A L DAMASCUS 001132

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

NEA/RA FOR MICHAEL ADLER/ELIZABETH MOORE, NEA/IPA FOR
MATTHEW ROSENSTOCK, CA/VO FOR BRENNAN AND SMITH

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/25/2012
TAGS: AMGT CVIS PGOV PREL KWBG KPAL IS SY
SUBJECT: ANNAPOLIS CONFERENCE: SARG SAYS YES, SENDING VICE
FOREIGN MINISTER MEKDAD

REF: A. STATE 158268

B. STATE 158837

C. DAMASCUS 1127

Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Michael Corbin, per 1.4 b,d.


1. (C) The Syrian MFA notified Charge at 1500 local that
Vice Foreign Minister Fayssal Mekdad will be leading Syria's
delegation to the Annapolis conference. Mekdad will be
accompanied by his Chef du Cabinet (Office Director) Hussam
Aala. Syrian Ambassador Imad Mustafa will join the Syrian
delegation in Washington.


2. (C) Per para 7 of ref a, the delegation will consist of:

-- Dr. Fayssal Mekdad, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs,
Syrian Arab Republic
-- Dr. Imad Mustafa, Ambassador to the United States, Syrian
Arab Republic
-- Mr. Hussam Aala, Chef du Cabinet of the Vice Minister of
Foreign Affairs, Syrian Arab Republic


3. (C) Vice FM Mekdad and Aala have valid G-1 visas. They
have no dietary restrictions and require no need for
interpreters. We will send photos and passport data via
email for Mekdad and Aala.


4. (C) As of 1700 local, Mekdad and Aala are scheduled to
depart Damascus on British Airways Flight 7574 at 0820,
arriving London at 1330 (all times local). They then depart
London on BA 293 at 1700, arriving Washington Dulles at 2000.
We are pressing the MFA to consider an alternative itinerary
that will allow them to arrive earlier and will notify NEA/RA
regarding any schedule changes.

CORBIN