Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07DAMASCUS292
2007-03-25 13:50:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Damascus
Cable title:
Syria/Kuwait, Syria/Pakistan, Syria/Turkey, Lebanon, Iraq,
how-toVZCZCXYZ0001 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHDM #0292/01 0841350 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 251350Z MAR 07 FM AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3185 RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUEHAM/AMEMBASSY AMMAN 6658 RUEHLB/AMEMBASSY BEIRUT 4416 RUEHEG/AMEMBASSY CAIRO 3031 RUEHRH/AMEMBASSY RIYADH 7573 RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV 1637 RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA 4975 RUEHJM/AMCONSUL JERUSALEM 1184 RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL//CCPA// INFO RUEHNC/AMEMBASSY NICOSIA 7311
UNCLAS DAMASCUS 000292
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR PA, NEA/ARN, INR/IC/CD, INR/R/MR:STHIBEAULT AND
JMCCARTER, VOA NEWS CA, NEA/PPD:CBOURGEOIS, AZAIBACK, AND
AFERNANDEZ, IIP/G/NEA-SA MDAVIDSON
WHITE HOUSE FOR NSC
CENTCOM FOR CCPA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY
SUBJECT: Syria/Kuwait, Syria/Pakistan, Syria/Turkey, Lebanon, Iraq,
Palestinian Territories, Iran (3/23-25)
UNCLAS DAMASCUS 000292
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR PA, NEA/ARN, INR/IC/CD, INR/R/MR:STHIBEAULT AND
JMCCARTER, VOA NEWS CA, NEA/PPD:CBOURGEOIS, AZAIBACK, AND
AFERNANDEZ, IIP/G/NEA-SA MDAVIDSON
WHITE HOUSE FOR NSC
CENTCOM FOR CCPA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY
SUBJECT: Syria/Kuwait, Syria/Pakistan, Syria/Turkey, Lebanon, Iraq,
Palestinian Territories, Iran (3/23-25)
1. Summary: Syrian papers on Mar. 25 reported VP Shara's visit to
Kuwait on Mar. 24 to convey a message from President Asad to the
Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, on
bilateral coordination prior to the upcoming Arab summit in Riyadh.
During the meeting Shara reviewed the latest regional developments,
stressing the necessity of bilateral coordination to consolidate
joint Arab action. Sheikh al-Sabah reiterated the importance of
combining Arab efforts in the face of challenges to which the Arab
nation is exposed. Shara conveyed similar messages from President
Asad to the leaders of Algeria, Libya, Sudan, Yemen, and Bahrain
last week. The Kuwaiti Ambassador to Syria, Fahad Awadi, welcomed
the visit, telling the Kuwaiti News Agency, Kuna, on Mar. 24 that
Shara's visit also comes within the framework of bilateral
consultation between the leaderships of both countries with regard
to issues of mutual concern, in line with the distinguished
relations between Syria and Kuwait.
On Syrian/Pakistani relations, papers reported that the Pakistani
Ambassador to Syria, Munzer Shafik, has stressed his country's
support for the restoration of the occupied Syrian Golan and usurped
Arab rights. In a statement to reporters on Mar. 23 on the occasion
of Pakistan National Day, the Pakistani ambassador described
bilateral relations as distinguished in the political sphere and
stressed his country's interest in developing relations in various
economic spheres as well. He indicated that the exchange of visits
by businessmen allows the two countries to explore investment
spheres and to become acquainted with each other's products, with
the aim of boosting the volume of bilateral trade.
Papers also reported that an international conference on water
started on Mar. 22 in the Turkish city Antalya. Syria took part in
the conference through a delegation headed by Minister of Irrigation
Nader al-Buni. The conference, organized by the Turkish Water
Directory in cooperation with the World Commission on Water,
discussed means of protecting water and dealing with river floods.
Representatives from 65 countries and 800 experts in water
participated in the conference, which was inaugurated by Turkish
Premier Receb Tayyeb Erdogan, as part of the celebration of World
Water Day.
End of summary.
2. Selected Headlines:
"President Asad sends a message to Emir of Kuwait, Sabah al-Ahmad
al-Jaber al-Sabah, conveyed by VP Shara, on coordination between the
two brotherly countries at the forthcoming Arab summit. Kuwait
satisfied with development of relations with Syria. Emphasis on
Arab coordination on the eve the forthcoming Arab summit"
(Government-owned Tishreen, 3/25)
"Arab Foreign Ministers finalize the final agenda of the Arab
summit. Al-Riyadh finalizes preparations to host the summit"
(Government-owned Tishreen, 3/25)
"Arab League SecGen Amr Mousa: The Arab countries are convinced
that Israel is not ready for peace" (Government-owned Al-Thawra,
3/25)
"The Forthcoming Arab Summit will reject sanctions on Syria"
(Government-owned Tishreen, 3/25)
"President Lahoud is to attend the Arab summit and will speak in the
name of all Lebanese" (Government-owned Tishreen, 3/25)
"Bolton: The US administration is proud that it rejected a
ceasefire during the war on Lebanon" (Government-owned Al-Thawra,
3/23)
"US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice speaks of launching the Arab
peace initiative and does not rule out US solutions"
(Government-owned Tishreen, 3/25)
"Minister of Irrigation Nader al-Buni: Water is a bridge for
cooperation among Syria, Iraq and Turkey" (Government-owned
Al-Thawra, 3/25)
"Leader of the Iraqi Muslims Scholars Sheikh Hareth al-Dari: We
highly appreciate Syria's pan-Arab positions regarding the Iraqi
people" (Government-owned Tishreen, 3/25)
"Two US soldiers and scores of Iraqis killed in Baghdad and
al-Anbar. Democrats to Bush: Stop wars of arrogance"
(Government-owned Tishreen, 3/25)
"The UN Security Council imposes new sanctions on Iran. Iranian
Foreign Minister Mottaki: UN Security Council Resolution No. 1747
undermines credibility of the UNSC" (Government-owned Al-Thawra,
3/25)
"Iraqi Premier is injured in an assassination attempt in the Green
Zone; three US soldiers killed. Bush will veto any resolution of
the US House of Representatives that links financing of war on Iraq
with scheduling troop withdrawal from Iraq" (Government-owned
Tishreen, 3/24)
"Germany and Belgium normalize relations with the Palestinian
government in anticipation of its practical role. The Palestinian
government expresses hope for continuing Arab support"
(Government-owned Tishreen, 3/24)
"The UN Human Rights Envoy: Israel is racist and its policy is
colonial" (Government-owned Al-Thawra, 3/23)
"The Lebanese opposition is committed to sit-ins and dialogue"
(Government-owned Al-Thawra, 3/23)
"Lavrov: The US Anti-Missile Shield poses a threat to Russia's
security" (Government-owned Tishreen, 3/24)
3. Editorial Block Quotes:
--------------
"What Is Left in Bush's Sack?"
--------------
Isam Dari, Chief Editor of government-owned Tishrin, wrote (3/24):
"The US House of Representatives' legislation on Iraq is a new slap
to President Bush's administration.... Although the bill is not
binding, it shows the weak performance of this administration at
home and abroad and the extent of the American official and popular
rejection of the mad and reckless policies that neoconservatives
draw up....
"These policies bring Americans nothing but shame, disgrace, and
hatred of the peoples of the world, and bring the peoples of the
world nothing but death, destruction, and ethnic and sectarian civil
wars....
"The US defense secretary stated that his country is able to wage a
new war.... Robert Gates deserves the Nobel Prize for insolence and
disdain for the will of nations, especially the will of the American
people....
"While the American people are demanding withdrawal from the Iraqi
quagmire, the Bush administration is talking about a new quagmire
and a new war, as if it lives in another age and another world....
"The Bush administration has not learned from the lessons of Iraq or
from its failure in Lebanon...."
--------------
"Those Who Are Harmed by a Solution"
--------------
Muhammad Ali Buzah, a commentator in government-owned Al-Thawrah,
wrote (3/23): "Pro-government leaders in Lebanon are rejecting
every solution to the existing crisis and pursuing a policy of
maneuvers and foot-dragging pending better circumstances and
regional and international developments that allow them to continue
the obstruction, cancellation, confiscation, unilateralism, and the
drowning of Lebanon in the whirlpool of chaos and denominational
division....
"The organized hysterical escalation by the government team is
pushing Lebanon toward further tension, complication, and explosion
under management and operational orders from Washington and
Paris....
"This team must not be allowed to go too far in the plan of
destruction, internationalization, Judaization, and sedition.... It
must be exposed, renounced, and indeed called to account for what it
committed against Lebanon and its people and national resistance.
"This is the responsibility of the Lebanese people with all their
groups and sincere and honorable nationalist forces...."
-------------- --------------
"Will the Governing Team Respond to Berri's Call?"
-------------- --------------
Izz-al-Din al-Darwish, an editorialist in government-owned Tishreen,
wrote (3/23): "The statement by Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament
Nabih Berri, in which he confirmed the unconstitutional, subversive,
and obstructive practices of Fu'ad Al-Saniora's government, shows
that this government is leading Lebanon to the abyss....
"Leaders of the March 14 forces are mortgaging Lebanon's sovereignty
to foreigners.... Some of these leaders were inflated by the West,
so much so that they talk and act as if they represent all the
Lebanese, although their past and present prove that they do not
represent even the groups to which they are affiliated....
"We wonder if these leaders will respond to Berri's call for
dialogue to bring Lebanon out of its crisis or will continue to work
for domestic strife and receive orders from Paris and Washington,
and consequently Tel Aviv..."
Corbin
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR PA, NEA/ARN, INR/IC/CD, INR/R/MR:STHIBEAULT AND
JMCCARTER, VOA NEWS CA, NEA/PPD:CBOURGEOIS, AZAIBACK, AND
AFERNANDEZ, IIP/G/NEA-SA MDAVIDSON
WHITE HOUSE FOR NSC
CENTCOM FOR CCPA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY
SUBJECT: Syria/Kuwait, Syria/Pakistan, Syria/Turkey, Lebanon, Iraq,
Palestinian Territories, Iran (3/23-25)
1. Summary: Syrian papers on Mar. 25 reported VP Shara's visit to
Kuwait on Mar. 24 to convey a message from President Asad to the
Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, on
bilateral coordination prior to the upcoming Arab summit in Riyadh.
During the meeting Shara reviewed the latest regional developments,
stressing the necessity of bilateral coordination to consolidate
joint Arab action. Sheikh al-Sabah reiterated the importance of
combining Arab efforts in the face of challenges to which the Arab
nation is exposed. Shara conveyed similar messages from President
Asad to the leaders of Algeria, Libya, Sudan, Yemen, and Bahrain
last week. The Kuwaiti Ambassador to Syria, Fahad Awadi, welcomed
the visit, telling the Kuwaiti News Agency, Kuna, on Mar. 24 that
Shara's visit also comes within the framework of bilateral
consultation between the leaderships of both countries with regard
to issues of mutual concern, in line with the distinguished
relations between Syria and Kuwait.
On Syrian/Pakistani relations, papers reported that the Pakistani
Ambassador to Syria, Munzer Shafik, has stressed his country's
support for the restoration of the occupied Syrian Golan and usurped
Arab rights. In a statement to reporters on Mar. 23 on the occasion
of Pakistan National Day, the Pakistani ambassador described
bilateral relations as distinguished in the political sphere and
stressed his country's interest in developing relations in various
economic spheres as well. He indicated that the exchange of visits
by businessmen allows the two countries to explore investment
spheres and to become acquainted with each other's products, with
the aim of boosting the volume of bilateral trade.
Papers also reported that an international conference on water
started on Mar. 22 in the Turkish city Antalya. Syria took part in
the conference through a delegation headed by Minister of Irrigation
Nader al-Buni. The conference, organized by the Turkish Water
Directory in cooperation with the World Commission on Water,
discussed means of protecting water and dealing with river floods.
Representatives from 65 countries and 800 experts in water
participated in the conference, which was inaugurated by Turkish
Premier Receb Tayyeb Erdogan, as part of the celebration of World
Water Day.
End of summary.
2. Selected Headlines:
"President Asad sends a message to Emir of Kuwait, Sabah al-Ahmad
al-Jaber al-Sabah, conveyed by VP Shara, on coordination between the
two brotherly countries at the forthcoming Arab summit. Kuwait
satisfied with development of relations with Syria. Emphasis on
Arab coordination on the eve the forthcoming Arab summit"
(Government-owned Tishreen, 3/25)
"Arab Foreign Ministers finalize the final agenda of the Arab
summit. Al-Riyadh finalizes preparations to host the summit"
(Government-owned Tishreen, 3/25)
"Arab League SecGen Amr Mousa: The Arab countries are convinced
that Israel is not ready for peace" (Government-owned Al-Thawra,
3/25)
"The Forthcoming Arab Summit will reject sanctions on Syria"
(Government-owned Tishreen, 3/25)
"President Lahoud is to attend the Arab summit and will speak in the
name of all Lebanese" (Government-owned Tishreen, 3/25)
"Bolton: The US administration is proud that it rejected a
ceasefire during the war on Lebanon" (Government-owned Al-Thawra,
3/23)
"US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice speaks of launching the Arab
peace initiative and does not rule out US solutions"
(Government-owned Tishreen, 3/25)
"Minister of Irrigation Nader al-Buni: Water is a bridge for
cooperation among Syria, Iraq and Turkey" (Government-owned
Al-Thawra, 3/25)
"Leader of the Iraqi Muslims Scholars Sheikh Hareth al-Dari: We
highly appreciate Syria's pan-Arab positions regarding the Iraqi
people" (Government-owned Tishreen, 3/25)
"Two US soldiers and scores of Iraqis killed in Baghdad and
al-Anbar. Democrats to Bush: Stop wars of arrogance"
(Government-owned Tishreen, 3/25)
"The UN Security Council imposes new sanctions on Iran. Iranian
Foreign Minister Mottaki: UN Security Council Resolution No. 1747
undermines credibility of the UNSC" (Government-owned Al-Thawra,
3/25)
"Iraqi Premier is injured in an assassination attempt in the Green
Zone; three US soldiers killed. Bush will veto any resolution of
the US House of Representatives that links financing of war on Iraq
with scheduling troop withdrawal from Iraq" (Government-owned
Tishreen, 3/24)
"Germany and Belgium normalize relations with the Palestinian
government in anticipation of its practical role. The Palestinian
government expresses hope for continuing Arab support"
(Government-owned Tishreen, 3/24)
"The UN Human Rights Envoy: Israel is racist and its policy is
colonial" (Government-owned Al-Thawra, 3/23)
"The Lebanese opposition is committed to sit-ins and dialogue"
(Government-owned Al-Thawra, 3/23)
"Lavrov: The US Anti-Missile Shield poses a threat to Russia's
security" (Government-owned Tishreen, 3/24)
3. Editorial Block Quotes:
--------------
"What Is Left in Bush's Sack?"
--------------
Isam Dari, Chief Editor of government-owned Tishrin, wrote (3/24):
"The US House of Representatives' legislation on Iraq is a new slap
to President Bush's administration.... Although the bill is not
binding, it shows the weak performance of this administration at
home and abroad and the extent of the American official and popular
rejection of the mad and reckless policies that neoconservatives
draw up....
"These policies bring Americans nothing but shame, disgrace, and
hatred of the peoples of the world, and bring the peoples of the
world nothing but death, destruction, and ethnic and sectarian civil
wars....
"The US defense secretary stated that his country is able to wage a
new war.... Robert Gates deserves the Nobel Prize for insolence and
disdain for the will of nations, especially the will of the American
people....
"While the American people are demanding withdrawal from the Iraqi
quagmire, the Bush administration is talking about a new quagmire
and a new war, as if it lives in another age and another world....
"The Bush administration has not learned from the lessons of Iraq or
from its failure in Lebanon...."
--------------
"Those Who Are Harmed by a Solution"
--------------
Muhammad Ali Buzah, a commentator in government-owned Al-Thawrah,
wrote (3/23): "Pro-government leaders in Lebanon are rejecting
every solution to the existing crisis and pursuing a policy of
maneuvers and foot-dragging pending better circumstances and
regional and international developments that allow them to continue
the obstruction, cancellation, confiscation, unilateralism, and the
drowning of Lebanon in the whirlpool of chaos and denominational
division....
"The organized hysterical escalation by the government team is
pushing Lebanon toward further tension, complication, and explosion
under management and operational orders from Washington and
Paris....
"This team must not be allowed to go too far in the plan of
destruction, internationalization, Judaization, and sedition.... It
must be exposed, renounced, and indeed called to account for what it
committed against Lebanon and its people and national resistance.
"This is the responsibility of the Lebanese people with all their
groups and sincere and honorable nationalist forces...."
-------------- --------------
"Will the Governing Team Respond to Berri's Call?"
-------------- --------------
Izz-al-Din al-Darwish, an editorialist in government-owned Tishreen,
wrote (3/23): "The statement by Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament
Nabih Berri, in which he confirmed the unconstitutional, subversive,
and obstructive practices of Fu'ad Al-Saniora's government, shows
that this government is leading Lebanon to the abyss....
"Leaders of the March 14 forces are mortgaging Lebanon's sovereignty
to foreigners.... Some of these leaders were inflated by the West,
so much so that they talk and act as if they represent all the
Lebanese, although their past and present prove that they do not
represent even the groups to which they are affiliated....
"We wonder if these leaders will respond to Berri's call for
dialogue to bring Lebanon out of its crisis or will continue to work
for domestic strife and receive orders from Paris and Washington,
and consequently Tel Aviv..."
Corbin