Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07DAMASCUS363
2007-04-16 09:41:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Damascus
Cable title:
Syria/Israel, Syria/Palestinian Authority, Lebanon, Iraq,
how-toVZCZCXYZ0015 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHDM #0363/01 1060941 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 160941Z APR 07 FM AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3322 RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUEHAM/AMEMBASSY AMMAN 6732 RUEHLB/AMEMBASSY BEIRUT 4469 RUEHEG/AMEMBASSY CAIRO 3083 RUEHRH/AMEMBASSY RIYADH 7617 RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV 1687 RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA 5024 RUEHJM/AMCONSUL JERUSALEM 1231 RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL//CCPA// INFO RUEHNC/AMEMBASSY NICOSIA 7356
UNCLAS DAMASCUS 000363
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/Israel, Syria/Palestinian Authority, Lebanon, Iraq,
Pelosi, Lantos (4/13-14)
UNCLAS DAMASCUS 000363
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/Israel, Syria/Palestinian Authority, Lebanon, Iraq,
Pelosi, Lantos (4/13-14)
1. Summary: Syrian papers on Apr. 15 featured a statement by the
Syrian Foreign Ministry on Apr. 14 that statements by US national of
Syrian origin, Ibrahim Suleiman, who visited Israel and met with the
Israeli Knesset Foreign and Security Committee, do not reflect the
Syrian viewpoint, adding that "Syria, which is keen to realize a
just and comprehensive peace, has repeatedly rejected holding any
secret talks with Israel or using unofficial channels." It added
SIPDIS
that it was natural for Ibrahim Suleiman or any other expatriate of
Syrian origin to visit his motherland, just like any other who
offers to play a role in the peace process. He has heard Syria's
position that rejects conducting talks in the dark or through
unofficial channels. All papers reported a statement by Minister of
Information Mohsen Bilal to Syrian TV on Apr. 14 confirming that
Ibrahim Suleiman's visit to Israel, and his statements and
viewpoints do not reflect the Syrian viewpoint.
Papers also reported FM Walid Mouallem's meeting on Apr. 12 with a
delegation representing the Palestinian Legislative Council, headed
by Abdul Rahman Zidan, who reiterated the importance of
strengthening Palestinian national unity to enhance the capability
of confronting the Israeli practices targeting the Palestinian
people's existence and unity. FM Mouallem stressed Syria's
continuous support for the Palestinian people and their legitimate
rights to establish an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem
as its capital. Members of the Palestinian delegation briefed FM
Mouallem on the situation in the occupied Palestinian lands and the
suffering of the Palestinian people due to the siege imposed by the
Israeli occupation authorities. They expressed appreciation for
Syria's national stances towards the Palestinian cause, expressing
thanks for the efforts it has exerted for formation of the
Palestinian national unity government.
Government-owned Al-Thawrah on Apr. 13 reported US House Speaker
Nancy Pelosi's remarks to NBC News describing her visit to Syria as
good and noted the importance of dialogue with Syria. The paper
noted that Pelosi rejected the White House's criticism of the visit
and said "Bush wants to act as a king and to have carte blanche to
conduct foreign policy as he wishes."
End of summary.
2. Selected Headlines:
"Damascus reiterates rejection of secret talks with Israel. Foreign
Ministry: Suleiman's statements don't reflect Syria's viewpoint.
Bilal: Suleiman's statements express his own point of view"
(Government-owned Al-Ba'th, 4/15)
"President Asad condemns the terrorist bombings in Algiers and
Casablanca" (Government-owned Al-Thawra, 4/13)
"FM Mouallem reiterates to the Palestinian Legislative Council
delegation the importance of unifying ranks in the face of Israeli
practices" (Government-owned Al-Thawra, 4/13)
"Pelosi: My visit to Syria was good; Bush will not get carte
blanche to conduct foreign policy as he wishes" (Government-owned
Al-Thawra, 4/13)
"More than 17 Palestinians wounded in Balain and Salamona. Israeli
occupation uses Palestinian youths as human shields"
(Government-owned Tishreen, 4/14)
"Al-Hoss calls on the government to resign. Karami holds the
government responsible for the continuing crisis. Lahoud:
Endorsing the International Tribunal on the basis of Chapter 7 means
civil war" (Government-owned Al-Ba'th, 4/15)
"Lebanese circles warn against the return of the civil war
atmosphere. Re-arming Lebanese militias aims at enforcing foreign
conspiracies" (Government-owned Tisheen, 4/14)
"The February 14 figures place their wagers on internationalization"
(Government-owned Tisheen, 4/14)
"Killing of 5 US soldiers in Iraq raises death toll among US
soldiers in Iraq to 3298. US Democratic Senator Harry Reed
criticizes Bush: What progress are you talking about?"
(Government-owned Tishreen, 4/14)
"A suicide bomber manages to reach the heavily guarded Iraqi
parliament in the Green Area" (Government-owned Al-Thawra, 4/13)
"Blix, Top UN Weapons Inspector, rules out the pos
sibility of a US
attack against Iran" (Government-owned Tishreen, 4/14)
"While Tehran announces readiness to repel any aggression,
Washington: A military solution is not inevitable. We will be
patient" (Government-owned Al-Ba'th, 4/15)
3. Editorial Block Quotes:
--------------
"King Bush's Illusions"
--------------
Isam Dari, Chief Editor of government-owned Tishreen, commented
(4/14): "In a press interview with NBC News, US House Speaker
Pelosi stated that President Bush 'ignores facts and does not want
to enter dialogue....'
"Pelosi also said that 'Bush wants to act as a king and to have
carte blanche to conduct foreign policy as he wishes....'
"Facts have started to appear before the US public, which was
deceived for years and frightened by massive threats to its security
at home.... The US Administration is fabricating lies to launch
wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and level accusations against Iran,
Syria, and anyone who stands in the way of the neoconservatives'
ambition to control the entire world....
"President Bush thought he was a king and that none of his
'satellites' had the right to disobey him or break his will and
visit Syria, so as not to find out the truth and convey it to
Americans, who thought their Administration was forced to wage wars
to defend them and protect their security, stability, and
prosperity....
"Not only did the US Administration fail to admit its failure and
correct the mistakes of its foreign policy, but it also attacked
anyone who spoke the truth....
"The White House, which is occupied by neoconservatives, -- or let
us say the spokesman for this White House -- was so rude as to
criticize Pelosi because she said that Syria wants peace! Even such
a statement, which is based on the conviction of the Speaker and the
truth of the Syrian position, has become a violation bordering on a
crime punishable by the law of neoconservatives and Bush's Zionist
administration....
"It is true that Bush is not a king, as Mrs. Pelosi said, but his
actions, policies, positions, and intellectual, political, and
military terrorism against his opponents at home and abroad make him
a king, indeed a dictator with a tight grip on the necks of nations
and Americans themselves, who pay a heavy price with their money and
the blood of their sons for the adventures of this dictator, who is
acting outside American and international law and all worldly and
divine norms and conventions....
"It is fortunate that there are sensible people in the United States
who still believe in dialogue among nations and oppose their king
and his illusions and mad adventures, which brought further wars,
destruction, and terrorism upon the world and disasters and shame
upon the American people...."
--------------
"Bush Is Alone"
--------------
Adnan Ali, a commentator in government-owned Al-Thawrah, wrote
(4/14): "US Congressman Tom Lantos' stated that he intends to visit
Syria once again and that he rejects the US administration's policy
toward Damascus....
"Statements by Lantos, who is not known as a friend of Syria,
reflect a growing opposition within the political elite in the
United States, including the Congress, to the policy of Bush's
administration, which is being described in the United States itself
as arrogant and stupid because it is basically based on the use of
force and the attempts to exclude and isolate others....
"Bush today finds himself alone more than ever before. But he has
not yet learned the lessons, and there are those who still feed his
illusions in Iraq and the region and, indeed, motivate him to commit
new follies, perhaps against Iran or others...."
--------------
"Pretending Speaker"
--------------
Izz-al-Din al-Darwish, an editorialist in government-owned Tishreen,
wrote (4/14): "In a recent statement, Lebanese Christian leader
Samir Jeajea attacked the Lebanese national resistance, played down
its sacrifices, and said that it has become a burden to Lebanon....
"Jeajea is a bloodsucker who, as a warlord, killed 14,000 people
during the Lebanese civil war....
"Jeajea handed over Lebanese citizens to Israel during the war and
is now sending his militias to receive training in Israel, as
reported by Lebanese, Israeli, and Jordanian media.... The leader
of the Lebanese Forces party, who represents only a small group of
Lebanese, is trying to drag Lebanon toward civil strife and new
civil war....
--------------
"Impasse in Iraq"
--------------
Muhammad Ali Buzah, an editorialist in government-owned Al-Thawra,
wrote (4/14): "President Bush arrogantly refuses to admit his
failure in Iraq and the defeat of his plan....
"The honorable steps that would bring US policy out of its current
crisis and lay the foundations for a just, strong, and comprehensive
peace that guarantees security and stability in the region and the
world, are: acknowledging failure, reconsidering and rationalizing
wrong policies, setting a timetable for withdrawal from Iraq,
leaving the region for its people, stopping interference, ending
support for Israel, refraining from waging Israel's wars by proxy,
and forcing Israel to comply with international resolutions ...."
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/Israel, Syria/Palestinian Authority, Lebanon, Iraq,
Pelosi, Lantos (4/13-14)
1. Summary: Syrian papers on Apr. 15 featured a statement by the
Syrian Foreign Ministry on Apr. 14 that statements by US national of
Syrian origin, Ibrahim Suleiman, who visited Israel and met with the
Israeli Knesset Foreign and Security Committee, do not reflect the
Syrian viewpoint, adding that "Syria, which is keen to realize a
just and comprehensive peace, has repeatedly rejected holding any
secret talks with Israel or using unofficial channels." It added
SIPDIS
that it was natural for Ibrahim Suleiman or any other expatriate of
Syrian origin to visit his motherland, just like any other who
offers to play a role in the peace process. He has heard Syria's
position that rejects conducting talks in the dark or through
unofficial channels. All papers reported a statement by Minister of
Information Mohsen Bilal to Syrian TV on Apr. 14 confirming that
Ibrahim Suleiman's visit to Israel, and his statements and
viewpoints do not reflect the Syrian viewpoint.
Papers also reported FM Walid Mouallem's meeting on Apr. 12 with a
delegation representing the Palestinian Legislative Council, headed
by Abdul Rahman Zidan, who reiterated the importance of
strengthening Palestinian national unity to enhance the capability
of confronting the Israeli practices targeting the Palestinian
people's existence and unity. FM Mouallem stressed Syria's
continuous support for the Palestinian people and their legitimate
rights to establish an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem
as its capital. Members of the Palestinian delegation briefed FM
Mouallem on the situation in the occupied Palestinian lands and the
suffering of the Palestinian people due to the siege imposed by the
Israeli occupation authorities. They expressed appreciation for
Syria's national stances towards the Palestinian cause, expressing
thanks for the efforts it has exerted for formation of the
Palestinian national unity government.
Government-owned Al-Thawrah on Apr. 13 reported US House Speaker
Nancy Pelosi's remarks to NBC News describing her visit to Syria as
good and noted the importance of dialogue with Syria. The paper
noted that Pelosi rejected the White House's criticism of the visit
and said "Bush wants to act as a king and to have carte blanche to
conduct foreign policy as he wishes."
End of summary.
2. Selected Headlines:
"Damascus reiterates rejection of secret talks with Israel. Foreign
Ministry: Suleiman's statements don't reflect Syria's viewpoint.
Bilal: Suleiman's statements express his own point of view"
(Government-owned Al-Ba'th, 4/15)
"President Asad condemns the terrorist bombings in Algiers and
Casablanca" (Government-owned Al-Thawra, 4/13)
"FM Mouallem reiterates to the Palestinian Legislative Council
delegation the importance of unifying ranks in the face of Israeli
practices" (Government-owned Al-Thawra, 4/13)
"Pelosi: My visit to Syria was good; Bush will not get carte
blanche to conduct foreign policy as he wishes" (Government-owned
Al-Thawra, 4/13)
"More than 17 Palestinians wounded in Balain and Salamona. Israeli
occupation uses Palestinian youths as human shields"
(Government-owned Tishreen, 4/14)
"Al-Hoss calls on the government to resign. Karami holds the
government responsible for the continuing crisis. Lahoud:
Endorsing the International Tribunal on the basis of Chapter 7 means
civil war" (Government-owned Al-Ba'th, 4/15)
"Lebanese circles warn against the return of the civil war
atmosphere. Re-arming Lebanese militias aims at enforcing foreign
conspiracies" (Government-owned Tisheen, 4/14)
"The February 14 figures place their wagers on internationalization"
(Government-owned Tisheen, 4/14)
"Killing of 5 US soldiers in Iraq raises death toll among US
soldiers in Iraq to 3298. US Democratic Senator Harry Reed
criticizes Bush: What progress are you talking about?"
(Government-owned Tishreen, 4/14)
"A suicide bomber manages to reach the heavily guarded Iraqi
parliament in the Green Area" (Government-owned Al-Thawra, 4/13)
"Blix, Top UN Weapons Inspector, rules out the pos
sibility of a US
attack against Iran" (Government-owned Tishreen, 4/14)
"While Tehran announces readiness to repel any aggression,
Washington: A military solution is not inevitable. We will be
patient" (Government-owned Al-Ba'th, 4/15)
3. Editorial Block Quotes:
--------------
"King Bush's Illusions"
--------------
Isam Dari, Chief Editor of government-owned Tishreen, commented
(4/14): "In a press interview with NBC News, US House Speaker
Pelosi stated that President Bush 'ignores facts and does not want
to enter dialogue....'
"Pelosi also said that 'Bush wants to act as a king and to have
carte blanche to conduct foreign policy as he wishes....'
"Facts have started to appear before the US public, which was
deceived for years and frightened by massive threats to its security
at home.... The US Administration is fabricating lies to launch
wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and level accusations against Iran,
Syria, and anyone who stands in the way of the neoconservatives'
ambition to control the entire world....
"President Bush thought he was a king and that none of his
'satellites' had the right to disobey him or break his will and
visit Syria, so as not to find out the truth and convey it to
Americans, who thought their Administration was forced to wage wars
to defend them and protect their security, stability, and
prosperity....
"Not only did the US Administration fail to admit its failure and
correct the mistakes of its foreign policy, but it also attacked
anyone who spoke the truth....
"The White House, which is occupied by neoconservatives, -- or let
us say the spokesman for this White House -- was so rude as to
criticize Pelosi because she said that Syria wants peace! Even such
a statement, which is based on the conviction of the Speaker and the
truth of the Syrian position, has become a violation bordering on a
crime punishable by the law of neoconservatives and Bush's Zionist
administration....
"It is true that Bush is not a king, as Mrs. Pelosi said, but his
actions, policies, positions, and intellectual, political, and
military terrorism against his opponents at home and abroad make him
a king, indeed a dictator with a tight grip on the necks of nations
and Americans themselves, who pay a heavy price with their money and
the blood of their sons for the adventures of this dictator, who is
acting outside American and international law and all worldly and
divine norms and conventions....
"It is fortunate that there are sensible people in the United States
who still believe in dialogue among nations and oppose their king
and his illusions and mad adventures, which brought further wars,
destruction, and terrorism upon the world and disasters and shame
upon the American people...."
--------------
"Bush Is Alone"
--------------
Adnan Ali, a commentator in government-owned Al-Thawrah, wrote
(4/14): "US Congressman Tom Lantos' stated that he intends to visit
Syria once again and that he rejects the US administration's policy
toward Damascus....
"Statements by Lantos, who is not known as a friend of Syria,
reflect a growing opposition within the political elite in the
United States, including the Congress, to the policy of Bush's
administration, which is being described in the United States itself
as arrogant and stupid because it is basically based on the use of
force and the attempts to exclude and isolate others....
"Bush today finds himself alone more than ever before. But he has
not yet learned the lessons, and there are those who still feed his
illusions in Iraq and the region and, indeed, motivate him to commit
new follies, perhaps against Iran or others...."
--------------
"Pretending Speaker"
--------------
Izz-al-Din al-Darwish, an editorialist in government-owned Tishreen,
wrote (4/14): "In a recent statement, Lebanese Christian leader
Samir Jeajea attacked the Lebanese national resistance, played down
its sacrifices, and said that it has become a burden to Lebanon....
"Jeajea is a bloodsucker who, as a warlord, killed 14,000 people
during the Lebanese civil war....
"Jeajea handed over Lebanese citizens to Israel during the war and
is now sending his militias to receive training in Israel, as
reported by Lebanese, Israeli, and Jordanian media.... The leader
of the Lebanese Forces party, who represents only a small group of
Lebanese, is trying to drag Lebanon toward civil strife and new
civil war....
--------------
"Impasse in Iraq"
--------------
Muhammad Ali Buzah, an editorialist in government-owned Al-Thawra,
wrote (4/14): "President Bush arrogantly refuses to admit his
failure in Iraq and the defeat of his plan....
"The honorable steps that would bring US policy out of its current
crisis and lay the foundations for a just, strong, and comprehensive
peace that guarantees security and stability in the region and the
world, are: acknowledging failure, reconsidering and rationalizing
wrong policies, setting a timetable for withdrawal from Iraq,
leaving the region for its people, stopping interference, ending
support for Israel, refraining from waging Israel's wars by proxy,
and forcing Israel to comply with international resolutions ...."
Corbin