Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07DAMASCUS394
2007-04-25 12:38:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Damascus
Cable title:
Ban Ki-Moon's Visit, Syria/Qatar, Syria/France, Pelosi,
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UNCLAS DAMASCUS 000394
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: Ban Ki-Moon's Visit, Syria/Qatar, Syria/France, Pelosi,
Iraq, Palestinian Territories, Lebanon (4/24-25)
UNCLAS DAMASCUS 000394
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: Ban Ki-Moon's Visit, Syria/Qatar, Syria/France, Pelosi,
Iraq, Palestinian Territories, Lebanon (4/24-25)
1. Summary: Syrian papers on Apr. 25 reported President Asad's
meeting on Apr. 24 with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, which
focused on Syria's relations with the UN and the necessity of
building confidence and mutual respect between the two sides. Talks
also dealt with the peace process and the situation in Iraq,
Palestine and Lebanon. Ki-Moon also held talks with Vice President
Farouk Shara, FM Mouallem, and Deputy FM Miqdad. In a press
conference before leaving Damascus, Ki-Moon stated: "Syria is a
very important country, and I expect it to play a constructive role
to achieve peace and security in the region." He said he is looking
forward to continuing contacts and joint efforts on the basis of
confidence and friendship to achieve a just and comprehensive peace
in the region and implement Security Council Resolutions 242 and
338. Ki-Moon said that he was encouraged by the commitment that
Syrian President Asad expressed to cooperate fully with the United
Nations on all the issues of the region. He expressed optimism
about Arab leaders' decision to activate the Arab peace plan, saying
this step will help bring about peace in the region.
On Apr. 24 papers reported FM Mouallem's visit to Doha to convey an
oral message from President Asad to Emir Hamad Ben Khalifa Al Thani
of Qatar on Apr. 23 on bilateral relations and latest regional
developments, particularly in Iraq and Palestine. FM Mouallem
reiterated the importance of continuing consultation, cooperation
and coordination on all issues of common concern.
All papers on Apr. 24 featured an interview by
al-Jazeera TV of former French Foreign Minister Roland Dumas, in
which he said that "French President Jacques Chirac had dealt with
the assassination of former Lebanese Premier Hariri in a personal
manner, taking a hasty position towards Syria." "He rushed to
accuse Syria without going deeply into details and without any
study," Dumas added. He called for Syrian-French reconciliation on
the situation in Lebanon, adding, "my position comes from the
conclusions I reached during my work in the French Foreign
Ministry."
End of summary.
2. Selected Headlines:
"President Asad discusses relations between Syria and the UN with UN
Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon. Asad and Ki-Moon reiterate the
SIPDIS
importance of confidence building and mutual respect between the two
sides.
Ki-Moon: The meeting was excellent and Syria is a very important
country. Information Minister Bilal: The visit is a wise step to
get acquainted with regional issues" (Government-owned Al-Thawra,
4/25)
"A message from President Asad to Emir Hamad Ben Khalifa Al Thani of
Qatar on bilateral relations and latest developments in the region
conveyed by FM Mouallem" (Government-owned Al-Ba'th, 4/24)
"US Democratic Presidential candidate John Edwards calls on the US
administration to hold dialogue with Iran and Syria"
(Government-owned Al-Thawra, 4/25)
"Former French Foreign Minister Roland Dumas: President Jacques
Chirac's positions towards Syria are personal, hasty and lacking
depth" (Government-owned Al-Ba'th, 4/24)
"Olmert threatens to reoccupy Gaza. Israeli army gets ready for
assault. Palestinian Prime Minister Hanieh rejects the resignation
of Minister of Interior pending Abbas' return from his European
tour" (Government-owned Al-Ba'th, 4/24)
"The 78th Conference for Boycotting Israel: Practices of the
Israeli occupation require intensifying the boycott of Israel"
(Government-owned Al-Thawra, 4/24)
"The fiercest clashes in Iraq since Bush's announced success of the
Baghdad security plan. Scores of US soldiers killed and injured"
(Government-owned Al-Thawra, 4/24)
"Iraqi city of al-Azameiyah rejects the wall of sectarianism"
(Government-owned Al-Thawra, 4/24)
"Lebanese opposition: Those placing their wager on foreign
interventions are losers" (Government-owned Al-Ba'th, 4/24)
3. Editorial Block Quotes:
--------------
"Only a Reminder"
--------------
Umar Jaftali, an editorialist in government-owned Tishreen, wrote
(4/25): "The UN Secretary General will see for himself that Syria
supports international legitimacy and wants the United Nations to
play its full role in resolving the issues of the region and
implementing UN resolutions....
"Ban will find that Syria is eager to render the role of the United
Nations successful as the international organization works to
achieve security and stability in the region, and that Syria has
never been an obstacle to solutions that seek peace and that are
based on the logic of the law and legitimate international
resolutions...."
--------------
"The Road to Damascus Is the Route to Peace"
--------------
Isa al-Shammas, a columnist in government-owned
Al-Ba'th, wrote (4/24): "US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy
Pelosi's remark that the road to peace passes through Damascus
demonstrates Syria's high standing and advanced position in the
region and its basic role in drawing up the political and economic
present and future of this region within a world built on justice
and equality among the various societies....
"Syria is the important positive factor in the regional arena....
For more than 4 decades, Syria has built its strategy on the basis
of achieving security and stability and establishing a just and
comprehensive peace in the region.... Syria has always adhered to
this strategy despite the pressure.... The US Administration made a
big mistake, indeed a grave mistake that negatively affected the
credibility of its international policy, when it enacted the Syria
Accountability Act, accused Damascus of sponsoring terrorism, and
tried to isolate Syria from its regional environment....
"When it did that, the US Administration ignored the fact that Syria
is not only the living heart of Arabism, but also the heart of the
region and the center of its security and stability, especially with
regard to the Arab triangle 'Iraq, Palestine, Lebanon' -- the
countries whose strong geographic and human bonds with Syria no one
can deny.... Washington isolated itself as a result of that policy,
which the Democrats are now confronting....
--------------
"The Wall of Illusion"
--------------
Dr. Sa'id Musallam, a commentator in government-owned Al-Thawra,
said (4/24): "The concrete wall that Americans are building in
Baghdad to divide the Iraqis will not help bring the security that
the tanks, warships, and smart bombs failed to bring....
"American planners and advisers are obviously unaware of the fact
that the awareness of the peoples of the region and their love for
their countries and lands are bigger and higher than all the walls
in the universe. This new invention by the occupier is nothing but
an attempt to push an elephant through the eye of a needle...."
--------------
"Backwards Progress"
--------------
Ghazi al-Dada, a commentator in government-owed Tishrin, wrote
(4/24): "President Bush is talking about progress in Iraq.... The
US president is an optimism addict....
"If Bush and his war generals insist on talking about progress even
if they see all of Iraq on fire, the facts on the ground in Iraq
prove that the progress they are talking about is nothing but
progress backward. This, too, is one of Bush's many wonders. If
the land of Mesopotamia boasts of the wonder of the Hanging Gardens
of Babylon, Americans can boast of the wonders of their
president...."
--------------
"What New Chapter They Are Talking About?"
--------------
Umar Jaftali, an editorialist in government-owned Tishrin, said
(4/24): "Nothing has changed on the ground to make anyone think
that it is possible to open a new chapter with Israel, one that
begins with normalization initiatives.... Israel continues to stick
to its extremist positions and terrorist policy against the
Palestinian people....
"Israel killed nine Palestinians in the past few days.... This
proves beyond any doubt that Israel is not thinking of peace at
all.... Israel suggests to the world that it is ready for
discussions on the Arab peace plan while in fact it is stalling for
time and working to complete its hostile Judaization plan....
"What happened in the past few days is another lesson to those who
wager on the possibility of a peaceful solution with this Israeli
government, which is led by Olmert and a group of terrorist
extremists who join him in implementing plans of killing, expansion,
settlement, and Judaization of Jerusalem. What is needed more than
ever, therefore, is an effort to expose the continuing Israeli
aggression and a search for ways to respond to the crimes that
Olmert's government commits against women and children who are
killed in cold blood in their houses...."
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: Ban Ki-Moon's Visit, Syria/Qatar, Syria/France, Pelosi,
Iraq, Palestinian Territories, Lebanon (4/24-25)
1. Summary: Syrian papers on Apr. 25 reported President Asad's
meeting on Apr. 24 with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, which
focused on Syria's relations with the UN and the necessity of
building confidence and mutual respect between the two sides. Talks
also dealt with the peace process and the situation in Iraq,
Palestine and Lebanon. Ki-Moon also held talks with Vice President
Farouk Shara, FM Mouallem, and Deputy FM Miqdad. In a press
conference before leaving Damascus, Ki-Moon stated: "Syria is a
very important country, and I expect it to play a constructive role
to achieve peace and security in the region." He said he is looking
forward to continuing contacts and joint efforts on the basis of
confidence and friendship to achieve a just and comprehensive peace
in the region and implement Security Council Resolutions 242 and
338. Ki-Moon said that he was encouraged by the commitment that
Syrian President Asad expressed to cooperate fully with the United
Nations on all the issues of the region. He expressed optimism
about Arab leaders' decision to activate the Arab peace plan, saying
this step will help bring about peace in the region.
On Apr. 24 papers reported FM Mouallem's visit to Doha to convey an
oral message from President Asad to Emir Hamad Ben Khalifa Al Thani
of Qatar on Apr. 23 on bilateral relations and latest regional
developments, particularly in Iraq and Palestine. FM Mouallem
reiterated the importance of continuing consultation, cooperation
and coordination on all issues of common concern.
All papers on Apr. 24 featured an interview by
al-Jazeera TV of former French Foreign Minister Roland Dumas, in
which he said that "French President Jacques Chirac had dealt with
the assassination of former Lebanese Premier Hariri in a personal
manner, taking a hasty position towards Syria." "He rushed to
accuse Syria without going deeply into details and without any
study," Dumas added. He called for Syrian-French reconciliation on
the situation in Lebanon, adding, "my position comes from the
conclusions I reached during my work in the French Foreign
Ministry."
End of summary.
2. Selected Headlines:
"President Asad discusses relations between Syria and the UN with UN
Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon. Asad and Ki-Moon reiterate the
SIPDIS
importance of confidence building and mutual respect between the two
sides.
Ki-Moon: The meeting was excellent and Syria is a very important
country. Information Minister Bilal: The visit is a wise step to
get acquainted with regional issues" (Government-owned Al-Thawra,
4/25)
"A message from President Asad to Emir Hamad Ben Khalifa Al Thani of
Qatar on bilateral relations and latest developments in the region
conveyed by FM Mouallem" (Government-owned Al-Ba'th, 4/24)
"US Democratic Presidential candidate John Edwards calls on the US
administration to hold dialogue with Iran and Syria"
(Government-owned Al-Thawra, 4/25)
"Former French Foreign Minister Roland Dumas: President Jacques
Chirac's positions towards Syria are personal, hasty and lacking
depth" (Government-owned Al-Ba'th, 4/24)
"Olmert threatens to reoccupy Gaza. Israeli army gets ready for
assault. Palestinian Prime Minister Hanieh rejects the resignation
of Minister of Interior pending Abbas' return from his European
tour" (Government-owned Al-Ba'th, 4/24)
"The 78th Conference for Boycotting Israel: Practices of the
Israeli occupation require intensifying the boycott of Israel"
(Government-owned Al-Thawra, 4/24)
"The fiercest clashes in Iraq since Bush's announced success of the
Baghdad security plan. Scores of US soldiers killed and injured"
(Government-owned Al-Thawra, 4/24)
"Iraqi city of al-Azameiyah rejects the wall of sectarianism"
(Government-owned Al-Thawra, 4/24)
"Lebanese opposition: Those placing their wager on foreign
interventions are losers" (Government-owned Al-Ba'th, 4/24)
3. Editorial Block Quotes:
--------------
"Only a Reminder"
--------------
Umar Jaftali, an editorialist in government-owned Tishreen, wrote
(4/25): "The UN Secretary General will see for himself that Syria
supports international legitimacy and wants the United Nations to
play its full role in resolving the issues of the region and
implementing UN resolutions....
"Ban will find that Syria is eager to render the role of the United
Nations successful as the international organization works to
achieve security and stability in the region, and that Syria has
never been an obstacle to solutions that seek peace and that are
based on the logic of the law and legitimate international
resolutions...."
--------------
"The Road to Damascus Is the Route to Peace"
--------------
Isa al-Shammas, a columnist in government-owned
Al-Ba'th, wrote (4/24): "US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy
Pelosi's remark that the road to peace passes through Damascus
demonstrates Syria's high standing and advanced position in the
region and its basic role in drawing up the political and economic
present and future of this region within a world built on justice
and equality among the various societies....
"Syria is the important positive factor in the regional arena....
For more than 4 decades, Syria has built its strategy on the basis
of achieving security and stability and establishing a just and
comprehensive peace in the region.... Syria has always adhered to
this strategy despite the pressure.... The US Administration made a
big mistake, indeed a grave mistake that negatively affected the
credibility of its international policy, when it enacted the Syria
Accountability Act, accused Damascus of sponsoring terrorism, and
tried to isolate Syria from its regional environment....
"When it did that, the US Administration ignored the fact that Syria
is not only the living heart of Arabism, but also the heart of the
region and the center of its security and stability, especially with
regard to the Arab triangle 'Iraq, Palestine, Lebanon' -- the
countries whose strong geographic and human bonds with Syria no one
can deny.... Washington isolated itself as a result of that policy,
which the Democrats are now confronting....
--------------
"The Wall of Illusion"
--------------
Dr. Sa'id Musallam, a commentator in government-owned Al-Thawra,
said (4/24): "The concrete wall that Americans are building in
Baghdad to divide the Iraqis will not help bring the security that
the tanks, warships, and smart bombs failed to bring....
"American planners and advisers are obviously unaware of the fact
that the awareness of the peoples of the region and their love for
their countries and lands are bigger and higher than all the walls
in the universe. This new invention by the occupier is nothing but
an attempt to push an elephant through the eye of a needle...."
--------------
"Backwards Progress"
--------------
Ghazi al-Dada, a commentator in government-owed Tishrin, wrote
(4/24): "President Bush is talking about progress in Iraq.... The
US president is an optimism addict....
"If Bush and his war generals insist on talking about progress even
if they see all of Iraq on fire, the facts on the ground in Iraq
prove that the progress they are talking about is nothing but
progress backward. This, too, is one of Bush's many wonders. If
the land of Mesopotamia boasts of the wonder of the Hanging Gardens
of Babylon, Americans can boast of the wonders of their
president...."
--------------
"What New Chapter They Are Talking About?"
--------------
Umar Jaftali, an editorialist in government-owned Tishrin, said
(4/24): "Nothing has changed on the ground to make anyone think
that it is possible to open a new chapter with Israel, one that
begins with normalization initiatives.... Israel continues to stick
to its extremist positions and terrorist policy against the
Palestinian people....
"Israel killed nine Palestinians in the past few days.... This
proves beyond any doubt that Israel is not thinking of peace at
all.... Israel suggests to the world that it is ready for
discussions on the Arab peace plan while in fact it is stalling for
time and working to complete its hostile Judaization plan....
"What happened in the past few days is another lesson to those who
wager on the possibility of a peaceful solution with this Israeli
government, which is led by Olmert and a group of terrorist
extremists who join him in implementing plans of killing, expansion,
settlement, and Judaization of Jerusalem. What is needed more than
ever, therefore, is an effort to expose the continuing Israeli
aggression and a search for ways to respond to the crimes that
Olmert's government commits against women and children who are
killed in cold blood in their houses...."
Corbin