Asad Nomination/Referendum, Syria/Yemen, Syria/France,

UNCLAS DAMASCUS 000448

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: Asad Nomination/Referendum, Syria/Yemen, Syria/France,
Iraq, Palestinian Territories,
(5/14)


1. Summary: Syrian papers on May 14 reported President Asad's
meeting on May 13 with the Speaker and selected members of the
People's Assembly, who conveyed to the President the Assembly's
approval of the nomination of the President for a new term of office
and its selection of May 27th as the date for the popular
referendum. They stressed that the referendum will be a national
occasion to show the Syrian people's support for the President and
his positions, which express the pulse of the street. In this
connection, Syrian papers published a number of articles praising
President Asad's policies and noting Syria's accomplishments under
his rule.

Papers also reported President Asad's meeting on May 13 with
Yemeni Foreign Minister Abu Bakr al-Qurbi, who conveyed a message
from Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh on the latest developments
in the region, bilateral relations, and the role that Yemen can play
alongside Syria in enhancing security and stability and achieving a
just and comprehensive peace in the region in accordance with the
Arab peace initiative. FM al-Qurbi underscored the significance of
continued coordination and consultation between Syria and Yemen to
serve the interests of the two countries and peoples and help boost
joint Arab action. Al-Qurbi also met with VP Shara and FM Mouallem.


Government-owned Al-Thawra carried a statement by Lucien Bitterlin,
Chairman of the Arab-French Friendship Association, that "Syria is
the key to peace in the region". Bitterlin expressed solidarity and
support for Syrian efforts under the leadership of President Asad to
achieve stability and security in the region.

End of summary.


2. Selected Headlines:

"President Asad receives the People's Assembly's approval of the
nomination of President Asad for a new term of office"
(Government-owned Tishreen, 5/13)

"The Syrian people look forward to May 27th to exercise a
constitutional right and a national duty through the referendum for
a second constitutional term for President Asad. The National
Progressive Front: The referendum means continuing on the path of
steadfastness, development, and national dignity" (Government-owned
Tishreen, 5/14)

"President Asad receives a message from Yemeni President Ali
Abdullah Saleh on latest regional developments and bilateral
relations" (Government-owned Tishreen, 5/14)

"Lucien Bitterlin, Chairman of the Arab-French Friendship
Association: Syria is a pivotal country in the region"
(Government-owned Al-Thawra, 5/14)

"President Mubarak: No Arab leader dares to make a concession on
the Palestinian right of return in the Arab Peace Initiative"
(Government-owned Tishreen, 5/14)

"Failure of the security Plan in the Gaza Strip. Four Palestinians
killed in intra-Palestinian clashes" (Government-owned Al-Ba'th,
5/14)

"US military enforcements to Diyala. 250 Iraqis victimized by two
explosions in Baghdad and northern Iraq" (Government-owned Al-Ba'th,
5/14)


3. Editorial Block Quotes:

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"Secrets of Syria's Power"

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Ahmad Dawwa, a commentator in government-owned Al-Thawra, wrote
(5/14): "Many in the region and beyond thought that the vicious


campaign of pressure and threats against Syria, in which some Arab
forces participated and to which they devoted funds and other means,
would end with tragic consequences for the country....

"But Syria stood fast in the face of the storm, and events and
developments proved that its policy was right and its role was
pivotal. Moreover, Syria is being counted on regionally and
internationally to spare the peoples of the region the repercussions
of what the advocates of wars and chaos did that jeopardized
security and stability of the world ....

"The secret of Syria's power lies in the fact that it never
bargained over any of its rights and never accepted the language of
orders and pressure.

"Syria's power also lies in its dependence on itself and its
potentials, which increase day after day through the efforts of its
sons, despite the surrounding political circumstances, and under the
leadership of President Asad, who guides, follows up, and encourages
reform projects on all levels...."

--------------

"Arabs and Losing Bets"

--------------

Muhi Eddin Mohamed, a commentator in government-owned Tishreen,
wrote (5/14): "The political winds in the US, France and the UK do
not do Arabs any good, even though the new leaders sympathize with
Arabs. Arabs must sympathize with each other and must defend their
interests, rights, wealth and territories if they are really
concerned about living as dignified people, not as satellites....

"We have had enough bets on changing leaders and politicians all
over the world. So far we have not reaped anything, because of the
absence of joint Arab action on the political, military and economic
levels.... In order to confront future challenges, Arabs must learn
the lesson of Syria's insistence on its rights, its persistence in
national and pan-Arab principles, and its rejection of bargaining on
its national and regional security. Syria has succeeded in
confronting fierce storms and in foiling US pressure by controlling
the recklessness of extremists and neoconservatives, even if only
partially. Syria has also succeeded in changing world public
opinion toward Arab causes. Will Arabs learn from the lessons of
history...?"

Corbin