SYRIA REFERENDUM MATRIX: EMBASSY ACTIVITIES

S E C R E T DAMASCUS 000461 SIPDIS SIPDIS NOFORN E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/15/2017 TAGS: PGOV PREL SY SUBJECT: SYRIA REFERENDUM MATRIX: EMBASSY ACTIVITIES REF: A. NEA/ELA OI MAY 11 ¶B. DAMASCUS OI MAY 14 Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Michael H. Corbin for reasons 1.4 b/d ¶1. (S/NF) In response to ref A and as noted in ref B, Post has reviewed the FACT Team's matrix for the May 27 Presidential referendum in which Syrian President Bashar al-Asad will be elected to a second seven-year term. All proposed actions seem fine. Additionally, Post offers the following Embassy action items: -- Artificiality Index: So far the campaign has little popular flavor, with unofficial signs being quickly removed in favor of slick, expensive P.R., banners with the appearance of having been produced spontaneously, and strictly organized tents. We have heard that local businessmen are being required to contribute up to USD 5,000 in cash or kind to the campaign and post-referendum festivities. The names of sponsoring groups and individuals are often listed at the bottom of the propaganda. Post will provide Washington with a list of presidential campaign-related items in addition to their sponsors. We suggest using these facts in our statements and comments leading up to the referendum. Additionally, Post will seek to obtain (security permitting) digital photos of some propaganda, which we will forward to the Desk prior to the referendum. -- Local Liaison with Like-Minded Embassies: Post will host a pre- and post-referendum working meeting with diplomats from like-minded embassies, to coordinate efforts to monitor the plebiscite and issue statements afterward. The Canadian Embassy hosted a similar set of meetings in the run-up and following the election for the People's Assembly, which were well-attended and enthusiastically received. -- Lunch with Civil Society Activists: Charge will host a working lunch with human rights and civil society activists to support any activities linked to the referendum such as monitoring. -- Meeting with Internal Opposition: Emboffs will meet with internal opposition figures for any additional suggestions of actions to influence the population, an assessment of the referendum, and suggested points for a post-plebescite statement. CORBIN