Syria/Pakistan, Syria/Lebanon, Palestinian Territories,

UNCLAS DAMASCUS 000476 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/Pakistan, Syria/Lebanon, Palestinian Territories, Iraq, Blair (5/18-20) ¶1. Summary: Syrian papers on May 18 reported President Asad's oral message to Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf about bilateral and regional developments, particularly in the Palestinian territories and Iraq. The message was conveyed by Foreign Minister Mouallem when President Musharraf received him on May 17. President Mush arraf expressed keenness to boost and develop ties with Syria in all domains. FM Mouallem also held talks with Pakistani FM Khurshid Mehmood Kasouri about developments in the Middle East and Central Asia, mainly in Iraq and Afghanistan. A memorandum of understanding was signed by Mouallem and Kasouri at the end of the official talks. The memorandum provides for the holding of periodical meetings, alternately in Damascus and Islamabad, to review bilateral relations and exchange opinions on regional and international issues. On Syrian-Lebanese relations, papers reported PM Ottri's meeting on May 19 with Lebanese Islamic Scholar Fethi Yakan. Talks touched on the pressures and challenges facing the Arab and Islamic nation. Papers also reported VP Shara's meeting on May 17 with former Lebanese Prime Minister Salim al-Hoss about the latest developments in Lebanon and the region. The two agreed on the importance of national accord to strengthen civil peace, internal security, and Arab identity in Lebanon to serve the interests of both countries. Al-Hoss also met separately on May 17 with PM Ottri and Mahmmoud al-Abrash, Speaker of the People's Assembly. End of summary. ¶2. Selected Headlines: "A message from President Asad to President Musharraf" (Government-owned Al-Thawra, 5/18) "Syrian-Pakistani political talks in Islamabad. FM Mouallem reviews mutual cooperation and regional developments with Pakistani FM Kashri" (Government-owned Tishreen, 5/19) "Al-Hoss: I reject endorsement of the International Tribunal at the Security Council.... America uses Lebanon as a pressure card" (Government-owned Al-Thawra, 5/18) "Prime Minister Ottri discusses developments in Lebanon and the Arab and Islamic world with Islamic scholar Fethi Yakan. PM Ottri and Yakan: The resistance is facing plots of hegemony" (Government-owned Tishreen, 5/20) "Eight US soldiers killed in Iraq simultaneously with Blair's arrival. Missiles shell the Green Zone" (Government-owned Al-Ba'th, 5/20) "President of the Palestinian Authority Abbas calls on US Secretary of Sate Condoleezza Rice to restrain Israel and stop its violations against Palestinians" (Government-owned Tishreen, 8/20) "Fatah and Hamas reach a new agreement on ceasefire and reiterate the importance of commitment to their agreement in confronting Israeli aggression" (Government-owned Al-Ba'th, 5/20) "Israeli tanks penetrate into northern Gaza. 39 Palestinians killed and injured in the Israeli incursions into Gaza. Factions of Palestinian resistance threaten to retaliate. Israeli settlers evacuate Sedrot settlement" (Government-owned Al-Ba'th, 5/18) "Amr Mousa: Olmert's call to meet Arab leaders is unacceptable" (Government-owned Tishreen, 5/19) "Iran expects failure of the Arab peace initiative. Saudi Arabia objects" (Independent al-Watan, 5/20) "Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sultanov: Ratification of the international court under Chapter 7 is a problem for Russia" (Government-owned Al-Thawra, 5/20) "Welch failed to get approval on presidential candidacy. The Opposition: No secret agreement on the International Tribunal" (Government-owned Tishreen, 5/19) "Lahoud: Welch's visit offered a dose of encouragement for the illegitimate government. The Opposition rejects a neutral government: The solution starts by reshaping the government and foiling foreign custody" (Government-owned Al-Ba'th, 5/18) "Carter: The Bush Administration is the worst in US history... Blair is bad, subservient and a blind supporter of the war in Iraq" (Government-owned Al-Thawra, 5/20) ¶3. Editorial Block Quotes: -------------- "National Unity to Confront a Genocidal War" -------------- Isam Dari, Chief Editor of government-owned Tishreen, wrote (5/19): "Israel can use its formidable war machine, including the American-made air force, in the genocidal war it is launching against the Palestinian people while still assured that no one will act to support a people that is being slaughtered in broad daylight.... "The United Nations has never issued a binding resolution against Israel under Chapter Seven of the UN Charter even though the entire world knows that Israel has engaged in blatant aggression against independent member states of the United Nations, and that there is occupation of Arab territories, and flagrant violations of the UN Charter.... "Chapter Seven was not created to be used against Israel; it was created to be used exclusively against Arabs.... They use this chapter in their search for the killers of one person, but they prevent the United Nations from issuing a single resolution, even without being based on this chapter, condemning Israel and its practices and crimes, which leave hundreds of victims.... "What is disgusting is the US argument that what Israel is doing is self-defense against terrorists.... This American position is not surprising.... Those who annihilated millions of people, from the days of the Red Indians to this day, and who used atomic bombs to destroy cities and who used cruise missiles in Afghanistan and Iraq, do not feel ashamed when they support those who use the same methods against innocents and peaceful people...." -------------- "Action Is Needed" -------------- Ahmad Hamadah, a commentator in government-owned Al-Thawra, wrote (5/18): "The Islamic world is now facing a serious challenge - that from the American occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan.... It has grave security consequences for their collective security.... "The Israeli occupation of Arab territories poses a threat to the security and peace of the entire Middle East.... "The seed of sectarian and ethnic strife that the West is trying to sow is another serious challenge the Islamic world is facing. In light of this, the Islamic nation needs to draw up immediate plans and act collectively and effectively on more than one level to safeguard the interests of its peoples, the stability of its countries, and the security of its regional environment...." -------------- --- "Indications of Blair's Stepping Down from the Political Theater" -------------- --- Ribal al-Ahmar, a commentator in government-owned Al-Ba'th, wrote (5/18): "It is likely that British Prime Minister Tony Blair's decision to step down will be a prelude to the fall of Bush and other leaders of his Republican administration.... "Bush and Blair deceived their own peoples before they tried to deceive the international will, when they decided to launch their aggression on Iraq, ignoring millions of voices rejecting their policies and their barbaric aggression on Iraq.... "Blair's departure will leave Bush alone, because Blair's successor will try to learn the lessons of the past as much as possible and avoid Blair's mistakes regarding the relationship with the US Administration...." -------------- "Outcome of Steadfastness" -------------- Muhammad al-Khadr, a commentator in government-owned Al-Ba'th, wrote (5/18): "Syria, which has come under unprecedented American and European pressure in the past few years, managed the crisis in a way that not only spared Syria the ramifications of the major political earthquakes, but also maintained Syria's outstanding regional position, which Washington, Paris, and some Arabs who move in their orbit, tried to steal from Syria.... "Under President Asad, Syria in the past seven years passed serious tests that tried to harm its pan-Arab role, its commitments toward the Arab-Zionist conflict, its support for the Lebanese resistance, and its bright rejection of the American occupation of Iraq when everyone remained silence on that crime.... "Syrians, while renewing the pledge for the president, proceed behind his banner toward further progress for Syria and the foiling of all attempts to isolate it...." Corbin