Identifier | Created | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|
07DAMASCUS485 | 2007-05-22 12:47:00 | UNCLASSIFIED | Embassy Damascus |
VZCZCXYZ0000 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHDM #0485/01 1421247 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 221247Z MAY 07 FM AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3512 RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUEHAM/AMEMBASSY AMMAN 6817 RUEHLB/AMEMBASSY BEIRUT 4539 RUEHEG/AMEMBASSY CAIRO 3166 RUEHRH/AMEMBASSY RIYADH 7683 RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV 1763 RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA 5095 RUEHJM/AMCONSUL JERUSALEM 1301 RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL//CCPA// INFO RUEHNC/AMEMBASSY NICOSIA 7426 |
UNCLAS DAMASCUS 000485 |
1. Summary: Syrian papers on May 22 continued to report on clashes in Naher al-Bared refugee camp in north Lebanon. All papers also featured a lecture at Damascus University by FM Mouallem on May 21 praising Syria's foreign policy under President Asad's leadership, saying that "US pressures and attempts to isolate Syria, since the occupation of Iraq, have failed, thanks to the national cohesion in Syria and the people's support of their Leader." He emphasized that dialogue with the US must cover regional issues in order to achieve security and stability here. On the peace process, the Minister stressed that Israel has no desire for peace, and that "the liberation of the Golan remains at the top of Syria's defense and political priorities." Regarding Iraq, the Foreign Minister said the solution has to be political, must preserve the country's territorial integrity and independence, and must set a timetable for withdrawal of foreign troops. On the Palestinian issue, the Minister reiterated Syria's continuous efforts to stop Palestinian civil strife. As for Lebanon, Mouallem renewed Syria's support for what the Lebanese agree upon, pointing out the importance of Lebanon's stability and security for Syria, and saying that "the only way to achieve this goal is through Lebanese national dialogue and formation of a national government." On the international tribunal, the Minister said "the aim of this tribunal under Chapter 7 is to subjugate every country that opposes US hegemony." Regarding the latest events in Lebanon, FM Mouallem made it clear that the so-called "Fatah al-Islam" is an outlawed group whose militants are pursued in Syria and whose activities do not serve the Palestinian cause. Independent al-Watan cited a statement by Bashar al-Jaafari, Syria's Ambassador to the UN, denying any Syrian linkage with Fatah al-Islam and linking violence in Lebanon to the UN Security Council vote on the International Tribunal. Al-Jafaari said that "every time the UN Security Council is scheduled to meet to deal with the Lebanon crisis, there is some kind of trouble, like a bombing, assassination or assassination attempt one or two days earlier." He added that "some people are trying to pressure the UNSC members to adopt the US-British-French draft resolution on the International Tribunal." End of summary. 2. Selected Headlines: "Clashes between the Lebanese army and the Fatah al-Islam group continue. Assaults in Nahr el-Bared, Asharafieh and Verdan raise questions about their timing on the eve on UNSC vote on the International Tribunal" (Independent al-Watan, 5/22) "FM Mouallem: The International Tribunal is one of the US policy's tools to subjugate Syria and the region. The Fatah al-Islam organization is an outlawed organization that does not serve the Palestinian cause" (Independent al-Watan, 5/22) "Syria's Ambassador to the UN, al-Jaafari, links violence in Lebanon to vote on the International Tribunal at the UN Security Council" (Independent al-Watan, 5/22) "Jaafari: There is anxiety at the UN Security Council about a hasty resolution on the International Tribunal" (Government-owned Al-Thawra, 5/22) "Gaza buried its martyrs yesterday. Israel threatens to liquidate Mishal and Hanieh. France denounces Palestinian missile-firing and calls on Israel to practice self-restraint" (Independent al-Watan, 5/22) "Former US president Jimmy Carter calls for holding dialogue with Iran and Syria in accordance with the Baker-Hamilton recommendations" (Government-owned Tishreen, 5/22) 3. Editorial Block Quotes: -------------------------- "Horizons of US Dispute" -------------------------- Muhammad Khair al-Jammali, an editorialist in government-owned Al-Thawra, wrote (5/22): "The debate between Democrats and Republicans, which at the beginning was aimed at correcting mistakes of the current US Administration and reformulating America's relations with the world and the Middle East free from the logic of force and the policy of threats, has now turned into merely an electoral battle in preparation for the presidential election, which will be held more than two years from now. This makes this debate useless as far as the situation in Iraq and the American predicament in that country are concerned.... "For this debate to open onto positive horizons accelerating the end of the American occupation of Iraq and helping the United States come out of its crisis and its successive repercussions there, Iraqis have no option but to continue with their resistance and to increase the losses among occupation soldiers.... Americans have no option but to expose the policy of lies that their administration is pursuing and on which it built the failed war plan in Iraq, and to remove President Bush before he completes his term in office in light of the damage and harm his policy has caused to the interests, economy, reputation, and credibility of the United States...." -------------------------- "They Are Not Regretful" -------------------------- As'ad Abbud, a columnist in government-owned Al-Thawra, wrote (5/22): "During his last visit to Baghdad, British Prime Minister Tony Blair said that he did not regret the war on Iraq.... "Instead of offering an expression of sorrow, a small apology, or a tear for those who are killed daily in Iraq, Blair announced in Baghdad that he does not regret participating in the major historical crime of invading Iraq.... "Mr. Blair, we did not expect you to express regret. If there were any capacity for you to regret, you would not have committed what you have committed. The crime of destroying Iraq was committed in cold blood. Maybe you did not draw up its scenes, but you were certainly an accomplice. Your regret will not do you any good before history.... It has already damned those who destroyed this country with gunpowder, fire, and hatred, hatred toward Arab history, Arab civilization, and Arabs and Muslims...." Corbin |