Events in Northern Lebanon, Mouallem/Ki-Moon,

UNCLAS DAMASCUS 000491 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: Events in Northern Lebanon, Mouallem/Ki-Moon, Mouallem/Mashaal, Jumblatt, Attar, Asad/Referendum, Palestinian Territories, Iraq (5/23) ¶1. Summary: Syrian papers on May 23 reported that FM Mouallem received a phone call on May 22 from UN SecGen Ki-Moon about events in the Nahr al-Bared Palestinian refugee camp in north Lebanon. Mouallem expressed regret over the events, saying, "the leaders of Fatah al-Islam are wanted by the Syrian security apparatus," and adding, "their activities won't serve the Palestinian cause." Mouallem expressed Syria's deep concern about the deteriorating human conditions in the camp. The UN Chief hailed Syria's efforts and contacts to end the deteriorating situation in the camp. Papers also reported FM Mouallem's meeting on May 22 with Khaled Mashaal, Chairman of the Hamas Political Bureau, about the latest developments in the occupied Palestinian territories, particularly the Israeli aggression against Gaza, and the recent developments in northern Lebanon. Mouallem reiterated the importance of maintaining Palestinian unity in light of the Mecca Accord, and the need to implement a ceasefire between Fateh and Hamas in order to confront the continuing Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people in Gaza, calling on the international community to press Israel to stop the aggression and lift the siege on Palestinians. Papers also reported that Syrian Vice President Najah Attar arrived in Moscow May 22 to participate in the international conference on civilizations dialogue to be held in St. Petersburg. End of summary. ¶2. Selected Headlines: "Foreign Minister Mouallem receives a telephone call from UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon on the latest developments in the Nahr SIPDIS al-Bared Palestinian refugee camp in northern Lebanon. Mouallem holds talks with Khaled Mashaal, Chairman of Hamas Political Bureau: Leaders of Fateh al-Islam are wanted by the Syrian security apparatus.... their activities do not serve the Palestinian cause" (Government-owned Al-Thawra, 5/23) "Cautious calm prevails in Naher el-Bared refugee camp. Thousands of Palestinians flee the camp. Tension dominates the other Palestinian camps. A UN humanitarian aid convoy enters the camp. Lahoud warns against weakening the army by internationalizing security in Lebanon" (Government-owned Al-Ba'th, 5/23) "Lebanese powers reiterate the importance of a national unity government and call for a committee to investigate the bloody events in northern Lebanon: Exhausting the army is a rancorous conspiracy to hit stability in Lebanon.... The campaign to settle Palestinian refugees has already started by internationalizing the status of refugee camps" (Government-owned Al-Ba'th, 5/23) "Clashes continue in the neighborhood of Naher el-Bared refugee camp. Al-Saniora requests military aid from the US" (Independent al-Watan, 5/23) "In a press conference in Beirut Jumblatt retracts his testimony to the International Investigation Committee on the al-Hariri assassination, confessing that he provided fake witnesses to incriminate Syria" (Independent al-Watan, 5/23) "China calls for caution in establishing International Tribunal on the al-Hariri assassination" (Government-owned Al-Thawra, 5/23) "Israel continues assaults in Gaza, reinstating its threats to assassinate leaders of Palestinian factions" (Government-owned Al-Ba'th, 5/23) "Palestinian diplomatic moves to stop Israeli military aggression against Gaza. Israel uses internationally prohibited weapons" (Independent al-Watan, 5/23) "Killing of a British soldier in Basra. Scores of Iraqis killed in car-bomb explosions in Baghdad" (Government-owned Al-Ba'th, 5/23) "Vice President Dr. Najah al-Attar in Moscow to participate in dialogue of civilizations conference" (Government-owned Al-Thawra, 5/23) ¶3. Editorial Block Quotes: -------------- "Lebanese Black Comedy" -------------- Ibrahim Darraji, an editorialist in independent al-Watan, commented (5/23): "What is happening in Lebanon since the assassination of late PM Hariri? Whose interests do the continuing violence and tension in Lebanon serve? "We have to contemplate this issue objectively and without the over-simplification and deception used by some politicians of the February 14 team in Lebanon, who have grown accustomed to accusing Syria on every occasion without resorting to reason and logic. We notice that since the al-Hariri assassination it has become a rule for the governing team in Lebanon that whenever they want to settle a controversial issue, a security outbreak or a political assassination takes place for which Syria is blamed, in order to settle the issue in an atmosphere of tension.... "And now with the dispatch of al-Saniora's memorandum to the UNSC to endorse the International Tribunal under Chapter 7, regardless of the positions of the majority of Lebanese political powers and their legislative reservations, it is natural to see a new security outbreak to cover up the governing team's position; and that is what has happened from Tripoli to Beirut.... "Therefore, we must understand the scenario of endorsing the International Tribunal under Chapter 7 within this context.... "What is happening in Lebanon is a political farce with comedians and lots of extras. But unfortunately it is a gloomy and black farce that makes us worry a great deal about Lebanon and pray for it." -------------- "Blair, His Successor and Iraq" -------------- Turki Saqr, a commentator in government-owned Tishreen, wrote (5/23): "With Tony Blair's departure from power next month, the gang of the Iraq invasion will have collapsed from around Bush and the Iraq curse will have hit all the hotheads who supported and backed Bush's decision to occupy and destroy Iraq and commit the greatest crime of the age.... "What worries Bush is that Blair's successor in Downing Street, unlike Blair, is not ready to dispatch British forces to Iraq on orders from the White House to support Bush's preemptive wars.... "The British Prime Minister offered himself as an accomplice to Bush in this crime, which continues to shake the world and to torpedo the security of the Middle East every day...." -------------- "Day of Allegiance" -------------- Omar Jaftali, an editorialist in government-owned Tishreen, wrote (5/23): "The popular rallies and festivities that are being held throughout Syria to express support for President Asad and joy over his nomination for a new term in office show the national unity that Syria is experiencing and reflect Syrians' commitment to offer everything needed to help strengthen the homeland's pride, consolidate its steadfastness, and uphold its national and pan-Arab principles.... "President Asad has emerged as a national and Arab leader who knows how to deal with challenges wisely and in a civilized conduct.... "On the day of the referendum, Syrians will express loyalty to their president, commitment to his policy, and pride in the dignified positions that he has adopted in all domains...." Corbin