Syria/Iran, Syria/France, Syria/PLO, Lebanon, Asad's

UNCLAS DAMASCUS 000735 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/Iran, Syria/France, Syria/PLO, Lebanon, Asad's Speech, Bush/Mideast Peace, Iraq (7/19) ¶1. Summary: Syrian papers on July 19 reported that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will pay a one-day visit to Syria today to meet with President Asad and other senior Syrian officials. Papers also reported VP Shar'a's meeting with Jean-Claude Cousseran, envoy of French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, on July 18. Talks focused on the results of the recent meeting of Lebanese parties in Saint Cloud in France. In this respect, Al-Shar'a stressed Syria's support for every effort leading to an end to the tense situation in Lebanon through a formula acceptable to all Lebanese parties. Shara and Cousseran reiterated the importance of developing and strengthening Syrian-French relations under the new administration of French President Nicholas Sarkozy. Earlier, FM Mouallem met with Cousseran, who reviewed France's efforts to bring the Lebanese parties closer and the results of the conference in Saint Cloud. FM Mouallem confirmed Syria's full support for whatever the Lebanese agree on and its readiness to make every possible effort to help reach agreement among the Lebanese parties to resolve their differences on the basis of respect for the Lebanese constitution and the coexistence formula and in a way that ensures security and stability in Lebanon. Papers also reported the visit to Damascus on July 18 of Farouk al-Qaddumi, Director of the Political Bureau at the Palestinian Liberation Organization, and his meetings with VP Shara and FM Mouallem, who expressed Syria's concern over recent events in Palestine and their repercussions on the future of the Palestinian cause, affirming that the current division only serves the enemies of the Palestinian people and calling on all Palestinian parties to resort to dialogue to end the current crisis. Al-Qaddumi emphasized Syria's important role in attempting to resolve the differences between Palestinian parties and in encouraging them to use dialogue to overcome their differences. End of summary. ¶2. Selected Headlines: "President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran is to visit Damascus today" (Government-owned Tishreen, 7/19) "VP Shara and FM Mouallem confer with Cousseran. Khouchner: Syria contributed to the success of the Saint Cloud meeting" (Independent al-Watan, 8/19) "Syria to the French envoy: We support every possible effort to end the Lebanese crisis. Syria reiterates the importance of boosting Syrian-French relations during the term of President Nicolas Sarkozy" (Government-owned Al-Thawra, 7/19) "Vice-President Shara discusses developments in the Palestinian arena with al-Qaddoumi, head of the Political Department of the Palestinian Liberation Organization" (Government-owned Al-Thawra, 7/19) "The Lebanese army isolates militiamen in Naher al-Bared. Fateh Al-Islam fighters intensify missile firing against northern Lebanon. Nationalist factions: A national unity government is a prelude for resumption of national dialogue" (Government-owned Al-Thawra, 7/19) "Lebanese opposition: We will not allow the governing team to seize the presidency" (Government-owned Al-Thawra, 8/19) "Abbas hints at early elections. UNRWA: The Quartet must exert pressure to open Gaza crossings" (Government-owned Al-Thawra, 7/19) "News circulated of an Israeli intention to turn over authority in two cities in the West Bank to the Palestinian Authority. Abbas prepared for early elections. Hamas rejects" (Independent a-Watan, 7/19) "Analysts: Bush's call for an international conference on the Middle East is an attempt to flee his failure in Iraq" (Government-owned Al-Thawra, 7/19) "The White House: Bush has called for a meeting, not a conference, on the Middle East" (Government-owned Tishreen, 7/19) "US occupation forces step up assault against Baquba. Killing and injury of seven US soldiers in Baghdad" (Government-owned Al-Ba'th, 7/19) "Muttaki: Talks with Washington on Iraq will commence soon on ambassadorial level" (Government-owned Al-Ba'th, 7/19) ¶3. Editorial Block Quotes: -------------- "Culture of Optimism and Satisfaction" -------------- Abdul-Fattah Awad, Chief Editor of government-owned Al-Thawra, wrote (7/19): "In his speech, President Asad offered us a new dose of optimism and satisfaction.... He promoted the culture of optimism as opposed to the culture of frustration that many are trying to promote.... "President Asad was realistic when he said that what was achieved in the past seven years was less than hoped for but more than expected.... The speech was characterized by transparency and frankness and showed that Asad is aware of everything happening in the country, including peoples' discussion of certain issues entailing objective criticism of some points.... "President Asad showed high confidence in the country, the people, and the future.... "Asad made no mention of Lebanon in his speech.... In foreign policy the non-mention of some issues is a message to more than one party." -------------- "'I Will Remain One of You'" -------------- Ahmad Dawwa, a commentator in government-owned Al-Thawra, said (7/19): "Not only did President Asad accurately diagnose our situation with its elements and challenges, pains and joys, but he also sent a noble message on how to use responsibility and citizenship to serve the people and the general interest and to build and strengthen the State so that it will always be able to maintain its security and stability, and, more importantly, its sovereignty, at a time when the violation of sovereignty has become a trend in international relations and in some superpowers' behavior...." -------------- "Do Not Wager on Foolishness" -------------- Khalid al-Ashhab, an editorialist in government-owned Al-Thawra, wrote (7/19): "In his latest press conference, President Bush repeated hackneyed expressions about the Palestinian state and the Arab peace initiative. And because he is really not concerned with those attractive expressions, he showed huge contradiction when he talked, for example, about the need to build on the Arab initiative and then immediately attacked the proponents of the initiative.... "Whenever George Bush has talked about peace, there was a new war he waged or was preparing to wage. And whenever he has talked about democracy, there was some mammoth chaos somewhere in the world. What he said the day before yesterday was not an exception. Judging from our bitter experience in what he says and does, what he said the day before yesterday points to new, hidden bad intentions, the details of which we do not know, but we are used to them being bad.... "Do not wager on what Bush says... We must be alert to any US stupidity during the period that remains of Bush's term in office.... This period does not encourage optimism.... A US stupidity does not require much time and effort by the Bush Administration, but needs much vigilance and effort to repulse and evade...." Corbin