Iraq, Lebanon, Islam, Palestinian Territories, Peace

UNCLAS DAMASCUS 000775 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: Iraq, Lebanon, Islam, Palestinian Territories, Peace Process (7/30) ¶1. Summary: Syrian papers on July 30 reported Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal al-Miqdad's meeting on July 29 with Under Secretary of the Iraqi Foreign Ministry Mohammad al-Haj Mahmoud focusing on bilateral relations, developments in Iraq and the effects of the increasing influx of Iraqi citizens to neighboring countries and the difficulties that the governments of these countries endure to provide their basic needs. Al-Miqdad stressed that the occupying forces in Iraq must take responsibility for the urgent situation of the Iraqi people, stating that Syria is willing to cooperate with the Iraqi government and the international community to provide their needs. He reiterated the importance of preparing conditions for their return to their homes as soon as possible. For his part, Mahmoud expressed the gratitude of the Iraqi government and people for Syria's hospitality in hosting Iraqi citizens, affirming the Iraqi government's determination to shoulder its responsibilities toward its citizens. Papers also featured deliberations of the ministerial consultative meeting to meet the health needs of Iraqis in neighboring countries, which kicked off on July 29. The meeting was organized by the World Health Organization (WHO) with the participation of Health Ministries in Syria, Jordan, Egypt and Iraq and related UN organizations. Syrian Health Minister Maher al-Hussami highlighted the health services provided to Iraqi citizens in Syria who left their country due to the loss of security and stability in Iraq. Al-Hussami criticized negligence of the international community in providing aid to the increasing number of Iraqis in neighboring countries. He also stated that the deteriorating health services in Iraq are one of the main reasons of immigration from Iraq. All papers reported that 100 scholars and imams from the five continents took part in an international one-week Forum for Islamic scholars and Imams, which started on July 29 to promote moderation and show values of coexistence among Islamic nations. The Forum was held at Sheikh Ahmad Kuftaro Foundation in Damascus where the foundation's Director General Salah al-Din Kuftaro, along with scholars from Algeria, Kuwait and Iraq, stressed that the aim of this Forum is to draft a plan for cooperation and rapprochement among Islamic organizations in the world. End of summary. ¶2. Selected Headlines: "Deputy Foreign Minister al-Miqdad reviews impacts of the increasing influx of Iraqi citizens to neighboring countries with al-Haj Mahmoud, Under Secretary of the Iraqi Foreign Ministry, stressing the necessity of the occupation to shoulder its responsibilities" (Government-owned Tishreen, 7/30) "Under-Secretary of the Iraqi Foreign Ministry expresses gratitude for Iraq's government and people for Syria's hospitality in hosting Iraqi citizens. "Moratinos: The Lebanese are responsible for solving their crisis. French Foreign Minister Kouchner: I will come back to Beirut" (Government-owned Al-Thawra, 6/30) "The first anniversary of the second Qana massacre was commemorated in Lebanon. Kouchner sees progress in his talks in Lebanon" (Government-owned Tishreen, 7/30) "President Bush's generosity to Israel: Maintaining Israel's military supremacy over countries of the region, and an additional $30 billion in US aid. Rice and Gates to the region today to promote a rotten commodity" (Government-owned Tishreen, 7/30) "Scores of Palestinians pass to Gaza. Abbas in Moscow seeking support" (Independent al-Watan, 7/30) "An international Forum for Scholars and Imams calling for moderation and values of coexistence" (Government-owned Tishreen, 7/30) ¶3. Editorial Block Quotes: -------------- "A Scenario Underway" -------------- Abd-al-Fattah Al-Awad, Chief Editor of government-owned Al-Thawra, wrote (7/30): "There are a number of future American scenarios with regard to the Iraqi war and the region. One of these scenarios is an announcement by the US Administration, under pressure from home and abroad, that the time has come for withdrawal from Iraq because of the failure of the Iraqi government to accomplish its mission and play its role.... "Another scenario is further American indulgence in the military and political madness through the expansion of the regional conflict.... A third scenario is the search for a publicity breakthrough where the failure is covered up by an opportunity for success somewhere.... The current American talk about peace in the Middle East in this context can be seen within this context.... "Other scenarios include authorizing Israel to ignite the region, and spreading instability in the Middle East through the creation of sectarian strife and other conflicts...." -------------- "Alarming Signal" -------------- Ahmad Dawwa, an editorialist in government-owned Al-Thawra, wrote (7/30): "The United States is dealing with the crisis of the Iraqi refugees as a secondary problem.... We wonder if the American-British occupation seeks to drive Iraqis to vacate Iraq.... "All indications and information say that the problem is continuing and escalating and that the occupation is not taking any real measures to guarantee the return of these refugees in the foreseeable future. This creates a new tragic situation to these refugees.... "Providing the necessary assistance to Iraqi refugees in the countries that host them is important and urgent. Failure to do this would only worsen their problems and heighten their tragedy in light of their long stay. But this is not the alternative to the solution; namely, working speedily to provide the circumstances for their return to Iraq as soon as possible. Here, the basic responsibility lies with the occupation and also with the international community and its establishments, which were lax in their opposition to the occupation of Iraq, especially the Security Council, which deals with the issue of Iraqi refugees as if it does not exist.... "The US Administration's approach to the issue of Iraqi refugees indicates that it wants either to tamper with Iraq's demography or export the problems that resulted from the occupation to the neighboring countries in the hope that this would help to promote the 'creative chaos' theory.... "The international community must pressure the occupation to shoulder its responsibility by looking after the existing refugees and stopping the Iraqi exodus at any price...." -------------- "The End of the Al-Maliki Government" -------------- Marwan Qabalan, an editorialist in government-owned Al-Watan, wrote (7/30): "The political and security developments in Iraq indicate that the fall of the al-Maliki government is imminent.... After more than one year in power, the Al-Maliki government has "failed to score any tangible achievements on the level of either the national reconciliation process or the control of the wild sectarian violence and the achievement of a reasonable degree of stability.... "Instead of acting as a prime minister of the entire Iraqi people, Al-Maliki established himself as a leader of a party or a trend that prevailed over part of its country and people. "The only factor delaying the fall of the Al-Maliki government is the American desire to evade a political earthquake hindering the Iraqi parliament's approval of a number of laws, notably the oil and gas Law...." -------------- "An International Conference, Bush's New Lie" -------------- Salim Abbud, a columnist in government-owned Al-Thawra, wrote (7/30): "President Bush's desire for peace in the Middle East and his call for a peace conference in September is an attempt to re-draw attention to the American role, which is suffering a serious fracture in the region and the rest of the world.... "Bush is working to further divide the Arab world into moderates and extremists and serve Israel and its expansionist objectives.... The joint visit by Condoleezza Rice and Robert Gates to the region suggests that the US Administration is preparing for one of two things, or for both: First to recruit parties in the region to support Bush's policy in Iraq, and second is to mobilize the energies of the countries of the region in the face of the so-called Iranian threat or the Hizbollah threat...." Corbin