Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08DAMASCUS319
2008-05-08 14:57:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Damascus
Cable title:
UPDATE ON POST EFFORTS TO PROMOTE DEMOCRACY
how-toVZCZCXRO8685 PP RUEHAG RUEHROV DE RUEHDM #0319 1291457 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 081457Z MAY 08 FM AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4943 INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD PRIORITY 0858 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY RUMICEA/USCENTCOM INTEL CEN MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L DAMASCUS 000319
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR DRL/SEA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/07/2018
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL SY
SUBJECT: UPDATE ON POST EFFORTS TO PROMOTE DEMOCRACY
OUTREACH IN SYRIA
REF: A. STATE 44903
B. 07 DAMASCUS 888
C. 07 DAMASCUS 1106
D. 07 DAMASCUS 1140
E. 07 DAMASCUS 1144
F. 07 DAMASCUS 1156
G. 07 DAMASCUS 1184
H. DAMASCUS 02
I. DAMASCUS 61
J. DAMASCUS 66
K. DAMASCUS 176
L. DAMASCUS 224
M. DAMASCUS 227
N. DAMASCUS 271
O. 07 DAMASCUS 1193
Classified By: CDA Michael Corbin, for reasons 1.4 b/d.
C O N F I D E N T I A L DAMASCUS 000319
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR DRL/SEA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/07/2018
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL SY
SUBJECT: UPDATE ON POST EFFORTS TO PROMOTE DEMOCRACY
OUTREACH IN SYRIA
REF: A. STATE 44903
B. 07 DAMASCUS 888
C. 07 DAMASCUS 1106
D. 07 DAMASCUS 1140
E. 07 DAMASCUS 1144
F. 07 DAMASCUS 1156
G. 07 DAMASCUS 1184
H. DAMASCUS 02
I. DAMASCUS 61
J. DAMASCUS 66
K. DAMASCUS 176
L. DAMASCUS 224
M. DAMASCUS 227
N. DAMASCUS 271
O. 07 DAMASCUS 1193
Classified By: CDA Michael Corbin, for reasons 1.4 b/d.
1. (SBU) This is an action response to ref A.
2. (C) Since Post's last update on our activities to
promote democracy (Ref B),the Syrian regime cracked down
severely on human rights and democracy advocates (Ref E, F,
G, H, I, J, K). We have continued to meet with our
democracy, human rights, and civil society contacts on a
limited basis to avoid exposing them to more government
scrutiny (Refs C-N). We have used visiting CODELs to
advocate on behalf of democracy issues with Syrian leaders
(including President Asad) and to urge the Syrian government
to release democracy advocates still in jail (Refs D and H).
We continue to attend trials of reform advocates (Refs I, J,
N.) Post is grateful for positive Department and White House
responses to our recommendations for statements calling on
the SARG to refrain from persecuting Kurds participating in
tradition Nouruz celebrations (Ref M) and to release Syrian
reform advocates from prison (Ref G and N). Embassy Damascus
will continue to look for opportunities to implement our
democracy strategy (Ref O).
CORBIN
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR DRL/SEA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/07/2018
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL SY
SUBJECT: UPDATE ON POST EFFORTS TO PROMOTE DEMOCRACY
OUTREACH IN SYRIA
REF: A. STATE 44903
B. 07 DAMASCUS 888
C. 07 DAMASCUS 1106
D. 07 DAMASCUS 1140
E. 07 DAMASCUS 1144
F. 07 DAMASCUS 1156
G. 07 DAMASCUS 1184
H. DAMASCUS 02
I. DAMASCUS 61
J. DAMASCUS 66
K. DAMASCUS 176
L. DAMASCUS 224
M. DAMASCUS 227
N. DAMASCUS 271
O. 07 DAMASCUS 1193
Classified By: CDA Michael Corbin, for reasons 1.4 b/d.
1. (SBU) This is an action response to ref A.
2. (C) Since Post's last update on our activities to
promote democracy (Ref B),the Syrian regime cracked down
severely on human rights and democracy advocates (Ref E, F,
G, H, I, J, K). We have continued to meet with our
democracy, human rights, and civil society contacts on a
limited basis to avoid exposing them to more government
scrutiny (Refs C-N). We have used visiting CODELs to
advocate on behalf of democracy issues with Syrian leaders
(including President Asad) and to urge the Syrian government
to release democracy advocates still in jail (Refs D and H).
We continue to attend trials of reform advocates (Refs I, J,
N.) Post is grateful for positive Department and White House
responses to our recommendations for statements calling on
the SARG to refrain from persecuting Kurds participating in
tradition Nouruz celebrations (Ref M) and to release Syrian
reform advocates from prison (Ref G and N). Embassy Damascus
will continue to look for opportunities to implement our
democracy strategy (Ref O).
CORBIN