Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08DAMASCUS372
2008-05-27 14:22:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Damascus
Cable title:
UPDATE: SARG ACTIONS AGAINST SYRIAN DISSIDENTS
how-toVZCZCXRO3989 PP RUEHAG RUEHROV DE RUEHDM #0372 1481422 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 271422Z MAY 08 FM AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5019 INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUMICEA/USCENTCOM INTEL CEN MACDILL AFB FL RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0411
C O N F I D E N T I A L DAMASCUS 000372
SIPDIS
PARIS FOR JORDAN; LONDON FOR TSOU
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/21/2018
TAGS: KDEM PGOV PHUM PREL SY
SUBJECT: UPDATE: SARG ACTIONS AGAINST SYRIAN DISSIDENTS
LIVING IN WEST BEIRUT
Classified By: CDA Michael H. Corbin for reasons 1.4 b and d
C O N F I D E N T I A L DAMASCUS 000372
SIPDIS
PARIS FOR JORDAN; LONDON FOR TSOU
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/21/2018
TAGS: KDEM PGOV PHUM PREL SY
SUBJECT: UPDATE: SARG ACTIONS AGAINST SYRIAN DISSIDENTS
LIVING IN WEST BEIRUT
Classified By: CDA Michael H. Corbin for reasons 1.4 b and d
1. (SBU) Summary: Despite well-founded suspicions that the
SARG may have used the Hizballah insurrection in West Beirut
from May 6-14 to snatch Syrian dissidents in Beirut, our
sources have been unable to confirm that this occurred.
Syrian human rights activists tell us that they have not
heard any substantiated reports that Hizballah or other
pro-Syria factions seized Syrian dissidents in Lebanon.
Embassy contacts in Damascus remain in regular touch with
many Syrian dissidents in Lebanon. End Summary.
2. (C) The May 6-14 Hizballah invasion into West Beirut may
have presented the ideal opportunity for the SARG to ask its
allies to pick up dissident Syrians who believed they were
safe in Lebanese Government controlled areas of Beirut.
Despite reports of such activity, local contacts say they
have not seen any evidence of a Hizballah round-up of Syrian
dissidents in Lebanon. On May 21, human rights activist
Rezan Zeitunah said that all of the Syrian dissidents in
Lebanon with whom she communicates were fine. One was,
however, scheduled to have an interview with Lebanese
security on May 22, she commented. Zeitunah communicates
daily with Lebanon-based Syrian dissidents such as Muhammad
Abdullah, Jihad Hassan, and Ahad al-Hindi.
3. (C) In addition, on May 22 human rights lawyer Khalil
Matook said that he had not heard anything from Lebanon
regarding Hizballah or any other pro-Syrian group arresting
Syrian dissidents and turning them over to Syrian
intelligence. Matook did say that contacts of his in London
had asked about such stories. Matook asserted, however, that
if Syrian dissidents were being rounded up in Lebanon, either
he or one of his colleagues in the human rights community in
Syria would surely have heard about it.
4. (C) Comment: While we would not be surprised to learn of
Syrian inspired action against dissidents in Lebanon during
the recent unrest (and will continue to look for it) we have
not been able to find any evidence to date.
CORBIN
SIPDIS
PARIS FOR JORDAN; LONDON FOR TSOU
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/21/2018
TAGS: KDEM PGOV PHUM PREL SY
SUBJECT: UPDATE: SARG ACTIONS AGAINST SYRIAN DISSIDENTS
LIVING IN WEST BEIRUT
Classified By: CDA Michael H. Corbin for reasons 1.4 b and d
1. (SBU) Summary: Despite well-founded suspicions that the
SARG may have used the Hizballah insurrection in West Beirut
from May 6-14 to snatch Syrian dissidents in Beirut, our
sources have been unable to confirm that this occurred.
Syrian human rights activists tell us that they have not
heard any substantiated reports that Hizballah or other
pro-Syria factions seized Syrian dissidents in Lebanon.
Embassy contacts in Damascus remain in regular touch with
many Syrian dissidents in Lebanon. End Summary.
2. (C) The May 6-14 Hizballah invasion into West Beirut may
have presented the ideal opportunity for the SARG to ask its
allies to pick up dissident Syrians who believed they were
safe in Lebanese Government controlled areas of Beirut.
Despite reports of such activity, local contacts say they
have not seen any evidence of a Hizballah round-up of Syrian
dissidents in Lebanon. On May 21, human rights activist
Rezan Zeitunah said that all of the Syrian dissidents in
Lebanon with whom she communicates were fine. One was,
however, scheduled to have an interview with Lebanese
security on May 22, she commented. Zeitunah communicates
daily with Lebanon-based Syrian dissidents such as Muhammad
Abdullah, Jihad Hassan, and Ahad al-Hindi.
3. (C) In addition, on May 22 human rights lawyer Khalil
Matook said that he had not heard anything from Lebanon
regarding Hizballah or any other pro-Syrian group arresting
Syrian dissidents and turning them over to Syrian
intelligence. Matook did say that contacts of his in London
had asked about such stories. Matook asserted, however, that
if Syrian dissidents were being rounded up in Lebanon, either
he or one of his colleagues in the human rights community in
Syria would surely have heard about it.
4. (C) Comment: While we would not be surprised to learn of
Syrian inspired action against dissidents in Lebanon during
the recent unrest (and will continue to look for it) we have
not been able to find any evidence to date.
CORBIN