NORWEGIAN FM VISITS DAMASCUS, JUSTIFIES ENGAGING

C O N F I D E N T I A L DAMASCUS 000471 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ELA PARIS FOR JORDAN; LONDON FOR TSOU NSC FOR ABRAMS/SINGH/GAVITO E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/02/2018 TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM SY SUBJECT: NORWEGIAN FM VISITS DAMASCUS, JUSTIFIES ENGAGING SYRIA Classified By: CDA Michael Corbin for reasons 1.4 b and d. ¶1. (C) Summary: During a week in which Italian FM Fratini called FM Muallim regarding a possible U/S - level trip in mid-July to Damascus and UN Middle East Envoy Robert Serry heard "positive messages" from Syrian MFA officials, Norwegian FM Store visited Damascus July 1 and reported positive exchanges President Asad and FM Muallim. Careful to note continuing differences with Syria, Store said "dialogue does not mean agreement", but rather engaging Syria was a way of "enhancing the chances of influencing it to become positive." A Norwegian Embassy source said the FM raised human rights issues, which Asad and Muallim deflected. Overall, Store left with "good vibes" regarding Syria's intentions toward the Golan and Palestinian peace tracks. End Summary. ¶2. (C) Norwegian FM Jonas Ghar Store arrived in Damascus July 1 and met with President Asad and FM Muallim. According to a Norwegian Embassy source, store raised human rights and called for the release of prisoners of conscience. Echoing what Bashar told French envoys 10 days earlier, Syrian officials refused to discuss what they called an internal issue. ¶3. (C) Store was upbeat on the Doha Accord but pushed Syria to do more to influence its allies in Lebanon, establish diplomatic relations and demarcate the border. (Note: Coincidentally or not, Bashar subsequently issued a call on Lebanese political parties to act more urgently in forming a government.) Store's conversations focused heavily on Syria's indirect peace talks with Israel, and he reportedly received assurances of Syria's support of the Palestinian track. The Norwegian FM reportedly left satisfied that the SARG was influencing Hamas in a positive direction, and that Syria would be supportive of Palestinian Authority President Abu Mazen during his upcoming visit on July 6. ¶4. (SBU) In a joint press conference with Muallim, Store stressed the importance of bolstering relations between Syria and Europe. FM Muallem called for a full Israeli withdrawal from Shebaa before any demarcation of the border could be negotiated. He also denied recent accusations regarding Syrian participation in the recent fighting in northern Lebanon. ¶5. (C) Comment: Careful not to appear too optimistic about Syria's intentions, Store nonetheless left the impression with Syrian interlocutors that he believed there had been notable progress on the Golan and Palestinian tracks. CORBIN