Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08DAMASCUS471
2008-07-02 16:03:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Damascus
Cable title:
NORWEGIAN FM VISITS DAMASCUS, JUSTIFIES ENGAGING
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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.
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
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