SYRIAN AL-RA,Y TV SHOWCASING COALITION AND IRAQI

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 DAMASCUS 000698

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/FO AND NEA/ELA
NSC FOR ABRAMS/SINGH/MCDERMOTT
PARIS FOR WALLER
LONDON FOR TSOU

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/05/2018
TAGS: PGOV PTER PREL SY KPAO
SUBJECT: SYRIAN AL-RA,Y TV SHOWCASING COALITION AND IRAQI
FORCE DEATHS/INJURIES

Classified By: CDA Maura Connelly for reasons 1.5 b and d.


1. (C) Summary: Former Al-Ra'y TV correspondent Ibrahim
Al-Jabeen (protect) told us on September 28 that Syria-based
Al-Ra,y TV had assumed the Iraq-based Al-Zawraa TV,s former
role of showcasing Iraqi militant attacks on Coalition and
Iraqi forces. Although Mish,an Al-Jaburi,s wife, Al-Usta,
owns the channel, according to Al-Jabeen she has no role in
its day-to-day operations as Al-Jaburi makes all editorial
decisions. PAS confirmed the content of the programming,
which included graphic videos of attacks against Coalition
and Iraqi forces as well as editorial commentary disparaging
Arab leaders, save for President Asad. End Summary.

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Al-Ra,y TV: The Owner, Programs, and Viewership
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2. (C) PAS staff met with former Al-Ra'y TV correspondent
Ibrahim Al-Jabeen (protect) on September 28 following the
September 16 designation of Al-Ra,y TV and its owner, Raw,a
Al-Usta, under E.O. 12438. Former Al-Ra'y TV correspondent
Ibrahim Al-Jabeen (protect) told us that Syria-based Al-Ra,y
TV had assumed the Iraq-based Al-Zawraa TV,s former role of
showcasing Iraqi militant attacks on Coalition and Iraqi
forces. Al-Jabeen stated that Raw,a Al-Usta, the station's
legal owner, plays no editorial role and that her husband
Mish,an Al-Jaburi -- the former owner of the now-defunct
Iraqi satellite channel Al-Zawraa TV -- makes all the
editorial decisions. (Note: Al-Usta is a Syrian citizen.
Al-Jaburi is not. The Syrian Publications Law of 2001 limits
ownership of media outlets to Syrian citizens. Al-Jaburi and
his previous TV channel, Al-Zawraa TV, have already been
designated under E.O. 13438. End Note.)


3. (SBU) Principally, Al-Ra,y TV broadcasts video clips of
attacks on Coalition and Iraqi soldiers by unidentified
militants. These morbid and bloody scenes are often
accompanied by dramatic music and prayers in what appears to
be an attempt to glorify what the station dubbed, "the Iraqi
resistance." Additionally, the station in its editorial
capacity seeks to discredit Arab leaders, except Syrian
President Bashar Asad. Editorial commentary accuses Arab
leaders of treason and claims they are U.S. and Israeli
"agents." The station features interviews with unnamed
people, often Westerners, who disparage the United States and
its role in the reconstruction of Iraq.


4. (C) Post monitored the channel over recent weeks as both
Arabsat and Nilesat broadcast its signal. During one
program, a Syrian caller who claimed to have fought in Iraq
praised the bravery and "sacrifices of other Syrians who have
fought in Iraq." Calls broadcast on-air originated from Iraq
and Syria and from as far away as Egypt and Morocco.

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The Man Behind Al-Ra,y TV
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5. (C) Al-Jabeen noted Al-Jaburi was a close ally to Uday
Hussein before the 2003 war, and claimed that Jaburi had
acquired his fortune from his involvement with the UN
Oil-for-Food Program. Jaburi apparently used this wealth to
fund Al-Ra,y TV and a separate Damascus-based newspaper,
"Al-Ittijah Al-Akher," which he claimed is the "mouthpiece
for the Iraqi resistance." The former correspondent
described Al-Jubari as &tough and ruthless," dealing with
his employees in a "brutish manner." This treatment led
Al-Jabeen and the TV manager, Dr. Yahya Al-Aridi, to resign.
According to Al-Jabeen, others have left the station for
similar reasons, including Al-Jaburi,s own son. Al-Jabeen
hinted at rumors Al-Jaburi may have even shot at one of his
reporters. (Note: Al-Jaburi was an Iraqi National Council
member and a former Governor of Mosul; however, corruption
accusations marred his political career causing him to flee
to Syria. End Note.)


6. (C) Comment: Al-Ra,y may be targeting audiences in
Iraq, but its presence on major satellite providers broadens
the platform for its clearly anti-American messages. Due to
strained U.S.-Syrian bilateral relations and Al-Jaburi,s
carefully choreographed praise of President Asad, the SARG is
unlikely to take action against the station. Noting its
increasingly negative tone toward other Arab governments,

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Post believes now may be the time to call on pan-Arab
satellite providers like Arabsat and Nilesat to discontinue
broadcasting Al-Ra,y TV. End Comment.
CONNELLY