CONFUSED AND ANGRY: SYRIAN PUBLIC REACTS TO ALLEGED U.S.

UNCLAS DAMASCUS 000763 DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ELA, NEA/PPD, INR/NESA, IIP, PA, ECA, BEIRUT FOR SISON, GRANT, LENZEN SENSITIVE, SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KPAO PGOV PREL SY SUBJECT: CONFUSED AND ANGRY: SYRIAN PUBLIC REACTS TO ALLEGED U.S. ATTACK ¶1. (SBU) Summary and Comment: Public Affairs Staff reached out to Syrian contacts and monitored online news sources to gauge public opinion following the alleged U.S. military attack in Abu Kamal on October 26. These contacts and sources offered unfiltered and candid responses. Most expressed confusion about the reasoning behind the attack, which has led to widespread speculation about its true aim. Others questioned the reliability of SARG-controlled media reports and the effects of closing U.S. facilities. While the predominant reaction was confusion, some contacts expressed clear anger about the attack. End Summary and Comment. -------------- Why did the U.S. Attack Now? -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Contacts questioned the rationale for the attacks; most believe it was motivated by the upcoming Presidential elections. A journalist stated: "The Americans cannot make Obama win. It is obvious: Bush has done this to frighten the American people and make them vote for the Republicans, who are known for their warrior attitude." A senior editor disagreed: "Even if McCain wins it won't be because of this. The Americans have had enough of war." He attributed the attacks to a U.S. desire to spoil improving Syrian-Iraqi relations: "There are some circles in Washington who are not happy with the improvement in Syrian-Iraqi relations. Prime Minister Otri was about to leave for Baghdad on an official visit that might have changed the face of the region. This did not satisfy those circles, who created this raid to foil the improvement, and this is the result." -------------- "Very Bad, The Worst I Have Seen" -------------- ¶3. (SBU) A well-placed Syrian contact close to the Public Affairs staff observed that anger toward the U.S. is "very bad, the worst" she has seen. She confided that "the issue for people is respect for borders," referring to Syria's national sovereignty. The prevailing view, she said, is that "the U.S. does whatever it wants. We [Syria] need to find a way to retaliate." Another contact stressed that "the Israeli attacks were bad enough, but this [attack] is worse, because people were killed. The [Syrian] government had to take a stance to keep the people's respect. This is the worst thing so far, because it involved scenes of dead children." A greengrocer stated: "The evil Americans -- what else can we expect from them?" -------------- Are the Syrian Media Reports True? -------------- ¶4. (SBU) While the government propaganda machine was in full swing, not surprisingly, its reporting generated some skepticism. A local journalist commented: "The government says there were kids. Journalists who visited the area said they saw seven bodies - all adults." [Note: This refers to an AP report from the funeral of those killed in the attack. The AP reporter noted he saw seven bodies of the reported eight dead, but all appeared to be adults. End Note]. A Syrian political activist stated: "It will relieve us if the White House explains why the raid took place. If it was really about chasing Al-Qaeda, and if the Americans could kill or capture a senior Al-Qaeda figure, it will relieve us. But now it is difficult for us to defend the Administration and even to defend the Embassy." -------------- Public Mixed about Closing U.S. Facilities -------------- ¶5. (SBU) The public has become vocal about the SARG request for the U.S. Embassy to close the American Cultural Center and the Damascus Community School. A female activist questioned, "What can they [students] do now? Where can they go?" She expressed her sympathies for the students who are "negatively affected by politics." Another commented that she hoped it was only a "temporary closure." Other activists expressed personal concern, because many study English at the American Language Center, and asked: "What if the Embassy responds by closing the consular section? Who will be the losers then?" ¶6. (SBU) As news of reported or possible closures began to hit the press, the Educational Advising and Testing Office at the American Cultural Center was flooded with phone calls from students and parents concerned about upcoming tests (SAT, TOEFL, GRE) and how events would affect their ability to study in the United States. They were not deterred. Similarly, Syrian Fulbright nominees e-mailed and called the CAO to express concern about the Cultural Center and its staff's safety and to inquire about their scholarships. ¶7. (SBU) An online commentor asserted that the SARG "has to close the U.S. Embassy until an official response [to the raid] from the USG has been received, to explain that they are cowards and terrorists." Another asked: "Who needs such an embassy?! I hope they [the SARG] kick out the U.S. Ambassador as well." [Note: Embassy Damascus has not had an ambassador since 2005. End Note.] ¶8. (SBU) Comment: Interestingly, most Syrian contacts and on-line commentators expressed not anger, but confusion, over the alleged U.S. attack, in particular its timing. It is also clear that elements within Syria hostile to the U.S. will use this opportunity to foster anti-U.S. sentiment. In the absence of a clear U.S. response to these attacks, many contacts noted, speculation about its true intent will only continue. End Comment. CONNELLY