Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08MOSCOW2180
2008-07-29 11:36:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Moscow
Cable title:
RUSSIA ON SARG: OPTIMISM BEFORE REALISM
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C O N F I D E N T I A L MOSCOW 002180
SIPDIS
NEA/ELA FOR ERICA MILLER AND STEPHEN NEWHOUSE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/29/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL SY LE RS
SUBJECT: RUSSIA ON SARG: OPTIMISM BEFORE REALISM
REF: STATE 78880
Classified By: Acting Political Minister-Counselor Margaret Hawthorne,
for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L MOSCOW 002180
SIPDIS
NEA/ELA FOR ERICA MILLER AND STEPHEN NEWHOUSE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/29/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL SY LE RS
SUBJECT: RUSSIA ON SARG: OPTIMISM BEFORE REALISM
REF: STATE 78880
Classified By: Acting Political Minister-Counselor Margaret Hawthorne,
for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) Summary. We delivered reftel demarche July 28 to
MFA Syria and Lebanon desk chief Andrei Panov, emphasizing US
concerns over the possibility of Russian arms being diverted
to Hizballah. Overall, Panov characterized Syria's recent
engagement with the international community as positive and
emphasized that Russia considered Syria an important player
in the Middle East and in the peace process. He insisted
that Russia closely monitored its arms sales to Syria and
adhered to international agreements. He stressed that Russia
was against Syrian interference in Lebanese affairs, but
issues between the two countries should be resolved
bilaterally. On Iraq, he noted that Syria's attitude had
improved and they were enhancing their cooperation on border
issues. End summary.
Arms transfers
--------------
2. (C) Panov reiterated that Russian arms sales to Syria
strictly adhered to GOR commitments under international
agreements, and that the Russian government had strengthened
its monitoring of arms sold to Syria. He said there was a
mechanism for control of these weapons and the GOR prohibits
the transfer of these weapons to any third party.
Israeli and Palestinian Issues
--------------
3. (C) Panov said that Syria's acceptance of Israel's
initiative on indirect talks was a good development and
stressed that Syria continued to play a constructive role
concerning Palestine. He cited the Doha accord, possible
direct talks with Israel, and hosting PA President Abbas as
positive signs in this direction. When pressed about Syria's
connections to Hizballah, he responded that Russia did not
consider Hizballah a terrorist group, and noted that Syria
maintained relations with "certain Palestinian groups, but
that was their choice."
SARG Relations with Lebanon
--------------
4. (C) He stressed that Russia was strictly against Syrian
interference in Lebanese affairs, and noted that issues
between Syria and Lebanon should continue to be resolved at
the bilateral level, between "two sovereign nations." He
said that Syria previously stalled on border demarcation
because the ruling majority in Lebanon was too anti-Syrian,
but believed Syria would now reconsider the issue.
Iraq: Syria's Attitude Improved, but Long Border to Patrol
-------------- --------------
5. (C) Panov insisted that Syria had made many positive
changes in its attitude with Iraq. He commented that Syria
was enhancing its cooperation with Iraq, as evidenced by
several high-level Iraqi visitors to Syria. However, he
noted that the long Syrian-Iraqi border and the large numbers
of Iraqi refugees living in Syria made it difficult for Syria
to secure its border completely against foreign fighters.
RUBIN
SIPDIS
NEA/ELA FOR ERICA MILLER AND STEPHEN NEWHOUSE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/29/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL SY LE RS
SUBJECT: RUSSIA ON SARG: OPTIMISM BEFORE REALISM
REF: STATE 78880
Classified By: Acting Political Minister-Counselor Margaret Hawthorne,
for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) Summary. We delivered reftel demarche July 28 to
MFA Syria and Lebanon desk chief Andrei Panov, emphasizing US
concerns over the possibility of Russian arms being diverted
to Hizballah. Overall, Panov characterized Syria's recent
engagement with the international community as positive and
emphasized that Russia considered Syria an important player
in the Middle East and in the peace process. He insisted
that Russia closely monitored its arms sales to Syria and
adhered to international agreements. He stressed that Russia
was against Syrian interference in Lebanese affairs, but
issues between the two countries should be resolved
bilaterally. On Iraq, he noted that Syria's attitude had
improved and they were enhancing their cooperation on border
issues. End summary.
Arms transfers
--------------
2. (C) Panov reiterated that Russian arms sales to Syria
strictly adhered to GOR commitments under international
agreements, and that the Russian government had strengthened
its monitoring of arms sold to Syria. He said there was a
mechanism for control of these weapons and the GOR prohibits
the transfer of these weapons to any third party.
Israeli and Palestinian Issues
--------------
3. (C) Panov said that Syria's acceptance of Israel's
initiative on indirect talks was a good development and
stressed that Syria continued to play a constructive role
concerning Palestine. He cited the Doha accord, possible
direct talks with Israel, and hosting PA President Abbas as
positive signs in this direction. When pressed about Syria's
connections to Hizballah, he responded that Russia did not
consider Hizballah a terrorist group, and noted that Syria
maintained relations with "certain Palestinian groups, but
that was their choice."
SARG Relations with Lebanon
--------------
4. (C) He stressed that Russia was strictly against Syrian
interference in Lebanese affairs, and noted that issues
between Syria and Lebanon should continue to be resolved at
the bilateral level, between "two sovereign nations." He
said that Syria previously stalled on border demarcation
because the ruling majority in Lebanon was too anti-Syrian,
but believed Syria would now reconsider the issue.
Iraq: Syria's Attitude Improved, but Long Border to Patrol
-------------- --------------
5. (C) Panov insisted that Syria had made many positive
changes in its attitude with Iraq. He commented that Syria
was enhancing its cooperation with Iraq, as evidenced by
several high-level Iraqi visitors to Syria. However, he
noted that the long Syrian-Iraqi border and the large numbers
of Iraqi refugees living in Syria made it difficult for Syria
to secure its border completely against foreign fighters.
RUBIN