Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BEIRUT733
2009-07-01 07:15:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Beirut
Cable title:
Lebanon: Media Reaction - June 30, 2009
how-toO 010715Z JUL 09 FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5241 NSC WASHDC PRIORITY ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE PRIORITY EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE PRIORITY USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY USMISSION USNATO PRIORITY CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL//CCPA PRIORITY
UNCLAS BEIRUT 000733
STATE FOR NEA/ELA - LAWSON, NEA/ELA - IRWIN, NEA/PPD, R,
INR/R/MR, INR,
NSC - MCDERMOTT
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREF PREL KMDR OPRC KPAO KISL KPAL LE
SUBJECT: Lebanon: Media Reaction - June 30, 2009
Atmospherics:
--------------
Media outlets highlighted the Syrian-Saudi consultations that were
taking place in Damascus regarding the formulation of the new
Lebanese government. The media noted that these Saudi-Syrian
consultations seemed more important than Prime Minister-designate
Saad Hariri's consultations with parliamentary blocks in Beirut.
The media seemed undecided on whether these Syrian-Saudi
consultations will give Syria back the role it used to play in
Lebanon before its troops withdrew in 2005. A number of media
outlets seemed apprehensive, while others noted that a dual
Syrian-Saudi role in Lebanon will be constructive, remove obstacles,
and facilitate the formation of a new government.
Selected Headlines
--------------
"...King Abdallah to Visit Damascus" Independent al-Balad
"The Government Between Damascus, Riyadh, and Paris" Pro-opposition
Al-Akhbar
"Assad Discusses with King Abdallah's Envoy the Arab Situation and
Developments in Lebanon" pan-Arab Al-Hayat
"Saudi-Syrian Understanding Produces Positive Transformation.
...Khojah in Beirut" Mainstream Sunni Al-Liwa'
Block Quotes:
--------------
"Syria Will Not Exchange 'Money Capital with Its Interest Only' and
Will Not Pay for a Role it Does Not Want," an editorial by Imad
Marmal in Arab nationalist As-Safir (6/30):
"If you want to know what is going on in Beirut, you will have to
know what is going on between Damascus and Riyadh. This regional
formula had an impact on Lebanon before, and it seems that it will
have an important impact today. ...It is clear that Saudi Arabia is
looking for a Saudi-Syrian dual role in managing Lebanese affairs.
Saudi Arabia believes that Syria will be attracted to playing this
role with Saudi Arabia, and eventually it will be lenient on issues
related to demarcation of the border with Lebanon, Palestinian
weapons in Lebanon and other issues. ...Syria, however, is looking
at this issue differently. It believes that its current position on
Lebanon keeps it inside and outside Lebanon at the same time. Syria
believes that this position suits its interests bcause it makes her
look as if it respects Lebano's sovereignty and independence..."
"The Syrian-Saudi Meetings Compete With Government Formulation," an
editorial by Rosana Bou-Monsef in moderate, anti-Syrian An-Nahar
(6/30):
"...Political sources say that the visit by King Abdallah's son to
Damascus, that was officially announced through the Syrian media,
went into details regarding government formulation in Lebanon.
...These sources believe, however, that it is too early to believe
that Syria's conditions and position on the March 14 will change
despite the Saudi visits. The Syrians do not give gifts for
free...and they are certainly not going to gift to Prime-minister
designate Hariri by facilitating the government formulation. ...In
contrast, there are those who believe that a positive and
constructive Syrian role in Lebanon is a step towards building
normal relations between the two countries...and will eventually put
the Syrian-Lebanese relations on the right track..."
Sison
STATE FOR NEA/ELA - LAWSON, NEA/ELA - IRWIN, NEA/PPD, R,
INR/R/MR, INR,
NSC - MCDERMOTT
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREF PREL KMDR OPRC KPAO KISL KPAL LE
SUBJECT: Lebanon: Media Reaction - June 30, 2009
Atmospherics:
--------------
Media outlets highlighted the Syrian-Saudi consultations that were
taking place in Damascus regarding the formulation of the new
Lebanese government. The media noted that these Saudi-Syrian
consultations seemed more important than Prime Minister-designate
Saad Hariri's consultations with parliamentary blocks in Beirut.
The media seemed undecided on whether these Syrian-Saudi
consultations will give Syria back the role it used to play in
Lebanon before its troops withdrew in 2005. A number of media
outlets seemed apprehensive, while others noted that a dual
Syrian-Saudi role in Lebanon will be constructive, remove obstacles,
and facilitate the formation of a new government.
Selected Headlines
--------------
"...King Abdallah to Visit Damascus" Independent al-Balad
"The Government Between Damascus, Riyadh, and Paris" Pro-opposition
Al-Akhbar
"Assad Discusses with King Abdallah's Envoy the Arab Situation and
Developments in Lebanon" pan-Arab Al-Hayat
"Saudi-Syrian Understanding Produces Positive Transformation.
...Khojah in Beirut" Mainstream Sunni Al-Liwa'
Block Quotes:
--------------
"Syria Will Not Exchange 'Money Capital with Its Interest Only' and
Will Not Pay for a Role it Does Not Want," an editorial by Imad
Marmal in Arab nationalist As-Safir (6/30):
"If you want to know what is going on in Beirut, you will have to
know what is going on between Damascus and Riyadh. This regional
formula had an impact on Lebanon before, and it seems that it will
have an important impact today. ...It is clear that Saudi Arabia is
looking for a Saudi-Syrian dual role in managing Lebanese affairs.
Saudi Arabia believes that Syria will be attracted to playing this
role with Saudi Arabia, and eventually it will be lenient on issues
related to demarcation of the border with Lebanon, Palestinian
weapons in Lebanon and other issues. ...Syria, however, is looking
at this issue differently. It believes that its current position on
Lebanon keeps it inside and outside Lebanon at the same time. Syria
believes that this position suits its interests bcause it makes her
look as if it respects Lebano's sovereignty and independence..."
"The Syrian-Saudi Meetings Compete With Government Formulation," an
editorial by Rosana Bou-Monsef in moderate, anti-Syrian An-Nahar
(6/30):
"...Political sources say that the visit by King Abdallah's son to
Damascus, that was officially announced through the Syrian media,
went into details regarding government formulation in Lebanon.
...These sources believe, however, that it is too early to believe
that Syria's conditions and position on the March 14 will change
despite the Saudi visits. The Syrians do not give gifts for
free...and they are certainly not going to gift to Prime-minister
designate Hariri by facilitating the government formulation. ...In
contrast, there are those who believe that a positive and
constructive Syrian role in Lebanon is a step towards building
normal relations between the two countries...and will eventually put
the Syrian-Lebanese relations on the right track..."
Sison