FELTMAN-SHAPIRO MARCH 7 DISCUSSIONS WITH SYRIAN FM

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 DAMASCUS 000192

NOFORN
SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR M, NEA/FO, NEA/ELA, OBO, AND DS
NSC FOR SHAPIRO
PARIS FOR WALLER, LONDON FOR TSOU

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/12/2029
TAGS: PREL ASEC CASC ETRD ETTC SY
SUBJECT: FELTMAN-SHAPIRO MARCH 7 DISCUSSIONS WITH SYRIAN FM
MUALLIM ON EMBASSY OPERATIONS, SANCTIONS, AND THE MURAD
CHILD ABDUCTION CASE

Classified By: CDA Maura Connelly for reasons 1.4 b, d.


1. (S/NF) Acting NEA A/S Jeffrey Feltman and NSC Senior
Director for the Near and Near Africa Dan Shapiro met Syrian
FM Muallim on March 7 and urged him to help normalize
operations for the U.S. Embassy in Damascus and the Syrian
Embassy in Washington. In particular, they pressed Muallim
to facilitate U.S. efforts to acquire land and build a new
U.S. Embassy in Damascus, permit the re-opening of the
American Language Center and the Cultural Affairs Center, and
expand access of Embassy officers to the Syrian government
(SARG). In addition, Feltman asked for the SARG's assistance
in helping to favorably resolve the long-standing Murad child
abduction case. Muallim agreed to look at these issues and
asked for U.S. assistance in obtaining export licenses for
maintenance on two Airbus aircraft engines. Feltman and
Shapiro agreed to look into this matter. End Summary.


2. (S/NF) Acting NEA A/S Jeffrey Feltman and NSC Senior
Director for the Near East and North Africa Dan Shapiro met
for three-and-a-half hours on March 7 with Syrian Foreign
Minister Walid Muallim, Vice FM Faisal Miqdad, and
Presidential Advisor for Political and Media Affairs
Bouthaina Shaaban. Feltman's delegation was accompanied by
Charge and Pol/Econ Chief (notetaker.) Feltman and Shapiro's
central message was that the U.S. administration was pursuing
sustained and principled engagement with Syria and other
countries as a matter of policy. The President and Secretary
did not view engagement as a reward, but rather as a tool for
achieving concrete objectives. This cable reports on the
parts of the discussion that dealt with U.S. Embassy
operations, sanctions, and the Murad abduction case. It
should be read in conjunction with septels on discussions
regarding Arab-Israeli comprehensive peace issues,
Palestinian issues, Iraq, Iran, and Lebanon.

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New Embassy Compound
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3. (S/NF) Feltman said we viewed Syria,s cooperation in
the pursuit of a NEC as an important step in shaping a new
relationship. Muallim said he was ready to support the
issuance of visas to a State team to evaluate new locations,
but the Syrian regime,s ability to assist would depend on
where the U.S. wanted to build. Feltman said his visit to
the embassy revealed the poor and unsafe conditions in which
U.S. employees operated and his goal was to see this
situation remedied. Muallim agreed to consider our requests.

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Normal Embassy operations
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4. (S/NF) Feltman argued that both the U.S. Embassy in
Syria and the Syrian Embassy in Washington had borne the
brunt of the poor bilateral relations between the two
countries. He argued that the resumption of dialogue
provided an impetus to establish normal relations between
both capitals and their respective embassies. Muallim agreed
and said he would so long as Ambassador Moustafa received
reciprocal treatment in Washington. He welcomed the Charge
to make contacts with his Chief of Staff and with Vice
Minister Miqdad's office.

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American Language Center
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5. (S/NF) Feltman observed that the Syrian government's
decision to order the closure of the American Cultural
Affairs Center and American Language Center had dealt a blow
to the U.S. Embassy's ability to reach out to Syrians. The
closure of the ALC in particular had come at the expense of
the many Syrian students who were studying there. Feltman
pressed Muallim to agree to the re-opening of the ALC as soon
as possible; staffing, financial, and other administrative
issues would make it impossible to re-open the ALC unless the
Embassy acted soon. Muallim agreed to convey this message
but said that the Syrian government also would be looking for

DAMASCUS 00000192 002 OF 002


gestures from Washington. (Note: Embassy Damascus submitted
a dipnote to the MFA on March 12 announcing its intention to
re-open the ALC on May 1.)

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Safety of Flight Maintenance Waivers
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6. (S/NF) In that regard, Muallim thanked the USG for
issuing licenses to refurbish its two Boeing 747s permitted
under the Syria Accountability Act. Now, he continued, Syria
needed help in getting licenses for Lufthansa to perform
maintenance on two Airbus plane engines. Feltman and Shapiro
reaffirmed the administration's desire not to use safety of
flight technology as a lever on the Syrian government. They
promised to look into the Airbus engine licenses, and Charge
asked Muallim to direct any specific inquiries on other
licensing issues to the Embassy's Commercial officer. (Note:
We understand A A/S Feltman updated Syrian Ambassador Imad
Moustafa on March 11; Embassy Damascus also plans to follow
up with the Syrian MFA.)


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Murad Case
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7. (S/NF) Feltman raised the Murad child abduction case,
saying it was one of personal interest that he had dealt with
as Ambassador to Lebanon and in his current position. The
two Murad children had been abducted by their father in
violation of a U.S. Court order. A Lebanese court had
subsequently affirmed the U.S. Court order awarding Mrs.
Murad custody of the two children. The U.S. now believed
the children were in Syria. Feltman said we would be
grateful for the assistance of the Syrian government in
helping to return the children to their mother. Muallim
asked whether the children were Amcits and/or Lebanese
citizens. Feltman replied they were born in the U.S. but may
have received Lebanese citizenship through their father.
Muallim claimed this was the first time he was hearing about
the case and asked for more information. Charge said the
Embassy would provide the necessary background. (Note:
Embassy Damascus is following up with the MFA. Consular
records show that the Embassy has raised the Murad case with
FM Muallim on at least two previous occasions.)


8. (SBU) Acting NEA A/S Feltman and NSC NENA Senior
Director Shapiro cleared on this cable.

CONNELLY