Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09STATE32962
2009-04-03 22:33:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Secretary of State
how-toVZCZCXRO9522 PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHKUK RUEHROV DE RUEHC #2962 0932251 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 032233Z APR 09 FM SECSTATE WASHDC TO ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHDK/AMEMBASSY DAKAR PRIORITY 2343 RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA PRIORITY 2202 RUEHML/AMEMBASSY MANILA PRIORITY 0448 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 3289 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS PRIORITY 3782 RUEHRL/AMEMBASSY BERLIN PRIORITY 0532 RUEHVI/AMEMBASSY VIENNA PRIORITY 7821 RUEHSL/AMEMBASSY BRATISLAVA PRIORITY 9019 RUEHTC/AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE PRIORITY 4891 RUEHRO/AMEMBASSY ROME PRIORITY 0153 RUEHMD/AMEMBASSY MADRID PRIORITY 1247 RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS PRIORITY RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 5561
UNCLAS STATE 032962
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL SY
SUBJECT: SYRIAN NATIONAL DAY ATTENDANCE
REF: STATE 20919
UNCLAS STATE 032962
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL SY
SUBJECT: SYRIAN NATIONAL DAY ATTENDANCE
REF: STATE 20919
1. (SBU) Posts receiving invitations to receptions for
Syria's April 17 National Day are authorized to attend at the
deputy chief of mission level or below. In any substantive
discussion of U.S. policy toward Syria, posts are authorized
to draw from reftel points. This is a one-time authorization.
2. (SBU) Since 2005, the Department has maintained extremely
limited official contact with Syria, a designated state
sponsor of terrorism. President Obama and Secretary Clinton
have committed to sustained and principled engagement with
Syria to advance shared goals and address key concerns. On
February 26, NEA Acting Assistant Secretary Jeffrey Feltman
met Syrian Ambassador Imad Mustapha in Washington. On March
7, Feltman and NSC Senior Director for the Near East and
North Africa Daniel Shapiro met Syrian Foreign Minister Walid
Muallim in Damascus. In the wake of these initial contacts,
Syria has taken limited positive steps, including naming an
ambassador to Lebanon, dispatching Muallim to Baghdad to meet
Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, and agreeing to reopen the
American Language Center in Damascus. As additional
engagement proves fruitful, the Department will undertake a
broader review of its policy on official contact with Syria.
3. (SBU) Please contact NEA Syria desk officer Allison Monz
with questions or for further guidance.
CLINTON
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL SY
SUBJECT: SYRIAN NATIONAL DAY ATTENDANCE
REF: STATE 20919
1. (SBU) Posts receiving invitations to receptions for
Syria's April 17 National Day are authorized to attend at the
deputy chief of mission level or below. In any substantive
discussion of U.S. policy toward Syria, posts are authorized
to draw from reftel points. This is a one-time authorization.
2. (SBU) Since 2005, the Department has maintained extremely
limited official contact with Syria, a designated state
sponsor of terrorism. President Obama and Secretary Clinton
have committed to sustained and principled engagement with
Syria to advance shared goals and address key concerns. On
February 26, NEA Acting Assistant Secretary Jeffrey Feltman
met Syrian Ambassador Imad Mustapha in Washington. On March
7, Feltman and NSC Senior Director for the Near East and
North Africa Daniel Shapiro met Syrian Foreign Minister Walid
Muallim in Damascus. In the wake of these initial contacts,
Syria has taken limited positive steps, including naming an
ambassador to Lebanon, dispatching Muallim to Baghdad to meet
Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, and agreeing to reopen the
American Language Center in Damascus. As additional
engagement proves fruitful, the Department will undertake a
broader review of its policy on official contact with Syria.
3. (SBU) Please contact NEA Syria desk officer Allison Monz
with questions or for further guidance.
CLINTON