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AA AADP AALC ABDALLAH FETHI ABDULHADI ABDULRAHMEN ABER ABLD ABLDG ABLG ABMC ABT ABUD AC ACABQ ACAO ACBAQ ACCELERATED ACCOUNT ACDA ACEC ACKM ACOA ACOTA ACS ACTION ADANA ADB ADCO ADCP ADEL ADEP ADIP ADM ADMIRAL ADPM ADRC AE AEC AECL AEGR AEIR AEM AEMED AEMR AER AESC AF AFAF AL HOURANI AFARI AFDB AFDIN AFFAIRS AFGHAN AFGHANISTAN AFIN AFL AFLU AFOR AFR AFSA AFSI AFSN AFU AFZAL AG AGAO AGENCIES AGENDA AGENGA AGIT AGMT AGOA AGR AGRI AGRIC AGRICULTURE AGS AGUILAR AGUIRRE AHMED AI AIAG AID AIDAC AIDS AIEA AIHRC AIN AINF AINFCY AINR AINT AISG AIT AJ AK AL ALAB ALAMI ALANAZI ALBE ALEXANDER ALI ALIREZA ALJAZEERA ALL ALNEA ALOUNI ALOW ALOWAR ALVAREZ AM AMAT AMB AMBASSADOR AMCHAM AMCHAMS AMCT AME AMED AMEDI AMEMR AMER AMERICAS AMEX AMG AMGE AMGMT AMGT AMIA AMLB AMPR AMT AMTC AMTG AN ANARCHISTS ANC AND ANDREW LEE WATKINS ANET ANTITERRORISM ANTOINE GHONDA ANTONIO ANTXON AO AOCR AODE AOIC AOMS AOPR AORC AORD AOREC AORG AORL AOWC AP APCS APDC APEC APECO APER APR APRC APRM AQ AR ARAB ARABBL ARABL ARABLEAGUE ARAS ARC ARCH ARENA AREP ARF ARG ARM ARMITAGE ARMS ARNOLD FREDERICK MORRIS AROC ARR ARRMZY ARSO AS ASA ASAC ASC ASCC ASCE ASCEC ASCH ASE ASEAN ASEC ASECARP ASECE ASECM ASECSI ASECVE ASED ASEDC ASEG ASEK ASES ASEX ASFC ASIC ASIG ASIR ASJA ASO ASOC ASPA ASR ASSEMBLY ASSK ASSSEMBLY ASUP AT ATFN ATPDEA ATRA ATRD ATRN AU AU-1 AUC AUNR AUSGR AUSTRALIAGROUP AV AVERY AVIAN AVIANFLU AVIATION AW AX AY AZ AZE B. BA BAGHDAD BAIO BAKOYANNIS BALKANS BAPOL BARACK BASHAR BATA BAYS BB BBG BBSR BC BCW BCXP BD BE BEAN BELLVIEW BEN BERARDUCCI BESP BEXB BEXP BEXPC BEXPPLM BEXT BF BFIF BFIN BFIO BG BGD BGMT BH BHUM BI BIC BIDOON BIH BILAT BIMSTEC BINR BIO BIOS BIOTECH BIOTECHNOLOGY BIT BITO BK BL BLR BLUE BLUNT BM BMENA BMGT BMOT BN BNUC BO BOIKO BOL BOND BOQ BORDER BOSNIA BOU BOUCHAIB KAKA BOUTERSE BP BPIS BPTS BR BRIAN BRITNEY BRITNY BRPA BRUSSELS BS BSSR BT BTA BTC BTIO BTIU BTRA BTT BU BUD BULGARIA BURMA BURNS BUSH BUY AMERICA BV BW BWC BX BXEP BY BZ CA CAC CACM CACS CAFTA CAIO CAJC CAMBODIA CAN CAPC CARC CARE CARIB CARICOM CARSON CAS CASA CASC CASCC CASCR CASE CASTILLO CAVO CB CBC CBD CBE CBG CBIS CBM CBSA CBTH CBW CCSR CCY CD CDB CDC CDCC CDCE CDG CDI CE CEA CEC CEDAW CEN CENSUS CENTCOM CENTRIC CEUDA CF CFE CFED CFG CFIS CFSP CG CGEN CGOPRC CH CHAD CHALLENGE CHAO CHAVEZ CHELIDZE CHENEY CHERTOFF CHG CHIEF CHN CHR CHR-1 CHRISTIAN CHRISTOF CHRISTOPHER CI CIA CIAT CIC CICTE CIDA CIO CIP CIS CITEL CITES CITIBANK CITT CIVAIR CIVS CJ CJAN CJUS CK CKGR CKOR CL CLEARANCE CLINTON CLMT CLO CLOK CM CMAE CMFT CMGT CMP CMT CN CNAR CNARC CNC CNO CO CODEL COE COL COLIN COLLECTIVE COLOMBO COM COMESA COMMERCE CON CONAWAY CONDOLEEZZA CONDOLEEZZA RICE CONEAZ CONG CONGO CONGRINT CONS CONSULAR CONTROL CONTROLS CORRUPTION COSI COUNTER COUNTER TERRORISM COUNTERTERRORISM COUNTRY COUNTRYCLEARANCE CP CPA CPAS CPC CPCTC CPPT CPUOS CQ CR CRIM CRIME CRIMES CRISTINA CRM CROATIA CROS CRS CRUZ CS CSCE CSEP CSIS CSW CT CTBT CTER CTERR CTM CTR CTRYCLR CU CUCO CUIS CUL CUSTODIO CV CVIA CVIC CVIS CVISU CVPR CVR CW CWC CWCM CWG CX CY CYNTHIA CYP CYPRUSARMS CZ DA DAC DAFR DAN DANFUNG DANIEL DAO DARFR DARFUR DAVID DAVID LEE HOWES DAVID WELCH DAVID WILLIAM RAY DB DC DCDG DCG DCHA DCI DCM DCOM DCRM DE DEA DEAX DEFENSE DEFENSEREFORM DELTAVIOLENCE DEM DEMARCHE DEMARCHES DEMETRIOS DEMOCRATIC DENNIS DEOC DEPORTATION DEPT DEPT FOR DS COMMAND CENTER DESI DHA DHLAKAMA DHLS DHRF DHS DHSX DIEZ DIPLOMACY DISENGAGEMENT DJ DK DKEM DMIN DMINE DO DOC DOD DOE DOJ DOMC DOMESTIC DOMESTICPOLITICS DONALD RUMSFELD DOT DPAO DPKO DPM DPOL DPRK DR DRC DRIP DRL DS DSR DSS DTFN DTRA DTRO DU DUNCAN CAMERON DVC DY EAC EAD EADI EADM EAG EAGER EAGR EAI EAIC EAID EAIDB EAIDCIN EAIDEGZ EAIDMG EAIDNI EAIF EAIG EAIO EAIR EAIS EAIT EAOD EAP EAPC EAR EARI EASS EATO EAUD EAVI EB EBEXP EBRD EBUD EC ECA ECCP ECCT ECE ECHEVARRIA ECIN ECIP ECLAC ECN ECOIN ECOM ECON ECONCS ECONEGE ECONOMIC ECONOMICS ECONOMY ECONOMY AND FINANCE ECOR ECOS ECOSOC ECOWAS ECPC ECPN ECPO ECPS ECPSN ECRM ECTRD ECUN ED EDA EDEV EDRC EDU EDUARDO EDUC EE EEB EEC EENG EENV EEOC EET EETC EFI EFIC EFIM EFIN EFIS EFLU EFN EFND EFNI EFQ EFTA EG EGAD EGAR EGEN EGHG EGOV EGOVSY EH EI EIAD EIAID EIAR EIB EICN EID EIDE EIDN EIFN EIN EIND EINDIR EINF EING EINN EINO EINR EINT EINV EINZ EIPR EIQ EISL EISNLN EITC EITI EIVN EK EL ELA ELAB ELAD ELAINE ELAM ELAN ELAP ELB ELBA ELBR ELEC ELECTIONS ELF ELIN ELN ELND ELNT ELTD ELTM ELTN ELTRN EMAIL EMED EMI EMIN EMN EMS EMW EN END ENDURING ENEG ENER ENERG ENERGY ENFR ENG ENGR ENGRD ENGRG ENGY ENIV ENLT ENNP ENR ENRC ENRG ENRL ENTG ENV ENVI ENVIRONMENT ENVR ENVT EON EOXC EP EPA EPAT EPCS EPE EPEC EPECO EPET EPIN EPIT EPPD EPRT EPSC EPTE EPTED EPWR EQ EQRD ER ERA ERD EREL ERGR ERICKSON ERIN ERTD ES ESA ESCAP ESCI ESDP ESENV ESF ESLCO ESOC ESOCI ESPS ESS ESSO ESTH ESTN ESTRADA ET ETA ETAD ETC ETCC ETD ETDR ETEL ETER ETEX ETFN ETIC ETIO ETLN ETMIN ETR ETRA ETRAD ETRB ETRC ETRD ETRDECD ETRG ETRK ETRN ETRO ETRP ETT ETTC ETTD ETTF ETTN ETTR ETTRD ETTW ETZ EU EUC EUCOM EUE EUEAID EUFOR EUM EUMEM EUN EUR EUREM EURM EURN EV EVENTS EVN EWRG EWT EWTR EWWT EX EXBS EXEC EXIM EXO EXPORT EXTERNAL EZ FA FAA FAC FAGR FAO FARC FARM FAS FATAH FBI FCC FCS FCSC FCSCEG FCUL FDA FDIC FEDULOV FEMA FERNANDO FGM FI FIGUEROA FIN FINANCE FINE FINR FINREF FINV FIR FISO FJ FK FKFLO FKLU FLU FM FMC FMGT FMLN FMS FO FOI FOOKS FOR FORCE FORCES FOREIGN FORWHA FP FPC FR FRA FRANCIS FRANCISCO RODENAS RUIZ FRANCISCO VILLA URBALEJO FRAZER FRB FREDOM FREEDOM FRELIMO FRIED FRN FRU FSC FSI FT FTA FTAA FWS GA GAERC GAMES GANGS GAO GARCIA GASPAR GATES GATT GAZA GAZPROM GB GBSLE GC GCC GCCC GE GEF GEORGE GERARD GESKE GF GG GH GI GIPNC GIWI GJ GKGIC GL GLOBAL GM GN GO GOG GOI GOMEZ GON GOVPOI GPGOV GPI GPOI GPOV GR GREGG RENE WALTER GRQ GS GT GTIP GTMO GTREFTEL GU GUAM GUANTANAMO GUIDANCE GUILLERMO GUTIERREZ GV GWI GY GZ GZIS HA HAMID KARZAI HARRIET HARRY HAWZ HCOPIL HDP HE HEAVEN HEBRON HECTOR HELGERSON HERCEGOVINA HG HHS HI HIGHLIGHTS HIJAZI HILARY HILLARY HILLEN HIPC HIV HIZ HK HKSX HL HLSX HN HNCHR HO HOA HOSTAGES HPKO HR HRC HRCS HRICTY HRIGHTS HRKSTC HSI HSTC HSWG HT HTCG HTSC HU HUD HUM HUMAN HUMANITARIAN HUMANR HUMANRIGHTS HUMOR HUMRIT HUNRC HURI HURRICANE HYDE HYLAND HYMPSK HZ IA IACHR IACI IACO IACW IADB IAEA IAES IAHRC IAIE IAII IASA IATTC IAZ IBB IBD IBET IBPCA IBRB IBRD IC ICAC ICAO ICC ICCAT ICCROM ICES ICJ ICRC ICRS ICSCA ICTR ICTY ID IDA IDB IDLI IDLO IDP IDR IE IEA IEAB IEF IF IFAD IFC IFIN IFM IFO IFR IFRC IG IGAD IGF IHO IICA IINS IIP IK IL ILAB ILC ILEA ILO IMC IMET IMF IMMIGRATION IMO IMSO IMTS IN INAUGURATION INCB IND INDO INF INFLUENZA INL INMARSAT INNP INPFC INR INRA INRB INRD INRO INRPAZ INS INSC INT INTEL INTELLECTUAL INTELSAT INTERNAL INTERPOL INV INVI IO IOC IOM IP IPET IPGRI IPK IPPC IPR IPROP IQ IQNV IR IRAN IRAQ IRAQI IRAQI FREEDOM IRC IRCE IRDB IRE IRL IRLE IRM IRMO IRNB IRPE IRQEGION IRS IS ISA ISAAC ISAF ISCA ISCON ISLAMISTS ISLE ISN ISNV ISO ISPA ISPL ISRAEL ISRAEL RELATIONS ISRAELI ISRAELI PALESTINIAN AFFAIRS ISSUES ISTC IT ITA ITALIAN ITALY ITECIP ITEIND ITELTN ITER ITF ITIA ITRA ITRD ITU IUCN IV IVIANNA IWC IWI IX IZ IZAORC JA JABER JAM JAMES JAPAN JAT JAWAD JCIC JE JEAN-PIERRE BEMBA JEFFERY JEFFREY JENDAYI JHR JI JIMENEZ JIMENEZ CHILDREN JK JKUS JM JN JO JOHANNS JOHN JOHN BOEHNER JOHNNIE JONATHAN CHAMAN JOSE ANGEL ALZUGUREN PERURENA JOSE NEY MILA ESPINOSA JOSE RAMOS HORTA JOSEPH BIDEN JP JS JSRP JUAN JULIAN RENE KIRCHOFF JUS JY KA KACP KACT KACW KADM KAID KALM KALR KANSOU KAPO KARIM WADE KATRINA KAUST KAWC KAWK KAWL KAWS KAWX KAYLA KBCT KBDS KBEM KBIO KBNC KBTC KBTR KBTS KBWG KCCP KCEM KCERS KCFC KCFE KCGC KCHG KCIP KCIS KCM KCMA KCMR KCOG KCOM KCOR KCPS KCRCM KCRI KCRIM KCRM KCRN KCRO KCROM KCROR KCRP KCRS KCRT KCSA KCSI KCSY KCUL KCUM KCVM KCWI KDCM KDDEM KDDG KDE KDEM KDEN KDET KDEV KDGOV KDGR KDHS KDM KDMR KDP KDRG KDRL KDTB KDUM KE KEAI KEANE KEBG KECF KEDEM KEDM KEDU KEIM KEM KEMPI KEMR KEMS KEN KENV KERF KERG KESO KESP KESS KEVIN KFAM KFCE KFE KFEM KFGM KFIN KFIU KFLD KFLO KFLU KFOR KFPC KFRD KFRP KFSC KFTFN KFTN KG KGCC KGCN KGHA KGHG KGIC KGICKS KGIT KGIV KGKG KGLB KGOR KGOV KH KHDP KHGH KHIB KHIV KHJUS KHLS KHMN KHOURY KHPD KHSA KHSL KHUM KI KIBL KICA KICC KICCPUR KICR KICT KID KIDE KIF KIFR KIIC KIIP KIL KILS KIMMITT KIMT KIND KINF KINL KINP KINR KINT KIPR KIPT KIRC KIRD KIRF KIRL KIRP KIS KISC KISK KISL KISM KISR KITA KIVP KIVR KJAN KJRE KJU KJUS KJUST KJWC KK KKIV KKNP KKOR KKPO KLAB KLAP KLBO KLEG KLFLO KLFU KLHS KLIG KLIP KLPM KLSO KLTN KM KMAC KMAR KMCA KMCC KMCR KMDR KMEPI KMFO KMGT KMIG KMNP KMOC KMPF KMPI KMPIO KMPL KMPP KMPT KMRD KMRS KMSG KMVP KMWN KN KNAO KNAP KNAR KNDP KNEI KNEP KNET KNMP KNN KNNA KNNB KNNC KNNF KNNO KNNP KNNR KNOP KNP KNPP KNPPIS KNPR KNPT KNRG KNRV KNSD KNUC KNUP KO KOC KOCI KOCM KOEM KOGL KOLY KOM KOMC KOMCCO KOMCSG KOMH KOMO KOMS KOR KOSOVO KOUYATE KPA KPAD KPAI KPAK KPAL KPALAOIS KPAM KPAO KPAS KPBT KPDD KPEM KPEO KPER KPET KPIN KPIR KPKO KPKP KPLS KPMI KPMO KPO KPOA KPOKO KPOL KPOP KPOV KPOW KPPAO KPPD KPRD KPRM KPRO KPROG KPRP KPRV KPSC KPTD KPTS KPWG KPWR KQ KQM KQRDQ KR KRAD KRAL KRCIM KRCM KRCS KRD KRDP KREC KREF KREISLER KREL KRF KRFD KRFR KRG KRGY KRIC KRIF KRIM KRKO KRM KRMS KRV KRVC KS KSA KSAC KSAF KSCA KSCI KSCS KSCT KSEAO KSEC KSEI KSEO KSEP KSI KSIA KSKN KSLG KSMT KSOC KSOCI KSPA KSPR KSRE KSTC KSTCC KSTCPL KSTH KSTS KSTT KSUM KSUP KT KTAO KTBD KTBT KTCRE KTDB KTDD KTDM KTER KTEX KTFIN KTFM KTFN KTFR KTFS KTIA KTIP KTLA KTNBT KTNF KTPN KTRD KTRF KTSC KTSD KTTB KTTC KTTP KU KUAE KUIR KUM KUNA KUNC KUNH KUNP KUNR KUS KUWAIT KV KVBL KVIP KVIR KVIS KVPR KVRC KVRP KW KWAC KWAK KWAWC KWBC KWBG KWBW KWCI KWCR KWGB KWHG KWIC KWIM KWIR KWKN KWM KWMJN KWMM KWMN KWN KWNM KWNN KWOMN KWPA KWPB KWPG KWPR KWRC KWRF KWRG KWUN KWWT KWWW KX KY KZ LA LAB LABOR LANSANA LANTERN LARREA LARS LAS LAURA LAVIN LAW LB LBAR LBY LE LEAGUE LEB LEBIK LEGAT LEGATT LEIS LEON LEVINE LEW LG LGAT LH LI LIB LICC LIMA LINE LK LMS LN LO LOG LOPEZ LORAN LOTT LOVE LR LS LT LTG LTTE LU LV LVPR LY LZ MA MAAR MACEDONIA MACP MANUEL MANUEL SERGIO GONZALEZ MAP MAPP MAPS MAR MARAD MARANTIS MARIA MARIE MARINO MARITIME MARK MARQUEZ MARR MARS MARTIN MARV MAS MASC MASS MATT MAYA MB MBM MC MCA MCAP MCAPARR MCAPN MCAPP MCAPS MCAT MCC MCCAIN MCCONNELL MCCP MCGRAW MCRM MCTRE MD MDA MDC MDO ME MEA MED MEDIA MEETINGS MENDIETA MEP MEPI MEPN MEPP MERCOSUR MESUR MEX MF MFA MFO MG MGL MGMT MGOV MGT MGTA MH MHUC MI MIAH MIC MICHAEL MICHEL MIGUEL FELIPE CANAHUATI YACAMAN MIGUEL VARGAS MALDONADO MIK MIKE MIL MILI MILITANTS MILITARY MILLENNIUM MINURSO MINUSTAH MITCHELL MJ MK ML MLS MMAR MMED MN MNLF MNNC MNNUC MNU MNUC MNUCH MNUCWA MNUM MNUN MNUR MNUS MNVC MO MOHAMAD MOHAMED HESHAM ELDIN YOUSSEF MOHAMMAD MOLINA MONTENEGRO MONUC MONY MOOPS MOP MOPP MOPPS MOPS MORALES MORG MOROCCO MORS MOS MOTO MOTT MP MPOL MPOS MPP MPS MQADHAFI MR MRCRE MRRR MRS MRSEC MS MSG MSIG MT MTAA MTAG MTCAE MTCR MTCRA MTCRE MTRCE MTRE MTRRE MTS MU MUC MUCN MUKASEY MULLEN MUNC MURAD MURRAY MV MW MX MY MZ NA NAC NACB NADIA NAFTA NAM NAMSA NANCY NAR NARC NARCOTICS NARR NAS NASA NAT NATEU NATGAS NATIONAL NATO NATOAFGHAN NATOBALKANS NATOIRAQ NATOOPS NATOPOLICY NATSIOS NAVO NB NBTS NBU NC NCCC NCD NCT NCTC NDI NDP NE NEA NEC NEGROPONTE NEI NELSON NEPAD NERG NET NEW NFATC NFMS NFSO NG NGO NGUYEN NH NI NICHOLAS NICOLE NIH NIPP NK NKWG NL NLD NLIAEA NLO NMFS NMNUC NMUC NNPT NO NOAA NOI NOK NON NONE NORAD NOTAG NOVO NP NPA NPG NPT NR NRC NRG NRR NRRC NS NSC NSF NSFO NSG NSSP NT NTDB NTSB NTTC NU NUC NUIN NV NW NZ NZUS OA OAO OARC OAS OASC OASCC OASS OAU OBAMA OBS OBSP OCBD OCEA OCED OCHA OCII OCRA OCS OCSE ODAG ODC ODIP ODPC OECD OECS OECV OES OESC OEXC OEXP OF OFDA OFDC OFDP OFDPQIS OFFICIALS OFPD OFSO OGAC OGIV OHCHR OHI OHIP OI OIC OICCO OIE OIF OIG OIIP OIL OIM OLY OLYAIR OLYMPICS OM OMAR OMB OMIG OMS ON ONA OPAD OPBAT OPC OPCD OPCR OPCW OPDAT OPDC OPDP OPEC OPET OPIC OPID OPOC OPPC OPRC OPREC OPREP OPS OPSC OPVIP ORA ORC ORCA ORECD ORED OREG OREP ORGANIZED ORP ORTA ORUE OSAC OSCE OSCI OSD OSEC OSHA OSIC OSTA OSTRA OTA OTAR OTHER OTHERSASNEEDED OTP OTR OTRA OTRABL OTRAO OTRAZ OTRC OTRD OUALI OVIP OVP OXEC OXEM OZ PA PAARM PAC PACE PAGE PAGR PAHO PAIGH PAK PAL PALESTINIAN PAMQ PAN PANAM PAO PAR PARALYMPIC PARCA PAREL PARK PARLIAMENT PARM PARMS PARN PARP PARR PARTIES PARTM PARTY PAS PASS PATRICK WARREN MAHURIN PATTY PAUL PAUM PB PBGT PBIO PBK PBOV PBPTS PBS PBST PBT PBTS PCI PCON PCOR PCRM PCUL PD PDA PDD PDEM PDIP PDOV PDRG PE PEACE PEACEKEEPINGFORCES PEDRO PEL PELOSI PEMEX PENA PENV PEPFAR PEPR PER PEREZ PERL PERM PERSONS PET PETER PETERS PETR PETRAEUS PETROL PF PFIN PFLP PFOR PFOV PG PGGOC PGIC PGIV PGKV PGO PGOC PGOF PGOG PGON PGOR PGOT PGOV PGOVE PGOVQL PGPV PGREL PGREV PGV PH PHALANAGE PHARM PHAS PHEM PHIM PHM PHSA PHU PHUH PHUM PHUMHUPPS PHUN PHUS PHYTRP PI PIA PICES PIF PIN PINB PIND PINER PINF PING PINL PINO PINOCHET PINR PINS PINT PINV PIR PIRF PIRN PJUS PK PKAO PKBL PKFK PKISL PKK PKMN PKNP PKO PKPA PKPAL PKPO PKPRP PKST PL PLAB PLAN PLEC PLN PLO PLUM PM PMAR PMAT PMDL PMIG PMIL PMIN PMR PMUC PN PNAT PNET PNG PNIR PNNL PNR PNRG PNS PNUC PNUK PNUM PO PODC POG POGV POINS POL POLG POLI POLICY POLINT POLITICAL POLITICS POLM POLMIL POLS POLUN POREL PORG POSTS POTUS POUS POV POWELL PP PPA PPAO PPD PPEF PPEL PPKO PPOL PQL PQM PRC PRE PREC PRED PREF PREG PREJ PREK PREL PRELEVU PRELM PRELPLS PRELTBIOBA PREM PREO PREP PRER PRES PRESIDENT PRESL PREV PREZ PRF PRFE PRFL PRGO PRGOV PRIL PRIVATIZATION PRL PRLE PRM PRO PROB PROCESS PROG PROL PROLIFERATION PROP PROPERTY PROTECTION PROTESTS PROV PROVE PRT PRTER PRWL PS PSA PSCE PSEC PSEPC PSHA PSI PSNR PSO PSOC PSOCI PSOE PT PTBS PTE PTEL PTEP PTER PTGOV PTIA PTR PTRD PU PUAS PUBLIC PUNE PUNR PUOS PV PVIP PVOV PVPR PVTS PWBG PWMN PY QA QADRI QEL QI QIZ QM QT QU QUAN QUOC RA RAED RAFAEL RAID RAMON RAMONTEIJELO RAS RATIFICATION RAY GUEVARA MILTON RBI RCA RCMP RE REA REACTION REALTIONS RECIN REF REFORM REFPAN REFUGEE REFUGEES REGION REGIONAL REID REIN REINEMEYER REL RELAM RELATIONS RELFREE RELIGIOUS REMON RENAMO RENE PREVAL REO REPORT REUBEN RF RFE RFIN RFREEDOM RGOV RGY RHUM RI RICE RICHARD RIGHTS RIGHTSPOLMIL RIMC RIVERA RL RLA RM RMA RO ROBERT ROBERT JOSEPH RODHAM RODRIGUEZ ROK ROME ROOD ROSS ROW ROY RP RPEL RPTS RQ RR RRB RREL RS RSO RSOX RSP RSZ RTT RU RUEHZO RV RW RWANDA SA SAAD SAARC SABAH SACU SADC SAFE SAIR SAIS SALOPEK SAMA SAN SANC SANR SAO SARB SARGSIAN SARS SASC SASEC SASIAIN SB SBA SC SCA SCCC SCE SCENESETTER SCHUL SCI SCIENCE SCNV SCOI SCOL SCOM SCPR SCRM SCRS SCRSERD SCUL SCVL SD SE SEC SECDEF SECI SECRET SECRETARY SECSTATE SECTOR SECURITY SEMAAN GABY EID SEN SENC SENG SENS SENU SENV SENVQGR SENVSPL SENVSXE SEP SERBIA SERZH SETTLEMENTS SEVN SEXP SF SFNV SG SGNV SGWI SH SHANNON SHI SHUM SI SILVASANDE SIMS SIPDI SIPDIS SIPR SIPRNET SIPRS SIUK SK SKCA SKEP SKI SKSAF SL SLM SLOVAK SM SMAR SMI SMIG SMIL SMIT SMITH SMRT SN SNA SNAP SNAR SNUC SO SOC SOCI SOCIA SOCIETY SOCIO SOCIS SOCISZX SOCR SOCY SOE SOFA SOI SOIC SOLI SOLIC SOM SOMALIA SOPN SORT SOSI SOVIET SOWGC SP SPAS SPC SPCE SPCVIS SPECI SPECIALIST SPILL SPP SPSTATE SR SREF SRIT SRS SRYI SSA SSH ST STAG START STATE STC STEINBERG STEPHEN HADLEY STET STP STR STUDENT SU SUCCESSION SUFFRAGE SULLIVAN SUMMIT SUR SUSAN SV SW SWHO SWMN SX SXG SY SYAI SYMBOL SYR SYRIA SYSI SYTH SZ TA TAGS TALAL TAUSCHER TAX TB TBI TBID TBIO TBIOZK TBKIO TBO TC TCOR TCSENV TD TDA TE TECH TECHNOLOGY TER TERAA TERFIN TERR TERROR TERRORISM TF TFIN TG TGRY TH THANH THE THERESE THIRDTERM THKSJA THOMAS THOMAS THOMMA THPY TI TIA TIBO TIFA TINT TIO TIP TITI TIUZ TJ TK TL TM TN TNDG TNGD TO TOPEC TORRIJOS TOURISM TP TPHY TPKO TPP TPSA TPSL TR TRAD TRADE TRAFFICKING TRBIO TRBY TRD TREAS TREASURY TREATY TREL TRG TRGV TRGY TRIO TRSY TRT TRV TRY TRYG TRYS TS TSA TSLP TSPA TSPL TSRL TSRY TSY TT TTFN TU TURKEY TV TVBIO TW TWRO TX TY TZ TZBY UA UAE UAID UAM UB UDEM UE UEU UG UGA UK UKR UKRAINE UM UMIK UN UNA UNAF UNAIDS UNAMA UNAMSIL UNAORC UNAUS UNBRO UNC UNCC UNCDF UNCDN UNCHC UNCHR UNCHS UNCITRAL UNCND UNCOPUOS UNCRED UNCRIME UNCSD UNCSW UNCTAD UNDC UNDEF UNDOF UNDP UNECE UNEF UNEP UNESCO UNFA UNFC UNFCYP UNFF UNFICYP UNFIYCP UNFPA UNGA UNGAPL UNGO UNHCR UNHRC UNICEF UNIDCP UNIDO UNIDROIT UNIFEM UNIFIL UNION UNKIK UNM UNMEE UNMIC UNMIK UNMIKI UNMIKV UNMIL UNMIN UNMOVIC UNO UNODC UNOMIG UNOPS UNP UNPAR UNPUOS UNRCCA UNRCR UNREST UNRWA UNSC UNSCAPU UNSCD UNSCE UNSCER UNSCR UNSCS UNSD UNSE UNTAC UNTERR UNTZ UNUS UNVIE UNYI UP UPU UPUO UR US USAID USAU USCC USCG USDA USDELFESTTWO USEU USG USGS USMS USNC USOAS USOP USPS USPTO USSC USTA USTDA USTR USTRD USTRIT USTRPS USTRUWR USUN UUNR UV UX UY UZ VA VANESSA VANG VAT VC VE VELS VEN VENZ VETTING VI VINICIO VIP VIS VISAS VISIT VM VN VO VOA VT VTEG VTFR VTIS VTPREL VTTBIO VTWCAR VXY VY VZ WA WAEMU WAKI WAR WARD WB WBEG WBG WCAR WCI WCL WCO WE WEBG WEBZ WEET WEF WEOG WET WEU WFA WFP WFPAORC WFPO WGC WGG WHA WHITMER WHO WHTI WI WILCOX WILLIAM WIPO WIR WITH WJRO WM WMD WMDT WMN WMO WOMEN WPO WRTO WS WSIS WTO WTRD WTRO WTRQ WW WWARD WWBG WWT WZ XA XAAF XB XC XD XE XF XFNEA XG XH XI XJ XK XL XLUM XM XO XP XQ XR XS XT XTAG XU XV XW XX XXX XY XZ YE YEH YI YL YM YMCS YS YU YURIY ZA ZANU ZB ZC ZCTU ZEALAND ZF ZFR ZH ZI ZIM ZJ ZK ZKGM ZL ZM ZN ZO ZOELLICK ZP ZR ZS ZT ZU ZW ZXA
AA AADP AALC ABDALLAH FETHI ABDULHADI ABDULRAHMEN ABER ABLD ABLDG ABLG ABMC ABT ABUD AC ACABQ ACAO ACBAQ ACCELERATED ACCOUNT ACDA ACEC ACKM ACOA ACOTA ACS ACTION ADANA ADB ADCO ADCP ADEL ADEP ADIP ADM ADMIRAL ADPM ADRC AE AEC AECL AEGR AEIR AEM AEMED AEMR AER AESC AF AFAF AL HOURANI AFARI AFDB AFDIN AFFAIRS AFGHAN AFGHANISTAN AFIN AFL AFLU AFOR AFR AFSA AFSI AFSN AFU AFZAL AG AGAO AGENCIES AGENDA AGENGA AGIT AGMT AGOA AGR AGRI AGRIC AGRICULTURE AGS AGUILAR AGUIRRE AHMED AI AIAG AID AIDAC AIDS AIEA AIHRC AIN AINF AINFCY AINR AINT AISG AIT AJ AK AL ALAB ALAMI ALANAZI ALBE ALEXANDER ALI ALIREZA ALJAZEERA ALL ALNEA ALOUNI ALOW ALOWAR ALVAREZ AM AMAT AMB AMBASSADOR AMCHAM AMCHAMS AMCT AME AMED AMEDI AMEMR AMER AMERICAS AMEX AMG AMGE AMGMT AMGT AMIA AMLB AMPR AMT AMTC AMTG AN ANARCHISTS ANC AND ANDREW LEE WATKINS ANET ANTITERRORISM ANTOINE GHONDA ANTONIO ANTXON AO AOCR AODE AOIC AOMS AOPR AORC AORD AOREC AORG AORL AOWC AP APCS APDC APEC APECO APER APR APRC APRM AQ AR ARAB ARABBL ARABL ARABLEAGUE ARAS ARC ARCH ARENA AREP ARF ARG ARM ARMITAGE ARMS ARNOLD FREDERICK MORRIS AROC ARR ARRMZY ARSO AS ASA ASAC ASC ASCC ASCE ASCEC ASCH ASE ASEAN ASEC ASECARP ASECE ASECM ASECSI ASECVE ASED ASEDC ASEG ASEK ASES ASEX ASFC ASIC ASIG ASIR ASJA ASO ASOC ASPA ASR ASSEMBLY ASSK ASSSEMBLY ASUP AT ATFN ATPDEA ATRA ATRD ATRN AU AU-1 AUC AUNR AUSGR AUSTRALIAGROUP AV AVERY AVIAN AVIANFLU AVIATION AW AX AY AZ AZE B. BA BAGHDAD BAIO BAKOYANNIS BALKANS BAPOL BARACK BASHAR BATA BAYS BB BBG BBSR BC BCW BCXP BD BE BEAN BELLVIEW BEN BERARDUCCI BESP BEXB BEXP BEXPC BEXPPLM BEXT BF BFIF BFIN BFIO BG BGD BGMT BH BHUM BI BIC BIDOON BIH BILAT BIMSTEC BINR BIO BIOS BIOTECH BIOTECHNOLOGY BIT BITO BK BL BLR BLUE BLUNT BM BMENA BMGT BMOT BN BNUC BO BOIKO BOL BOND BOQ BORDER BOSNIA BOU BOUCHAIB KAKA BOUTERSE BP BPIS BPTS BR BRIAN BRITNEY BRITNY BRPA BRUSSELS BS BSSR BT BTA BTC BTIO BTIU BTRA BTT BU BUD BULGARIA BURMA BURNS BUSH BUY AMERICA BV BW BWC BX BXEP BY BZ CA CAC CACM CACS CAFTA CAIO CAJC CAMBODIA CAN CAPC CARC CARE CARIB CARICOM CARSON CAS CASA CASC CASCC CASCR CASE CASTILLO CAVO CB CBC CBD CBE CBG CBIS CBM CBSA CBTH CBW CCSR CCY CD CDB CDC CDCC CDCE CDG CDI CE CEA CEC CEDAW CEN CENSUS CENTCOM CENTRIC CEUDA CF CFE CFED CFG CFIS CFSP CG CGEN CGOPRC CH CHAD CHALLENGE CHAO CHAVEZ CHELIDZE CHENEY CHERTOFF CHG CHIEF CHN CHR CHR-1 CHRISTIAN CHRISTOF CHRISTOPHER CI CIA CIAT CIC CICTE CIDA CIO CIP CIS CITEL CITES CITIBANK CITT CIVAIR CIVS CJ CJAN CJUS CK CKGR CKOR CL CLEARANCE CLINTON CLMT CLO CLOK CM CMAE CMFT CMGT CMP CMT CN CNAR CNARC CNC CNO CO CODEL COE COL COLIN COLLECTIVE COLOMBO COM COMESA COMMERCE CON CONAWAY CONDOLEEZZA CONDOLEEZZA RICE CONEAZ CONG CONGO CONGRINT CONS CONSULAR CONTROL CONTROLS CORRUPTION COSI COUNTER COUNTER TERRORISM COUNTERTERRORISM COUNTRY COUNTRYCLEARANCE CP CPA CPAS CPC CPCTC CPPT CPUOS CQ CR CRIM CRIME CRIMES CRISTINA CRM CROATIA CROS CRS CRUZ CS CSCE CSEP CSIS CSW CT CTBT CTER CTERR CTM CTR CTRYCLR CU CUCO CUIS CUL CUSTODIO CV CVIA CVIC CVIS CVISU CVPR CVR CW CWC CWCM CWG CX CY CYNTHIA CYP CYPRUSARMS CZ DA DAC DAFR DAN DANFUNG DANIEL DAO DARFR DARFUR DAVID DAVID LEE HOWES DAVID WELCH DAVID WILLIAM RAY DB DC DCDG DCG DCHA DCI DCM DCOM DCRM DE DEA DEAX DEFENSE DEFENSEREFORM DELTAVIOLENCE DEM DEMARCHE DEMARCHES DEMETRIOS DEMOCRATIC DENNIS DEOC DEPORTATION DEPT DEPT FOR DS COMMAND CENTER DESI DHA DHLAKAMA DHLS DHRF DHS DHSX DIEZ DIPLOMACY DISENGAGEMENT DJ DK DKEM DMIN DMINE DO DOC DOD DOE DOJ DOMC DOMESTIC DOMESTICPOLITICS DONALD RUMSFELD DOT DPAO DPKO DPM DPOL DPRK DR DRC DRIP DRL DS DSR DSS DTFN DTRA DTRO DU DUNCAN CAMERON DVC DY EAC EAD EADI EADM EAG EAGER EAGR EAI EAIC EAID EAIDB EAIDCIN EAIDEGZ EAIDMG EAIDNI EAIF EAIG EAIO EAIR EAIS EAIT EAOD EAP EAPC EAR EARI EASS EATO EAUD EAVI EB EBEXP EBRD EBUD EC ECA ECCP ECCT ECE ECHEVARRIA ECIN ECIP ECLAC ECN ECOIN ECOM ECON ECONCS ECONEGE ECONOMIC ECONOMICS ECONOMY ECONOMY AND FINANCE ECOR ECOS ECOSOC ECOWAS ECPC ECPN ECPO ECPS ECPSN ECRM ECTRD ECUN ED EDA EDEV EDRC EDU EDUARDO EDUC EE EEB EEC EENG EENV EEOC EET EETC EFI EFIC EFIM EFIN EFIS EFLU EFN EFND EFNI EFQ EFTA EG EGAD EGAR EGEN EGHG EGOV EGOVSY EH EI EIAD EIAID EIAR EIB EICN EID EIDE EIDN EIFN EIN EIND EINDIR EINF EING EINN EINO EINR EINT EINV EINZ EIPR EIQ EISL EISNLN EITC EITI EIVN EK EL ELA ELAB ELAD ELAINE ELAM ELAN ELAP ELB ELBA ELBR ELEC ELECTIONS ELF ELIN ELN ELND ELNT ELTD ELTM ELTN ELTRN EMAIL EMED EMI EMIN EMN EMS EMW EN END ENDURING ENEG ENER ENERG ENERGY ENFR ENG ENGR ENGRD ENGRG ENGY ENIV ENLT ENNP ENR ENRC ENRG ENRL ENTG ENV ENVI ENVIRONMENT ENVR ENVT EON EOXC EP EPA EPAT EPCS EPE EPEC EPECO EPET EPIN EPIT EPPD EPRT EPSC EPTE EPTED EPWR EQ EQRD ER ERA ERD EREL ERGR ERICKSON ERIN ERTD ES ESA ESCAP ESCI ESDP ESENV ESF ESLCO ESOC ESOCI ESPS ESS ESSO ESTH ESTN ESTRADA ET ETA ETAD ETC ETCC ETD ETDR ETEL ETER ETEX ETFN ETIC ETIO ETLN ETMIN ETR ETRA ETRAD ETRB ETRC ETRD ETRDECD ETRG ETRK ETRN ETRO ETRP ETT ETTC ETTD ETTF ETTN ETTR ETTRD ETTW ETZ EU EUC EUCOM EUE EUEAID EUFOR EUM EUMEM EUN EUR EUREM EURM EURN EV EVENTS EVN EWRG EWT EWTR EWWT EX EXBS EXEC EXIM EXO EXPORT EXTERNAL EZ FA FAA FAC FAGR FAO FARC FARM FAS FATAH FBI FCC FCS FCSC FCSCEG FCUL FDA FDIC FEDULOV FEMA FERNANDO FGM FI FIGUEROA FIN FINANCE FINE FINR FINREF FINV FIR FISO FJ FK FKFLO FKLU FLU FM FMC FMGT FMLN FMS FO FOI FOOKS FOR FORCE FORCES FOREIGN FORWHA FP FPC FR FRA FRANCIS FRANCISCO RODENAS RUIZ FRANCISCO VILLA URBALEJO FRAZER FRB FREDOM FREEDOM FRELIMO FRIED FRN FRU FSC FSI FT FTA FTAA FWS GA GAERC GAMES GANGS GAO GARCIA GASPAR GATES GATT GAZA GAZPROM GB GBSLE GC GCC GCCC GE GEF GEORGE GERARD GESKE GF GG GH GI GIPNC GIWI GJ GKGIC GL GLOBAL GM GN GO GOG GOI GOMEZ GON GOVPOI GPGOV GPI GPOI GPOV GR GREGG RENE WALTER GRQ GS GT GTIP GTMO GTREFTEL GU GUAM GUANTANAMO GUIDANCE GUILLERMO GUTIERREZ GV GWI GY GZ GZIS HA HAMID KARZAI HARRIET HARRY HAWZ HCOPIL HDP HE HEAVEN HEBRON HECTOR HELGERSON HERCEGOVINA HG HHS HI HIGHLIGHTS HIJAZI HILARY HILLARY HILLEN HIPC HIV HIZ HK HKSX HL HLSX HN HNCHR HO HOA HOSTAGES HPKO HR HRC HRCS HRICTY HRIGHTS HRKSTC HSI HSTC HSWG HT HTCG HTSC HU HUD HUM HUMAN HUMANITARIAN HUMANR HUMANRIGHTS HUMOR HUMRIT HUNRC HURI HURRICANE HYDE HYLAND HYMPSK HZ IA IACHR IACI IACO IACW IADB IAEA IAES IAHRC IAIE IAII IASA IATTC IAZ IBB IBD IBET IBPCA IBRB IBRD IC ICAC ICAO ICC ICCAT ICCROM ICES ICJ ICRC ICRS ICSCA ICTR ICTY ID IDA IDB IDLI IDLO IDP IDR IE IEA IEAB IEF IF IFAD IFC IFIN IFM IFO IFR IFRC IG IGAD IGF IHO IICA IINS IIP IK IL ILAB ILC ILEA ILO IMC IMET IMF IMMIGRATION IMO IMSO IMTS IN INAUGURATION INCB IND INDO INF INFLUENZA INL INMARSAT INNP INPFC INR INRA INRB INRD INRO INRPAZ INS INSC INT INTEL INTELLECTUAL INTELSAT INTERNAL INTERPOL INV INVI IO IOC IOM IP IPET IPGRI IPK IPPC IPR IPROP IQ IQNV IR IRAN IRAQ IRAQI IRAQI FREEDOM IRC IRCE IRDB IRE IRL IRLE IRM IRMO IRNB IRPE IRQEGION IRS IS ISA ISAAC ISAF ISCA ISCON ISLAMISTS ISLE ISN ISNV ISO ISPA ISPL ISRAEL ISRAEL RELATIONS ISRAELI ISRAELI PALESTINIAN AFFAIRS ISSUES ISTC IT ITA ITALIAN ITALY ITECIP ITEIND ITELTN ITER ITF ITIA ITRA ITRD ITU IUCN IV IVIANNA IWC IWI IX IZ IZAORC JA JABER JAM JAMES JAPAN JAT JAWAD JCIC JE JEAN-PIERRE BEMBA JEFFERY JEFFREY JENDAYI JHR JI JIMENEZ JIMENEZ CHILDREN JK JKUS JM JN JO JOHANNS JOHN JOHN BOEHNER JOHNNIE JONATHAN CHAMAN JOSE ANGEL ALZUGUREN PERURENA JOSE NEY MILA ESPINOSA JOSE RAMOS HORTA JOSEPH BIDEN JP JS JSRP JUAN JULIAN RENE KIRCHOFF JUS JY KA KACP KACT KACW KADM KAID KALM KALR KANSOU KAPO KARIM WADE KATRINA KAUST KAWC KAWK KAWL KAWS KAWX KAYLA KBCT KBDS KBEM KBIO KBNC KBTC KBTR KBTS KBWG KCCP KCEM KCERS KCFC KCFE KCGC KCHG KCIP KCIS KCM KCMA KCMR KCOG KCOM KCOR KCPS KCRCM KCRI KCRIM KCRM KCRN KCRO KCROM KCROR KCRP KCRS KCRT KCSA KCSI KCSY KCUL KCUM KCVM KCWI KDCM KDDEM KDDG KDE KDEM KDEN KDET KDEV KDGOV KDGR KDHS KDM KDMR KDP KDRG KDRL KDTB KDUM KE KEAI KEANE KEBG KECF KEDEM KEDM KEDU KEIM KEM KEMPI KEMR KEMS KEN KENV KERF KERG KESO KESP KESS KEVIN KFAM KFCE KFE KFEM KFGM KFIN KFIU KFLD KFLO KFLU KFOR KFPC KFRD KFRP KFSC KFTFN KFTN KG KGCC KGCN KGHA KGHG KGIC KGICKS KGIT KGIV KGKG KGLB KGOR KGOV KH KHDP KHGH KHIB KHIV KHJUS KHLS KHMN KHOURY KHPD KHSA KHSL KHUM KI KIBL KICA KICC KICCPUR KICR KICT KID KIDE KIF KIFR KIIC KIIP KIL KILS KIMMITT KIMT KIND KINF KINL KINP KINR KINT KIPR KIPT KIRC KIRD KIRF KIRL KIRP KIS KISC KISK KISL KISM KISR KITA KIVP KIVR KJAN KJRE KJU KJUS KJUST KJWC KK KKIV KKNP KKOR KKPO KLAB KLAP KLBO KLEG KLFLO KLFU KLHS KLIG KLIP KLPM KLSO KLTN KM KMAC KMAR KMCA KMCC KMCR KMDR KMEPI KMFO KMGT KMIG KMNP KMOC KMPF KMPI KMPIO KMPL KMPP KMPT KMRD KMRS KMSG KMVP KMWN KN KNAO KNAP KNAR KNDP KNEI KNEP KNET KNMP KNN KNNA KNNB KNNC KNNF KNNO KNNP KNNR KNOP KNP KNPP KNPPIS KNPR KNPT KNRG KNRV KNSD KNUC KNUP KO KOC KOCI KOCM KOEM KOGL KOLY KOM KOMC KOMCCO KOMCSG KOMH KOMO KOMS KOR KOSOVO KOUYATE KPA KPAD KPAI KPAK KPAL KPALAOIS KPAM KPAO KPAS KPBT KPDD KPEM KPEO KPER KPET KPIN KPIR KPKO KPKP KPLS KPMI KPMO KPO KPOA KPOKO KPOL KPOP KPOV KPOW KPPAO KPPD KPRD KPRM KPRO KPROG KPRP KPRV KPSC KPTD KPTS KPWG KPWR KQ KQM KQRDQ KR KRAD KRAL KRCIM KRCM KRCS KRD KRDP KREC KREF KREISLER KREL KRF KRFD KRFR KRG KRGY KRIC KRIF KRIM KRKO KRM KRMS KRV KRVC KS KSA KSAC KSAF KSCA KSCI KSCS KSCT KSEAO KSEC KSEI KSEO KSEP KSI KSIA KSKN KSLG KSMT KSOC KSOCI KSPA KSPR KSRE KSTC KSTCC KSTCPL KSTH KSTS KSTT KSUM KSUP KT KTAO KTBD KTBT KTCRE KTDB KTDD KTDM KTER KTEX KTFIN KTFM KTFN KTFR KTFS KTIA KTIP KTLA KTNBT KTNF KTPN KTRD KTRF KTSC KTSD KTTB KTTC KTTP KU KUAE KUIR KUM KUNA KUNC KUNH KUNP KUNR KUS KUWAIT KV KVBL KVIP KVIR KVIS KVPR KVRC KVRP KW KWAC KWAK KWAWC KWBC KWBG KWBW KWCI KWCR KWGB KWHG KWIC KWIM KWIR KWKN KWM KWMJN KWMM KWMN KWN KWNM KWNN KWOMN KWPA KWPB KWPG KWPR KWRC KWRF KWRG KWUN KWWT KWWW KX KY KZ LA LAB LABOR LANSANA LANTERN LARREA LARS LAS LAURA LAVIN LAW LB LBAR LBY LE LEAGUE LEB LEBIK LEGAT LEGATT LEIS LEON LEVINE LEW LG LGAT LH LI LIB LICC LIMA LINE LK LMS LN LO LOG LOPEZ LORAN LOTT LOVE LR LS LT LTG LTTE LU LV LVPR LY LZ MA MAAR MACEDONIA MACP MANUEL MANUEL SERGIO GONZALEZ MAP MAPP MAPS MAR MARAD MARANTIS MARIA MARIE MARINO MARITIME MARK MARQUEZ MARR MARS MARTIN MARV MAS MASC MASS MATT MAYA MB MBM MC MCA MCAP MCAPARR MCAPN MCAPP MCAPS MCAT MCC MCCAIN MCCONNELL MCCP MCGRAW MCRM MCTRE MD MDA MDC MDO ME MEA MED MEDIA MEETINGS MENDIETA MEP MEPI MEPN MEPP MERCOSUR MESUR MEX MF MFA MFO MG MGL MGMT MGOV MGT MGTA MH MHUC MI MIAH MIC MICHAEL MICHEL MIGUEL FELIPE CANAHUATI YACAMAN MIGUEL VARGAS MALDONADO MIK MIKE MIL MILI MILITANTS MILITARY MILLENNIUM MINURSO MINUSTAH MITCHELL MJ MK ML MLS MMAR MMED MN MNLF MNNC MNNUC MNU MNUC MNUCH MNUCWA MNUM MNUN MNUR MNUS MNVC MO MOHAMAD MOHAMED HESHAM ELDIN YOUSSEF MOHAMMAD MOLINA MONTENEGRO MONUC MONY MOOPS MOP MOPP MOPPS MOPS MORALES MORG MOROCCO MORS MOS MOTO MOTT MP MPOL MPOS MPP MPS MQADHAFI MR MRCRE MRRR MRS MRSEC MS MSG MSIG MT MTAA MTAG MTCAE MTCR MTCRA MTCRE MTRCE MTRE MTRRE MTS MU MUC MUCN MUKASEY MULLEN MUNC MURAD MURRAY MV MW MX MY MZ NA NAC NACB NADIA NAFTA NAM NAMSA NANCY NAR NARC NARCOTICS NARR NAS NASA NAT NATEU NATGAS NATIONAL NATO NATOAFGHAN NATOBALKANS NATOIRAQ NATOOPS NATOPOLICY NATSIOS NAVO NB NBTS NBU NC NCCC NCD NCT NCTC NDI NDP NE NEA NEC NEGROPONTE NEI NELSON NEPAD NERG NET NEW NFATC NFMS NFSO NG NGO NGUYEN NH NI NICHOLAS NICOLE NIH NIPP NK NKWG NL NLD NLIAEA NLO NMFS NMNUC NMUC NNPT NO NOAA NOI NOK NON NONE NORAD NOTAG NOVO NP NPA NPG NPT NR NRC NRG NRR NRRC NS NSC NSF NSFO NSG NSSP NT NTDB NTSB NTTC NU NUC NUIN NV NW NZ NZUS OA OAO OARC OAS OASC OASCC OASS OAU OBAMA OBS OBSP OCBD OCEA OCED OCHA OCII OCRA OCS OCSE ODAG ODC ODIP ODPC OECD OECS OECV OES OESC OEXC OEXP OF OFDA OFDC OFDP OFDPQIS OFFICIALS OFPD OFSO OGAC OGIV OHCHR OHI OHIP OI OIC OICCO OIE OIF OIG OIIP OIL OIM OLY OLYAIR OLYMPICS OM OMAR OMB OMIG OMS ON ONA OPAD OPBAT OPC OPCD OPCR OPCW OPDAT OPDC OPDP OPEC OPET OPIC OPID OPOC OPPC OPRC OPREC OPREP OPS OPSC OPVIP ORA ORC ORCA ORECD ORED OREG OREP ORGANIZED ORP ORTA ORUE OSAC OSCE OSCI OSD OSEC OSHA OSIC OSTA OSTRA OTA OTAR OTHER OTHERSASNEEDED OTP OTR OTRA OTRABL OTRAO OTRAZ OTRC OTRD OUALI OVIP OVP OXEC OXEM OZ PA PAARM PAC PACE PAGE PAGR PAHO PAIGH PAK PAL PALESTINIAN PAMQ PAN PANAM PAO PAR PARALYMPIC PARCA PAREL PARK PARLIAMENT PARM PARMS PARN PARP PARR PARTIES PARTM PARTY PAS PASS PATRICK WARREN MAHURIN PATTY PAUL PAUM PB PBGT PBIO PBK PBOV PBPTS PBS PBST PBT PBTS PCI PCON PCOR PCRM PCUL PD PDA PDD PDEM PDIP PDOV PDRG PE PEACE PEACEKEEPINGFORCES PEDRO PEL PELOSI PEMEX PENA PENV PEPFAR PEPR PER PEREZ PERL PERM PERSONS PET PETER PETERS PETR PETRAEUS PETROL PF PFIN PFLP PFOR PFOV PG PGGOC PGIC PGIV PGKV PGO PGOC PGOF PGOG PGON PGOR PGOT PGOV PGOVE PGOVQL PGPV PGREL PGREV PGV PH PHALANAGE PHARM PHAS PHEM PHIM PHM PHSA PHU PHUH PHUM PHUMHUPPS PHUN PHUS PHYTRP PI PIA PICES PIF PIN PINB PIND PINER PINF PING PINL PINO PINOCHET PINR PINS PINT PINV PIR PIRF PIRN PJUS PK PKAO PKBL PKFK PKISL PKK PKMN PKNP PKO PKPA PKPAL PKPO PKPRP PKST PL PLAB PLAN PLEC PLN PLO PLUM PM PMAR PMAT PMDL PMIG PMIL PMIN PMR PMUC PN PNAT PNET PNG PNIR PNNL PNR PNRG PNS PNUC PNUK PNUM PO PODC POG POGV POINS POL POLG POLI POLICY POLINT POLITICAL POLITICS POLM POLMIL POLS POLUN POREL PORG POSTS POTUS POUS POV POWELL PP PPA PPAO PPD PPEF PPEL PPKO PPOL PQL PQM PRC PRE PREC PRED PREF PREG PREJ PREK PREL PRELEVU PRELM PRELPLS PRELTBIOBA PREM PREO PREP PRER PRES PRESIDENT PRESL PREV PREZ PRF PRFE PRFL PRGO PRGOV PRIL PRIVATIZATION PRL PRLE PRM PRO PROB PROCESS PROG PROL PROLIFERATION PROP PROPERTY PROTECTION PROTESTS PROV PROVE PRT PRTER PRWL PS PSA PSCE PSEC PSEPC PSHA PSI PSNR PSO PSOC PSOCI PSOE PT PTBS PTE PTEL PTEP PTER PTGOV PTIA PTR PTRD PU PUAS PUBLIC PUNE PUNR PUOS PV PVIP PVOV PVPR PVTS PWBG PWMN PY QA QADRI QEL QI QIZ QM QT QU QUAN QUOC RA RAED RAFAEL RAID RAMON RAMONTEIJELO RAS RATIFICATION RAY GUEVARA MILTON RBI RCA RCMP RE REA REACTION REALTIONS RECIN REF REFORM REFPAN REFUGEE REFUGEES REGION REGIONAL REID REIN REINEMEYER REL RELAM RELATIONS RELFREE RELIGIOUS REMON RENAMO RENE PREVAL REO REPORT REUBEN RF RFE RFIN RFREEDOM RGOV RGY RHUM RI RICE RICHARD RIGHTS RIGHTSPOLMIL RIMC RIVERA RL RLA RM RMA RO ROBERT ROBERT JOSEPH RODHAM RODRIGUEZ ROK ROME ROOD ROSS ROW ROY RP RPEL RPTS RQ RR RRB RREL RS RSO RSOX RSP RSZ RTT RU RUEHZO RV RW RWANDA SA SAAD SAARC SABAH SACU SADC SAFE SAIR SAIS SALOPEK SAMA SAN SANC SANR SAO SARB SARGSIAN SARS SASC SASEC SASIAIN SB SBA SC SCA SCCC SCE SCENESETTER SCHUL SCI SCIENCE SCNV SCOI SCOL SCOM SCPR SCRM SCRS SCRSERD SCUL SCVL SD SE SEC SECDEF SECI SECRET SECRETARY SECSTATE SECTOR SECURITY SEMAAN GABY EID SEN SENC SENG SENS SENU SENV SENVQGR SENVSPL SENVSXE SEP SERBIA SERZH SETTLEMENTS SEVN SEXP SF SFNV SG SGNV SGWI SH SHANNON SHI SHUM SI SILVASANDE SIMS SIPDI SIPDIS SIPR SIPRNET SIPRS SIUK SK SKCA SKEP SKI SKSAF SL SLM SLOVAK SM SMAR SMI SMIG SMIL SMIT SMITH SMRT SN SNA SNAP SNAR SNUC SO SOC SOCI SOCIA SOCIETY SOCIO SOCIS SOCISZX SOCR SOCY SOE SOFA SOI SOIC SOLI SOLIC SOM SOMALIA SOPN SORT SOSI SOVIET SOWGC SP SPAS SPC SPCE SPCVIS SPECI SPECIALIST SPILL SPP SPSTATE SR SREF SRIT SRS SRYI SSA SSH ST STAG START STATE STC STEINBERG STEPHEN HADLEY STET STP STR STUDENT SU SUCCESSION SUFFRAGE SULLIVAN SUMMIT SUR SUSAN SV SW SWHO SWMN SX SXG SY SYAI SYMBOL SYR SYRIA SYSI SYTH SZ TA TAGS TALAL TAUSCHER TAX TB TBI TBID TBIO TBIOZK TBKIO TBO TC TCOR TCSENV TD TDA TE TECH TECHNOLOGY TER TERAA TERFIN TERR TERROR TERRORISM TF TFIN TG TGRY TH THANH THE THERESE THIRDTERM THKSJA THOMAS THOMAS THOMMA THPY TI TIA TIBO TIFA TINT TIO TIP TITI TIUZ TJ TK TL TM TN TNDG TNGD TO TOPEC TORRIJOS TOURISM TP TPHY TPKO TPP TPSA TPSL TR TRAD TRADE TRAFFICKING TRBIO TRBY TRD TREAS TREASURY TREATY TREL TRG TRGV TRGY TRIO TRSY TRT TRV TRY TRYG TRYS TS TSA TSLP TSPA TSPL TSRL TSRY TSY TT TTFN TU TURKEY TV TVBIO TW TWRO TX TY TZ TZBY UA UAE UAID UAM UB UDEM UE UEU UG UGA UK UKR UKRAINE UM UMIK UN UNA UNAF UNAIDS UNAMA UNAMSIL UNAORC UNAUS UNBRO UNC UNCC UNCDF UNCDN UNCHC UNCHR UNCHS UNCITRAL UNCND UNCOPUOS UNCRED UNCRIME UNCSD UNCSW UNCTAD UNDC UNDEF UNDOF UNDP UNECE UNEF UNEP UNESCO UNFA UNFC UNFCYP UNFF UNFICYP UNFIYCP UNFPA UNGA UNGAPL UNGO UNHCR UNHRC UNICEF UNIDCP UNIDO UNIDROIT UNIFEM UNIFIL UNION UNKIK UNM UNMEE UNMIC UNMIK UNMIKI UNMIKV UNMIL UNMIN UNMOVIC UNO UNODC UNOMIG UNOPS UNP UNPAR UNPUOS UNRCCA UNRCR UNREST UNRWA UNSC UNSCAPU UNSCD UNSCE UNSCER UNSCR UNSCS UNSD UNSE UNTAC UNTERR UNTZ UNUS UNVIE UNYI UP UPU UPUO UR US USAID USAU USCC USCG USDA USDELFESTTWO USEU USG USGS USMS USNC USOAS USOP USPS USPTO USSC USTA USTDA USTR USTRD USTRIT USTRPS USTRUWR USUN UUNR UV UX UY UZ VA VANESSA VANG VAT VC VE VELS VEN VENZ VETTING VI VINICIO VIP VIS VISAS VISIT VM VN VO VOA VT VTEG VTFR VTIS VTPREL VTTBIO VTWCAR VXY VY VZ WA WAEMU WAKI WAR WARD WB WBEG WBG WCAR WCI WCL WCO WE WEBG WEBZ WEET WEF WEOG WET WEU WFA WFP WFPAORC WFPO WGC WGG WHA WHITMER WHO WHTI WI WILCOX WILLIAM WIPO WIR WITH WJRO WM WMD WMDT WMN WMO WOMEN WPO WRTO WS WSIS WTO WTRD WTRO WTRQ WW WWARD WWBG WWT WZ XA XAAF XB XC XD XE XF XFNEA XG XH XI XJ XK XL XLUM XM XO XP XQ XR XS XT XTAG XU XV XW XX XXX XY XZ YE YEH YI YL YM YMCS YS YU YURIY ZA ZANU ZB ZC ZCTU ZEALAND ZF ZFR ZH ZI ZIM ZJ ZK ZKGM ZL ZM ZN ZO ZOELLICK ZP ZR ZS ZT ZU ZW ZXA
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Identifier | Subject | Date | Office | Classification | Tags |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
00DAMASCUS2976 | ASAD SITREP 01: PRESIDENT ASAD HAS DIED; [...] (C) SYRIAN RADIO AND TELEVISION AT 1800 BROADCAST THE OFFICIAL SYRIAN GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCEMENT TO PARLIAMENT THAT PRESIDENT HAFIZ AL-ASAD HAD DIED. THE SPEAKER OF THE PARLIAMENT ABD AL-QADIR QADDURA ANNOUNCED A FEW MINUTES LATER THAT A SPECIAL PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE HAD BEEN FORMED TO DISCUSS [...] | 2000-06-10 17:19:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV SY IS |
00DAMASCUS2985 | ASAD SITREP 03: BASHAR PROMOTED TO COMMANDER- [...] (U) SYRIAN TELEVISION REPORTED THE AFTERNOON OF 6/11 THAT VICE PRESIDENT KHADDAM HAD SIGNED DECREE NUMBERS 9 AND 10, PROMOTING COLONEL BASHAR AL-ASAD TO THE RANK OF GENERAL AND COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE ARMED FORCES. 2. (C) THE MOST OBVIOUS EFFECT OF THIS IS THAT BASHAR HAS NOW OFFICIALLY A [...] | 2000-06-11 16:50:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINR SY |
00DAMASCUS3013 | ASAD LAID TO REST, BASHAR ERA BEGINNING, SYRIANS ADJUST TO NEW REALITY [...] No summary [...] | 2000-06-13 18:30:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINR SY |
00DAMASCUS3050 | SYRIAN MEDIA SAYS BASHAR CONTINUES HAFIZ AL- [...] (C) SUMMARY. SYRIAN PRESS JUNE 14-15 EMPHASIZED UNIFIED SUPPORT FOR BASHAR AL-ASAD UNDER THE BANNER OF CONTINUING HIS FATHER'S LEGACY. PRINT FEATURES INCLUDED FAVORABLE COMMENTS BY THE SYRIAN JEWISH COMMUNITY AND FOREIGN DELEGATIONS. PARTICULAR ATTENTION WAS GIVEN TO COMMENTS BY ARAB LEADER [...] | 2000-06-17 04:27:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL OPRC PROP KPAO KMDR LE SY |
01DAMASCUS3036 | ASAD: ISRAEL DOES NOT DESIRE PEACE [...] (U) SUMMARY: ACCORDING TO A LENGTHY INTERVIEW WITH GERMAN NEWS MAGAZINE DER SPIEGEL 7/9, SYRIAN PRESIDENT AL- ASAD ACCUSED ISRAELI PM SHARON OF PUSHING THE REGION TOWARDS WAR; ASSERTED THAT SYRIA WANTED PEACE BUT WOULD NOT SHY AWAY FROM WAR IF FORCED INTO IT; AND WAS UNAPOLOGETIC ABOUT SYRIAN [...] | 2001-07-09 15:03:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PGOV SY |
02DAMASCUS1761 | ASAD TELLS NODEL US LACKS VISION [...] (U) CLASSIFIED BY AMBASSADOR THEODORE H. KATTOUF, REASON 1.5 B/D. 2. (C) SUMMARY: IN A TWO-HOUR DISCUSSION WITH CONGRESSMAN DAVID PRICE, PRESIDENT AL-ASAD SAID THE US ADMINISTRATION HAS NO CLEAR MIDDLE EAST VISION. THE DISPARATE ADMINISTRATION VOICES HURT THE US REGIONALLY. PROGRESS TOWAR [...] | 2002-05-09 07:46:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL SY |
02DAMASCUS625 | ASAD WARNS THAT STRIKING IRAQ WOULD CREATE [...] (C) SUMMARY. IN A WIDE-RANGING INTERVIEW WITH ITALIAN DAILY CORRIERE DELLA SERA, BASHAR AL-ASAD WARNED THAT A STRIKE AGAINST IRAQ WOULD DESTABILIZE THE REGION. HE ALSO DENIED THAT SYRIAN OIL IMPORTS OF IRAQI OIL VIOLATED UNSCRS; REPEATED SYRIA'S COMMITMENT TO A COMPREHENSIVE PEACE; SAID THE [...] | 2002-02-21 15:08:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL IS SY |
03DAMASCUS1684 | TFIZO1:SYRIA CLOSES BORDER AND SAYS IT WILL SET UP [...] (S) SUMMARY. SARG MINISTER OF LOCAL AFFAIRS CONVENED UN/IO REPS AT 23:00 ON MARCH 19 TO INFORM THEM THE BORDER WITH IRAQ HAD CLOSED, BUT THAT THE SARG AND THE SYRIAN RED CRESCENT WOULD SET UP THREE REFUGEE CAMPS IN IRAQI TERRITORY OR THE "NO MAN'S LAND BETWEEN THE TWO BORDERS." HE STATED THAT [...] | 2003-03-20 15:47:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET | KREF PGOV PHUM PREL IZ SY |
03DAMASCUS6920 | ASAD: HOW DO WE TURN THIS AROUND? [...] (C) Summary. During a 90-minute one-on-one meeting on November 30, Syrian President Asad asked former NEA A/S Richard Murphy for advice on what could be done to improve US-Syrian relations and how Asad could expand his contacts with US media. (Asad had just completed his interview with the N [...] | 2003-12-02 13:25:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KPAL MEPP PTER LE IZ IS SY |
04DAMASCUS5065 | HAMAS LEADER REJECTS US INDICTMENT [...] (C) In an August 21 interview with the Associated Press, Moussa Abu Marzouk, Deputy Chairman of Hamas' politbureau, responded to the announcement of his indictment by US Attorney General John Ashcroft for conspiring to fund terror attacks against Israel by saying that he would turn himself in [...] | 2004-08-25 15:05:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER SY |
04DAMASCUS6857 | HAMAS MEMBER TARGETED IN CAR BOMBING [...] (C) Summary: On December 13, a car bomb exploded in the Old Mezzeh section of Damascus, wounding some passers-by but apparently killing no one. Media contacts confirmed that the target of the bombing was Mesbah Abu Hweileh, a Palestinian HAMAS official residing in Damascus. Interior Minister [...] | 2004-12-14 15:30:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | KPAL PTER PGOV PREL IS SY |
05DAMASCUS2165 | ASAD FIRES PRO-REFORM ADVISOR [...] (C) Summary: On April 14, President Bashar al-Asad sacked his French-educated and reform-promoting advisor Dr. Nibras al-Fadil. Asad himself reportedly convinced Fadil to return to Syria in 2003, after more than twenty years abroad, to assist in moving the country forward. However, rumors o [...] | 2005-04-29 13:17:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN PGOV PREL SY |
05DAMASCUS5122 | SARG DENIES HAVING THREATENED MURR [...] (U) The official Syrian Press Agency (SANA) September 28 published a denial of statements attributed to Lebanese Defense Minister Elias Murr in which he said that Syrian intelligence officials in Lebanon threatened him months before he was severely injured in a car-bombing assassination attem [...] | 2005-09-28 13:37:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL KPAO SY |
05DAMASCUS5778 | SARG KEEPS QUIET ECONOMIC PRESSURE ON LEBANON [...] (C) Summary. Economic relations between Syria and Lebanon remain problematic. In addition to security concerns, the SARG,s disincentives for travel to Lebanon remain effective in dissuading the average Syrian from visiting or shopping across the border. Lebanese workers in Damascus report [...] | 2005-11-01 13:17:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON ETRD PREL SY |
05DAMASCUS5780 | INITIAL SYRIAN REACTION TO UNSCR 1636: SARG [...] (C) Syrian contacts reacting in the immediate wake of passage of UNSCR 1636 predicted that the SARG, despite mounting pressure, would provide only limited cooperation with the UNIIIC investigation, while trying to prolong any negotiations on the modalities of the cooperation. In addition, th [...] | 2005-11-01 16:58:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
05DAMASCUS5788 | SUBJECT: SYRIA,S ACHILLES, HEEL : ITS OIL SECTOR [...] (C) Summary. The SARG hopes to attract new investment in its oil sector by hosting an international bidders, seminar next week. According to conventional wisdom, the Syrian economy is expected to face a potential crisis in three to five years when the country crosses over from being a net e [...] | 2005-11-02 14:24:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EINV ENRG EPET ETTC SY |
05DAMASCUS5789 | OPPOSITION LEADER CALLS FOR BASHAR'S RESIGNATION [...] (C) SUMMARY: Long-time SARG critic Riad al-Turk publicly called for President Bashar al-Asad to step down earlier this week, a statement which has since been circulated among Damascus civil society as a petition for signature. Press reports and contacts indicate that other prominent activists [...] | 2005-11-02 14:42:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM SY |
05DAMASCUS5790 | DISMISSAL OF SYRIAN JUDGES POORLY PLANNED, BADLY [...] (C) In the wake of the October dismissal of 81 judges on corruption charges (reftel),Poloff spoke to Ghimar Deeb, a Syrian lawyer who works as a legal consultant for UNDP in Damascus. Deeb said there were two ways to view the dismissals. From the average Syrian's perspective, the dismissal [...] | 2005-11-02 15:03:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KJUS SY |
05DAMASCUS5791 | Damascus Media Reaction: UNSC Resolution on Syria, [...] Summary: Syrian newspapers published the text of UN Security Council Resolution 1636 demanding full Syrian cooperation with the UN probe into the murder of former Lebanese PM Al-Hariri. They highlighted the fact that the resolution dropped the threat of sanctions and called on Syria to coopera [...] | 2005-11-02 15:32:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
05DAMASCUS5812 | Damascus Media Reaction: UNSC Resolution on Syria, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported that the Syrian judicial committee announced its headquarters and communication numbers to receive any information regarding the assassination of former Lebanese PM Al-Hariri, and that it held its first meeting, expressing hope that any person who has informatio [...] | 2005-11-06 14:48:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
05DAMASCUS5829 | Damascus Media Reaction: UNSC Resolution 1636, [...] Summary: Syrian papers led with reports on Arab and international contacts to discuss UNSC Resolution 1636, citing the planned visits to Syria by Arab League SecGen Amr Mousa, and by UN SecGen Annan and Saudi Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdel Aziz to Cairo. As for Iraq, papers reported the US " [...] | 2005-11-07 12:41:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
05DAMASCUS5832 | BASHAR PARDONS 190 POLITICAL PRISONERS TO SHORE UP [...] (C) SUMMARY: A November 3 presidential decree granted amnesty to 190 Syrian political prisoners as part of reforms aimed at shoring up "national unity." The majority of freed prisoners were associated with Islamist groups; conspicuously absent from the parolees were the six remaining "Damascu [...] | 2005-11-07 15:10:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM SY |
05DAMASCUS5833 | SMALL BAND OF SECULAR AND MINORITY GROUPS [...] (C) SUMMARY: The impact of the Damascus Declaration continues to reverberate through civil society and opposition circles in Syria. A small group of secular and minority elements (with a heavy Kurdish presence) has formed the "Dialogue Group" to develop a more secular, pro-minorities alterna [...] | 2005-11-07 15:19:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM SY |
05DAMASCUS5865 | Damascus Media Reaction: UNSC Resolution 1636, [...] Summary: Syrian papers today featured a press statement by Judge Ghada Murad, head of the Syrian committee established to investigate the Al-Hariri assassination, announcing commencement of review of the transcripts of testimony of Syrian witnesses and confirming cooperation with the internati [...] | 2005-11-08 13:09:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
05DAMASCUS5866 | MALEH SLANDER TRIAL DELAYED BY TECHNICALITIES [...] (C) Prominent human rights activist and lawyer Haitham al-Maleh,s trial continued at the Syrian Military Court on November 7. Maleh told Poloff that the case stems from a letter he sent to President Bashar al-Asad in July 2005 in reference to a criminal case that was conducted in the Field [...] | 2005-11-08 14:42:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM SY |
05DAMASCUS5887 | ASAD DELIVERS HARD-LINE SPEECH, PREPARING SYRIANS [...] (C) Summary: Syrian President Bashar al-Asad gave a strident speech at Damascus University today (November 10). While Asad did not completely close the door on further cooperation with UNIIIC head Detlev Mehlis, he indicated that Syria had little faith in the fairness of the process and note [...] | 2005-11-10 13:19:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
05DAMASCUS5908 | Damascus Media Reaction: Asad's Speech, Al-Hariri [...] Summary: Syrian papers over the weekend focused on President Asad's speech. Government-owned Tishreen and Al- Ba'th, which are usually not published on Fridays, appeared on Friday 11 November, along with the third official government-owned paper, Al-Thawra, to report on President Bashar Al-Asa [...] | 2005-11-13 14:47:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
05DAMASCUS5909 | DEPUTY PM DARDARI: REFORMER OR APOLOGIST? [...] (C) Summary. After a two-week absence, Deputy PM Dardari spoke out last week to reassure the Syrian public that their government has a plan to deal with any possible sanctions the international community may impose on the country. His recent pronouncements (ref A, B) seem to fit more with a [...] | 2005-11-13 15:09:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN EINV PGOV SY |
05DAMASCUS5932 | Embassy Damascus 2006 HOLIDAY list [...] The Embassy will observe the following holidays during calendar year 2006: January 1, Sunday New Year's Day January 11-12, Wed-Thurs Al-Adha Holiday January 15, Sunday Birthday of Martin Luther King,Jr. Jan [...] | 2005-11-14 10:58:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | AMGT ACOA KRIM SY |
05DAMASCUS5933 | LABWANI ARRAIGNED ON FIVE CHARGES AND REMAINS IN [...] (C) SUMMARY: Prominent opposition figure Kamal Labwani was arraigned on November 12 at the Palace of Justice. During a two-and-a-half-hour session in criminal court, Labwani was charged with two counts of slandering the country in the media, one count of degrading national pride in a time o [...] | 2005-11-14 12:59:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM SY HRCS |
05DAMASCUS5934 | ASAD SPEECH CONTINUES TO REVERBERATE IN DAMASCUS [...] (C) Summary and Comment: Damascus continues to buzz with a range of often conflicting reactions to Syrian President Bashar al-Asad's November 10 speech and with worry over its implications for the future. Most contacts expressed concern that the speech had been too confrontational, but noted [...] | 2005-11-14 13:26:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
05DAMASCUS5936 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Libya, Syria/Iran, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported the visit of a Libyan delegation carrying a message of solidarity with Syria from Colonel Qaddafi. Papers also reported the visit to Damascus by the Iranian FM, who will supposedly be mediating between Syria and Lebanon to ease the recent tension caused b [...] | 2005-11-14 14:10:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
05DAMASCUS5937 | POST,S ASSESSMENT OF CASH COURIER ENVIRONMENT [...] (U) This cable is post,s informal, in-house assessment of the cash courier environment in Syria as per ref A tasking. 2. (C) The SARG has restrictions for bringing money into or out of the country but the requirement to declare is neither well publicized nor visible when traveling through [...] | 2005-11-01 18:53:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | EFIN KTFN SY |
05DAMASCUS5961 | Damascus Media Reaction: Mehlis Report, Syria/Iran, [...] Summary: Syrian papers today reported President Asad's messages to Arab and world leaders, the Security Council member states, the current chairman of the Arab Summit, the current chairman of the Organization of the Islamic Conference and Nonaligned Nations, the UN SecGen, and the Arab League [...] | 2005-11-15 13:09:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
05DAMASCUS5971 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/China, Syria/US, [...] Summary: All Syrian papers reported the visit to Bejing of a Syrian MFA delegation and cited a statement by a Chinese Deputy FM rejecting politicization of the International Investigation Commission report and rejecting any economic sanctions on Syria. Government-owned Al-Thawra reported an [...] | 2005-11-16 15:12:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
05DAMASCUS5972 | TRANSPORT OF IRAQ-BOUND U.S. WHEAT REMAINS A [...] (SBU) Summary: Over the past three months, Post has witnessed an incremental increase in the amount of Iraq- bound, U.S. wheat accumulating at the port of Tartous awaiting transport from Syria into Iraq. On the surface, the reason for the delay in wheat transport is a lack of available truc [...] | 2005-11-16 15:12:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EAGR ELTN ECIN |
05DAMASCUS5973 | EMERGENCY ACTION COMMITTEE MEETING (EAC) NOVEMBER 16, 2005 [...] (S/NF) The EAC convened on November 16, 2005 at 1430 hours to discuss the security situation in Syria after receiving several intelligence reports indicating specific/general threat information. 2. (S/NF) The EAC discussed three different pieces of intelligence: First, a report that [...] | 2005-11-16 15:52:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET//NOFORN | ASEC SY IS CASC |
05DAMASCUS6010 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Russia, [...] Summary: Syrian papers today reported the visits to Damascus by Russian FM Ivanov and Turkish FM Gul, who are reportedly mediating with Syria to cooperate with the International Investigation Commission. Headlines featured Gul's statement, "Our goal is to protect stability in the region and to [...] | 2005-11-17 13:55:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
05DAMASCUS6014 | USG STATEMENTS ON POLITICAL PRISONERS OVERSHADOWED [...] (C) SUMMARY: Civil-society activists, especially those focusing on human rights, have expressed satisfaction with recent USG statements calling for the release of Kamal Labwani and other political prisoners. While glad that the U.S. now includes human rights on its Syria agenda, many contact [...] | 2005-11-17 15:35:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM SY |
05DAMASCUS6015 | SARG ATTRACTS NEW INVESTMENT IN ITS OIL AND GAS [...] (C) Summary. Last week, the SARG opened for bidding, nine new blocks for oil and gas exploration. Though interest has been high, most industry contacts discount the majority of potential bidders as speculators attracted by the current high selling price of oil. Multinational companies alrea [...] | 2005-11-17 15:45:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EINV EPET SY |
05DAMASCUS6040 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Saudi Arabia, [...] Summary: Syrian papers over the weekend reported visits to Damascus by Prince Bandar Bin Sultan, Secretary General of the Saudi Security Council, carrying a letter from King Abdullah to President Asad, and Renato Rabillo, Leader of the Brazilian Communist Party. Papers on 11/19 quoted a dipl [...] | 2005-11-20 14:10:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
05DAMASCUS6066 | ANTI-AMERICANISM IN SYRIA: ON THE RISE BUT NOT [...] (C) Summary: Since the mid-October release of the Mehlis report, the SARG has developed a response strategy that has included fanning existing anti-American sentiment in Syria, already evident because of popular perceptions about the war in Iraq and the global war on terror. Some elements o [...] | 2005-11-21 11:13:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
05DAMASCUS6068 | ASAD SHOPPING AROUND FOR LEGAL COUNSEL? [...] (C) Summary: Samir al-Taki, a long-standing Embassy contact, told Polchief November 20 that on behalf of the SARG he had engaged the services of two British experts in international law. Syrian President Bashar al-Asad had agreed to this approach in a meeting with al-Taki. SMI chief Asif [...] | 2005-11-21 13:01:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
05DAMASCUS6072 | Damascus Media Reaction: Iraq, Syria/US, Lebanon, [...] Summary: Syrian papers led with reports on Iraq, featuring a statement by the Commander of US airborne troops in the Central Command in Iraq that the US does not possess any evidence against Syria on the issue of infiltrations through the Syrian border, and a statement by President Bush ruling [...] | 2005-11-21 15:29:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
05DAMASCUS6075 | WHY CAN'T WE ALL JUST GET ALONG? FISSURES (AND EGO [...] (C) SUMMARY: The inability of Syrian civil-society players and opposition activists to put aside egos and ideological differences was on full display during a recent three-day international women's conference held at Damascus University. Two panels featuring Syrian religious figures, as well [...] | 2005-11-21 15:34:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM SY |
05DAMASCUS6077 | THE VIEW FROM PARLIAMENT: MEHLIS, THE ASAD SPEECH, [...] (C) Summary: In separate meetings November 15-16, three non-Ba'athist Syrian MP's sounded off about the Mehlis investigation, President Asad's November 10 speech, and the recent imprisonment of opposition figure Kamal Labwani. In their first meetings with Polchief, they hewed closely to the [...] | 2005-11-22 09:50:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
05DAMASCUS6101 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Bahrain, Lebanon, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported the visit of the Bahraini FM to Damascus carrying a message from the King of Bahrain to President Asad on Syria's coordination with the International Investigation Commission. On Lebanon, papers featured President Asad's message to President Lahoud congratulat [...] | 2005-11-22 12:41:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
05DAMASCUS6134 | SYRIA NATIONAL PLAN FOR AVIAN INFLUENZA [...] Following is a translation of the SARG's national contingency plan for avian influenza, dated October 11, 2005, which was adopted by the Council of Ministers (including the Ministers of Transport, Local Administration and Environment, Agriculture and Agrarian Reform, Interior, Economy and Tra [...] | 2005-11-27 06:58:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | TBIO SENV ECON EAGR EAID PREL SY SYAI |
05DAMASCUS6136 | SPONTANEOUS DEMONSTRATION AT STATE SECURITY COURT; [...] (C) COURT SCUFFLE RESULTS IN BRIEF DETENTION: SARG security forces detained approximately 12 men who had participated in a spontaneous demonstration in front of the State Security Court on November 13, following a hearing for approximately 13 men who have been held on Islamist charges for mor [...] | 2005-11-27 07:38:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM SY HRCS |
05DAMASCUS6165 | IRAQI OUT-OF-COUNTRY VOTING, PROSPECTS FOR [...] (C) Summary: The head of the Iraqi Interests Section in Damascus Sabah al-Imam told PolChief November 27 that an Iraqi official from Baghdad has arrived and is coordinating with SARG officials to organize Out-of-Country voing for December 13-15 at ten Damascus polling stations. Imam express [...] | 2005-11-27 15:21:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY IRPE |
05DAMASCUS6223 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Mehlis, Iraq (11/28) [...] Summary: The Syrian press reported President Asad's meeting with Prince Bandar Bin Sultan, Secretary General of the Saudi National Security Council, carrying a message from King Abdullah to President Asad. Syrian papers also carried the full text of the TV interview broadcast by Syrian TV la [...] | 2005-11-29 09:31:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
05DAMASCUS6224 | REGIME INSIDERS ALREADY MOVED TO PROTECT ASSETS [...] (C) Summary: Contacts report that those who may be named in the UNIIIC report on December 15 already have protected their assets in anticipation of new sanctions. Regime insiders have spread their assets both at home and abroad under the names of family members, and avoid moving money through [...] | 2005-11-29 09:56:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EINV EFIN PTER KTFN SY |
05DAMASCUS6225 | TERRORIST FINANCE: SARG FREEZES ACCOUNTS SUSPECTED [...] (C) This is an action request. Please see paragraph 4. 2. (C) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) informed Post by diplomatic note on November 26 that the Central Bank's Anti-Money Laundering and Combating Financial Terrorism Commission had identified and frozen two accounts that may be [...] | 2005-11-29 13:03:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | KTFN ETTC EFIN PTER PREL CVIS KVPR SY |
05DAMASCUS6226 | Damascus Media Reaction: Euro-Med Summit, Al-Hariri [...] Summary: Syrian papers today reported in banner headlines FM Shara's address at the Euro-Med Summit in Barcelona and carried the full text of the final communique of the conference. Papers also reported FM Shara's meeting with Lebanese FM Al-Saniora in which Shara said that Syria has opened a [...] | 2005-11-29 13:07:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
05DAMASCUS6254 | Damascus Media Reaction: False Witness/Al-Hariri [...] Summary: Syrian newspapers continued to focus on revelations by the Syrian "masked witness," Husam Tahir Husam, who gave false testimony to the international investigation commission in the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq al-Hariri. The papers view Husam's account, as to [...] | 2005-11-30 14:27:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
05DAMASCUS6255 | Damascus Media Reaction: False Witness/Al-Hariri [...] Summary: Syrian newspapers continued to focus on revelations by the Syrian "masked witness," Husam Tahir Husam, who gave false testimony to the international investigation commission in the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq al-Hariri. The papers view Husam's account, as to [...] | 2005-11-30 14:28:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
05DAMASCUS6256 | IRAQIS ARRIVE IN DAMASCUS TO RUN OCV [...] (C) Sa'ad Samarai, an official of the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq (IECI) in Basrah, told PolChief November 30 that he arrived with a team of one dozen Iraqis in Damascus in mid-November to plan out-of-country voting. At the bustling office he has rented in the suburb of Mezzeh, S [...] | 2005-11-30 15:50:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY IZ |
05DAMASCUS6277 | Damascus Media Reaction: Al-Hariri Probe/Masked [...] Summary: Syrian papers continued to comment on statements by Syrian witness Husam Tahir Husam that he was intimidated by a group of Lebanese political, media, and security figures to give false testimony to the international investigation commission to implicate Syria in the assassination of [...] | 2005-12-01 11:49:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
05DAMASCUS6280 | SARG EFFORTS TO PREPARE FOR POSSIBLE NEW SANCTIONS [...] (C) Summary. The SARG has benefited initially from Syrians' fears of new international economic sanctions, as the average Syrian,s instinct has been to rally around the flag when threatened from the outside. The SARG,s message has been that the country is well placed to withstand the consequ [...] | 2005-12-01 15:59:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN EINV ETTC SY |
05DAMASCUS6325 | A NERVOUS LULL IN DAMASCUS BEFORE THE NEXT MEHLIS [...] (C) Summary and Comment: As five Syrian suspects arrive in Vienna for questioning set to begin on December 5, Syrians remain suspended in a nervous lull that ensued with President Bashar al-Asad's strident but generally well-received speech on November 10. With the perceived brinkmanship wi [...] | 2005-12-05 14:52:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
05DAMASCUS6326 | SARG HIGHLIGHTS TWO RECENT CLASHES WITH ISLAMISTS [...] (C) Summary: Two Islamist militants were injured in a shoot-out with Syrian security forces the morning of December 4 in Aleppo, according to Syrian media. A previously unreported clash between security forces and militants also occurred in Aleppo a week earlier, leaving two dead and three [...] | 2005-12-05 16:09:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PGOV PREL SY HRCS |
05DAMASCUS6327 | FATAL EXPLOSION IN LATTAKIA PORT [...] (SBU) Local and international press reported widely yesterday a huge explosion in the Lattakia port that resulted in eighteen injuries, one death and the destruction of up to four grain silos as well as the system of conveyor belts that connects them. Dr. Mohammad Fadel, manager of a major gra [...] | 2005-12-05 16:10:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON EAGR ELTN ECIN SY |
05DAMASCUS6328 | SARG POLICIES AND ACTIONS IN CUBA: TITLE III OF [...] (U) Reftel requested information regarding the SARG's trading relationship with and investments in Cuba. The SARG signed a commercial agreement in October 1998 with the Government of Cuba that calls for increased bilateral economic cooperation. The agreement, which was ratified and impleme [...] | 2005-12-05 16:11:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ETRD ETTC PREL SY |
05DAMASCUS6342 | MAPPING SYRIAN CIVIL SOCIETY: A WILDERNESS OF [...] (C) Summary: Developments in Syria over the past 18 months have focused fresh attention on the need for USG support for democratization and efforts to strengthen civil society in Syria. As Post begins mapping out the different players in civil society and the opposition for use in identifyi [...] | 2005-12-06 15:17:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM KMPI PREL SY |
05DAMASCUS6344 | IRAQ OUT-OF-COUNTRY VOTING COMMISSION RACING [...] Summary: Members of the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq (IECI) explained details of out-of-country (OCV) voting arrangements for Iraqis in Syria during a December 6 press conference in Damascus. Questions included queries about Syrian-Iraq relations and the IECI's independence. The [...] | 2005-12-06 16:12:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL SY IZ IRPE |
05DAMASCUS6367 | HIGHLIGHTING FRAGILITY OF REFORM, REGIME LOYALIST [...] (C) Summary: A regime insider recently announced that the SARG will not reduce the subsidy on diesel or other basic commodities, publicly contradicting Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Abdullah Dardari and effectively marginalizing the work of a committee of reformers tasked with dev [...] | 2005-12-07 15:16:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN SY |
05DAMASCUS6368 | HUMAN RIGHTS ROUNDUP: LABWANI UPDATE; MALEH TRIAL [...] (C) SUMMARY: The SARG pressure on human rights activists continues unabated, with authorities using detention, legal cases and police intimidation as tools. Kamal Labwani remains detained in Aadra prison, while the presiding judge continues his investigation. The military court trial of Ha [...] | 2005-12-07 15:20:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM SY HRCS |
05DAMASCUS6383 | ENGLISH LANGUAGE FELLOW PROGRAM: DAMASCUS POINTS OF [...] No summary [...] | 2005-12-08 09:21:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KPAO OEXC SCUL SY |
05DAMASCUS6384 | FOR SOME SYRIANS, CIRCUMVENTING TRADE SANCTIONS IS [...] (C) Summary: Trade sanctions under the Syria Accountability Act (SAA),which place a general ban on U.S. exports to Syria, have negatively impacted certain segments of the Syrian population and specific economic and commercial sectors (reftels A,B,C,D),but they have not significantly reduced [...] | 2005-12-08 09:23:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON ETRD ETTC SY |
05DAMASCUS6389 | STATUS OF SYRIAN OIL AND GAS SECTOR (C-TN5-01284) [...] (C) SARG long-term plans, (five to ten years),for foreign upstream investment are to encourage outside investment in the exploration areas not held by the Syrian Petroluem Company (SPC). There are currently no plans to open up any of the areas held by SPC at any point in the future. As a r [...] | 2005-12-08 12:58:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EINV ENRG EPET SY |
05DAMASCUS6392 | Damascus Media Reaction: OIC Summit, Syria, [...] Summary: Syrian papers today focused on the summit of the Organization of Islamic Conference in Mecca. Papers reported FM Shara's representation of President Asad and the meetings he held on the sidelines of the conference with Iraqi President Talabani, King Hamad bin Issa Al Khalifa of Bahrai [...] | 2005-12-08 13:31:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
05DAMASCUS6394 | NEW MEMBERS OF THE BA'ATH PARTY REGIONAL COMMAND: [...] (C/NF) Summary: The new, downsized, Ba'ath Party Regional Command announced at the conclusion of the June Party Congress includes nine new members and five holdovers. Included below is biographical information on eight of the nine (extensive biographic information on DefMin Hasan Ali Turkman [...] | 2005-12-08 15:36:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PINR PGOV SY |
05DAMASCUS6395 | HOISTING THE FLAG FOR SYRIA AND BASHAR, FOR [...] (C) Summary: The Syrian flag and banners supporting Syria's President now crowd streets and squares leading to prominent Damascus neighborhoods, including the Old City and suburbs that are home to diplomats. The Arabic and often English-language banners make frequent reference to President [...] | 2005-12-08 15:51:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV SY DRIP |
05DAMASCUS6397 | SYRIA'S AI-RELATED IMPORT RESTRICTIONS ON POULTRY [...] (SBU) Summary: The AI-related trade ban on all poultry imports into Syria, which expires next week, has not impacted poultry consumption and prices as much as has the Syrian population's fear and uncertainty of the exact nature of the threat posed by avian influenza. In the past two months, t [...] | 2005-12-08 17:12:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ETRD EAGR SYAI |
05DAMASCUS6423 | TWO MORE SHOOT-OUTS BETWEEN ARMED ELEMENTS AND [...] (C) Summary: Two more shoot-outs between armed elements and SARG security services have occurred in Syria, a week after two earlier clashes in the Aleppo area (reported reftel). A December 8 incident involving armed Islamists took place near Aleppo, and the second, possibly involving crimi [...] | 2005-12-12 08:48:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER SY |
05DAMASCUS6439 | THE SARG PRESENTS ITS DEVELOPMENT PLAN TO THE [...] No summary [...] | 2005-12-12 11:38:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | EAID ECON EFIN EINV SY |
05DAMASCUS6444 | TUENI ASSASSINATION PROVOKES SHOCK, DENIAL, AND A [...] (C) Summary: SARG officials condemned the December 12 assassination in Beirut of an-Nahar publisher Gibran Tueni, calling it an act of terrorism and insisting that enemies of Lebanon and Syria had committed the crime to further destabilize Lebanon and to worsen Syria's international position [...] | 2005-12-12 15:25:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY LE |
05DAMASCUS6445 | DENEHY TALKS TO BA'ATHIST REFORMER AND MODERATE [...] (C) Summary: As part of his December 2-10 round of discussions, NEA senior advisor David Denehy, accompanied by PolChief, spoke with Ba'athist reform figure Ayman Abdul Noor and with two moderate Islamic leaders, Abu Noor Institute Director Salah Kuftaro, and MP Mohammed Habash (other conver [...] | 2005-12-12 16:04:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
05DAMASCUS6472 | SARG GENERALLY AVOIDING COMMENT ON MEHLIS REPORT; [...] (C) Summary: As of midday December 13 there has been very little official SARG reaction to the release of the second Mehlis report on the assassination of former PM Rafik Hariri. One Ministry of Information official was quoted as saying that Syria had other witnesses like Hussam Hussam and [...] | 2005-12-13 12:16:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
05DAMASCUS6474 | HUMAN RIGHTS COMMUNITY EXPRESSES GENERAL [...] (C) SUMMARY: Human rights activists in general reacted positively to the December 10 White House statement calling for Syrian Government to release all prisoners of conscience, including the six remaining Damascus Spring detainees, as well as Kamal Labwani, Nizar Rastanawi, and Habib Saleh. H [...] | 2005-12-13 14:13:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV SY |
05DAMASCUS6509 | HUMAN RIGHTS ROUNDUP: PROMINENT ACTIVIST CONSIDERS [...] (C) PROMINENT ACTIVIST MULLS RELOCATION TO UK: Civil society and women's rights activist Maan Abdul Salaam told PolOff and visiting NEA Senior Advisor David Denehy on December 7 that he is considering relocating to the United Kingdom following recent difficulties with Syrian security servic [...] | 2005-12-14 14:44:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM SY |
05DAMASCUS6521 | Damascus Media Reaction: Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, [...] Summary: Syrian newspapers continued to criticize the second report of the International Investigation Commission into the assassination of former Lebanese PM Rafiq al-Hariri and cited Lebanese criticism of the report from the "National Unity Forum," that described the Mehlis report as "empty [...] | 2005-12-15 15:12:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
05DAMASCUS6524 | 2005 REPORT ON FINANCIAL CRIMES AND MONEY [...] (U) Summary: Throughout 2005, Syria has enacted legislation to strengthen Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terror (AML/CFT) regulations in its financial sector, which has opened up in the last two years to include four private banks. It has begun to develop a Financial Int [...] | 2005-12-18 07:23:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | EFIN KCRM KTFN PTER SNAR |
05DAMASCUS6544 | SARG STABILIZES ITS CURRENCY [...] No summary [...] | 2005-12-18 09:54:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN EINV SY |
05DAMASCUS6547 | LABWANI INTERROGATED BY JUDGE; PRAISES USG [...] (C) SUMMARY: Prominent human rights and opposition activist Kamal Labwani was interrogated for a second time by a Criminal Court judge on December 14 for approximately two and a half hours. Labwani, who appeared to be in good spirits and good physical condition, spoke with diplomatic represe [...] | 2005-12-18 13:25:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM SY |
05DAMASCUS6571 | SARG TRUMPETS COSMETIC STEPS TO CRAFT AML/CFT [...] (SBU) In a further attempt to reach out to the international community and promote the Asad regime as reform-minded (ref A),SARG officials used a two-day regional conference last week on strategies to combat money laundering and the financing of terror (AML/CFT) to assert that the SARG alread [...] | 2005-12-19 13:05:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN PTER SY |
05DAMASCUS6578 | Damascus Media Reaction: Lebanon, Syria, [...] Summary: Syrian papers today reported a lecture delivered by Dr. Mahdi Dakhlallah, Minister of Information, entitled "Propaganda Campaign Against Syria," in which he criticized the anti-Syria media and political campaign, saying that it seeks to incite disagreement between Syria and Lebanon and [...] | 2005-12-19 14:47:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
05DAMASCUS6579 | THE KILLING OF GEBRAN TUENI: WHAT WAS THE SARG [...] (C) Summary: A minority view in Syria of the December 12 assassination of an-Nahar publisher Gebran Tueni argues that careful scrutiny of events in Syria leading up to the assassination, and close examination of the messages that the killing sends, and of the costs and benefits accruing afte [...] | 2005-12-19 15:17:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
05DAMASCUS6597 | ABDUL AZIM TRIAL BEGINS; DETAINED ACTIVIST BEGINS [...] (C) SUMMARY: The military court trial of opposition figure Hassan Abdul Azim began on December 18, as he faced charges of publication of material by an illegal organization. He is not in SARG custody. His next court date is set for January 19. Human rights organizations are also reporting [...] | 2005-12-20 15:00:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM SY |
05DAMASCUS6600 | Damascus Media Reaction: GCC Summit, IIC, Iraq, [...] Summary: Syrian papers today reported the final communique of the Gulf Cooperation Council(GCC) summit that underlined commitment to the security and stability of Syria and Lebanon, adding that Syria had cooperated with the international investigation into the assassination of former Premier R [...] | 2005-12-20 16:03:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
05DAMASCUS6624 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Egypt, Syria/Iran, [...] Summary: Syrian papers on 12/21 reported President Asad's meeting with Egyptian President Mubarak, which focused on Lebanon and Iraq. On 12/22 papers reported a press statement by British PM Blair expressing his government's readiness to start a positive and constructive dialogue with Syria ac [...] | 2005-12-22 12:39:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
05DAMASCUS6626 | SYRIAN PRESIDENT GOES TO EGYPT [...] (C) Summary: Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak told visiting Syrian President Bashar al-Asad in a December 20 meeting attended by Arab League Secretary General Amre Moussa that the SARG needed to take immediate steps to ease the worsening relationship with Lebanon, according to an Egyptian di [...] | 2005-12-22 14:37:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV SY EG |
05DAMASCUS6640 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Lebanon, Palestinian [...] Summary: Weekend Syrian papers reported statements by Lebanese personalities emphasizing distinguished ties with Syria, listing among them Lebanese Minister of Energy & Water Mohammed Fneish who underlined the importance of preserving "the distinguished relations with Syria to face the Israeli [...] | 2005-12-26 14:45:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
05DAMASCUS6662 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Sudan, Lebanon, [...] Summary: Syrian papers today reported President Asad's message to Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir conveyed by Deputy Foreign Minister Walid Mouallem on current Arab developments, bilateral relations and coordination for the forthcoming Arab summit scheduled in Khartoum. Mouallem and M [...] | 2005-12-27 15:49:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
05DAMASCUS6684 | SANCTIONS: LICENSING DELAYS FOR AVIATION SAFETY [...] (U) On December 26, Syrian Arab Airlines began executing its plan to ferry, in tandem with Saudi Airlines, some 25,000 Syrian Hajj participants to Jidda and Medina. At the same time, a reporter for as-Sharq al-Awsat approached us on a story she is researching on the adverse effect US trade s [...] | 2005-12-28 14:08:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAIR ECON ETTC SY SANC |
05DAMASCUS6687 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Turkey, Lebanon, [...] Summary: Syrian papers today highlighted President Asad's interview with Turkish TV Sky News. President Asad said that Syrian-Turkish ties are progressing in a constant and firm way and there is a conviction among Turkish institutions, and many countries, that what is happening to Syria now i [...] | 2005-12-28 14:36:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
05DAMASCUS6697 | DAMASCUS DECLARATION MEMBERS DISCUSS NEXT STEPS [...] (C) SUMMARY: After six weeks of relative silence from the Damascus Declaration group, members have met again to discuss further action, according to Joumana Seif, daughter of Damascus Declaration signatory and jailed MP Riad Seif. Seif described discussions about a number of controversial is [...] | 2005-12-29 13:42:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM SY |
06DAMASCCUS4435 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Lebanon, Peace [...] Summary: Syrian papers over the weekend led with reports of President Asad's phone conversations with Italian PM Prodi, which focused on technical assistance to be offered to Syrian border guards, and featured a statement by the Syrian News Agency denying reports that Syria has accepted Europ [...] | 2006-09-11 13:21:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS1014 | IN THE FACE OF SECTION 311 SANCTIONS, SYRIA [...] (C) Summary: As we move to impose sanctions against the Commercial Bank of Syria (CBS) under USAPATRIOT Act Section 311, it has become increasingly clear that the threat of sanctions succeeded in making it difficult for Syrian public financial institutions to conduct business with foreign bank [...] | 2006-03-08 11:19:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN EINV PTER SANC SY |
06DAMASCUS1017 | SYRIA: ADDITIONAL INPUT ON INTERNATIONAL [...] (SBU) As promised in reftel A, Post is providing the SARG's March 2 written response to a query about its stance toward the following international instruments as requested in reftel B. While the following information differs in some cases from that provided for last year's report, it is the [...] | 2006-03-08 14:15:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KCRM PHUM KWMN SMIG KFRD ASEC PREF ELAB |
06DAMASCUS1019 | FM MU'ALLIM BRIEFS EU AMBASSADORS [...] (C) Summary: Recently appointed FM Walid Mu'allim provided EU Ambassadors a diplomatic tour d'horizon at a dinner March 7 hosted by the Austrian Ambassador. According to a Hungarian diplomat who attended the dinner, Mu'allim offered no revelations or dramatic changes of course in his remark [...] | 2006-03-08 15:25:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV SY LE |
06DAMASCUS1054 | CIVIL SOCIETY ACTIVISTS PROTESTING 43 YEARS OF [...] (C) SUMMARY: A group of approximately fifty civil-society activists staged a protest against 43 years of Emergency Law at the Palace of Justice in downtown Damascus on March 9. There was little visible uniformed security in the area, one of Damascus's main pedestrian thoroughfares. A well-out [...] | 2006-03-09 14:17:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM SY |
06DAMASCUS1055 | SARG'S NEW VP SHAR'A: PROMOTED OR MOVED ASIDE, [...] (C) Summary: Observers here express uncertainty about the degree to which former FM Farouk al-Shara'a received a promotion when President Bashar al-Asad moved him from the Foreign Ministry to the Vice Presidency. One contact sees it as a SARG signal that it is ready to re-engage with the U.S [...] | 2006-03-09 14:21:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV SY |
06DAMASCUS1058 | TWO YEARS AFTER QAMISHLI RIOTS, WHERE ARE THE [...] (C) SUMMARY: As the March 12 anniversary of the 2004 Kurdish riots in northeastern Syria nears, multiple issues regarding Syria's Kurdish minority remain unresolved. Several hundred thousand Kurds in Syria remain without citizenship resulting in serious socioeconomic consequences; linguistic [...] | 2006-03-09 14:58:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM SY |
06DAMASCUS1082 | MOVING FORWARD ON THE SYRIA-TURKEY FREE TRADE [...] (C) Summary: The Syrian press reported last week on the Turkish Parliament's approval of the Syria-Turkey Free Trade Agreement (FTA),indicating that it would increase bilateral trade to $2 billion by 2007. Turkish diplomatic contacts have stated that implementation of the agreement is stil [...] | 2006-03-12 12:23:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON ETRD SY |
06DAMASCUS1107 | RIAD SEIF, FOUR OTHERS ARRESTED AT DEMONSTRATION; [...] (C) SUMMARY: Prominent opposition figure Riad Seif and four others were arrested on March 12 while participating in a predominantly Kurdish demonstration in front of the Prime Minister's office. According to human rights activists, Seif was arrested by State Security agents and was released [...] | 2006-03-13 15:19:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV SY |
06DAMASCUS1108 | MARCH MADNESS, SYRIAN STYLE, AS ARBITRARY ARRESTS [...] (C) SUMMARY: In addition to the recent detentions of Riad Seif and others during civil society-organized demonstrations, arbitrary arrests and detentions have continued in recent weeks. Targets have included a prominent civil society activist, the brother of a key post contact, and a journa [...] | 2006-03-13 15:27:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV SY |
06DAMASCUS1157 | SARG SEEKS ALTERNATIVE IN ISLAMIC BANKING [...] (C) Summary: This week, the Ministry of Finance used a conference on Islamic banking to present these banks as a viable alternative to Western financial institutions. Conference participants agreed that potential demand for Islamic banking in Syria is high, and significant enough for Syrian pr [...] | 2006-03-16 11:45:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN EINV SY |
06DAMASCUS1158 | SARG REPORTEDLY SETS OUT THREE NEW RED LINES FOR [...] (C) SUMMARY: A recent newspaper article in the influential regional Arab daily al-Hayat reported what is described as the SARG's demarcation of three "new" red lines for civil society activists, reflecting the regime's reaction to events of the last week. The three lines include: a ban on c [...] | 2006-03-16 14:35:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM SY |
06DAMASCUS1159 | SYRIA-IRAN RELATIONS FLOURISHING; IS FURTHER [...] (C) Summary: By official Syrian accounts, the country's relationship with Iran has flourished since the January visit of Iranian President Ahmadinejad to Damascus. Embassy contacts largely dismiss the immediate economic benefit of increased ties, but note that the two countries have formed [...] | 2006-03-16 15:37:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV SY IR LE IZ |
06DAMASCUS1160 | SYRIAN FORCES REPORTEDLY CLASH WITH JUND A-SHAM, [...] (U) The official Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported that Syrian troops killed the "most wanted member of the Jund al-Sham terrorist and takfiri organization" and his bodyguard on March 15 in Zabadani about 30 miles northwest of Damascus, seizing weapons, documents and a computer. Mohamma [...] | 2006-03-16 15:44:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV SY LE IZ |
06DAMASCUS1186 | REGIME SENSES SYRIA POLICY AT IMPASSE [...] (C) Summary: In separate meetings with Syria desk officer March 13, two key contacts noted that the SARG believes that U.S. policy towards Syria has reached an impasse, and that the U.S. is in the process of changing its approach. That shift will take six months, in their view, during which [...] | 2006-03-19 13:24:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINR SY LE |
06DAMASCUS1187 | SYRIAN MEDIA BANNER RELATIONSHIP WITH SPAIN [...] (U) Since late January, official Syrian media have played up stories involving Spain, asserting strengthened relations between the two countries. Examples of some of these stories include a February 26 story about a Spanish grant of more than USD one million for rural health centers, a March [...] | 2006-03-19 14:18:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY SP |
06DAMASCUS1216 | SARG EFFORTS TO RESTRICT EMBASSY OPERATIONS [...] (C) Summary: With increasing intensity over the past three months, the SARG has mounted an effort, spearheaded by the MFA, to restrict a range of Embassy operations. The SARG has imposed a new, centralized system of visa issuance, seriously impeding the travel of official Americans. It has [...] | 2006-03-20 15:38:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL AMGT SY |
06DAMASCUS1217 | SARG PUBLICLY DISMISSES 311 SANCTIONS, WHILE [...] (C) Summary: Through government media and public appearances, SARG officials are attempting to reassure their domestic audience that the USG's March 9 decision to impose USAPATRIOT Act Section 311 sanctions against the Commercial Bank of Syria (CBS) was purely political and that the government [...] | 2006-03-21 07:38:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN ETRD EINV SY |
06DAMASCUS1219 | HUMAN RIGHTS ROUND-UP: 2004 QAMISHLI RIOTS [...] (C) 2004 QAMISHLI RIOTS COMMEMORATED THROUGHOUT SYRIA: On March 12, Kurds throughout Syria observed the second anniversary of the 2004 Qamishli riots. Luqman Ois, an Azadi Party activist and member of the Kurdish Committee for Human Rights, told Poloff that a number of activities took place: [...] | 2006-03-21 08:36:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV SY |
06DAMASCUS1261 | SARG TRUMPETS BURGEONING ECONOMIC TIES WITH RUSSIA [...] (C) Summary. The recent meeting of the Russian-Syrian joint ministerial committee is one in a series of recent events ostensibly reflecting the increasing economic activity between the two countries. Though Syria remains a difficult place for anyone to do business, the Russians are reportedl [...] | 2006-03-22 10:50:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EINV ETTC SY |
06DAMASCUS1262 | ENSURING EXPORT CONTROL ENFORCEMENT UNDER THE SAA [...] (SBU) Summary: Syrian businessmen regularly report on the ease with which their fellow businessmen illegally import U.S. commodities with seeming impunity, as well as express concerns that the USG's lack of enforcement of the economic sanctions imposed under the SAA are hurting those that choo [...] | 2006-03-22 11:08:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON ETRD ETTC SY |
06DAMASCUS1273 | FACING DOUBLE-DIGIT INFLATION, SYRIANS NERVOUSLY [...] (SBU) Summary: Local media is giving increasing coverage to the issue of inflation, with contacts estimating that the prices of basic commodities are rising much faster than the officially reported rate of 6%. Prices have refused to come down after a series of shocks in 2005, indicating a gen [...] | 2006-03-22 14:03:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN SY |
06DAMASCUS1296 | SYRIAN LEGAL EXPERTS, BUSINESSMEN TO LAUNCH [...] (C) A group of businessmen, lawyers, judges, and researchers are in the final planning stages of launching a Syrian chapter of Transparency International, the Germany-based anti-corruption NGO. According to activist and researcher Radwan Zyadeh, the organization has been in the works for th [...] | 2006-03-23 14:33:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV |
06DAMASCUS1297 | KURDS TURN OUT EN MASSE TO PARTY-SPONSORED NOW RUZ [...] (C) SUMMARY: Thousands of Syrian Kurds turned out across Syria on March 21 to celebrate the ancient holiday of Now Ruz, the solar new year. Kurdish political parties organized festivals throughout Syria, combining folk dancing and Kurdish pop music with easily digestible political messages. [...] | 2006-03-23 14:43:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV SY |
06DAMASCUS1357 | KHADDAM'S NATIONAL SALVATION FRONT GARNERS MIXED [...] (C) SUMMARY: The March 17 unveiling in Brussels of the National Salvation Front (NSF) has received mixed reviews from civil society activists and other contacts. While activists distanced themselves publicly from the NSF, some contacts took a more nuanced position privately, maintaining [...] | 2006-03-27 15:21:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM SY |
06DAMASCUS1358 | PROMINENT OPPOSITION AND CIVIL SOCIETY FIGURES [...] (C) SUMMARY: SARG authorities have arrested or detained a number of prominent Syrian opposition and civil society figures within the last few days. Prominent activist and former political detainee Ali Abudullah, together with his eldest son Mohammed, were arrested on March 23 by unidentifi [...] | 2006-03-27 16:55:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM SY |
06DAMASCUS1359 | SECOND VICE-PRESIDENT SWORN IN, TOUTED AS [...] (C) SUMMARY: According to press reports, President Bashar al-Asad swore in Dr. Najah al-Attar as vice-president on March 23. Attar, a nominal political independent with a long career in senior positions in the regime of Hafiz al-Asad, will be responsible for cultural affairs. Press reports t [...] | 2006-03-27 16:55:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PINR PGOV SY |
06DAMASCUS1360 | THE DISSIDENT VIEW OF THE ASAD REGIME: AN [...] (C) Summary: Conversations with a range of former political prisoners in Syria over the past few months yield a consistent, extremely harsh view of the Bashar al-Asad regime and of Asad himself. They say the regime cannot be reformed and insist that Asad is not an agent for change. Because o [...] | 2006-03-27 16:55:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM SY LE |
06DAMASCUS1361 | SYRIAN VP VISITS EGYPT, SAUDI, AND IRAN [...] (U) Syrian VP Farouk al-Shara'a met with Egypt's President Mubarak March 23 in Sharm El Sheikh, Saudi King Abdullah March 24 in Jeddah, and Iranian President Ahmadinejad March 25 in Tehran. In his first regional trip since becoming VP, Shara'a delivered to each leader a letter from Syrian Pr [...] | 2006-03-27 16:56:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV SY LE EG IR SA |
06DAMASCUS1362 | Damascus Media Reaction: Arab Summit, Syria-Iran, [...] Summary: The Syrian weekend papers reported a statement by Sudanese President Omar Hasan al-Bashir prior to the imminent Arab summit in Khartoum, that "it is necessary that the Arab summit support Syria and reject pressures on it and on other Arab countries." Papers also reported the prelimina [...] | 2006-03-28 07:12:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS1366 | Damascus Media Reaction: Arab Summit, Lebanon, Iraq, [...] Summary: Syrian papers focused on the 18th Arab summit that will be inaugurated in Khartoum today. All papers reported President Asad's arrival in Khartoum to participate in the summit and featured photos of his meetings with Sudanese President Al- Bashir, Lebanese President Lahoud and Emir Sab [...] | 2006-03-28 12:57:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS1368 | SARG NERVOUS OVER BRAMMERTZ, DESPITE POSITIVE BODY [...] (C) Summary: Despite its continuing efforts to project calm, the mid-March Brammertz report seems to have provoked SARG anxiety about where the UNIIIC investigation is headed. A range of contacts report that the regime's guardedly positive public reaction to the mid-march UNIIIC report soured [...] | 2006-03-28 14:04:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KCRM SY |
06DAMASCUS1393 | FOUR SEASONS INAUGURATION SPEECH PROVIDES POSITIVE [...] (C) During the March 22 inauguration of the $100 million Four Seasons Hotel in Damascus, primary investor Saudi Prince al-Walid bin Talal used the occasion to praise Syria as a "defender of Arabism and Islam," as well as the strength of the Syrian-Saudi bilateral relationship. Chairman of West [...] | 2006-03-29 08:13:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON ETRD EINV SY |
06DAMASCUS1398 | EXPORT LICENSE APPROVAL FOR ICARDA IS IN USG INTEREST [...] (SBU) Summary: The International Center for Agricultural Research of Dry Areas (ICARDA),a not-for profit-organization headquartered outside Aleppo, has been unsuccessful in its most recent attempts to obtain a U.S. export license. Under the provisions of the Syria Accountability Act, a waiver [...] | 2006-03-29 10:22:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ETRD ETTC SY |
06DAMASCUS141 | KHADDAM, UNIIIC, AND A POSSIBLE CABINET RESHUFFLE [...] (C) Summary: Polchief met January 8 with XXXXXXXXXXXX, a long-standing Embassy contact, who described possible motives for the interviews being given by former Syrian VP Khaddam, as well as increased Alawite dissatisfaction with President Asad. XXXXXXXXXXXX also described a threatening outbu [...] | 2006-01-09 13:42:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS1430 | Damascus Media Reaction: President Asad's Interview [...] Summary: Syrian papers today led with President Asad's interview with the US PBS TV Network. All papers headlined President Asad's statement "We want to cooperate with the US Administration, and we can find common interests." The Khartoum Summit was the second focal topic in the Syrian paper [...] | 2006-03-30 08:44:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS1433 | XXXXXXXXXXXX DISCUSSES LONG-TERM COOPERATION WITH [...] (C) SUMMARY: Key opposition figure XXXXXXXXXXXX met with Poloff on March 26 to discuss a number of issues. XXXXXXXXXXXX confirmed that he is not applying for MEPI funding during this application cycle, but remains interested in pursuing other, "indirect" funding mechanisms from the USG. XX [...] | 2006-03-30 14:15:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PINR SY |
06DAMASCUS145 | ASAD VISITS JEDDAH, SHARM, AFTER QUICK SAUDI FM [...] (C) Summary: In a rapid, somewhat strangely choreographed set of visits January 8, President Bashar al-Asad met with Saudi King Abdullah in Jeddah and Egyptian President Mubarak in Sharm as-Sheikh, following a quick visit to Damascus by Saudi FM Saud al-Faisal the same day. The two sides is [...] | 2006-01-09 14:26:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS1457 | Damascus Media Reaction: Arab Summit, HAMAS (3/30) [...] Summary: Syrian papers continued to report on the Arab Summit in Khartoum and its final communique, which covered the following key points: On Palestine, the summit renewed commitment to the 2002 Arab peace initiative, which offered Israel a comprehensive peace in return for withdrawal from [...] | 2006-04-02 11:20:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS1460 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Iraq, Syria/Italy, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported Vice President Shara's meeting with a delegation representing the Iraqi Islamic Party. Headlines featured Shara's statement expressing the importance of maintaining Iraq's territorial integrity and forming a government of national unity, and rejection of attempt [...] | 2006-04-02 13:27:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS1465 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/US, Shara, Iraq (4/3) [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported President Asad's meeting with a US delegation from the Churches Panel for Peace in the Middle East, in which he reiterated the importance of coexistence and dialogue on all levels, asserting that all heavenly religions call for amity, moderation and humanity. T [...] | 2006-04-03 14:06:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS148 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Saudi Arabia, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported President Asad's summit meetings in Jeddah with King Abdullah and in Sharm al-Sheikh with President Mubarak. The goal of Asad's surprise trips to Saudi Arabia and Egypt was apparently to seek support from Arab leaders as he faces a U.N. probe into alleged Syri [...] | 2006-01-09 14:43:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS149 | CIVIL SOCIETY MULLS KHADDAM'S STATEMENTS, SARG'S [...] (C): SUMMARY: Civil-society activists continue to discuss recent statements by former Vice-President Abdul Halim Khaddam, particularly those related to any aspirations for a leading role in the Syrian opposition. Most activists acknowledge Khaddam's real ties to the opposition, noting that s [...] | 2006-01-09 15:18:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM SY |
06DAMASCUS1500 | AS AI OUTBREAKS SURROUND SYRIA, IS SARG CONCEALING [...] (C) Summary: Though avian influenza (AI) oubreaks have been reported in neighboring Jordan and Lebanon, Syria has not reported any suspected or confirmed cases. While local offices of organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) express confidence that the SARG would acknowledge [...] | 2006-04-04 08:41:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | TBIO KFLU EAGR SY |
06DAMASCUS1508 | SYRIA FIRST QUARTER REPORT ON FREEDOM AGENDA [...] (C) Summary: The Embassy's implementation of its 2005 Democratic Reform Strategy in the first three months of 2006 has been constrained by a hardening SARG attitude towards reform and SARG efforts to restrict Embassy operations, both largely prompted by the strained political atmosphere evid [...] | 2006-04-04 12:48:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KDEM KPAO KMPI AMGT |
06DAMASCUS1509 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/US, Iraq, Palestinian [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported the meeting of Dr. Buthaina Shabaan, Minister of Expatriates, with a US delegation from the Churches Panel for Peace in the Middle East. The meeting tackled practical and constructive means to deepen dialogue and communication and to bolster common grounds to ac [...] | 2006-04-04 13:15:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS1510 | UNDP AGREES TO HELP SARG LEASE AIRPLANES [...] (U) On April 4, local press reported that a UNDP expert was consulting with Syrian officials from the Ministry of Transportation, the Civil Aviation Establishment, and Syrian Arab Airlines regarding SyrianAir's desire to lease commercial airplanes. The UNDP expert's visit is part of a project [...] | 2006-04-04 14:17:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAIR ECON ETTC SY SANC |
06DAMASCUS1511 | THE SARG'S HOSTILE PRESS CAMPAIGN AGAINST SINIORA [...] (C) Summary: While stopping short of an all-out escalation in its negative media comments directed at Lebanese PM Fouad Siniora and his March 14 allies, the official SARG media -- and at least one ostensibly independent weekly -- have in the past week harshened their public tone on Lebanon. [...] | 2006-04-05 14:35:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS1512 | A LARSEN VISIT: CONFIDENT SARG UNLIKELY TO BUDGE [...] (C) Summary: As consideration continues of a trip by UN special envoy for 1559 implementation Terje Roed Larsen to Damascus, the prospects for success seem dubious from our perspective, primarily because of SARG confidence about its prospects in Lebanon and its overall regional position. Tha [...] | 2006-04-06 13:40:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS1515 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Saudi Arabia, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported the meeting of Syrian Minister of Expatriates, Buthaina Shaaban with Emir Salman Bin Abed al-Aziz Al Saud, Emir of the Saudi city of Riyadh, who described the Syrian-Saudi relations as distinguished, and pointed out continuing consultations between the two count [...] | 2006-04-06 14:12:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS1540 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/US, Iraq, Palestinian [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported the meeting of Dr. Buthaina Shabaan, Minister of Expatriates, with a US delegation from the Churches Panel for Peace in the Middle East. The meeting tackled practical and constructive means to deepen dialogue and communication and to bolster common grounds to ac [...] | 2006-04-06 14:24:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS1541 | Damascus Media Reaction: Lebanon, Syria/Austria (4/5) [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported a statement by President Emile Lahoud that his country seeks to maintain best relations with Syria, "because this is a permanent option for the interest of Lebanon in light of the fraternal Syrian-Lebanese relations." Papers also reported President Lahoud's meet [...] | 2006-04-06 14:25:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS1542 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Saudi Arabia, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported the meeting of Syrian Minister of Expatriates, Buthaina Shaaban with Emir Salman Bin Abed al-Aziz Al Saud, Emir of the Saudi city of Riyadh, who described the Syrian-Saudi relations as distinguished, and pointed out continuing consultations between the two count [...] | 2006-04-06 14:26:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS1635 | Damascus Media Reaction: US/EU Decisions to Halt Aid to [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported a Syrian Information Ministry statement denying a report by an Israeli newspaper that Syria had sent messages to Acting Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert seeking to resume peace talks between the two countries. The source told Syria's official SANA news agency [...] | 2006-04-11 13:35:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS1664 | PETROCANADA AND SHELL RECOMMIT TO SYRIA [...] (C) Summary. The SARG,s annual exhibition to promote its oil and gas sector met with modest success. The UK and Canadian embassies both officially participated in the exhibition and promoted their companies further involvement in Syria. Only one US company, IPR, participated in the exhibit [...] | 2006-04-12 08:56:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EINV EPET SY |
06DAMASCUS1666 | MU'ALLIM CONFIDANT ON BRAMMERTZ INQUIRY, IRAN [...] (C) Summary: Despite its attempts to project confidence, the regime remains concerned about the efforts of UNIIIC head Serge Brammertz, worrying that arrests of Syrian suspects and the formation of an international tribunal are on the way, according to Dr. Samir al-Taki, a confidant of FM M [...] | 2006-04-12 13:51:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS1667 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Iran, Syria/Iraq, [...] Summary: Syrian papers today reported that Ayatollah Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, Chairman of the Iranian Expediency Council, will arrive in Damascus today on a formal visit of a few days. Papers also reported that President Asad chaired a cabinet meeting during which he discussed mechanis [...] | 2006-04-13 05:53:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS168 | Damascus Media Reaction: Lebanon, Palestinian Elections, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported a demonstration by Lebanese students and youth outside a government office in Beirut to protest the visit of US Assistant Secretary of State David Welch. Papers also quoted an official media source in Damascus strongly criticizing the statement made by Welch i [...] | 2006-01-16 15:00:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS1692 | TWO IMPORTANT SUNNI LEADERS ASSESS KHADDAM'S IMPACT [...] (C) Summary: Two Sunni leaders, XXXXXXXXXXXX, assess that former VP Abdul Halim Khaddam is a useful tool who has already weakened the regime. They are counseling their friends in the opposition not to attack Khaddam publicly, regardless of their private reservations. One of these Sunnis XX [...] | 2006-04-13 11:44:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS1695 | EU DIPLOMATS SEE A CROSSROADS ON STRATEGY TOWARD [...] (C) Summary: European diplomats posted to Syria are increasingly questioning what they perceive as the EU policy of isolating the SARG. Some diplomats, especially those from Spain, Italy and Greece, but also from countries such the Netherlands and Austria, point to the regime's increased tie [...] | 2006-04-13 12:38:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV EU SY |
06DAMASCUS1696 | SUBSIDIES CREATING HEAVY FISCAL BURDEN [...] (C) Summary: The SARG spends billions of dollars on subsidies and support for inefficient State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) that are consuming a growing portion of state revenue. The subsidies are the largest fiscal pressure on the SARG budget with oil revenues declining, and their removal repre [...] | 2006-04-13 13:58:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN EINV SY |
06DAMASCUS1697 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Iran, Syria/China, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported President Asad's meeting with Sheikh Hashemi Rafsanjani, Head of the Iranian Expediency Council. The meeting dealt with mutual cooperation, the current regional situation, mainly in Iraq and Palestine, and the international conference due to be held in Tehran to [...] | 2006-04-13 14:24:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS1698 | DAMASCUS DECLARATION GROUP DECIDES NOT TO [...] (C) SUMMARY: Despite intense SARG pressure, members of the Damascus Declaration (DD) group who met April 6 decided not to publicly attack former VP Abdul Halim Khaddam or his recent alignment with Muslim Brother leader Sadreddin Bayanouni in the National Salvation Front. Rejecting the argu [...] | 2006-04-13 16:59:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM SY |
06DAMASCUS1723 | HUMAN RIGHTS ROUNDUP: SARG CONTINUES ARREST [...] (C) ABDULLAH FAMILY MEMBERS REMAIN INCOMMUNICADO: Father-and-son civil society activists Ali and Mohammed Abdullah remain incommunicado following their March 23 arrest (ref A). Abdullah's wife Wifa'a (and human rights activist Rezan Zeituneh) told Poloff on April 13 that the whereabouts of [...] | 2006-04-18 07:39:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV SY |
06DAMASCUS1754 | C-NE6-00262: KHADDAM'S AND BAYANOUNI'S FAUSTIAN [...] (S/NF) Summary: Former VP Abdul Halim Khaddam's public criticism of the regime and his move to ally himself -- via the National Salvation Front -- with Syrian Muslim Brotherhood leader Sadreddin al-Bayanouni continue to provoke the regime and stir tremendous speculation among the public and [...] | 2006-04-18 13:01:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET//NOFORN | PINR PREL PHUM SY |
06DAMASCUS1781 | Damascus Media Reaction: Independence Anniversary, [...] Summary: Papers reported the announcement by the Syrian government of a public fundraising campaign for the Palestinian National Authority to help fill the gap created by Western countries and Israel. The announcement was made in a joint press conference with Akhar Hashemi Rafsanjani, Chairman [...] | 2006-04-19 13:06:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS1782 | LIMITED ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OBSERVED IN SYRIA'S [...] (C) Summary: In conjunction with export license checks, econoffs visited Dayr ez Zawr (Dayr) and Qamishli, key cities close to Syria's border with Iraq. Residents in these two areas have historically maintained stronger cultural, ethnic, familial, and economic ties to Iraq than to Syria's cap [...] | 2006-04-19 14:00:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON ETRD ETTC SY |
06DAMASCUS1786 | Damascus Media Reaction: Asad/Anan, Syria/Iraq, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported that President Asad discussed developments in Iraq and Lebanon in a phone call to UN SecGen Kofi Anan. Both sides expressed hope for a softening of tension in the region. Papers also reported that President Asad conferred with Rostam Tamboraka, Chairman of th [...] | 2006-04-20 06:14:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS1815 | LABWANI GUARDEDLY OPTIMISTIC ABOUT QUIET [...] C) SUMMARY: Kamal Labwani and his family remain guardedly optimistic about his legal future, citing European Parliament pressure as the main factor for the SARG's failure to formally indict him on charges that could result in a life sentence. Should this international pressure continue, the [...] | 2006-04-20 13:10:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV SY |
06DAMASCUS1821 | Damascus Media Reaction: Palestinian Territories, Iraq, [...] Summary: Syrian papers today reported that the Syrian Popular Committee to Support the Palestinian People opened special accounts at the Real-Estate Bank of Syria and the branches of the Commercial Bank of Syria in Damascus, Hama, Homs, Lattakia, Aleppo, Tartus, Daraa, Swieda, Der-Ezzor, Kami [...] | 2006-04-20 13:34:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS183 | Damascus Media Reaction: Lebanon, Iraq, Palestinian [...] Summary: Syrian Papers reported additional statements by Lebanese and Egyptian factions voicing support for Syria and Hizbollah and condemning foreign intervention in Syrian and Lebanese affairs. On developments in the Palestinian territories, papers reported commencement of Palestinian legi [...] | 2006-01-17 15:14:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS1848 | SARG CONTINUES TO PLAY WITH ISLAMIC FIRE [...] (C) Summary: The SARG continues to play with the issue of Islam -- in the wake of its February use of mob violence against several European embassies -- in ways designed to shore up support for the regime. In the past month there have been numerous reports about regime outreach to the Islamic commu [...] | 2006-04-24 10:21:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KISL SY |
06DAMASCUS1853 | PALESTINIAN FM VISITS DAMASCUS [...] (C) Summary: Visiting Palestinian FM Zahar met with Syrian President Asad and, separately, with Syrian FM Mu'allim April 20 in Damascus, according to media contacts. The foreign ministers announced further discussions to upgrade diplomatic relations between the two governments and other SARG [...] | 2006-04-24 14:03:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | KPAL PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS1878 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Egypt, Syria/US, [...] Summary: Syrian papers today reported President Asad's phone call to President Mubarak to condemn the terrorist bombings that hit the Dahab resort in Sinai and to extend condolences on the victims. Papers also featured a statement by Dr. Buthaina Shaaban, Minister of Expatriates, during a mee [...] | 2006-04-25 12:34:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS1879 | Damascus Media Reaction: Lebanon/US, Syria/Palestinian [...] Summary: Syrian newspapers on 23 April criticized Lebanese PM al-Saniora's visit to and statements in the United States and maintained that "Washington has nothing to present to Lebanon other than Israeli demands." Syrian papers also reported a press statement by Foreign Minister Walid al-M [...] | 2006-04-25 13:43:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS19 | KHADDAM INTERVIEW CONTINUES TO PROVOKE ANGRY [...] (SBU) The December 30 interview that former Syrian VP Abdul Halim Khaddam granted to the al-Arabiyya TV network has provoked a torrent of denunciation and anger in Damascus. The People's Assembly held a special session the following day -- televised live on Syrian TV -- to allow a parade of p [...] | 2006-01-02 13:49:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS1909 | ASAD MEETS BRAMMERTZ IN DAMASCUS [...] (SBU) Summary: Syrian President Bashar al-Asad met with UNIIIC chief Serge Brammertz in Damascus April 25. The official Syria News Agency SANA issued a terse statement confirming the visit after Brammertz departed Damascus with his team. Media contacts acknowledged that very few details ab [...] | 2006-04-26 12:21:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KMCR SY IZ LE |
06DAMASCUS1910 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Lebanon, Syria/Jordan, [...] Summary: Syrian papers briefly reported President Asad's meeting with Serge Brammertz, Head of the UN Committee investigating the killing of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri. Brammertz also held a meeting with Vice President Al- Sharaa, which was attended by Deputy Foreign Minis [...] | 2006-04-26 12:24:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS1913 | SYRIANS SEE SOUR GRAPES IN JORDANIAN ACCUSATIONS [...] (U) The SARG on April 26 publicly rejected Jordanian accusations that arms were smuggled from Syria to Jordan or that a senior Hamas official was behind such an operation, according to the official Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA). According to SANA, "Hamas leaders based in Syria are political [...] | 2006-04-26 14:00:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KPAL SY JO |
06DAMASCUS1920 | HUMAN RIGHTS ROUNDUP: REPORT OF DEATH IN CUSTODY; [...] DEATH OF POLITICAL DETAINEE REPORTED: According to news reports, the body of 26-year old Mohammed Shaher Haysa was turned over to his family earlier this week. News reports in offshore media stated that Haysa had died as a result of torture. Human rights activist Anwar al-Bunni told Poloff [...] | 2006-04-27 13:15:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV SY |
06DAMASCUS1922 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Palestinians, Lebanon, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported that PM Mohammed Naji Ottri, in a cabinet meeting, called on Syrian citizens to take part in the fund-raising campaign for the Palestinian people scheduled to be launched next Sunday all over the country. Papers also reported that the first Arab-Euro Dialogue F [...] | 2006-04-27 13:47:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS1926 | SYRIA'S ECONOMY - FRAGILE STABILITY [...] (U) Summary. Syria,s economy is benefiting from the high price of oil and other positive trends, but faces two chronic economic problems that could become acute in the next two to three years: decreasing oil production and rising unemployment. The economy is also hamstrung by a number of sho [...] | 2006-04-27 15:21:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ETTC SY SANC |
06DAMASCUS1952 | AIRLINES IN SYRIA SEEKING TO OBTAIN AIRCRAFT [...] (C) Summary: According to a recently commissioned International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) report, only four to six of Syrian Arab Airlines' 16 airplanes are currently fit to fly. As a result of U.S. sanctions, SyrianAir is facing difficulty obtaining U.S. or European-sourced aircra [...] | 2006-04-30 13:31:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | EAIR ECON ETTC SY SANC |
06DAMASCUS197 | SLOW REFORMS, POLITICAL UNEASE: BANKS SEEK TO [...] (C) Summary: Syria's private banking sector continues to expand modestly, with two new banks beginning operations and the established banks opening new branches. However, contacts report that the SARG's erratic pace of reform has caused private banks to adopt conservative business plans that [...] | 2006-01-18 12:41:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | EFIN ECON EINV SY |
06DAMASCUS1979 | DARDARI ANNOUNCES SARG'S RECOMMITMENT TO ECONOMIC [...] (U) As the key-note speaker at the launching of a new economic NGO on April 29, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Abdullah Dardari, announced the SARG,s intention to move forward soon on new economic reforms, including: reducing subsidies, reforming the public sector, and reforming m [...] | 2006-05-01 11:36:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EINV ETTC PGOV SY SANC |
06DAMASCUS1987 | Damascus Media Reaction: Terrorism, Lebanon, Iraq, Iran, [...] Summary: Syrian papers featured a statement by the Syrian Foreign Ministry refuting the US annual report on terrorism, saying that the US war on terrorism hasn't achieved any positive results, but rather, increased terrorism, for two main reasons. One is the US and Israeli rejection of what Syr [...] | 2006-05-01 14:22:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS20 | PROTEST TENTS COME DOWN AS SYRIANS BREATHE MORE [...] (C) Summary: On December 23-24, the SARG dismantled the anti-Mehlis protest tents and took down some of the banners in Rawda Circle near the Embassy and in Umawiyeen Square. Our contacts say the SARG no longer needs the tents as a rallying point against international pressure. Rumors are ru [...] | 2006-01-02 14:23:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS200 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, [...] Summary: Syrian papers today reported Egyptian President Mubarak's meeting with US Vice-President Dick Cheney and headlined Mubarak's statement that Syria has cooperated with the IIC. News reports featured a statement by Saudi FM Saud al-Faisal to the Financial Times that Saudi Arabia has p [...] | 2006-01-18 14:19:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS2007 | Damascus Media Reaction: US Report on Terrorism, [...] Summary: Syrian papers cited a statement by Dr. Imad Mustafa, the Syrian ambassador in Washington, that the "US State Department report on terrorism is a new link in a series of reports that the United States issues for political reasons against those who do not agree with it or go along with i [...] | 2006-05-02 12:51:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS201 | STRONG INDICATIONS OF IMMINENT MASS AMNESTY TO [...] (C) SUMMARY: Within the last two days, Post has received multiple indications of an imminent presidential mass amnesty for political prisoners. Reports indicate that if such an amnesty is granted, jailed MPs Riad Seif and Mamoun al-Homsi are mentioned most often as likely to be freed. The e [...] | 2006-01-18 14:42:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM SY |
06DAMASCUS2032 | SYRIA PLAYS WITH THE PALESTINIAN ISSUE [...] (C) Summary: Since Palestinian Authority FM Zahar's April visit, the SARG has showcased its public support for the Palestinians, with a fund-raising campaign on behalf of the Palestinian people, public statements, and participation at a rally in a Palestinian refugee camp. According to an E [...] | 2006-05-03 10:39:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KPAL SY |
06DAMASCUS2033 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Palestinians, Lebanon, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported that Mohammed Zuhir al- Nashashibi, Member of the PLO Executive Committee, expressed thanks and great appreciation to President Asad for launching the national fundraising campaign for the Palestinian people. "The Palestinian people appreciate the wise and brave [...] | 2006-05-03 12:29:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS206 | SARG FREES FIVE DAMASCUS SPRING PRISONERS [...] (C) SUMMARY: Human rights activists and family members have confirmed news reports announcing the release of five of the six Damascus Spring political prisoners, including former MPs Riad Seif and Mamoun al-Homsi. Human rights activists were quick to point out that the release was not an amn [...] | 2006-01-19 14:03:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM SY |
06DAMASCUS2063 | CBS CONTINUING TO WEAKEN UNDER SECTION 311 [...] (C) Summary: Financial sanctions under USAPATRIOT Act Section 311 are beginning to weaken the Commercial Bank of Syria (CBS) as more financial institutions in Europe and the Gulf cease their business with the bank. The seriousness with which CBS management views the imposition of Section 311 [...] | 2006-05-04 09:26:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EINV EFIN SY |
06DAMASCUS2064 | OPPOSITION FOCUSING ON EXTERNAL PROJECTS WHILE [...] (C) SUMMARY: While domestic civil-society activity has slowed in the wake of security service crackdowns and in anticipation of the June 15 Brammertz report, post contacts indicate that the opposition is now focused on a number of external projects. On a regional level, the Damascus-Beiru [...] | 2006-05-04 10:34:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV SY |
06DAMASCUS2066 | SYRIAN WOMEN FLOCKING TO MUSLIM MOVEMENT [...] (C) Summary: A Syrian Muslim women's movement, the Qubaisis, is attracting attention for its apparently increasing social and political influence. The movement, which reportedly has 75,000 members in Syria with branches regionally and in the United States, promotes traditional Islamic values [...] | 2006-05-04 11:52:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | SOCI PGOV KISL SY |
06DAMASCUS207 | IMPACT OF KHADDAM: A SYRIAN OPPOSITION FIGURE [...] (C) Summary: In a conversation held before the release of political prisoner Riyad Seif and others, prominent Syrian XXXXXXXXXXXX opposition figure XXXXXXXXXXXX told Polchief January 16 that former VP Abdul Halim Khaddam's press campaign had thrown the Syrian regime into crisis but would no [...] | 2006-01-19 14:11:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KPAO |
06DAMASCUS2071 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/US, Syria/Palestine, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported that Dr. Faisal Miqdad, Deputy Foreign Minister, conferred with a delegation from the US Institute of Peace now visiting Syria. He commented that "the current US policy is contributing to complications in the region and is blocking efforts to achieve stability i [...] | 2006-05-04 13:08:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS2072 | SEIF SAYS SARG ONLY FEIGNING CONFIDENCE, FACING [...] (C) SUMMARY: In a meeting with Charge d'Affaires and PolChief on May 4, key opposition figure Riad Seif noted a recent decrease in SARG security scrutiny. However, he remains subject to a travel ban and will not participate in the upcoming Syrian-American Congress in person or via a live ho [...] | 2006-05-04 13:37:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM SY |
06DAMASCUS208 | IRANIAN PRESIDENT VISITS DAMASCUS [...] (C) Summary: Shortly after his noon arrival in Damascus, visiting Iranian President Ahmadinejad met January 19 with Syria's President Asad and later in an expanded session with Asad and Syrian and Iranian officials. Regional media reports previewing the two-day visit suggested that bilateral [...] | 2006-01-19 15:31:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV SY IR |
06DAMASCUS209 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Iran, Lebanon, Iraq, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported that Iranian President Ahmedinejad will arrive in Damascus today for a two-day state visit to Syria and will meet President Asad and senior Syrian officials. All papers featured a statement by President Ahmadinejad on Wednesday describing relations between Iran [...] | 2006-01-19 16:07:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS21 | IRANIAN ARCHITECT OF SYRIA-IRAN-HIZBALLAH [...] (C) Summary: Iran's incoming Ambassador to Damascus, Mohammed Hassan Akhtari, has returned for his second tour as Ambassador to Syria after overseeing the creation of the Syria-Iran-Hizballah triangle during his first tenure from 1986-1998, according to media reports. Akhtari's appointment [...] | 2006-01-02 14:40:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV SY IR |
06DAMASCUS2132 | Damascus Media Reaction: Terrorism, US/Israel, [...] Summary: Papers reported that Syria has called for an international conference to distinguish between terrorism and the right of self-determination. Minister of Interior General Bassam Abdul Majid said in a statement on the sidelines of a conference of Interior Ministers of the EU and Adjacent [...] | 2006-05-08 12:10:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS2133 | INTERIOR MINISTER REVEALS ABDULLAHS' WHEREABOUTS [...] (C) SUMMARY: More than a month after their detention by unidentified security forces, Interior Minister Bassam Abdul Majid has revealed to human rights lawyers the whereabouts and reasons for the arrest of prominent civil society activist Ali Abdullah and his son Mohammed. The two men, curre [...] | 2006-05-08 12:40:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV SY |
06DAMASCUS2134 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Lebanon, Palestinian [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported the visit to Damascus by Nabih Berri, Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament, and his separate meetings with President Asad and Vice President Faruq al-Shar'a. Berri briefed Asad and Shara on the results of the Lebanese national dialogue and status of relations betw [...] | 2006-05-08 13:28:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS2136 | SARG DIVIDED ON REACTION TO BRAMMERTZ; TILT [...] No summary [...] | 2006-05-08 14:01:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINR SY |
06DAMASCUS2137 | SARG DIVIDED ON REACTION TO BRAMMERTZ; TILT [...] (C) Summary: While noting that President Bashar al-Asad and others in the regime had emerged more confident after UNIIIC chief Serge Brammertz's April 25 questioning of the Syrian leader, MFA informal legal advisor Dr. Samir al-Taki termed such confidence misplaced. He voiced his suspicion [...] | 2006-05-08 14:17:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINR SY |
06DAMASCUS214 | AHMADINAJAD'S PHOTO OP VISIT TO DAMASCUS [...] (SBU) Syrian President Bashar al-Asad and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinajad met for three hours the afternoon of January 19, shortly after the latter's arrival in Damascus. The talks were attended by PM Naji al-Otri, FM Shara'a, Iranian FM Manouchehr Mottaki, and several other ministers [...] | 2006-01-20 12:37:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL ECON SY IR |
06DAMASCUS2163 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Iraq, Lebanon, Iraq, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported that Vice President Shara received Sheikh Jawad al-Khalisi, Secretary General of the Iraqi National Foundation Congress (INFC); at their meeting Shara reiterated Syria's condemnation of terrorist attacks that target innocent civilians and sow seeds of partition [...] | 2006-05-09 12:31:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS2164 | THE SARG'S NEW ECONOMIC SCORECARD [...] (SBU) Summary: The recently enacted 10th Five-Year Plan presents a number of quantifiable targets for reaching seven percent annual GDP growth and represents an agenda for reform against which the SARG's progress can be measured. The plan assumes that broad-based reform will allow the SARG t [...] | 2006-05-09 12:37:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EFIN EINV ETRD EIND ELAB EAGR ENRG SY |
06DAMASCUS2165 | RELEASED MP MA'AMOUN HOMSI SAYS REGIME [...] (C) Summary: Former MP Ma'amoun Homsi, released with his colleague Riad Seif in January after five years imprisonment, told PolChief in early May that the SARG has continued to periodically harass him and threaten his family to bully him into lowering his public profile. Homsi criticized t [...] | 2006-05-09 14:14:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM SY |
06DAMASCUS2166 | LABWANI INDICTED ON CAPITAL CHARGES; DEFENSE [...] (C) SUMMARY: According to a member of opposition activist Kamal Labwani's legal team, the criminal court has handed down an indictment charging him with having contact with a foreign power and encouraging the foreign power to invade Syria, a charge that could carry the death sentence. The de [...] | 2006-05-09 14:19:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV SY |
06DAMASCUS2189 | MARATHON ONE STEP CLOSER TO DIVESTING [...] (U) On May 10, the AP and other news services reported that Marathon Oil Company concluded a USD 127 million deal to develop an oil and gas concession in the center of Syria despite looming US sanctions. In spite of the news report implying otherwise, Marathon,s concession is actually quite o [...] | 2006-05-10 12:37:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | EAIR ECON ETTC SY SANC |
06DAMASCUS2192 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Palestinians, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported that Syria has received 53 families of Palestinian refugees who were trapped at the Jordanian and Iraqi borders for 6 weeks before. "Syria has taken necessary steps to host the Palestinian refugees in cooperation with the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) and t [...] | 2006-05-10 14:06:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS2211 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Palestinians, [...] Summary: Papers reported that the Palestinian government thanked President Asad for the Syrian fund-raising campaign for the Palestinian people and for receiving 244 Palestinian refugees coming from Iraq. That came in a phone call President Asad received from Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail H [...] | 2006-05-11 13:14:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS2212 | HUMAN RIGHTS ROUNDUP: HUMAN RIGHTS LAWYERS FACE [...] (C) HUMAN RIGHTS LAWYERS FACE REPRISALS: SARG scrutiny of civil society activists has now expanded to included human rights lawyers. Anwar al-Bunni told Poloff May 11 that the Syrian Bar Association has formally suspended him for one year on charges stemming from the 2001 Damascus Spring t [...] | 2006-05-11 13:50:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV SY |
06DAMASCUS2213 | DAMASCUS COMMUNITY SCHOOL FACES CRITICAL SITUATION [...] (U) Summary. Our ongoing discussion with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding residency permits for overseas-hire teachers at the Damascus Community School (DCS) took an ominous turn for the worse today, with receipt of a diplomatic note asserting that DCS must be licensed before the iss [...] | 2006-05-11 14:00:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | AMGT SY |
06DAMASCUS2214 | LABWANI ATTENDS FORMAL HEARING; FAMILY AND LAWYERS [...] (C) SUMMARY: Jailed opposition activist Kamal Labwani appeared before the presiding judge in his case on May 11 for an initial hearing, with the opening trial date to be announced in the upcoming days. Labwani faces charges of advocating the invasion of Syria by a foreign power and spreadin [...] | 2006-05-11 14:02:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV SY |
06DAMASCUS2238 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Kuwait, Iraq, Lebanon, [...] Summary: Syria papers reported that Syria denied Friday evening Jordanian claims on the training of Hamas members in Syria and criticized the UNSC bid to issue a resolution on Syria and Lebanon as "an obstacle to clearing the air." Foreign Minister Walid al-Mouallem said in a joint press co [...] | 2006-05-14 14:27:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS2263 | MORE CIVIL SOCIETY ACTIVISTS CHARGED, LABWANI [...] (C) SUMMARY: Activists Fateh Jammous, Ali Abdullah, and Mohammed Abdullah appeared May 14 for criminal court proceedings at the Palace of Justice in Damascus. Following a two-hour interrogation, Jammous was initially charged with encouraging sectarian civil war, which carries a life sentenc [...] | 2006-05-15 11:06:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV SY |
06DAMASCUS2264 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Sudan, Lebanon, Iraq, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported the visit to Damascus by Assamani Al-Waseela Assamani, Sudanese State Minister for Foreign Affairs, who conferred with Minister Walid al-Mouallem. Talks dealt with bilateral relations and means of boosting them in all fields. During the meeting, the Sudanese Min [...] | 2006-05-15 14:36:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS2265 | DESPITE OBSTACLES, PRIVATE INSURANCE COMPANIES [...] (C) Summary: Following the success of Syria's new private banking sector, private insurance companies are expected to begin operations before the end of 2006. Companies anticipate high demand for retail products such as medical and life insurance in an under-insured market that has been domin [...] | 2006-05-16 10:47:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN EINV SY |
06DAMASCUS2297 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Iraq, EURO-MED, Boycott [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported President Asad's meeting with Subhi Abdul Hamid, Secretary General of Iraq's Arab Nationalist Movement, which tackled the situation in Iraq and bilateral relations. President Asad confirmed Syria's support for efforts to restore Iraq's stability and security tha [...] | 2006-05-17 06:30:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS231 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Iran, President Asad's [...] Summary: Syrian weekend newspapers focused on the visit to Damascus by Iranian President Ahmadinejad and featured the joint communiqu issued at the conclusion of the visit confirming Iran's strong support of Syria to restore occupied territories to the June 4, 1967, line. Syria and Iran under [...] | 2006-01-23 08:32:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS2318 | DAMASCUS-BEIRUT DECLARATION CALLS FOR [...] (C) SUMMARY: Several hundred prominent Syrian and Lebanese citizens have signed the Damascus-Beirut Declaration, which includes a ten-point "joint future national vision" for reconciliation between the two countries. The document covers the spectrum of Syrian-Lebanese diplomatic, historic [...] | 2006-05-17 14:01:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM SY LE |
06DAMASCUS2319 | FULL TEXT OF DAMASCUS-BEIRUT DECLARATION [...] (U) FULL TEXT OF DAMASCUS-BEIRUT DECLARATION: 2. (U) BEGIN TEXT: 3. (U) The Lebanese-Syrian relations are witnessing quick deterioration that could cause a deep fracture between the two neighboring countries and the two sisterly peoples. This deterioration has grown since the exten [...] | 2006-05-17 14:02:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PHUM PREL SY LE |
06DAMASCUS2320 | WALK THE LINE: BETWEEN SYRIA'S SECURITY SERVICES [...] (C) Summary: Conversations with political contacts, including those in the opposition, point to the variety of techniques used by SARG security services to co-opt or intimidate Syrians. It is often in the middle range, between enticements at one end and threats and coercion at the other, th [...] | 2006-05-17 14:20:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PINR PINS SY |
06DAMASCUS2327 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Sudan, Lebanon, Olmert's [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported the visit to Damascus by al- Sammani al-Wasila al-Smmani, Sudanese Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, and his meeting with Vice President Shara who confirmed Syria's relief over signing the Abuja peace treaty. During the meeting Shara stressed Syria's support [...] | 2006-05-18 09:41:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS2337 | Damascus Media Reaction: UN Security Council resolution [...] Summary: Syrian papers featured a statement by the Syrian Foreign Ministry on the UN Security Council Resolution 1680 that was passed on Wednesday saying it poses "an unprecedented measure of interference in the core of sovereign and bilateral issues for member states to the United Nations. C [...] | 2006-05-18 12:10:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS2338 | REACTION TO SARG ARREST CAMPAIGN OVER [...] (C) SUMMARY: Prominent human rights lawyer Anwar al-Bunni and two other Damascus-Beirut Declaration signatories have been arrested as part of the SARG reaction against the DBD. Several others have evaded attempted arrests. One human rights activist, also a DBD signatory, questioned whethe [...] | 2006-05-18 14:39:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PINS LE |
06DAMASCUS234 | ASAD SPEECH: NATIONAL SOVEREIGNTY TRUMPS UN [...] SBU) Summary: Syrian President Bashar al-Asad followed up his meetings with Iranian President Ahmadinejad with a January 21 speech in Damascus in which he dropped broad hints that he might refuse to meet with UNIIIC investigators. At the Arab Lawyers Conference venue, Asad also specifically [...] | 2006-01-23 11:20:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY LE |
06DAMASCUS236 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Iran, Syria/Spain, [...] Summary: Syrian papers today reported positive reactions in Lebanon to President Asad's speech to the Federation of Arab Lawyers citing statements by former Lebanese Minister Wadi Al- Khazen, Kamal Shatila, President of the Lebanese People's Congress, Al-Diyar newspaper, and Hasan Nasrallah o [...] | 2006-01-23 14:52:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS2376 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Iraq/Italy, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported that Prime Minister Ottri sent cables of congratulation to Iraqi PM al-Malki and to Italian PM Prodi on the occasion of forming the new Iraqi and Italian governments. He expressed his confidence in developing cooperation between Syria and Italy to serve their jo [...] | 2006-05-23 06:55:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS2379 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/EU, Syria/Iran, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported a Syrian Foreign Ministry response to a May 19 European Presidency statement expressing EU concern about what it called the recent widespread harassment of human rights defenders in Syria. The EU Presidency urged Syria to review the cases of political prisoners, [...] | 2006-05-23 10:09:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS2391 | HUMAN RIGHTS ROUNDUP: LABWANI CASE POSTPONED; [...] (C) LABWANI TRIAL DELAYED; ASSOCIATE TELLS OF SARG INTIMIDATION ATTEMPTS: The trial of Kamal Labwani, scheduled to begin May 22, has been delayed after court officials claimed that no trial had been scheduled for that day. Labwani's family members, human rights lawyers, and a number of oppo [...] | 2006-05-23 12:38:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREF PGOV PREL SY IR |
06DAMASCUS2392 | FOUR MORE DAMASCUS-BEIRUT DECLARATION SIGNATORIES [...] (C) SUMMARY: Four signatories of the Damascus-Beirut Declaration (DBD),including prominent human rights lawyer Anwar al-Bunni, were interrogated on May 21 by investigatory judges at the Palace of Justice Criminal Court in Damascus. Bunni, who has been on a hunger strike for the last two days [...] | 2006-05-23 12:40:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS2393 | Damascus Media Reaction: EU Human Rights Statement, [...] Summary: Syrian papers continued their strong criticism of European countries, against the background of a statement from the EU Presidency criticizing the recent arrest of human rights activists in Syria. Papers also featured Information Minister Dr. Mohsen Bilal's meetings with Ambassadors o [...] | 2006-05-23 13:12:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS2394 | SYRIA: ADDITIONAL INPUT FOR TRAFFICKING IN [...] (SBU) The Syrian Ministry of Interior (MOI) responded on May 7 to Post's February 2, 2006 diplomatic note with statistics about the number of persons arrested in 2005 on charges of trafficking in persons. According to the diplomatic note, in the last nine months of 2005, authorities had arre [...] | 2006-05-23 13:47:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KCRM PHUM KWMN SMIG KFRD ASEC PREF ELAB |
06DAMASCUS2401 | SYRIA PURSUES CASES AGAINST JUMBLATT AND KHADDAM [...] (C) Syrian authorities have requested that Interpol arrest Lebanese lawmaker Walid Jumblatt after a Syrian military prosecutor issued a warrant on May 22, according to local media and contacts. A Syrian military court issued a summons for Jumblatt on May 3 for "inciting against Syria," follo [...] | 2006-05-24 14:46:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KCRM SY LB |
06DAMASCUS2404 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Palestinians, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported the visit to Damascus by Palestinian Minister of Interior Said Siam and his meeting with VP Shara. Siam expressed the Palestinian government's and the Palestinian people's great appreciation for Syria's stances towards the Palestinian people. VP Shara reiterated [...] | 2006-05-25 11:14:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS2406 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Lebanon, Syria/Spain, [...] Summary: Syrian papers commemorated the anniversary of the liberation of south Lebanon and featured a statement by former Lebanese Prime Minister Salim al-Hoss criticizing the Lebanese government's cancellation of the formal holiday, which had been approved earlier for celebrating the liberati [...] | 2006-05-25 14:31:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS2424 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/UAE, Syria/UK, South [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported the visit of Vice President Shara to the United Arab Emirates and his meeting with Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al-Nhayan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister, which focused on recent developments in the region and bilateral relations. Papers also reported the visit to Damasc [...] | 2006-05-29 12:18:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS2439 | SYRIA'S RED HOT REAL ESTATE MARKET- A POTENTIAL [...] (C) Summary: Contacts suggest that Syria may be experiencing a real estate bubble, with property prices rising rapidly throughout the country, but especially in Damascus and the surrounding area. Speculators increasingly are active in the market, with some Syrians trying to take advantage of [...] | 2006-05-29 13:58:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EINV EFIN SY |
06DAMASCUS2466 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/UAE, NAM Summit, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported Vice-President Farouk al- Shara's visit to the UAE and his meeting with His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, President of the UAE, who received a message from President Asad regarding the latest developments in the region. Shara and Sheikh Khalifa re [...] | 2006-05-30 12:51:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS2487 | LABWANI TRIAL BEGINS; MALEH RECEIVES 10-DAY [...] (C) LABWANI TRIAL BEGINS: In a packed courtroom of human rights activists and his family and friends, the trial of opposition activist Kamal Labwani began on May 29, as Labwani entered a plea of "not guilty" on the charges of inciting a foreign power to invade Syria and disseminating false [...] | 2006-05-31 08:49:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV SY |
06DAMASCUS2490 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/China, NAM Summit, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported the speech by Dr. Faisal Miqdad, Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister, at the ministerial conference of the Non-Aliened Movement in Malaysia. Miqdad said that the continued Israeli occupation of the Syrian Golan is a result of defying international resolutions and of t [...] | 2006-06-01 06:22:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS2496 | EMBASSY DAMASCUS PROPOSAL FOR 2006 AMBASSADORS' [...] (U) Request: Post requests $20,000 from the Ambassadors, Fund for Refugees for the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) to buy X-ray equipment for a clinic under construction in the Damascus neighborhood of Saida Zeinab. 2. (U) Background and justification: The SARC was founded in 1942 and b [...] | 2006-06-01 08:01:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | PREF SY |
06DAMASCUS25 | Damascus Media Reaction: Khaddam's Statements to Al- [...] Summary: Syrian newspapers attacked former Vice President Abdul-Halim Khaddam over his statements to Al-Arabiya Television, in which claimed that President Bashar al-Asad threatened former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri several months before he was assassinated. Papers reported a stateme [...] | 2006-01-03 14:33:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS250 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Europe, Federation of [...] Summary: Syrian papers today reported President Asad's meeting with Francisco Javier Rojo Garcia, Chairman of the Spanish Senate, focusing on the necessity of reactivating the European role in the Middle East Peace Process, the ongoing modernization and reform process in Syria, and the Syria [...] | 2006-01-24 13:02:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS2504 | CENTRAL BANK, COMMERCIAL BANK OF SYRIA AND FINANCE [...] (C) Summary: Contacts report a conflict for authority over the banking sector among the leaders of the Central Bank, Commercial Bank of Syria and the Ministry of Finance. The Central Bank is seeking to claim control of the banking sector and at the same time establish its own tools of monetar [...] | 2006-06-01 08:04:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN EINV SY |
06DAMASCUS251 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Europe, Federation of [...] Summary: Syrian papers today reported President Asad's meeting with Francisco Javier Rojo Garcia, Chairman of the Spanish Senate, focusing on the necessity of reactivating the European role in the Middle East Peace Process, the ongoing modernization and reform process in Syria, and the Syria [...] | 2006-01-24 13:14:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS2511 | SYRIA'S RED HOT REAL ESTATE MARKET- A POTENTIAL [...] (C) Summary: Contacts suggest that Syria may be experiencing a real estate bubble, with property prices rising rapidly throughout the country, but especially in Damascus and the surrounding area. Speculators increasingly are active in the market, with some Syrians trying to take advantage of [...] | 2006-06-01 08:13:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ABLD AMGT |
06DAMASCUS2516 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/UK, Syria/China, Lebanon, [...] Summary: Syrian papers continued to report on Foreign Minister Walid al-Mouallem's visit to China, featuring his meeting with Chinese President Hu Jintao. Earlier, President Hu Jintao opened the second ministerial meeting of the Arab-Chinese Cooperation Forum in the presence of Foreign Ministe [...] | 2006-06-01 13:27:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS2517 | WHILE ARRESTS SUBSIDE, SARG CONTINUES TO PRESSURE [...] (C) SUMMARY: While the arrests of Damascus-Beirut Declaration (DBD) signatories appear to have subsided for now, post contacts report that the SARG continues to pressure DBD signatories to withdraw their support of the Declaration. In an attempt to quell international reaction to the crack [...] | 2006-06-01 14:01:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV SY |
06DAMASCUS2518 | IRAQI REPRESENTATIVES IN SYRIA COMMENT ON NEW [...] (C) Summary: Iraqi contacts in Damascus commented recently on a range of issues, including the arrival of more Iraqis in Syria, Palestinian-Iraqis seeking refugee in Syria, the new Iraqi Prime Minister and next steps in the Syria-Iraq bilateral relationship. They asserted that up to 150,000 [...] | 2006-06-01 14:06:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PREF SY IZ |
06DAMASCUS254 | RIAD SEIF DETAILS FUTURE POLITICAL PLANS, ASKS FOR [...] (C) SUMMARY: Former MP and recently released Damascus Spring detainee Riad Seif laid out for the Charge d'Affaires January 24 his vision for a new, broad-based democratic party, noting that it would aim to delegitimize the SARG and bring a message of reform and democracy to the Syrian people. [...] | 2006-01-24 16:21:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM SY |
06DAMASCUS2554 | Damascus Media Reaction: Terrorism, Syria/China, [...] Summary: Government-owned Tishreen, the only paper to appear on Saturday, featured an Interior Ministry statement reporting the clash that took place Friday morning between an anti-terror unit and a terrorist extremist group near Omayyad Square in Damascus. The statement said that the clash r [...] | 2006-06-04 12:43:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS2593 | SYRIAN REGIME REBUILDING WALLS OF FEAR AND [...] (C) Summary: The crackdown on Syrian civil society and the opposition has gotten so intense that some observers argue that the regime of Bashar al-Asad is "rebuilding the walls of fear" that his father once erected. Even if the ten Damascus-Beirut Declaration activists are released, which i [...] | 2006-06-05 11:43:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINR SY |
06DAMASCUS2594 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Cuba, Syria/Palestinians, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported the visit to Damascus by Fernando Ramirez de Estenoz, Chief of the Foreign Relations Bureau of the Cuban Communist Party's Central Committee, featuring his meetings with Vice President Farouk Shara. A statement by the Syrian Arab News Agency said that talks focus [...] | 2006-06-05 12:46:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS2598 | SYRIA POINTS FINGER AT FOREIGN-BACKED ISLAMISTS [...] (C) Summary: Early in the morning of June 2, SARG security forces engaged armed attackers in a 25-minute shoot-out in Damascus on the compound of the Syrian TV and Radio headquarters, according to Emboffs at the scene and regional media reports. Casualty reports have varied, with up to four [...] | 2006-06-05 13:14:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY LE IZ JO |
06DAMASCUS2599 | SARG ENDS ITS PRESSURE ON EMBASSY SCHOOL -- FOR NOW [...] (C) Summary: In the past ten days the SARG has issued all of the required residence visas for some 45 direct-hire American and Canadian teachers and family members, ensuring their orderly departure at the end of the school year and return to Damascus Community School in the fall. For months [...] | 2006-06-05 14:04:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | AMGT PGOV PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS2632 | NON-PERFORMING LOANS IN THE PUBLIC BANKS- ANOTHER [...] (C) Summary: The SARG's public banking sector is hamstrung due to the fact that its six public banks are carrying a large number of non-performing loans. Contacts suggest that many of the loans may be held by the SARG, which borrows from the banks to finance public spending, or lost to the co [...] | 2006-06-06 12:13:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN EINV SY |
06DAMASCUS2633 | GAFTA: MORE BURDEN THAN BENEFIT FOR SYRIA? [...] (C) Summary: Although the Greater Arab Free Trade Agreement (GAFTA) was fully implemented on January 1, 2005, the benefits to Syria's economy have been limited. While trade exchange between Syria and the Gulf countries may have increased marginally, most Syrian business contacts and economis [...] | 2006-06-06 12:23:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON ETRD EINV SY |
06DAMASCUS2634 | UNHCR DAMASCUS FEARS FURTHER DEPORTATIONS OF [...] (C) At UNHCR Damascus' request, poloffs met June 5 with UNHCR's senior protection officer Dietrun Gunther and protection officer Tania Pesce about the SARG's treatment of Iranian Ahwazi refugee Saeed Saki, who has been accepted for resettlement in Norway. In January, SARG authorities detaine [...] | 2006-06-06 13:17:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREF PREL SY IR |
06DAMASCUS2636 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Palestinian Authority, [...] Summary: Syrian papers today reported the visit to Damascus of Ahmad Qurei', Special Envoy of the President of the Palestinian National Authorit, who conferred with President Asad and conveyed a message from President Mahmoud Abbas about the latest developments in the Palestinian arena and the [...] | 2006-06-06 14:18:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS2668 | PA ENVOY VISITS DAMASCUS, FACTIONS REPORTEDLY [...] (C) Summary: Visiting Palestinian Authority (PA) Special Envoy Ahmad Qureia (Abu Ala'a) met June 5 with Syria's President Bashar al-Asad, delivering a message from PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas and discussing Syrian-Palestinian cooperation and developments in the Palestinian arena, according to [...] | 2006-06-07 14:01:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | KPAL PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS2669 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Yemen, Syria/Cuba, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported Vice President Farouk al- Shara's two-day official visit to Yemen and his meeting with Yemeni President Ali Abdullah al-Saleh, conveying a message from President Asad on recent developments in the Arab and international arenas. Shara also met with Yemeni Vice Pr [...] | 2006-06-07 14:22:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS2685 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Cuba, Syria/Ukraine, [...] Summary: Papers reported that Deputy Foreign Minister Dr. Faysal Miqdad conveyed an oral massage from President Asad to President Fidel Castro of Cuba during his meeting with Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque. The message focused on recent political developments in the Middle East and [...] | 2006-06-08 12:55:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS2687 | TEHRAN'S INFLUENCE SAID TO BE SPREADING IN SYRIA [...] (C) Summary: Syria and Iran have exchanged a number of visits in the past several days: longtime SARG regime insider and VP assistant Muhammad Nassif Kheirbek was in Tehran on June 7, and the commander of the Iranian Army's Air Forces was in Damascus on June 6. One of our contacts mentioned [...] | 2006-06-08 13:53:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV SY IR |
06DAMASCUS2688 | DETAINEES REJECT PROPOSED LETTER TO ASAD, AS [...] (C) SUMMARY: A number of detained signatories of the Damascus-Beirut Declaration (DBD) have rejected a proposed letter of appeal to President Bashar al-Asad, saying that they would rather die in prison for their freedom of expression than to beg. They have also announced their plans to begi [...] | 2006-06-08 14:13:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV SY |
06DAMASCUS270 | SYRIAN MP SAYS INTELL CHIEF WANTS TO BE FRIENDS [...] (C) Summary: A Syrian MP and businessman told us January 24 that, despite a U.S. decision to freeze the assets of Syrian Military Intelligence (SMI) chief Asif Shawqat, the intelligence head still considered himself a friend of the United States and wanted to resume bilateral intelligence sh [...] | 2006-01-25 10:30:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV SY LE IZ IS |
06DAMASCUS2733 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Bahrain, Syria/UAE, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported the visit to Syria by King Hamad Bin-Isa Al Khalifah of Bahrain and his talks with President Asad. Both leaders stressed their support for the Palestinian people's legitimate rights and the establishment of their independent state, with Jerusalem as its capita [...] | 2006-06-11 13:22:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS275 | RIAD SEIF'S PROPOSALS FOR USG ACTION [...] (C) During a January 24 meeting (reftel),Former MP and recently released Damascus Spring detainee Riad Seif presented Charge with a list of suggested actions the USG could take to support opposition efforts in Syria. The following is a translation from the original Arabic: 2. (C) BEGI [...] | 2006-01-25 14:17:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM SY |
06DAMASCUS276 | SANCTIONS: REACTION TO THE SHAWKAT DESIGNATION [...] (C) Summary. The Treasury Department,s designation of President Asad,s brother-in-law, Asif Shawkat, received considerable regional press coverage and stirred some internal discussion in Damascus. The move was quietly welcomed by most groups, including the Sunni business community, though m [...] | 2006-01-25 14:25:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EINV ETTC PGOV SANC SY |
06DAMASCUS2777 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/US, Lebanon, Syria/Qatar, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported that President Asad received former US Senator James Abourezk, Chairman of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee on Sunday. Talks during the meeting concentrated on the situation in Iraq, Syria's full support for the political process there, and means [...] | 2006-06-12 11:59:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS2779 | MUTED SYRIAN RESPONSE TO FOURTH UNIIIC INSTALLMENT [...] (C) Summary: The SARG has so far limited its public reaction to the fourth report of the UNIIIC investigation into the assassination of former Lebanese PM Rafik Hariri, which was delivered to UNSYG Kofi Annan on June 10. SARG officials are relatively happy with the report but are generally [...] | 2006-06-12 14:00:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KCRM SY LE |
06DAMASCUS278 | SYRIAN MP SAYS INTELL CHIEF WANTS TO BE FRIENDS [...] (C) Summary: This is a corrected copy of Damascus 0270. Please disregard previous version. A Syrian MP and businessman told us January 24 that, despite a U.S. decision to freeze the assets of Syrian Military Intelligence (SMI) chief Asif Shawqat, the intelligence head still considered himse [...] | 2006-01-25 15:09:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS2781 | SECOND SYRIAN-EMIRATI ECONOMIC FORUM DRAWS [...] (SBU) The SARG continues to try to attract Gulf foreign direct investment (FDI),as evidenced by the second Syrian-Emirati Economic Forum, entitled "Visions Beyond Investment," which opened in Damascus on June 10 and drew a crowd of approximately 2000 the first day. The forum opening featured [...] | 2006-06-12 14:00:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON ETRD EINV SY |
06DAMASCUS2822 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/US, Syria/Venezuela, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported that FM Walid al-Mouallem received James Abourezek, Chairman of the American-Arab Anti- Discrimination Committee and former US Senator, and that they talked about American-Syrian relations, the situation in Iraq, and the Arab-Israel conflict. In a statement to S [...] | 2006-06-14 09:08:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS2858 | SYRIA ROUNDUP [...] (C) SERIES OF ARRESTS RELATED TO JUNE 2 ATTACKS REPORTED: Human rights organizations have reported that fourteen men and boys from the Damascus suburb of Erbeen have been detained by the SARG as suspects in the June 2 attack in Damascus on the compound of the Syrian TV and Radio headquarter [...] | 2006-06-15 09:44:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV SY |
06DAMASCUS286 | HUMAN RIGHTS ROUNDUP: ABDUL SALAAM FACES PRIME [...] (C): ABDUL SALAAM FACES WRATH OF PRIME MINISTER: The SARG has taken additional steps against Etana Press manager and civil society activist Maan Abdul Salaam, who has faced multiple confrontations with the SARG in recent months. According to Abdul Salaam, a directive was sent by the Prime M [...] | 2006-01-26 12:59:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM SY |
06DAMASCUS2864 | SYRIA SEEKS TO BLOCK ADMISSION OF ISRAEL'S MAGEN [...] (C) Summary: Syria's President Bashar al-Asad has authorized a Syrian effort to block Israel's Magen David Adom (MDA) into the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement at its June 20-21 international conference in Geneva, according to the head of the International Committee of the R [...] | 2006-06-15 13:27:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREF PREL PHUM ICRC IS SY |
06DAMASCUS287 | SYRIA'S IRAN GAMBIT: CONSUMMATING A MARRIAGE OF [...] (C) Summary: Syria-Iran relations resemble a strong, long-time marriage, albeit one of convenience, with Syria now being the junior partner, according to contacts, commenting on Iranian President Ahmadinejad's January 19-20 visit to Damascus. Syria and Iran sought to use the visit to demon [...] | 2006-01-26 13:06:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV SY IR |
06DAMASCUS2871 | DAMASCUS SEES FLURRY OF VISITS, MEETINGS LINKED TO [...] (C) Visiting Palestinian Authority (PA) FM Zahar met June 13 with Syrian FM Mu'allim to discuss the situation in the Palestinian territories, as well as the Palestinian-Syrian bilateral relationship, according to the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA). The head of the Palestine Liberation Organi [...] | 2006-06-15 14:43:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | KPAL PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS2877 | Damascus Media Reaction: Brammertz Report, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported an address by Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Miqdad to the UN Security Council at a session about the latest Brammertz report. Miqdad confirmed Syrian cooperation with the UN investigation into the killing of former Lebanese PM Rafik Hariri. Dr. Miqdad said, "we [...] | 2006-06-18 10:22:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS288 | RIYAD SEIF: WHAT IS HIS POTENTIAL? [...] (C) Summary: The SARG's January 18 release of former MP Riad Seif (with four other Damascus Spring detainees) has provoked a surge of assessments and predictions about his potential and his plans. Contacts are divided about Seif's political prospects, with admirers noting that Seif, a Damas [...] | 2006-01-26 14:00:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS2899 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Iran, Syria/Agha Khan [...] Summary: Syrian papers on (6/16) reported President Asad's meeting with Syrian official media figures. President Asad discussed on Thursday (6/15) with representatives of the government-run media the role of information, and mechanisms and conceptions that might contribute to its development. [...] | 2006-06-19 06:47:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS290 | SARG ABRUPTLY RAISES PRICE OF GASOLINE, CEMENT [...] (C) Summary: Without prior warning, the SARG increased prices for gasoline and cement on January 25, claiming in state-owned dailies that it was a necessary step to stop smuggling and black market trading in both commodities. The price hikes, which were not accompanied by a concommitant incre [...] | 2006-01-26 15:16:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN SY LE |
06DAMASCUS291 | Damascus Media Reaction: Golan, Lebanon, Palestinian [...] Summary: Syrian papers featured a statement by citizens of the Golan emphasizing that they are part of the Syrian Arab people and confirming adherence to national unity and genuine accord with their leadership in Syria. They announced their clear stands against all "conspiracies" against thei [...] | 2006-01-26 15:54:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS2935 | BACKBITING, BICKERING, AND EATING THEIR YOUNG: [...] (C) SUMMARY: Throughout the last eight months, a flurry of newly created human rights organizations have entered the Syrian civil society stage. However, the activists running these organizations are not new to the scene; instead, they tend to hail from splinter groups of still-existing or [...] | 2006-06-19 13:23:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV SY |
06DAMASCUS2938 | NEWLY RELEASED SYRIA DECLARATION ENCOUNTERS [...] (C) SUMMARY: While the recently published "Syria Declaration" calling for improvements in human rights policy and the passage of laws guaranteeing a range of civil liberties has gained international attention following its release on June 14, many civil society members are either unaware of [...] | 2006-06-19 14:14:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV SY |
06DAMASCUS2975 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Palestinians, OIC [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported that Vice President Farouk al-Shara discussed the latest developments in the occupied Palestinian territories and the ongoing national dialogue between Palestine factions with a Palestinian delegation headed by Khaled Meshal, Head of the Hamas Politburo. Mr. Sha [...] | 2006-06-20 13:11:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS2976 | HUMAN RIGHTS ROUND-UP: LABWANI TRIAL CONTINUES; [...] (C) LABWANI TRIAL CONTINUES: The trial of political activist Kamal Labwani continued June 19 at the Damascus Criminal Court, with numerous family members and Syrian activists present, as well as Poloff and a Finnish Embassy representative. Labwani, who faces charges of inciting a foreign p [...] | 2006-06-20 14:00:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV SY |
06DAMASCUS3 | SYRIA'S CORRUPT CLASSES [...] (C) Summary: The Syrian economy continues to be dominated by a "corrupt class" who use their personal ties to members of the Asad family and the Syrian security services to gain monopolistic control over most sectors of the economy, while enriching themselves and their regime benefactors. The [...] | 2006-01-02 10:50:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN PTER SY LE SANC |
06DAMASCUS3019 | Damascus Media Reaction: OIC Ministerial, Syria/Serbia, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported that FM Walid al-Moallem discussed with his Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul regional topics of joint concern and issues on the agenda of the 33rd session of OIC Foreign Ministers meeting held in Baku. During a meeting held on the margin of the OIC Ministerial, b [...] | 2006-06-21 14:11:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS3042 | DAMASCUS DECLARATION AIMS TO REVITALIZE EFFORTS [...] (C) SUMMARY: The Damascus Declaration group will assemble June 26 for a crucial meeting, aimed at creating a more clearly defined, structured organization and moving away from being a coalition of individuals, according to key opposition activist Riad Seif. Should the group succeed, Seif p [...] | 2006-06-22 14:13:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV SY |
06DAMASCUS3043 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Jordan, OIC Ministerial, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported that President Asad on Wednesday made a telephone call to His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan and that they discussed bilateral relations between the two sisterly countries. Talks also dealt with preparation for the meeting of the Syrian-Jordanian Higher Join [...] | 2006-06-22 15:00:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS3047 | COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR ALEXANDER PASCAL [...] (U) Embassy Damascus warmly welcomes and grants country clearance to Alexander Pascal, 2006 Summer Intern, for travel to Damascus from July 15 to August 20, 2006. 2. (U) POC for this visit is Elizabeth Lyne, Administrative Assistant, who can be reached at (work) (963) (11) 333-1342, Ext [...] | 2006-06-25 11:15:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | AMGT APER SY |
06DAMASCUS3049 | Damascus Media Reaction: Asad/Mubarak Summit, [...] Summary: Syrian papers highlighted the Syrian-Egyptian summit held Thursday between Presidents Asad and Mubarak that focused on the situation in the Arab region and bilateral relations. The opening session was attended by VP Faruk al-Shara and FM Walid al- Mouallem, as well as Minister of Info [...] | 2006-06-25 12:17:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS311 | SARG IMPLEMENTS TRAVEL BAN TO PREVENT "FUTURE [...] (C) Summary: In the wake of former VP Abdul Halim Khaddam's press campaign that began in late December, the SARG implemented a travel ban on an undetermined number of current and former officials and military officers. Former PM Mustafa Miru and his family, as well as relatives of deceased [...] | 2006-01-30 12:05:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS3121 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Kazakhstan, [...] Summary: Syrian papers today reported President Asad's meeting with Yar Mohammed Aritsayiev, Kazakh Minister of Information and Culture, which focused on bilateral relations of cooperation, and prospects of boosting them in the economic, cultural, and social spheres. Papers also reported Pres [...] | 2006-06-26 13:16:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS3123 | DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON SYRIAN REFOULEMENT OF UNHCR [...] (U) The CDA delivered a demarche to the MFA Chief of Protocol on June 26 per instructions in ref C & D. The CDA expressed USG concerns about the refoulement to Iran of the UNHCR-recognized refugee Saeed Saki, an Ahwazi Iranian activist, in direct contravention of Syria's commitments under A [...] | 2006-06-26 13:43:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREL SY IR |
06DAMASCUS313 | Damascus Media Reaction: HAMAS Victory, Mashaal Visit, [...] Summary: Syrian papers today reported President Asad's meeting on January 29 with Khalid Mashaal, Chief of HAMAS' Political Bureau. Talks dealt with the results of the Palestinian elections. President Asad congratulated Mashaal on the HAMAS victory and stressed that the results of the election [...] | 2006-01-30 12:08:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS3136 | Damascus Media Reaction: President Asad's interview with [...] Summary: All Syrian papers published President Asad's comprehensive interview with London-based al-Hayat about developments in the region. On impressions regarding retreat of the Arab role in the region, in the face of the growing Iranian role, President Asad said: "We have to define whether t [...] | 2006-06-27 11:26:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS3177 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Italy, Syria/Libya, [...] Summary: Syrian papers today featured a statement by Italian Journalist Stefanou Ciarini calling for more communication between Syrian and Italian intellectuals to bridge the gap created by 9/11 between the Islamic and Western civilizations. "European governments are following the US policy re [...] | 2006-06-28 13:17:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS3186 | SARG NEGOTIATES FOR RUSSIAN AIRCRAFT AS PART OF [...] (U) Syrian Minister of Transportation, Yarob Sulieman Bader, was in Moscow this past week negotiating with representatives from Ilyushin Finance and Voronezh Aircraft Construction Company on the purchase of seven new planes to update SyrianAir's fleet. Local, regional, and international press [...] | 2006-06-29 11:10:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | EAIR ECON EINV ETTC SY |
06DAMASCUS3194 | SYRIAN INFLUENCE GROWING WITH REGIONAL [...] (C) Summary: The SARG sees its influence growing in light of regional developments, including the recent kidnapping of an Israeli soldier, the June 28 Israeli overflight of Syrian President Bashar al-Asad's summer home, and Asad's separate June 28 meetings in Damascus with visiting Lebanese [...] | 2006-06-29 14:16:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM SY LE IS IR JO |
06DAMASCUS3223 | UNDER PRESSURE, SYRIAN REGIME STIRS STONE SOUP [...] (C) Summary: The ongoing Gaza crisis notwithstanding, the SARG is conducting its foreign policy in traditional Syrian style, playing for time and survival against international pressure on a range of issues. This was most recently demonstrated by the July 1 meeting between the visiting Qata [...] | 2006-07-03 11:45:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KPAL SY |
06DAMASCUS3256 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Israel, Syria/Lebanon, [...] Summary: Syrian papers today featured an official statement reporting that two Israeli military aircraft flew at low altitude near the Syrian coast in the Wadi Qandil area at dawn. Syrian Air Defense Forces fired at the planes, that then left the region. The source said the hostile act was an [...] | 2006-07-03 13:10:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS3258 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Qatar, Syria/Iran, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported President Asad's meeting with Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem bin Jabr Al Thani, that focused on the latest regional developments, particularly in the occupied Palestinian territories. Talks also touched upon bilateral relations between Syria and [...] | 2006-07-03 14:10:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS3261 | SOUTH AFRICA BUYS INTO 45% OF SYRIAN CELLULAR [...] (C) Local press reported that South African company MTN Group recently purchased Investcom, which owns Areeba, one of the two cellular companies in Syria. Deemed by the press to be a positive step for cellular services in Syria, the 5.5 Billion USD transaction, of which Areeba's share was 1 B [...] | 2006-07-05 11:14:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EINV ETRD SY |
06DAMASCUS3289 | Damascus Media Reaction: Palestinian Territories, Iraq, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported that President Asad headed a meeting of the National Progressive Front, during which he reiterated Syria's support of the Palestinian people and confirmed efforts to make their national dialogue a success. Asad said, "Syria stands with full force at the side of [...] | 2006-07-05 12:54:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS3305 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Saudi Arabia, Palestinian [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported that President Asad received a phone call from Saudi King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz which focused on the situation in the Middle East and bilateral relations. Papers also reported that Arab and Islamic groups at the UN in Geneva approved a draft resolution proposed [...] | 2006-07-06 12:24:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS3365 | HAMAS EXILED LEADER HOLDS DAMASCUS PRESS CONFERENCE [...] (U) Summary: The leader of Hamas' external political wing, Khalid Mish'al, held a lengthy press conference July 10 at a Damascus hotel, covering the rejection of U.S. and Israeli demands to release a kidnapped Israel soldier, ongoing international dialogue with Hamas, and Syrian support for [...] | 2006-07-10 14:26:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | KPAL PREL PGOV SY IS |
06DAMASCUS338 | HAMAS VICTORY PUTS SARG IN A STRANGE CORNER [...] (C) Summary: The senior PLO representative in Damascus, Khalid Fahoum, said on January 30 that Damascus-based Hamas leader Khalid Mish'al was confident of Hamas' ability to govern and would quickly move to shore up support for Hamas in the PLO, in the PA security services and in Palestinian [...] | 2006-01-30 15:56:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | KPAL PREL PGOV SY |
06DAMASCUS339 | Damascus Media Reaction: Palestinian Territories, Iraq, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported that Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Miqdad conferred with the Advisor to the Norwegian Foreign Minister for Middle East Affairs, during which Miqdad held Israel responsible for the exacerbated situation in the occupied Palestinian territories. The Norwegian Advi [...] | 2006-07-09 13:52:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS3437 | INITIAL SARG REACTION TO HIZBALLAH HOSTAGE-TAKING [...] (SBU) In the wake of the taking of two IDF hostages by Hizballah, VP Farouk Shara'a was quoted today as stating that he expected Israeli "escalation" against Syria. Al-Arabiyya satellite TV carried the quote but did not provide details. In a press conference after his meeting with Iranian nuc [...] | 2006-07-12 13:31:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV SY LE |
06DAMASCUS3451 | CHARGE URGES SARG TO PRESS HIZBALLAH FOR RELEASE [...] (C) Charge expressed the deep concern of the USG about the current regional crisis and Syria's role in it to his designated interlocutor at the MFA, Director of Protocol Amir Smadi. Meeting the morning of July 13, Charge urged the SARG in the strongest terms to exercise its influence on Hizba [...] | 2006-07-13 12:22:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL SY LE |
06DAMASCUS3453 | Damascus Media Reaction: South Lebanon, Syria/Iran, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported the deteriorating situation in south Lebanon in the wake of the Hizbollah capture of two Israeli soldiers. Headlines featured President Asad's consultations on the situation in Lebanon and the Palestinian territories with President Mubarak, UN SecGen Kofi Annan, [...] | 2006-07-13 12:41:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS3481 | Damascus Media Reaction: Israeli Operations in Lebanon, [...] Summary: Syrian papers focused on the tense situation in Lebanon. All papers reported a statement by Hassan Nasrallah, Hizbollah's Secretary General, saying that the resistance is ready for "an open war" against Israel, announcing that the resistance fighters had set fire to an Israeli wars [...] | 2006-07-16 12:54:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS3482 | TFLE01: SYRIA AS OF 1500 HOURS LOCAL, SUNDAY, [...] (C) Summary: The situation in Syria remains relatively calm. DAO reports no signs of a higher state of alert, except for air defense units that were moved to a heightened level in late June. The official Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported that President Asad spoke by phone with Lebanon [...] | 2006-07-16 13:08:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY LE |
06DAMASCUS3485 | TFLE01: SYRIA SITREP 02 AS OF 1230 LOCAL, MONDAY, [...] (S) Summary: Initial eyewitness reports estimated that as many as 20,000 Syrians participated in a SARG-orchestrated demonstration July 17 in downtown Damascus. Protesters mainly expressed pro-SARG and pro-Hizballah messages. Separately on July 17, the Syrian MFA's Protocol Director summone [...] | 2006-07-17 12:00:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET | PREL PGOV SY LE |
06DAMASCUS3487 | SARG SHEDS CROCODILE TEARS, AS IT ASSESSES COSTS [...] (C) Summary: The current conflict in Lebanon puts in play significant Syrian interests, with the potential for either windfall political profits or enormous costs. Political analysts here believe at a minimum that the SARG will benefit from the fatal weakening of Lebanese PM Fouad Siniora a [...] | 2006-07-17 14:10:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY LE |
06DAMASCUS3488 | SYRIA'S KAMAL LABWANI READS STATEMENT IN COURT [...] (SBU) Jailed opposition activist Kamal Labwani appeared July 16 in criminal court and read a three-page statement on his own behalf to explain his televised Al-Hurra and Mustaqbal interviews in late 2005 in which he called for diplomatic pressure to bring political changes in Syria. An anima [...] | 2006-07-17 14:29:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV SY |
06DAMASCUS3489 | TFLE01: IRANIAN FM VISITS DAMASCUS [...] (U) Iran's FM Manouchehr Mottaki visited Damascus July 17, meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Asad and delivering a message from Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who stressed Iran's stand with Syria in confronting any attacks or aggression, according to the official Syrian Arab New [...] | 2006-07-17 14:35:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PGOV KPAL SY IR LE |
06DAMASCUS3490 | TFLE01: SYRIA SITREP 03 AS OF 1300 LOCAL, [...] (S) Summary: The Ba'ath Party's highest policy-making body met July 17 and urged the SARG to prepare for all possibilities in view of Israel's continued bombardment of Lebanon, according to the official Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA). The SARG has rejected a proposed visit to Syria by UN env [...] | 2006-07-18 11:38:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET | PREL PGOV SY LE |
06DAMASCUS3491 | Damascus Media Reaction: Israeli Operation in Lebanon [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported that President Asad received a message from Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad expressing support for Syria in the face of any threat or attack. The message was conveyed by Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki when President Asad received Mottaki and [...] | 2006-07-19 04:46:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS3514 | REGIME MOVES TO DEFUSE SUNNI ANGER OVER EDUCATION [...] (C) Summary: A July petition to President Bashar al-Asad, signed by 200 prominent Sunni religious figures, protesting eduation reform plans that would impact Islamic schools, apparently caused concern at the upper levels of the Asad regime. Senior security officials intervened and asked the [...] | 2006-07-19 11:33:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KISL SOCI SY |
06DAMASCUS3515 | TFLE01: SYRIA DAILY SITREP 03 FOR WEDNESDAY, JULY [...] (C) Summary: A Russian envoy and the EU's foreign policy chief are expected to make separate visits to Syria, perhaps as early as July 20, and the SARG may reverse its refusal to receive UN Special Envoy Terje Roed-Larsen, according to a media contact. The Ba'ath Party's highest policy-makin [...] | 2006-07-19 12:28:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV SY LE |
06DAMASCUS3552 | Damascus Media Reaction: Israeli Operations in Lebanon [...] Summary: Syrian papers today reported a meeting by the Syrian Cabinet emphasizing readiness in all fields to face all future scenarios. PM Mohammed Naji Ottri underlined "the importance of coordination and integration of government performance, escalating readiness in all sectors, and taking t [...] | 2006-07-20 08:29:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS3573 | Damascus Media Reaction: Israeli Operation in Lebanon, [...] Summary: Syrian papers continued to focus on the Israeli military action in Lebanon. Headlines featured President Asad's phone call with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyib Erdogan, which dealt with "the continuing Israeli aggression against Lebanon and Palestine." Papers also reported that t [...] | 2006-07-20 12:52:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS3577 | TFLE01: SYRIA DAILY SITREP 05 FOR THURSDAY, JULY [...] (S) Summary: On July 20, Syria's President Bashar al-Asad met with Russian Middle East envoy Saltanov and, separately, called Turkish PM Erdogan to discuss the Israel-Hizballah conflict, according to media reports. The Ba'ath party's most important policy-making body met for the third conse [...] | 2006-07-20 13:48:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET | PREL PGOV SY LE |
06DAMASCUS3578 | TFLE01: SYRIA DAILY SITREP 06 FOR FRIDAY, JULY [...] (C) Summary: 2. (C) A demonstration in support of Hizballah began at 1900 hours July 20 at Ommayyad Circle, located about four blocks from the Embassy. Emboffs reported that the 1200-2000 demonstrators, mostly teenage males, waved Hizballah flags and shouted anti-American and anti-Israel [...] | 2006-07-21 11:02:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS3601 | TFLE01: SYRIA DAILY SITREP 07 FOR SUNDAY, JULY [...] (S) Summary: Contacts are reporting a dramatic rise in anti-American sentiment in Syria over the past ten days. The influential director of the Abu Noor Institute, Sheikh Saleh Kuftaro, called upon the SARG "to open the borders with Israel for resistance" during Friday prayers on July 21. O [...] | 2006-07-23 13:31:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET | PREL PGOV PHUM SY LE |
06DAMASCUS3602 | Damascus Media Reaction: Israeli Operation in Lebanon [...] Summary: Syrian newspapers continued to report on the Israeli operation in Lebanon. All papers reported that Bashar al- Ja'afari, Syria's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, called on the UN Security Council "to shoulder responsibility in putting an immediate end to the Israeli ag [...] | 2006-07-24 06:56:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS362 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Russia, Palestinian [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported President Asad's meeting with Yuri N. Baluyevsky, Russian Chief of Staff, which dealt with enhancing bilateral relations and with the latest regional and international developments. Papers also reported the joint press conference held by the Russian Chief-of-Sta [...] | 2006-02-01 14:21:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS3626 | Damascus Media Reaction: Israel/Lebanon, Palestinian [...] Summary: Syrian papers continued to report on the tense situation in South Lebanon. All papers featured a statement by Dr. Mohsen Bilal, Minister of Information, to Spanish daily "ABC" that "Syria will not sit tight if Israeli ground troops enter Lebanon and approach Syria. If Israel invades L [...] | 2006-07-24 12:35:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS3627 | TFLE01: SYRIA DAILY SITREP 08 FOR MONDAY, JULY [...] (S) Summary: Up to 250,000 people have entered Syria from Lebanon since the start of the Israel-Hizballah conflict, with up to 90,000 needing "immediate assistance," according to contacts. Displaced Lebanese are settling throughout the country, with many seeking aid from the government, Syr [...] | 2006-07-24 14:30:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET | PREL PGOV PHUM SY LE |
06DAMASCUS363 | CHARGE INFORMS DFM MU'ALLIM THAT AMBASSADOR WILL [...] (C) Summary: Using reftel points, Charge informed SARG DFM Walid Mu'allim February 1 that Ambassador Scobey would not be returning to post. Mu'allim called the decision a mistake. The DFM also took issue with the points raised on Iraq, Palestinian rejectionist groups, Lebanon, and the need [...] | 2006-02-01 15:42:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS3655 | TFLE01: SYRIA DAILY SITREP 09 FOR TUESDAY, JULY [...] (C) Summary: The SARG has yet to respond to a July 25 demarche from the Charge about steps required of Syria as part of efforts to halt the Israel-Hizballah conflict. The Damascus-based UN Resident Coordinator held a meeting July 25 for diplomatic representatives of donor countries to discus [...] | 2006-07-25 14:29:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM SY LE |
06DAMASCUS3658 | Damascus Media Reaction: Israeli Operation in Lebanon, [...] Summary: The Israeli military operation in Lebanon remained the major topic in the Syrian press. Papers reported that President Asad received telephone calls from UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and Greek Socialist Party leader George Panadreou, which focused on latest developments in Lebanon [...] | 2006-07-26 09:08:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS3660 | TFLE01: SYRIA DAILY SITREP 10 FOR WEDNESDAY, JULY [...] (U) Summary: Spain will present the Syrian position at the July 26 Rome conference on the Israel-Hizballah crisis, according to regional media, citing two visits this week by the SARG's Minister of Information to Madrid. Palestinian rejectionist groups in Damascus, including Hamas and Pales [...] | 2006-07-26 11:04:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PGOV PHUM LE SY |
06DAMASCUS3678 | Damascus Media Reaction: Israeli Operation in Lebanon, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported a statement by the press office of the Syrian Ministry of Communication and Technology denying reports circulated by electronic websites to the effect that Syria possesses information about al-Qaeda and that Syria is ready to offer it to the US. The statement de [...] | 2006-07-26 13:48:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS3679 | ANTI-AMERICAN, PRO-HIZBALLAH THEMES PREDOMINATE IN [...] (C) Summary: Rising anti-American sentiment is evident in Syria in response to the aerial bombardment Israel has unleashed on Lebanon in the past two weeks. Many contacts, reflecting widespread public sentiment, accuse the U.S. of using Israel's military might to impose its own agenda on Le [...] | 2006-07-26 13:54:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS3680 | SYRIA ACCOUNTABILITY ACT HITS HOME: ONE MAN'S STORY [...] (U) Summary. Sanctions imposed by the Syrian Accountability Act (SAA) are routinely circumvented in all business sectors, as many Syrian businessmen believe the benefits for doing so have outweighed the costs. Even when following the rules, the Syrian business community's perception is that [...] | 2006-07-26 15:24:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | EAIR ECON EINV ETTC SY |
06DAMASCUS3695 | SYRIA'S LABWANI SUFFERING ONGOING LEGAL WOES, RIAD [...] (C) Summary: Jailed opposition activist Kamal Labwani appeared July 25 in criminal court for the second time in two weeks, with the judge again postponing decision on the defense team's request to show in open court Labwani's televised interviews on Al-Hurra and Al-Mustaqbal. Labwani's next [...] | 2006-07-27 09:12:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV SY LE |
06DAMASCUS3700 | TFLE01: SYRIA DAILY SITREP 11 THURSDAY JULY 27, [...] (U) Summary: The head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, Ali Larijani, arrived in Damascus July 26 for talks with SARG officials on the crisis in Lebanon and the Rome Conference, according to Arab regional media. DAO reports increasing displays of pro-Hizballah Arabic-language banne [...] | 2006-07-27 13:39:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PGOV PHUM LE SY |
06DAMASCUS3701 | ASAD CONFIDENT ABOUT CURRENT SITUATION, WELCOMES [...] (C) Summary: Syrian President Bashar al-Asad met for an hour July 25 with David Lesch , his American biographer, who is in country with his family for a short visit. Asad appeared relaxed and confident about the way events were playing out in Lebanon. He mentioned the possibility of Syrian interven [...] | 2006-07-27 13:41:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY LE |
06DAMASCUS3711 | TFLE01: SYRIA DAILY SITREP 12 FOR SUNDAY, JULY [...] (C) Summary: An Israeli missile strike on July 29 destroyed the road serving a main Lebanese border crossing between Damascus and Beirut about five miles west of the official Syrian border crossing, effectively closing the crossing, according to contacts and press reports. Several hundred p [...] | 2006-07-30 12:44:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET | PREL PGOV PREF PHUM LE SY |
06DAMASCUS3718 | Damascus Media Reaction: Israeli operation in Lebanon [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported that Secretary General of Hizbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, stressed in a televised speech on al- Manar TV station that Israel has failed to achieve anything militarily so far in its 18-day aggression on Lebanon, and that Israel has received very tough blows. He adde [...] | 2006-07-31 07:14:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS3720 | FM MU'ALLIM CALLS FOR IMMEDIATE CEASE-FIRE, NOTES [...] (C) Summary: FM Walid Mu'allim told assembled chiefs of mission in Damascus July 30 there was no justification for the deadly attack at Qana and criticized U.S. diplomatic efforts for blocking the international community from imposing an immediate cease-fire. Mu'allim reported that he had be [...] | 2006-07-31 11:22:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL SY LE |
06DAMASCUS3721 | Damascus Media Reaction: Israeli War against Lebanon, [...] Summary: Syrian papers today reported the new Israeli massacre in Qana. Headlines featured President Asad's telephone conversation with Lebanese President Lahoud expressing pain and shock at the crime that Israel has committed against innocent civilians in Qana. President Asad reaffirmed Syria' [...] | 2006-07-31 11:27:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS3742 | TFLE01: SYRIA DAILY SITREP 13 FOR MONDAY JULY 31, [...] (S) Summary: For the second time in two days Israel bombed the main border crossing between Lebanon and Syria, more than three miles from the Syrian border. Syrian artillery, missile and ground forces are being defensively dispersed from their garrisons throughout Syria and Syrian air defenses [...] | 2006-07-31 13:04:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET | PREL PGOV PHUM PREF LE SY |
06DAMASCUS3744 | SYRIA'S LABWANI APPEARS IN COURT, DEFENSE ASKS FOR [...] (C) Syrian opposition activist Kamal Labwani appeared in court July 31, with the criminal court judge granting the defense team's request to play two televised interviews, including one with Al-Hurra, in an open court session, possibly as early as Labwani's next court appearance on August 23, [...] | 2006-07-31 14:02:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS3754 | TFLE01: SYRIA DAILY SITREP 14 FOR TUESDAY, AUGUST [...] (U) Summary: Syrian President Asad asked the Syrian military to raise its readiness, pledging not to abandon support for the Lebanese "resistance" against Israel, according to reports of Asad's July 31 annual address commemorating the foundation of the Syria Arab Army. Israel launched its t [...] | 2006-08-01 12:33:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET | PREL PGOV PREF PHUM LE SY |
06DAMASCUS3779 | Damascus Media Reaction: Israeli Operation in Lebanon, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported that President Asad addressed the Syrian armed forces on July 31 in a speech published in "The People's Army" magazine, marking the 61st anniversary of the foundation of the Syrian Army. Asad said that the anniversary is being observed this year "amid internati [...] | 2006-08-01 13:37:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS3805 | Damascus Media Reaction: Israel/Lebanon, Syria/Iran, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported that President Asad and Chinese President Jintao exchanged letters of congratulation marking the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. President Asad expressed confidence that the relations of friendship and co [...] | 2006-08-02 13:40:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS3806 | TFLE01: SYRIA DAILY SITREP 15 FOR WEDNESDAY, [...] (U) Summary: Syria's President Asad was expected to meet visiting Spanish FM Moratinos August 2 in Damascus, according to Arabic regional media. Germany's FM linked Syrian cooperation in ending fighting between Israel and Hizballah to closer relations with the European Union, including impr [...] | 2006-08-02 13:41:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET | PREL PGOV PREF PHUM LE SY |
06DAMASCUS3835 | TFLE01: SYRIA DAILY SITREP 16 FOR THURSDAY, [...] (U) Summary: Visiting Spanish FM Moratinos was scheduled to meet Syrian President Asad and VP Shara'a on August 3 in Damascus. Moratinos arrived in Damascus August 2 and met with Syrian FM Mu'allim, discussing the need for an immediate cease-fire, according to the official Syrian Arab News A [...] | 2006-08-03 14:33:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PGOV PREF PHUM LE SY |
06DAMASCUS3836 | AMR MOUSSA EXPECTED IN DAMASCUS, SAUDI AMBASSADOR [...] (C) Summary: During a July 30 visit to Damascus, Egypt's FM met with Syrian President Bashar al-Asad, repeating Egyptian demands from an earlier visit after the outbreak of the Israel-Hizballah conflict that Syria publicly and privately push Hizballah to return Israeli soldiers and cease fighting, [...] | 2006-08-03 14:58:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV EG LE |
06DAMASCUS3837 | SYRIAN ACTIVIST URGES U.S. TO LAY DOWN MARKERS [...] (C) Recently released Damascus Spring detainee Fawwaz Tello asserted in a recent meeting with Poloff that despite the ongoing Israel-Hizballah conflict, the SARG must not be allowed to cross "red lines" in its ongoing crackdown against Syrian human rights and civil society activists. The SARG [...] | 2006-08-03 14:59:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV SY |
06DAMASCUS3848 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Iran, Israel/Lebanon, [...] No summary [...] | 2006-08-06 12:24:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS3851 | TFLE01: SYRIA DAILY SITREP 17 FOR SUNDAY AUGUST 6, [...] (S) Summary: Syrian Information Minister Mohsen Bilal called the August 4 al-Qaa strike that killed 26 Syrians "a racist, fascist and terrorist act committed with American weapons." The Syrian Foreign Minister on August 5 sent two letters regarding the al-Qaa killings to the UN SYG and the he [...] | 2006-08-06 15:57:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET | PREL PGOV PHUM LE SY |
06DAMASCUS3863 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Lebanon, Syria/Qatar, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported that President Asad has sent a message of support and solidarity to Lebanese President Lahoud, conveyed by Foreign Minister Waleed al-Mouallem, to confirm Syria's solidarity with and support of the steadfastness of the Lebanese people and the national resistance [...] | 2006-08-07 13:18:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS3864 | PROPOSED SARG AVIATION DEALS TO AVOID US SANCTIONS [...] (U) Summary. Despite Minister of Transport Yador Sulieman Bader,s public touting of the attractiveness of the January 2006 Russian offer (Ref B) to sell Syrian Arab Airlines (SyrianAir) five to seven Russian-built aircraft to replace their aging Airbus/Boeing fleet, no deal has yet been signed [...] | 2006-08-07 13:30:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | EAIR ECON EINV ETTC SY |
06DAMASCUS388 | Damascus Media Reaction: HAMAS Election Win, Lebanon, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported President Asad's meeting with a delegation from the Council for the National Interest, a U.S. NGO. A SANA release stated that the talks dealt with ways of activating ties in the interest of both countries and thereby achieving security and stability in the region [...] | 2006-02-02 13:59:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS3896 | TFLE01: SYRIA DAILY SITREP 19 FOR TUESDAY AUGUST [...] (U) Summary: In Beirut, Syrian FM Walid Mu'allim continued praising Hizballah (the "Lebanese National Resistance"),noting in his public remarks that Lebanese PM Fouad Siniora had been politically strengthened by Hizballah's military successes. Mu'allim also rejected the draft UNSCR. Top SARG [...] | 2006-08-08 15:09:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PGOV PHUM LE SY |
06DAMASCUS3899 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Lebanon, Syria/Greece, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported that President Asad called Lebanese President Lahoud on August 8 to discuss the French- American draft UNSC resolution and the international positions on it. Both presidents stressed that any formula must have unanimous Lebanese support. During the conversation, [...] | 2006-08-09 07:44:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS391 | U.S. DELEGATION MEETS SYRIAN PRESIDENT, CALLS FOR [...] (C) Summary: A seven-member delegation, including former heads of U.S. missions, met separately February 1 with Syrian President Bashar al-Asad, FM Farouk al-Shar'a, and Hamas leader Khalid Mish'al, according to delegation members in a subsequent meeting with the Charge. The Asad meeting re [...] | 2006-02-02 14:46:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KPAL SY |
06DAMASCUS3914 | Damascus Media Reaction: Israeli Operation in Lebanon, [...] Summary: Syrian papers today reported that the Syrian Cabinet listened to a political review by Foreign Minister Mouallem confirming that Arab Foreign Ministers oppose any UN Security Council resolution on Lebanon that doesn't include Lebanese demands, and any other resolution that gives Israe [...] | 2006-08-09 13:07:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS392 | AN ALAWITE-SUNNI CHAT ON KHADDAM, FUTURE OF REGIME [...] (C) The criticisms and maneuvering of former VP Khaddam continue to generate intense private discussion in Syria. According to Sunni politician XXXXXXXXXXXX on January 30, a retired senior Alawite military officer pribvately endorsed Khaddam's views and noted fears that he and other former A [...] | 2006-02-02 15:08:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS3927 | SYRIA RESPONSE TO UN EFFORTS TO COMBAT SEXUAL [...] (SBU) In preparing the annual Syria submission for the Global Trafficking in Persons report, Post did not come across any public or private statements or media reports about trafficking in persons (TIP) or sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) involving UN peacekeeping personnel based in Syria. [...] | 2006-08-10 12:24:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL KPKO |
06DAMASCUS3928 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Sudan, Syria/France, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported President Asad's meeting with Mostafa Othamn Ismael, Advisor to the Sudanese President, who reiterated the importance of working to stop Israel's aggression against Lebanon, and called for withdrawal of occupation forces from South Lebanon. Ismael expressed [...] | 2006-08-11 09:16:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS393 | NEW KFC IN SYRIA WITNESSES ITS FIRST ANTI-AMERICAN [...] (SBU) Summary: Having opened only recently with generous media coverage, demonstrators associated with the Committee to Boycott U.S. Products staged a protest against the new KFC restaurant in Damascus this week. The organizers of the protest are not affiliated with the Central Boycott Office [...] | 2006-02-02 15:12:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ETRD EINV SY |
06DAMASCUS394 | RIAD SEIF COMMENTS ON PRESS CONFERENCE, DISCUSSES [...] (C) SUMMARY: In a February 1 conversation with PolOff, prominent opposition figure Riad Seif discussed the SARG's prevention of the released Damascus Spring detainees' January 31 press conference and explained some of his requests for U.S. support in greater depth. In a later meeting, he d [...] | 2006-02-02 15:47:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM SY |
06DAMASCUS3945 | Damascus Media Reaction: UNSC Resolution on Lebanon, [...] Summary: Syrian papers gave prominent coverage to the adoption of UNSC Resolution No. 1701, with detailed descriptions of its contents. Papers also reported a press statement by Lebanese Foreign Minister Salloukh praising the UN Human Rights Council's resolution condemning the Israeli aggress [...] | 2006-08-13 13:00:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS3965 | SYRIA,S INVOLVEMENT IN IRAQ,S FUEL TRADE [...] (U) Syrians are involved in both the legal and illicit trade in oil and oil derivatives from Iraq. On the legal side, the Syrian Oil Marketing Bureau (OMB) imports 10,000 barrels per day (BPD) of crude oil and 1,000 BPD of residual fuel-oil (RFO) from Iraq. In exchange, the Syrians export 60 [...] | 2006-08-14 09:53:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | EFIN EPET KCOR JO KU SY TU IZ AE |
06DAMASCUS3969 | Damascus Media Reaction: Israel/Lebanon, Syria/Lebanon, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported that President Asad received a telephone call from UN SecGen Kofi Annan. Their talks dealt with the situation in Lebanon following the UNSC resolution and with implementation of the ceasefire. Papers also quoted an official Syrian source as saying that Syria sup [...] | 2006-08-14 12:42:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS3998 | ASAD SPEECH, ON-THE-GROUND REALITIES, FORESHADOW [...] (C) Summary: Until the August 15 speech of President Bashar al-Asad, the SARG adopted a tone of cautious, critical tone in its reaction to UNSCR 1701, expressing little enthusiasm but avoiding statements that could be read as outright rejection. Asad's combative speech was much more critica [...] | 2006-08-15 13:03:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV SY LE |
06DAMASCUS3999 | Damascus Media Reaction: Asad, Nasrallah, Olmert, [...] Summary: Syrian papers today reported that President Asad will deliver a speech focusing on the latest political developments in the region at the inauguration of the Fourth General Conference of the Syrian Journalists Union. Papers also featured a televised speech by Hassan Nasrallah, SecG [...] | 2006-08-15 14:00:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS4000 | ASAD ATTACKS MARCH 14 GROUP, ARABS, UNSCR 1701 IN [...] (C) Summary: In a defiant August 15 speech delivered in Damascus, Syrian President Bashar al-Asad adopted a confrontational tone and criticized different aspects of UNSCR 1701 and the negotiations that led to its passage. He underlined at several points the importance that facts on the grou [...] | 2006-08-15 15:19:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS4023 | Damascus Media Reaction: Asad's Speech, Syria/Germany, [...] Summary: Syrian papers today reported President Asad's address at the Fourth General Conference of the Syrian Journalists Union. President Asad delivered what the media described as his strongest attack ever on the Lebanese anti- Syrian parliamentary majority, Arab governments, Israel an [...] | 2006-08-16 12:11:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS4025 | SYRIA REJECTS MEETINGS WITH ICRC PRESIDENT, ICRC [...] (C) Summary: ICRC President Jakob Kellenberg cancelled a planned August trip to Syria after the SARG refused to offer him any high-level meetings, according to Damascus-based ICRC representative Jean-Jacques Fresard. Fresard described noted that in during a recent encounter with Hamas leader [...] | 2006-08-16 13:57:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET | PREL PHUM PGOV KPAL SY IR IZ |
06DAMASCUS4026 | SYRIA HUMAN RIGHTS ROUNDUP: TRIALS, TRAVEL BANS [...] (C) Summary: The SARG continues to crack down on Syrians critical of the SARG, pursuing court cases against activists such as Ali and Mohammed Abdullah and Fateh Jammous, and restricting travel by civil society figures, according to contacts. Despite the ongoing crackdown, the Damascus Decl [...] | 2006-08-16 14:09:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS404 | ANTI-EUROPEAN RIOTS HIT DAMASCUS, AS FOUR [...] (C) Summary: Mobs angered about cartoon depictions of the prophet Mohammed published in Europe ransacked and set on fire the Norwegian Embassy and the building housing the Danish, Chilean, and Swedish Embassies in Damascus in the late afternoon of February 4, destroying the first and heavily damagi [...] | 2006-02-05 14:36:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL ASEC SY |
06DAMASCUS4045 | INITIAL REACTIONS TO THE IKHTIYAR AND JAMA'A'S [...] (U) On 16 August, the quasi-independent Syrian news web site, Champress, ran an article on the Treasury Department's designation of Hisham Ikhtiyar, director of the Ba'ath Party Regional Command's National Security Bureau, and Jama,a Jama,a, former commander of Syrian Military Intelligence's h [...] | 2006-08-17 15:08:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON ETTC SY SANC |
06DAMASCUS4046 | Damascus Media Reaction: Asad's Speech, Syria/Britain, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported that the Syrian Cabinet stressed that President Asad's address to 4th General Conference of the Syrian Journalists Union reflected the impulse of the Syrian people and all the Arab nation and expressed the Arab street's support for the Lebanese national resistan [...] | 2006-08-18 06:23:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS4071 | Damascus Media Reaction: Lebanon/Israel, Syria/Norway, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported Israel's violation of the cease-fire in Lebanon through its landing attempt in Boudai village in the Bekaa Valley, and the ongoing dispute concerning France's participation in the international force. Papers also reported a meeting on Saturday between Foreign Mi [...] | 2006-08-20 12:59:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS4091 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Qatar, Syria/Egypt, [...] Summary: All Syrian papers today reported that Shaykh Hamad Bin-Khalifah Al Thani, Emir of Qatar, will pay a working visit to Syria today during which he will hold talks with President Asad that will focus on bilateral relations and current developments in the region. Papers also featured a [...] | 2006-08-21 11:39:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS4092 | SYRIANS DO A LITTLE DAMAGE CONTROL ON BASHAR [...] (C) Summary: Political and economic contacts in Damascus have largely written off the August 15 speech of President Bashar al-Asad as ill-timed and reflecting the young Syrian leader's inexperience and lack of political judgment. The speech has prompted renewed personal criticism of Bashar [...] | 2006-08-21 12:05:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY LE |
06DAMASCUS4094 | SURVEY OF SYRIAN WATER SECTOR - 2006 [...] (SBU) Summary: After years of national water shortages, it has become clear that Syria faces a water crunch that, if not addressed comprehensively, will balloon into a crisis in the medium to long term. Rapidly growing demand for water from various sectors of Syrian society in recent years com [...] | 2006-08-21 13:25:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAGR ECIN ECON EIND EAID SENV SY EWWT |
06DAMASCUS4128 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Qatar, Qatar/Lebanon, [...] Summary: Syrian papers today reported the working visit to Damascus by Shaykh Hamad Bin-Khalifah Al Thani, Emir of Qatar, and his meeting with President Asad, which focused on the Israeli aggression against Lebanon and its repercussions, the current Arab position, the situation in the Palesti [...] | 2006-08-22 13:28:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS4129 | DISPLACED LEBANESE DEPART SYRIA BY TENS OF [...] (C) Summary: As of August 21, an estimated 144,800 displaced Lebanese had departed Syria back to their country, with a relatively small number staying with Syrian host families, according to UN estimates. UN and international agency officials in Damascus expressed surprise and concern over [...] | 2006-08-22 15:20:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREF PGOV PREL SY LE IR IZ |
06DAMASCUS4161 | ROYAL DUTCH SHELL LARGEST WINNER IN CURRENT BID [...] (C) Summary. In addition to being awarded new concessions in the most recent bid round, Royal Dutch Shell is aggressively pursuing a number of new initiatives which, if successful, would expand the company's already considerable presence in Syria. More quietly and with a much lower profile, [...] | 2006-08-23 13:53:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EPET ETTC SY SANC |
06DAMASCUS4162 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Turkey, Syria/Spain, [...] Summary: Syrian papers today reported the visit to Damascus of Turkish Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul and his meeting with President Asad, that focused on bilateral relations, developments in Iraq and the Palestinian territories, the Israeli aggression against Lebanon [...] | 2006-08-23 14:36:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS4184 | Damascus Media Reaction: Asad Interview, [...] Summary: President Asad's interview with Dubai TV was the major topic in papers today. President Asad said he would view deployment of international troops along the Lebanon-Syria border as a hostile move toward his country. "It robs Lebanon of its sovereignty. No single state in the entir [...] | 2006-08-24 11:28:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS4186 | SYRIAN POLICY POST ASAD SPEECH: NO FUNDAMENTAL [...] (C) Summary: Despite Syrian President Asad's confrontational rhetoric in his August 15 speech, there is unlikely to be any fundamental change in the overall orientation of Syrian policies, either foreign or domestic, although periodic damage control will be evident as a tactical adjustment, [...] | 2006-08-24 16:22:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY LE |
06DAMASCUS4200 | DEFENSE SHOWS LABWANI INTERVIEW ON AL-HURRA IN [...] (C) Summary: The defense for jailed Syrian opposition figure Kamal Labwani showed in court August 23 two televised interviews with Labwani in which he repeatedly rejected foreign military intervention in Syria and the imposition of economic sanctions. A flap occurred at the end of the sessi [...] | 2006-08-27 11:45:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV SY |
06DAMASCUS4202 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Iran, Syria/Italy, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported that President Asad received a message from Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinezhad on developments in the region and bilateral relations, conveyed by Iranian Assistant Foreign Minister Mohammad Reza Baqeri. Baqeri also met with Vice President Shara and Foreig [...] | 2006-08-27 13:30:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS421 | KURDS DISMISS LATEST SARG GESTURES ON STATELESS [...] (C) SUMMARY: According to recent media reports, a delegation of 43 Kurdish tribal leaders recently met with high-ranking Syrian officials to discuss the restoration of citizenship for Syria's 300,000 stateless Kurds. While the SARG publicly touted the meeting as a further step towards resol [...] | 2006-02-06 11:31:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM SY |
06DAMASCUS4236 | UNICEF ACTING REPRESENTATIVE SKETCHES OUT SYRIA [...] (SBU) The Charg paid a courtesy call August 27 on UNICEF's acting director, Marc Lucet, who said that UNHCR, WFP and UNICEF planned to do a joint assessment of the remaining displaced Lebanese who are thought to be staying in private homes in about six locations in Syria. UN agencies had rep [...] | 2006-08-28 13:53:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREF PHUM PGOV SY LE |
06DAMASCUS4237 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/US, Syria/India, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported President Asad's meeting with US civil rights leader Jesse Jackson. Talks focused on regional and international developments and the current situation in Lebanon, the Palestinian territories and Iraq, and views were exchanged about reviving the Middle East peac [...] | 2006-08-28 14:00:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS425 | SYRIA CONTINUES ECONOMIC PRESSURE ON LEBANON [...] No summary [...] | 2006-02-06 14:57:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN ETRD EINV SY LE |
06DAMASCUS4251 | Damascus Media Reaction: Lebanon, Syria/Venezuela, [...] Summary: Syrian papers today led with reports of the visit to Lebanon by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan. Headlines featured Annan's meeting with Nabih Berri, Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament, and their press conference in Beirut, in which Annan expressed full solidarity with the Lebanese [...] | 2006-08-29 11:48:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS426 | Damascus Media Reaction: Cartoons on Prophet Mohamed, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported that on Saturday angry mobs protesting cartoons depicting the prophet Mohamed as a terrorist stormed the buildings housing the Danish and Norwegian Embassies in Damascus. Protestors set fire to both missions and pillaged the contents of the first-floor office o [...] | 2006-02-06 15:19:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS427 | SHEIKH CONFIRMS SARG INVOLVEMENT IN ESCALATING [...] (C) Summary: An influential Sunni sheikh provided details February 6 that seem to confirm SARG involvement in escalating the situation that led to the violent rioting in Damascus two days earlier, including communications between the PM's office and the Grand Mufti. He also noted that SARG aut [...] | 2006-02-06 16:05:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS4271 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Venezuela, Syria/Italy, [...] Summary: Syrian papers today led with the visit to Syria by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. Banner headlines reported the warm welcome prepared for President Chavez and featured the press statements made by President Asad and President Chavez at Damascus airport during which Chavez noted t [...] | 2006-08-30 11:40:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS4274 | UNHCR SEEKING ACCESS TO DETAINED AHWAZIS, SOLUTION [...] (C) Summary: UNHCR Damascus has stepped up efforts to gain access to three Iranian Ahwazis, who are recognized refugees and who are believed to be in detention in Damascus, despite press reports about their extradition back to Iran, according to senior UNHCR protection officer Dietrun Gunther [...] | 2006-08-30 14:45:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREF PHUM PINR SY IR IZ |
06DAMASCUS4283 | Damascus Media Reaction: Chavez Visit, Golan, Lebanon, [...] Summary: Syrian papers today continued to give prominent coverage to Venezuelan President Chavez's visit to Damascus. Papers reported that President Asad held a plenary meeting with his Venezuelan counterpart in the presence of members of the two delegations; afterward, the two leaders held [...] | 2006-08-31 13:03:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS4284 | THE SARG PLAYS WITH THE POWER SWITCH TO LEBANON [...] (SBU) Summary. Though the SARG,s chronic electricity shortage has recently threatened to turn acute, its most recent cutoff of electricity to Lebanon appears to have been an attempt to remind the GOL that Syria holds the economic levers in the bilateral relationship. End summary. 2. (U) [...] | 2006-08-31 13:58:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ENRG ETRD PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS4314 | SYRIA'S RIAD SEIF A HALF PRISONER, DAMASCUS [...] (C) Summary: Former Damascus Spring detainee Riad Seif met with A/DCM for 90-minutes August 30 to discuss ongoing events in Syria, including organizing by the Damascus Declaration group. Recently the group issued a statement criticizing the August 15 speech by Syrian President Bashar al-As [...] | 2006-09-05 06:37:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM SY |
06DAMASCUS4315 | EXPECTED SYRIAN PARTICIPATION IN UNGA [...] In response to Post's diplomatic note requesting information solicited in reftels, the SARG notified Post on September 4 that Syrian FM Walid Mu'allim will head the Syrian delegation to UNGA, accompanied by his spouse, Sawsan al-Khayat. According to the SARG's diplomatic note, other delegati [...] | 2006-09-05 07:26:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | OTRA OVIP PREL UNGA SY |
06DAMASCUS4340 | WITH TALK OF "RESISTANCE" ON THE GOLAN, ACCENT IS [...] (C) Summary: Recently contacts have reported that there is a still developing shift in regime thinking about the supposed benefits of continuing to keep the Golan front quiet. Press accounts have reported the nascent formation of "Syrian popular resistance" groups, modeling themselves on Hi [...] | 2006-09-05 16:12:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS4341 | Damascus Media Reaction: Annan's Visit, Syria/Lebanon, [...] Summary: Syrian papers led with reports of the visit to Damascus by UN SecGen Kofi Annan and his meeting with President Asad, Vice President Shar'a, Foreign Minister Walid al-Mouallem, and Deputy Foreign Minister Dr Faysal al-Miqdad. Talks focused on the need to consolidate the Lebanese ceas [...] | 2006-09-06 04:22:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS4365 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Lebanon, Palestinian [...] Summary: Syrian papers today reported President Asad's phone call to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan following up on the situation in Lebanon, and Annan's interview with the daily newspaper Al-Hayat (Sept. 6 edition) describing Syria's cooperation with the UN regarding regional issues as "pos [...] | 2006-09-06 13:29:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS4385 | Damascus Media Reaction: Lebanon, Peace Process, [...] Summary: Syrian papers today continued to focus on Lebanon, highlighting the visit to Lebanon by a Syrian popular delegation that represented social and parliamentary activists, in addition to Moslem and Christian clergymen. The intent of the visit was to confirm Syria's popular and formal s [...] | 2006-09-07 11:43:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS4393 | DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON RECENT 1267 COMMITTEE [...] (C) ECONOFF delivered reftel demarches regarding UN 1267 Sanctions Committee additions to Bassam Barabandi, Second Secretary in the MFA Protocol Office. Barabandi had no SIPDIS substantive response, but said he would convey the talking points and non-paper to appropriate individuals within t [...] | 2006-09-07 13:28:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | KTFN EFIN ETTC PTER PREL |
06DAMASCUS4419 | RUSSIAN FM MEETS SYRIAN PRESIDENT; SARG SAYS NO TO [...] (C) Visiting Russian FM Sergei Lavrov met for an hour September 7 in Damascus with Syrian President Bashar al-Asad followed by separate hour-long meetings with Syrian VP Farouk al-Shara'a, and FM Walid Mu'allim, according to a senior Russian diplomat here. The conversations focused on implem [...] | 2006-09-10 13:46:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV SY LE |
06DAMASCUS4436 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Lebanon, Peace Process, [...] Summary: Syrian papers today led with a statement to Egyptian TV by Information Minister Muhsen Bilal denying media reports that Syria accepted the deployment of European border guards to monitor the Syrian-Lebanese border. He stressed that the telephone conversation between President Asad a [...] | 2006-09-11 13:21:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS4439 | ARMED ASSAILANTS ATTACK U.S. EMBASSY, ONE LOCAL [...] (U) Summary: At least four assailants attacked the U.S. Embassy in Damascus at 1010 local time September 12, using grenades, gunfire and two apparent car bombs. One car exploded, but a van at the back gate did not. No U.S. Embassy personnel were injured, with the exception of a local guard [...] | 2006-09-12 10:53:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | ASEC PGOV PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS4441 | CHARGE PUSHES ASSISTANT FM HARD ON SECURITY IN [...] (C) Summary: Following the armed attack on the embassy September 12, Charge met with Assistant FM Ahmad Arnous, to press the SARG on his concerns about security for the embassy. Charge urged the SARG to be transparent and to offer full cooperation on the investigation including through bet [...] | 2006-09-12 14:21:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS4443 | SITREP 2: UPDATE ON DAMASCUS ATTACK [...] (C) Information obtained by RSO from local security officials and Embassy video footage provides more details about what actually happened during the September 12 attack on the Embassy. Video footage indicates that the attack against the Embassy began 10 minutes earlier than previously repor [...] | 2006-09-12 14:30:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV ASEC SY |
06DAMASCUS4445 | EMBASSY DAMASCUS REQUESTS PERMISSION TO RE-OPEN [...] (C) The EAC met September 13 to assess the threat environment and security issues in the wake of the September 12 armed attack on the Embassy (reported septel). As part of its discussion of the issue of the Embassy's medium-term security posture, the EAC decided to request that the departmen [...] | 2006-09-13 13:56:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ASEC CASC AEMR AMGT |
06DAMASCUS4446 | SARG COMPLAINT RE PERSONAL BANKING PROBLEMS IN [...] (C) On the margins of a late August meeting with the director of protocol at the MFA, another MFA official, Bassam Sabbagh, raised with the Charge a complaint from the Syrian Embassy in Washington that it was being cut off from necessary banking services in the U.S. Sabbagh had no specifics o [...] | 2006-09-13 13:56:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | EFIN PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS4448 | LOCAL PRESS REACTION TO ATTACK ON U.S. EMBASSY [...] (U) No one has yet claimed responsibility for yesterday's attack, but the SARG is publicly blaming militant Islamists. Asharq Al-Awsat reported that a "Syrian security member was killed by the bullets of an American Marine element that was on the roof of the Embassy." However, the RSO confirms [...] | 2006-09-13 15:39:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ASEC PGOV SY |
06DAMASCUS4482 | MEETING WITH SYRIA'S RIAD SEIF, DAMASCUS-BEIRUT [...] (C) Summary: A/DCM met with Damascus Declaration leader Riad Seif on September 12, just shortly before the attack on the U.S. Embassy. Seif said he had chosen to stop reporting to the security services and was traveling outside the city, including to Homs to meet with recently released Dam [...] | 2006-09-14 12:40:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM SY |
06DAMASCUS4534 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/PLO, Pope Anti-Islam [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported the visit to Damascus by former Palestinian PM Ahmad Qurei, who met with President Asad and conveyed a message from President Abbas. He also met with VP Shara and held a press conference in which he expressed hope that a Palestinian national unity government wo [...] | 2006-09-18 14:25:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS4560 | Damascus Media Reaction: Pope Anti-Islam Remarks, [...] Summary: Syrian papers today led with reports of Syrian Grand Mufti Badreddin Hassoun's meeting with the Papal Nuncio in Damascus, Giovanni Battista Morandini, in which Hassoun warned against inflaming a conflict between Islam and Christianity. He accused some hegemonic powers of seeking to [...] | 2006-09-19 12:07:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS4584 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Lebanon, UNGA Session, [...] Summary: Syrian papers today led with reports on Syrian- Lebanese relations, featuring the visit to Damascus by Fathi Yakan, Chairman of the Islamic Action Front in Lebanon, who met with President Asad and reviewed with him developments in the region, particularly in Lebanon in the wake of th [...] | 2006-09-20 12:06:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS4588 | REQUEST FOR PHYSICAL SECURITY ASSESSMENT TEAM [...] (C) Post appreciates Department's prompt reaction in dispatching DS agent Aylward who is serving a critical function supporting RSO at Embassy Damascus. RSO is currently involved in multiple efforts to investigate the attack on the Embassy and assess ways to make the Embassy safer. The SARG [...] | 2006-09-20 14:23:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ASEC PGOV ABLD SY |
06DAMASCUS4609 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Iran, UNGA Session, [...] Summary: Syrian papers today reported the visit to Damascus of Ali Larijani, Head of the Iranian Supreme National Security Council, and his meetings with President Asad and VP Shara, focusing on regional and international developments, especially in Iraq, Lebanon, and the occupied Palestinian [...] | 2006-09-21 13:13:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS4610 | CIRCUMSTANCE SAVES ASAD AGAIN [...] (C) Summary. Despite the isolation resulting from the SARG,s increasingly confrontational stance vis-a-vis the international community and its immediate neighbors, the country,s economy appears to once again be saved by circumstance from SARG incompetence and malfeasance. As a result of the c [...] | 2006-09-21 15:08:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PGOV PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS4612 | INITIAL EMBASSY EFFORTS TO PRESS SARG ON INCREASED [...] (S) Summary: In the wake of the September 12 attack on the Embassy, the Embassy has pressed the SARG through various channels for increased security for USG facilities in Damascus and for complete sharing of details of the SARG investigation into the attack. RSO has relied on informal conta [...] | 2006-09-21 16:31:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET | PGOV PREL PTER SY |
06DAMASCUS4613 | SYRIA HUMAN RIGHTS UPDATE: LABWANI IN COURT, [...] (C) Summary: Jailed political activist Kamal Lawbani appeared in court September 19, as an assistant public prosecutor reaffirmed potential capital changes against him. The public prosecutor's statement seemed to shift the basis for the charges from two televised interviews given by Labwani [...] | 2006-09-21 16:44:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV SY |
06DAMASCUS4614 | REACTIONS TO ATTACK ON EMBASSY IN DAMASCUS [...] (C) Summary: Syrian contacts have expressed relief that no Americans were killed or injured in the September 12 attack on the Embassy. Partly due to the almost complete lack of official information from the SARG on the attack, many contacts, echoing widespread street views, are speculating [...] | 2006-09-22 08:56:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER SY |
06DAMASCUS4635 | Damascus Media Reaction: UNGA session, UNSC Session on [...] Summary: Papers continued to report meetings held by FM Walid al-Mouallem on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meetings in New York, citing his meetings with Iraqi President Jalal Talbani, Costa Rica's Foreign Minister Bruno Ugharti, Iranian FM Manouchehr Mottaki, German Foreign Minist [...] | 2006-09-25 08:20:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS4679 | Damascus Media Reaction: Post-war maneuvering, UN [...] Summary: Syrian papers covered the latest Brammertz Report, focusing on the idea that Syria has been generally cooperative in the U.N. commission's investigation. The papers also covered a meeting between Minister of Foreign Affairs Walid al Mouallem and UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, who [...] | 2006-09-26 15:18:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS473 | Damascus Media Reaction: Prophet Muhammad Cartoons, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported that President Asad received Al-Sayyid Muqtada al-Sadr, leader of Al-Sadr Current in Iraq. Talks focused on the situation in Iraq, the results of the recent election, and the ongoing consultations to form an Iraqi government. The president called for unifying I [...] | 2006-02-07 13:57:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS4733 | Damascus Media Reaction: Post-war Maneuvering, Assad [...] Summary: The Syrian press on October 1 and 2 focused on the interview President Assad gave to Spanish daily El Pais. The papers covered Assad's call to start peace negotiations from the point they stopped in 2000. He said that peace could be achieved in 6 months if negotiations resume from [...] | 2006-10-02 12:34:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS4737 | "WHISTLE PAST THE GRAVEYARD" SYRIAN RESPONSE TO [...] (C) Summary: The SARG has publicly reacted positively to the latest Brammertz report but officials are privately troubled by some of its language, including the focus on linkages between the Hariri assassination and other politically-targeted killings that occurred in the same time frame. [...] | 2006-10-02 15:52:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY LE |
06DAMASCUS4779 | Damascus Media Reaction: Post-war Maneuvering, Rice's [...] Summary: The Syrian press on October 4 and 5 focused on the October 1973 War between Arabs and Israel. All government-owned papers earmarked full pages to mark the 33rd anniversary of the war. They described it as "the first Arab War in the History of the conflict (between Arabs And Israel) [...] | 2006-10-05 09:16:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS4796 | THE SARG FETES AN EU ASSISTANCE VISIT [...] (C) Summary. The SARG has used the visit of a delegation from the European Commission this week to imply, once again, that Syria,s international isolation is coming to an end. Delegation members assert to us, however, that they anticipate no change in EU policy towards the SARG for the fores [...] | 2006-10-06 06:49:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | EAID ECON PGOV PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS4797 | SYRIA HUMAN RIGHTS ROUNDUP: PROTEST PREVENTED, [...] (C) Summary: Security services used limited force to prevent a demonstration October 5 in downtown Damascus, which had been called for by three leading Kurdish parties and publicly supported by the Damascus Declaration group and the externally based National Salvation Front. Security agents [...] | 2006-10-06 07:18:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV SY |
06DAMASCUS4798 | ASAD DEMANDS RE-ENGAGEMENT [...] (C) Summary. In back-to-back interviews with European media, (Der Spiegel and El Pais),President Asad made points in public that we have heard in private: the SARG will not allow the status quo to endure; the only way to avoid further conflict is if there is a policy-level USG re-engagement [...] | 2006-10-06 08:06:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS4844 | Damascus Media Reaction: Post-war Maneuvering, MEPP, [...] Summary: The Syrian press focused on the following issues October 6-9: All government-owned papers published the full texts of the interviews which President Assad gave to the BBC on October 9 and to Kuwaiti daily al-Anbaa on October 7. They focused on the President's accusation that the [...] | 2006-10-10 14:53:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS4845 | JAILED SYRIAN ACTIVIST LABWANI CALLS FOR MORE [...] (C) On October 3, Poloff met with the wife of detained political activist Kamal Labwani, the couple's daughter, and a Labwani cousin. Mrs. Labwani had visited her husband in prisoner earlier that day. She said he was in good spirits and health, however, as in the past, the couple was not abl [...] | 2006-10-10 15:03:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM SY |
06DAMASCUS4846 | SYRIA'S INTERIOR MINISTRY WRAPS UP INVESTIGATION [...] (C) Summary: An Interior Ministry official announced October 5 to the official media that it had concluded its investigation into the September 12 attack on the U.S. Embassy in Damascus. The impetus for the attack was U.S. policies in the region, according to the Ministry official. Two suspe [...] | 2006-10-10 15:28:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV ASEC |
06DAMASCUS4876 | THE SARG OVERSTATES THE POWER OF A TURKISH-SYRIAN [...] (C) Summary: Turkey will begin supplying Syria with approximately 200 megawatts of electricity per year through an electrical grid connection with Turkey's Birecik power plant. After having remained static for three years, the implementation of this agreement will still only provide 3.3% of Sy [...] | 2006-10-11 16:06:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON ENRG ETRD PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS4877 | SYRIA'S DAMASCUS DECLARATION GROUP PLANS TO GO MORE PUBLIC [...] (C) Summary: Damascus Declaration leader XXXXXXXXXXXX said in an October 3 meeting with A/DCM that the Damascus Declaration group turns a year old this month and plans to expand its activities from internal group organizing to public outreach. The group is still waiting for a response about [...] | 2006-10-11 16:12:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM SY |
06DAMASCUS4886 | Damascus Media Reaction: Post-war Maneuvering, MEPP, [...] Summary: The Syrian press focused on the following issues October 11-12: Syrian papers covered the visit to Damascus of Bahrain's Foreign Minister Sheikh Khaled Ben Ahmad Al-Thani. Sheikh Khaled conveyed a message from King Hamad of Bahrain to President Assad on issues related to the Midd [...] | 2006-10-12 12:19:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS4898 | NO SIGN OF IMPROVED SYRIA-EGYPT RELATIONS, [...] (C) SYRIA-EGYPT RELATIONS: Poloff met with an Egyptian diplomat October 11 to discuss recent press reports about an October 10 summit between Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Syrian President Bashar al-Asad, which ultimately did not take place. The diplomat said that relations between the two l [...] | 2006-10-12 14:51:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY EG |
06DAMASCUS4963 | VISAS CONDOR: SYR(AL HOURANI, AFAF),REASON:SEC 306 [...] ..CAB: VISAS CONDOR - DMS0000I8J00 2. ..BOA: ..NAM: AL HOURANI, AFAF ..NAT: SYR ..DOB: 01JAN1941 ..SEX: F ..VLO: NEGATIVE ..CCB: DAMASCUS ..COB: SYR ..OCC: HOUSEWIFE ..EMP: ..PPT: REGULAR ..PPN: N001820127 ..PPI: 24JUL2006 ..PPE: 23JUL2012 ..PPC: DAMASCUS, SYRIA ..PPS: SYR ..ETA: 20OCT2006 [...] | 2006-10-17 12:51:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | CVIS AL AFAF AL HOURANI |
06DAMASCUS4974 | Damascus Media Reaction: Post-war Maneuvering, MEPP, [...] Summary: The Syrian press covered (October 13 - 16) the following topics: President Assad met with Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos on Sunday. Papers quoted Moratinos as saying that "Syria is part of the solution rather than the problem." President Assad held an Iftar o [...] | 2006-10-17 12:55:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS5 | SARG TRUMPETS NEW GULF INVESTMENT [...] (C) Summary: According to SARG announcements in local and international news, the Syrian economy attracted billions of dollars of foreign direct investment (FDI) from Arab sources during 2005. The investors have yet to make major commitments, however, and the announcements are a continuation [...] | 2006-01-02 11:36:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | EINV ECON SY |
06DAMASCUS5026 | Damascus Media Reaction: MEPP, Palestinian Developments, [...] Summary: The Syrian press between October 17 - 19, covered the following issues: President Asad met with Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos on Sunday. Papers quoted Moratinos as saying that "Syria is part of the solution rather than the problem." President Asad held an Iftar [...] | 2006-10-19 12:22:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS5031 | U.S.-SYRIA RELATIONS, SITUATION IN LEBANON, [...] (C) Summary: Describing U.S-Syria relations as at their lowest point ever, pro-regime foreign policy analyst Imad Shueibi, told A/DCM October 15 that anger and frustration in the regime towards the U.S. have reached new heights in the wake of the September 12 attack on the Embassy and what is [...] | 2006-10-22 05:49:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL SY LE IS |
06DAMASCUS5059 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/UAE, Syria/Slovakia, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported that President Asad received a phone call from President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan in which both leaders talked about the situation in the region and bilateral relations between Syria and the UAE. Papers also reported Dr. M [...] | 2006-10-22 14:07:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS5061 | SARG HIGHLIGHTS PROBLEMATIC STOCK MARKET TO [...] (C) Summary: The SARG is moving ahead on its efforts to open a Syrian stock market by formalizing the establishment of the new exchange. Some contacts assert that Syria could open the exchange in 2007 and that it will provide many benefits to the Syrian economy, including, stimulating capita [...] | 2006-10-22 15:55:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN EINV PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS5095 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Iran, Syria/Spain, Peace [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported that President Asad received a letter from Iranian President Ahmadinejad conveyed by visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Manuchehr Mottaki. The letter focused on regional developments, mainly in Iraq and the Palestinian territories. President Asad and Minister [...] | 2006-10-29 15:50:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS5096 | SARG TO SIGN RUSSIAN AIRCRAFT DEAL [...] (C) Former Russian Prime Minister and current President of the Russian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Yevgeni Primakov, is in the middle of a two day visit to Damascus. In addition to consultations with President Asad and others yesterday, leading Shi,a businessman, Saeb Nahas told Charge [...] | 2006-10-30 11:45:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | EAID EAIR PGOV PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS5097 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Russia, Syria/Poland, [...] Summary: Syrian papers today reported President Asad's meeting on October 29 with Former Premier of the Russian Federation Yevgeny Primakov. Talks focused on current international and regional events and bilateral relations. Primakov presented to President Asad the Arabic version of his ne [...] | 2006-10-30 12:01:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS512 | Damascus Media Reaction: Beirut Riots/Accusations [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported that Muqtada al-Sadr, Leader of the al-Sadr Movement in Iraq, has rejected accusations that infiltrators enter Iraq through Syria, stressing that there is not any evidence of this. Al-Sadr, during a visit to the Syrian northeastern city of Raqqa described Syr [...] | 2006-02-08 14:15:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS5137 | Damascus Media Reaction: Peace Process, Lebanon, Iraq, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported President Asad's meeting with a delegation of the Foreign Journalists Association in which he underscored the role of media and journalists in conveying facts and enhancing communication among civilizations. President Asad answered questions about the peace pro [...] | 2006-10-31 13:16:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS514 | DANISH COMPANY ALRA FACES THREATS AND ECONOMIC LOSSES [...] (SBU) Summary: In the wake of the destruction to the Danish and Norwegian Embassies in Damascus, many Syrians are encouraging non-violent protests of the Mohammad caricatures, including a general boycott of Danish products. The Syrian distributor for Alra Danish dairy products says that as a [...] | 2006-02-08 15:09:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ETRD EINV SY |
06DAMASCUS516 | SYRIA: ESF ANTI-TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS PROJECT [...] (U) Post is submitting two projects in order of priority for the ESF Anti-Trafficking in Persons Projects. Post currently does not have any anti-trafficking projects and would be able to monitor and evaluate project progress with the assistance as described in reftel. 2. (U) First Projec [...] | 2006-02-08 15:46:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KWMN KCRM PHUM ASEC ELAB SMIG SY |
06DAMASCUS5160 | Damascus Media Reaction: Lebanon, Peace Process, Iraq, [...] Summary: The main focus in Syrian papers today was Lebanon. Papers featured reports on the confiscation of a 'suspicious' parcel by customs at Beirut International Airport containing silencers for military pistols. The parcel, dispatched from the UK through "Liban Post" Lebanon's postal serv [...] | 2006-11-01 13:03:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS517 | THE MUSLIM BROTHERS IN SYRIA; PART I: COULD THEY [...] (U) This is the first of two cables that assess the potential political influence of the Muslim Brothers in Syria. 2. (U) PART I. DIFFICULTIES IN ASSESSING MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD POWER; CONSTRAINTS ON MB INFLUENCE 3. (C) Summary: In the wake of former VP Khaddam's flirtation with the M [...] | 2006-02-08 15:47:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER KISL KDEM SY |
06DAMASCUS5187 | Damascus Media Reaction: Arms Smuggling [...] Summary: Syrian newspapers today reacted to statements by Terje Roed-Larsen, the UN Secretary General's envoy to Lebanon, and John Bolton, US Ambassador to the United Nations, saying that weapons continue to be smuggled to Lebanon from Syria. Papers featured a statement on Wednesday by Le [...] | 2006-11-02 13:26:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS5189 | SARG COMPLAINTS ABOUT SYRIAN EMBASSY IN WASHINGTON [...] (C) FM Mu'allim's chef de cabinet Bassam Sabbagh met Charge October 31 to complain that Syrian Ambassador to the U.S. Imad Mustafa has problems sending faxes and making phone calls to the MFA here from both the Syrian chancery and his residence. Sabbagh said Mustafa had called the Minister t [...] | 2006-11-02 13:59:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS527 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Russia, Lebanon, Iraq, [...] Summary: Syrian papers featured a statement by Alexy Tserub, Russian Ambassador in Tunis, during a press roundtable confirming his country's rejection of pressure against Syria. "Syria has implemented what was requested from her in the UN Security Council resolutions and she has fully cooperat [...] | 2006-02-09 14:51:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS5276 | Damascus Media Reaction: Arab Parliament Conference, [...] Summary: Syrian papers today reported President Asad's meeting with Arab Parliamentarians attending a meeting of the Interim Arab Parliament in Damascus. Arab League SecGen Amr Mousa also attended. President Asad held a separate meeting with Mousa, which focused on current events in the Ara [...] | 2006-11-07 11:06:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS5277 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Jordan, Syria/Libya, Arab [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported that President Asad received a letter on Saturday (11/4) from King Abdullah II, focusing on regional developments and ties between Syria and Jordan. The letter was conveyed by Abdul Hadi Majali, Speaker of the Jordanian Parliament and Chairman of the Interim A [...] | 2006-11-07 11:06:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS5279 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Europe, Syria/Lebanon, [...] Summary: Syrian papers today reported President Asad's meeting on November 6 with Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Store, focusing on Syrian-European relations, general developments and a potential European role in the Middle East peace process. Headlines featured a joint press conferen [...] | 2006-11-07 14:56:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS528 | MOOD OF THE SARG; CABINET RESHUFFLE RUMORS [...] (C) Summary: A long-time Embassy contact reported February 8 that the regime is satisfied with the fallout from the February 4 rioting in Damascus, believing it allowed the SARG to present itself as a great protector of Islam and because the caricature/rioting "narrative" has overwhelmed any [...] | 2006-02-09 15:37:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS5283 | TERRORISM FINANCING COORDINATING OFFICER (TFCO) [...] (C) TFCO: William Roebuck, Acting Deputy Chief of Mission, 963-11-3391-3807, RoebuckW@state.gov or RoebuckWV@state.sgov.gov. 2. (C) Deputy TFCO: Todd Holmstrom, Political/Economic Section Chief, 963-11-3391-4287, HolmstromT@state.gov or HolmstromTC@state.sgov.gov. 3. (C) Post recommends [...] | 2006-11-08 13:01:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | EFIN ETTC KTFN KVPR PREL PTER |
06DAMASCUS5284 | THE REFORMER EMERGING? [...] (C) Summary. After having kept a lower profile for most of the summer, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Abdullah Dardari, reemerged recently to announce a number of new economic reforms. The initiatives are part of the SARG,s slow and halting effort at reforming its moribund econo [...] | 2006-11-08 14:46:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN PGOV PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS5285 | SYRIAN BANKING CONFERENCE HEAVY ON CHEERLEADING, [...] (C) Summary. A recent Syrian banking and financial services conference served as a showcase of self-congratulation for the SARG,s economic reforms, asserting Syria is an engaged member of the global economy. Various conference speakers bashed United States policy towards Syria and speculated [...] | 2006-11-08 16:09:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN EINV PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS5288 | Damascus Media Reaction: Palestinian Territories, Peace [...] Summary: The Syrian press today focused on the deteriorating situation in the Palestinian territories in light of the recent Israeli escalation, especially in Beit Hanoun. Papers reported Foreign Minister Mouallem's meeting with Khalid Mish'al, Chief of HAMAS' Political Bureau, and Dr. Ahma [...] | 2006-11-09 11:37:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS5289 | FM MUALLEM TO VISIT IRAQ? [...] (C) Though we have heard conflicting reports from our Syrian interlocutors, those purporting to be speaking on behalf of the regime insist Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem will visit Iraq next week, on or about November 12. Hashem Akkad, MP and Asif Shawkat intimate, told us as of Novemb [...] | 2006-11-09 16:14:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER SY |
06DAMASCUS5290 | POST RECOMMENDATIONS FOR STATEMENT ON SYRIA [...] (C) Summary: In response to USG queries, Syrian civil society and human rights activists favor a U.S. statement in support of political reform and greater respect for human rights in Syria. There is also agreement that such a statement should call upon the SARG to ensure the well-being of a [...] | 2006-11-09 16:19:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS5295 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/US, US Veto of Gaza [...] Summary: Syrian papers on November 13 reported President Asad's meeting with a US Protestant delegation, headed by Pastor Rick Warren, a prominent Protestant cleric. They discussed Syrian-American relations. The American delegation said that the US administration was mistaken in not start [...] | 2006-11-13 14:50:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS5302 | ARAB LEAGUE BOYCOTT MEETING - READOUT [...] (U) Summary. The semi-annual meeting of the Arab League Boycott Office (ALBO) was held November 6-9 in Damascus, with representation from the same 14 countries that attended the last meeting in May 2006 (ref A). Some participants feel the semi-annual conference has outlived its usefulness and [...] | 2006-11-14 14:05:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ABLD ECON KBCT PHUM SY |
06DAMASCUS5304 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Senegal, Syria/Oman, Syrian [...] Summary: Syrian papers today (Nov. 14) reported that President Abdullah Wad of Senegal received an oral message from President Asad on bilateral relations and regional and international developments. The message was conveyed by Minister of Information Dr. Mohsen Bilal. The Senegalese presi [...] | 2006-11-14 14:10:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS531 | THE MUSLIM BROTHERS IN SYRIA, PART II: COULD THEY [...] (U) This is the second of two cables that assess the potential power of the Muslim Brothers in Syria. 2. (U) PART II. REASONS FOR THE EXAGGERATED ESTIMATES OF MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD INFLUENCE 3. (C) Summary: Most estimates of potential Muslim Brother support range between ten and thirty [...] | 2006-02-09 16:06:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER KISL KDEM SY |
06DAMASCUS5314 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Palestinians, Syria/Iran, [...] Summary: Syrian papers today (Nov. 15) reported that Vice President Shar'a met separately with Faruq Qaddumi, Chief of the PLO Political Department, and Dr. Mustafa al-Barghuthi, Secretary of the Palestinian National Initiative. Talks focused on the situation in the occupied territories and [...] | 2006-11-16 12:48:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS5316 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Iran, Lebanon, Iraq, [...] Summary: Syrian papers featured a statement by Dr. Sami Khiyami, Syrian Ambassador to the UK, in an interview broadcast on Wednesday (Nov. 15) by the Syrian Satellite TV channel, saying that Syria has repeatedly declared that it will be the prime beneficiary from revelation of the truth abou [...] | 2006-11-16 14:48:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS5318 | Damascus Media Reaction: Asad/Annan, Syria/Qatar, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported that President Asad received a telephone call from UN SecGen Kofi Annan during which they reviewed political developments in Lebanon and Iraq. Papers also reported President Asad's meeting with Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassem Bin Jabr Al Thani, [...] | 2006-11-19 15:36:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS5320 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/UAE, Syria/Iraq, Golan, [...] Summary: Syrian papers today reported that President Asad received on Sunday (Nov. 19) a letter from Sheikh Khalifa bin Zaied Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, concerning bilateral relations. The letter was delivered by the UAE Ambassador in Damascus Yousef al-Medfaei. On [...] | 2006-11-20 13:59:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS5326 | SYRIAN VIEWS ON FM MOALLEM,S VISIT IRAQ [...] (U) UNTIL THE NOVEMBER 21 ASSASSINATION OF PIERRE JAMAYEL, FOREIGN MINISTER WALID MUALLEM,S TRIP TO IRAQ DOMINATED THE HEADLINES AND CONVERSATIONS IN DAMASCUS. SYRIANS OF VARIOUS STRIPES VIEWED THE VISIT AS A SUCCESS AS IT EXTENDED SARG INFLUENCE IN IRAQ WITH BOTH ITS TRADITIONAL ALLIES AND T [...] | 2006-11-22 16:26:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER SY |
06DAMASCUS5327 | TURKISH-SYRIAN FTA: THE VIEW FROM DAMASCUS [...] (C) Summary. After over a year of no movement, Syrians generally view Turkey,s recent announcement that the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two countries was ratified, and will enter into effect on January 1, 2007 as a sign of Turkish political support for the SARG as it works to emerge [...] | 2006-11-22 16:40:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON ETRD PREL SY TU |
06DAMASCUS5328 | THE VIEW FROM THE SYRIAN HINTERLAND [...] (C) SUMMARY: A/DCM, ACCOMPANIED BY A/ARMA, VISITED DEIR AZOUR, NOVEMBER 13-14, MEETING TWICE WITH THE HEADS OF TWO LARGE BEDOUIN TRIBES THERE. THE TWO EXTREMELY URBANIZED SUNNI TRIBAL LEADERS WERE FOCUSED ON U.S. POLICY IN THE REGION AND ASKED REPEATEDLY ABOUT WHETHER THE US. HAD MADE OR IN [...] | 2006-11-22 16:58:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS5338 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Russia, Lebanon, Iraq, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported that Deputy Foreign Minister Dr. Faisal Miqdad received Russian Deputy FM Alexander Sultanov on Saturday (Nov. 25). Talks focused on developments in Palestine, Lebanon and Iraq. The two sides stressed the importance of continuous consultations between the two [...] | 2006-11-27 10:04:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS5341 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Russia, Syria/Lebanon, [...] Summary: Syrian papers on Nov. 27 reported President Asad's and VP Shara's meetings on Nov. 26 with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Sultanov, focusing on the tension in the region caused by foreign interference. In statements following the meeting, Sulatanov described his meetings [...] | 2006-11-27 13:31:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS5343 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Cyprus, Med-Euro [...] Summary: Syrian papers on Nov. 28 reported President Asad's meeting on Monday with Dimitris Hristofyas, Speaker of the Cypriot Parliament, focusing on the situation in the region and bilateral cooperation. Papers also reported Syrian FM Mouallem's participation in the Med-Euro Ministerial [...] | 2006-11-29 07:49:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS5345 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Canada, Syria/Lebanon, [...] Summary: Syrian papers on November 29 reported that the Foreign Ministry summoned the Canadian ambassador to Damascus, Mark BelliO1, to protest Canada's vote against the two resolutions adopted by the UN Human Rights Council regarding the Israeli violations in the occupied Syrian Golan and th [...] | 2006-11-29 15:02:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS5346 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Canada, Syria/Lebanon, [...] Summary: Syrian papers on November 29 reported that the Foreign Ministry summoned the Canadian ambassador to Damascus, Mark Belli, to protest Canada's vote against the two resolutions adopted by the UN Human Rights Council regarding Israeli violations in the occupied Syrian Golan and the Pale [...] | 2006-11-29 15:02:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS5348 | STAFFDEL TALWAR MEETING WITH FM MU'ALLIM AND [...] (C) SUMMARY. Professional staff member on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Puneet Talwar, met with Foreign Minister Mu'allim and Deputy Foreign Minister Mikdad on November 22 in two separate meetings to discuss Lebanon, Iraq, U.S.-Syrian relations, and the broader issues of the Middle E [...] | 2006-12-03 07:37:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV SY |
06DAMASCUS5349 | SARG FEELING CONFIDENT IS THE MESSAGE TO STAFFDEL [...] (C) SUMMARY: Professional staff member on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Puneet Talwar, held meetings in Damascus November 22 with an opposition member, informal SARG advisor, journalist, and others. The common perspective from the meetings is that the SARG feels it is operating from [...] | 2006-12-03 07:37:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV SY |
06DAMASCUS5358 | Damascus Media Reaction: Peace Process, Lebanon, Iraq, [...] Summary: Syrian papers on Dec. 3 featured a Dec. 2 press statement by Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi in Rome stressing the importance of dialogue and cooperation with Syria to solve the region's issues and establish stability. Mr. Prodi warned against the partitioning of Iraq, saying th [...] | 2006-12-04 10:04:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS5361 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Palestine, Syria/Italy, [...] Summary: Syrian papers on Dec. 4 reported the visit to Damascus by Palestinian PM Ismail Hanieh and his meeting with PM Ottri on Dec. 3, focusing on bilateral relations and regional developments. Papers also reported FM Mouallem's meeting on Sunday with Mr. Chizari Maria Raghalini, Direct [...] | 2006-12-04 14:29:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS5362 | IRAQ/SYRIA RESUMPTION OF RELATIONS [...] (C) Charge spoke to both the Iraqi Charge and the Algerian Ambassador (Iraq had been represented here as an interests section of the Algerian Embassy) on the status of resumption of Syrian-Iraqi diplomatic relations. Iraqi Charge Sabah al-Imam said that since the November 19-21 FM Muallim vi [...] | 2006-12-04 15:27:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | IZ PGOV PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS5367 | GERMAN FM STEINMEIER'S VISIT TO DAMASCUS [...] (C) Summary. German FM Steinmeier paid a very brief visit to Damascus to discuss, primarily, regional issues. Nothing was promised by either side and little progress was made on influencing either countries, stance on regional conflicts. Nonetheless, the local German Embassy assesses the vi [...] | 2006-12-06 13:43:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER SY |
06DAMASCUS5368 | Damascus Media Reaction: Golan Prisoners, Palestinian [...] Summary: Syrian papers on Dec. 6 reported that on Dec. 5 the Syrian Foreign Ministry addressed formal messages to UN SecGen Kofi Annan, the Chairman of the Security Council, the High Commission for Human Rights, and the Human Rights Council, informing them about the poor health of Sitan Nmr A [...] | 2006-12-06 13:51:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS5371 | ISLAMIC BANKING IN SYRIA: DESIRED, BUT VULNERABLE [...] (C) SUMMARY: Clearly behind the rest of the region in allowing Islamic banking, the SARG is now prematurely rushing forward on opening the sector, as it has done with the stock market and other "economic reforms," to assert that just like its Arab neighbors, it too has joined the modern globa [...] | 2006-12-07 11:17:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN EINV SY |
06DAMASCUS5377 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Turkey, Shara, Lebanon, [...] Summary: Syrian papers on Dec. 7 reported that President Asad received Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Dec. 6 The two leaders reviewed the situations in Iraq, the occupied territories, and Lebanon, and mutual cooperation, reiterating the importance of achieving security and s [...] | 2006-12-07 15:06:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS5378 | SYRIANS REFUSE TO DEPORT ACCUSED AMCIT MURDERER [...] (U) This is an action request, please see paragraph 5. 2. (SBU) The Syrian MFA notified us by a dipnote (text included below) received December 2 that the SARG has rejected our request to deport Amcit accused murderer Muaz Haffar (AKA to the Syrians as Omar al-Sawwaf). The dipnote, dated [...] | 2006-12-07 16:54:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL CASC ASEC SY |
06DAMASCUS5379 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/China, Baker/Hamilton [...] Summary: Syrian papers today reported that Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Moualem met on Dec. 9 with Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Chi Jion and an accompanying delegation. Talks focused on developments in the region, particularly in Lebanon, Palestine and Iraq, and on bilateral relations [...] | 2006-12-10 13:14:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS5380 | THREE GOVERNORS FIRED, THE QUESTION IS WHY? [...] (U) Summary. Amid allegations of incompetence and family scandals, three regional governors in Syria have been dismissed in the past ten days. Some argue the changes reflect President Bashar al Asad's focus on performance as a sign of seriouness on reform, while others believe the dismissals [...] | 2006-12-10 13:44:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON ETTC PGOV SY |
06DAMASCUS5381 | RIAD SEIF, OTHERS, VIEW LEBANON STRUGGLE AS [...] (C) Summary: Opposition figure Riad Seif and other Syrian contacts insist that the current political struggle in Lebanon is "the critical battle" for the U.S. and Europe. For Seif, that battle "must not be lost," if the U.S. wants to retain influence in the Middle East. He recommended U.S. [...] | 2006-12-10 15:11:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY LE |
06DAMASCUS5390 | COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR CODEL DODD, DECEMBER 19-21 [...] (U) Embassy Damascus welcomes and grants country clearance for the visit of Senator Christopher Dodd, and the other members of his delegation: Ms. Janice O'Connell (SFRC),and COL Mike Barbero, U.S. Army Senate Liaison. 2. (U) Control officer and point of contact for this visit is Pol/Econ [...] | 2006-12-12 13:00:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | AFIN AMGT ASEC OREP SY |
06DAMASCUS5395 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Netherlands, Syria/South [...] Summary: Syrian papers on Dec. 13 reported the visit to Damascus of Bernard Bot, Dutch Foreign Minister, and his meetings with President Asad, PM Shara and FM Mouallem, focusing on developments in Iraq, Lebanon, and the Palestinian territories. Both sides agreed to enhance bilateral relations [...] | 2006-12-13 12:36:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS5399 | INFLUENCING THE SARG IN THE END OF 2006 [...] (S) Summary. The SARG ends 2006 in a much stronger position domestically and internationally than it did 2005. While there may be additional bilateral or multilateral pressure that can impact Syria, the regime is based on a small clique that is largely immune to such pressure. However, Basha [...] | 2006-12-13 16:03:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET | PGOV PREL PTER SY |
06DAMASCUS5403 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/US, Syria/Senegal, [...] Summary: Syrian papers on Dec. 14 reported that President Asad met on Dec. 13 with US Democratic Senator Bill Nelson. Talks focused on the latest developments in Lebanon, Iraq and the Palestinian territories. President Asad called for non-interference in Lebanese affairs, since the Lebanese [...] | 2006-12-14 11:41:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL KMDR KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS5411 | PRESIDENT ASAD TELLS SEN. NELSON SARG WILLING TO [...] (C) SUMMARY: Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL),member on the Senate Armed Services Committee and on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (and soon-to-be appointed member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, we were told) met for approximately one hour with President Bashar al-Asad and FM Mu'allim [...] | 2006-12-15 12:42:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV SY |
06DAMASCUS5412 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Yemen, Syria/Italy, [...] Summary: Syrian papers on Dec. 17 reported President Asad's visit to Yemen and his meeting with Yemeni President Ali Abdallah Salih focusing on regional developments and bilateral relations. Papers also reported President Asad's press interview published Dec. 15 in a Rome-based daily La Rep [...] | 2006-12-17 14:00:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS5419 | REGIONAL SCIENCE CONFERENCE SEEN AS SUCCESS FOR [...] (U) Summary. Syria hosted from December 11-14 the fourth biannual Scientific Research Outlook (SRO-4) meeting of the UAE-based Arab Science and Technology Foundation (ASTF) in Damascus. In attendance were a handful of Americans, including Dr. Osman Shinaishin from the National Science Founda [...] | 2006-12-19 09:43:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | TSPL ECON EU SY |
06DAMASCUS5422 | REACHING OUT TO SYRIAN CIVIL SOCIETY [...] (C) Summary: While we continue to meet with and provide whatever support we can to political opposition figures and human rights activists in this very repressive atmosphere, we are also attempting to reach to Syria's wider civil society. This wider civil society in Syria may provide a signif [...] | 2006-12-21 06:19:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS5423 | Syria/UAE, Syria/Lebanon, Syria/PLO, Syria/EU, [...] Summary: Syrian papers on Dec. 18 reported President Asad's visit to the UAE on Dec. 17 and his meetings with UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Talks dealt with the deteriorating situation in the occupied territories. Both leaders stressed the necessity of preventing clashes [...] | 2006-12-21 07:42:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS5424 | Syria/UAE, Syria/Russia, Syria/Iraq, Lebanon (12/19) [...] Summary: Syrian papers on Dec. 19 reported President Asad's arrival in Moscow starting a two-day working visit to the Russian Federation during which he will hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the situation in the Middle East and ways to strengthen bilateral relations. Paper [...] | 2006-12-21 07:43:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS5428 | Syria/Russia, Brammertz Report, Palestinian Territories, [...] Summary: On Dec. 20 Syrian papers focused on President Asad's Dec. 19 visit to Russia and his meeting with President Putin. Headlines featured this portion of Asad's statement in a news conference after meeting President Vladimir Putin. "We want to have a dialogue but you have to differentiat [...] | 2006-12-21 09:50:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS5429 | SYRIAN ACTIVIST ANWAR BUNNI IN COURT; EU REP TO [...] (C) Summary: Prominent Syrian human rights activist Anwar al-Bunni appeared briefly December 19 in Damascus Criminal Court on charges connected to his signature on a document calling for improved Syria-Lebanon relations, as well as for involvement with a European Commission-funded human righ [...] | 2006-12-21 10:44:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV SY |
06DAMASCUS5431 | SYRIA: 2006 COUNTRY REPORTS ON TERRORISM [...] (U) Maria d.G. Olson is the Embassy POC. Address: 6110 Damascus Pl. Dulles, VA 20189. Unclassified e-mail: OlsonM@state.gov. Tel: (963) (11) 3391-3785. Cell Phone: (963) 94405166. 2. (SBU) The Syrian Government continued to provide political and material support to Hizballah and pol [...] | 2006-12-21 12:11:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PTER ASEC PGOV SY |
06DAMASCUS5447 | SENATORS DODD AND KERRY PUSH PRESIDENT ASAD TO [...] (C) Summary. Senators Kerry and Dodd had a wide-ranging conversation with President Asad that focused on Iraq, Lebanon, and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. The Senators cautioned Asad that his relations with America would not improve without his regime changing its destabilizing policies [...] | 2006-12-28 06:44:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER SY |
06DAMASCUS5448 | SENATORS DODD AND KERRY DISCUSS REGIONAL ISSUES [...] (C) Summary. Senators Kerry and Dodd told FM Walid Mu'allim that the time was ripe for strong unilateral action by the SARG if it truly wanted to be part of the solution for regional crisis in Lebanon, Iraq, and among the Palestinians. Mu'allim commented that the SARG would pursue security an [...] | 2006-12-28 06:45:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER SY |
06DAMASCUS5449 | CODEL SPECTER MEETS SYRIAN FM MU'ALLIM [...] (C) Summary: Visiting U.S. Senator Arlen Specter met with Syrian FM Walid Mu'allim for 75 minutes on December 25 in Damascus. The conversation covered U.S.-Syria relations, Syria's desire for resumed peace talks with Israel, allegations that Syria continues to meddle in Lebanon, steps to st [...] | 2006-12-28 06:48:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PGOV LE IZ SY |
06DAMASCUS5452 | Syria/US, Syria/Russia, Lebanon, Iraq, Palestinian [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported the Dec. 19-20 visit to Damascus by US Senators Christopher Dodd and John Kerry and their meetings with President Asad and FM Mouallem. Talks focused on the level of relations between Syria and the United States and ways to activate the comprehensive peace pro [...] | 2006-12-28 17:08:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS5453 | Syria/AL, Syria/OIC, Syria/Japan, Syria/Yemen, Iran, [...] Summary: On Dec. 24 Syrian press reported President Asad's Dec 21 meeting with SecGen of the Arab League Amr Mousa in which Mousa briefed Asad on the consultations he conducted on behalf of the AL regarding developments on the Lebanese arena. Headlines featured President Asad's support for t [...] | 2006-12-28 17:27:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS594 | IRAQI CLERIC MOQTADA SADR VISITS SYRIA, MEETS ASAD [...] (C) Summary: Iraqi Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr arrived February 5 in Damascus for an extended visit that included two meetings with the Syrian President on developments in Iraq and elsewhere regionally. Sadr also visited the city of Raqqa, located between the Syrian capital and the Iraqi [...] | 2006-02-13 10:12:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV SY IZ |
06DAMASCUS598 | SYRIA JOINS THE UNOFFICIAL DEVELOPING NATIONS GROUP AT [...] (SBU) Summary: On February 6, the SARG announced that it had joined the unofficial developing nations group at the WTO, the latest in an ongoing campaign to portray the SARG as strengthening international economic relationships. Syria is receiving $1.6 million USD in pre-WTO accession assistan [...] | 2006-02-13 11:18:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ETRD ECIN SY |
06DAMASCUS601 | ASAD PROMOTES SHARA'A TO VP IN MAJOR CABINET [...] (C) Summary: In a major cabinet reshuffle, Syrian President Bashar al-Asad promoted his foreign minister to Vice President and appointed 11 new ministers with portfolio (and three new ministers of state). He retained his PM, DPM, and 17 ministers (three without portfolio). The most importan [...] | 2006-02-13 12:27:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS602 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Lebanon, Iran, Danish [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported a press statement to Lebanese magazine "al-Mughtarib" by Lebanese FM Fawzi Salloukh saying "there is a need for good ties with Arab countries, especially Syria." Salloukh considered the continuous Israeli violations of Lebanon's sovereignty and the maintenance of [...] | 2006-02-13 13:44:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS605 | ASSESSMENT OF TARGETED FINANCIAL SANCTIONS AGAINST [...] (C) Summary: Post offers the following observations based on its experience thus far with targeted financial sanctions against SARG officials and other Syrian entities. First, maximizing media coverage of the designation increases the "name and shame" effect. The designation of Asif Shawkat [...] | 2006-02-13 14:27:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | EFIN ECON ETTC SY SANC |
06DAMASCUS624 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Iraq, Lebanon, Danish [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported that Vice President Shara has informed Moqtada al-Sadr, Leader of the al-Sadr movement in Iraq, about Syria's decision to restore diplomatic relations with Iraq and exchange diplomatic representation at level of ambassadors after the formation of the new Iraqi [...] | 2006-02-14 14:43:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS625 | A YEAR AFTER HARIRI'S ASSASSINATION: ASAD STRIKES [...] (C) Summary: One year after the murder of Rafik Hariri, the Syrian regime seems both confident and, increasingly, willing to adopt a more confrontational stance towards the West, making moves such as receiving Iranian President Ahmadinejad in Damascus and facilitating the violent demonstrat [...] | 2006-02-14 15:44:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINR ECON SY LE |
06DAMASCUS63 | Damascus Media Reaction: Khaddam's Statements to Al- [...] Summary: Al-Ba'th reported a statement issued by the Khaddam family in the Syrian region of Banias expressing "rejection and denunciation" of Abdul-Halim Khaddam's statements to Al-Arabiya and saying that the former VP expressed his personal views only. The statement says the family members st [...] | 2006-01-04 13:20:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS639 | ALEPPO,S INDUSTRIALISTS GENERALLY UPBEAT [...] (C) Summary. During a recent visit to Syria,s second city, Aleppo, we found the business community there to be guardedly optimistic and pursuing expansion plans in a range of existing and new business sectors. The Aleppines attributed their less than critical assessments of the Bashar al-As [...] | 2006-02-15 10:09:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON ETRD ETTC SY |
06DAMASCUS641 | SARG PROCLAIMS 2005 TO BE YEAR OF INVESTMENT [...] (C) Summary: Though Syrian officials and the government-controlled press have dubbed 2005 the &year of investment in Syria,8 SARG investment figures are generally highly exaggerated and the profit-making potential of approved projects remain largely unrealized. Recent investment in Syria fa [...] | 2006-02-15 12:08:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EINV ETRD SY |
06DAMASCUS642 | SARG RELIEF AFTER UNIIIC'S VIENNA QUESTIONING; [...] (C) Summary: Long-standing Embassy contact Dr. Samir al-Taki told Polchief February 5 that the Syrian suspects who traveled to Vienna in mid-January for a second round of questioning emerged saying that UNIIIC investigators gave the impression they had no new leads to follow up on or question [...] | 2006-02-15 12:27:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KCRM SY IR |
06DAMASCUS65 | APPLYING TARGETED SANCTIONS TO SYRIA [...] No summary [...] | 2006-01-04 13:46:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAIR ECON ETTC SY SANC |
06DAMASCUS668 | Damascus Media Reaction: Al-Hariri Assassination [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported a mass rally by Syrians in occupied Golan observing the 24th anniversary of the 1982 strike, called by the sons of occupied Golan to reject Israel's annexation of the Golan and impose an Israeli identity on its sons. Speakers emphasized that they stood behind Pr [...] | 2006-02-16 12:16:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS669 | PLACING CART BEFORE HORSE, AND THE REIGNS IN THE [...] (SBU) After almost eight months of inactivity since President Asad signed the Syrian Security and Exchange Commission (SSEC) law in June 2005, local press reported this week that a commission finally has been named by presidential decree to draft the law for the creation of the stock market it [...] | 2006-02-16 12:26:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN EINV SY |
06DAMASCUS671 | Damascus Media Reaction: Al-Hariri's Anniversary [...] Summary: Syrian newspapers sharply reacted to the speeches that Walid Jumblatt, Sa'd al-Hariri, Samir Ja'ja, and other anti- Syria Lebanese figures delivered in the demonstration staged in Beirut to mark the first anniversary of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq al-Hariri's assassination. T [...] | 2006-02-16 12:33:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS672 | RIAD SEIF SUMMONED BY GID CHIEF, DAUGHTER DETAILS [...] (C) SUMMARY: One day after being detained, in blindfold and handcuffs, for five hours by unknown security service officers, prominent opposition figure Riad Seif was called in for another meeting with General Intelligence Directorate (GID) chief Ali Mamluk on February 16. Seif spent at least [...] | 2006-02-16 14:20:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM SY |
06DAMASCUS673 | BIOGRAPHICAL DATA ON SYRIA'S NEW MINISTERS [...] (C) SUMMARY: President Bashar al-Asad appointed eleven new ministers with portfolio and three new state ministers without portfolio on February 11. The following includes basic biographical (and previously unavailable) data on new appointees. END SUMMARY. 2. (U) MINISTER OF THE INTERIOR [...] | 2006-02-16 14:23:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINR SY |
06DAMASCUS674 | COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR BAGHDAD REFUGEE COORDINATOR [...] (U) Embassy Damascus welcomes and grants country clearance to Baghdad Refugee Coordinator Camille Hill for travel to Damascus from February 28 through March 4, 2006. After clearing customs, traveler will be met and assisted at the airport by an Embassy driver who will display a sign with the [...] | 2006-02-16 14:40:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | ASEC OTRA PREF SMIG SY IZ |
06DAMASCUS68 | APPLYING TARGETED SANCTIONS TO SYRIA [...] (C) Summary. As post has reported previously, the average Syrian would welcome targeted sanctions that focus on regressive elements within the Asad regime. The best mix in our judgement would be sanctions that are phased, multi-lateral, and widely publicized. Most of our Syrian interlocuto [...] | 2006-01-04 14:08:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | EAIR ECON ETTC SY SANC |
06DAMASCUS686 | HUMAN RIGHTS ROUNDUP: TAYYARA, ABDULLAH FREED; [...] (C) SUMMARY: Human rights contacts report that Najati Tayyara and Omar Abdullah have been released following their February 14 detentions. Meanwhile, the wheels of Syrian justice continue to grind slowly in the cases of human rights activists Nizar Rastanawi, Haithem Maleh, and Hassan Abdu [...] | 2006-02-20 15:11:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM SY |
06DAMASCUS69 | SARG ORDERS SYRIAN BANKS TO FREEZE KHADDAM'S ASSETS [...] (C) On January 2, the SARG ordered all Syrian banks, as well as those subsidiaries of foreign banks operating in the Syrian free zones, to freeze immediately the assets of former Vice President Abdul-Halim Khaddam and his family. A faxed letter from the Central Bank's Combating Money Launderin [...] | 2006-01-04 14:14:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN SY SANC |
06DAMASCUS701 | ANNOUNCEMENT TO FUND OPPOSITION HARSHLY CRITICIZED BY ANTI-REGIME ELEMENTS, OTHERS [...] (C) SUMMARY: Post contacts have been quick to condemn the USG's public statement announcing the designation of five million USD for support of the Syrian opposition, calling it "nave" and "harmful." Contacts insist that the statement has already hurt the opposition, and that the SARG will use it in [...] | 2006-02-21 14:49:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS702 | RIAD SEIF DETAILS RECENT SECURITY SERVICE [...] (C) SUMMARY: Leading opposition figure Riad Seif discussed his recent problems with security services, which have focused their energies and threats towards Seif's February 5 interview in an-Nahar newspaper. Seif also related that he received his first official invitation, via intermediar [...] | 2006-02-21 15:01:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM SY |
06DAMASCUS703 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Cartoon [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported Lebanese rejection of the calls for foreign custodianship and the positions expressed by the "March 14" forces. Omar Jaftali editorialized in Tishreen that it is shameful that some Lebanese have sold themselves for a fistful of dollars. However, he said that [...] | 2006-02-22 07:22:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS710 | IRAN-SYRIA ECONOMIC COMMISSION MEETS TODAY AMID [...] (SBU) Summary: The Syrian-Iranian Higher Economic Commission meets today in Damascus, but few contacts believe the meeting will produce any immediate results in improving the investment climate or increasing the two countries' anemic trade volume. Although the Commission is expected to addres [...] | 2006-02-22 14:01:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EIND EINV ETRD IR SY |
06DAMASCUS711 | SCANDINAVIANS MOVING QUIETLY TO REPAIR RELATIONS [...] (C) Summary: Nearly three weeks after three Scandinavian embassies in Damascus suffered moderate to severe damage in SARG-sanctioned demonstrations to protest the caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed in European media, it appears that all three governments are moving quietly to repair relation [...] | 2006-02-22 14:06:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS717 | EGYPTIAN DIPLOMAT SIGNALS MUBARAK VISIT TO DAMASCUS [...] (C) An Egyptian diplomat cited two recent phone calls between Syrian President Bashar al-Asad and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, as well as a Kuwaiti news report, as indicators of a possible upcoming Mubarak visit. The Kuwaiti article reported that Mubarak would visit Damascus on February [...] | 2006-02-23 13:31:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KPAL EG SY LB |
06DAMASCUS718 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria, Hamas, US Policy (2/23) [...] Summary: All Syrian papers reported an official Syrian statement condemning the attacks on the Shiite mausoleum and Sunni mosques in Iraq. Eid Abu Sekke opined in Al-Ba'th that the U.S. and its allies are not happy with the election of Hamas and are against democratic changes in the region wh [...] | 2006-02-23 14:18:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS727 | SYRIANS DENOUNCE ATTACKS ON IRAQI SHRINES AND [...] (U) Syrian officials and religious leaders strongly denounced the February 22 bombing of the Golden Mosque in Samara and subsequent attacks on Sunni mosques and warned against attempts to fragment Iraq's national unity. The Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) quoted an official source on February [...] | 2006-02-26 13:19:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL SOCI IZ SY |
06DAMASCUS728 | DAMASCUS-BASED HAMAS OFFICIALS TO TRAVEL TO MOSCOW [...] (C) Russian DCM Alexsey Erkhov told Polchief on February 26 that Hamas political leaders, including those based in Damascus, would likely travel at the beginning of March to Moscow where they would meet with Russian FM Sergei Lavrov and Deputy FM Alexander Saltanov. When asked whether Hamas [...] | 2006-02-26 13:25:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | KPAL PREL SY RS |
06DAMASCUS760 | MORE ON USG FUNDING OF SYRIAN OPPOSITION [...] (C) Summary: The USG's Syrian Democracy Announcement continues to provoke conflicting views here among the opposition and other political figures. Reftel reported on an initial sounding that produced primarily negative views. A second look at the issue has prompted a more nuanced set of rea [...] | 2006-02-27 09:57:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KDEM SY |
06DAMASCUS775 | READ OUT FROM IRAN-SYRIA ECONOMIC MEETING [...] (C) The annual meeting of the Iran-Syria Higher Economic Commission ended last week, meeting Syrians' already low expectations that it would lack economic significance (ref A). Government dailies trumpeted the signing of MOUs on a range of economic issues, from environmental protection to inv [...] | 2006-02-27 14:04:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EINV ETRD SY IR |
06DAMASCUS810 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria, Hamas, Secretary Rice's [...] Summary: Syrian papers highlighted the meeting held by F.M. Walid al- Mo'allem with Hamas leader Khaled Masha'al after the latter returned from his tour of the countries of the region. Ezeddin al-Darwish editorialized in Tishreen that he expects "further escalation" in the region after Secr [...] | 2006-02-28 10:29:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS844 | FACTS ON US BUSINESS ACTIVITY IN SYRIA [...] (SBU) The following information is offered for EU posts, consideration and reference when discussing aligning EU and USG policy vis--vis the SARG (ref A). Two discrepancies between USG and EU economic policy are apparent from Damascus: EU missions continue to promote business investment in S [...] | 2006-03-01 12:32:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EFIN EINV SY |
06DAMASCUS86 | Damascus Media Reaction: Khaddam, Mubarak/Chirac Summit, [...] Summary: Syrian papers today reported that the Finance Ministry has frozen the assets of Khaddam's wife, sons, grandchildren and their husbands and wives with the aim of securing the sum which will be revealed by the judicial investigation. The decision came in response to the deliberation i [...] | 2006-01-05 12:36:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
06DAMASCUS888 | SYRIAN FOREIGN POLICIES PAYING OFF, SAYS REGIME [...] (C) Summary: Longtime Embassy contact and regime insider Imad Shuebi asserted that the SARG is feeling confident in its standoff with the U.S. and is looking ahead with renewed assurance. Syria has correctly played its foreign policy cards on Lebanon, Hamas and Iran, and is reaping the bene [...] | 2006-03-02 14:11:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KPAL LE IR SY |
06DAMASCUS894 | RIAD SEIF COMMENTS ON SARG PRESSURE [...] (C) SUMMARY: During a March 2 meeting with Charge and PolChief, prominent opposition figure Riad Seif discussed his recent problems with Syrian security services and their strategy to shut down his activities, his interactions with other opposition figures as he continues to hone his politic [...] | 2006-03-02 14:50:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM SY |
06DAMASCUS90 | KHADDAM'S STREAM OF CRITICISM PUTS THE SARG BACK [...] Summary: (C) A range of contacts have described former VP Khaddam's December 30 interview with al-Arabiyya TV network as tremendously damaging to the regime. They characterize him as a very smart and highly experienced politician and statesman who would be unlikely to make such explosive re [...] | 2006-01-06 12:39:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS929 | HUMAN RIGHTS ROUNDUP: QAMISHLI VIOLENCE?; DAMASCUS [...] (C) CONTACTS DISMISS PRESS REPORTS OF KURDISH CLASHES WITH ARMY: Kurdish contacts dismissed press reports that an armed clash, resulting in many Kurdish injuries, had taken place in the northeastern city of Qamishli between Syrian armed forces and members of the PKK-affiliated Democratic Un [...] | 2006-03-06 07:06:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM SY |
06DAMASCUS958 | ASAD CALLS ON HAMAS NOT TO RECOGNIZE ISRAEL, [...] (SBU) Summary: In a March 4 speech at the opening of a pan-Arab conference in Damascus, Syrian President Bashar al-Asad urged Hamas not to recognize Israel, criticized efforts to oust Lebanese President Lahoud, and labeled U.S. actions in Iraq as part of a plan to divide and conquer the cou [...] | 2006-03-06 13:55:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL LB SY |
06DAMASCUS959 | SARG CHOOSES CONFRONTATIONAL STANCE IN MEETINGS [...] (C) Diplomats at the EC mission in Damascus were quick to downplay the importance of the visit last week of EU parliamentarian and President of the Parliament's Delegation for Relations with the Mashrek, Beatrice Patrie. SARG dailies reported that Patrie met with both Abdallah Dardari, Deputy [...] | 2006-03-06 14:03:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON ETRD EINV SY |
06DAMASCUS962 | MANAGING A TEMPORARY STALEMATE WITH THE SARG [...] (C) Summary: In important respects, U.S. relations with Syria seem to have reached an impasse. Over the past six weeks, Syrian contacts, some of them regime proxies, have voiced the opinion that the SARG senses it has hung tough with a set of hard-line policies that are paying dividends. As [...] | 2006-03-06 16:13:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
06DAMASCUS963 | SARG CLOSES EUROPEAN COMMISSION-FUNDED CIVIL [...] (C) SUMMARY: SARG authorities closed the European Commission-funded Civil Society Training Center on March 1, only nine days after its widely-covered opening on February 21. The training center is one of five recently launched EC-sponsored projects in Syria. The shutdown coincided with th [...] | 2006-03-06 16:32:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM SY |
06DAMASCUS987 | Damascus Media Reaction: Syria, Hamas, President Bush's [...] Summary: Syrian newspapers highlighted statements by F.M. Walid al- Mo'allem during the Arab League's ministerial meeting that Syria has reached a "good understanding" with the International Investigation Committee. Papers also highlighted the meeting in Damascus of the Arab Parties Confere [...] | 2006-03-08 08:11:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS1012 | RAMADAN SHAMMY: LATE NIGHT GOSSIP ON THE ECONOMY, [...] (C) Summary: While attending to our day jobs, Embassy staff tried (in vain) to keep up with a rigorous late night Syrian Ramadan social calendar. Despite SARG efforts to scare Syrians away from our events and to deter others from inviting us to theirs, we held three successful Embassy Ramad [...] | 2007-10-11 10:12:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY IZ |
07DAMASCUS1016 | UPDATE ON SYRIA'S TEXTILE AND APPAREL INDUSTRY [...] (U) Summary. As Syria's oil exports decline, its textile/apparel industry is assuming a larger share of total Syrian exports at 17 percent. Relatively, however, Syria's textile/apparel industry remains a small player in the international arena. Combining subsidized raw materials and product [...] | 2007-10-11 13:33:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | EIND ETRD KTEX SY |
07DAMASCUS102 | Syria/Spain, Russia, Syria/Turkey, Palestinian Territories, [...] Summary: Syrian papers on Jan. 31 reported that President Asad received, on Jan. 30, a phone call from Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero in which they discussed the Palestinian situation and current efforts to stop intra-Palestinian fighting. Premier Zapatero underscored Syr [...] | 2007-01-31 12:36:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS104 | SYRIA: EFFORTS TO COMBAT SEXUAL EXPLOITATION AND [...] No summary [...] | 2007-02-01 13:18:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KPKO KWMN PREL |
07DAMASCUS1056 | EU PUTS SYRIAN AIR ON NOTICE [...] (C) On the margins of the 40th Annual General Meeting of the Arab Air Carriers Organization (AACO) in Damascus on October 23-25, Post learned that the European Aviation Safety Administration (EASA) was frustrated at Syrian Air,s continued non-compliance with EASA safety standards and planned t [...] | 2007-10-30 04:39:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | EAIR EIND ETRD EU FAA |
07DAMASCUS107 | SYRIA: INFLUENTIAL WOMEN [...] (SBU) In response to reftel A requesting the names of the five most influential women in government and civil society, Post notes the difficult bilateral relations with the SARG and the regime's deep suspicion about USG intentions to use Syrian civil society for U.S. political purposes. Addit [...] | 2007-02-01 14:38:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KWMN PHUM PGOV PREL |
07DAMASCUS1073 | RARE PUBLIC EXECUTION TAKES PLACE IN SYRIA [...] (C) Summary. A rare public execution was carried out by a military field court on October 25 in Aleppo. According to press reports, the five convicts were common criminals accused of serious crimes including homicide in the course of robbery. Human rights activists took the opportunity to d [...] | 2007-11-01 14:05:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL SY |
07DAMASCUS1075 | SYRIANS WAKE UP TO GASOLINE PRICE HIKE [...] (SBU) Syrians awoke on November 1 to find that the SARG had increased the price of gasoline by 20 percent overnight, from 30 to 36 SP/liter (USD 2.27 to 2.72/gal). The increase was less than the 40 SP/liter price many economists had predicted during a heated public debate over the need to eli [...] | 2007-11-01 15:11:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ENRG EPET SY |
07DAMASCUS108 | NEW TACTICS FOR APPLYING PRESSURE TO SARG REGIME [...] (C) Summary. As the USG continues to consider strategies for increasing the pressure on SARG regime members and supporters, post solicits Washington's feedback on our below suggestions for expanding the use of sanctions against the Syrian regime. Targeted sanctions can help to delegitimize co [...] | 2007-02-01 14:43:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | EFIN ECON ETTC SY SANC |
07DAMASCUS109 | Syria/Turkey, Syria/Iraq, Palestinian Territories, Lebanon [...] Summary: Syrian papers on Feb. 1 reported FM Walid Mouallem's visit to Turkey on Jan. 31 and his meetings with President Sezer and PM Erdogan to convey two messages from President Asad on the latest developments in the region. Mouallem also held talks with Turkish FM Abdullah Gul on bilatera [...] | 2007-02-01 14:46:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS1094 | SYRIAN GOVERNMENT REPRESSES PRO-PKK RALLIES [...] (SBU) Summary. Pro-PKK protests by Syrian Kurds in Northeast Syrian city of Qamishli were met by heavy police repression. The ensuing crackdown caused multiple injuries and the death of at least one Syrian Kurd. There were also several arrests at a pro-PKK rally in the northern border town o [...] | 2007-11-08 09:42:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL PTER SY |
07DAMASCUS110 | DEMOGRAPHICS OF IRAQIS IN SYRIA [...] (SBU) Summary: There is little reliable data about the demographic makeup of Iraqis in Syria. There is growing evidence (and intensified SARG efforts to gather it),however, indicating the numbers may be significantly higher than previously estimated 800,000 Iraqis (perhaps more than 1 mill [...] | 2007-02-01 15:21:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PREF PGOV SY IZ |
07DAMASCUS111 | SYRIA'S ECONOMY CONTINUES TO STRENGTHEN [...] (SBU) Summary. Syria,s economy is starting 2007 much stronger than it began 2006. Growth rates, which increased modestly the last two years, are generally expected to continue upwards if current trends continue. Still, the SARG faces a number of economic challenges in 2007, including incre [...] | 2007-02-01 16:03:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EFIN EINV ENRG EPET ETRD PGOV SY |
07DAMASCUS1123 | ARAB LEAGUE BOYCOTT MEETING BLACKLISTS MERRILL [...] (U) Summary. The semi-annual meeting of the Arab League Boycott group was held November 5-7 in Damascus. Participation and results followed expectations and closely paralleled last April,s gathering (reftel). One U.S. company, Merrill Lynch, and three unnamed European companies were official [...] | 2007-11-20 14:47:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | AL ECON KBCT PHUM SY |
07DAMASCUS1132 | ANNAPOLIS CONFERENCE: SARG SAYS YES, SENDING VICE [...] (C) The Syrian MFA notified Charge at 1500 local that Vice Foreign Minister Fayssal Mekdad will be leading Syria's delegation to the Annapolis conference. Mekdad will be accompanied by his Chef du Cabinet (Office Director) Hussam Aala. Syrian Ambassador Imad Mustafa will join the Syrian de [...] | 2007-11-25 15:32:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | AMGT CVIS PGOV PREL KWBG KPAL IS SY |
07DAMASCUS1140 | CONGRESSWOMAN MCCOLLUM DISCUSSES REFUGEES AND [...] (C) Summary: In a 25-minute discussion with Congresswoman McCollum (D-MN) on November 28, President Asad criticized the lack of preparation for the Annapolis Conference but said the initiative represented an important first step. He stressed the need for determined U.S. engagement in the co [...] | 2007-11-29 14:13:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREF PREL SY IS |
07DAMASCUS1143 | SARG SECURITY COURT ACTIONS AGAINST JIHADISTS MORE [...] (C) Summary. On November 25, the Syrian Supreme State Security Court (SSSC) formally accused three alleged jihadists with attempting to join the insurgency against U.S. forces in Iraq. To date there has been no official SARG comment on the trial. Human rights activists speculate that the cou [...] | 2007-11-29 16:05:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL SY |
07DAMASCUS1144 | SEVERAL SYRIAN HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS PREVENTED [...] (SBU) Summary. The Syrian government has prevented several human rights figures from traveling abroad in recent days. The regime,s actions appear to be an enforcement of existing travel bans to which there had previously been some loopholes. Many of the activists prevented from leaving were h [...] | 2007-11-29 16:34:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL SY |
07DAMASCUS1147 | IDENT DATA ENTRY ERRORS AT PORTS OF ENTRY [...] (SBU) Summary: CBP inspectors at US ports of entry are apparently entering the terms "recidivist," "frequent traveler" and "unknown" into IDENT in place of actual traveler names and bio-data. Clearing these entries causes extra work for consular officers and casts a negative light on legitim [...] | 2007-12-03 05:34:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | CVIS ASEC KFRD SY |
07DAMASCUS1155 | ACS IN SYRIA - DECEIVED, DETAINED AND DEPORTED [...] (SBU) Summary. American Citizen Services (ACS) staff at Embassy Damascus had twenty cases of detention and/or abandonment of US citizens in the fourth quarter FY-2007. Six cases involved women fleeing their families due to abuse or to avoid arranged marriages. Four cases, some still ongoing, [...] | 2007-12-06 15:18:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PREF CVIS ASEC KFRD KCRM KOCI KWMN SY |
07DAMASCUS1156 | DAMASCUS DECLARATION ANNOUNCES CREATION OF [...] (C) Summary: More than two years after signing the original Damascus Declaration in October 2005, 163 civil society, human rights, and opposition leaders gathered at the Damascus home of leader Riad Seif to vote on the creation of a new legislative body (the National Council) and elect its C [...] | 2007-12-06 16:05:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL SY |
07DAMASCUS1157 | REPATRIATION OF IRAQI REFUGEES - NO MASS RETURN [...] (C) Summary: Since early October, Embassy sources have confirmed press and other reports of increasing numbers of Iraqi refugees leaving Syria for Iraq. On November 27, PolOff observed hundreds of Iraqis, carrying personal belongings of every shape, size and kind, loaded onto rented buses bo [...] | 2007-12-06 16:52:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREF PHUM PREL SY IZ |
07DAMASCUS1160 | CONSULAR SECTION ACTIVITIES -- October/November 2007 [...] (SBU) Summary: Despite the restrictive environment created by the ubiquitous Syrian security services, we continue to run an active outreach program. Below is a list of events in October and November. End Summary. 2. (SBU) International Education week November 4-8: Consular Officers di [...] | 2007-12-10 07:39:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | CVIS CPAS SY |
07DAMASCUS1162 | THE SYRIAN-AMERICAN MEDICAL CONNECTION [...] (SBU) Summary: Doctors receive the vast majority of the H1-B visas and nearly half of the J-1 visas issued at Embassy Damascus. They are likewise responsible for a substantial portion of the B-1/B-2 visas issued at Post. Syrian doctors typically remain in the U.S. at least until they naturali [...] | 2007-12-10 10:10:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | CVIS CASC OEXC SCUL KFRD SY |
07DAMASCUS1164 | INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION WEEK IN DAMASCUS DEFYS THE ODDS [...] No summary [...] | 2007-12-11 12:44:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KPAO KIRC OEXC OIIP SCUL SENV SY XF |
07DAMASCUS1170 | SARG ROUND UP OF DAMASCUS DECLARATION MEMBERS [...] (C) Summary: Syrian security services detained some 36 Damascus Declaration National Council NC) members this week, eventually releasing all but three. Security services also disrupted an NC meeting at the home of National Council Secretariat Riad Seif on December 13, but there were no SI [...] | 2007-12-13 09:30:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL SY |
07DAMASCUS1171 | DAMASCUS FRAUD PREVENTION MANAGEMENT REPORT [...] No summary [...] | 2007-12-13 10:31:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | CVIS CPAS KFRD KCRM CMGT ASEC SY |
07DAMASCUS1177 | PRESIDENT ASAD DISMISSES TWO CABINET MINISTERS - [...] (C) On December 10, new Ministers of Communications and Technology, Imad Abdul-Ghani Sabouni, and of Awqaf, Islamic Trusts, Mohammed Abdul-Sattar al Sayied, were sworn in before President Asad. This came two days after President Asad removed Dr. Amro Nazir Salem, Minister of Communications and [...] | 2007-12-13 16:12:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PINS PHUM PREL SY |
07DAMASCUS1178 | UNHCR DONOR MISSION TO DAMASCUS: DONORS AIR [...] (C) Summary: On December 2-3, UNHCR hosted 18 donor country representatives and attempted to give an updated assessment on the Iraqi refugee situation. UNHCR filled two days with meetings, site visits and official meetings. While the donors appeared sympathetic to the needs of the Iraqi refug [...] | 2007-12-13 16:13:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREF PREL SY IZ |
07DAMASCUS1180 | SYRIA-CUBA: TITLE III OF THE LIBERTAD ACT, [...] (C) Per ref A, the most recent official information available from the Syrian Central Bureau of Statistics states that in 2006, Cuban imports to Syria totaled USD 27,000 and Syrian exports to Cuba reached USD 1.2 million. These totals represent over a tenfold increase in Syrian exports to Cuba [...] | 2007-12-13 16:26:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ETRD ETTC PREL CU SY |
07DAMASCUS1181 | SARG-IRAQI CONSULTATIONS REFLECT SOME PROGRESS ON [...] (C) Summary: On the margins of a delegation headed by Iraqi Finance Minister Bayan Jabr al Zabaida, Iraqi border security officials met with their Syrian counterparts in Damascus November 28-29 to discuss enhanced cooperation. According to the Iraqi embassy here, al Zabaida handed over 15 mi [...] | 2007-12-14 11:46:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV SY IZ |
07DAMASCUS1184 | WHITE HOUSE STATEMENT ON NATIONAL COUNCIL RECEIVED [...] (S) Summary: A quick survey of human rights and opposition contacts yielded mostly positive reactions to the December 14 White House statement on the creation of the National Council. National Council Secretariat Riad Seif, who had earlier requested such support, warned the night before the [...] | 2007-12-16 16:07:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET | PGOV PHUM PREL SY |
07DAMASCUS1187 | MFA AGREES TO NEXT CIRCUIT RIDE; WILL CONSIDER [...] (C) Summary. A Syrian MFA official confirmed UNHCR's report that the SARG would allow a DHS circuit ride in January as long as the same conditions set for the November-December circuit ride were met (reftel). The Charge asked that the SARG grant visas for international trainers and a deputy [...] | 2007-12-18 20:26:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREF PREL SY |
07DAMASCUS1188 | MFA AGREES TO NEXT CIRCUIT RIDE; WILL CONSIDER [...] (C) Summary. A Syrian MFA official confirmed UNHCR's report that the SARG would allow a DHS circuit ride in January as long as the same conditions set for the November-December circuit ride were met (reftel). The Charge asked that the SARG grant visas for international trainers and a deputy [...] | 2007-12-18 20:26:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREF PREL SY |
07DAMASCUS119 | NEW UNANNOUNCED SYRIAN POLICY ON IRAQIS [...] (C) Summary: Following weeks of unconfirmed reports that the SARG has tightened its entry policy for Iraqis, UNHCR contacts and the issuance of an internal SARG immigration circular confirms the new and stricter measures. Syrian officials, however, continue to dismiss reports of the new pol [...] | 2007-02-05 15:12:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREF PGOV PREL SY IZ |
07DAMASCUS1193 | DEMOCRATIC REFORM STRATEGY SYRIA - 2007 [...] (C) Summary: Since the development of Post,s 2005 democratic reform strategy there has been a substantial and on-going government crackdown on what little democratic reform had been taking place. Many of the democratic reformers and human rights advocates who were key Embassy contacts in 20 [...] | 2007-12-23 13:52:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET | PGOV PHUM PREL SY IS |
07DAMASCUS120 | Syria/Lebanon, Syria/Iraq, Palestinian hostility (2/2-5) [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported Indonesian FM Hassan Wirajuda's visit to Syria on Feb. 3 and 4 and his meetings with President Bashar al Assad and FM Walid al Mouallem. Wirajuda delivered a letter to President Assad from the Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on means of enhancing [...] | 2007-02-07 07:08:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS121 | Syria/Qatar, Syria/Turkey, Mousa, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, [...] Summary: Syrian papers on Feb. 6 reported a meeting between President Asad and Qatar's Crown Prince Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani on Feb. 5 which focused on current international and regional developments and bilateral relations between the two countries. On Syrian/Turkish relations, pap [...] | 2007-02-07 07:09:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS122 | Palestinian Territories, Syria/Netherlands, Lavrov/Mousa, [...] Summary: Syrian papers on Feb. 7 quoted an official source at the Syrian Foreign Ministry expressing, on Feb. 6, deep concern over Israeli excavations in the area of the al-Aqsa Mosque that threaten the safety and sanctity of the mosque. "Syria, which strongly condemns this aggression, sees t [...] | 2007-02-07 13:44:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS126 | Asad, Syria/Tajikistan, Syria/Vatican, Palestinian [...] Summary: Syrian papers on Feb. 8 reported President Asad's Feb. 7 address at the start of a two-day conference of the Ba'ath Party Central Committee, in which he called for maintaining Syrian national unity, pointing out the complementary nature of Islamic thought and pan-Arabism. He called [...] | 2007-02-08 12:49:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS127 | SYRIA'S MOST IMPORTANT ECONOMIC REFORM: THE [...] (C) SUMMARY. The SARG continues to spotlight its efforts to modernize the financial sector and achieve economic equality with its Arab neighbors, but the banking sector as the SARG-proclaimed "model" of sectoral reform falls well short of the propaganda. The SARG continues to lack the poli [...] | 2007-02-08 14:50:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN EINV PREL SY |
07DAMASCUS128 | "SHIA-IZATION" IN SYRIA, REGIME'S ELECTION [...] (C) Summary: Dr. Samir al-Taqi, an advisor to the Syrian MFA, described for A/DCM February 7 growing unease in Syria about what he termed Iranian efforts at Shia-ization in the country. Most of this effort is concentrated in the northeast, with some of it linked to Iranian efforts to use i [...] | 2007-02-08 15:32:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY IZ |
07DAMASCUS131 | Syria/ Tajikistan, Syria/Oman, Syria/Germany, Syria/Iraq, [...] Summary: Syrian papers on Feb. 11 reported the visit to Damascus by Tajik President Imamoli Rakhmanov on Feb. 9, and his talks with President Asad, VP Shara and FM Mouallem. The Presidents called for scheduling a withdrawal of foreign troops from Iraq, reiterated the importance of a Palestin [...] | 2007-02-11 14:27:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS132 | IRAQI REFUGEE DEMARCHE DELIVERED TO THE SARG [...] No summary [...] | 2007-02-11 15:03:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREF ASEC SY IZ JO |
07DAMASCUS134 | UPDATE - LABWANI'S TREATMENT IN PRISON [...] (C) Summary. On February 10, Poloff met with the family of imprisoned political activist Kamal Labwani to check his status. Family members reported that Labwani had recently been returned to his normal cell, after having spent six days confined to a dark, dirty underground cell. Family membe [...] | 2007-02-12 09:41:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM SY |
07DAMASCUS137 | Syria/Lebanon, Palestinian Territories, [...] Summary: Syrian papers on Feb. 12 reported VP Shara's meeting on Feb. 11 with Ali Qansoh, Chairman of the Syrian National Socialist Party in Lebanon, during which Shara confirmed that Syria supports all that the Lebanese agree upon to achieve civil stability, peace and national unity. They r [...] | 2007-02-12 14:13:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS139 | Mousa, Iraq, Lebanon, Palestinian Territories (2/13) [...] Summary: Syrian papers on Feb. 13 reported President Asad's meeting with Arab League Secretary General Amr Mousa on Feb. 12. Talks focused on Arab developments, particularly in Iraq, the Palestinian territories, and Lebanon. The President stressed that national accord is the only way to achi [...] | 2007-02-14 06:19:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS146 | Syria/Palestinians, Lebanon, Syria/Norway, Iraq (2/14) [...] Summary: Syrian papers on Feb. 14 reported a mass rally in Damascus on Feb. 13 condemning Israeli excavations near the al-Aqsa Mosque. Papers also reported that President Asad received a letter on Feb. 13 from Palestinian National Authority Chairman Mahmud Abbas. The letter was delivered to [...] | 2007-02-14 13:37:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS147 | SYRIAN ARAB AIRLINES SPEAKS TO CHARGE ON AIR SAFETY [...] (U) This is an action request. Please see paragraph 10. 2. (C) Summary. Responding to a request by the Syrian MFA and seeking to fill-in missing information on important safety of flight issues, Charge met, February 8, with the DG of Syrian Arab Airlines (SAA) to discuss concerns over the [...] | 2007-02-14 13:55:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | EAIR ETTC CASC PREL SY |
07DAMASCUS149 | BACKGROUND ON JANUARY PRISON RIOT IN SYRIA [...] (SBU) Summary: According to numerous Embassy sources, imprisoned members of President Asad,s extended family began an uprising in Adra'a prison January 25 over the fact they were not included in the Eid al-Adha Presidential amnesty (ref A). Eventually, the Army had to be called in to quell t [...] | 2007-02-14 15:13:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM SY |
07DAMASCUS15 | Syria/Europe, US/Syria, Bush's Iraq Strategy, Palestinian [...] Summary: Syrian papers on Jan. 8 reported the Jan. 7 visit to Damascus by a British-European parliamentary delegation headed by Former European Commission President Jacques Santier. The delegation met President Asad. Talks focused on developments in Iraq, Lebanon, and the occupied Palestinia [...] | 2007-01-08 13:06:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS151 | BA'ATH PARTY PROTESTS COMMEMORATE ISRAELI [...] (U) SUMMARY. TWO EVENTS OCCURRED ON THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF ISRAEL'S ANNEXATION OF THE GOLAN HEIGHTS FROM SYRIA. FIRST, LACKLUSTER ANNUAL PROTESTS ORGANIZED BY THE BA'ATH PARTY TOOK PLACE IN THE SYRIAN PROVINCE OF QUNNEITRA. IN ADDITION, AN AMORPHOUS GROUP KNOWN AS THE COMMITTEES FOR THE LIBE [...] | 2007-02-15 16:25:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM SY IS |
07DAMASCUS157 | Iran/Syria, Syria/Iraq, Lebanon, Palestinian Territories [...] Summary: The major topic in Syrian papers over the weekend was President Asad's state visit to Iran, which commenced on Feb. 17. All papers reported Asad's talks with Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinezhad; Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, Supreme Leader of Iranian Islamic Revolution; Ali Larij [...] | 2007-02-20 10:01:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS161 | Syria/Lebanon, Syria/Iraq, Abbas-Olmert-Rice Meeting, [...] Summary: Syrian papers on Feb. 20 reported that President Asad received former Lebanese Prime Minister Dr. Salim al-Huss on Feb. 19. Talks touched upon regional and international developments, particularly in Lebanon, and the importance of strengthening national unity on the basis of Lebano [...] | 2007-02-20 13:42:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS162 | SUNNI RELIGIOUS LEADER INSISTS SARG TRYING TO [...] (C) SUMMARY: IN A MID-FEBRUARY CONVERSATION WITH A/DCM, DAYS BEFORE BASHAR AL-ASAD'S MOST RECENT TRIP TO TEHRAN, PROMINENT SUNNI SHEIKH SALAH KUFTARO CRITICIZED THE ASAD REGIME FOR TRYING TO SUPPRESS SUNNI CRITICISM OF IRANIAN-LED "SHIA-IZATION" ACTIVITIES IN SYRIA. WHILE PROVIDING FEW SPEC [...] | 2007-02-20 14:10:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET | PGOV KISL PREL SOCI SY IR |
07DAMASCUS165 | SYRIA COUNTRY CLEARANCE KENNETH CURTAIN AND [...] Embassy Damascus welcomes and grants country clearance for the proposed visit of Kenneth Curtain and Kristofer Doucette, Representatives of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, 23-27 February 2007. Travelers will be met and assisted at the airport, after clearing customs, by an embassy driver, [...] | 2007-02-20 15:40:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | AMGT ASEC AFIN PREL SY |
07DAMASCUS169 | Peace Process, Lebanon, Syria/Iran, Syria/Iraq, [...] Summary: Syrian papers on Feb. 21 featured statements on the importance of achieving peace in the Middle East and boosting the peace process. The papers featured an article published by Spanish newspaper El-Pais on Feb.20 which said that Spanish PM Zapatero and Italian PM Prodi stressed the [...] | 2007-02-21 14:34:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS17 | TURKEY: THE SARG'S NEW BEST FRIEND [...] (C) SUMMARY: OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS, WITH A SERIES OF HIGH-LEVEL TURKISH DIPLOMATIC VISITS AND TURKEY'S MUCH-DELAYED RATIFICATION OF THE SYRIAN-TURKISH FREE TRADE AGREEMENT (FTA),THE SARG HAS PUBLICLY HAILED THE BEGINNING OF A NEW ERA OF COOPERATION BETWEEN SYRIA AND TURKEY. THE SARG BELIE [...] | 2007-01-08 13:42:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL IR IZ SY TU |
07DAMASCUS173 | 311 SANCTIONS CASTING A SHADOW ON THE CBS'S FUTURE [...] (C) Summary. Financial sanctions under USAPATRIOT Act Section 311 continue to put pressure on the Commercial Bank of Syria (CBS) nearly a year after the final ruling was imposed. Nonetheless, the CBS, up till now, is managing to maintain its central role in Syria's banking sector. While some [...] | 2007-02-22 14:13:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN SANC ETTC PREL KTFN SY |
07DAMASCUS175 | RECENT SPIKE IN DISSIDENT ARRESTS; TRIALS UPDATE [...] (U) Summary. On February 17, Kurdish student activist Kamal Sheikho was a detained by the Syrian Military Intelligence (SMI). Sheikho's arrest followed the SARG's detention of two other prominent opposition figures, Mahmoud Sarem and Razak Eid. Then, after months of trial postponements Anwa [...] | 2007-02-22 15:24:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM SY |
07DAMASCUS185 | Syria/Spain, Lavrov, Palestinian Territories, Arab League, [...] Summary: Syrian papers on Feb. 22 reported FM Walid al-Mouallem's visit to Madrid and his meeting with his Spanish FM Miguel Angel Moratinos on Feb. 21. Talks focused on bilateral relations, regional issues, most importantly the situation in the occupied territories following the Mecca Accord [...] | 2007-02-26 12:47:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS188 | Syria/Spain, OIC, Israeli Nukes, Palestinian Territories, [...] Summary: Syrian papers on Feb. 25 reported that on Feb. 22 in Madrid King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain inaugurated Arab House and the Spanish Political Conference with the participation of Foreign Minister Walid Mouallem and the Foreign Ministers of Saudi Arabia, UAE, Tunisia, Yemen, [...] | 2007-02-27 12:42:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS190 | Arab Summit, Syria/Malaysia, Seymour Hersh's Article on US [...] Summary: Syrian papers on Feb. 26 reported that President Asad received a message from Saudi King Abdallah Bin-Abd-al-Aziz on Feb. 25 inviting him to attend the 19th Arab summit, which will be held in Saudi Arabia next month. The message was delivered to President Asad by Dr. Abdallah al-Zin [...] | 2007-02-27 15:04:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS192 | Syria/Egypt, Syria/Lebanon, Iraq, Palestinian Territories [...] Summary: Syrian papers on Feb. 28 reported that President Asad received a phone call on Feb. 27 from President Mubarak about preparations for the Arab Summit scheduled for March 28 in Riyadh. On Iraq, papers reported that FM Mouallem received a telephone call on Feb. 27 from Turkish FM Abdul [...] | 2007-02-28 13:41:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS193 | SYRIAN FOREIGN POLICY ANALYST ASSESSES SARG [...] (C) Summary: Pro-regime foreign policy analyst Imad Shueibi told A/DCM February 24 that the SARG did not view a dialogue with the U.S. restricted to the issue of Iraqi refugees without the return of an Ambassador as sufficiently broad-based or high-level to persuade the regime to re-engage. [...] | 2007-02-28 15:45:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET | PREL PGOV SY IZ IR LE |
07DAMASCUS194 | SYRIA CONTINUES WTO ACCESSION EFFORTS [...] (U) Summary. The SARG is agitating to advance its 2001 application to join the WTO. So far, the SARG's new effort on behalf of its stalled WTO application seems to have much more to do with its effort to break out of its political isolation than it does with any new commitment to economic li [...] | 2007-03-01 06:38:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFTA ETRD PREL SY |
07DAMASCUS196 | SYRIAN CONFIDENCE WAVERING? [...] (C) Summary: In the aftermath of a visit to Tehran clouded by growing differences over Iraq and Lebanon, Bashar al-Asad's self-confidence stemming from foreign policy positions he believed were paying dividends may now be eroding. Disappointments over the frictions with Iran, the apparent w [...] | 2007-03-01 13:06:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV SY IR IZ LE |
07DAMASCUS2 | CODEL SPECTER MEETS WITH SYRIAN PRESIDENT BASHAR [...] (C) SUMMARY: President Bashar Al-Asad said he was optimistic about restarting peace negotiations with Israel, claimed (erroneously it appears) the seven opposition activists recently jailed had been released, expressed pessimism on reaching a political resolution in Lebanon given what he desc [...] | 2007-12-31 13:35:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KPAL KDEM PGOV PHUM SY IS IZ LEB |
07DAMASCUS200 | Syria/Russia, Iraq, Lebanon, Palestinian Territories, Iran [...] Summary: Syrian papers on Mar. 1 quoted an official source from the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs , confirming, on Feb. 28, that Syria will attend the Iraq Neighboring Countries conference that will be held in Baghdad on March 10. Answering a question by the Syrian Arab News Agency (SAN [...] | 2007-03-01 14:42:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS201 | SYRIAN POLITICAL PRISONER KAMAL LABWANI APPEARS IN [...] (C) SUMMARY: Prominent Syrian political prisoner Kamal Labwani appeared in criminal court on February 27 when his lawyer presented as part of the defense's evidence a letter from the U.S. Embassy, which broadly outlines the U.S. International Visitor Program (IVP). The next court date was s [...] | 2007-03-01 15:29:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV SY |
07DAMASCUS202 | SYRIA ELECTIONS UPDATE: SIX WEEKS FROM NATIONAL [...] (S/NF) Summary: Less than two months from expected Syrian National Assembly Elections, the official election date has yet to be announced. Syrians seem largely uninterested in the process because they have little faith that representatives will take into account their interests, according [...] | 2007-03-01 15:42:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET//NOFORN | PGOV PREL SY |
07DAMASCUS208 | Shara's "Le Monde" Interview, Mouallem's Cairo Visit, [...] Summary: Syrian papers featured VP Shara's interview with French daily "Le Monde" published March 2 in which he expressed Syria's relative optimism on the success of an international meeting in Baghdad aimed at stabilizing Iraq, saying that "much depends on the attitude of the United States; [...] | 2007-03-04 14:27:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS21 | US/Russia, Syria/Israel, Syria/Iraq, Syria/EU, HAMAS, [...] Summary: Syrian papers over the weekend reported that the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has criticized the latest US sanctions against Russian arms firms for "selling arms to Syria," describing these sanctions as "groundless." The Ministry said in a statement that "yet once again, the [...] | 2007-01-09 05:18:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS213 | Syria/Venezuela, Syria/Norway, Syria/Italy, Syria/Iraq, [...] Summary: Syrian papers on March 5 reported the March 4 visit to Damascus of Venezuelan FM Nicolas Maduro and his meeting with Deputy FM Faisal Miqdad. The purpose of the visit was to boost bilateral relations and carry out agreements signed during the visit of Venezuelan President Hugo Chave [...] | 2007-03-05 13:13:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS214 | SYRIAN GOVERNMENT SAYS IT WOULD WELCOME PRM A/S [...] No summary [...] | 2007-03-05 13:38:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL OTRA AMGT SY |
07DAMASCUS218 | SYRIA: 2006 TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS REPORT [...] (U) THE FOLLOWING IS POST'S SUBMISSION TO THE ANNUAL TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS REPORT. THE EMBASSY'S POINT OF CONTACT IS POLOFF MARIA D.G. OLSON. OFFICE TELEPHONE: (963) (11) 3391-3785. FAX: (963) (11) 3391-3999. OFFICER SPENT 40 HOURS IN PREPARATION OF THE REPORT, WHICH IS STRUCTURED TO [...] | 2007-03-06 09:06:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KCRM PHUM KWMN SMIG KFRD ASEC PREF ELAB |
07DAMASCUS22 | ADVISOR TO MFA SAYS SYRIANS REMAIN NERVOUS ABOUT [...] (C) SUMMARY: THE SYRIAN REGIME CONTINUES TO FEAR THE FORMATION OF A SPECIAL LEBANON TRIBUNAL, WORRYING THAT IT COULD FIND ITSELF UNDER SUSTAINED INTERNATIONAL OPPROBRIUM AND ISOLATION, EVEN IF SENIOR MEMBERS OF THE REGIME ARE NOT ACCUSED OF INVOLVEMENT IN THE ASSASSINATION OF LEBANESE PM RA [...] | 2007-01-09 09:54:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KCRM SY IR IS LE IZ |
07DAMASCUS224 | Syria/Iraq, Syria/US, Syria/EU, Lebanon, Palestinian [...] Summary: Syrian papers on March 6 and 7 reported the visit to Damascus of Iraqi VP Tarek al Hashimi and his meeting with President Assad, VP Sharaa and other Syrian officials. The purpose of the visit was to boost bilateral relations and reiterate support for national reconciliation in Iraq. [...] | 2007-03-07 15:19:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS229 | SCENESETTER FOR A/S SAUERBREY'S VISIT TO SYRIA [...] (C) Summary: Embassy Damascus warmly welcomes you to Syria. Your visit comes amidst heightened SARG sensitivity to the presence of up to 1.3 million Iraqi refugees here, especially given public grumbling about price hikes and increased crime and social woes. Additionally, the SARG has real [...] | 2007-03-08 14:09:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV IZ SY |
07DAMASCUS230 | IRAQ NEIGHBORS CONFERENCE DEMARCHE DELIVERED TO [...] (C) On March 8, Charge delivered appropriate Syria points from reftel demarche and ref B points to Dr. Amir Smadi, SARG MFA Chief of Protocol (the embassy MFA-designated interlocutor). He gave no substantive reply to the demarche, but promised to communicate the points to his superiors in the [...] | 2007-03-08 14:27:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL OIC ARABLEAGUE UN IZ SY |
07DAMASCUS231 | HARD TIMES CONTINUE FOR SYRIAN CIVIL SOCIETY; NO [...] (C) Summary: Post's MEPI/civil society committee met on March 5 to discuss reftel on MEPI small grants program in Syria. Committee members reviewed the problematic status of the only MEPI project awarded by Post, noting that the project had run into problems because of intense interference [...] | 2007-03-08 14:52:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ABUD AFIN AMGT ECON KPAO PREL XF KMPI |
07DAMASCUS232 | NEW EMBASSY TRAVEL PROCEDURES: VISIT TO HOMS [...] (U) SUMMARY. THE SARG HAS MOVED TO FURTHER RESTRICT EMBASSY DAMASCUS, ABILITY TO ENGAGE SYRIANS OUTSIDE OF THE CAPITAL. AS A RESULT, THE EMBASSY HAS ADAPTED ITS TRAVEL PROCEDURES TO ENSURE OFFICERS CONTINUE TO GET OUT OF THE CAPITAL AS OFTEN AS POSSIBLE. OUR MOST RECENT TRIP USING OUR NEW T [...] | 2007-03-08 15:21:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EIND PREL SY |
07DAMASCUS236 | Baghdad Conference, Syria/Iran, Syria/EU, Lebanon, [...] Summary: Syrian papers on Mar. 11 reported the inauguration of the Baghdad Conference of Iraq's Neighboring Countries on Mar. 10. The Syrian delegation was headed by Assistant Foreign Minister Ahmad Arnus, who delivered a statement in which he explained Syria's position toward the difficult s [...] | 2007-03-11 14:49:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS248 | Syria/US, Baghdad Conference, Syria/Iran, ICG, [...] Summary: Syrian independent al-Watan on Mar. 12 reported that Ellen Sauerbrey, US Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees and Migration, arrived to Damascus late Mar. 11 for talks on the issue of Iraqi refugees. Earlier, Washington noted that Sauerbrey would talk only about the [...] | 2007-03-12 15:00:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS249 | HIGH-LEVEL EXCHANGES BETWEEN SYRIA AND IRAN [...] (U) Iranian Defense Minister Mostafa Mohammed Najjar arrived in Damascus March 10 to meet with SARG counterpart MinDef General Hassan Turkmani. The primary topic of discussion, according to local media, was the transfer of Iranian arms manufacturing to Syria. An-Nahar, a Lebanese daily, quo [...] | 2007-03-12 15:57:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | PREF PREL PGOV IR SY |
07DAMASCUS25 | Syria/Germany, Syria/Nigeria, Syria/Spain, Iraq, Lebanon, [...] Summary: Syrian papers on Jan. 9 reported that President Asad held talks on Jan. 8 with former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder focusing on current developments in Iraq, Lebanon and the occupied territories and prospects of economic cooperation between Syria and Germany, particularly on th [...] | 2007-01-09 13:27:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS250 | SARG USES BAGHDAD CONFERENCE TO CLAIM IT SUPPORTS [...] (SBU) Syrian Assistant FM Ahmad Arnous said after the Baghdad Conference on March 10 that the Iraqi government and the international community should shoulder their responsibility in alleviating the suffering of the displaced Iraqis, according to the official Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA). A [...] | 2007-03-12 16:00:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREF PREL PGOV IZ SY |
07DAMASCUS254 | ARRESTS AND POLITICAL TRIALS SURROUND THE [...] (SBU) Summary: On March 10, several prominent dissidents, including former MP and political prisoner Riad Seif, were detained when they attempted to protest the 44th anniversary of the imposition of Emergency Law in Syria. Meanwhile, the political trial of Michel Kilo formally commenced while [...] | 2007-03-13 12:26:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM SY |
07DAMASCUS255 | SARG ANTI-CORRUPTION PROPAGANDA GROWS IN RUN-UP TO [...] (C) SUMMARY: Over the past month, the SARG has publicly highlighted its purported efforts to crack down on corruption. This effort is the latest in a long line of sporadic SARG campaigns to manipulate the issue of combating corruption for internal political purposes. It is also part of a bro [...] | 2007-03-13 13:56:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | KCRM ECON PGOV SY |
07DAMASCUS257 | Syria/US, Syria/EU, Syria/Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Palestinian [...] Summary: Syrian papers on Mar. 13 reported Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Miqdad's meeting on Mar. 12 with Ellen Sauerbrey, US Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees, and Migration. Talks focused on developments in Iraq and the suffering of Iraqis at home and abroad as a resul [...] | 2007-03-13 15:33:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS258 | VISITING A/S SAUERBREY MEETS WITH SYRIA'S DEPUTY FM [...] (C) SUMMARY: VISITING ASSISTANT SECRETARY SAUERBREY MET FOR AN HOUR MARCH 12 WITH SYRIAN DEPUTY FM FAISAL MIKDAD IN DAMASCUS, FOLLOWED BY A LUNCH HOSTED BY MIKDAD. DURING THE MEETING, THE DFM NOTED SYRIAN SATISFACTION WITH THE VISIT AND DISCUSSED HOW THE SYRIAN GOVERNMENT WAS ADDRESSING THE [...] | 2007-03-13 16:34:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREF PREL PGOV IZ SY |
07DAMASCUS26 | SYRIAN CIVIL SOCIETY ACTIVIST CALLS FOR NEW USG [...] (C) POLOFF MET WITH SYRIAN-CANADIAN CIVIL SOCIETY ACTIVIST AND IMMIGRATION LAWYER HIND KABAWAT ON JANUARY 8. KABAWAT SAID THAT THE SAME NIGHT AFTER ATTENDING A DECEMBER 19 RECEPTION AT THE AMBASSADOR'S RESIDENCE FOR CODEL KERRY AND DODD, POLITICAL SECURITY AGENTS CAME TO HER HOUSE TO ASK WHET [...] | 2007-01-09 14:50:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM SY |
07DAMASCUS266 | Syria/Italy, Solana's Visit, Syria/Egypt, Arab Summit, [...] Summary: Papers on Mar. 14 reported that President Asad received a telephone call on Mar. 13 from Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi. They discussed the visit of the European Union's High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana to Damascus and the recent confere [...] | 2007-03-14 12:21:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS269 | TREASURY TEAM’S DAMASCUS CONSULTATIONS ON [...] (S/NF) Summary: Treasury representatives recently visited Post to discuss options for using financial sanctions to apply pressure to the Syrian regime. We discussed: -- Treasury's requirements for finalizing the pending designations of Mohammad Sulayman and Ali Mamluk, and Treasury's information re [...] | 2007-03-15 15:41:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET | EFIN ECON ETTC SY SANC |
07DAMASCUS275 | Solana's Visit, Syria/Iran, Syria/Lebanon, Iraq, [...] Summary: Syrian papers reported the visit to Damascus by European Union Higher Representative for Common Foreign Policy and Security, Javier Solana on March 14. Ziyad Haydar, a journalist in independent Al-Watan said Solana and President Asad held a closed 50-minute meeting during which the [...] | 2007-03-18 15:10:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS280 | REACTION TO SOLANA'S DAMASCUS VISIT MIXED [...] (C) Summary: European diplomats, including German Ambassador Wenzel, stressed the frank and generally positive nature of EU Representative Solana,s talks with Syrian President Asad, especially with regard to Lebanon. In addition, Syrian state media put a mostly positive spin on the visit, ass [...] | 2007-03-19 15:45:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM SY |
07DAMASCUS284 | NEW IPR LAW DOES LITTLE TO PROTECT PROCTOR AND [...] (U) Summary. Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) are violated with impunity in Syria. If P&G,s experience is any guide, the new law signed last week by President Asad will do little to address the fundamental problems that confront the sector. End summary. 2. (SBU) On March 12, 2007, Pres [...] | 2007-03-20 15:07:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECIN ECON ETRD KIPR PGOV SY |
07DAMASCUS285 | VISITING A/S SAUERBREY MEETS WITH UN, NGOS IN [...] (U) SUMMARY: During her March 11-13 visit to Damascus, visiting Assistant Secretary Ellen Sauerbrey attended a UNHCR briefing on Iraqi refugees, a UNHCR-sponsored roundtable with its four implementing NGO partners in Syria, a briefing hosted by Charge for resident Ambassadors and visiting UNH [...] | 2007-03-22 07:03:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREF PREL PGOV IZ SY |
07DAMASCUS292 | Syria/Kuwait, Syria/Pakistan, Syria/Turkey, Lebanon, Iraq, [...] Summary: Syrian papers on Mar. 25 reported VP Shara's visit to Kuwait on Mar. 24 to convey a message from President Asad to the Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, on bilateral coordination prior to the upcoming Arab summit in Riyadh. During the meeting Shara reviewed the [...] | 2007-03-25 13:50:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS293 | SYRIAN OFFICIALS PUBLICLY DENY REGIME ROLE IN AIN [...] (SBU) In the past week, Syrian Interior Minister Maj. Gen. Bassam Abdul Majeed rejected suggestions that the regime was involved in the February 13 Ain Alaq bus bombings in Lebanon, despite the March 13 announcement by Lebanese officials of the arrest of four Syrian members of Fatah Islam in [...] | 2007-03-25 14:06:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KCRM LE BY |
07DAMASCUS294 | NEW ISLAMIC BANKS POPULAR, BUT BOARDS REFLECT SAME [...] (C) SUMMARY. DURING A RECENT CONFERENCE ON ISLAMIC BANKING, THE SARG CONTINUED TO PROMOTE ITS ISLAMIC BANKING EFFORTS AS A SIGN OF ITS "ISLAMIC" CREDENTIALS AND TO CLAIM SOLIDARITY WITH OTHER ARAB STATES. THE FIRST TWO SYRIAN ISLAMIC BANKS, WITH FOREIGN INVESTMENT FROM QATAR, KUWAIT AND SAUD [...] | 2007-03-25 15:02:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN EINV SY |
07DAMASCUS295 | SYRIAN ARAB AIRWAYS CONTINUES TO PURSUE A WET LEASE [...] (SBU) Summary. Syria Arab Airways has reportedly signed an agreement to lease Boeing airplanes from a new company set up by Rami Makhlouf. End summary. 2. (C) As he has with nearly every other economic sector in Syria, we've heard from local contacts that Rami Makhlouf, President Asad,s [...] | 2007-03-26 07:49:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | EAIR ECON ETTC KCRM SY |
07DAMASCUS299 | Syria/PLO, Arab Summit, Peace Process, Iraq, Lebanon [...] Summary: Papers on Mar. 26 reported the visit to Damascus by Rouhi Fattouh, Special Envoy of Mahmoud Abbas, Chairman of the Palestinian National Authority, and his meeting with VP Shara on Mar. 25 conveying a message from President Abbas to President Asad on the latest Palestinian development [...] | 2007-03-26 12:44:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS3 | SYRIAN REFORMER TELLS CODEL SPECTER THE [...] (C) Summary. In a 45 minute meeting with Senator Specter and Representative Kennedy, Syrian opposition leader Riad Seif detailed the activities of the newly formed National Council, including the regime,s arrest of seven of the Council,s members; the types of coercion the SARG uses to silence [...] | 2007-12-31 14:38:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL SY IS |
07DAMASCUS304 | Syria/UK, Arab Summit, Rice/Ki-Moon, Iraq (3/27) [...] Summary: Syrian papers on Mar. 27 reported President Asad's meeting on Mar. 26 with a delegation representing the British House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee headed by Deputy Chairman of the committee, John Stanley. Talks focused on regional and international developments and the poli [...] | 2007-03-27 13:46:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS307 | VERDICTS EXPECTED SOON IN KEY SYRIAN POLITICAL [...] (U) SUMMARY: ON APRIL 10, THE SYRIAN GOVERNMENT IS EXPECTED TO DECIDE THE FATE OF JAILED POLITICAL REFORMER KAMAL LABWANI, NOW THAT HIS DEFENSE TEAM CONCLUDED THEIR DEFENSE. MEANWHILE, THE DEFENSE OF IMPRISONED HUMAN RIGHTS LAWYER ANWAR AL-BUNNI IS ALSO EXPECTED TO CONCLUDE THE FIRST WEEK OF [...] | 2007-03-27 15:43:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM SY |
07DAMASCUS308 | SYRIAN ACTIVIST RIAD SEIF ON OPPOSITION GROUP, [...] (C) SUMMARY: SYRIAN OPPOSITION LEADER RIAD SEIF MET MARCH 22 WITH A/DCM, PROVIDING AN UPDATE ON THE DAMASCUS DECLARATION (DD) GROUP, AND HIS CURRENT ASSESSMENT OF THE ASAD REGIME. SEIF, WHO HEADS THE DD'S EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, SAID ITS MEMBERS WERE WORKING TO ENLARGE THE DD POSSIBLY AS EARLY [...] | 2007-03-27 15:51:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM SY |
07DAMASCUS309 | THE GOLAN: RESISTANCE RHETORIC, PEACE FEELERS, [...] (C) SUMMARY: IN THE PAST EIGHT MONTHS, PUBLIC MENTION OF THE GOLAN HEIGHTS ISSUE HAS RECURRED WITH MUCH GREATER FREQUENCY THAN IN PREVIOUS YEARS. THE ASAD REGIME HAS USED IT TACTICALLY IN DIFFERENT WAYS, FOR EXAMPLE, TO EXPRESS SHARED OBJECTIVES WITH HIZBALLAH LAST AUGUST, AND MORE RECENT [...] | 2007-03-27 16:16:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
07DAMASCUS312 | Arab Summit, Peace Process, Golan, Rice's Statements, Iraq [...] Summary: The Syrian press on Mar. 28 reported President Asad's summit meeting with Saudi King Abdullah on Mar. 27 on the eve of the Arab summit in Riyadh. Talks dealt with bilateral relations, horizons for consolidating and boosting such relations, and topics on the agenda of the Arab Summit [...] | 2007-03-28 12:18:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS315 | BLAST FROM THE SYRIAN PAST: A VISIT TO THE [...] (U) SUMMARY: EMBOFFS VISITED THE BORDER CITY OF DAR'A IN SOUTHERN SYRIA ON MARCH 26, OBSERVING THAT WHILE IT APPEARED TO BE A BUSTLING -- IF SOMEWHAT FORLORN -- REGIONAL CENTER, IT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY LESS DEVELOPED THAN THE MAJOR COMMERCIAL CENTERS OF DAMASCUS AND ALEPPO. THE CITY ALSO EXUDED [...] | 2007-03-29 14:53:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EIND PREL SY |
07DAMASCUS317 | SYRIAN ELECTIONS: JOCKEYING AND BACKSTABBING START [...] (C) SUMMARY: THE PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS CAMPAIGN IN DAMASCUS HAS GOTTEN MORE HEATED AND UGLY THAN EXPECTED THIS SPRING, WITH THE ELECTRONIC MEDIA BEING USED TO PUBLISH SCURRILOUS ATTACKS TO WEAKEN THE CANDIDACIES OF A KEY INDEPENDENTS LIST. ON MARCH 29, THE PRESSURE AGAINST THE LIST TOOK O [...] | 2007-03-29 15:12:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
07DAMASCUS318 | KURDS PEACEFULLY CELEBRATE NAH RUZ [...] (C) SUMMARY: KURDS IN SYRIA HELD PEACEFUL CELEBRATIONS OF THE ANCIENT PERSIAN HOLIDAY OF NAH RUZ, THE SOLAR NEW YEAR ON MARCH 21-22 IN VARIOUS AREAS OF THE COUNTRY. UNLIKE IN SOME PREVIOUS YEARS, THE SYRIAN PRESS WAS QUIET ON THE EVENT, AND THE CELEBRATIONS PASSED WITHOUT REPORTS OF VIOLENCE O [...] | 2007-03-29 16:08:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV SY |
07DAMASCUS319 | LABWANI HELD IN SOLITARY CONFINEMENT SINCE LAST [...] (C) SUMMARY. DETAINED POLITICAL REFORMER KAMAL LABWANI HAS BEEN HELD IN SOLITARY CONFINEMENT AT ADRA,A PRISON SINCE HIS LAST COURT APPEARANCE WHEN HE READ A STATEMENT HIGHLY CRITICAL OF THE REGIME. HIS SOLITARY CONFINEMENT CONTINUED UNTIL AT LEAST MARCH 27, WHICH IS THE DATE OF THE LAST FAMILY [...] | 2007-03-29 17:01:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM SY |
07DAMASCUS32 | Specter Codel, Syria/US, Lebanon, Iraq, Palestinian [...] Summary: Syrian press and TV on Dec. 27 expressed great joy about the press conference which Senator Arlen Specter gave at Damascus Airport, after meeting President Asad on December 27, 2006. The meeting with the President and the press conference were the lead story in all the radio and TV [...] | 2007-01-10 12:40:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS320 | EU DELIVERS LONG-AWAITED HUMAN RIGHTS DEMARCHE TO [...] (C) Summary. After the eight monts of refusals, the SARG allowed the EU troika to deliver its much-anticipated, confidential human rights demarche to an assistant minister SIPDIS at the Syrian MFA. The German Ambassador, who led the demarche, told Charge that the talks were a constructive [...] | 2007-03-29 17:20:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM SY |
07DAMASCUS323 | COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR CODEL ISSA, APRIL 5-6.2007 [...] (U) Embassy Damascus welcomes and grants country clearance for the visit of Congressman Darrel Issa, and the other members of the delegation: David Abruzzino and Jeremy Bash. 2. (U) Control officer and point of contact for this visit is Econ Officer Stacey Jones, who can be reached at work: [...] | 2007-04-01 15:01:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | OREP AMGT SY AFIN ASEC |
07DAMASCUS325 | The Arab Summit, Syria/US, Syria/Israel Syria/Cuba, [...] Summary: Syrian papers on Mar. 30 featured the final communique and decisions issued by the Arab summit held in Riyadh on Mar. 28-29. Papers also featured two other statements, one issued by the Russian Foreign Ministry on Mar. 31 praising the results of the Arab Summit, and another by EU Fo [...] | 2007-04-02 09:09:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS33 | Syria/Iraq, Syria/US, Iraq, Lebanon, Palestinian [...] Summary: Syrian papers on Dec. 28 reported that President Asad received a message from Iraqi President Jalal Talabani. The message was handed by the Iraqi President's special envoy Fakhri Karim during a meeting with Asad. Talks dealt with developments in Iraq and bilateral relations. Pa [...] | 2007-01-10 12:49:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS330 | CODEL WOLF IN DAMASCUS: THE OPPOSITION AND THE [...] (C) Summary. Congressmen Wolf, Pitts and Aderholt met with members of Syrian civil society, political opposition figures, businessmen and religious leaders on their two-day visit to Damascus. All were eager to engage the Congressmen. Most expressed hope that the U.S. administration could be [...] | 2007-04-03 11:27:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER SY |
07DAMASCUS331 | CODEL WOLF DISCUSSES BAKER-HAMILTON WITH ASAD [...] (C) Summary. As the initiator of the Iraq Study Group, Congressman Wolf told Syrian President Asad and Foreign Minister Mu,allim that his delegation was interested in exploring the possibility of dialogue with Syria, but was not in Syria to negotiate. Congressmen Wolf, Pitts and Aderholt exp [...] | 2007-04-03 12:15:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | OVIP PGOV PREL SY |
07DAMASCUS332 | CODEL WOLF TELLS FM MU'ALLIM TO CHANGE DIRECTION [...] (C) Summary: In a 40 minute meeting with Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Mu'allim, Congressmen Wolf, Pitts, and Aderholt commented that their visit was intended to explore the possibilities for dialogue in the framework of the Baker-Hamilton report but emphasized they were not in Syria to negoti [...] | 2007-04-03 12:29:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | IS PGOV PHUM PREL SY |
07DAMASCUS338 | Syria/US, UNRWA, Syria/Cuba, Syria/Lebanon Syria/Iraq, [...] Summary: The Syrian press on Apr. 2 reported President Asad's meeting on Apr. 1 with members of the US House of Representatives, Frank Wolf, Joe Pitts and Robert Aderholt. Discussion at the meeting dealt with Iraq and the region in general. The delegation also met with FM Mouallem on Apr. [...] | 2007-04-09 10:33:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL KPAO OPRC SY KMDR |
07DAMASCUS340 | Issa Codel, Specter, Pelosi's Visit [...] Summary: Syrian papers on Apr. 6 reported President Asad's meeting on Apr. 5 with Darrell Issa, member of the US House of Representatives. Talks dealt with developments in the region and means and mechanisms to start relations on a correct basis between Syria and the United States. Issa als [...] | 2007-04-09 13:29:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS341 | Syria/Macedonia, Pelosi's Visit, Prisoner-swap, Iraq, [...] Summary: Syrian papers on Apr. 10 reported FM Mouallem's meeting on Apr. 9 with Macedonian FM Antonio Milososki. Talks focused on the latest developments in the Middle East and the Balkans and prospects of bilateral cooperation. During the meeting, FM Milososki expressed his country's desir [...] | 2007-04-11 04:36:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS347 | Syria/Macedonia, Syria/US, Terrorism, Iraq, Palestinian [...] Summary: Syrian papers on Apr. 11 reported President Asad's and VP Shara's meetings on Apr. 10 with Macedonian Foreign Minister Antonio Milososki. Talks dealt with bilateral relations and the latest developments in the Balkans and the Middle East. Papers also featured a statement by Tom La [...] | 2007-04-11 13:49:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS348 | Special Report: Wolf, Pelosi and Issa Codels (April 2-6) [...] Summary: Syrian papers welcomed the visit to Damascus by members of US House of Representatives Frank Wolf, Joe Pitts, and Robert Aderholt on March 30-31, Speaker Nancy Pelosi and six other Representatives on Apr. 3-4, and Representative Darrell Issa on Apr. 5. The three government-owned [...] | 2007-04-11 13:54:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS35 | Asad, Syria/US, Syria/OIC, Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, Palestinian [...] Summary: Syrian papers on Dec. 26 reported that President Asad on Dec. 25 participated in Christmas celebrations and exchanged congratulations with Christian clergymen and others at the Patriarchate of The Syriac Orthodox Church in old Damascus. Patriarch Ignatius IV Hazim of Antioch and All [...] | 2007-01-10 13:25:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS351 | Special Report: Wolf, Pelosi and Issa Codels (April 2-6) [...] Summary: Syrian papers welcomed the visit to Damascus by members of US House of Representatives Frank Wolf, Joe Pitts, and Robert Aderholt on March 30-31, Speaker Nancy Pelosi and six other Representatives on Apr. 3-4, and Representative Darrell Issa on Apr. 5. The three government-owned [...] | 2007-04-12 09:08:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS354 | Syria/Azerbaijan, Ki-Moon, Peace Process, Lebanon, Iraq, [...] Summary: Papers on Apr. 12 reported FM Mouallem's meeting on Apr. 11 with Azerbaijani FM Elmar Mohammad Yarov, focused on bilateral relations. During the meeting, FM Mouallem reviewed the latest developments in the region, including the situations in Iraq and the occupied Palestinian territor [...] | 2007-04-12 12:22:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS356 | SYRIAN OPPOSITION EXPRESS VIEWS TO CODEL ISSA [...] (C) Summary: Congressman Issa met with key opposition figures, including former MP Riad Seif and the wife of imprisoned political reformer Kamal Labwani to discuss the internal political situation in Syria. Both Seif and Samer Labwani asked that Congress put pressure on the SARG to allow more [...] | 2007-04-12 13:14:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | IS PGOV PHUM PREL SY |
07DAMASCUS359 | 2007 SYRIAN ELECTIONS (C-NE7-00184) [...] (S/NF) This cable is a response to INR tasker (C-NE7-00184) on Syrian elections. Our answers are keyed to ref A,s numbering: 2. (C) A/B. The Damascus Declaration (DD) group decided in the past two months to boycott the Syrian parliamentary elections. The group,s leader Riad Seif commented [...] | 2007-04-12 15:44:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET//NOFORN | PGOV PINR SY |
07DAMASCUS363 | Syria/Israel, Syria/Palestinian Authority, Lebanon, Iraq, [...] Summary: Syrian papers on Apr. 15 featured a statement by the Syrian Foreign Ministry on Apr. 14 that statements by US national of Syrian origin, Ibrahim Suleiman, who visited Israel and met with the Israeli Knesset Foreign and Security Committee, do not reflect the Syrian viewpoint, adding [...] | 2007-04-16 09:41:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS364 | US/Syria, Syria/Lebanon, Syria/Israel, Iraq, Lebanon, [...] Summary: Independent al-Watan on Apr. 16 reported a meeting arranged by the State Department with Arab reporters in Washington with Alberto Fernandez, of the Near East Bureau at the State Department, who denied that there is any new dialogue between Syria and the US, but said that "there migh [...] | 2007-04-16 11:34:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS367 | UPDATES ON DISPLACED IRAQIS IN SYRIA [...] (C) IN THE RUN-UP TO THE APRIL 17-18 "INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ADDRESSING THE HUMANITARIAN NEEDS OF REFUGEES AND INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS IN IRAQ AND NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES" IN GENEVA, POST PROVIDES THE FOLLOWING UPDATES BASED ON AN APRIL 15 CONVERSATION WITH UNHCR'S DAMASCUS REPRESENTA [...] | 2007-04-16 11:58:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREF PGOV SY |
07DAMASCUS370 | SYRIAN REGIME BRINGS OUT DANCING ELECTION BEARS [...] (C) Summary: After six weeks of campaigning, voting in Syrian parliamentary elections will be held April 22-23. Although the People's Assembly is a powerless body, there is intense campaigning and heavy spending for many of the 83 seats set aside for independents, especially for the 13 inde [...] | 2007-04-18 13:54:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM SY |
07DAMASCUS371 | Syria/Iran, Syria/Palestinian Authority, Syria/Iraq, [...] Summary: Syrian papers on Apr. 18 reported the Apr. 17 visit to Damascus of Iranian FM Manuchehr Mottaki, during which he held talks with Foreign Minister Mouallem and senior Foreign Ministry officials on bilateral relations and regional issues. Papers also reported VP Shara's meeting on Ap [...] | 2007-04-19 09:23:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS38 | Syria/Spain, Syria/Indonesia, German Aid to Iraqi [...] Summary: Syrian papers on Jan. 10 reported Vice President Farouq al-Shara's meeting with Mr. Miguel Lawrance, First Assistant Secretary of the Spanish Socialist Party of Catalonia, who SIPDIS emphasized Syria's right to restoration of the Golan and condemned the current policies based on s [...] | 2007-01-11 11:00:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS381 | LOW TURNOUT, APATHY IN SYRIAN PARLIAMENTARY [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: VISITS BY U.S. AND OTHER DIPLOMATIC OBSERVERS TO POLLING PLACES IN THE SYRIAN CAPITAL AND SMALL SURROUNDING CITIES SUGGESTED LOW VOTER TURNOUT DURING THE APRIL 22-23 ELECTIONS FOR SYRIA'S 250-MEMBER PEOPLE'S ASSEMBLY. OFFICIAL SYRIAN NEWS OUTLETS, HOWEVER, CLAIMED THAT MORE T [...] | 2007-04-23 11:03:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV KDEM SY |
07DAMASCUS383 | Arab Initiative, Syria/Iraq, Syria/ Russia, Syria/Israel, [...] Summary: Syrian papers on Apr. 19 reported that an Arab League Ministerial Committee on the Arab peace initiative held a meeting in Cairo on Apr. 18 with the participation of FM Mouallem to review efforts to activate the peace initiative in light of the Riyadh Summit. The Committee called fo [...] | 2007-04-23 11:50:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS384 | Syria/Russia, Syria/Qatar, Syria/Indonesia, Iraq, Lebanon, [...] Summary: Syrian papers on Apr. 20 reported President Asad's meeting on Apr. 19 with the Russian President Putin's Special Envoy, Alexander Sultanov, who conveyed a message from Putin about bilateral relations and the situation in the region. Talks focused on the situation in Iraq, and on the [...] | 2007-04-23 12:55:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS389 | CODEL PELOSI MEETS SYRIA'S PRESIDENT ASAD [...] No summary [...] | 2007-04-25 09:17:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
07DAMASCUS390 | CODEL PELOSI'S APRIL 3-4 VISIT TO DAMASCUS: [...] (C) Summary: Visiting U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her accompanying delegation met April 4 in Damascus with Syrian FM Walid Mu'allim. They discussed Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, and prospects for a renewed Middle East peace process. End Summary. 2. (C) Speaker Pelosi and 15 members of h [...] | 2007-04-25 09:20:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV SY |
07DAMASCUS391 | CODEL PELOSI'S APRIL 3-4 VISIT TO DAMASCUS: MEETS [...] (C) Summary: In a 40-minute meeting with Syrian Vice-President Farouk Shara'a, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, and her delegation asked for Syria's cooperation in achieving stability in the region. They emphasized to Shara'a that Syria needed to stop interfering in Lebanon and expressed co [...] | 2007-04-25 09:27:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER SY |
07DAMASCUS392 | CODEL ISSA VISIT TO SYRIA APRIL 5: MEETING WITH [...] (C) Summary: Congressman Darrell Issa met with Syrian President Bashar al-Asad for 40 minutes on April 5. Asad stated he had no conflict of interest with the U.S. on Iraq and was not weaker because of U.S. attempts to isolate him. Asad expressed no willingness to reopen an intelligence channe [...] | 2007-04-25 09:31:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER SY |
07DAMASCUS393 | CODEL ISSA VISIT TO SYRIA APRIL 5: MEETING WITH FM [...] (C) Summary: Congressman Darrell Issa met with Foreign Minister Mu'allim for 45 minutes on April 5. They discussed Syria's desire for a new U.S. ambassador to Syria, intelligence cooperation, the SARG's November 2006 closing of Amideast - which Mu'allim linked to U.S. sanctions, Syria's relat [...] | 2007-04-25 09:34:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER SY |
07DAMASCUS394 | Ban Ki-Moon's Visit, Syria/Qatar, Syria/France, Pelosi, [...] Summary: Syrian papers on Apr. 25 reported President Asad's meeting on Apr. 24 with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, which focused on Syria's relations with the UN and the necessity of building confidence and mutual respect between the two sides. Talks also dealt with the peace process and [...] | 2007-04-25 12:38:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS396 | CHARGE DISCUSSES NEW EMBASSY COMPOUND, DIPLOMATIC [...] (SBU) In an April 23 meeting MFA Director of Protocol, Amir Smadi, the Embassy's designated SARG interlocutor, Charge followed up on previous approaches on the issue of the proposed Diplomatic Zone (DZ) that President Bashar al-Asad, FM Walid al-Mu'allim, and other senior SARG officials had m [...] | 2007-04-25 14:29:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | AMGT ABLD ASEC PGOV SY |
07DAMASCUS397 | SYRIAN POLITICAL PRISONER BUNNI SENTENCED TO FIVE [...] (SBU) Summary. The Damascus Criminal Court on April 24 sentenced political dissident Anwar al-Bunni to five years in prison and a $2,000 fine. Nearly all of Bunni's supporters and foreign diplomats present expressed shock at the severity of the Court's decision. The regime's response to Bunni [...] | 2007-04-25 14:54:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL SY |
07DAMASCUS4 | CODEL SPECTER MEETS WITH SYRIAN FOREIGN MINISTER [...] (C) SUMMARY: Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem pleaded for the United States not to hold Syria "hostage" to events in Lebanon or to resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, while insisting to Senator Arlen Specter and Representative Patrick Kennedy that Syria itself was ready for p [...] | 2007-12-31 15:03:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KPAL KDEM PHUM SY IS IZ LEB |
07DAMASCUS400 | Ki-Moon Visit, Occupied Golan, Syria/Russia, Iraq, Lebanon, [...] Summary: Syrian papers on Apr. 26 reported a televised interview by al-Jazeera TV on Apr. 25 of Information Minister Dr. Mohsen Bilal, who described President Asad's meeting with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon as positive and fruitful. "Syria SIPDIS considers Ki-Moon's visit to Damascu [...] | 2007-04-26 12:51:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS401 | CHARGE RAISES SARG TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS WITH MFA [...] (C) Summary: In an April 23 meeting, Charge raised with our designated MFA contact, Director of Protocol Amir Smadi, the issue of recent SARG efforts to restrict the travel of diplomats in Syria, protesting in particular a recent MFA dipnote and citing SARG efforts aimed at DAO travel. Smadi [...] | 2007-04-26 13:59:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV ODIP SY |
07DAMASCUS406 | Syria/Djibouti, Syria/Vietnam, Syria/Italy, Iraq, [...] Summary: Syrian papers on Apr. 27 reported that President Asad received a letter from the President of Djibouti, Ismail Omar Ghaila, connected with bilateral relations, regional developments and developments in the Horn of African. The letter was conveyed by Djibouti Minister of Foreign Affa [...] | 2007-04-29 13:48:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS409 | ARAB LEAGUE BOYCOTT MEETING: SPIELBERG DESIGNATED [...] (U) Summary. The semi-annual meeting of the Arab League Boycott group was held April 23-26 in Damascus. Participation and results followed expectations and closely paralleled last November,s gathering (reftel). No companies were dropped; the one announced addition to the blacklist of entities is fi [...] | 2007-04-30 10:58:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON KBCT PHUM SY |
07DAMASCUS41 | Syria/Australia, Shara, President Bush's Iraq Strategy, [...] Summary: Syrian papers on Jan 11 reported Parliament Speaker Mahmoud al-Abrash's meeting on Jan. 10 with an Australian Parliamentary delegation headed by the President of the Legislative Council of New South Wales, Meredith Burgmann, focusing on prospects for bilateral cooperation. Mrs. Burg [...] | 2007-01-11 14:04:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS410 | ARAB LEAGUE BOYCOTT MEETING: SPIELBERG DESIGNATED [...] (U) Summary. The semi-annual meeting of the Arab League Boycott group was held April 23-26 in Damascus. Participation and results followed expectations and closely paralleled last November,s gathering (reftel). No companies were dropped; the one announced addition to the blacklist of entitie [...] | 2007-04-30 10:59:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON KBCT PHUM SY |
07DAMASCUS412 | Syria/EU, Syria/South Africa, Syria/Germany, [...] Summary: Syrian papers on Apr. 30 reported President Asad's meeting on Apr. 29 with Louis Michel, European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid. Talks focused on the situation of Iraqi refugees in Syria, and Michel praised Syria's role in accommodating and supporting them. Pres [...] | 2007-04-30 13:41:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS413 | SYRIAN REGIME EMERGES STRONGER FROM PARLIAMENTARY [...] (C) Summary: Winners in the April 22-23 elections for Syria's Peoples Assembly included all 170 members of the ruling National Progressive Front (NPF) coalition, which the Ba'ath Party leads, in addition to 80 "independents." In the NPF, the Ba'ath Party increased its seats by two to 134 se [...] | 2007-04-30 14:34:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM SY |
07DAMASCUS415 | SYRIAN PARLIAMENT EXPECTED TO MEET NEXT WEEK, [...] (U) Syrian President Bashar al-Asad issued a decree calling on the newly elected People's Assembly to meet in its first session on May 7. The Assembly is expected to elect a speaker, deputy speaker and other Assembly officials during that session. The Speaker is then expected to set a date f [...] | 2007-05-03 12:43:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM SY |
07DAMASCUS416 | Syria/GCC, Syria/US, Syria/South Africa, Winograd Report, [...] Summary: Syrian papers on May 3 reported President Asad's meeting on May 2 with Abdul-Rahman Attiya, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council(GCC). Talks focused on developments in Iraq, the occupied territories, and Lebanon, and on bilateral cooperation and means to activate Arab c [...] | 2007-05-03 14:30:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS417 | SYRIA: ANTI-TRAFFICKING PROJECT PROPOSAL [...] (U) Post is submitting one project for the ESF Anti-Trafficking in Persons Projects from the International Office for Migration (IOM). 2. (SBU) The project is as follows: A. Title: Capacity Building on Identifying and Assessing Human Trafficking and Providing Protection to Victims of [...] | 2007-05-03 14:49:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM KWMN KCRM ASEC ELAB SMIG |
07DAMASCUS419 | Asad, Syria/Palestinians, Winograd Report, Iraq, Lebanon [...] Summary: Syrian papers on May 2 featured President Asad's visit to Der Ezzor province on May 1 to inspect development projects. He addressed a crowd of citizens and officials, saying that "this time the enemies are playing the card of discord among sects in the region." He added that what i [...] | 2007-05-07 06:14:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS423 | GAUGING REGIME'S LEVEL OF UNHAPPINESS WITH LOW [...] (C) Summary: The turnout for the April 22-23 parliamentary elections was so low that regime insiders considered it "a catastrophe," reflecting not merely profound apathy but the dimensions of "an informal boycott," according to MFA advisor Dr. Samir al-Taki. Two senior members of the Ba'at [...] | 2007-05-07 14:21:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KDEM SY |
07DAMASCUS424 | Syria/Russia, Syria/US, Sharm al-Sheikh Conference, [...] Summary: Syrian papers on May 5 reported FM Mouallem's participation in the Ministerial Conference of Iraq's Neighboring Countries held in Sharm al-Sheikh on May 4. In his speech at the conference, Mouallem stressed the need to schedule withdrawal of foreign troops from Iraq in accordance wi [...] | 2007-05-08 05:20:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS428 | Syria/Portugal, Syria/Oman, Syria/France, Sharm al-Sheikh [...] Summary: Syrian papers on May 8 reported meetings on May 7 by President Asad and FM Mouallem with Portuguese FM Luis Filipe Marques Amado. Talks dealt with Syrian/Portuguese relations, the latest developments in the Middle East, the importance of boosting the European Union's role in dealing [...] | 2007-05-08 14:20:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS431 | Syria/Cuba, Syria/Libya, Syria/US, Syria/France, Lebanon, [...] Summary: Syrian papers on May 9 reported Information Minister Mohsen Bilal's meeting on May 8 with Cuban MP Kenia Serrano, during which Bilal stressed Syria's concern to achieve stability and security in the Middle East through a just and comprehensive peace based on UN resolutions. Talks al [...] | 2007-05-09 13:37:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS432 | SARG REQUEST'S OBO VISIT TO IDENTIFY LOCATION FOR [...] (U) This is an action request. Please see paragraph four. 2. (SBU) In a May 6 meeting with MFA director of protocol Dr. Amir Smadi, our SARG designated interlocutor, and a SARG consultant for the new diplomatic zone (DZ),Walid Serawan, the Charge followed up on his previous discussions r [...] | 2007-05-09 13:57:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ABLD AMGT SY |
07DAMASCUS433 | CANADA STATEMENT ON SYRIA'S RECORD ON HUMAN [...] (SBU) THE CANADIAN EMBASSY ALERTED US THAT THE CANADIANS HAD ISSUED A STATEMENT ON APRIL 26 TO EXPRESS CONCERN ABOUT THE SENTENCING TWO DAYS EARLIER OF SYRIAN HUMAN RIGHTS LAWYER ANWAR AL-BUNNI, THE TRIALS OF OTHER POLITICAL PRISONERS, AND THE PROCESS SURROUNDING THE APRIL 22-23 PARLIAMENTARY [...] | 2007-05-09 15:01:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM PREL SY |
07DAMASCUS436 | Syria/Libya, Syria/UN, Syria/France, Iraq, Lebanon, [...] Summary: Syrian press on May 10 reported President Asad's meeting on May 9 with Libyan Prime Minister El-Baghdadi Ali al-Mahmoudi. This is the first high level meeting between the two countries for years. Talks dealt with bilateral relations, mutual cooperation, and topics on the agenda of [...] | 2007-05-10 12:59:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS437 | SYRIAN COURT SENTENCES DISSIDENT LABWANI TO LIFE [...] (C) Summary. A Syrian Court convicted political detainee Kamal Labwani May 10 and sentenced him to life in prison, then commuting that sentence to 12 years. Such a strict sentence is longest prison term for a political detainee not associated with the Muslim Brotherhood or other Islamic grou [...] | 2007-05-10 14:31:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL SY |
07DAMASCUS438 | SYRIAN KURDISH FUTURE MOVEMENT HOLDS GRASSROOTS [...] (C) Summary. Despite an ongoing crackdown against all forms of organized political dissent, Machal Tammo, leader of the Kurdish opposition Future Movement, met with college students to discuss politics, society and opportunities for reform on April 29. The meeting seemed to illustrate that e [...] | 2007-05-10 14:45:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL SY |
07DAMASCUS439 | SYRIAN PRESIDENT DENIES PASSING ON SYRIA'S [...] (C) SUMMARY: IN A MAY 10 SPEECH BEFORE PARLIAMENT, SYRIAN PRESIDENT BASHAR AL-ASAD MADE A TORTURED DENIAL THAT SYRIA HAD PROVIDE COMMENTARY TO ARABS (CLEARLY UNDERSTOOD TO BE SAUDI ARABIA) ON SYRIA'S RESERVATIONS TO THE PROPOSED HARIRI TRIBUNAL. BASHAR'S COMMENTS COME IN THE CONTEXT OF RUMO [...] | 2007-05-10 15:01:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV SY SA |
07DAMASCUS444 | Asad Speech/Nomination, Syria/PLO, Syria/UK, Syria/Italy, [...] Summary: Syrian papers on May 11 reported President Asad's speech at the first session of the new People's Assembly on May 10, which approved the nomination of President Asad for a second seven-year term as president and set May 27 as the date for the presidential referendum. Papers also r [...] | 2007-05-14 09:39:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS445 | SYRIAN COURT SENTENCES FOUR MORE DISSIDENTS TO [...] (C) SUMMARY: A SYRIAN COURT CONVICTED AND SENTENCED ON MAY 13 PROMINENT SYRIAN WRITER AND DETAINEE MICHEL KILO AND THREE OTHERS TO PRISON FOR THEIR SIGNATURE ON A 2006 DECLARATION CALLING FOR STEPS TO IMPROVE SYRIA-LEBANON BILATERAL RELATIONS. KILO AND FORMER COMMUNIST PARTY MEMBER MAHMOUD [...] | 2007-05-14 10:35:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL SY |
07DAMASCUS448 | Asad Nomination/Referendum, Syria/Yemen, Syria/France, [...] Summary: Syrian papers on May 14 reported President Asad's meeting on May 13 with the Speaker and selected members of the People's Assembly, who conveyed to the President the Assembly's approval of the nomination of the President for a new term of office and its selection of May 27th as the d [...] | 2007-05-14 12:28:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS449 | ASAD'S MESSAGE TO PARLIAMENT: "A TALENTED [...] (C) Summary: Syrian President Bashar al-Asad delivered a major foreign policy speech May 10, on the occasion of the inaugural session of the newly elected Syrian People's Assembly. The speech picked up some of the rhetorical flourishes Asad has relied upon in other speeches he has delivered [...] | 2007-05-14 17:10:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
07DAMASCUS450 | ASAD'S MESSAGE TO PARLIAMENT: "A TALENTED [...] (C) Summary: Syrian President Bashar al-Asad delivered a major foreign policy speech May 10, on the occasion of the inaugural session of the newly elected Syrian People's Assembly. The speech picked up some of the rhetorical flourishes Asad has relied upon in other speeches he has delivered [...] | 2007-05-14 17:10:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
07DAMASCUS456 | Asad Nomination/Referendum, Mouallem, Syria/France, [...] Summary: The press campaign for President Asad's second term in office continues, with papers publishing articles and reports praising his policies and noting Syria's accomplishments under his rule. A curious electoral sidelight is the report on the website of the opposition National Salvati [...] | 2007-05-16 07:04:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS458 | OIC Conference, Palestinian Territories, Lebanon, Cheney, [...] Summary: Syrian papers on May 16 reported Foreign Minister Mouallem's speech at the meeting of the Organization of the Islamic Conference in Islamabad on May 15. Mouallem said that the only way to end violence and realize peace in the Middle East is by Israel's recognition of relevant intern [...] | 2007-05-16 11:03:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS46 | SYRIAN OPPOSITION ELDER STATESMAN ASSESSES CURRENT [...] (C) Summary: Senior opposition figure Riad Turk told A/DCM January 10 that the internal opposition has been weakened over the past year by regime repression, although he did not believe the condition was permanent. In his view the SARG is isolated and in a state of crisis because of its int [...] | 2007-01-15 14:39:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM SY IZ LE |
07DAMASCUS461 | SYRIA REFERENDUM MATRIX: EMBASSY ACTIVITIES [...] (S/NF) In response to ref A and as noted in ref B, Post has reviewed the FACT Team's matrix for the May 27 Presidential referendum in which Syrian President Bashar al-Asad will be elected to a second seven-year term. All proposed actions seem fine. Additionally, Post offers the following Em [...] | 2007-05-16 13:30:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET//NOFORN | PGOV PREL SY |
07DAMASCUS47 | SYRIAN WOMEN'S ACTIVIST'S TREATMENT BY SARG [...] (C) Summary: Poloff met January 9 with Syrian women's activist and lawyer Daad Mousa, who is a long-time Embassy contact. For the past six months, the once-outspoken Mousa has kept a low public profile because of SARG harassment of her and a family member during 2006, as part of a broader S [...] | 2007-01-15 16:17:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV SY LE |
07DAMASCUS470 | Palestinian Territories, Syria/Iran, Asad/ Referendum, [...] Summary: Syrian papers on May 17 featured an official Syrian statement issued on May 16 expressing Syria's deep concern about the bloody clashes among Palestinians in Gaza. "Fighting among Palestinians comes at a time when they must close ranks and boost national unity in the framework of [...] | 2007-05-17 13:40:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS472 | IRAQI REFUGEE DEMARCHE DELIVERED TO THE SARG [...] (C) Summary. Demonstrating continued MFA gestures on the specific issue of Iraqi refugees, Deputy FM Mikdad's office director Hussam A'ala met Charge May 17 to receive Reftel demarche. A'ala asked that the USG intervene with the GOI to speed along assistance for the Iraqi population in Syria [...] | 2007-05-17 14:36:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREF PREL SY IZ JO |
07DAMASCUS473 | EFFORTS TO HELP IRAQI REFUGEES IN SYRIA MOVING [...] (C) SUMMARY: A MONTH AFTER THE GENEVA CONFERENCE ON IRAQI REFUGEES, OUR CONTACTS REPORT THAT THEY ARE MAKING PROGRESS IN THEIR EFFORTS CONTINUE TO ASSIST IRAQIS IN SYRIA. UNHCR'S REPRESENTATIVE LAURENS JOLLES TOLD US THAT MOST OF HIS ORGANIZATION'S GRANT AGREEMENTS IN SYRIA HAVE BEEN SIGNED [...] | 2007-05-17 14:36:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREF PGOV SY |
07DAMASCUS474 | SYRIA'S BLACK MARKET FOR CURRENCY UNLIKELY TO [...] (C) SUMMARY: THE SARG IS TAKING THE FIRST STEPS TO IMPLEMENT A YEAR-OLD LAW ON MONEY CHANGERS THAT IS INTENDED TO PROTECT THE SYRIAN POUND FROM FLUCTUATION, AND REGULATE THE BLACK MARKET AND ALTERNATIVE REMITTANCE SYSTEMS. WHILE A MAJORITY OF MONEY CHANGE OPERATORS ARE NOW SEEKING LICENSES, I [...] | 2007-05-17 14:57:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN EINV SY |
07DAMASCUS476 | Syria/Pakistan, Syria/Lebanon, Palestinian Territories, [...] Summary: Syrian papers on May 18 reported President Asad's oral message to Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf about bilateral and regional developments, particularly in the Palestinian territories and Iraq. The message was conveyed by Foreign Minister Mouallem when President Musharraf rece [...] | 2007-05-20 13:14:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS479 | NEW EMBASSY TRAVEL SCHEME PAYING OFF DESPITE SARG [...] (C) Summary. A recent weekend working trip to Aleppo by the Charge and other Embassy officers illustrated that the SARG continues to watch us closely and seeks to hamper our access to contacts, especially outside Damascus, further underscoring the importance of a revised approach to regional [...] | 2007-05-21 08:26:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON OTRA PGOV PROP PHUM SY |
07DAMASCUS480 | PRIVATE SYRIAN AIRLINE DEAL STILL TRYING TO GET [...] (C) In a May 9 meeting, Syrian Arab Airlines (SAA) officials confirmed recent press reports that the newly-formed Cham Holding Company plans to partner with SAA and the Kuwaiti al-Aqeela company to establish a private airline in Syria, and acknowledged that some steps had already been taken. [...] | 2007-05-21 08:28:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | EAIR ECON ETTC KCRM SY |
07DAMASCUS482 | Syria/Lebanon, Golan, Asad/Referendum, Palestinian [...] Summary: Syrian papers on May 21 reported that clashes erupted on May 20 in the Lebanese city of Tripoli and in the nearby Nahr al-Bared Palestinian refugee camp between the Lebanese army and militants from the Palestinian group Fatah al-Islam. All papers featured an official statement by th [...] | 2007-05-21 13:07:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS483 | SYRIA-CUBA: TITLE III OF THE LIBERTAD ACT, MAY 2007 [...] (C) In response to reftel: Actual trade during 2005 (the most recent official data available from the SARG) totaled USD 106,978 in Syrian exports to Cuba and USD 160,834 in Syrian imports from Cuba. The Director of International Relations at the Syrian Ministry of Economy and Trade told EconF [...] | 2007-05-21 13:32:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ETRD ETTC PREL CU SY |
07DAMASCUS484 | SARG CLOSES TWO BORDER CROSSING TO LEBANON [...] (U) On May 20, the Syrian Ministry of Interior released a statement announcing it had temporarily closed the two northern border crossings with Lebanon, al-Aridha and al-Dabbousiyah, "until the situation in Northern Lebanon becomes secure." It is unclear how long the crossing points will rem [...] | 2007-05-21 14:55:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER SY |
07DAMASCUS485 | North Lebanon Clashes, Mouallem, Jafaari, Palestinian [...] Summary: Syrian papers on May 22 continued to report on clashes in Naher al-Bared refugee camp in north Lebanon. All papers also featured a lecture at Damascus University by FM Mouallem on May 21 praising Syria's foreign policy under President Asad's leadership, saying that "US pressures an [...] | 2007-05-22 12:47:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS490 | SYRIA: VIEWS ON UNICEF COUNTRY PROGRAM DOCUMENTS [...] (SBU) In accordance with ref A, Post has reviewed the relevant country documents. Our only substantive comment is that the documents do not refer to the phenomenon since late 2005 of Iraqi Palestinians attempting to flee Iraq to Syria. Currently, an estimated 310 Palestinian Iraqis live in th [...] | 2007-05-23 08:52:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAID ECON PREL UNICEF |
07DAMASCUS491 | Events in Northern Lebanon, Mouallem/Ki-Moon, [...] Summary: Syrian papers on May 23 reported that FM Mouallem received a phone call on May 22 from UN SecGen Ki-Moon about events in the Nahr al-Bared Palestinian refugee camp in north Lebanon. Mouallem expressed regret over the events, saying, "the leaders of Fatah al-Islam are wanted by the S [...] | 2007-05-23 11:55:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS494 | SYRIAN REGIME CRITIC RIAD SEIF ON STEPS TO [...] (C) Summary: Prominent Syrian opposition leader Riad Seif discussed on May 18 intensified preparations for the expansion of the Damascus Declaration (DD) group into an opposition National Congress, and also touched on the upcoming presidential referendum, and relations between the USG and c [...] | 2007-05-23 13:05:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM SY |
07DAMASCUS496 | Asad/Referendum, Syria/UNDOF, Lebanon, Iraq, Palestinian [...] Summary: Syrian papers on May 24 reported VP Shara's lecture at Damascus University on May 23 in anticipation of the May 27 referendum on a new term for President Asad. Vice President Shara renewed Syria's rejection of the war in Iraq, stressing support for the political process in the count [...] | 2007-05-24 11:41:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS5 | SYRIAN COURT RENDERS SURPRISE LIGHT SENTENCE IN [...] (SBU) Summary. In a surprise move, the Damascus Criminal Court handed down a relatively light sentence against prominent dissident Fa,ik al-Meir on December 31. Al-Meir, who was facing capital charges, could be released as early as next month. The decision appeared to catch most human rights [...] | 2007-12-31 15:16:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL SY IS |
07DAMASCUS50 | Syria/Iraq, Syria/Australia, Syria/US, Syria/UN, Bush's [...] Summary: Syrian papers over the weekend reported the visit to Damascus by Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, beginning on Jan. 14, the first such visit in three decades. President Talabni received a warm welcome in Syria. He was received by and met with President Asad. Talks during the meeting [...] | 2007-01-16 08:23:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS500 | PROBING SARG TIES TO FATAH AL-ISLAM [...] (C) Summary: Our contacts offer contradictory assessments about whether the SARG has been involved in supporting Fatah al-Islam in Lebanon. A majority suspect there is some link, with many pointing to the suspicious timing for the outbreak of fighting, on the eve of UNSC consideration of a [...] | 2007-05-24 13:26:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
07DAMASCUS501 | SUBSIDIES: A GROWING RISK FACTOR FOR THE SYRIAN [...] (C) Summary: In spite of a modestly strengthening economy, the SARG faces increasing fiscal pressure to reduce the billions of dollars it currently expends on subsidies. The SARG's budget deficit is increasing dramatically because of the dual challenge of declining oil revenues and growing pu [...] | 2007-05-24 14:05:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN EINV PGOV SY |
07DAMASCUS502 | WAITING TO SAY "YES": ON THE EVE OF SYRIA'S [...] (C) Summary: In the days leading up to the May 27 presidential referendum, the streets of Damascus have taken on the air of a long-running block party, with signs, banners and flags expressing support and even love for President Bashar al-Asad. Pro-Bashar expressions are not limited to Dama [...] | 2007-05-24 14:39:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM PREL SY |
07DAMASCUS507 | Presidential Referendum, Lebanon, Palestinian Territories, [...] Summary: The main focus in Syrian papers over the weekend was on the presidential referendum on president Asad's new term in office. Papers cited statements by Syrian officials praising President Asad's achievements during his first term in office. On May 27, papers featured statements by [...] | 2007-05-28 13:15:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS515 | BASHAR GETS HIS SECOND SEVEN-YEAR TERM IN HOLLOW [...] (C) Summary: Official Syrian poll results announced May 29 indicated that 97.62 percent of the Syrian voters (or almost 11.2 million persons) who cast a ballot had approved a second seven-year term for Syrian President Bashar al-Asad. Significantly stepped-up pressure on people to vote in the [...] | 2007-05-29 14:11:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
07DAMASCUS516 | BASHAR GETS HIS SECOND SEVEN-YEAR TERM IN HOLLOW [...] (C) Summary: Official Syrian poll results announced May 29 indicated that 97.62 percent of the Syrian voters (or almost 11.2 million persons) who cast a ballot had approved a second seven-year term for Syrian President Bashar al-Asad. Significantly stepped-up pressure on people to vote in the [...] | 2007-05-30 04:03:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
07DAMASCUS517 | SENIOR SYRIAN DISSIDENT ON THE OPPOSITION, THE [...] (C) SUMMARY: SENIOR OPPOSITION FIGURE RIAD TURK TOLD A/DCM MAY 22 THAT HE REMAINS OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE OPPOSITION IN SYRIA, DESPITE ITS CURRENT WEAKNESS. WHILE CRITICAL OF SOME OF THE TACTICAL DECISIONS AND CAUTION OF FELLOW DISSIDENT RIAD SEIF (PARTICULAR REGARDING CALLS TO BOYCOTT THE PRE [...] | 2007-05-30 09:36:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL SY LE |
07DAMASCUS520 | Presidential Referendum, Syria/UK, Lebanon, Iraq, [...] Summary: Syrian papers on May 29 reported Vice President Shara's meeting on May 28 with former Archbishop Hilarion Capucci in which they discussed the regional situation and the international community's disregard of the oppression of the Palestinians under Israel's abusive practices. Shar [...] | 2007-05-30 14:04:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS521 | Presidential Referendum, Syria/UK, Syrian Policy, Iraq [...] Summary: Syrian papers featured a statement made by Speaker of the People's Assembly on May 29 officially announcing Bashar Al-Asad as the President of the Syrian Arab Republic for a new 7-year term following the final results of popular referendum in which the President won a reported 97.62 [...] | 2007-05-30 14:23:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS526 | Asad Re-election, International Tribunal, Syria/UK, [...] Summary: On May 31 Syrian papers featured a statement by a Syrian Foreign Ministry source commenting on the US State Department spokesman's reaction to the Syrian popular consensus on renewing President Asad's term as president of the Syrian Arab Republic. The statement expressed surprise t [...] | 2007-05-31 13:45:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS53 | SYRIA'S RIAD SEIF LOOKING FOR POLITICAL SPACE IN [...] (C) SUMMARY: SYRIAN OPPOSITION LEADER RIAD SEIF MET JANUARY 9 WITH A/DCM TO DISCUSS HIS DAMASCUS DECLARATION (DD) GROUP'S PLANS TO FIELD CANDIDATES IN THE APRIL PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS AND CAPITALIZE ON VOTERS' ANGER OVER THE REGIME'S DOMESTIC POLICIES. THE AVERAGE SYRIAN BACKS WITHOUT MUCH [...] | 2007-01-16 14:12:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM SY LE |
07DAMASCUS532 | Syria/Iran, Syria/Brazil, Mashaal, Nahr al-Bared, [...] Summary: Syrian papers on June 1 focused on the visit to Syria by Iranian FM Manuchehr Mottaki and his meeting with President Asad on May 31, which focused on bilateral relations and the latest developments in the region, particularly in Iraq, Palestine and Lebanon. Mottaki also met separate [...] | 2007-06-03 12:03:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS535 | INITIAL SARG RESPONSE TO OUR DIRECT ACCESS [...] (U) This is an action request. Please see paragraph 4. 2. (C) On June 3, the Syrian MFA summoned the Charge to respond to our demarche delivered on May 17 (ref A) requesting a SARG response to the USG Iraq non-paper. Hussam A'ala, Deputy FM Faisal Mikdad's Office Director, told Charge t [...] | 2007-06-04 14:37:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREF PREL SY IZ JO |
07DAMASCUS538 | SYRIA NOMINATION FOR LEADERS FOR DEMOCRACY [...] (C) Post would like to nominate a sole candidate for the Leaders for Democracy Fellowship program, Joumana Seif, daughter of internal opposition leader Riad Seif. Although reftel requested that Post nominate at least four persons, the SARG's ongoing crackdown on civil society and regime effo [...] | 2007-06-05 09:46:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL ECON KPAO KMPI KDEM |
07DAMASCUS539 | SYRIA NOMINATION FOR LEADERS FOR DEMOCRACY [...] (C) Post would like to nominate a sole candidate for the Leaders for Democracy Fellowship program, Joumana Seif, daughter of internal opposition leader Riad Seif. Although reftel requested that Post nominate at least four persons, the SARG's ongoing crackdown on civil society and regime effo [...] | 2007-06-05 09:51:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL ECON KPAO KMPI KDEM |
07DAMASCUS54 | Syria/Iraq, Syria's Role in the region, Rice's visit to the [...] Summary: Syrian papers on Jan. 16 continued to report on the visit to Damascus of Iraqi President Jalal Talabani. Headlines featured President Talabani's visit on Jan. 15 to the tomb of late President Hafez Asad in al-Qerdaha, where he laid a wreath of flowers on the tomb, read verses from t [...] | 2007-01-16 14:12:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS540 | IRANIAN AND IRAQI INFLUENCE IN THE SHI'A SUBURB OF [...] (C) SUMMARY: On May 21, Emboffs visited the predominantly Shi'a suburb of Sayeda Zeinab located on the outskirts of Damascus. An important pilgrimage site for Shi'a Muslims, Iranians have long played an influential role in the area, providing both financial and religious support. More recen [...] | 2007-06-05 09:58:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KISL PREL SOCI SY IR |
07DAMASCUS541 | SARG BACKS AWAY FROM HOSTING IRAQI SECURITY [...] Summary: Diplomatic sources tell us the Syrians are not moving ahead with the border security working group, either because of unhappiness over detained Syrian soldiers, or simply because of continued Iraqi nonresponsiveness. We do not know the validity of these reports, but see no evidence [...] | 2007-06-05 11:48:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER SY |
07DAMASCUS542 | SYRIA'S WTO DREAMS CONTINUE [...] (C) Summary: In the last several months, Syria has taken several public steps in an expressed desire to advance its WTO bid, including the formation of new committees on WTO accession planning, and the holding of several workshops and conferences designed to highlight their ongoing efforts to [...] | 2007-06-05 12:55:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFTA ETRD PREL SY |
07DAMASCUS543 | Syria/Italy, Nahr al-Bared, International Tribunal, Golan, [...] Summary: Syrian papers on June 5 reported the June 4 arrival in Damascus of Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Massimo D'Alema who will hold talks with senior Syrian officials on bilateral relations and regional issues. As for developments in Lebanon, papers reported continu [...] | 2007-06-05 12:56:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS544 | SARG NOT CAPITALIZING ON THE POTENTIAL OF SYRIAN [...] (C) SUMMARY: A recent SARG-sponsored conference for expatriates highlighted their potential benefit to the Syrian economy, but also revealed how little the regime has done or appears willing to do to capitalize on their potential. Syrian expatriates currently provide important remittance reven [...] | 2007-06-05 13:07:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER SY |
07DAMASCUS553 | Syria/Italy, Lebanon, Iraq, Israel/Palestinians (6/6) [...] Summary: Syrian papers on June 6 reported President Asad's meeting on June 5 with Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Massimo Dalima focusing on bilateral relations and the latest developments in Iraq, the occupied Palestinian territories and Lebanon. Both sides stressed the n [...] | 2007-06-06 12:48:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS557 | Syria/Spain, Syria/Pakistan, Syria/Cuba, Golan, Lebanon, [...] Summary: Syrian papers on June 7 reported that FM Mouallem will leave for Spain today at the invitation of Spanish FM Miguel Angel Moratinos. Mouallem will convey an oral message from President Asad to King Juan Carlos I and will hold talks with Moratinos regarding bilateral relations and th [...] | 2007-06-07 11:35:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS558 | IRRATIONAL EXUBERANCE OF REFERENDUM QUICKLY [...] (C) SUMMARY: NOW THAT BASHAR'S IMPOSED RE-ELECTION IS A FAIT ACCOMPLI, THE REGIME HAS SENT FIRM SIGNALS THAT THE TIME FOR ALL THE HOOPLA AND LETTING OFF STEAM THAT IT ALLOWED DURING THE THREE-WEEK RUN-UP IS NOW FINISHED. LIFE IN SYRIA HAS RETURNED TO ITS CALMER, REPRESSIVE RHYTHMS. WHILE [...] | 2007-06-07 14:54:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY LE |
07DAMASCUS563 | IRAQI CHARGE SAYS SECURITY DIALOGUE WITH SYRIANS [...] (C) Summary: The Iraqi Charge d'Affaires in Syria, Hassan Abdul Aziz, told the Charge June 10 that dialogue with the Syrians on security was completely blocked for the moment over SARG unhappiness at the detention in Iraq of two Syrian soldiers taken into custody since February. Abdul Aziz [...] | 2007-06-10 14:46:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
07DAMASCUS567 | SYRIAN PRIVATE AIRLINES: SAME LEOPARD, NEW SPOTS [...] (C) Summary. The SARG has dusted off two options to upgrade its aging fleet of commercial aircraft: buying Russian planes, or leasing Boeing or Airbus planes with assistance from ICAO/UNDP. President Asad's cousin, Rami Makhlouf, appears to be progressing with his plan to establish a private [...] | 2007-06-11 09:37:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | EAIR ECON ETTC PREL SY |
07DAMASCUS568 | Syria/Spain, Syria/Israel, Syria/Lebanon, Malaysia, Iraq, [...] Summary: Syrian papers on June 8-9 reported the visit to Spain on June 7 by FM Mouallem, who conveyed an oral message from President Asad to King Juan Carlos of Spain on bilateral relations and current regional developments, particularly in Iraq, the occupied Palestinian territories and Leban [...] | 2007-06-11 11:00:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS572 | Palestinian Territories, Syria/Lebanon, Syria/Israel, [...] Summary: Syrian papers on June 11 reported that the Arab League on June 10 renewed its condemnation of the US congressional resolution which expressed support for Israel in its continued occupation of Jerusalem, describing the resolution as a flagrant violation of international law. Papers f [...] | 2007-06-11 11:47:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS575 | ASAD'S REFERENDUM COST SYRIA UP TO ONE BILLION USD [...] (C) SUMMARY: THE EXTENSIVE CELEBRATIONS SURROUNDING THE MAY 27 PRESIDENTIAL REFERENDUM ARE ESTIMATED TO HAVE COST SYRIA UP TO USD 1 BILLION. THE SARG ALONE SPENT MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO ENCOURAGE A PRO-BASHAR FRENZY AND COORDINATE THE VARIOUS MARCHES, RALLIES, AND OTHER CELEBRATIONS TAKING PLA [...] | 2007-06-11 12:39:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER SY |
07DAMASCUS578 | TRAVEL BANS STRENGTHEN THE SYRIAN GOVERNMENT'S [...] (C) SUMMARY. ONE WAY THE SYRIAN REGIME STIFLES INTERNAL DISSENT IS TO BAN ANY INDIVIDUAL WHO MAY POSE A THREAT TO THE REGIME FROM TRAVELING ABROAD. THROUGH THE USE OF TRAVEL BANS THE REGIME AIMS TO INTIMIDATE MEMBERS OF THE OPPOSITION, CURTAIL THEIR INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES, AND CLOSELY MONIT [...] | 2007-06-11 14:10:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL SY |
07DAMASCUS579 | SYRIAN GOVERNMENT PREVENTS HUMAN RIGHTS NGO FROM [...] (C) Summary. Syrian security services in early June forcibly prevented the most recent monthly meeting of the Human Rights Association of Syria (HRAS) which was to be held at the office of prominent human rights lawyer Haithem al-Maleh. Although the security services are known for arbitraril [...] | 2007-06-12 10:50:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL SY |
07DAMASCUS58 | Syria/Iraq, Syria/Israel, Syria/Ecuador, Rice Visit, Iraq, [...] Summary: For a third consecutive day the Syrian press continued to report extensively on Iraqi President Talabani's visit to Syria. Headlines reported that President Asad and Talabani held a closed meeting on Jan. 16, during which they reviewed ways to develop relations between the two countr [...] | 2007-01-17 12:41:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS588 | Syria/Israel, Lebanon, Iraq, Palestinian Territories, Iran [...] Summary: Syrian papers on June 12 reported a meeting by the Central Leadership of the National Progressive Front (NPF) on June 11. The Leadership stressed Syria's firm position toward the issue of peace with Israel, describing the current peace proposals to Syria as "contradictory and not s [...] | 2007-06-12 12:58:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS596 | THE SARG OPENS A NEW BID ROUND FOR OIL AND NATURAL [...] (SBU) Summary. The SARG opened seven on-shore blocks for oil and natural gas exploration, but only two have not been previously offered. Royal Dutch Shell and PetroCanada are the largest international oil companies (IOC) involved in the current on-shore round which is set to close on July 12 [...] | 2007-06-13 12:16:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EINV ENRG EPET ETRD ETTC PREL SY |
07DAMASCUS597 | ASAD INSISTS ON NEED FOR AMBASSADOR TO RETURN [...] (C) Summary: In a one-on-one with his American biographer, President Bashar al-Asad May 30 underscored the need for the return of the U.S. ambassador to Damascus, according to the biographer, David Lesch. Asad discounted the importance of the May 3 Sharm meeting between FM Mu'allim and the [...] | 2007-06-13 12:34:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
07DAMASCUS598 | Syria/Greece, Syria/Italy, Syria/Netherlands, [...] Summary: Syrian papers on June 13 reported the visit to Damascus by Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs Dora Bakoyannis and her meeting with President Asad on June 12 about bilateral relations and political developments in Iraq, the occupied territories and Lebanon. Bakoyannis praised Syria's [...] | 2007-06-13 13:13:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS600 | POST APPROVES NSDD 38 - U.S. DEPARTMENT OF [...] Post approves this NSDD 38 Department of Defense, Department of Army request to add one Olmsted scholar position in Syria, for an appointment of limited duration. While this proposed staffing change is not reflected in the most recent MSP, post believes that DOD has made a persuasive case for [...] | 2007-06-14 09:12:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | AODE AMGT KMRS MASS SY |
07DAMASCUS603 | Palestinian Territories, Lebanon, Syria/Israel, Iraq [...] Summary: Syrian papers on June 14 quoted an official Syrian source as saying on June 13 that the Syrian government and Syrian people are concerned about intra-Palestinian fighting and violence. "Fighting among the Palestinian brothers will only serve the interests of the enemies of the Pales [...] | 2007-06-14 12:59:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS606 | Palestinian Territories, Lebanon, Syria/Israel, Iraq (6/15 [...] Summary: Syrian papers on June 15, 16 and 17 focused on the inter-Palestinian conflict in Gaza and the West Bank, the meeting of the Arab Foreign Minister in Cairo, and the Lebanese dispute between the majority and the opposition on holding by-elections to fill the seats of two assassinated [...] | 2007-06-17 13:15:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS61 | Syria/Iraq, Syria/Israel, Syria/Ecuador, Rice Visit, Iraq, [...] Summary: For a third consecutive day the Syrian press reported extensively on Iraqi President Talabani's visit to Syria. Headlines reported that Presidents Asad and Talabani held a closed meeting on Jan. 16, in which they reviewed ways to develop relations between the two countries in all fi [...] | 2007-01-17 13:04:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS613 | SARG NOT OFFSETTING LOSS OF OIL PRODUCTION, [...] (C) SUMMARY: Syria has long depended on oil production to account for a significant portion of its GDP, but with oil exports declining, Syria needs to generate new sources of growth and income. In March 2007, the SARG significantly revised prior year macroeconomic numbers to support claims t [...] | 2007-06-18 12:18:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN ETRD PGOV SY |
07DAMASCUS615 | SYRIAN YOUTH GROUP SENTENCED TO LENGTHY PRISON [...] (SBU) Summary. The Supreme State Security Court June 17 sentenced seven young civil society activists, including five university students, who tried from 2005 to 2006 to organize a youth discussion forum, to prison terms ranging from five to seven years. In stark contrast to other, more well- [...] | 2007-06-18 14:38:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL SY |
07DAMASCUS618 | Palestinian Territories, Lebanon, Syria/UK, Syria/Israel, [...] Summary: Syrian papers on June 18 and 19 focused on the visits to Damascus of the Kuwaiti Crown Prince and the UK Shadow Foreign Secretary. The papers reported that President Assad on June 18 SIPDIS received a message from the Kuwaiti Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on the [...] | 2007-06-19 13:29:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS625 | Palestinian Territories, Lebanon, Syria/EU, Syria/Israel, [...] Summary: Syrian papers on June 20 and 21 quoted Amr Moussa, the Arab League Secretary General, as saying on June 19 that Arab foreign ministers, who met in Cairo last Friday, did not receive any document from the Lebanese delegation on weapons smuggling to Lebanon. The papers concluded that [...] | 2007-06-21 09:45:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS628 | SYRIAN OPPOSITION LEADER HAS CANCER, DESCRIBES [...] (C) Summary: Leading opposition activist Riad Seif told Emboff that he was making quiet progress on expanding the small Damascus Declaration group into a 180-member National Congress. Separately, he confirmed that he has been diagnosed with prostate cancer and hopes to get permission for tr [...] | 2007-06-21 13:30:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
07DAMASCUS636 | HAMAS LEADERS IN SYRIA,SARG OFFICIALS EXPRESS [...] (C) Summary: SARG officials and the Damascus-based leaders of Hamas are offering divergent views in their assessments about the necessity and impact of the Hamas takeover in Gaza, with the SARG MFA officials expressing concern and Hamas leaders here -- after some initial uncertainty -- proje [...] | 2007-06-25 15:20:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KPAL KWBG SY |
07DAMASCUS638 | Syria/Japan, Syria/Italy, Palestinian Territories, Lebanon, [...] Summary: Syrian papers on June 26 reported President Asad's meeting on June 25 with Japanese First Deputy Foreign Minister Katso Hito Asano, who conveyed a message from Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to President Asad on bilateral relations and means of enhancing them, particularly on the [...] | 2007-06-27 04:30:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS639 | Lebanon, Palestinian Territories, Syria/Iran, [...] Summary: Syrian papers on June 25 reported the car bomb that killed six UNIFIL peacekeepers from a Spanish contingent patrolling a road in the southern Lebanese village of Khiam on June 24, the first such attack on the UN Interim Force in Lebanon since it was reinforced last summer after the [...] | 2007-06-27 04:31:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS643 | Golan, Rice, Lebanon, Palestinian Territories, Iraq, [...] Summary: Syrian papers on June 27 marked the 33rd anniversary of the liberation of Al-Qunaytirah with reports and articles glorifying the "heroism" and sacrifices of Syrian forces during the October 1973 war and stressing that the occupied Golan will definitely return to Syria. Papers cited [...] | 2007-06-27 12:50:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS647 | RESPONSE TO DEMARCHES ON U.S. POSITIONS AT [...] (C) Econoffs delivered the referenced demarches to Deputy Director for Civil Aviation Hassan Shamsin on June 27, 2007. Shamsin seemed to understand USG concerns regarding aviation safety issues and the European Commission's proposed legislation to extend the EU's Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) [...] | 2007-06-28 10:02:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | EAIR ETRD SENV ECON |
07DAMASCUS649 | SYRIAN DISSIDENT TO FACE CHARGES DESPITE [...] (SBU) Summary. Several months after being released on bail and then supposedly pardoned, Communist Action Party leader Fateh Jammous appeared in the Criminal Court in Damascus on June 26 to learn that he faces charges of committing, "acts that could threaten the security of the nation." Jammou [...] | 2007-06-28 13:09:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL SY |
07DAMASCUS651 | SYRIA PROPOSAL FOR 2007 AMBASSADOR FUND FOR [...] (U) Request: Post requests $20,000 from the Ambassador Fund for Refugees for the NGO LIFE for Relief and Development for a 10-day summer camp in August 2007 that would benefit 80 Iraqi and 20 Syrian children from eight to 12 years old. 2. (U) Background and justification: LIFE for Relief [...] | 2007-06-28 14:14:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | PREF SY |
07DAMASCUS652 | SYRIA PROVIDES ORAL "NO" TO REFUGEE DIRECT ACCESS [...] (C) Summary: In a June 27 meeting with the Syrian DFM's office director Hussam al-Din A'ala, seeking a response to the PRM refugee non-paper proposal to allow direct action on Iraqi refugee cases with links to the coalition, the SARG confirmed what it had already officially informed the Inte [...] | 2007-06-28 14:17:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREF PHUM SY IZ |
07DAMASCUS653 | IMPACT OF SARG CLOSING OF THREE OF FOUR BORDER [...] (C) SUMMARY: SARG officials and Syrian media have characterized the recent closing of three of the four land border crossings with Lebanon as a security precaution in the wake of the fighting in the Nahr al-Barid camp in Lebanon. For now they are publicly denying they will close the fourth a [...] | 2007-06-28 15:09:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL ECON PTER SY |
07DAMASCUS664 | Syria/PDRK, US/Syria, Syria/EU, Lebanon, Iraq, Palestinian [...] Summary: Syrian papers on July 2 reported the July 1 meeting of Assistant Secretary General of the Ba'ath Party, Abdullah al-Ahmar, with Kim Tai Jung, Deputy Chairman of the Foreign Relations' Bureau at the Central Committee of the Democratic Korean Work Party. The two reviewed current devel [...] | 2007-07-02 12:48:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS665 | DEMARCHE DELIVERED TO SARG ON FOREIGN FIGHTERS [...] (C) Summary: Charge delivered reftel points on the foreign fighter issue July 2 to FM Walid Mu'allim's office director, Bassam Sabbagh. Sabbagh did not offer any official response but noted this was not a new issue and that the SARG did not want to cooperate on a few limited issues without a [...] | 2007-07-02 13:04:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
07DAMASCUS679 | Syria/Denmark, Syria/Japan, Golan, Palestinian [...] Summary: Syrian papers on July 3 reported Foreign Minister Mouallem's meeting on July 2 with Danish Foreign Minister Per Stig Moeller, who reiterated the importance of the pivotal role Syria plays in achieving security and stability in the region, particularly supporting efforts to restore Ir [...] | 2007-07-03 13:19:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS683 | SYRIA UPDATE ON IRAQI REFUGEES [...] (U) Summary: PRM/ANE Office Director Richard Albright visited Damascus from June 12-15 and June 20-21, meeting about the Iraqi refugee crisis with interlocutors from a range of organizations, including: the Iraqi Embassy, the International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC),the Internation [...] | 2007-07-05 12:26:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREF PGOV SY IZ |
07DAMASCUS684 | Syria/Denmark, Syria/US, Syria/Sudan, Syria/Russia, [...] Summary: Syrian papers on July 4 reported President Asad's meeting on July 3 with Danish Foreign Minister Per Stig Moeller, focusing on bilateral relations and efforts to revive the peace process. Discussions also dealt with the situation in Iraq and the political process there. The two sid [...] | 2007-07-05 13:15:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS690 | Syria/Sudan, Syria/US, Lebanon, Iraq, Palestinian [...] Summary: Syrian papers on July 7 reported the visit to Sudan by Prime Minister Mohammad Naji Otri and his meeting with Sudanese President Omar Hasan al-Bashir on July 5. Their talks focused on bilateral relations and means of boosting them in all domains. The Sudanese President hailed Syria' [...] | 2007-07-08 13:15:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS694 | Mousa, Bilal, Aboul Gheit, Lebanon, Palestinian [...] Summary: Syrian papers on July 9 reported the July 8 arrival in Damascus from Riyadh of Arab League Secretary General Amr Mousa, for a two-day official visit to Syria. Mousa will meet with senior Syrian officials about the latest developments in Lebanon. He will discuss the Lebanese crisis [...] | 2007-07-09 13:33:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS70 | Syria/Norway, Syria/China, Bush's Iraq Strategy, Rice's [...] Summary: Syrian papers on Jan. 18 reported FM Walid Mouallem's meeting on Jan. 17 with Svein Sieve, Advisor of the Norwegian Foreign Ministry for Middle East Affairs. Sieve reiterated the importance of Syria's role to cement security and stability in the region. FM Mouallem emphasized the n [...] | 2007-01-21 08:05:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS700 | EMBASSY DAMASCUS PROPOSALS FOR OUTREACH TO IRAQ [...] (SBU) This is an action request. Please see paragraph 7. 2. (C) SUMMARY: While PRM and the Department direct assistance for the up to 1.4 million Iraqis in Syria through the U.N. and international organizations, Post sees potential to explore and create additional, albeit modest, opport [...] | 2007-07-10 14:06:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREF SY |
07DAMASCUS701 | SYRIAN OPPOSITION LEADER ON HIS STRUGGLE WITH [...] (C) Summary: On July 3, prominent Syrian opposition leader Riad Seif provided an update on his unsuccessful efforts so far to obtain permission to travel overseas for treatment of his prostate cancer, including his meetings with a Syrian VP and intelligence chiefs. He observed that the rela [...] | 2007-07-10 14:15:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM SY |
07DAMASCUS702 | HIGH PRICE OF REAL ESTATE BURDEN FOR SYRIANS [...] (C) SUMMARY: Real estate prices throughout Syria have risen rapidly over the past three years due to high demand and a limited property supply exacerbated by market inefficiencies. Most Syrian businessmen and economists agree that the rapid price increase is creating a real estate bubble that [...] | 2007-07-10 14:20:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN ETRD PGOV SY |
07DAMASCUS716 | Primakov, Syria/China, Syria/Iran, Mousa, Lebanon, [...] Summary: Syrian papers on July 11 featured a press conference on July 11 held by Yevgeny Primakov, Chairman of the Russian Chamber of Trade and Industry and former Russian Premier, at the headquarters of the Rossiiskaia Gazeta newspaper on July 10 emphasizing that it is impossible to achieve [...] | 2007-07-13 09:02:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS717 | Amr Mousa, Syria/Iran, Lebanon, Iraq, Palestinian [...] Summary: Syrian papers on July 10 reported the visit to Damascus by Secretary General Amr Mousa and his meeting with President Asad on July 9 focusing on regional Arab developments. President Asad expressed support to the Arab League Secretary General mission in Lebanon aiming at achieving ac [...] | 2007-07-13 09:03:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS718 | Syria/Kuwait, Syria/UAE, Lebanon, Iraq, Palestinian [...] Summary: Syrian papers on July 12 reported that President Asad on July 11 received al letter from Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad al-Jaber Al Sabah connected with bilateral relations between the two sisterly countries and issues of common concern. The letter focused on the latest devel [...] | 2007-07-13 09:04:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS723 | Syria/US, Syria/UAE, Syria/Guinea-Bissau Syria/France, [...] Summary: Syrian papers on July 13 reported President Asad's meeting on July 12 with Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, Archbishop Emeritus of Washington, and Catholic Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio of the Brooklyn Diocese, focusing on the tense situation in the Middle East. President Asad reiterated the [...] | 2007-07-15 14:14:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS726 | SYRIAN DETAINEES RELEASED, SECURITY WORKING GROUP [...] (C) The Iraqi Charge d'Affaires in Damascus told Emboff at a reception on July 15 that Iraqi authorities had released two Syrian detainees on July 12 or 13 (mentioned in reftel),potentially paving the way for a Syrian-hosted border security working group meeting in Damascus as early as August [...] | 2007-07-16 12:51:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREF PREL PGOV SY IZ |
07DAMASCUS727 | Syria/UAE, Syria/Netherlands, Syria/Sudan, [...] Summary: Syrian papers on July 16 reported that President Sheikh Khaifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates arrived in Damascus July 15 on an official 2-day visit. He made a statement upon arrival expressing satisfaction with cooperation in recent years in the economic, trade and [...] | 2007-07-16 13:45:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS730 | Asad, Cousseran, Lebanon, Bush/ME Peace, Iraq, Palestinian [...] Summary: President Asad's oath-taking ceremony and speech at the People's Assembly on July 17 was the main topic in Syrian papers on July 18. Banner headlines were dedicated to the speech, which was carried in its entirety. President Asad said that "Syria has emerged stronger a fter facing [...] | 2007-07-19 10:40:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS731 | Syria-UAE, Syria/Iran, Syrian Press, Lebanon, Iraq, [...] Summary: Syrian papers on July 17 reported President Asad's meeting with UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan on July 16. The presidents reviewed bilateral relations and means of strengthening them and hailed the role played by the Syrian-Emirates Joint Committee. They discussed [...] | 2007-07-19 10:41:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS735 | Syria/Iran, Syria/France, Syria/PLO, Lebanon, Asad's [...] Summary: Syrian papers on July 19 reported that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will pay a one-day visit to Syria today to meet with President Asad and other senior Syrian officials. Papers also reported VP Shar'a's meeting with Jean-Claude Cousseran, envoy of French Foreign Minister [...] | 2007-07-19 10:51:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS74 | Syria/PLO, Syria/Iran, Syria/Libya, Syria/Belgium, Iraq, [...] Summary: Syrian papers on Jan. 22 reported President Asad's and VP Shara's meetings with Ali Larijani, Secretary of the Iranian Supreme National Security Council, on Jan 21. Talks focused on current regional developments. Larijani conveyed a message from President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad about [...] | 2007-01-22 13:46:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS745 | Syria/Iran, Peace/Bush's Call for International [...] Summary: Syrian papers on July 20 reported Iranian President Ahmadinejad's summit with President Asad on July 19. Talks focused on regional developments and bilateral relations. Banner headlines featured the joint press conference at the conclusion of their talks. The Iranian President call [...] | 2007-07-22 13:49:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS746 | Syria/Iran, Syria/Iraq, Lebanon, Palestinian Territories, [...] Summary: Syrian papers on July 23 featured a statement by Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Mohammad Ali Husseini on July 22 reiterating the importance of the recent talks between President Asad and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad which aimed to improve the strong relations between the [...] | 2007-07-23 10:09:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS750 | SARG WILL ATTEND AMMAN REFUGEE WORKING GROUP; [...] (C) Summary: In a July 22 meeting, Charge delivered reftel demarche on the neighbor's working group on refugees to the Syrian DFM's office director, Hussam al-Din A'ala. A'ala noted SARG intentions to attend the meeting and to use the gathering to discuss modalities for delivering Iraqi govern [...] | 2007-07-24 04:50:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREF PREL IZ JO SY |
07DAMASCUS751 | Lebanon, Syria/Ukraine, Syria/Iraq, Syria/Israel, Peace [...] Summary: Syrian papers on July 24 reported the July 23 broadcast by al-Jazeera television of an interview with Hizbollah Secretary General Hasan Nasrallah. Nasrallah said that Syria was SIPDIS ready to engage in the July 2006 war on Lebanon, but Hizbollah did not see any reason for Syria [...] | 2007-07-24 09:48:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS755 | SYRIAN PRESIDENT LAUNCHES SECOND TERM WITH FOCUS [...] (C) Summary: Despite the focus on domestic issues in Syrian President Bashar al-Asad's July 17 second-term inaugural speech, contacts have concluded that the speech was most significant in its reference to Syrian-Israeli negotiations. Asad used the speech to respond to Israeli PM Olmert's J [...] | 2007-07-25 14:23:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PREF SY |
07DAMASCUS756 | MOVEMENT ON SYRIA-IRAQ RELATIONS? [...] No summary [...] | 2007-07-25 14:50:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV IZ SY |
07DAMASCUS762 | SYRIA'S ELECTRICITY CRISIS [...] (C) SUMMARY: Syria has recently suffered widespread and unscheduled electricity outages. The SARG has tried to assert that the outages are a temporary problem, but this current crisis is an indicator of the larger electricity dilemma facing Syria today ) a growing electricity shortage brought [...] | 2007-07-26 10:45:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON ENRG PREL SY |
07DAMASCUS765 | MATCHING FOOTPRINTS: FIRST TIME ADULT AMCIT APPLICANTS FROM IRAQ AND IRAN, IN SYRIA [...] A growing number of men in their early-to-mid 20s who claim to have been born in the United States are now applying for their first U.S. passports. Of the six individuals in the last two weeks, five came to Syria from Iraq (including two brothers) and one from Iran. One of the Iraqis was prev [...] | 2007-07-26 13:31:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | CPAS KFRD KWMN ASEC SY IZ IR |
07DAMASCUS77 | UNHCR SYRIA RAMPING UP FOR MORE ASSISTANCE TO [...] (C) Summary: UNHCR Damascus is planning a dramatic increase in services to the at least 800,000 Iraqis in Syria this year, with an appeal for a more than 20-fold budget increase and a scheduled visit to Damascus next month of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, according to the UNHCR Repr [...] | 2007-01-22 14:42:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREF PGOV SY IZ |
07DAMASCUS772 | Lebanon, Peace Process, Palestinian Territories, Iraq, [...] Summary: All Syrian papers on July 29 featured Hizbollah leader Sayed Hassan Nasrallah's speech on July 28 in mass rally in Bint Jbeil in south Lebanon commemorating the anniversary of the July 2006 war with Israel saying that the Lebanese resistance has foiled US plans for a new Middle East [...] | 2007-07-30 06:16:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS773 | DAMASCUS FRAUD PREVENTION MANAGEMENT REPORT [...] No summary [...] | 2007-07-30 10:15:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | CVIS CPAS KFRD KCRM CMGT ASEC SY |
07DAMASCUS774 | SARG USES AHMEDINEJAD VISIT TO SIGNAL STRENGTH OF [...] (C) Summary: The scheduling of Iranian president Mahmud Ahmedinejad's visit to Damascus two days after president Bashar al-Asad took his second oath of office prompted observers of Syrian politics to interpret the visit in terms of the most notable element of Asad's inauguration speech: his co [...] | 2007-07-30 10:17:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL SY IR IS |
07DAMASCUS775 | Iraq, Lebanon, Islam, Palestinian Territories, Peace [...] Summary: Syrian papers on July 30 reported Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal al-Miqdad's meeting on July 29 with Under Secretary of the Iraqi Foreign Ministry Mohammad al-Haj Mahmoud focusing on bilateral relations, developments in Iraq and the effects of the increasing influx of Iraqi citizens [...] | 2007-07-30 14:22:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS776 | SARG SAYS "DCS MUST BEGIN LICENSE PROCESS" TO [...] (C) Summary: MFA delivered July 30 the official answer to Embassy's three-month effort to get visas for teachers/staff at the Embassy-managed Damascus Community School (DCS). MFA stated Embassy had to "begin the registration process" for DCS as a private school in Syria with the Ministry of [...] | 2007-07-30 15:07:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | AMGT SY |
07DAMASCUS777 | DESPITE ASAD'S DENIAL, RUMORS OF SUBSIDIES BEING [...] (C) SUMMARY: President Asad rejected public rumors of the lifting of subsidies in his July 17 inauguration address (ref A). In spite of this populist message, SARG officials continue to publicly discuss the burden of subsidies and their future plans to restructure the subsidy system. The SAR [...] | 2007-07-31 08:59:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN PREL PGOV SY |
07DAMASCUS778 | Peace Process, Lebanon, Iraq, Palestinian Territories, [...] Summary: Syrian papers on July 31 reported FM Mouallem's meeting on July 30 with Norwegian Foreign Minister Special Envoy for Middle-East Affairs Sven Sevje. Discussion centered upon recent developments in the Middle East and efforts to revive the peace process. FM Mouallem expressed Syria [...] | 2007-07-31 13:18:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS78 | TALABANI'S MARATHON VISIT TO DAMASCUS [...] (C) Summary. During his six-day visit to Damascus, President Talabani met with most Syrians of significance, including four separate meetings with President Asad including two one-on-ones. Talabani was accompanied by some 20 Iraqi officials in addition to four ministers who signed unspecifi [...] | 2007-01-22 15:08:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER EPET SY |
07DAMASCUS782 | Syrian Army, Syria/Spain, Peace Process, Lebanon, Iraq, [...] Summary: Syrian papers on August 1 featured a speech by President Asad marking the 62nd anniversary of the Syrian army's creation published July 31 in the military journal "Army of the People", in which he called for the return of the Golan Heights. He said that the latest events in the regi [...] | 2007-08-01 13:02:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS786 | GREAT PROMISE, LITTLE PROGRESS: THE COASTAL CITY [...] (C) SUMMARY: Emboffs visited the coastal city of Tartous on July 9th. While the city and surrounding areas are rich in economic and natural resources, its development is well behind its potential. The area boasts two of Syria's three major ports, is widely known for its agricultural producti [...] | 2007-08-02 14:37:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EIND PREL SY |
07DAMASCUS787 | DAMASCUS HOSTS WHO CONFERENCE ON IRAQI REFUGEES [...] (C) Summary. The World Health Organization (WHO) organized a regional conference on the health concerns of Iraqi refugees in Damascus on July 29 and 30. Arab diplomats and Syrians who work for international organizations complimented the SARG's willingness to step in at the last moment to ho [...] | 2007-08-02 14:41:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREF PREL SY |
07DAMASCUS79 | PALESTINIAN PRESIDENT MEETS MISH'AL IN DAMASCUS [...] (C) SUMMARY: VISITING PALESTINIAN PRESIDENT MAHMOUD ABBAS MET WITH DAMASCUS-BASED HAMAS LEADER KHALID MISH'AL FOR ABOUT THREE HOURS ON JANUARY 21 IN THE SYRIAN CAPITAL, FOLLOWING A SERIES OF SEPARATE MEETINGS BETWEEN TOP SYRIAN OFFICIALS AND THE TWO FIGURES, ACCORDING TO PRESS REPORTS AND CO [...] | 2007-01-22 15:25:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | KPAL PREL PGOV SY |
07DAMASCUS793 | COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR FIVE USG PERSONNEL [...] Embassy Damascus welcomes and grants Country Clearance for the proposed visit of Ms. Karen H. Sasahara, Mr. Stephen Mangino, Colonel Cheryl Smart, Mr. Daniel F. Landers, Mr. Brian Gilligan and Mr. Thomas Meek. Travelers will be met and assisted at the airport by an Embassy driver, expediter, [...] | 2007-08-06 10:01:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | AMGT EAGR IZ JO OTRA PREL PTER SY |
07DAMASCUS796 | CONSULAR OPERATIONS IN A STATE SPONSOR OF TERRORISM - [...] No summary [...] | 2007-08-07 06:46:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ASEC CVIS CPAS KFRD KCRM SY IZ IR |
07DAMASCUS797 | CONSULAR OPERATIONS IN A STATE SPONSOR OF [...] (SBU) Summary: Consular Operations at Embassy Damascus are impacted by the fact that the Syrian Arab Republic is a State Sponsor of Terrorism, as well as by our growing Iraqi workload. This cable focuses on the salient features of conducting consular work in this special environment. End Sum [...] | 2007-08-07 08:55:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ASEC CVIS CPAS KFRD KCRM SY IZ IR |
07DAMASCUS801 | Bilal, Baath Party, Palestinian Territories, Lebanon, [...] Summary: Syrian papers on August 4 featured a lecture by Information Minister Muhsen Bilal saying that the US project currently aims at lessening the value of victories achieved by the Lebanese resistance and imposing its schemes on Palestine, Iraq and other countries with the aim of seizing [...] | 2007-08-07 13:26:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS802 | Syria/Italy, Iraq, Lebanon, Palestinian Territories, Peace [...] Summary: Syrian papers on August 7 reported that President Asad received a phone call from the Italian Prime Minister on August 6 focusing on the situation in Iraq, Lebanon and the Palestinian territories. On Iraq, papers continued to report the increasing number of US casualties in Iraq. [...] | 2007-08-07 13:26:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS806 | Syria/Iraq, US Arms Shipments, Lebanon, Palestinian [...] Summary: Syrian papers on August 8 reported Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal al-Miqdad's meeting on August 7 with Iraqi Foreign Ministry Deputy Labid Abbawi on bilateral relations between Syria and Iraq and means of developing them in all different domains. During the meeting, both sides exchan [...] | 2007-08-08 14:08:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS807 | SYRIA'S APPROACH TO LEBANON: CORE INTERESTS AT [...] (S) SUMMARY: The Syrian government watched Lebanon's August 5 Metn by-elections unfold in studied silence intended to signal the SARG's detachment from events across the border. The SARG's silence reflected both the regime's perception that its allies in Lebanon are gaining ground and the lim [...] | 2007-08-09 04:25:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET | PREL SY LE PTER PGOV |
07DAMASCUS82 | Syria/Belgium, Syria/Iraq, Syria/Iran, Syria/Pakistan, [...] Summary: Syrian papers on Jan. 23 reported President Asad's meeting on Jan. 23 with Anne-Marie Lizin, Chairwoman of the Belgian Senate. Talks centered on bilateral relations and regional developments. President Asad reiterated the importance of continuing Euro-Syrian communication and Belgi [...] | 2007-01-23 14:13:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS824 | Syria/India, Britain, Italy, Lebanon, Iraq, Peace [...] Summary: Syrian papers on August 14 reported the visit to India by FM Mouallem on August 13. Mouallem conferred with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who praised President Asad saying that "Syria has achieved remarkable progress (which) showed wisdom in dealing with the developments of t [...] | 2007-08-14 12:54:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS825 | Syria/Lebanon, Lantos, Iraq, Peace Conference (8/13) [...] Summary: Syrian papers on August 13 reported a statement by Kabalan Kabalan, Chairman of the Southern Lebanon Council on August 12 announcing that the Lebanese authorities started to execute a project to rebuild houses in the Lebanese southern towns of Qana, al-Qulaila and Seddiqin, destroyed [...] | 2007-08-14 13:13:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS835 | Shara, Syria/India, Nasrallah, Iraq, Palestinian [...] Summary: Syrian papers on August 15 reported a meeting with journalists in Damascus by Vice President Shara on August 14 confirming that Syria has no intention of waging war against Israel to restore occupied Golan, but he accused Israel for seeking "any excuse to launch a war." "Israel know [...] | 2007-08-15 13:47:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS836 | SARG REPORTS ON BORDER SECURITY EFFORTS DURING [...] (C) SUMMARY: The Syrian Interior Ministry hosted the Border Security Working Group (BSWG) of Iraqi Neighbors in Damascus August 8-9 (Reftel). Although official Syrian commentary during the two-day meeting was limited, Syria's Interior Minister Bassam Abdel Majid provided opening remarks and M [...] | 2007-08-16 05:15:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET | PINS PREL PTER SY |
07DAMASCUS838 | Syria/Israel, Syria/Argentina, Lebanon, Iraq, Palestinian [...] Summary: Syrian papers on August 16 featured a statement by Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak saying on August 15 that "Israel is not interested in war with Syria, and Israel believes that Syria does not want war either," adding that "war shouldn't erupt, therefore." Barak made the stateme [...] | 2007-08-16 11:50:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS846 | RIAD SEIF SEEKS OTHERS TO ECHO DEPARTMENT'S AUG 15 [...] No summary [...] | 2007-08-20 10:11:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM SY |
07DAMASCUS847 | Syria/Saudi Arabia, Syria/Iraq, Lebanon, Palestinian [...] Summary: Syrian papers on August 19 featured a statement by an official source expressing regret over a Saudi official statement regarding statements attributed to VP Shara, which "were unrightfully changed," stressing at the same time Syria's insistence on not being dragged into disputes tha [...] | 2007-08-20 10:25:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS85 | Syria/Qatar, Syria/Brazil, Golan, Lebanon, Iraq, [...] Summary: Syrian papers on Jan. 25 reported that President Asad returned to Damascus after a short visit to Qatar on Jan. 24, where he reviewed with Qatari Prince Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani developments in the region, especially in Iraq and Palestine. The leaders also reviewed bilatera [...] | 2007-01-25 13:42:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS853 | Syria/Iraq, Syria/Palestinians, Syria/Israel, Lebanon, [...] Summary: Syrian papers on August 21 reported the visit to Damascus by Iraqi PM Nouri al-Malki and his meeting with PM Mohammad Naji Ottri on August 20. Talks focused on bilateral relations and mutual cooperation between the two countries and means to improve them. PM Ottri expressed Syria's [...] | 2007-08-22 04:39:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS857 | Syria/Iraq, Lebanon, Palestinian Territories, Peace [...] Summary: Syrian papers on August 22 reported President Asad's meeting on August 21 with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki in which he reiterated Syria's support for the current political process in Iraq and stressed the need to intensify efforts to create a suitable foundation for achievin [...] | 2007-08-22 11:51:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS862 | FIRST IRAQI REFUGEE TRAVELS FROM SYRIA FOR RESETTLEMENT IN [...] (SBU) The first Iraqi refugee to get resettlement in the U.S. from this year's processing in Syria traveled on August 21. An adult male, he will be settled in San Jose, California. A total of 146 Iraqi individuals from Iraq will move to the U.S. in August, and 200 more are expected to travel [...] | 2007-08-23 13:12:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | CVIS PREF SY IZ |
07DAMASCUS864 | LOCAL SYRIAN ELECTIONS: NO FOLLOW-THROUGH ON [...] (C) Summary. Municipal elections in Syria, scheduled for August 26, have failed to inspire the public and lack the large, public expeditures that characterized Parliamentary elections earlier this year. The lack of enthusiasm reflects a widespread lack of faith in the system and the well-fou [...] | 2007-08-23 14:09:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL SY |
07DAMASCUS865 | SARG ECONOMIC INTEREST IN IRAQ [...] (C) Summary. It is still open to debate how much Syria is benefiting from improved relations with Iraq as the pluses of increased transit revenues, investment, and trade are off-set by the costs of hosting an ever-growing number of Iraqis. Still, an increasing number of Syrians are focusing [...] | 2007-08-23 14:32:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | EPET PREL SY |
07DAMASCUS866 | MALIKI VISIT POSITIVE, BUT INCREMENTAL APPROACH [...] (S) Summary: No one here is saying "modus vivendi," but PM Maliki's August 19-22 visit was notable for top-level SARG and Iraqi commitments on security, energy, and political cooperation. Behind the scenes, the Iraqis strongly suspect that the August 14 attacks on Qahtaniya and Al Jazeera [...] | 2007-08-25 09:04:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET//NOFORN | PREL PGOV SY IZ |
07DAMASCUS868 | ELECTRICITY CRISIS PROVOKES PUBLIC DISCONTENT; [...] (C) SUMMARY: Unscheduled electricity outages that have plagued Syria since early June 2007 continue to affect large portions of the country and have caused increasing public discontent. Rather than assigning blame directly to the regime, however, the public has largely accused Iraqi refugees [...] | 2007-08-26 04:26:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON ENRG PREL SY |
07DAMASCUS873 | SMOULDERING SYRIAN-SAUDI TENSIONS FLARE AT AN [...] No summary [...] | 2007-08-27 12:14:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV |
07DAMASCUS88 | SYRIA 2007 ELECTIONS PRIMER [...] (SBU) THE SARG IS EXPECTED TO HOLD THREE SETS OF ELECTIONS IN 2007, STARTING WITH THE PEOPLE'S ASSEMBLY IN APRIL, FOLLOWED BY A PRESIDENTIAL REFERENDUM EXPECTED TO TAKE PLACE IN LATE MAY OR EARLY JUNE, AND MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS EXPECTED IN AUGUST. THE FOLLOWING IS AN EXPLANATION OF THE ELECTIO [...] | 2007-01-25 16:12:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV SY |
07DAMASCUS888 | POST EFFORTS TO PROMOTE FREEDOM IN SYRIA [...] (U) This is an action response to STATE 088465 2. (C) Post meets with human rights and civil society activists as well as key opposition figures on a regular basis (ref A). As a result, Post is able to monitor their activities closely and routinely. We also continue to demonstrate soli [...] | 2007-08-30 12:24:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL SY |
07DAMASCUS889 | EMBASSY TEAM VISITS SYRIAN NORTHEAST [...] (SBU) Summary. PAO and Poloff visited the cities of Qamishli and Deir az-Zour as part of a PD led trip to archaeological sites in the Northeast of Syria, including one major site under excavation by UCLA. The trip afforded Emboffs the opportunity to examine the state of tourism sector develo [...] | 2007-08-30 13:19:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON ENRG PGOV PHUM PREF PREL SY |
07DAMASCUS890 | INFLATION CONTINUES TO AFFLICT SYRIA [...] (SBU) Summary: The IMF recently estimated average inflation in Syria at eight percent, close to the rate estimated by Post's 2006-7 price survey. This rate does not tell the whole story, however, as black market prices and subsidies mask inflation in Syria. Local Syrian economists take issu [...] | 2007-08-30 14:03:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON SY |
07DAMASCUS905 | SARG SIGNALS NEW VISA REQUIREMENT FOR IRAQIS [...] (C) Summary: Confirming what Deputy Foreign Minister Miqdad told UK and other Embassies at a private briefing last week, Syrian dailies reported September 3 that, effective September 10, Iraqis traveling to Syria will need a visa. According to Miqdad, Iraqi PM Maliki proposed this action. A [...] | 2007-09-05 12:14:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREF PHUM PREL SY IZ |
07DAMASCUS909 | APATHY, LOW TURNOUT MARK LOCAL SYRIAN ELECTIONS [...] (C) Summary. Lackluster turnout and voter apathy characterized local elections held throughout Syria on August 26, 27. This round of elections garnered even less attention than Parliamentary elections earlier this year. Voters had little choice but to rubberstamp government-approved lists of [...] | 2007-09-05 14:23:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL SY |
07DAMASCUS913 | Syria/Iraq, Syria/Iran, Middle East Peace Conference, [...] Summary: Syrian papers on September 4 reported that President Asad chaired a meeting the Central Leadership of National Progressive Front. During the meeting, President Asad briefed the Front's members on the latest political developments in the region. He referred to the role played by "some [...] | 2007-09-06 12:31:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS92 | Russia, Syria/Argentina, Lebanon, Iraq, Palestinian [...] Summary: Syrian papers on Jan. 28 reported that Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Tehran and Damascus must be involved in the Middle East peace process. "We are deeply convinced that Iran and Syria must not be isolated, but, rather, brought into the peace process," Lavrov to [...] | 2007-01-28 15:38:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS920 | Syria/Israel, Syria/Rome, Asad CBS Interview, Algeria, [...] Summary: The main story in Syrian papers over the weekend was the Israeli warplanes violation of Syrian airspace on September 6. Government-owned Al-Thawra, the only paper to appear on September 7, quoted a Syrian military spokesman as saying that Syrian air defenses opened fire on the Israel [...] | 2007-09-09 12:53:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS927 | Syria/Turkey, Petraeus-Crocker Report, 9/11 Events, [...] Summary: Syrian papers on September 10 reported the visit to Turkey by FM Mouallem on September 9 to convey a message from President Asad to President Gul congratulating him on his election as President. FM Mouallem's talks with Turkish officials focused on the recent Israeli warplanes viola [...] | 2007-09-11 13:53:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS931 | SYRIA,S GAS SECTOR UNABLE TO COMPENSATE FOR [...] (C) SUMMARY: The SARG routinely expresses confidence that its supply of natural gas -- when fully on-line ) will offset dwindling oil production. In preparation for this switch the SARG has been encouraging the substitution of natural gas for oil in electrical power generation. There is alre [...] | 2007-09-13 12:17:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EINV ENRG EPET ETRD ETTC PREL SY |
07DAMASCUS932 | CONSULAR SECTION ACTIVITIES [...] (SBU) Summary: Despite the SARG's continuing efforts to restrict Embassy contact with large segments of Syrian society, the Consular Section continues to run an active outreach program. Below is a list of events in August and September. End Summary. 2. (SBU) Student Visa Talks -- Our NI [...] | 2007-09-13 12:19:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ASEC CVIS CPAS KFRD KCRM SY IZ |
07DAMASCUS933 | SYRIAN VISA REQUIREMENT ON IRAQIS: POSTPONED FOR [...] No summary [...] | 2007-09-13 15:40:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREF PHUM PREL SY IZ |
07DAMASCUS937 | Bush's Speech, Syria/Russia, Syria/North Korea, Palestinian [...] Summary: Syrian papers on September 15 reported President Bush's televised speech on September 13 announcing gradual pullout of US forces from Iraq. Isan Dari, Chief Editor of government-owned Tishreen criticized Bush's speech saying that the speech cannot conceal "the failures and defects" o [...] | 2007-09-16 13:20:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS949 | SARG SENDING MIXED SIGNALS ON FUEL SUBSIDIES [...] No summary [...] | 2007-09-18 16:38:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ENRG ETRD EPET SY LE |
07DAMASCUS95 | Syria/Yemen, Syria/Iraq, Lebanon, Palestinian Territories [...] Summary: Syrian papers on Jan. 29 reported President Asad's meeting in Yemen on Jan. 28 with Yemeni Prime Minister, Abdul-Qader Bajmal. Talks focused on regional and international developments and meetings of the Syrian-Yemeni Higher Committee. On the issue of Iraq, papers reported Foreign [...] | 2007-01-29 14:18:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS950 | ASSESSING SARG VULNERABILITIES [...] (S) The Syrian Accountability Act and other sanctions have had an adverse impact on the SARG, but not to a degree that has modified Syrian behavior on our key issues of concern. Nearly three years after most sanctions were implemented, this cable reflects the Embassy,s assessment of both SARG [...] | 2007-09-18 16:53:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET | ETRD EFIN PTER SY |
07DAMASCUS951 | SARG SENDING MIXED SIGNALS ON FUEL SUBSIDIES [...] No summary [...] | 2007-09-19 04:53:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ENRG ETRD EPET SY LE |
07DAMASCUS956 | CLARIFICATION OF SARG STANCE ON REFUGEES [...] (C) Summary. A Syrian MFA official notified the Charge that the SARG was unwilling on political grounds to allow processing of refugee referrals at the U.S. Embassy in Syria. He said there was no bilateral political basis for such agreement and cited a litany of "facts" to further support t [...] | 2007-09-19 15:38:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREF PREL SY IZ JO |
07DAMASCUS958 | Lebanon, Syria/UK, Syrian-North Korea, Syria/Israel, Peace [...] Summary: Syrian papers on September 20 featured a statement by a Syrian media source on September 19 strongly condemning the blast in Sin al-Feil, east of Beirut that claimed the lives of Lebanese MP Antoine Ghanem and other Lebanese citizens. "This criminal act targets efforts and endeavors [...] | 2007-09-20 13:54:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS961 | SYRIAN MISTREATMENT OF POLITICAL PRISONERS [...] (C) Summary. According to a variety of credible human rights contacts, the Syrian regime continues to stonewall requests by Riad Seif, Anwar al-Bunni, Michel Kilo and other high profile political prisoners for medical treatment. In addition, prison officials have stepped up harassment of a pr [...] | 2007-09-23 06:18:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL SY |
07DAMASCUS975 | UNGA, Syria/Israel, Peace Conference, Iraq, US/Syria [...] Summary: Syrian papers on September 27 reported meetings FM Mouallem held on September 25 on the sidelines of the 62nd session of the UN General Assembly in New York. He saw Russian FM SergeyQavrov, High Re presentative of the EU Common Foreign policy and Security Secretary-General of the Co [...] | 2007-09-27 13:13:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
07DAMASCUS99 | Asad/Mubarak, Syria/EU, Israel, Lebanon, Iraq, Palestinian [...] Summary: Syrian papers on Jan. 30 reported that President Asad had a telephone conversation with President Mubarak on Jan. 29, during which the leaders discussed the intra-Palestinian clashes and means to stop them. On Syrian-EU relations, papers reported that VP Shara on Jan. 29 hailed ef [...] | 2007-01-30 13:16:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
08DAMASCUS10 | SYRIANS PUBLICLY DENY ANY DEAL TO RELEASE [...] (C) Summary. On January 1, the Syrian regime issued a strongly-worded statement categorically denying that President Asad discussed or made any assertion to Senator Specter and Representative Kennedy that the seven detained National Council members had been or would be released. While the SARG [...] | 2008-01-02 14:04:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL KDEM SY |
08DAMASCUS107 | HIZBALLAH'S IMAD MUGNIYAH KILLED BY CAR BOMB IN [...] (SBU) Syria's tightly controlled press remained silent on reports of Imad Mugniyah's death in a car bomb that exploded near Syrian Military Intelligence (SMI) headquarters in the neighborhood of Kafr Sousa at approximately 10:00 pm local February 12. According to contacts who were on the sc [...] | 2008-02-13 14:47:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET | PGOV PTER SY LE |
08DAMASCUS126 | CONVERTING DESIGNATIONS UNDER EXECUTIVE ORDER [...] (S) Summary: The February 13 White House announcement of amended Executive Order 13338 (E.O. 13460) provides a powerful tool to target corrupt regime insiders, play on widespread public recognition of and opposition to corruption in Syria, and potentially increase pressure on Bashar from the [...] | 2008-02-21 17:39:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET | EFIN ETTC PGOV PREL PTER SY |
08DAMASCUS130 | CI/KR RESPONSE FOR S/CT [...] (C) In response to reftel, Post has determined there is no/no critical infrastructure or key resources in Syria that would have an immediate and deleterious effect on the United States if destroyed, disrupted or exploited. Due to the strained bilateral relationship, we do not engage the SARG o [...] | 2008-02-24 13:41:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ASEC EFIN EIND EINV ETTC PGOV PTER SY |
08DAMASCUS132 | BUDGET DEFICIT THREATENS SYRIA'S ECONOMIC GROWTH [...] The 2008 Syrian budget typifies the lack of SARG transparency by significantly underreporting petroleum revenues, defense expenditures, and the cost of subsidies. Even though the official numbers are suspect, local economists agree that the SARG's acknowledgement of a 128-percent increase in t [...] | 2008-02-24 15:28:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON EFIN ENRG EPET PGOV SY |
08DAMASCUS142 | REACTIONS TO MAKHLUF DESIGNATION [...] (S) Summary: The February 22 designation of Rami Makhluf pursuant to E.O. 13460 generated considerable discussion, but Syrian media coverage has been minimal. Makhluf's defiant announcement on BBC Arabic radio that the designation was tantamount to a medal of honor was as close to an official [...] | 2008-02-26 16:33:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET | ECON EFIN EINV KCOR PGOV SY LE |
08DAMASCUS144 | UNHCR HIGH COMMISSIONER GUTERRES REVIEWS IRAQI [...] (C) Summary: UNHCR High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres visited Damascus February 12 though February 15 for the second time in as many years. Guterres' visit included meetings with President al-Asad, UN Country Team members, heads of diplomatic missions, hundreds of Iraqi refugees [...] | 2008-02-28 06:43:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREF PHUM PREL SY IZ |
08DAMASCUS146 | CORRECTED COPY: REACTIONS TO MAKHLUF [...] (S) Summary: The February 21 designation of Rami Makhluf pursuant to E.O. 13460 generated considerable discussion, but Syrian media coverage has been minimal. Makhluf's defiant announcement on BBC Arabic radio that the designation was tantamount to a medal of honor was as close to an official react [...] | 2008-02-28 13:07:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET | ECON EFIN EINV KCOR PGOV SY LE |
08DAMASCUS149 | MAKHLUF PARNTER DETAILS DAMAGE CONTROL OPS INSIDE [...] (S) Summary: An Iraqi-British businessman with extensive dealings in Syria told us that his company is preparing to sever its relationship with Rami Makhluf's Cham Holding Company in an approximately USD 100 million joint venture (in which Cham Holding owns a 65 percent share) in response to [...] | 2008-02-28 16:20:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET | ECON EFIN EINV EPET ETTC PGOV SY KCOR |
08DAMASCUS155 | SARG UNLIKELY TO "OFFICIALLY" RECEIVE FOREIGN [...] (c) Summary: The MFA is unlikely to "officially" receive reftel demarche on Foreign Fighters, although Charge presented its substance to the Vice Foreign Minister's chief of staff February 27. Until the SARG deals with the problem of how to distract attention from Lebanon(perhaps by using [...] | 2008-03-03 16:42:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET | PTER PREL SY IZ |
08DAMASCUS158 | DAMASCUS INTENT ON HOLDING ARAB LEAGUE SUMMIT [...] (C) Summary: A little more than three weeks from the appointed date, the SARG appears determined to proceed with an Arab summit, even if only seven Arab head's of state attend. Saudi and Egyptian pressure on other Arab countries to downgrade the level of representation in the absence of the [...] | 2008-03-05 18:04:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
08DAMASCUS162 | SRYIA: 2007 TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS REPORT [...] (U) THe following is Post's submission of the annual trafficking in persons report. The Embassy's point of contact is Hilary C. Dauer. Office Telephone: (963) (11) 3391-3207. Fax: (963) (11) 3391-3999. Officer spent 30 hours in preparation of the report, which is structured to answer refte [...] | 2008-03-06 16:07:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ASEC ELAB KCRM KFRD KWMN PHUM PREF SMIG |
08DAMASCUS165 | SRYIA: 2007 TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS REPORT [...] (U) THe following is Post's submission of the annual trafficking in persons report. The Embassy's point of contact is Hilary C. Dauer. Office Telephone: (963) (11) 3391-3207. Fax: (963) (11) 3391-3999. Officer spent 30 hours in preparation of the report, which is structured to answer refte [...] | 2008-03-10 07:54:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | ASEC ELAB KCRM KFRD KWMN PHUM PREF SMIG |
08DAMASCUS167 | HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE FOR IRAQI REFUGEES IN [...] (SBU) Summary: The following is a trip report by PRM Jay Zimmerman. The international community's response to the needs of Iraqi refugees has expanded the numbers and scale of humanitarian agencies in Syria, however, humanitarian space remains confused and uncoordinated. Local UNHCR represen [...] | 2008-03-11 08:48:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | HU PREF PREL |
08DAMASCUS175 | PROJECT SUMMARY FOR PROPOSAL RESPONSE TO RFP [...] (U) As requested by G/TIP (reftel),Post submits summary information for the proposal submitted by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in response to RFP GTIP-07-AW-003-112307. The proposal was the only one submitted and Post recommends it for funding. The entire proposal w [...] | 2008-03-13 15:00:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | ASEC ELAB KCRM KFRD KWMN PHUM PREF SMIG |
08DAMASCUS176 | SYRIA'S NATIONAL COUNCIL ATTEMPTS TO SURVIVE SARG [...] (C) Summary. The Syrian regime,s severe crackdown on the Damascus Declaration National Council (DDNC) has put the movement under intense pressure. It,s most prominent leaders are in prison and are facing a number of SARG restrictions on access of family and ability to talk to their lawyers. [...] | 2008-03-13 16:38:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL SY IS |
08DAMASCUS177 | REVERBERATIONS CONTINUE FROM MAKHLUF DESIGNATION [...] (C) The continuing fallout from the designation of Rami Makhluf, President Asad's first cousin, has exposed nascent fissures in the Syrian business community. A senior Alawite told us he had already sold his own shares in Gulfsands and intends to completely divest from Cham Holding in order to [...] | 2008-03-13 17:36:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EINV EFIN KCOR PGOV SY |
08DAMASCUS199 | SYRIAN BUSINESSMEN AND E.O. 13460: A STRATEGY TO [...] (S) Post proposes an operational strategy to use E.O. 13460 to expose and exploit Bashar al-Asad's domestic economic vulnerabilities (ref A). These include the growing influence of a Syrian business class resentful of increased regime extortion despite Bashar's promised economic reforms, the [...] | 2008-03-20 11:25:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET | EFIN EINV ETRD ETTC KCOR PGOV SY LE |
08DAMASCUS20 | DID ANNAPOLIS PRODUCE A SHIFT IN SYRIAN POLICY? [...] (C) Summary: Many observers of Syrian foreign policy here assert the November 27-28 Annapolis Conference stimulated a favorable shift towards the West. While it is hard to ignore Syria's public declarations of interest in peace with Israel and its efforts to cultivate better relations with th [...] | 2008-01-08 14:00:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
08DAMASCUS203 | SYRIAN SECURITY FORCE DEADLY CRACKDOWN ON KURDISH [...] (C) Summary: Syrian security forces resorted to deadly force over the weekend while dispersing unarmed Kurds celebrating the Kurdish New Year in the northeastern Syrian town of Qamishli. This incident marks the second crackdown on Kurds in a little over five months, and Kurdish political fac [...] | 2008-03-25 14:36:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV SY |
08DAMASCUS209 | SECOND GASOLINE PRICE HIKE IN FIVE MONTHS [...] (SBU) At midnight on Friday, March 21, the SARG raised the price of gasoline from 36 SP/liter (USD 2.72/gal) to 40 SP/liter (USD 3.02/gal),an increase of 11 percent, throughout Syria. The last gasoline price increase occurred on November 1, 2007, when the SARG raised the price from 30 SP/lit [...] | 2008-03-27 15:21:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ENRG EPET ETRD SY |
08DAMASCUS210 | SARG PLAYS ARAB UNITY CARD ON EVE OF ARAB SUMMIT [...] (C) Summary: With last minute changes still a possibility and Jordan's representation up in the air, the SARG claims it will receive up to 12 heads of state, despite evidence to the contrary. In response to Egypt and Saudi Arabia's decision to downgrade significantly their representation and [...] | 2008-03-27 17:54:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
08DAMASCUS211 | MOST WELCOME IN SYRIA [...] [SBU] SUMMARY: PAO and CAO embarked on a three-day trip to Hama, Homs, and Lattakia, March 3-5. All three cities are in the central/coastal region of Syria. A varied array of Syrians from all ethnic and religious backgrounds -- Sunni, Shia, Alawite, Christian -- welcomed them with open arms, [...] | 2008-03-30 05:40:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KPAO KMPI PREL OEXC OIIP SCUL SY XF |
08DAMASCUS218 | SYRIAN INVITATION FOR U.S. TO ATTEND APRIL 13 [...] This is an action request ) please see paragraph 5. 2. (SBU) On March 31 embassy received a Diplomatic Note from the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Foreign Minister's Office, dated March 29, 2008. The text of the Diplomatic Note follows in paragraph 4. 3. (SBU) We believe [...] | 2008-03-31 15:20:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PTER MARR PREL PINS SY IZ |
08DAMASCUS219 | ARAB LEAGUE SUMMIT 2008: ALL HAT, NO CATTLE [...] (C) Summary: Proclaiming the March 29-30 Arab League Summit an "historic event," the Syrian government trumpeted its ability to overcome alleged U.S. efforts to torpedo the proceedings while trying to avoid open controversy over the lack of any progress in Lebanon. Eleven heads of state prese [...] | 2008-03-31 18:35:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
08DAMASCUS224 | SENIOR SYRIAN DISSIDENT EXPRESSES VIEWS ON THE [...] (C) Summary: On March 30, opposition Damascus Declaration National Council (DDNC) leader Riad al-Turk updated us on the current state of the DDNC and its attempts to move forward after the arrest of many of its members. Key among these activities are establishing its abilities to meet inside [...] | 2008-04-02 16:14:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL SY IS |
08DAMASCUS225 | IRAQI PALESTINIAN REFUGEES DEPART FOR CHILE - MANY [...] (U) Summary: On April 2, UNHCR Syria representatives informed PolOff that 38 Iraqi Palestinian refugees will be departing Syria for Chile on April 5 for final resettlement. According to UNHCR representatives and Chilean Embassy contacts, all 116 Iraqi Palestinians chosen for resettlement from [...] | 2008-04-03 15:18:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREF PHUM PREL SY IZ |
08DAMASCUS226 | PRIVATE SECTOR EAGER TO ENGAGE VISITING [...] (C) From March 25-27, Post hosted Mr. Chuck Mills, CEO of Salera Capital, as a visiting State Department speaker. Despite lacking official approval from the Ministry of Culture, audiences from all strata of the Syrian private sector turned out for Embassy-scheduled events. While younger audie [...] | 2008-04-03 15:30:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN EINV PPD SY KCOR |
08DAMASCUS227 | SYRIAN KURDS VOICE THEIR THOUGHTS ON STATE [...] (C) Summary: During the week starting March 27, Poloff met with a range of Kurdish contacts to discuss conditions in Qamishli after the deadly regime crackdown on Nohruz celebrations and their reactions to the State Department,s statement condemning the crackdown. All three contacts agreed on [...] | 2008-04-06 14:15:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL SY IS |
08DAMASCUS231 | SCHEDULE FOR THE APRIL 13 AND APRIL 14 MEETINGS OF [...] (U) Post has received the following detailed schedule of the meetings of the Coordination and Cooperation Security Committee of Iraq and Neighboring Countries which is to take place at the Ebla al-Sham Hotel on April 12 and April 13, 2008. 2. (U) Sunday, April 13, 2008 09:00 t [...] | 2008-04-08 06:59:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL SY |
08DAMASCUS233 | TWO NGOS WITHDRAW FROM SYRIA, CLAIM "NO REFUGEE [...] (SBU) Summary: Save the Children UK (part of Save the Children worldwide Alliance) and the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) announced on April 2 that they would not be continuing negotiations with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) over an MOU to begin Iraqi refugee assistance programs and wo [...] | 2008-04-08 14:20:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREF PREL SY IZ |
08DAMASCUS234 | INFLATION ADDING TO SYRIA'S ECONOMIC PRESSURE [...] (C) Driven in large part by sustained higher prices for fuel and food, inflation is contributing to domestic economic pressure in Syria. While the IMF estimated Syrian inflation to be 14.4 percent in 2007, internal Post surveys place the figure above 18 percent, with inflation of consumable go [...] | 2008-04-08 14:41:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | EAGR EINF PGOV SY |
08DAMASCUS236 | DAMASCUS REFUGEE SITREP 1 [...] (SBU) This is an action request, see para 10. 2. (SBU) This cable reflects Embassy Damascus's efforts to update the Department on all of Post,s continuing efforts to facilitate the resettlement of Iraqi refugees through Syria. The Embassy's role has expanded since last year because of the p [...] | 2008-04-09 16:23:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PHUM PREF PREL SY IZ |
08DAMASCUS240 | SARG PREPARES TO DISTRIBUTE DIESEL RATION CARDS [...] (SBU) The SARG announced this week that diesel ration cards will be distributed to all Syrian households from April 12-27. The coupons will allow families to purchase 1000 liters of diesel at a substantial discount, although the discounted price is still expected to be 20-25 percent higher th [...] | 2008-04-10 14:20:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ENRG EPET ETRD PGOV SY |
08DAMASCUS250 | SENIOR COORDINATOR FOR IRAQI REFUGEES AND IDPS IN [...] No summary [...] | 2008-04-14 11:56:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | AMGT EG IZ LE PHUM PREF PREL SY JO |
08DAMASCUS251 | PREMATURE RUMORS OF ASIF SHAWKAT'S DEMISE [...] (S) Summary: Widespread reports that Syrian Military Intelligence Chief Asif Shawkat is under house arrest and that Shawkat's wife (and Bashar Asad's sister) Bushra al-Asad is trying to flee the country likely reflect Bashar's successful moves to limit Shawkat's influence. While our sources [...] | 2008-04-14 14:17:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET | PREL PGOV SY IZ |
08DAMASCUS261 | SARG ON TRAVEL WARNING, PREPARATIONS FOR KUWAIT [...] No summary [...] | 2008-04-22 04:51:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ASEC PREL CASC PTER SY |
08DAMASCUS263 | SYRIAN POLICY AFTER ARAB LEAGUE SUMMIT [...] (C) Summary: Following in the footsteps of President al-Asad's relatively moderate rhetoric during the Arab League Summit, Syrian diplomacy over the last month appears to be in conflict avoidance mode, while hard-line policies on Lebanon continue. On April 19, Asad confirmed to a meeting of t [...] | 2008-04-22 12:01:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
08DAMASCUS267 | FORMER PRESIDENT CARTER'S VISIT TO DAMASCUS [...] (SBU) Summary: Though Embassy Damascus provided little more than security and logistical support for former President Carter's April 18-19 trip to Damascus, the SARG seized on the visit to underscore the point that peace in the Middle East cannot be reached without engaging Syria. From our b [...] | 2008-04-22 13:39:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | KPAL PGOV PREL SY IS |
08DAMASCUS269 | SYRIAN EQUITIES IN ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN SECURITY [...] (S) Summary: Syria's primary security interests in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict are to avoid a war with Israel that would threaten the Asad family's hold on power and to win Israel's return of the occupied Golan Heights to the 1967 border lines. As the self-proclaimed center of Arab re [...] | 2008-04-23 07:06:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET | PREL KWBG KPAL IS |
08DAMASCUS270 | HAMAS LEADER KHALED MESHAL'S APRIL 21 PRESS [...] (C) Summary: Khaled Meshal's April 21 press conference showed some moderation in its lack of criticism of Abu Mazen but gave almost nothing publicly on the Carter visit. Sources say Hamas may be discussing steps to follow up on the Carter visit. End Summary. 2. (C) During a 50-minute p [...] | 2008-04-23 09:01:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | KPAL PREL PGOV SY |
08DAMASCUS271 | SYRIAN MILITARY COURT GIVES KAMAL LABWANI ANOTHER [...] (C) Summary: The Syrian Military Court sentenced imprisoned political dissident Kamal Labwani to an additional three years in prison on top of a 12-year sentence related to 2005 meetings he had with U.S. government officals and the Syrian opposition in the U.S. and Europe. Diplomats from the [...] | 2008-04-23 13:36:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL KDEM SY |
08DAMASCUS278 | DAMASCUS REFUGEE SITREP 2 [...] (SBU) This is the second in a series of Embassy Damascus,s updates on Iraqi refugee processing in Syria. 2. (SBU) FACILITIES IMPROVEMENT: Post thanks PRM and DHS/USCIS for authorizing funds to improve the interviewing rooms (ref A). Post's Facilities Manager is coordinating with the cont [...] | 2008-04-24 15:57:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PREF PREL SY IZ |
08DAMASCUS29 | STAFFDEL WAXMAN MEETS WITH SYRIAN DEPUTY FOREIGN [...] No summary [...] | 2008-01-13 16:52:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | IZ PHUM PINS PREL SY |
08DAMASCUS292 | SYRIANS ACCUSE U.S. OF FABRICATING STORY OF [...] (C) Summary: The current Syrian focus in press statements and government-owned publications is on refuting USG public revelations of Syrian-N.Korean nuclear cooperation. We sense a shift from the Syrian focus on the N. Korean angle to recognition that U.S. information could be negatively i [...] | 2008-04-28 15:25:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
08DAMASCUS299 | CORRECTED COPY: SYRIANS ACCUSE U.S. OF FABRICATING [...] (C) Summary: The current Syrian focus in press statements and government-owned publications is on refuting USG public revelations of Syrian-N.Korean nuclear cooperation. We sense a shift from the Syrian focus on the N. Korean angle to recognition that U.S. information could be negatively i [...] | 2008-05-01 05:58:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
08DAMASCUS304 | INTERNATIONAL VISITOR EXPERIENCE LEADS TO FIRST DAMASCUS [...] [SBU] Pink balloons, ribbons, and posters festooned a high-traffic area of Damascus on Saturday, April 12 for the first-ever "March for Survival." The walk, organized by the Syrian Breast Cancer Society, inspired by the October 2007 International Visitor Program on "Breast Cancer Awareness." [...] | 2008-05-01 13:16:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KPAO OEXC OIIP SCUL SOCI SY XF |
08DAMASCUS305 | FM MUALLEM ADVISOR VIEWS TURKISH CHANNEL AS "BABY [...] (C) Summary: Samir al-Taqi, Orient Center Director and informal advisor to FM Muallem, told us April 30 that his mid-April trip to Ankara had helped to pave the way for a positive April 26 exchange between Turkish PM Erdogan and President Asad in Damascus on continuing indirect discussions b [...] | 2008-05-01 15:07:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY IS TU |
08DAMASCUS307 | LABOR DAY WEEKEND, SYRIAN STYLE: DIESEL UP 357 [...] (SBU) In keeping with regime tradition, the SARG chose a holiday weekend to announce major changes in economic policy. In the middle of the three-day Labor Day weekend, the SARG increased the price of diesel fuel and butane gas by 357 percent and 72 percent, respectively. On the same day, Pr [...] | 2008-05-04 14:49:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON ENRG EPET ETRD PGOV SY |
08DAMASCUS311 | RESPONSE: IMPACT OF RISING FOOD/COMMODITY PRICES - [...] (SBU) This cable responds to ref A. Although rising food prices do not portend an economic catastrophe in Syria, they are contributing to substantial economic and political pressure on the Asad regime. In the midst of a three-year drought, Syria's 2008 domestic wheat production is projected [...] | 2008-05-05 14:25:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAGR ECON EINF PGOV SY |
08DAMASCUS319 | UPDATE ON POST EFFORTS TO PROMOTE DEMOCRACY [...] (SBU) This is an action response to ref A. 2. (C) Since Post's last update on our activities to promote democracy (Ref B),the Syrian regime cracked down severely on human rights and democracy advocates (Ref E, F, G, H, I, J, K). We have continued to meet with our democracy, human righ [...] | 2008-05-08 14:57:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL SY |
08DAMASCUS320 | SYRIAN REACTIONS TO INCREASE IN DIESEL PRICES [...] (C) The SARG's partial lifting of diesel subsidies and resulting price increases have produced a one-day strike by micro-bus drivers, a weeklong closure of private bakeries, breadlines at public bakeries, and a decision by many farmers to abandon their crops. In a continuing saga of government [...] | 2008-05-08 16:13:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | EAGR ECON ENRG EPET PGOV SY |
08DAMASCUS321 | DAMASCUS REFUGEE SITREP 3 [...] (SBU) This is the third in a series of Embassy Damascus's updates on Iraqi refugee processing in Syria. 2. (C) SUMMARY: Post continued its coordination on Iraqi refugee issues with meetings with the regional IOM director, Canadian Conoffs, and UNHCR representatives. Post is following dev [...] | 2008-05-08 16:28:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PHUM PREL SY IZ |
08DAMASCUS322 | SYIAN NATIONAL COUNCIL DETAINEES REFERRED TO [...] (C) Summary: A Damascus judge referred founder Riad Seif and president Fida,a Hourani along with 10 other Damascus Declaration National Council (DDNC) detainees to Damascus Criminal Court for felony prosecution on April 16. On April 28, their defense lawyers appealed to the Cassation Court to [...] | 2008-05-10 07:40:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | KDEM PGOV PHUM PREL SY |
08DAMASCUS328 | SARG SAYS IT WILL ALLOW AMCITS TO ENTER FROM [...] (SBU) Summary: Confirming a May 10 phone conversation (reported REF A),MFA Chief of Protocol told CDA in person May 11 that the SARG would, for humanitarian reasons, allow entry of U.S. citizens (both non-official and official) without the usual visa entry requirement (REF B). Dabbagh stat [...] | 2008-05-12 11:57:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | LE PREF PREL SY CASC |
08DAMASCUS330 | SYRIA VIEWS LEBANON'S "INTERNAL CRISIS," STRESSES [...] (C) Summary: After public weekend consultations with Qatar, Bahrain, and Yemen (and private discussions with Turkey,) Syrian officials continue to frame the Lebanese crisis as a "domestic affair" that must be solved by internal dialog. Syria's low-level representation at the May 11 emergenc [...] | 2008-05-12 12:27:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV SY LE |
08DAMASCUS345 | SYRIAN REGIME CONTROL OF INTERNET MORE VARIED, [...] No summary [...] | 2008-05-15 12:13:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | KDEM PGOV PHUM PREL SY |
08DAMASCUS348 | SARG PRESSURE POINTS IN CURRENT LEBANESE CRISIS [...] (C) Summary: As Washington assesses options for pressuring Syria on its Lebanon policy, Post suggests six possible measures for consideration. We believe Syria is vulnerable to a PD focus on the Shia/Iran aspect of Syria's support for Hizballah. Immediate designations of additional Syrian [...] | 2008-05-15 13:31:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV EFIN ETTC SY LE IZ |
08DAMASCUS349 | CORRECTED COPY: MFA ADVISOR: SARG HIGH POLICY [...] (S) Summary: On May 14, Orient Center Director and MFA advisor Samir al-Taqi (protect strictly) provided a readout of a May 12 SARG High Policy Council that suggested deep divisions between those favoring supporting Syria's allies in Lebanon and those more concerned about fostering a viable [...] | 2008-05-15 13:37:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET | PGOV PREL SY IS TU |
08DAMASCUS357 | INITIAL TAKE FROM DAMASCUS ON DOHA AGREEMENT ON [...] (C) Summary: With President Asad in Aleppo and FM Muallem in Bahrain, SARG reactions in Damascus have been slow to emerge. FM Muallem expressed the SARG's support of "all that the brethren in Lebanon agree on," and we understand Bashar has been in close contact with the Qataris. Syria's po [...] | 2008-05-21 13:18:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY LE |
08DAMASCUS359 | NEW ROUND OF TURKISH-BROKERED TALKS BETWEEN SYRIA [...] (C) Summary: MFA Advisor Samir al-Taqi confirmed reports of a new round of indirect Syrian-Israeli expert talks on the Golan under Turkish auspices in Ankara. The Turks are pushing for face-to-face discussions to speed up the process and move from modalities to substance, and the SARG is giv [...] | 2008-05-22 04:32:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY LE |
08DAMASCUS364 | SYRIA-CUBA: TITLE III OF THE LIBERTAD ACT, MAY 2008 [...] (U) In response to ref A: The SARG has taken no actions to promote the advancement of democracy or human rights in Cuba and as a matter of foreign policy has expressed a support for Cuban policies. 2. (U) The SARG has made no public statements or undertaken other governmental actions [...] | 2008-05-22 14:57:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ETRD ETTC PREL CU SY |
08DAMASCUS370 | IN A SIGN OF CHANGING TIMES U.S. NGO OPENS CLINIC [...] (SBU) Summary: On May 25, PRM-funded U.S. NGO International Medical Corps (IMC),with the support of the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC),inaugurated its first primary health care clinic in Syria. IMC is one of four PRM-funded NGOs to work in Syria and thus far the only U.S. NGO to sign a me [...] | 2008-05-27 13:50:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREF PREL SY IZ |
08DAMASCUS372 | UPDATE: SARG ACTIONS AGAINST SYRIAN DISSIDENTS [...] (SBU) Summary: Despite well-founded suspicions that the SARG may have used the Hizballah insurrection in West Beirut from May 6-14 to snatch Syrian dissidents in Beirut, our sources have been unable to confirm that this occurred. Syrian human rights activists tell us that they have not heard a [...] | 2008-05-27 14:22:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | KDEM PGOV PHUM PREL SY |
08DAMASCUS373 | SENIOR SYRIAN DISSIDENT DISCUSSES NATIONAL COUNCIL [...] (SBU) This is an Action Request. Please see Paragraph 6. 2. (C) Summary: The Damascus Declaration National Council (DDNC) is an increasingly difficult situation, according to senior member Riad Turk (strictly protect). The most direct result of the DDNC,s growing insolvency is that the fam [...] | 2008-05-27 14:26:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | KDEM PGOV PHUM PREL SY |
08DAMASCUS376 | SYRIA AND UG99 DAMAGING WHEAT FUNGUS (C-TN8-00647) [...] (SBU) In response to ref A, ICARDA has not confirmed any reports of Ug99 stem rust in Syria. Should a possible outbreak occur, ICARDA's staff pathologist is capable of conducting in-house laboratory analysis to quickly determine whether the disease is Ug99. Although SARG Agriculture Ministry c [...] | 2008-05-28 10:28:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PINR EAGR ECON SY |
08DAMASCUS380 | DAMASCUS REFUGEE SITREP 4 [...] (SBU) This is the forth in a series of Embassy Damascus's updates on refugee processing in Syria 2. (SBU) SUMMARY: UNHCR reports rising concern among the resident Iraqi community about their ability to extend their visas once Syrian schools let out in June but we have no evidence SARG has [...] | 2008-05-29 15:13:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM PREL SY IZ |
08DAMASCUS381 | ARAB LEAGUE SECGEN MOUSSA AND QATARI FM/PM HBJ [...] (C) Summary: Arab League SecGen Amre Moussa and Qatari PM/FM Hamad bin-Jasim (HBJ) met separately with President Asad on May 26 to push for Syrian moves to establish diplomatic relations with Lebanon as the next step to the May 21 Doha agreement, according to a May 27 readout by the Egyptian [...] | 2008-05-29 15:14:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY LE |
08DAMASCUS387 | FORCED LABOR AND CHILD LABOR IN THE PRODUCTION OF [...] Summary: The sectors of the Syrian economy that are involved in the production of goods are agriculture, petroleum, textiles, pharmaceuticals and refined food products. In 2007, fuel oil accounted for roughly 70 percent of Syria's USD 110 million in exports to the U.S., with the remaining 30 [...] | 2008-06-01 14:15:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | EAGR ELAB ECON EIND PGOV SY |
08DAMASCUS388 | SYRIA STAYS LIMBER TRYING TO BALANCE ISRAEL, IRAN, [...] (C) Summary: President Asad departed June 1 on a three-day official trip to UAE and Kuwait more confident about his internal standing and upbeat after a productive round of negotiations with the Israelis in Istanbul that may have included lower-level, face-to-face meetings. Asad also receiv [...] | 2008-06-01 15:02:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY LE |
08DAMASCUS404 | BASHAR'S USES ROAD TRIP FOR POSITIVE PR, MORE [...] (C) Summary: President Asad used a three-day Gulf trip to attract regional and international press attention to Syria's desire for progress on the Golan track and better relations with Saudi Arabia. Our sources say Asad's upcoming swing through North Africa next week (starting with Rabat, Algi [...] | 2008-06-05 16:43:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY LE |
08DAMASCUS405 | ECA DECISION REQUESTED ON OPTIONS FOR CONTINUATION OF FULBRIGHT U.S. STUDENT PROGRAM IN SYRIA [...] No summary [...] | 2008-06-08 04:01:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KPAO SY XF OEXC PGOV PREL |
08DAMASCUS420 | SYRIA'S LACK OF ENGAGEMENT ON IRAQ: POSSIBLE [...] (C) Summary: With Syria's recent effort to gain credit for the Doha Agreement and publicly announcing indirect negotiations with Israel, it hopes for engagement with the West and a loosening of its international isolation. Still, the SARG has yet to make any substantial concessions on the key [...] | 2008-06-12 16:40:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY LE |
08DAMASCUS427 | FRENCH CONSIDER THEIR DAMASCUS VISIT A SUCCESS [...] (C) Summary. The SARG worked to portray the June 15 visit by two French presidential envoys as a vindication of Syria's hard-line policy of "resistance." The French themselves say the visit was successful as it furthered the GOF's priority of ensuring President Asad participate in the Mediterra [...] | 2008-06-16 16:25:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL PTER SY |
08DAMASCUS432 | ERICKA OVETTE AND PAUL PIEPER DAZZLE SYRIANS WITH AMERICAN [...] SUMMARY: Against a backdrop of bilateral tension and violence in Lebanon, Ericka Ovette and Paul Pieper's visit to Syria brought American music back to Damascus and proved that we can promote American culture even as the SARG sabotages other Embassy events. Ovette and Pieper reached an impres [...] | 2008-06-17 14:42:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KPAO SY XF OEXC SCUL |
08DAMASCUS438 | THE IMPACT OF U.S. SANCTIONS ON CIVIL AVIATION IN [...] (C) Syrian Arab Airlines' ability to sustain operations has degraded in recent years and is estimated to be currently operating just six of at least 15 aircraft in its fleet. The SARG amended its aviation laws in 2005 to allow private airlines to enter the market, but as is often the case in [...] | 2008-06-18 15:04:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | EAIR ETRD PGOV PTER SY |
08DAMASCUS442 | SCENE SETTER FOR AMB FOLEY: EBBS AND FLOWS OF REFUGEE ASSISTANCE/RESETTLEMENT IN SYRIA [...] (SBU) Summary: Since your October 2007 visit to Damascus, there have been significant changes, both positive and negative, with respect to how international organizations and the SARG are coping with the Iraqi refugee population. Assistance continues to flow in and the UN country team, in coor [...] | 2008-06-19 14:20:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | PREF PHUM PREL SY IZ |
08DAMASCUS443 | RESPONSE TO REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ON FOREIGN [...] (S/NF) Summary: Although anecdotal information suggests the Palestine Liberation Front (PLF) remains in existence, with representatives stationed here in Damascus, we have no information on terrorist activities the PLF engaged in between 2003 and 2008, nor we do we have any information on the [...] | 2008-06-19 15:16:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET//NOFORN | KCRM KJUS PTER PGOV ASEC PREL IS |
08DAMASCUS445 | SARG EFFORTS TO RESTRICT MEDIA COVERAGE OF UPCOMING IAEA [...] SBU SUMMARY: Journalists seeking to cover the visit by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspection team to Syria June 22-24 have been given pause by media reports and rumors that the Syrian government has banned reporters from entering the country and may restrict the movements of [...] | 2008-06-22 05:31:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KPAO SY XF PGOV PREL |
08DAMASCUS451 | BASHAR'S INTERNATIONAL ENGAGEMENT - A HOLLOW PR [...] (C) Summary. A candid, usually frank business contact who accompanied Bashar Al-Asad to India gave an interesting readout which reflects Bashar's focus on his image and his ability to miss opportunities. The business contact expressed frustration over the lack of concrete results from the v [...] | 2008-06-24 15:47:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL ETRD PGOV SY |
08DAMASCUS452 | SARG REMAINS SILENT ON IAEA VISIT [...] No summary [...] | 2008-06-25 14:45:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | MNUC PARM PREL SY |
08DAMASCUS453 | SARG BEMOANS INADEQUATE IRAQI REFUGEE ASSISTANCE, [...] (C) Summary: During a 90-minute discussion, Senior Coordinator for Iraqi Refugee Issues James Foley briefed Syrian Deputy FM Faisal Mikdad on his mission to assess Iraqi refugee assistance needs and programs. Foley acknowledged that Syria had borne a large economic and social burden in host [...] | 2008-06-25 16:11:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREF PREL SY IZ |
08DAMASCUS455 | HEALTHCARE IN SYRIA GIVEN A SHOT IN THE ARM BY [...] SUMMARY: In less than a year, Syrian program alumni from two successful International Visitor Leadership Programs (IVLPs) have generated positive change in healthcare in Syria since their return. A FY07 single country program on nursing education (ref A) inspired the seven participants to lob [...] | 2008-06-26 08:28:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | OEXC PGOV PREL SY XF KWMN |
08DAMASCUS46 | SYRIA: 2007 COUNTRY REPORTS ON TERRORISM [...] (SBU) Russell Comeau is the Embassy POC. Address: 6110 Damascus Place, Dulles, VA 20189. Unclassified e-mail: ComeauR@State.gov. Tel: ( 963-11) 3391-3785. 2. (SBU) Syria was designated as a State Sponsor of Terrorism in 1979. Since then it has continued political support to Palestinia [...] | 2008-01-22 12:33:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | PTER ASEC PGOV SY |
08DAMASCUS461 | SYRIA: AMBASSADOR,S FUND FOR REFUGEES NOMINATION [...] (SBU) Summary: Post has received a $20,000 proposal from the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and the entire East (GOPA) for two projects we would like to submit for funding through the Taft program: (1) a $20,000 program to provide vocational training and education to 80 vulnerable Ira [...] | 2008-06-30 13:47:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | PREF SY |
08DAMASCUS469 | IRAQI EMBASSY OUTLINES REFUGEE RETURN INITIATIVE [...] Summary: The June 23-26 visit of Ambassador Foley and his subsequent meeting with Iraqi diplomats highlighted the Iraqi government's ambitious plan to facilitate the return of significant numbers of Iraqi refugees residing in Syria. Iraqi diplomats here reported that the GOI is prepared to sp [...] | 2008-07-02 15:27:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREF PHUM PREL SY IZ |
08DAMASCUS470 | DAMASCUS REFUGEE SITREP 5 [...] (SBU) This is the fifth in a series of Embassy Damascus's updates on refugee processing in Syria. 2. (SBU) SUMMARY: IOM reported its medical case load and out-processing projections for June through September 2008 and announced that all cases in WRAPS are now up to date. UNHCR met its FY200 [...] | 2008-07-02 15:28:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM PREL SY IZ |
08DAMASCUS471 | NORWEGIAN FM VISITS DAMASCUS, JUSTIFIES ENGAGING [...] (C) Summary: During a week in which Italian FM Fratini called FM Muallim regarding a possible U/S - level trip in mid-July to Damascus and UN Middle East Envoy Robert Serry heard "positive messages" from Syrian MFA officials, Norwegian FM Store visited Damascus July 1 and reported positive exc [...] | 2008-07-02 16:03:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM SY |
08DAMASCUS477 | FOLEY MEETINGS WITH INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS, [...] (C) Summary: In June 23-26 meetings with UNHCR, IOM, WFP, UNICEF, donor country representatives, and other organizations workings on Iraqi refugee assistance and resettlement issues in Syria, Senior Coordinator for Iraqi Refugee Issues, Ambassador James Foley heard: (1) Iraqis in Syria continu [...] | 2008-07-06 16:02:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM SY |
08DAMASCUS478 | PROMINENT JOURNALIST GIVEN REDUCED SENTENCE, WHILE [...] (C) Summary: Syrian journalist Mazen Darwich was sentenced on June 26 to ten days in prison for libel against the general State administration. He received a reduced sentence of five days in prison after having spent three days in custody after being arrested on January 12. (Prior to the rul [...] | 2008-07-06 16:06:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL SY |
08DAMASCUS48 | SARG PRESSES AHEAD WITH PALESTINIAN CONFERENCE [...] (C) Summary: Notwithstanding Palestinian Authority (PA) opposition to the January 23-25 meeting of Palestinian groups in Damascus, preparations are in place for an event in Damascus that will likely (1) underscore the right of return of Palestinian refugees; (2) call for reconciliation betwee [...] | 2008-01-22 16:02:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY IS |