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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 |