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| Identifier | Subject | Date | Office | Classification | Tags |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08DAMASCUS482 |
SEIDNAYA PRISON RIOTS STIR CONSPIRACY THEORIES [...] (C) Summary: During a July 5 routine sweep by military police trainees at the Sednaya Prison (located 20 miles NW of Damascus), violence erupted between inmates and guards and resulted in some 25 deaths and 90 injuries. As of COB on July 7, the hostage crisis was still continuing. The SARG i [...] |
2008-07-07 17:52:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PHUM PREF PREL SY |
| 08DAMASCUS484 |
CORRECTED COPY: PROMINENT JOURNALIST GIVEN REDUCED [...] (C) Summary: Syrian journalist Mazen Darwich was sentenced on June 26 to ten days in prison for libel against the general State administration. He received a reduced sentence of five days in prison after having spent three days in custody after being arrested on January 12. (Prior to the rul [...] |
2008-07-08 08:20:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL SY |
| 08DAMASCUS489 |
SYRIAN DIPLOMACY FAILS: ABBAS SNUBS HAMAS IN [...] (C) Summary: President Asad received Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) July 6 but failed to convince Abbas to meet Hamas Politburo chief Khaled Meshal. In addition to FM Muallem, Abu Mazen met leaders of several Palestinian groups on July 7. Abu Mazen apparently ag [...] |
2008-07-09 15:17:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KPAL SY |
| 08DAMASCUS490 |
DAMASCUS REFUGEE SITREP 5 [...] This telegraph replaces canceled Damascus 470. 2.(SBU) This is the fifth in a series of Embassy Damascus's updates on refugee processing in Syria. 3. (SBU) SUMMARY: IOM reported its medical case load and out-processing projections for June through September 2008 and announced that all ca [...] |
2008-07-10 08:31:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREL SY IZ |
| 08DAMASCUS491 |
TIME FOR TALKING POINTS TO COUNTER SYRIA'S "CHARM [...] (C) Summary: Eager to exploit growing European interest in engaging Syria, Damascus is taking credit for recent "stabilizing" regional developments, such as the Doha accord on Lebanon, peace talks with Israel, the Hamas-Israeli "calming," and even Israeli-Hizballah prisoner exchanges. Some [...] |
2008-07-10 09:50:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KPAL SY IS LE IZ |
| 08DAMASCUS496 |
SYRIAN MFA RESPONDS POSITIVELY ON EXPANDING IRAQI [...] (C) Summary: Following up on Senior Coordinator for Iraqi Refugee Issues James Foley's June 24-26 visit (reftel), Husam Alaa, MFA Chief of Staff for D/FM Faisal Mikdaad, told Charge July 16 the SARG had decided to respond favorably on increased resettlement for Iraqi refugees. He reported th [...] |
2008-07-10 14:56:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREF PREL SY IZ |
| 08DAMASCUS497 |
FRENCH-SYRIAN ECONOMIC INITIATIVES STRUGGLE TO [...] (C) As Bashar prepares to visit Paris on July 12-14, French and Syrian officials are discussing potential economic initiatives to flesh out the political agenda of a new phase in bilateral relations. The French Embassy confirmed that the GOF has invited a Syrian business delegation to Paris l [...] |
2008-07-10 15:37:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | EAIR ETRD PGOV PTER SY FR |
| 08DAMASCUS508 |
IIP SPEAKER ON ENVIRONMENT MAKES CONNECTIONS IN SYRIA [...] SBU SUMMARY: IIP Speaker and climate scientist Dr. Brenda Ekwurzel of the Union of Concerned Scientists visited Syria April 21-25, 2008. Audiences in Damascus and Aleppo, from middle school students to leading scientists, responded positively and enthusiastically to her message of individual [...] |
2008-07-15 14:46:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KPAO SY XF OEXC OIIP SCUL KIRC SENV PGOV PREL |
| 08DAMASCUS510 |
IIP SPEAKER DEREK SHEARER ENGAGES SYRIAN AUDIENCES ON U.S. [...] (U)SUMMARY. IIP speaker and former U.S. Ambassador Derek Shearer engaged diverse sectors of Syrians including university students, human rights, business, and media audiences during his May 26-29 visit. Shearer shared an political insider's view of how the U.S. elections process works and pro [...] |
2008-07-16 04:40:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KPAO SY XF OEXC SCUL |
| 08DAMASCUS517 |
SEIDNAYA CONTINUES TO STIR FEARS AND CONSPIRACY [...] (C) Summary: Amid a wide range of sometimes contradictory reports, a growing number of Embassy sources have indicated the Seidnaya prison riots continue, despite the official government statement to the contrary. Human rights activists have conveyed deep concerns about reports of the alleged [...] |
2008-07-17 15:22:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREL SY |
| 08DAMASCUS518 |
POLITICAL IMPACT OF SYRIA'S RECORD-LOW WHEAT [...] (SBU) The 2008 harvest of Syria's primary strategic crop -- wheat -- declined by 50 percent from 2007, primarily due to bad weather. For the first time in 15 years the SARG has turned to the international wheat market to compensate for the shortfall in supply. Even with this year's record-low [...] |
2008-07-20 05:24:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAGR ECON ETRD PGOV SY |
| 08DAMASCUS524 |
FOREIGN TOURISM TO SYRIA UP 40 PERCENT IN 2008 [...] (C) At the mid-point of 2008, the Syrian economy is enjoying its best tourism season since 2002, and a 40 percent increase in foreign tourism over 2007. A local expert attributes the increase to a year of political stability in the region and a greater SARG investment in marketing Syria in Eu [...] |
2008-07-22 06:27:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON ETRD PGOV SY |
| 08DAMASCUS526 |
BASHAR WAITING ON SLEIMAN'S VISIT, FOCUSED ON [...] (C) Summary: From the SARG's perspective, FM Muallim's July 21 trip to Beirut provided another step toward expanding its new relationship with France, and it paved the way for the next Syrian "deliverable," namely -- Lebanese President Sleiman's upcoming visit to Damascus. Though some with [...] |
2008-07-24 17:57:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY LE |
| 08DAMASCUS536 |
63RD UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY: HIGH-LEVEL ATTENDANCE [...] (U) This is Embassy Damascus' response to the action requests from reftel in regards to attendance of SARG delegation to 63rd UNGA meetings. 2. (U) The Head of State Bashar Al Asad does not plan to attend at this time. 3. (U) Head Of Government PM Otri does not plan to attend. 4. (U) [...] |
2008-07-31 17:00:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KSEP OTRA OVIP PREL UNGA |
| 08DAMASCUS537 |
63RD UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY: HIGH-LEVEL ATTENDANCE [...] (U) This is Embassy Damascus' response to the action requests from reftel in regards to attendance of SARG delegation to 63rd UNGA meetings. 2. (U) The Head of State Bashar Al Asad does not plan to attend at this time. 3. (U) Head Of Government PM Otri does not plan to attend. 4. (U) [...] |
2008-07-31 18:17:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KSEP OTRA OVIP PREL UNGA |
| 08DAMASCUS538 |
SARG BEGINS TRIAL OF 12 DAMASCUS DECLARATION [...] No summary [...] |
2008-08-02 08:37:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL SY |
| 08DAMASCUS539 |
SARG BEGINS TRIAL OF 12 DAMASCUS DECLARATION [...] (U) This is an action request. See para 15-16. 2. (C) Summary: The trial of twelve members of the Damascus Declaration National Council (DDNC) Secretariat began July 30 in front of courtroom packed with diplomats, press, family members, and civil society activists. The presiding judge [...] |
2008-08-02 08:37:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL SY |
| 08DAMASCUS54 |
ATTACKING BASHAR'S MONEY [...] (S) Summary. As Washington policy makers consider ways to pressure the regime, one possibility would be to go after President Asad's money-men. Four individuals Asad uses to make and move money are Zuhair Sahloul, Nabil Kuzbari, Asad's uncle Mohammad Makhlouf, and his father-in-law, Fawas Akh [...] |
2008-01-24 15:17:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET | EFIN ETTC PGOV PREL PTER SY |
| 08DAMASCUS541 |
TOP ASAD SECURITY AIDE ASSASSINATED [...] (S/NF) Syrian Presidential security aide Brigadier General Muhammad Sulayman was assassinated by a sniper late on the evening of August 1 in the coastal city of Tartous. Sulayman enjoyed a reputation among Embassy contacts as having special status and proximity to Bashar. Sulayman was said to have [...] |
2008-08-03 15:39:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET//NOFORN | PGOV PTER SY LE IS |
| 08DAMASCUS559 |
SUPPORTING SYRIA'S EMERGING PRIVATE SECTOR [...] (C) After 45 years of Baathist socialism, private enterprise is gaining momentum in Syria. Over the past 18 months, the SARG has enacted six major economic reforms that were long advocated by international consultants but bitterly resisted by Baath Party apparatchiks. Encouraged by the refor [...] |
2008-08-07 16:16:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN ETRD ETTC KCOR PGOV SY |
| 08DAMASCUS560 |
AMMAR AL-HAKIM VISIT SIGNALS NEW SARG EMPHASIS ON [...] (C) Summary: On July 30-31, President Asad and other senior officials provided a lavish reception for Deputy Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq (ISCI) Chair Ammar al-Hakim. Embassy sources suggest Al-Hakim responded favorably to Syrian lobbying to oppose a a long-term security agreement between [...] |
2008-08-07 16:38:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY LE |
| 08DAMASCUS579 |
SLEIMAN VISIT TO DAMASCUS: AGREEMENT ON [...] (S) Summary: In a visit that went largely as scripted, Lebanese President Sleiman arrived August 13 in Damascus and issued a joint press statement with President Asad on their decision to establish full diplomatic relations "at the ambassadorial level." Though there were Syrian concerns that a bus [...] |
2008-08-14 16:06:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET | PGOV PREL SY LE |
| 08DAMASCUS587 |
SYRIANS ADJUSTING TO "NEW NORMAL" OF INFLATION [...] (SBU) Three months after the SARG cut fuel subsidies by 50 percent, the consequent 350 percent increase in the price of diesel has been reflected across the spectrum of goods and services. Official SARG statistics indicate inflation has increased by 15 percent since summer 2007, but many econ [...] |
2008-08-18 14:26:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAGR EFIN ENRG EPET PGOV SY |
| 08DAMASCUS59 |
SYRIAN GOVERNMENT PREVENTS U.S. CITIZEN FROM [...] (C) Summary. The SARG has placed a travel ban on naturalized U.S. citizen and political reformer Bassam Ishak. Ishak, a long-time Embassy contact, is currently weighing his options but may ask the Embassy to intervene on his behalf with the MFA. End Summary. 2. (C) The Syrian government [...] |
2008-01-28 15:09:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | KDEM PGOV PHUM PREL SY |
| 08DAMASCUS599 |
MAKHLOUF AIRLINE TO PURCHASE BOMBARDIER AIRCRAFT [...] (C) Reliable media sources are reporting that the first private Syrian airline is in negotiations to purchase Bombardier passenger aircraft from the Canadian manufacturer. The airline, known as Cham Pearl, is principally backed by President Asad's cousin (and Specially Designated National) Ra [...] |
2008-08-20 14:53:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | EAIR EFIN ETRD PGOV SY |
| 08DAMASCUS609 |
FM KOUCHNER VISIT SETS AGENDA FOR SEPTEMBER 3-4 [...] (C) Summary: According to a French Embassy readout, French FM Kouchner's August 22-23 discussions with President Asad and FM Muallim focused on Lebanon, Russia/Georgia, human rights, Syria's indirect talks with Israel, and Iran in advance of President Sarkozy's September 3-4 visit to Damasc [...] |
2008-08-27 10:04:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PBTS PGOV PHUM PREL SY FR |
| 08DAMASCUS61 |
SYRIAN NATIONAL COUNCIL DETAINEES MAKE FIRST COURT [...] (SBU) Summary. All ten National Council detainees appeared in Criminal Court on January 28 in the first of what will likely be many court appearances over the next several months. National Council President Fidaa Hourani was formally accused of three politically motivated charges, while the [...] |
2008-01-28 15:44:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL SY IS |
| 08DAMASCUS610 |
FM KOUCHNER VISIT SETS AGENDA FOR SEPTEMBER 3-4 [...] (C) Summary: According to a French Embassy readout, French FM Kouchner's August 22-23 discussions with President Asad and FM Muallim focused on Lebanon, Russia/Georgia, human rights, Syria's indirect talks with Israel, and Iran in advance of President Sarkozy's September 3-4 visit to Damasc [...] |
2008-08-27 12:33:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PBTS PGOV PHUM PREL SY FR |
| 08DAMASCUS63 |
PALESTINIAN CONFERENCE PRODUCES HARD RHETORIC AND [...] (C) Summary: SARG efforts to spin the three-day Palestinian conference as an event for "domestic consumption" and a call for Palestinian solidarity conveniently overlook the harsh anti-U.S., Israeli, and Palestinian Authority rhetoric during the conference and in a seven-page communique (tra [...] |
2008-01-28 16:51:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
| 08DAMASCUS630 |
IOM BAGHDAD'S UNCLEARED VISIT JEOPARDIZES EXPANDED [...] (U) This is an action request, see para 8. 2. (C) Summary: During a discussion on the possibility of allowing IOM Damascus to host a trainer from outside Syria, Husam Alaa, Syrian MFA Chief of Staff for D/FM Faisal Miqdad, informed Charge September 3 that two IOM officials had entered [...] |
2008-09-04 14:34:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREF PREL SY IZ |
| 08DAMASCUS636 |
HOST GOVERNMENT PRACTICES - INFORMATION [...] (U) Summary: The following is submitted in response to the Department's request (ref B). Due to the difficult bilateral relationship between the U.S. and the SARG, Post does not have the full access necessary to give a complete picture of Syria's information collection, screening and sharin [...] |
2008-09-10 14:24:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PREL PGOV PINR KVPR ASEC KHLS SY |
| 08DAMASCUS64 |
STAFFDEL WAXMAN MEETS WITH SYRIAN DEPUTY FOREIGN [...] (U) This cable replaces Syria 00029. 2. (C) Summary: In a January 9 meeting with Senate staffers Sharon Waxman and Perry Cammack, D/FM Miqdad outlined the significant challenges to Syria posed by Iraqi refugees and conveyed the SARG's unhappiness with recent U.S. statements criticizing Syr [...] |
2008-01-29 13:14:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | IZ PHUM PINS PREL SY |
| 08DAMASCUS646 |
SARKOZY'S VISIT YIELDS VICTORY FOR FRENCH OIL [...] (C) The most significant economic development resulting from French President Nicholas Sarkozy's visit to Damascus was the signing of an MOU with the SARG that would position the French petroleum company Total to take the lead on any potential projects linking Syria's petroleum infrastructure [...] |
2008-09-15 15:12:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | EINV ENRG EPET ETRD PGOV FR SY |
| 08DAMASCUS650 |
"LENIENT" SENTENCE FOR KURDISH PROTESTERS AS SARG [...] (C) Summary: Fifty Kurds who had been arrested in 2005 for participating in a demonstration following the mysterious death of Kurdish leader Sheikh Mashook Khaznawi received six-month sentences, the minimum sentence allowed by Syrian law, on September 14. But a recent spate of arrests of an [...] |
2008-09-16 13:12:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL SY |
| 08DAMASCUS656 |
DAMASCUS REQUESTS PARTICIPATION IN THE RHYTHM ROAD AMERICAN [...] (U) SUMMARY: Embassy Damascus requests participation in the Rhythm Road American Music Abroad Program during February-May 2009. A program of "urban music" will help Post reach out to youth in a country where over 50 percent of the population is under 20 and Western hip hop receives wide play. [...] |
2008-09-17 14:14:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KPAO SY XF OEXC SCUL |
| 08DAMASCUS657 |
RARE SYRIAN PROMISE FULFILLED BY NAMING AMBASSADOR [...] (C) Summary: Syrian President Bashar Asad swore in Nawaf al-Fares as the new Syrian Ambassador to Iraq on September 16, the first such appointment in over 24 years. This move was expected but did not occur as part of a visit by Iraqi FM Zebari to Damascus, as SARG officials had hoped. Iraq [...] |
2008-09-17 17:14:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY IZ |
| 08DAMASCUS658 |
RARE SYRIAN PROMISE FULFILLED BY NAMING AMBASSADOR [...] (C) Summary: Syrian President Bashar Asad swore in Nawaf al-Fares as the new Syrian Ambassador to Iraq on September 16, the first such appointment in over 24 years. This move was expected but did not occur as part of a visit by Iraqi FM Zebari to Damascus, as SARG officials had hoped. Iraq [...] |
2008-09-18 04:24:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY IZ |
| 08DAMASCUS66 |
SYRIAN GOVERNMENT DETAINEES OPPOSITION LEADER RIAD [...] (C) Summary: On the evening of January 28, Syrian authorities detained Riad Seif, Damascus Declaration National Council head and former imprisoned MP. He was arraigned January 29 and is currently in Adraa Prison along with the other 10 National Council detainees. End Summary. 2. (C) At [...] |
2008-01-29 14:38:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | KDEM PHUM PGOV SY PREL |
| 08DAMASCUS660 |
JAPANESE AMBASSADOR CLAIMS INFLUENCE OVER SARG [...] (C) Japanese Ambassador Matsaki Kunieda told Charge during her September 17 courtesy call that he believed that he had twice been able to influence SARG decision-making on issues of concern to the West. Kunieda said he had suggested to MFA Vice Foreign Minister Faisal Miqdad in early 2007 th [...] |
2008-09-18 14:06:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL SY JA |
| 08DAMASCUS661 |
SYRIAN AIR TO SELL ALL BOEING AIRCRAFT [...] (C) Syrian Air executives report that the airline's management intends to sell its two Boeing 747s and six Boeing 727s rather than attempt to overhaul them. They reported that the one remaining operational Boeing aircraft in the Syrian Air fleet, a 747, will be grounded on October 1, 2008, an [...] |
2008-09-18 15:05:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | EAIR ECON ETRD PGOV FR SY |
| 08DAMASCUS666 |
SPANISH FOREIGN MINISTER "GETS TOUGH" WITH SARG [...] (C) Summary: The September 17 visit to Damascus of Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Moratinos, portrayed by the Spanish Embassy as an opportunity for Spain to "get tough" with the SARG, lasted less then a day. Moratinos held short meetings with President Asad and Foreign Minister Muallem and [...] |
2008-09-22 14:56:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PROG PREF PREL SY |
| 08DAMASCUS669 |
SARG OPPOSITIONIST RIAD TURK SPEAKS OF LONG-TERM [...] (C) Summary: Damascus Declaration National Council Leader Riad Turk believes Syria's expanding relations with European countries will ultimately work to the benefit of civil society and political opposition groups. In the short-term, however, the SARG is cracking down on Kurds and is likely t [...] |
2008-09-24 04:54:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL SY KDEM |
| 08DAMASCUS670 |
SARG OPPOSITIONIST RIAD TURK SPEAKS OF LONG-TERM [...] (C) Summary: Damascus Declaration National Council Leader Riad Turk believes Syria's expanding relations with European countries will ultimately work to the benefit of civil society and political opposition groups. In the short-term, however, the SARG is cracking down on Kurds and is likely t [...] |
2008-09-24 04:54:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL SY KDEM |
| 08DAMASCUS671 |
SARG OPPOSITIONIST RIAD TURK SPEAKS OF LONG-TERM [...] (C) Summary: Damascus Declaration National Council Leader Riad Turk believes Syria's expanding relations with European countries will ultimately work to the benefit of civil society and political opposition groups. In the short-term, however, the SARG is cracking down on Kurds and is likely t [...] |
2008-09-24 04:54:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL SY KDEM |
| 08DAMASCUS675 |
IOM CONCERNED ABOUT REFUGEE REPATRIATION AND LOCAL [...] (C) Summary: During an introductory call on IOM Chief of Mission Maria Rumman, Rumman relayed to Charge recent conversations between IOM staff and representatives of the Iraqi government which principally focused on how the GOI could best repatriate its citizens that have sought refuge in Syri [...] |
2008-09-26 19:46:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREF IO SY |
| 08DAMASCUS676 |
SYRIAN TALKING HEADS EXPRESS ANGER OVER PRESIDENT [...] (C) President Bush's two-sentence critique of Syria during his farewell speech to the UN General Assembly was rebuffed by a barrage of negative remarks from the government-owned daily Al-Thawra. Print media aside from Al-Thawra was generally muted on the subject but several independent journa [...] |
2008-09-26 19:49:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PROG PREF PREL SY |
| 08DAMASCUS677 |
CAR BOMB EXPLODES IN GREATER DAMASCUS AREA - [...] (C) On September 27 at roughly 0745 Damascus time (0045 EST) a car bomb exploded on the main road connecting Damascus to surrounding suburbs and the Damascus International Airport, located approximately 5kms (3 miles) from the Embassy. Syrian and Western press have reported 17 deaths and 14 i [...] |
2008-09-27 11:03:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PREL ASEC SY |
| 08DAMASCUS678 |
EAC DAMASCUS - SEPTEMBER 27 EXPLOSION [...] (S/NF) The Damascus Emergency Action Committee (EAC) met September 27 to review Post's security posture following an apparent car bomb attack in Damascus earlier that morning. Charge chaired the meeting; A/DCM, RSO, MGT, POL/ECON, PAO, MSGDETCMDR, DAO, IMO, CONS, and GRPO attended. 2. (SBU) [...] |
2008-09-27 11:35:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET | ASEC PTER CASC SY |
| 08DAMASCUS679 |
CAR BOMB EXPLODES IN GREATER DAMASCUS AREA - [...] (C) On September 27 at roughly 0745 Damascus time (0045 EST) a car bomb exploded on the main road connecting Damascus to surrounding suburbs and the Damascus International Airport, located approximately 5kms (3 miles) from the Embassy. Syrian and Western press have reported 17 deaths and 14 i [...] |
2008-09-27 11:47:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PREL ASEC SY |
| 08DAMASCUS691 |
MURKY OUTLOOK FOR SYRIAN ENVIRONMENTAL EFFORTS [...] (SBU) Summary: Under sweltering, sand-filled and polluted skies -- symptomatic of Syria's environmental challenges -- Amman ESTH Hub officer and Emboffs held environment-related August 27 meetings in Damascus. Low environmental awareness, weak enforcement of environmental laws and regulations [...] |
2008-10-06 04:11:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EENV ETRD EAID PGOV SY |
| 08DAMASCUS698 |
SYRIAN AL-RA,Y TV SHOWCASING COALITION AND IRAQI [...] (C) Summary: Former Al-Ra'y TV correspondent Ibrahim Al-Jabeen (protect) told us on September 28 that Syria-based Al-Ra,y TV had assumed the Iraq-based Al-Zawraa TV,s former role of showcasing Iraqi militant attacks on Coalition and Iraqi forces. Although Mish,an Al-Jaburi,s wife, Al-Usta, [...] |
2008-10-07 14:04:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PREL SY KPAO |
| 08DAMASCUS7 |
CODEL SPECTER MEETS WITH SYRIAN FOREIGN MINISTER [...] (C) SUMMARY: Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem pleaded for the United States not to hold Syria "hostage" to events in Lebanon or to resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, while insisting to Senator Arlen Specter and Representative Patrick Kennedy that Syria itself was ready for p [...] |
2008-01-02 05:48:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KPAL KDEM PHUM SY IS IZ LEB |
| 08DAMASCUS70 |
MAXIMIZING THE IMPACT OF RAMI'S DESIGNATION [...] (S/NF) As Washington moves towards designating Rami Makhlouf, Embassy Damascus recommends that the Department's roll-out strategy focus on linking his corrupt activities to consequences suffered by the Syrian people (see para 11). In some of the largest economic sectors -- electricity, petrol [...] |
2008-01-31 10:27:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET | ECON EINV EPET ETTC PGOV PINR KCOR SY |
| 08DAMASCUS705 |
SARG TANK DEPLOYMENTS ALONG THE LEBANESE/SYRIAN [...] (S/NF) Summary: Despite two separate visits to the northern Syrian/Lebanese border in recent days, Post has been unable to verify diplomatic and media reports suggesting the SARG had positioned tanks along its side of the border. DATT personnel have documented the deployment of Syrian troops [...] |
2008-10-09 03:57:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET//NOFORN | MOPS PROG PREL SY |
| 08DAMASCUS706 |
REPORTS OF SARG ARMOR DEPLOYMENT UNSUBSTANTIATED [...] (S/NF) Summary: Despite two separate visits to the northern Syrian/Lebanese border in recent days, Post has been unable to verify diplomatic and media reports suggesting the SARG has positioned tanks along its side of the border. DATT personnel have documented the deployment of Syrian troops [...] |
2008-10-09 03:57:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET | MOPS PGOV LE SY |
| 08DAMASCUS714 |
SARG RAIDS SUSPECTED TERRORIST CELL [...] (C) Embassy contacts reported that Syrian security and police services raided a suspected "terrorist" cell on Octobter 9, killing three suspected terrorists and wounding one while suffering one police fatality. The incident took place in the unofficial Yarmouk Palestinian camp, located approx [...] |
2008-10-10 12:49:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PGOV SY |
| 08DAMASCUS72 |
CHILEANS TO RESETTLE IRAQI PALESTINIAN REFUGEES [...] (C) On January 22, PolOff met with Deputy Head of the Chilean Mission to Syria, Arturo Giadala, who confirmed reports that his country would be resettling over 100 Iraqi Palestinian refugees currently residing in the Al-Tanf refugee camp. (Note: There three camps near the Iraqi border where Ir [...] |
2008-01-31 15:41:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREF PHUM PREL SY IZ |
| 08DAMASCUS723 |
SARG ANTI-TERROR CRACKDOWN - A VIEW FROM THE [...] (S/NF) Summary: The SARG remains committed to its gloves-off crackdown on Salafist terror cells within Syria following the September 27 VBIED attack on a Syrian Military Intelligence (SMI) branch office (ref A). While the security services have scored successes in raids on suspected safe hous [...] |
2008-10-14 10:47:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET//NOFORN | ASEC PGOV PTER SY |
| 08DAMASCUS727 |
PART I OF A SERIES: IRANIAN ECONOMIC ACTIVITY IN [...] (SBU) This is the first cable in a three-part series examining Iranian economic activity in Syria. Iranian-Syrian economic cooperation is overstated by both the SARG and Iranian government in an attempt to create the public perception that a mutually beneficial economic relationship has resu [...] |
2008-10-16 16:19:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN EPET ETRD PGOV IR SY |
| 08DAMASCUS73 |
SARG STUMBLING THROUGH FUEL CRISIS [...] (C) Unseasonably cold weather, perhaps the coldest January in the last decade, has increased Syrian demand for heating fuels. Anecdotal information from Syrians, and our own observations, convey a situation in which increased demand, particularly for diesel (mazout), has exhausted supplies and [...] |
2008-01-31 17:18:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON ENRG EPET PGOV SY KCOR |
| 08DAMASCUS735 |
PART II OF A SERIES: IRANIAN ECONOMIC ACTIVITY IN [...] (SBU) This is the second cable in a three-part series examining Iranian economic activity in Syria. The largest Iranian investment projects in Syria are two car assembly plants that are struggling to break even just one year after opening. Several other projects touted as "investment" are ac [...] |
2008-10-21 13:57:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET//NOFORN | ECON EFIN EPET ETRD PGOV IR SY |
| 08DAMASCUS739 |
DAMASCUS EAC 10/23/2008 [...] (S/NF) The Damascus Emergency Action Committee (EAC) met October 23 to review the potential threat information in Ref A. Charge, chaired the meeting; A/DCM, MGT, POL/ECON, PAO, RSO, DAO, CONS, MSGDETCMDR, IMO, and GRPO attended. 2. (S/NF) GRPO briefed EAC on ref A, which contained informa [...] |
2008-10-23 16:50:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET//NOFORN | ASEC PTER SY |
| 08DAMASCUS741 |
SARG ALLEGES U.S. MILITARY RAID KILLS 8 CIVILIANS [...] (U) This is an action request. See para 10. 2. (C) Summary: Roughly two hours after local internet and Syrian TV reported an alleged U.S. military attack in eastern Syria, Syrian Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Faisal Mekdad convoked Charge and Pol/Econ Chief on October 26 (2200 local) [...] |
2008-10-27 05:39:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL MOPS PGOV PTER SY IZ |
| 08DAMASCUS742 |
PART III OF A SERIES: IRANIAN ECONOMIC ACTIVITY IN [...] (C) This is the third and final cable in a three-part series examining Iranian economic activity in Syria. The greatest interaction between the Syrian and Iranian private sectors results from Syria's historical importance in Shi'ism. Iranian religious pilgrims represent the largest single bl [...] |
2008-10-27 11:19:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET//NOFORN | ECON EFIN EPET ETRD PGOV IR SY |
| 08DAMASCUS744 |
DAMASCUS EAC REVIEWS SECURITY ENVIRONMENT [...] (S/NF) The Damascus Emergency Action Committee (EAC) met October 27 to review Post's security profile amid Syrian media allegations of an October 26 U.S. military strike on Syrian territory. Charge chaired the meeting; A/DCM, RSO, POL/ECON, PAO, A/MGT (IMO), DAO, GRPO, CONS, and MSGDETCMDR at [...] |
2008-10-27 11:34:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET//NOFORN | ASEC PREL PTER CASC SY |
| 08DAMASCUS745 |
SARG CONDEMNATION OF ALLEGED U.S. MILITARY STRIKE IN ABU [...] [SBU] As reported reftel, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Faisal Miqdad passed Charge a copy of the Ministry's press release regarding the alleged U.S. military operation in eastern Syria that purportedly killed eight Syrian civilians. An Embassy translation follows. 2. [SBU] Begin text [...] |
2008-10-27 14:05:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV KPAO PHUM PREL SA SY |
| 08DAMASCUS753 |
SARG VIEWS ON NEW EMBASSY COMPOUND [...] (S/NF) A Palestinian American academic who enjoys frequent access to SARG FM Muallim told us October 23 that Muallim believes that the U.S. Embassy is exaggerating the threat in Damascus and "can wait" until such time as the SARG finds a location for a NEC. The implication was that the SARG [...] |
2008-10-29 10:14:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET//NOFORN | PREL ASEC ABLD SY |
| 08DAMASCUS755 |
DAMASCUS EAC - TEMPORARY CLOSURE THURSDAY FOR [...] (S/NF) The Damascus Emergency Action Committee (EAC) met October 29 to assess Post's security profile in advance of possible demonstrations October 29 or 30. Charge chaired the meeting; A/DCM, RSO, A/PAO, CONS, GRPO, DAO, POL/ECON, MGT, MSGDETCMDR, and IMO attended. 2. (SBU) RSO briefed EA [...] |
2008-10-29 13:59:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET//NOFORN | ASEC PREL PTER CASC SY |
| 08DAMASCUS756 |
UPDATE FROM DAMASCUS: SARG BRIEFS DIPLOMATIC [...] (C) Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Miqdad briefed local diplomatic missions October 29 on the SARG's decision to order the closure of the American Cultural Center (ACC) and American School (DCS). He received push-back from a number of missions, especially regarding closure of the latte [...] |
2008-10-29 14:16:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV MOPS SY IZ |
| 08DAMASCUS757 |
PYRRHIC VICTORY: DAMASCUS DECLARATION MEMBERS [...] (SBU) This is an Action Request. Please see paragraphs 9-10. 2. (C) Summary: Syrian human rights activists and the international community representatives crowded the October 29 sentencing hearing for 12 members of the Damascus Declaration National Council (DDNC). The First Criminal Cou [...] |
2008-10-29 15:12:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET | PGOV PHUM PREL SY KDEM |
| 08DAMASCUS758 |
OPTIONS FOR RESPONDING TO SARG ORDER TO CLOSE [...] (SBU) This is an action request, see para 11. 2. (C) Begin Summary: At 1500 local today, Post received official verbal notification from MFA Chief of Protocol Abdul Latif Dabbagh of the SARG's order to close the American Cultural Center (ACC) immediately and to close the American School [...] |
2008-10-29 20:16:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL ASEC APER AFIN PGOV SY |
| 08DAMASCUS761 |
SYRIAN ARTISTS DEMAND RETURN OF ARTWORK ON DISPLAY AT U.S. [...] On October 29, a letter was delivered in person to the American Cultural Center by Syrian artist AbdulJabbar Weis, with whom the mission has previously had a cordial relationship. The letter was written on behalf of five artists who have works on display at the U.S. Ambassador's residence in [...] |
2008-10-30 15:09:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL KPAO SCUL SY |
| 08DAMASCUS762 |
DAMASCUS MEDIA REACTION, OCTOBER 30, 2008 [...] The media storm surrounding the October 26 attack in Abu Kamal and subsequent Syrian accusations against the United States and Syrian actions against U.S. Embassy operations in Damascus continued unabated. Print media were dominated by reports of a large protest march in the town of Abu Kamal [...] |
2008-10-30 15:43:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL KPAO SY |
| 08DAMASCUS763 |
CONFUSED AND ANGRY: SYRIAN PUBLIC REACTS TO ALLEGED U.S. [...] (SBU) Summary and Comment: Public Affairs Staff reached out to Syrian contacts and monitored online news sources to gauge public opinion following the alleged U.S. military attack in Abu Kamal on October 26. These contacts and sources offered unfiltered and candid responses. Most expressed c [...] |
2008-10-30 15:44:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KPAO PGOV PREL SY |
| 08DAMASCUS764 |
RESPONDING TO SARG'S ORDERS OF OCTOBER 29 -- [...] (U) This cable contains two action requests ) see para 9. 2. (C) Summary: Reopening for normal business November 2, Embassy Damascus will be faced with the question whether to comply with the SARG's verbal order of October 29 to immediately close the American Cultural Center, including t [...] |
2008-10-31 12:18:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL ASEC AMGT SY |
| 08DAMASCUS765 |
DAMASCUS MEDIA REACTION, OCTOBER 31, 2008 [...] Only government-owned daily al-Thawrah was published on Friday October 31. al-Thawrah gave pride of place to strident coverage of the alleged U.S. raid in Abu al-Kamal. The top half of its front page reported on the protest march organized by the Syrian government on October 30 in downtown Dama [...] |
2008-10-31 14:13:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL KPAO SY |
| 08DAMASCUS766 |
DAMASCUS MEDIA REACTION, OCTOBER 31, 2008 [...] Only government-owned daily al-Thawrah was published on Friday October 31. al-Thawrah gave pride of place to strident coverage of the alleged U.S. raid in Abu al-Kamal. The top half of its front page reported on the protest march organized by the Syrian government on October 30 in downtown Dama [...] |
2008-10-31 14:14:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL KPAO SY |
| 08DAMASCUS773 |
CORRECTED COPY: ANYTHING BUT CONCILIATORY: SARG [...] (S) Summary: Several Embassy sources suggest Iran and Hizballah are pressuring the SARG not only to lobby PM Maliki's government to alter the U.S.-Iraqi bilateral security framework and SOFA, but also to participate in joint attacks against U.S. military targets in Iraq and elsewhere. As rep [...] |
2008-11-03 09:19:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET | PREL PTER PINS ASEC IZ IR SY |
| 08DAMASCUS775 |
DIPLOMATIC EFFORT ON DAMASCUS COMMUNITY SCHOOL [...] (C) Canadian Ambassador Glenn Davidson briefed Charge on a November 4 meeting between SARG MFA Vice FM Faisal Miqdad and a group of local diplomats, led by the Dean of the Consular Corps, Argentinian Ambassador Herman Roberto Plorutti. The diplomatic group also included the Ambassadors of t [...] |
2008-11-03 11:09:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL AMGT ASEC SY |
| 08DAMASCUS779 |
DAMASCUS REFUGEE SITREP 7 [...] (SBU) CIRCUIT RIDE WRAP-UP: IOM reports that for the circuit ride 9 August - 25 September, DHS/USCIS approved 480 cases (1359 individuals) and denied 43 cases (152 individuals). No decision was made in 89 cases (312 individuals). DHS team leader Frank Minnick said that this approval rate o [...] |
2008-11-04 15:11:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM PREL SY IZ |
| 08DAMASCUS788 |
NEW SYRIAN BORDER LAW TARGETS KURDS, KURDS REACT [...] (SBU) Summary: The SARG issued a legislative decree in September that restricted property ownership, acquisition, and other land-use rights along Syria's borders. While the SARG claims the law applies to all Syrian borders, there is mounting evidence of selective enforcement targeting Kurdish [...] |
2008-11-06 14:26:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL KDEM SY |
| 08DAMASCUS790 |
DAMASCUS MEDIA REACTION, NOVEMBER 9, 2008: CONFESSORS OF [...] Syrian papers reported on the broadcast confessions by the alleged perpetrators of the explosion in the al-Qazza area of Damascus on September 27. Syrian state TV on Thursday, November 7, showed 12 individuals (mostly Syrians) claiming membership in Fateh al-Islam and confessing to planning t [...] |
2008-11-09 12:53:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL KPAO SY |
| 08DAMASCUS791 |
DAMASCUS MEDIA REACTION, NOVEMBER 10, 2008: PRESIDENT [...] Syrian papers dedicated their front-page headlines and editorials to President al-Asad's November 9 speech at the opening session of the Arab Transitional Parliament. He called on the United States to pull its troops out of Iraq claiming, "The presence in Iraq of American occupation forces is [...] |
2008-11-10 13:54:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL KPAO SY |
| 08DAMASCUS792 |
SARG PREVENTING DISTRIBUTION OF WFP RICE; [...] (C) SUMMARY: SARG officials at the Syrian port of Lattakiya are holding a portion of a World Food Program (WFP) shipment of Indian rice, purchased with PRM funds and intended for distribution to Iraqi refugees in Syria. The Syrian government claims the rice is contaminated with small rocks a [...] |
2008-11-10 15:16:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREF PGOV IZ SY |
| 08DAMASCUS793 |
BASHAR'S 11/9 SPEECH TO ARAB PARLIAMENTARIANS [...] (C) Summary: Syrian President Asad delivered a November 9 keynote address to the Arab Transitional Parliament gathered in Damascus for a bi-annual meeting of legislators from Arab League states. True to Bashar's year-long efforts to make Damascus the capital of Arab culture and resistance, [...] |
2008-11-10 15:59:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV SY IZ IS |
| 08DAMASCUS800 |
ZEBARI CONDEMNS 10/26 ATTACK, SEEKS TO RE-ASSURE [...] (C) Summary: In a hastily arranged November 11-12 visit to Damascus, Iraqi FM Hoshyar Zebari delivered a letter to a skeptical President Asad from PM Maliki reassuring Syrian leaders the SOFA would not allow U.S. troops to launch attacks on Iraq's neighbors. Zebari publicly "rejected" the [...] |
2008-11-13 14:05:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL MOPS PTER SY IZ |
| 08DAMASCUS803 |
SAVING THE AMERICAN LANGUAGE CENTER [...] (U) This is an action request. See paragraph 6. 2.(C) SUMMARY: On October 28, the SARG directed the Charge d,Affaires to close the American Cultural Center (ACC) and the American Language Center (ALC). The ALC is the English teaching program overseen by the ACC. In response to the SARG,s di [...] |
2008-11-13 14:33:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | KPAO PREL SCUL SY |
| 08DAMASCUS814 |
SARG LAUNCHES NEW PR CAMPAIGN AGAINST ISLAMIC [...] (S/NF) Summary: In a November 7 special Syrian TV broadcast, Fatah al-Islam members confessed to their involvement in the September 27 bombing of a SARG intelligence facility (REF A). This program appeared to be part of a broader Syrian propaganda effort to portray Syria as a victim, not a [...] |
2008-11-17 15:17:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET//NOFORN | PTER PGOV SY |
| 08DAMASCUS820 |
SARG NOT BUDGING ON EMBARGOED WFP RICE FOR IRAQI [...] (C) Summary: World Food Program (WFP) Regional Director Daly Belgasmi briefed us on the latest developments surrounding two separate rice donations embargoed by the SARG. Finding no other solution, Belgasmi reported the remaining PRM-funded rice would be re-exported. A visibly upset Belgasm [...] |
2008-11-19 15:32:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREF PGOV IZ SY |
| 08DAMASCUS821 |
UK FOREIGN SECRETARY MILIBAND'S NOV. 17-18 TRIP TO [...] (S/NF) Summary: UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband urged Syrian President Bashar Asad and FM Walid Muallim to take positive steps now on Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, Palestinian-Israeli peace talks, and indirect Syrian-Israeli peace talks. Doing so would help shape coming regional political change [...] |
2008-11-19 16:08:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET//NOFORN | PREL PGOV KPAL UK IZ LE IR SY |
| 08DAMASCUS828 |
DAMASCUS MEDIA REACTION - THE U.S.-IRAQI SECURITY AGREEMENT [...] (SBU) Summary and Comment: Syrian media reported extensively on the argument between the Syrian and Iraqi Ministers of Information at the November 17 Conference for Arab Ministers of Information and Telecommunications in Damascus. Media reports stated that Syrian Information Minister Bilal re [...] |
2008-11-20 14:12:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KPAO PGOV PREL SY |
| 08DAMASCUS829 |
THE SARG CAN'T KEEP US DOWN: PERSEVERING WITH [...] (C) SUMMARY: The SARG requested the closure of the American Cultural Center (ACC) and American Language Center (ALC) in Damascus on October 28. While these closures have led to a significant reduction in public programming, public diplomacy (PD) activity continues here on many levels. We ar [...] |
2008-11-20 14:37:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KPAO SCUL SY |
| 08DAMASCUS839 |
IRAQI D/FM ABBAWI SEES SUPPORTING ABBAS AS KEY [...] (C) At Embassy Baghdad's request, we delivered reftel demarche November 22 to Iraqi D/FM Abbawi, who was in Damascus attending the November 21 Iraqi Neighbors Border Security Working Group (BSWG) and would be heading the Iraqi delegation at the November 26 Arab League Ministerial. Abbawi exp [...] |
2008-11-25 11:17:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KWBG AL IZ |
| 08DAMASCUS841 |
UNSCO SERRY: SARG VIEWS ON SYRIAN AND PALESTINIAN [...] (C) Summary: UN Special Coordinator Robert Serry concluded a two-day visit to Damascus by briefing diplomats on his discussions with FM Muallim and VFM Miqdad. According to Serry, Muallim signaled continuing SARG interest in the Syrian-Israeli track but conditioned the holding of a fifth ro [...] |
2008-11-25 14:34:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KWBG PBTS TU IS UN SY |
| 08DAMASCUS842 |
SYRIAN DISSIDENT TAKES DIM VIEW OF ORGANIZED [...] (C) SUMMARY: Civil society activist and economist XXXXXXXXXXXX, released from prison on XXXXXXXXXXXX, met with us recently to share his bleak assessment of pro-democracy and human rights movements in Syria. His appraisals differ from other civil society leaders (refs A-C), especially regarding [...] |
2008-11-25 15:01:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM PGOV KPAO KDEM SY |
| 08DAMASCUS843 |
SYRIAN DISSIDENTS INDICATE GAP EXISTS BETWEEN [...] (C) SUMMARY: Syrian dissidents Aref Dalila, Muhanad al-Hasani, and Fawaz Tello (all strictly protect) met with Poloff on November 19 for a wide-ranging discussion on the current state of civil society activism in Syria (ref A). During the meeting, the three men spoke briefly about a recent Kur [...] |
2008-11-26 08:29:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL KDEM KPAO SY |
| 08DAMASCUS847 |
2008 UN DROUGHT APPEAL FOR SYRIA [...] (SBU) This is an action request cable, see paragraph 7. 2. (SBU) SUMMARY: UNFAO (Food and Agriculture) Syria Representative Abdullah Bin Yehia is seeking USG commitment to the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs 2008 Drought Appeal. Yehia proposes to use money from the appe [...] |
2008-11-26 14:12:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | EAGR EAID ECON FAO PGOV PHUM PREF SY |
| 08DAMASCUS848 |
SARG DRAFT LEGISLATION ON TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS [...] (C) SUMMARY: A G/TiP funded grant to the International Office for Migration (IOM) for training Syrian police in trafficking in persons issues remains unspent. The proposed program depended upon the SARG first passing legislation on human trafficking. The draft legislation is currently under re [...] |
2008-11-26 14:15:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV KDEM SY |
| 08DAMASCUS849 |
SARG FAST-TRACKING EU ASSOCIATION AGREEMENT [...] (C) An EU diplomat in Damascus confirmed that a delegation would travel to Damascus to publicly "initial" the EU Association Agreement with Syria on December 14, following the successful conclusion of negotiations to update the agreement text on November 24 in Brussels. In her view, President [...] |
2008-11-26 14:36:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ETRD PGOV EU SY |
| 08DAMASCUS850 |
SYRIAN AIR DEDICATES LAST FOUR PLANES TO HAJJ [...] (C) A Syrian Air ticketing agent told Embassy staff that the airline is currently operating just four of its fleet of 16 aircraft, due to its inability to obtain essential spare parts. From November 22 to December 9, Syrian Air is dedicating its four remaining operational Airbus A320s to flyi [...] |
2008-11-26 14:45:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | EAIR ECON ETRD PGOV PREL SA SY |
| 08DAMASCUS857 |
WFP COUNTRY DIRECTOR DISMISSED, STATUS OF [...] (C) WFP Country Representative Pippa Bradford informed Post on November 26 that she had been placed on administrative leave effective immediately. Bradford also informed us that she had been barred from her office and from communicating with her staff in Syria, adding she had only come to lea [...] |
2008-12-01 13:47:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREF PGOV IZ SY |
| 08DAMASCUS860 |
CYBER-DISSIDENT TRIAL WILL CONTINUE; EUROPEANS [...] (C) Web journalist Habib Saleh, arrested on May 6, faced the Second Criminal Court in Damascus on December 1 to answer for articles posted on the internet deemed threateningly critical of the state. The judge in the case prevented the public from attending what was supposed to be an open trial [...] |
2008-12-02 10:14:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL SY |
| 08DAMASCUS862 |
BAILING OUT THE SHAM: SARG CONTRACT RESCUES [...] (C) A reputable Syrian website reported that the SARG will supply Syrian public sector entities with "Sham"-model automobiles. The "Sham" (colloquial Arabic for Syria) is a Peugot-based sedan produced by a joint Syrian-Iranian assembly plant (SIAMCO) in rural Damascus that opened in 2007. B [...] |
2008-12-02 12:56:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN EPET ETRD PGOV IR SY |
| 08DAMASCUS863 |
GUEANT AND LEVITTE TO SARG: GOOD JOB, BUT WORK [...] (C) Summary: French Embassy DCM Nicholas Suran briefed us December 1 on Claude Gueant and Jean-David Levitte's November 30 visit to Damascus. After stops in Doha and Jeddah, the two Elysee advisors delivered an oral message to President Asad from President Sarkozy, urged Syria to make good [...] |
2008-12-02 15:35:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV LE IR FR IZ SY |
| 08DAMASCUS868 |
SARG REPORTEDLY RECONSIDERING EXCHANGE OF [...] (C) In the wake of the visit of French President Sarkozy's advisors (reftel), diplomats in Damascus are sensing that the SARG may be preparing to renege on its commitment to exchange ambassadors with Lebanon and to open embassies in each other's capital by year's end. According to Spanish Am [...] |
2008-12-03 14:28:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL FR LE SY |
| 08DAMASCUS874 |
MORE WFP RICE TO BE RE-EXPORTED: SARG PROXIES [...] Summary: The World Food Program (WFP) reported to us its plans to re-export the Vietnamese rice, destined for the Iraqi refugee population, in accordance with Syrian demands. This comes after several weeks of WFP working to find a solution to a SARG decision to refuse import. A close associa [...] |
2008-12-04 17:16:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREF PGOV IZ SY |
| 08DAMASCUS876 |
KEEPING UP THE EFFORT ON PUBLIC DIPLOMACY IN SYRIA [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: In spite of the Syrian government's decision to close the American Cultural Center, Embassy Damascus is pursuing all available programming tools to advance mission goals of promoting freedom of expression, the exchange and development of ideas on political and economic reform, [...] |
2008-12-07 08:21:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KPAO OEXC OIIP SCUL SY XF |
| 08DAMASCUS883 |
SARG DISMISSES SHEIKHS FROM LEADERSHIP POSITIONS [...] (C) SUMMARY: The SARG quietly ordered religious sheikhs who sit on the boards of non-governmental, charitable, Islamic "foundations" to resign their positions during the month of November. One civil society activist, who first broke the news to us, claimed the SARG feared these organizations [...] |
2008-12-15 13:58:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KISC PTER SY |
| 08DAMASCUS885 |
VIOLENCE AND FIRE ERUPT AGAIN AT SEIDNAYA/SAYDNAYA [...] (C) SUMMARY: Eyewitnesses reported a large fire and gunshots inside Seidnaya prison on December 6. Human rights and diplomatic contacts have confirmed the accounts, though no casualty details are known. Embassy contacts surmise the violence pointed to another riot in the prison. Other conta [...] |
2008-12-15 15:01:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET//NOFORN | PGOV PHUM PINS SY |
| 08DAMASCUS886 |
Special Media Reaction Report: Jimmy Carter's Visit to [...] Summary: The December 13-15 visit to Damascus by former President Jimmy Carter consumed headlines in all four Syrian dailies during the course of the visit. The tone of reporting was decidedly optimistic, particularly on the prospects for U.S.-Syrian relations and the return of a U.S. Ambassa [...] |
2008-12-16 05:29:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
| 08DAMASCUS890 |
Syrian Coverage of Ambassador Schulte's Pan-Arab Media [...] Summary: On Friday, December 12, U.S. Ambassador to the IAEA Greg Schulte conducted a series of interviews on the nascent Syrian nuclear program and related International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) actions with the pan-Arab media based in London. As part of this, Ambassador Schulte appeared [...] |
2008-12-17 06:51:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL KMDR KPAO OPRC SY |
| 08DAMASCUS895 |
DAMASCUS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: THE CHANGE WE NEED? [...] (C) SUMMARY: The retirement of the Damascus Chamber of Commerce's long-serving chairman shook up the Chamber's November 2008 elections. SARG attempts to pressure the former chairman's son-in-law to step in as Chairman failed, as the remaining ten board members scrambled to re-form their cand [...] |
2008-12-18 15:08:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON ELAB PGOV SY |
| 08DAMASCUS896 |
SCENESETTER FOR SENATOR SPECTER'S DEC. 29-31 VISIT [...] (C) Summary: Embassy Damascus looks forward to your visit. You will find President Asad and his regime more confident and self-assured since your meetings in December 2007. In the last year, Syria has successfully maintained and even deepened relationships with Iran, Hizballah, Hamas, an [...] |
2008-12-18 16:45:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET//NOFORN | PREL PGOV LE IR FR IZ SY |
| 08DAMASCUS906 |
SYRIA: 2008 COUNTRY REPORT ON TERRORISM [...] (SBU) Russell Comeau is the Embassy POC. Address: 6110 Damascus Place, Dulles, VA 20189. Unclassified e-mail: ComeauR@State.gov. Tel: ( 963) 11-3391-3785. 2. (SBU) Designated in 1979 as a State Sponsor of Terrorism, Syria in 2008 continued political support to Palestinian terrorist gro [...] |
2008-12-23 12:10:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | PTER ASEC |
| 08DAMASCUS908 |
SYRIA: 2008 COUNTRY REPORT ON TERRORISM [...] (SBU) Russell Comeau is the Embassy POC. Address: 6110 Damascus Place, Dulles, VA 20189. Unclassified e-mail: ComeauR@State.gov. Tel: ( 963) 11-3391-3785. 2. (SBU) Designated in 1979 as a State Sponsor of Terrorism, Syria in 2008 continued political support to Palestinian terrorist gro [...] |
2008-12-29 04:30:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PTER ASEC |
| 08DAMASCUS909 |
SPECIAL MEDIA REACTION REPORT: EVENTS IN GAZA [...] No summary [...] |
2008-12-29 11:43:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
| 08DAMASCUS912 |
OBO VISIT [...] No summary [...] |
2008-12-29 14:26:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ABLD AMGT ASEC |
| 08DAMASCUS913 |
AMIDST CALLS FOR THIRD INTIFADA, SYRIANS [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Syrian President Bashar al-Asad has worked the phone in an effort to orchestrate a January 2 Arab League Emergency Summit in Doha. According to media reports citing anonymous Syrian officials, Syria has suspended its participation in indirect peace talks with Israel. Syrian dem [...] |
2008-12-29 15:08:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KPAL PHUM SY |
| 08DAMASCUS917 |
REQUEST FOR SECTION 565 WAIVER OF PROHIBITION [...] (SBU) We have reviewed the requirements of Section 565 of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act for 1994 and 1995 (Public Law 1103-236) and reaffirm our position that it is in the best interest of the United States Government to request waivers to the Arab League Boycott Compliance Prohibitio [...] |
2008-12-30 15:38:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ABLD AFIN AMGT ASUP ECON KBCT PHUM AL SY |
| 08DAMASCUS919 |
GAZA: MUALLIM PUSHING HUMANITARIAN TRUCE, CLAIMS [...] (C) Summary: FM Walid al-Muallim told Senator Specter December 30 that Syria wants to help broker a humanitarian truce in Gaza. After a series of contacts with his European counterparts, Muallim met with Hamas leader Khalid Mesha,al and other Palestinian faction heads to ask if they would ag [...] |
2008-12-31 08:51:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KPAL PGOV IS SY |
| 08DAMASCUS920 |
SPECIAL MEDIA REACTION REPORT: EVENTS IN GAZA [...] Summary: Syrian papers feature photos of Palestinian casualties and large impassioned demonstrations in cities throughout Syria. Papers on December 31 also carried photos of President Asad's meeting with Senator Arlen Specter. A Syrian editorialist laments the closure of Rafah crossing and urg [...] |
2008-12-31 10:05:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
| 08DAMASCUS93 |
SARG ANNOUNCES JOINT VENTURE WITH UK/US-BASED [...] (C) On February 5, the UK-licensed, majority US-owned company Gulfsands Petroleum received official SARG permission to establish a joint venture with Syrian Petroleum Company (SPC) to develop the Khurbet East (KHE) oil field in northeastern Syria (Block 26). The same day, Pol/Econ Counselor a [...] |
2008-02-07 16:35:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | EINV ENRG EPET PGOV SY |
| 08DAMASCUS94 |
DOUBTS ABOUT NUMBER OF IRAQI REFUGEES IN SYRIA [...] (C) Summary: In a move we are concerned will negatively affect USG efforts to gain support for Iraqi refugees in Syria, some European embassies, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and other NGOs are quietly challenging SARG and UNHCR estimates of 1.5 million Iraqi refugees i [...] |
2008-02-07 17:31:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREF PREL SY IZ |
| 08EFTODAMASCUS487 |
NO EVIDENCE OF SEA/GTIP MISCONDUCT IN UNDOF/UNTSO [...] (U) This cable is in response to State 68780. 2. (SBU) Post contacted sources in the local human rights and NGO communities, in addition to media and DAT contacts regarding the status of SEA/GTIP in the UNDOF/UNTSO mission. Sources had no knowledge of any SEA/GTIP related complaints against [...] |
2008-07-08 15:16:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL KPKO PHUM UNSE |
| 09DAMASCUS10 |
GAZA: SARKOZY LOOKING FOR SARG SUPPORT OF [...] (C) Summary: French DCM Nicolas Suran (strictly protect) confirmed January 4 that President Sarkozy would visit Damascus January 6 for three hours (approximately 10 am to 1 pm). Sarkozy would arrive after spending the previous day in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Ramallah. Sarkozy would then dep [...] |
2009-01-05 13:27:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KWBG KPAL FR SY |
| 09DAMASCUS106 |
RE-ENGAGING SYRIA: SYRIA AND HAMAS [...] (C) Summary: Consensus is lacking on the extent of Syrian influence over Hamas; some believe the landlord-tenant relationship gives Syria decisive leverage. Others see a Syrian-Iranian rivalry and give Iran with its financial resources an advantage. SARG officials argue that they deal with [...] |
2009-02-03 16:37:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KPAL IR SY |
| 09DAMASCUS109 |
WOMEN'S NGO WARNED REGARDING EMBASSY CONTACT [...] (C/NF) The Ministry of Social Affairs recently warned a prominent Syrian women's NGO that it risked losing its license if it had any unauthorized contact with foreigners or embassies. NGO staff believe the warning was issued after one of its board members reported to the SARG that Embassy Dam [...] |
2009-02-04 14:24:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PGOV PHUM KWMN SOCI SY |
| 09DAMASCUS11 |
PROTESTERS HARASSING EGYPTIAN EMBASSY IN DAMASCUS, [...] (C) Summary: Charge called on Egyptian Ambassador Shawky Ismail December 31 to compare notes and express solidarity. Ismail reviewed his Embassy's security problems, accused Syria of coordinating with Tehran and Hizballah to exploit the Gaza crisis, and explained Egypt's proposal for moving t [...] |
2009-01-05 13:30:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PINS ASEC KPAL EG SY |
| 09DAMASCUS114 |
IRAQI KURDS REBUFF SYRIAN KURDISH ACTIVIST'S [...] (C) SUMMARY: We met with a Damascus-based Kurdish activist on February 3 who had smuggled herself from Syria into Kurdistan, Iraq on November 22, 2008 to solicit support from a range of Kurdish parties, including the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), [...] |
2009-02-08 15:48:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM IZ SY |
| 09DAMASCUS120 |
RE-ENGAGING SYRIA: A FIRST LOOK AT SANCTIONS [...] (C) Top-level SARG officials are increasingly identifying U.S. trade sanctions as a key issue in any diplomatic re-engagement. The Presidential waiver authority codified in the Syrian Accountability Act and operationalized by the Commerce Department's General Order No. 2 authorizes the export [...] |
2009-02-10 13:53:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN EPET ETRD ETTC PGOV PTER SY |
| 09DAMASCUS125 |
ENGAGING SYRIA: SYRIA AND LEBANON [...] (S/NF)1. (S/NF) Summary: Direct U.S. engagement with Syria is unlikely to yield near-term breakthroughs in Syrian-Lebanese relations, but a U.S.-Syrian dialogue provides an opportunity to cooperate with France and other European countries to ensure Syria hears a more consistent message on t [...] |
2009-02-11 19:31:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET//NOFORN | PREL PTER PGOV LE IS IR SY |
| 09DAMASCUS126 |
REFORMATTED COPY OF DAMASCUS 125 - RE-ENGAGING [...] (S/NF) Summary: Direct U.S. engagement with Syria is unlikely to yield near-term breakthroughs in Syrian-Lebanese relations, but a U.S.-Syrian dialogue provides an opportunity to cooperate with France and other European countries to ensure Syria hears a more consistent message on the importa [...] |
2009-02-12 08:21:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET//NOFORN | PREL PTER PGOV LE IS IR SY |
| 09DAMASCUS130 |
HAMAS REPRESENTATIVE REAFFIRMS CONDITIONS FOR [...] (S/NF) Summary: Almost a week after the February 5 deadline for responding to Egypt's Gaza cease-fire proposal, Hamas appears ready to stand pat on its demands for Israel to agree to re-open border crossings and lift the siege as part of any deal. In contrast to Hamas Politburo Chief Khaled M [...] |
2009-02-12 12:25:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET//NOFORN | PREL KWBG KPAL PTER SY |
| 09DAMASCUS132 |
SCENESETTER FOR CODELS CARDIN, BERMAN, AND KERRY [...] (C) Summary: Chairman Cardin, Chairman Berman, and Chairman Kerry, Embassy Damascus is looking forward to your mid-February visits. You should expect an enthusiastic reception by government officials of the Syrian Arab Republic (SARG) and from the media, who will interpret your presence as a [...] |
2009-02-12 14:26:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET//NOFORN | PREL ETRD ECON PTER PREF PAUM PARM KWBG LE |
| 09DAMASCUS133 |
WFP MANAGEMENT REVIEW TEAM VISIT RAISES MORE [...] (C) Summary: World Food Program (WFP) dispatched a Management Review Team to Damascus this past week whose mission was to investigate what went wrong this past December after the SARG turned-around U.S. and Italian-funded rice destined for the Iraqi refugee population here (Ref A, B, C, D, E) [...] |
2009-02-12 15:29:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREF PGOV IZ SY |
| 09DAMASCUS134 |
MFA STEERS DIPLOMATS TO SHELL SCHOOL: "YOUR [...] (C) Summary. During a February 12 meeting with concerned diplomats, SARG MFA Deputy FM Abd al-Fatta Ammura said he believed that the Ministry of Education would not object to the expansion of a Royal Dutch Shell-operated school to include the children of diplomats. Outlining a series of ste [...] |
2009-02-16 13:22:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL AMGT SY |
| 09DAMASCUS139 |
SYRIA: 2008 TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS REPORT [...] (U) The following is Post's submission of the annual trafficking in persons report. The Embassy's point of contact is Anthony A. Deaton. Office telephone: (963) (11) 3391-3207. Fax: (963) (11) 3391-3999. The officer spent 35 hours in preparation of the report, which is structured to answer [...] |
2009-02-17 15:24:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM ASEC ELAB KCRM KFRD KWMN KTIP PREF SMIG |
| 09DAMASCUS14 |
UNWRA SAYS SARG RESTRAINING HAMAS EFFORTS TO [...] (C) UNWRA Country Director Panos Moumtzis (strictly protect) told us January 5 that tensions among Fatah and Gaza factions had increased dramatically in Syrian Palestinian refugee camps. Syrian security services had restrained Hamas leaders from organizing demonstrations and had beefed up se [...] |
2009-01-05 14:24:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PINS PREF PHUM KPAL SY |
| 09DAMASCUS142 |
RE-ENGAGING SYRIA: ENTERING THE SYRIAN SPIN MACHINE [...] No summary [...] |
2009-02-19 16:11:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KPAO IZ IS SY |
| 09DAMASCUS147 |
ASAD TELLS CODEL BERMAN SYRIA READY FOR PEACE, [...] (C) Summary: President Asad's February 21 meeting with CODEL Berman focused on the need for frank dialogue between the two countries, U.S. concerns about Syria's relations with Hamas, Iran, and Hizballah, and Syria's desire for an American umbrella in a comprehensive regional peace process. [...] |
2009-02-24 13:51:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KPAL PGOV PTER PHUM IR IS IZ SY |
| 09DAMASCUS148 |
CONGRESSMAN BERMAN MEETS WITH DAMASCUS DECLARATION [...] (C) SUMMARY: In a pull-aside meeting at a February 21 reception hosted by CDA at the Ambassador's Residence, Representative Howard Berman, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC) and HFAC Senior Professional Staff Member Alan Makovsky met with Jumana Seif (strictly protect), th [...] |
2009-02-24 13:53:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL SY |
| 09DAMASCUS149 |
SYRIA - SAUDI ARABIA: MOVING TOWARD NORMALIZATION? [...] (C) Summary: The Algerian ambassador provided his understanding February 25 of the sequencing of a normalization in ties between Syria and Saudi Arabia. Initiated by joint concern over Saudi jihadists on the loose, renewed contacts between the two have been expanded from the counter-terroris [...] |
2009-02-25 15:51:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL SA SY |
| 09DAMASCUS150 |
PARADE OF CODELS TO DAMASCUS: WHAT WORKS AND WHAT [...] No summary [...] |
2009-02-25 17:59:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PREL SY |
| 09DAMASCUS151 |
CORRECTED COPY (CLASSIFICATION) - PARADE OF CODELS [...] (S/NF) Since late January, Damascus has hosted four CODELs who in their sum total had more official face time with Syrian leaders than the Embassy has had in the last four years. All met with President Asad, FM Muallim, and Presidential Advisor Bouthaina Shabaan. All raised, in varying deg [...] |
2009-02-25 18:10:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET//NOFORN | PREL SY |
| 09DAMASCUS158 |
KERRY - ASAD: DIVIDING IRAQ AND UNIFYING IRAN [...] (C/NF) Summary: Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Senator John Kerry told President Asad that he believed progress was being made in Iraq and the U.S. wanted to withdraw its troops as soon as possible. The recent provincial elections in Iraq had been the first real, positive [...] |
2009-02-27 13:21:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PREL IZ IR SY |
| 09DAMASCUS159 |
KERRY - ASAD: SAUDIS MAY BE SOWING THE SEEDS OF [...] (C/NF) Summary: Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Senator John Kerry asked President Bashar al-Asad February 21 about Syria's activities in Lebanon in the lead-up to Lebanese elections in June. Asad, clearly primed, demanded, "Saudi Arabia has spent millions of dollars in Le [...] |
2009-02-27 13:22:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PREL SA LE SY |
| 09DAMASCUS16 |
SYRIA-CUBA: TITLE III OF THE LIBERTAD ACT, [...] (C) In response to reftel, Post reports that the SARG has taken no actions in 2008 to promote the advancement of democracy or human rights in Cuba and as a matter of foreign policy has expressed support for the regime of Fidel Castro. -------------------------------- Cuban Ambassador Blames [...] |
2009-01-05 14:44:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ETRD ETTC PGOV CU SY |
| 09DAMASCUS160 |
KERRY - ASAD: IMPROVING THE U.S. - SYRIA [...] (C) Summary: Syrian President Bashar al-Asad told Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Senator John Kerry that the U.S. position on the Middle East peace process is Syria's most important concern. Kerry said there was consensus among President Obama, Secretary Clinton, APNSA Jo [...] |
2009-02-27 13:57:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL SY |
| 09DAMASCUS164 |
THE "PESSOPTIMISTS": SYRIANS SPECULATE ON THE FUTURE OF [...] No summary [...] |
2009-03-02 12:29:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PGOV KPAO SCUL SY XF |
| 09DAMASCUS165 |
CORRECTED ARREST DATE: CYBER-DISSIDENT TRIAL WILL [...] (C) Web journalist Habib Saleh, arrested on October 16, faced the Second Criminal Court in Damascus on December 1 to answer for articles posted on the internet deemed threateningly critical of the state. The judge in the case prevented the public from attending what was supposed to be an open [...] |
2009-03-02 13:13:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL SY |
| 09DAMASCUS168 |
SARG DIRECTOR OF THE POLITICAL SECURITY DEPARTMENT [...] (S/NF) A European diplomat reported to us on March 2 that Major General Mohammad Mansurah, Director of the Political Security Department (PSD) and close associate of President Asad, was summarily fired in mid-January. This action is reportedly linked to the discovery of a smuggling ring being [...] |
2009-03-03 12:07:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET//NOFORN | PTER PREL ASEC SY |
| 09DAMASCUS170 |
WHY ARE WE FIGHTING? WOMEN IN DAMASCUS DEBATE [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Embassy Damascus partnered with the Canadian Embassy and local Syrian activists to organize a three-day workshop on the role of women in promoting interfaith dialogue, January 21-23. The workshop featured three Canadian and two American women as facilitators. Three of the pre [...] |
2009-03-04 07:54:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KPAO KWMN SCUL SOCI SY |
| 09DAMASCUS171 |
CORRECTED COPY (CLASSIFICATION) RE-ENGAGING SYRIA: [...] (C) SUMMARY: Washington's answer on Syria related questions -- our policy remains under review -- has all but ceded public discussion of our policy to the Syrian government. As the Department proceeds with its review of U.S. policy toward Syria, the Syrian government's media manipulation of Co [...] |
2009-03-04 08:01:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET | PREL KPAO IZ IS SY |
| 09DAMASCUS174 |
COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR NEA ACTING A/S [...] (C) Embassy Damascus welcomes and grants country clearance for the proposed visit of Acting Assistant Secretary of State (A A/S) for Near East Affairs (NEA) Jeffrey Feltman, NSC Senior Director Daniel Shapiro, and NEA Staff Assistant Oni Blair on March 7-8, 2009. Travelers will be met at the [...] |
2009-03-04 15:20:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | OTRA SY |
| 09DAMASCUS176 |
CODEL KERRY PRESSES SYRIAN VICE PRESIDENT ON [...] (C) In a February 21 meeting with CODEL Kerry, Vice President Faruq al-Shar'a declined to provide specific actions that the SARG wanted from the U.S. to improve the bilateral relationship. Senator Kerry enumerated three measurable ways that Syria could signal its intentions to the Obama Admin [...] |
2009-03-06 17:27:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KPAL PGOV PTER IZ LE IS SY |
| 09DAMASCUS179 |
PRESIDENT ASAD AND CODEL CARDIN DISCUSS A NUCLEAR [...] (C) SUMMARY: CODEL Cardin, in a February 18 meeting with President Bashar al-Asad, FM Muallim, Presidential Advisor for Political and Media Affairs Shaaban, and Ambassador to the U.S. Mustafa conveyed U.S. concerns regarding Iran's pursuit of a nuclear weapon, Syrian human rights abuses, the [...] |
2009-03-10 10:40:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM IAEA KPAL PGOV PREL PTER IR IS IZ TU SY |
| 09DAMASCUS185 |
MOVEMENT FOR JUSTICE AND DEVELOPMENT SEEKING TO [...] (C) Summary: In an effort to assess the current activities of MJD in Syria and XXXXXXXXXXXX, we met XXXXXXXXXXXX with XXXXXXXXXXXX has connections to the Movement for Justice and Development (MJD). XXXXXXXXXXXX reported on the MJD's effort to expand in Syria and the current coordination between the [...] |
2009-03-11 08:34:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET//NOFORN | PHUM PGOV PREL SY |
| 09DAMASCUS186 |
SUBJECT: CODEL CARDIN HEARS FROM DISGRUNTLED [...] (SBU) Summary: CODEL Cardin received briefings from the Damascus office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) February 28 and heard there are currently 225,000 Iraqis registered with UNHCR. More than half of these, UNHCR estimates, are not considering returning within the near fu [...] |
2009-03-11 08:36:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | PREF PHUM PREL SY IZ |
| 09DAMASCUS188 |
JORDANIAN COMPANY REPORTEDLY LEASING AIRBUS A320 [...] (C) Civil aviation-related rumors are again rampant in Damascus one month after SARG officials publicly announced that Boeing had received U.S. export licenses to perform airframe overhauls (D-checks) on Syrian Air's two 747-SPs. On March 1, a semi-independent daily published a report that a J [...] |
2009-03-12 05:52:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | EAIR ETRD ETTC PTER PGOV CA JO SY |
| 09DAMASCUS189 |
SYRIAN STOCK EXCHANGE OPENS...WITH THREE TRADES [...] No summary [...] |
2009-03-12 09:06:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN EINV SY |
| 09DAMASCUS192 |
FELTMAN-SHAPIRO MARCH 7 DISCUSSIONS WITH SYRIAN FM [...] (S/NF) Acting NEA A/S Jeffrey Feltman and NSC Senior Director for the Near and Near Africa Dan Shapiro met Syrian FM Muallim on March 7 and urged him to help normalize operations for the U.S. Embassy in Damascus and the Syrian Embassy in Washington. In particular, they pressed Muallim to fac [...] |
2009-03-15 04:19:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET//NOFORN | PREL ASEC CASC ETRD ETTC SY |
| 09DAMASCUS193 |
FELTMAN-SHAPIRO MARCH 7 DISCUSSIONS WITH SYRIAN FM [...] (S/NF) Summary: Acting NEA A/S Feltman and NSC NENA Senior Director Shapiro stressed the strong U.S. commitment to achieving a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians and a comprehensive regional peace between Israel and its other neighbors. The U.S. emphasis was no longer on [...] |
2009-03-15 04:19:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET//NOFORN | PREL IS SY |
| 09DAMASCUS194 |
FELTMAN-SHAPIRO MARCH 7 DISCUSSIONS WITH SYRIAN FM [...] (S/NF) Summary: FM Muallim pronounced the Syrian regime's support of Lebanese independence and sovereignty, expressed a commitment to UNSCR 1701 implementation (while explicitly deferring discussion of Hizballah disarmament until a comprehensive peace settlement), and affirmed the Syrian reg [...] |
2009-03-15 04:19:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET//NOFORN | PREL PTER LE IS SY |
| 09DAMASCUS195 |
FELTMAN-SHAPIRO MARCH 7 DISCUSSIONS WITH SYRIAN FM MUALLIM ON IRAN [...] No summary [...] |
2009-03-15 04:19:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET//NOFORN | PREL PTER IR IS SY |
| 09DAMASCUS196 |
FELTMAN-SHAPIRO MARCH 7 DISCUSSIONS WITH SYRIAN FM [...] (S/NF) Summary: Syrian FM Muallim and Acting NEA A/S Feltman each expressed support for a united, independent, stable, and secure Iraq. Muallim welcomed the U.S. President,s plan for withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq in a responsible fashion. Feltman pressed Muallim to do more in the spir [...] |
2009-03-15 04:19:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET//NOFORN | PREL PTER IZ SY |
| 09DAMASCUS198 |
FELTMAN-SHAPIRO MARCH 7 DISCUSSIONS WITH SYRIAN FM [...] (S/NF) Summary: Acting NEA A/S Feltman and NSC NENA Senior Director Shapiro emphasized the strong U.S. commitment to achieving a two-state Israeli-Palestinian solution and providing humanitarian relief for Gazans, as demonstrated by the appointment of Special Envoy Mitchell and the U.S. pledg [...] |
2009-03-15 05:37:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET//NOFORN | PREL KWBG KPAL IS SY |
| 09DAMASCUS199 |
CORRECTED COPY OF DAMASCUS 179 PARA 14 [...] (C) SUMMARY: CODEL Cardin, in a February 18 meeting with President Bashar al-Asad, FM Muallim, Presidential Advisor for Political and Media Affairs Shaaban, and Ambassador to the U.S. Mustafa conveyed U.S. concerns regarding Iran's pursuit of a nuclear weapon, Syrian human rights abuses, the [...] |
2009-03-15 05:49:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM IAEA KPAL PGOV PREL PTER IR IS IZ TU SY |
| 09DAMASCUS202 |
NEW LEBANESE EMBASSY PERCHED ABOVE OUR COMPOUND [...] (SBU) The March 15 placement of a sign embossed with a cedar tree and Arabic lettering denoting the "Embassy of the Republic of Lebanon" paved the way for the official opening of Lebanon's "temporary" embassy on Monday, March 16. RSO locally employed staff (LES) learned the Lebanese Charg d,A [...] |
2009-03-16 09:20:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL ASEC LE SY |
| 09DAMASCUS206 |
SYRIAN MFA FOLLOW UP ON FELTMAN-SHAPIRO DISCUSSIONS [...] (C) Summary: In a March 17 meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affair's Chef du Cabinet Bassam Sabagh to follow up on Acting NEA A/S Feltman and NSC/NENA Senior Director Shapiro's March 7 session with FM Muallim, Charge reviewed pending U.S. official visa requests, briefly discussed the Mu [...] |
2009-03-17 15:22:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL CASC ABLD ASEC SY |
| 09DAMASCUS209 |
NORTHEASTERN SYRIA: IT'S MORE THAN JUST UNHAPPY KURDS [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: On a tour of the Jazirah region of northern and eastern Syria, PD officers witnessed first-hand the cultural complexity of Syrian society, the effect of population and environmental shifts on this mosaic, and the extensive reach of the Syrian security services. From March 10-13 [...] |
2009-03-18 07:52:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM PINS KPAO OEXC OIIP SCUL SENV SOCI SY XF |
| 09DAMASCUS210 |
HABIB SALEH SENTENCED TO THREE YEARS IN PRISON [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Internet-dissident Habib Saleh was sentenced to three years in prison on March 15 by the Second Criminal Court in Damascus on the charges of weakening national sentiment. French, Canadian, Swedish, Norwegian, Swiss and Danish Embassy representatives were also present. The highe [...] |
2009-03-18 15:34:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL SY |
| 09DAMASCUS218 |
SYRIAN DELEGATION'S MISSION TO BAGHDAD [...] (S/NF) According to a reliable Embassy source, a Syrian delegation consisting of FM Walid al-Muallim and Deputy Vice President for Security Affairs Muhammad Nassif Khayr-Bayk will arrive in Baghdad on March 24. The delegation's mission is to prepare for a meeting between Syrian President Basha [...] |
2009-03-23 16:11:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET//NOFORN | PREL IZ SY UK |
| 09DAMASCUS224 |
QAMISHLI KURDS CELEBRATE NOWRUZ WITHOUT SARG [...] (C) SUMMARY: Qamishli's Kurds celebrated evening and daytime Nowruz events with only minor SARG harassment, as observed by PolEconoffs. Police and military presence was significant, but unlike last year, when three Kurds were killed and many others detained, there have been no reports of arr [...] |
2009-03-25 13:39:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL SCUL SY |
| 09DAMASCUS226 |
ASAD AT AL SUMMIT: ASSERTING RIGHT OF ARAB [...] (S) Summary: Syria's Bashar Asad heads this week to the Arab League Summit in Doha seeking to support Qatar's efforts for a productive meeting and to assure moderate Arab states of Iran's desire for better relations. Syria's position on Sudan remains aligned with that of Qatar in support of [...] |
2009-03-26 13:06:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET | PREL KPAL KWBG AL IS SU IR SY |
| 09DAMASCUS227 |
SARG CONCURS: THE AMERICAN LANGUAGE CENTER IS TO [...] (C) The Syrian government (SARG), through a diplomatic note received by post March 26, concurred with Post's plan to reopen the American Language Center (ALC), a sub-component of the American Cultural Center (ACC). Both activities had been ordered closed by the SARG in late October 2008 follo [...] |
2009-03-26 13:14:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL AMGT KPAO SY |
| 09DAMASCUS228 |
QAMISHLI KURDS CELEBRATE NOWRUZ WITHOUT SARG [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Hundreds of thousands of Kurds gathered throughout Syria on March 21, especially in the al-Jazira region, to participate in Nowruz, the ancient Kurdish and Persian celebration of the new solar year. At 18 different sites in al-Jazira alone, Kurds erected temporary tent cities, [...] |
2009-03-26 13:52:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL PTER SCUL SY |
| 09DAMASCUS25 |
Special Media Reaction Report: Events in Gaza January 7, [...] Sarkozy's Visit: All Syrian papers dedicated banner headlines to French President Sarkozy's meeting with President Asad and drew extensively from the SANA press release for the substance of their reporting. While the Syrian press focused on President Assad's call for an immediate end to Israe [...] |
2009-01-07 12:02:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
| 09DAMASCUS251 |
SYRIAN SCORE CARD: NO GRAND BARGAINS, BUT POSITIVE FIRST [...] (S/NF) Summary: Four weeks after Acting NEA A/S Feltman and NSC NENA Senior Director Shapiro met with Syrian FM Muallim (refs A-F), Syria has taken some positive steps to facilitate more normal Embassy operations, named an ambassador to Lebanon, and sent Muallim to Baghdad to discuss enhanced secu [...] |
2009-04-06 13:01:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET//NOFORN | PREL KPAL PTER IZ LE IS SY |
| 09DAMASCUS252 |
CODEL LYNCH MEETS ASAD, MUALLIM [...] No summary [...] |
2009-04-06 13:02:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER KPAL KWBG IS SY |
| 09DAMASCUS254 |
BUSINESSMAN OFFERS HIS SERVICES AS POLITICAL [...] (S/NF) During a March 30 courtesy call, a prominent Syrian businessman offered his services as a political interlocutor to the Syrian Foreign Minister, Director of Syrian Military Intelligence and Deputy Vice President for National Security Affairs. To establish his bona fides, he claimed to h [...] |
2009-04-06 13:50:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET//NOFORN | ECON ETRD ETTC PGOV PREL PTER SY |
| 09DAMASCUS269 |
SYRIAN/LEBANESE BORDER MANAGEMENT CONCERNS [...] (C) Summary: Danish border management expert Lasse Rosenkrands, directly involved in an initial and follow-up review of the Lebanese border as mandated by UN Security Council resolution 1701, reported that Lebanon had made some progress in making technical and tactical security upgrades to the [...] |
2009-04-09 14:24:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PBTS PREL LE SY |
| 09DAMASCUS27 |
FM MUALLIM TELLS CODEL SPECTER BETTER U.S.-SYRIAN [...] (C) Summary: In addition to sharing Syrian views about the situation in Gaza (ref B), FM Walid Muallim told Senator Arlen Specter December 30 the best way to change Iranian behavior related to its nuclear program was to remove the issue from the UN Security Council and pursue a monitoring sol [...] |
2009-01-07 14:46:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM IR IZ LE SY |
| 09DAMASCUS272 |
FOR AILING RIAD SEIF, RIAD AL-TURK AND DAMASCUS [...] (C) Summary: Three members of the Damascus Declaration Secretariat General met with PolEconoffs on April 6 to register their concern over Riad Seif's declining health (ref A). Seif, one of the most prominent leaders in the Damascus Declaration movement and a cancer patient, is currently serv [...] |
2009-04-09 15:12:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET | PHUM PGOV PINR PREL SY |
| 09DAMASCUS273 |
UK SEES MUALLIM TRIP TO IRAN AS ANOTHER POSITIVE [...] (S/NF) British DCM Irfan Saddiq (strictly protect) told us April 8 that British Foreign Minister of State (and MP) Bill Rammell raised Iraq and continuing concerns about foreign fighters with Syrian FM Muallim during their April 2 meeting. Muallim, who had just returned from Baghdad and Doh [...] |
2009-04-09 15:15:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET//NOFORN | PREL PINR IZ IR SY |
| 09DAMASCUS274 |
CORRUPTION INVESTIGATION RATTLES BUSINESS COMMUNITY [...] (S) The recent imprisonment of a prominent businessman thought to be close to President Asad has rattled the Syrian business community. Although the high-profile arrest was not reported by Syrian media, Prime Minister Utri made a veiled reference to it in a daily newspaper, saying, "we will cu [...] |
2009-04-09 15:18:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET | ETRD EFIN ETTC PGOV PREL SY |
| 09DAMASCUS278 |
REQUEST FOR DEPARTMENT GUIDANCE ON ESF FUNDS [...] (SBU) This is an action request. See para 6. 2. (C) SUMMARY: Embassy Damascus seeks Department guidance on how to proceed with planning for the recent USD 2.5 million allocation of "Governing Democratically and Justly" Economic Support Funds (ESF). In particular, we seek L's opinion on t [...] |
2009-04-14 12:25:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL SY |
| 09DAMASCUS279 |
BOEING READOUT ON SYRIAN AIR'S DILEMMA [...] (C) A Boeing sales representative described Syrian Air execs as disappointed that his April 7-8 visit to Damascus did not portend an imminent change in U.S. sanctions law that would allow Syrian Air to purchase new aircraft from Boeing. He said that Syrian Air was confused about the extent of [...] |
2009-04-14 14:49:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | EAIR ECON ETRD ETTC PGOV PREL SY |
| 09DAMASCUS282 |
RE: DEMARCHE REQUEST - HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL [...] (SBU) Charge d'Affaires delivered the diplomatic note contained in reftel to Vice Foreign Minister Faisal Miqdad on April 15. Miqdad harkened back to his tenure at the Syrian Mission to the UN in New York and recalled that Syria had vowed its support for the U.S. candidacy to the now-defunct [...] |
2009-04-16 11:58:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PREL UN SY |
| 09DAMASCUS284 |
UPDATE: EMBASSY DAMASCUS UPDATED TERRORISM FINANCE [...] This cable updates Embassy Damascus contact information for Terrorism Finance Coordination Officers (TFCO) per reftel. The Embassy TFCO is Russell Comeau, Political Officer, 963-11-3391-3785, unclassified e-mail ComeauR@state.gov, classified e-mail ComeauRM@state.sgov.gov. Deputy TFCO is Ant [...] |
2009-04-16 13:50:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | PTER KTFN EFIN ETTC SY |
| 09DAMASCUS286 |
MFA REQUESTS EMBASSY HELP FOR SYRIAN AIR [...] No summary [...] |
2009-04-16 14:32:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | EAIR ECON ETRD ETTC PGOV PREL GE SP SY |
| 09DAMASCUS288 |
CORRECTED COPY: MFA REQUESTS EMBASSY HELP FOR [...] (C) In an April 15 meeting requested by Vice Foreign Minister Faisal Miqdad, the Director General of Syrian Air asked for the Embassy's help in obtaining export licenses for maintenance on 17 aircraft engines and three auxilliary power units. Two Airbus A320 engines are involved in a contractu [...] |
2009-04-20 08:24:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | EAIR ECON ETRD ETTC PGOV PREL GE SP SY |
| 09DAMASCUS294 |
DAM BREAKING ON SYRIAN SANCTIONS REGIME [...] (C) The U.S. sanctions regime against Syria has recently taken two hits that, if left unanswered, could significantly decrease a source of our leverage over the Syrian regime. In what is likely the most blatant violation of U.S. trade sanctions Post has observed, a Jordanian company delivered [...] |
2009-04-22 12:45:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | EAIR ETRD ETTC PGOV PREL JO SP SY |
| 09DAMASCUS295 |
DAM BREAKING ON SYRIAN SANCTIONS REGIME [...] (C) The U.S. sanctions regime against Syria has recently taken two hits that, if left unanswered, could significantly decrease a source of our leverage over the Syrian regime. In what is likely the most blatant violation of U.S. trade sanctions Post has observed, a Jordanian company delivered [...] |
2009-04-22 13:58:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | EAIR ETRD ETTC PGOV PREL JO SP SY |
| 09DAMASCUS298 |
FRENCH AND GERMAN EMBASSIES PREPARED TO REQUEST [...] (C) SUMMARY: Jumana Seif (strictly protect), the daughter of prominent Damascus Declaration leader Riad Seif (ref A) who is serving a two and a half year prison sentence, met with PolEconoffs on April 22 to discuss her father's increasingly precarious health situation. She reported that the [...] |
2009-04-23 09:06:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL SY |
| 09DAMASCUS3 |
ASAD DISCUSSES IRAN AND GAZA WITH CODEL SPECTER [...] (C) In a December 30 meeting with CODEL Specter, a relaxed President Bashar al-Asad dismissed Israeli concerns that Iran might use a nuclear weapon against the Jewish state and explained why he could not abandon his political alliance with Tehran. Asad argued that the international discussion [...] |
2009-01-04 12:24:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET | IAEA KPAL PGOV PREL PTER IR IS SY |
| 09DAMASCUS300 |
LUXEMBOURG/SYRIAN FM'S TUSSLE OVER IRAN [...] (U) Luxembourg Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn visited Damascus April 22 and met with President Asad, VP Shara, and FM Muallim. According to press reports, the discussions between the two countries primarily focused on the finalization of the European Union/Syrian Association Agreement and on [...] |
2009-04-23 14:45:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL SY LU IR |
| 09DAMASCUS301 |
LUXEMBOURG/SYRIAN FM'S TUSSLE OVER IRAN [...] (U) Luxembourg Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn visited Damascus April 22 and met with President Asad, VP Shara, and FM Muallim. According to press reports, the discussions between the two countries primarily focused on the finalization of the European Union/Syrian Association Agreement and on [...] |
2009-04-23 14:45:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL SY LU IR |
| 09DAMASCUS306 |
BEHAVIOR REFORM: NEXT STEPS FOR A HUMAN RIGHTS [...] (C) SUMMARY: This cable represents a follow-up to "Re-engaging Syria: Human Rights" (ref A) and outlines ongoing civil society programming in the country, primarily under the auspices of the Bureau of Human Rights and Labor (DRL) and the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI). Both MEPI and DRL [...] |
2009-04-28 13:24:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET | PHUM PGOV PREL SY |
| 09DAMASCUS307 |
CENTRAL BANK ISSUES LICENSE FOR SYRIAN-IRANIAN [...] (S/NF) The Syrian-Iranian Commercial Bank (SICB) recently moved one step closer to opening its doors in Damascus. According to media reports corroborated by Post sources, the Central Bank of Syria issued a license authorizing three Iranian and two Syrian entities to establish the bank. The pr [...] |
2009-04-29 03:44:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET//NOFORN | EFIN ETRD ETTC PGOV PREL PTER IR SY |
| 09DAMASCUS309 |
PRESIDENT ASAD'S CABINET RESHUFFLE [...] (C) SUMMARY: After months of rumors that President Bashar al-Asad would reshuffle his cabinet, he finally did so on April 23, appointing six new officials to Prime Minister Utri's cabinet. Asad tapped Judge Ahmad Hamud Yunis to be Minister of Justice; Tamer Fu,ad al-Hija as Minister of Local [...] |
2009-04-29 11:25:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
| 09DAMASCUS32 |
SIGNS THAT HAMAS IS LOOKING CONFIDENTLY AT GAZA [...] (C) Summary: An American-Palestinian academic with regular access to Syrian MFA officials and Hamas leaders in Damascus reports Khalid Mesha'al believes Israel will be unable to sustain its ground operations long enough to inflict a decisive military defeat. He says MFA and Hamas contacts c [...] |
2009-01-08 15:41:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KPAL KWBG PTER IS SY |
| 09DAMASCUS324 |
MURAD CUSTODY CASE: CONSUL GENERAL PRESENTS [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: The Consul General met with the Syrian Director of Consular Affairs Haitham Maashfej on May 5, in order to provide him with additional information about the Murad child custody case. Director Maashfej was given a copy of the diplomatic note and supporting background information. [...] |
2009-05-07 11:34:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | CASC KOCI KJUS PREL SY MURAD MAYA AND OMAR |
| 09DAMASCUS327 |
PART 1: SYRIA'S CHANGING FINANCIAL LANDSCAPE - [...] (C) Nearly 40 years after Syria's banking industry was nationalized, Law No. 28 of 2001 authorized the re-introduction of private banking. Eight years on, Law No. 28 has had the most visible impact of President Bashar al-Asad's many economic "reforms," and has generated significant spinoff le [...] |
2009-05-11 03:44:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET//NOFORN | EFIN ETRD ETTC PGOV PREL LE SY |
| 09DAMASCUS33 |
SYRIAN MP DISCUSSES "SHARED" U.S.-SYRIAN GOALS FOR [...] (C) A veteran 14-year Syrian MP with diverse business holdings told us the primary obstacle to trade with Iraq is no longer insufficient security, but habitually delinquent Iraqi payments. The MP related a recent discussion with Syrian Ambassador to Baghdad Nawaf al-Fares, in which al-Fares c [...] |
2009-01-08 15:47:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | ETRD ETTC PGOV PTER CVIS IZ IR SY |
| 09DAMASCUS335 |
MAY 7 FELTMAN-SHAPIRO MEETING IN DAMASCUS: FM [...] (S/NF) Summary: In a wide-ranging May 7 discussion, NEA Acting A/S Feltman and NSC/NENA Senior Director Shapiro heard a litany of complaints from the Syrian side led by FM Muallim over Syria's designation as a state sponsor of terrorism, renewal of U.S. sanctions, and the lack of serious eng [...] |
2009-05-12 14:54:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET//NOFORN | PREL PTER KPAL IZ LE IS SY |
| 09DAMASCUS34 |
PRIVATE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS PETITION EMBASSY DAMASCUS ON [...] Two students from the private Arab International University brought a letter to the American Cultural Center on December 31, 2008, for delivery to the Charge d'Affaires. The letter, signed by more than a thousand students from the university, concerns events in Gaza. The students also reques [...] |
2009-01-10 15:06:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL KPAO OEXC XF KWBG SY |
| 09DAMASCUS342 |
MAY 7 FELTMAN-SHAPIRO MEETING IN DAMASCUS: FM [...] (S/NF) Summary: In a prolonged May 7 discussion on differing U.S. and Syrian approaches to re-engagement, NEA Acting Assistant Secretary Feltman and NSC NENA Senior Director Shapiro stressed the importance of stopping foreign fighters entering Iraq from Syria. They proposed a visit by a CE [...] |
2009-05-14 10:58:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET//NOFORN | PREL PTER MOPS IZ SY |
| 09DAMASCUS343 |
KURDISH ACTIVIST MESHAAL TAMMO SENTENCED, DAMASCUS [...] (C) SUMMARY: The First Criminal Court of Damascus sentenced Meshaal Tammo, leader of the Kurdish Future Movement, to three and one half years in prison on May 11. The judge did not permit Tammo to speak in his defense, though Tammo had a prepared statement he had intended to read in court. I [...] |
2009-05-14 11:05:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL SY |
| 09DAMASCUS344 |
MAY 7 FELTMAN-SHAPIRO MEETING IN DAMASCUS: SYRIA [...] (S/NF) Summary: In a lengthy May 7 discussion on differing U.S. and Syrian approaches to re-engagement, NEA Acting Assistant Secretary Feltman and NSC/NENA Senior Director Shapiro explained the routine, technical nature of USG's renewal of Executive Order 13338 and agreed to look for possib [...] |
2009-05-14 11:13:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET//NOFORN | EAIR ECON ETRD GE SP SY |
| 09DAMASCUS345 |
SPANISH COMMERCIAL COUNSELOR INQUIRES ABOUT ORION [...] (SBU) Beirut-based Spanish Counselor for Economic and Commercial Affairs Miguel Iriso requested a meeting on May 14 to discuss Orion Air's situation with Post. Iriso said his home Ministry was "surprised and confused" that U.S. diplomats from Embassy Madrid had contacted Orion Air executives [...] |
2009-05-14 13:50:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | EAIR ETRD ETTC PGOV PREL SP SY |
| 09DAMASCUS346 |
SARG MESSAGING ON SANCTIONS RENEWAL AND FOREIGN [...] (C) The Syrian government's spin machine is in high gear following the May 7 renewal of E.O. 13338 and the May 11 Washington Post article describing a Syria-based foreign fighter pipeline. On E.O. 13338, Syrian Vice Foreign Minister Miqdad told a visiting UN Special Envoy to Iraq that the SAR [...] |
2009-05-14 14:18:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET//NOFORN | ETRD ETTC PGOV PREL PTER UNDP IZ SY |
| 09DAMASCUS349 |
JORDANIAN KING ABDULLAH DROPS INTO DAMASCUS [...] (C) The brief and short-notice May 11 visit of Jordan's King Abdullah II to Damascus concluded successfully according to Syrian press and the Jordanian Consul, Anas Oran. Though King Abdullah was only on the ground for three hours, the visit was constructive, with the King meeting privately wi [...] |
2009-05-17 14:14:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KPAL KWBG IS JO SY |
| 09DAMASCUS355 |
ICRC REQUESTS USG ASSISTANCE IN RESTARTING FAMILY [...] This cable is an action request, please see para nine. 2. (C) SUMMARY: Mr. Jean-Jacques Frsard, the Head of Delegation in Syria for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), delivered a demarche to Charge d'Affaires on May 13, requesting USG assistance in persuading the Governme [...] |
2009-05-18 13:45:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PBTS PHUM PGOV SMIG SOCI IS SY |
| 09DAMASCUS357 |
JORDANIAN KING ABDULLAH DROPS INTO DAMASCUS [...] No summary [...] |
2009-05-19 07:26:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KPAL KWBG IS JO SY |
| 09DAMASCUS358 |
PRISONER OF CONSCIENCE MICHEL KILO RELEASED FROM [...] (C) SUMMARY: Syrian State Security released prominent political dissident Michel Kilo on the evening of May 19 after he completed a three-year prison sentence for spreading false information, weakening the national sentiments, and inciting sectarianism. Kilo had been a signatory to the Damas [...] |
2009-05-20 13:59:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREL PGOV SY |
| 09DAMASCUS359 |
MAY 7 FELTMAN-SHAPIRO MEETING IN DAMASCUS: [...] (S/NF) Summary: In a wide-ranging May 7 discussion on differing U.S. and Syrian approaches to re-engagement, NEA Acting Assistant Secretary Feltman and NSC/NENA Senior Director Shapiro stressed President Obama's strong commitment to achieving comprehensive peace in the region, including a two [...] |
2009-05-21 13:46:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET//NOFORN | PREL KPAL PTER IS SY |
| 09DAMASCUS360 |
MAY 7 FELTMAN-SHAPIRO MEETING IN DAMASCUS: HAMAS [...] (S/NF) Summary: In a wide-ranging May 7 discussion, NEA Acting A/S Feltman and NSC/NENA Senior Director Shapiro argued that, while recent Hamas statements suggested the organization could recognize a two-state solution, Hamas needed to renounce violence, recognize Israel, and abide by previo [...] |
2009-05-21 14:17:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PREL PTER KPAL KWBG IS SY |
| 09DAMASCUS361 |
EMPLOYEE ASSOCIATION: 2009 EMBASSY DAMASCUS [...] As Charge d'Affaires of the United States Embassy in Damascus, I have taken the necessary measures to ensure that our employee association is managed prudently and is in full compliance with its charter and bylaws, 6 FAM 500 regulations, applicable to U.S. law, and all legal requirements of t [...] |
2009-05-21 14:26:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | AMGT |
| 09DAMASCUS363 |
MAY 7 FELTMAN-SHAPIRO MEETING IN DAMASCUS: IRAN [...] (S/NF) Summary: In a wide-ranging May 7 discussion on differing U.S. and Syrian approaches to re-engagement, NEA Acting Assistant Secretary Feltman and NSC/NENA Senior Director Shapiro asked the Syrian side led by FM Muallim for a readout of Iranian President Ahmedinejad's May 5 visit to Dam [...] |
2009-05-21 14:36:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET//NOFORN | PREL PTER IR IS LE SY |
| 09DAMASCUS364 |
SARG USES TURKISH PRESIDENT'S VISIT TO HIGHLIGHT [...] (C) The SARG is championing Turkish President Abdullah Gul's three-day visit to Damascus as one of three recent examples of Syria's increasing regional economic integration. Syrian official media touted several bilateral agreements resulting from the visit, including Turkish cooperation in Sy [...] |
2009-05-25 03:14:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL EINV ETRD PGOV IZ IR TU SY |
| 09DAMASCUS369 |
MAY 7 FELTMAN-SHAPIRO MEETING IN DAMASCUS: HUMAN [...] (S/NF) Summary: In a wide-ranging May 7 meeting with a Syrian delegation led by FM Muallim, NEA Acting Assistant Secretary Feltman and NSC/NENA Senior Director Shapiro argued that showing more leniency to Syrian prisoners of conscience would be the right thing to do and could help Syria's im [...] |
2009-05-25 09:18:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET//NOFORN | PREL PHUM CASC SY |
| 09DAMASCUS371 |
CORRECTED COPY - MAY 7 FELTMAN-SHAPIRO MEETING IN [...] (S/NF) Summary: In a wide-ranging May 7 discussion, NEA Acting A/S Feltman and NSC/NENA Senior Director Shapiro argued that, while recent Hamas statements suggested the organization could recognize a two-state solution, Hamas needed to renounce violence, recognize Israel, and abide by previo [...] |
2009-05-26 12:49:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET//NOFORN | PREL PTER KPAL KWBG IS SY |
| 09DAMASCUS375 |
OIC'S 36TH MINISTERIAL CONVENES IN DAMASCUS: [...] (U) Summary: Syria played host to the 36th meeting of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) ministerial meeting May 23-25. As in past sessions, the ministers focused on issues related to the Arab-Israeli conflict, combating "Islamophobia" and terrorism, the potential for OIC peace [...] |
2009-05-27 09:23:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KPAL IS SY |
| 09DAMASCUS377 |
CODEL KAUFMAN-PRESIDENT ASAD MEETING MAY 28 [...] No summary [...] |
2009-05-29 16:07:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PREL PTER KWBG MOPS IS IZ LE SY |
| 09DAMASCUS381 |
FY20010 INTERNATIONAL VISITOR PROGRAM NOMINATION SLATE FROM [...] (SBU) The following, in priority order, is the Mission's FY2010 slate of 30 International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) selections and nominees as determined by the post IVLP selection committee. Post's allocation for FY2010 is 28 slots. This slate includes two Single Country Programs (S [...] |
2009-06-02 12:10:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KPAO OEXC SCUL SY |
| 09DAMASCUS384 |
RE-ENGAGING SYRIA: DEALING WITH SARG DIPLOMACY [...] (S/NF) Summary: As the U.S. continues its re-engagement with Syria, it may help us achieve our goals if we understand how SARG officials pursue diplomatic goals. Syrian President Bashar al-Asad is neither as shrewd nor as long-winded as his father but he, too, prefers to engage diplomatically [...] |
2009-06-03 13:23:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET//NOFORN | PREL SY |
| 09DAMASCUS387 |
SYRIA MFA SETS DATE FOR MEETING WITH THE CENTCOM [...] No summary [...] |
2009-06-04 13:41:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET//NOFORN | PREL SY |
| 09DAMASCUS389 |
ASSYRIAN ORTHODOX PATRIARCH CRITICIZES U.S. AT [...] (U) SUMMARY: During the opening session of a two-day international conference entitled "The Message of Peace in Islam," the Assyrian Orthodox Patriarch Mar Zakka Ewas attacked the U.S. for using the fight against "Islamic terrorism" as a pretext for extending its hegemony in the region. The [...] |
2009-06-04 15:38:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM SCUL SY |
| 09DAMASCUS390 |
SCENESETTER FOR VISIT OF SPECIAL ENVOY MITCHELL TO [...] No summary [...] |
2009-06-04 17:30:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET//NOFORN | PREL PTER KWBG MOPS IS IZ LE SY |
| 09DAMASCUS402 |
TRILATERAL DELEGATION VISIT TO DAMASCUS [...] No summary [...] |
2009-06-08 12:59:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET | PREL PBTS PINS PTER MARR IZ SY |
| 09DAMASCUS403 |
SARG CONTINUES EFFORT TO MONITOR DIPLOMATIC TRAVEL [...] (C) Once a year the SARG Protocol Department sends diplomatic missions a circular requesting all missions provide the MFA with advance notification of any travel by official personnel outside of Damascus. In previous years, the MFA requested advance notification of travel by diplomats to spe [...] |
2009-06-08 14:29:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV OFDP OPRC SY |
| 09DAMASCUS410 |
ITALIAN/G-8 DEMARCHE TO SARG ON IAEA REPORT [...] (C) Summary: The Italian Ambassador informed us June 3 that he delivered a demarche in his capacity as G-8 representative on the latest IAEA report regarding Syria. The Ambassador wrote encouraging the Syrians to sign the Additional Protocol of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), citin [...] |
2009-06-11 10:10:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | NP PGOV PREL SY |
| 09DAMASCUS411 |
SYRIAN REACTIONS TO JUNE 2009 LEBANESE ELECTIONS [...] (S) Summary: Many of our contacts were surprised by the margin of March 14's impressive electoral victory over March 8. Press reporting prior to the election had fed expectations of a much closer race, and most Syrian observers were predicting a March 8 win. President Asad reportedly call [...] |
2009-06-11 10:24:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET | PREL PGOV PHUM LE SY |
| 09DAMASCUS42 |
HAMAS WARY OF, BUT PARTICIPATING IN, CAIRO TALKS [...] (C) Summary: Hamas Politburo Chief Khaled Mesha'al delivered a regionally televised harangue late January 10 criticizing the international community's response to Gaza, calling on Israel to cease hostilities, withdraw its forces, and lift the siege, and dismissing the possibility of a "perma [...] |
2009-01-12 13:26:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KPAL KWBG PTER IS SY |
| 09DAMASCUS426 |
BORDER SECURITY: U.S. DELEGATION TAKES FIRST STEP [...] (C) SUMMARY: In a one-hour meeting between the U.S. and Syrian Arab Republic Government (SARG) delegations on June 12, both sides focused on border security and their respective efforts to stem the flow of foreign fighters crossing the Syrian-Iraqi border. Both sides concurred a secure and s [...] |
2009-06-21 13:37:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PBTS PINR PTER MARR MCAP MOPS IZ SY |
| 09DAMASCUS427 |
CORRECTED COPY: EMPLOYEE ASSOCIATION: 2009 EMBASSY [...] As Chief of Mission of the United States Embassy in Damascus, I have taken the necessary measures to ensure that our employee association is managed prudently and is in full compliance with its charter and bylaws, 6 FAM 500 regulations, applicable to U.S. law, and all legal requirements of th [...] |
2009-06-21 13:40:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | AMGT |
| 09DAMASCUS429 |
CIVIL AVIATION: SYRIAN PEARL, SARG RATCHET UP [...] (S/NF) SUMMARY. The demise of the Syrian Pearl-Orion Air deal, due primarily to USG enforcement of sanctions, has been elevated to the highest levels in the SARG, with Syrian President Bashar al-Asad briefly raising the issue directly with SE Mitchell during their June 13 meeting, as outlined [...] |
2009-06-22 12:07:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET//NOFORN | EAIR ECON PREL SY |
| 09DAMASCUS431 |
SARG CAUTIOUSLY SUPPORTS AHMEDINEJAD VICTORY IN [...] (S/NF) The Syrian government (SARG) appeared pleased by the initial tally of Iranian votes overwhelmingly in favor of incumbent President Ahmedinejad. President Asad sent a letter of congratulations to his Iranian counterpart and the official Syrian press lauded the high voter turnout as a wi [...] |
2009-06-22 13:11:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET//NOFORN | PREL IR LE IS SY |
| 09DAMASCUS432 |
UN PREPS 2009 SYRIA DROUGHT APPEAL [...] (C) SUMMARY. Syrian officials recently acknowledged the scope of the humanitarian disaster brought on by a four-year drought exceeds their capacity to respond. A combination of low rainfall and serious sand storms have all but wiped out the crop in Syria's three eastern provinces, and large-s [...] |
2009-06-22 13:11:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | EAID EAGR ECON PREL SY |
| 09DAMASCUS433 |
FREEDOMHOUSE SEEKING TO FUND HUMAN RIGHTS LAWYER [...] (U) This is an action request, see para 6. 2. (S/NF) The well-known Damascus-based human rights lawyer Muhanad al-Hasani (strictly protect) reported to us on June 17 that Marwan Malouf, who identified himself as a representative of Freedomhouse, had visited Syria recently and offered al-H [...] |
2009-06-22 14:02:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET//NOFORN | PREL PHUM SY |
| 09DAMASCUS434 |
THE STRUGGLE OF DAILY LIFE FOR IRAQI-PALESTINIAN [...] (C) Summary: For the first time in over two years an Embassy officer visited the Iraqi-Palestinian refugees camp in Al-Tanf, established in the "no-man's-land" between the Syrian and Iraqi borders. Conditions remain hostile despite the UN's best efforts to provide basic food, non-food, medic [...] |
2009-06-23 09:30:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREF PREL PGOV KPAL IZ SY |
| 09DAMASCUS445 |
POSSIBLE POLITICAL DETENTION OF 23 RELEASED [...] (C) Summary: Syria reportedly released 23 Lebanese prisoners convicted of criminal offenses, some of whom had received special presidential amnesty and the rest after finishing their prison sentences. We have been unable to verify the reports, but if true, they could represent an important dev [...] |
2009-06-29 12:24:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM LE SY |
| 09DAMASCUS447 |
MESHAAL WARMS TO OBAMA, SYRIA CONTAINS MESSAGE [...] (C) Summary: Hamas political bureau chief Khalid Meshaal spoke on June 25 from Damascus, welcoming President Obama's "change in rhetoric" toward the Arab world and Palestine. He encouraged the Obama administration to follow through, saying he was not "bewitched by speeches." He also criticized [...] |
2009-06-29 12:47:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KWBG KPAL SY |
| 09DAMASCUS461 |
RENEWAL OF E.O. 13441: SEEKING GUIDANCE ON HOW TO [...] (SBU) This is an action request, please see para 9. 2. (S) Summary: Washington's anticipated plans to notify Congress of the continuation of Executive Order 13441, which declares a national emergency with respect to the "acts of certain persons to undermine the sovereignty of Lebanon or [...] |
2009-07-01 13:56:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET | PREL ETTC EFIN PTER LE SY |
| 09DAMASCUS464 |
AT RALLY, SYRIA CALLS ON U.S. TO SUPPORT RETURN OF [...] (C) Summary: A SARG-founded Palestinian rights organization held a solidarity festival near the Golan Heights on June 27 to call for the return of Palestinian refugees and of the Golan Heights to Syria. There were significant differences between Israeli and Syrian media coverage. Israeli press [...] |
2009-07-02 13:56:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KPAL IS SY |
| 09DAMASCUS465 |
SYRIAN PEARL COMPLAINS ABOUT INCLUSION IN [...] (C) The CEO of Syrian Pearl Airways complained to Post that the Commerce Department's May 7 Temporary Denial Order (TDO) had unfairly targeted Syrian Pearl for Orion Air's failure to perform due diligence in obtaining all necessary licenses before sending a BAE 146-300 to Syria, as their wet-l [...] |
2009-07-02 14:07:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | EAIR ECON ETRD ETTC PGOV PREL SP SY |
| 09DAMASCUS471 |
WOMEN STRUGGLE FOR REFUGE IN DAMASCUS [...] (C) Summary: Emboffs joined lawyer and civil society activist Daad Mousa (strictly protect) in a visit to the Oasis Trust women's shelter on June 25 to discuss trafficking and abuse of women in Syria. Administered by the Sisters of the Good Shepherd (SGS), the shelter is a refuge for female vi [...] |
2009-07-07 11:16:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PBTS PREL PGOV SCUL SOCI SMIG KWMN KTIP |
| 09DAMASCUS474 |
DRAFT LAW THREATENS WOMEN'S RIGHTS [...] (C) Summary: The SARG is considering a new "personal status" law that many in the human rights and legal communities view as a major step backward for women's rights. The bill allegedly was killed in the parliament and later resurrected by PM Muhammad al-Utri. The future of the bill is unclear [...] |
2009-07-08 06:04:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV KWMN SCUL SY |
| 09DAMASCUS477 |
MURKY ALLIANCES: MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD, THE MOVEMENT [...] (C) Summary: The Muslim Brotherhood (MB) in Syria Website published a "letter" on June 11 accusing external Damascus Declaration committees of violating the Damascus Declaration National Council's bylaws on electing members to the General Secretariat. XXXXXXXXXXXX explained the Muslim Brotherhood's [...] |
2009-07-08 13:03:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET//NOFORN | PREL PGOV PHUM KDEM SY |
| 09DAMASCUS479 |
WOMEN'S ISSUES: IOM HALTS FUNDS TO LOCAL WOMEN'S [...] (C) Maria Rumman, the Chief of Mission for the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Damascus, reported that IOM ceased making grant payments to the Association for Arab Women's Role Development (AWRD) in the first week of July because of its failure to implement and operate a she [...] |
2009-07-09 13:59:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREF KTIP KWMN SCUL SOCI SY |
| 09DAMASCUS48 |
SYRIA SUCCEEDS IN CONVOKING EMERGENCY AL SUMMIT, [...] (C) Summary: Media sources in contact with Hamas representatives in Cairo and with the Syrian MFA told us late December 13 that "Hamas is done with talks in Cairo." Though Hamas leaders have not formally rejected further dialogue with EGIS director Omar Soleiman, today's headline of Syria's [...] |
2009-01-14 10:04:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY LE |
| 09DAMASCUS49 |
SYRIA CRIME AND SAFETY REPORT 2009 [...] (U) Embassy Damascus Crime and Safety Report follows (corrected to remove SENSITIVE caption): OVERVIEW -------- Syria is the only country designated by the United States Government as a state sponsor of terrorism to also maintain full diplomatic relations with the United States. Syria r [...] |
2009-01-15 05:44:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | ASEC PTER SY |
| 09DAMASCUS492 |
CONTROVERSIAL LEGISLATION ROUNDUP: BABY STEPS TO [...] (SBU) Summary: Three changes or proposed changes to Syrian law recently have sparked uncharacteristically vocal public debate and have created a rare space for dialogue on a few civil issues. Increased penalties for honor killings, the "personal status" draft law, and a workers' rights bill hav [...] |
2009-07-14 10:16:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM ELAB SY |
| 09DAMASCUS496 |
UPDATE ON SYRIAN CIVIL AVIATION SECTOR [...] (C) A well-placed Embassy source claimed that Lufthansa Techniq has advised Syrian Air to sue the German company for USD 2 million in damages in a German court. According to the source, Lufthansa Techniq expects to lose the case, and will use the judgment as cover to re-export two Airbus A320 [...] |
2009-07-16 14:29:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | EAIR ETRD ETTC PREL PTER PGOV SY |
| 09DAMASCUS503 |
Outreach Program [...] (U) Summary. A series of successful embassy outreach efforts may be linked to the Obama Administration's new policy of engagement with Syria. In spite of the American Cultural Center's ongoing "closure," the Embassy in recent weeks planned and executed several outreach programs, in addition to [...] |
2009-07-20 06:37:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL KMDR KPAO OPRC SY |
| 09DAMASCUS51 |
(CORRECTED COPY MONTH PARAGRAPH ONE): SYRIA [...] (C) Summary: Media sources in contact with Hamas representatives in Cairo and with the Syrian MFA told us late January 13 that "Hamas is done with talks in Cairo." Though Hamas leaders have not formally rejected further dialogue with EGIS director Omar Soleiman, today's headline of Syria's o [...] |
2009-01-15 09:17:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY LE |
| 09DAMASCUS515 |
OIL EXEC DETAILS CONTINUING PROBLEMS IN [...] (S/NF) An Iraqi-born British oil executive with access to both the Syrian and Iraqi leadership provided several examples of unresolved disputes that prevent the Syrian-Iraqi relationship from improving. He said the Syrian regime does not fully understand the depth of continuing suspicions wit [...] |
2009-07-22 12:52:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET//NOFORN | ECON EPET ENRG PGOV PREL IZ SY |
| 09DAMASCUS534 |
SARG IMPRISONS PROMINENT HUMAN RIGHTS LAWYER [...] (C) This cable contains an action request; please see para 10. 2. (C) Summary: In what may be its highest profile arrest since the 2007 round-up of Damascus Declaration members, the General Intelligence Directorate (GID) invited human rights lawyer Muhanad al-Hasani to its offices on July [...] |
2009-07-31 11:30:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL KDEM KMPI KPAO SOCI SY |
| 09DAMASCUS536 |
UNHCR UPDATES DONOR NATIONS ON IRAQI REFUGEES IN [...] (C) Summary: UNHCR officials held an information sharing meeting on July 28 to discuss: (1) increasing problems for refugees in renewing their residence permits; (2) the closing of the Al-Tanf refugee camp; (3) food distribution programs; and (4) families returning to Iraq. Additionally, WFP r [...] |
2009-08-03 12:25:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREF PGOV KTIP IZ SY |
| 09DAMASCUS550 |
AGGRESSIVE AND UNUSUAL SARG SURVEILLANCE OF EMBOFF [...] (S/NF) SUMMARY: On 08/04/09, an Embassy Political Officer and a visiting State Department officer from NEA/PI experienced aggressive static and mobile surveillance during and after their meeting with a new human rights contact at a cafe. Both officers returned to the Embassy to report the [...] |
2009-08-06 07:10:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET | ASEC |
| 09DAMASCUS551 |
AGGRESSIVE AND UNUSUAL SARG SURVEILLANCE [...] (S/NF) SUMMARY: On 08/04/09, an Embassy Political Officer and a visiting State Department officer from NEA/PI experienced aggressive static and mobile surveillance during and after their meeting with a new human rights contact at a cafe. Both officers returned to the Embassy to report the [...] |
2009-08-06 08:36:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET | ASEC |
| 09DAMASCUS554 |
EMBASSY DAMASCUS OPENS DIALOGUE WITH MFA ON TIP [...] (C) Summary: MFA International Organizations Chief Mr. Milad Attiyeh hosted Emboffs on August 5 to discuss SARG progress on combating trafficking in persons (TIP). The Embassy had requested the meeting to explain the philosophy behind, and function of, the Department's annual TIP report. Embo [...] |
2009-08-06 11:50:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREF PREL KTIP KWMN SCUL SCOI ID |
| 09DAMASCUS555 |
TIER 3 REASSESSMENT NEEDED FOR SYRIA [...] (U) This a response to State 081476 action cable. 2. (U) The SARG has demonstrated a commitment to tackling trafficking in persons (TIP) crimes at the highest levels. Per reftels, this commitment has resulted in (1) a draft TIP law; (2) ministerial-level cooperation with NGOs working on T [...] |
2009-08-06 11:56:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV KWMN KTIP SCOI SCUL SY |
| 09DAMASCUS562 |
SYRIA VP SHARA FINGERED FOR LEAK OF POTUS LETTER [...] (S/NF) Summary: Well-connected media contacts suggest that Syrian VP Farouk Shara leaked word of the President's July letter to Asad during an August 5 meeting with Wiam Wahhab, Druze leader of the Lebanese Tawheed party. Wahhab, ostensibly in Damascus to discuss a renewal of relations betw [...] |
2009-08-09 13:26:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET//NOFORN | PGOV PREL LE SY |
| 09DAMASCUS563 |
SARG CONTINUES TO CENSOR AND INTIMIDATE SYRIAN [...] (C) Summary: Despite 2001 amendments to Syria's archaic press law that precipitated the creation of a private media industry, the SARG still relies on censorship and intimidation to ensure the expanded number of publications does not threaten its control over information inside the country. Re [...] |
2009-08-09 13:40:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PROP PGOV PINS PHUM SOCI SY |
| 09DAMASCUS565 |
SARG READY FOR DISCUSSIONS WITH BORDER ASSESSMENT [...] No summary [...] |
2009-08-10 08:04:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET | PGOV PREL PMIL IZ SY |
| 09DAMASCUS574 |
SYRIA AGREES IN PRINCIPLE TO (IDEALLY TRILATERAL) [...] (C) SUMMARY. U.S. and Syrian Arab Republic Government (SARG) delegations agreed in principle August 12 to cooperate on joint assessments of three Iraq-Syria border crossings in eastern Syria as part of their respective efforts to strengthen border security and stem the flow of foreign fight [...] |
2009-08-13 09:17:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PBTS PINR PTER MARR MCAP MOPS SY IZ |
| 09DAMASCUS577 |
MUALLIM SUPPORTS TRILATERAL BORDER INITIATIVE, [...] (C) Special Coordinator for Regional Affairs Fred Hof met FM Muallim August 13 to follow up on the previous day's meetings between the Centcom-led and Syrian delegations on the trilateral border security assessment initiative (ref a). Hof stressed our desire to include the Iraqis in the ass [...] |
2009-08-13 13:15:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PBTS PINR PTER MARR MCAP MOPS SY IZ |
| 09DAMASCUS587 |
US INTERNATIONAL GROUP INVESTS $40M IN SYRIAN [...] (C) The "Syrian Investment Agency" (SIA) announced the signing of a $40M investment deal with the U.S. International Investment Group (USIIG) on August 13. The investment is for five projects in the eastern Syrian region of Dayr al Zawr in the food, engineering and chemical industries, among ot [...] |
2009-08-17 11:47:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | EAID ECIN ECON EINV PGOV PREL SY |
| 09DAMASCUS6 |
SEIDNAYA PRISON TROUBLES BOIL OVER AGAIN [...] (C) SUMMARY: Muhanad al-Hasani (strictly protect), a human rights lawyer and president of the Syrian Organization for Human Rights (SWASIAH) told us of two new violent events at Seidnaya prison. On December 27 violence between inmates and Syrian soldiers resulted in approximately 50 deaths, an [...] |
2009-01-05 11:13:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PHUM SY |
| 09DAMASCUS604 |
DISBARMENT HEARINGS BEGIN FOR JAILED HUMAN RIGHTS [...] (C) Summary: Civil society activists, lawyers, journalists, and diplomats packed the narrow halls of the Damascus Lawyers' Syndicate offices on August 18 for the Syndicate's first administrative hearing to disbar human rights lawyer Muhanad al-Hasani. The hearing, which was not opened to the [...] |
2009-08-19 13:04:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL KDEM KMPI KPAO SOCI SY |
| 09DAMASCUS62 |
PROTECTING WOMEN: SARG COOPERATING WITH LOCAL AND [...] (C) SUMMARY: For the past two years, the Association for Women's Role Development (AWRD), a local NGO, and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) have collaborated with the Ministry of Social Affairs (MSA) to promote protective services for women who are victims of trafficking (VOT [...] |
2009-01-21 15:30:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREF KTIP KWMN SOCI SY |
| 09DAMASCUS620 |
SIX MONTH CHECK-UP: KURDS AILING BUT POLITICALLY [...] (C) Summary: Drought, unemployment, economic & cultural discrimination, political repression, arbitrary arrest, unexplainable deaths, and statelessness contributed to a miserable first six months of the Kurdish New Year (Nowruz) in Syria -- making this year, so far, very much like last year. [...] |
2009-08-25 10:03:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL ECON SCUL SENV SOCI SMIG SY TU |
| 09DAMASCUS627 |
SYRIAN MFA: WE HOPE LOGIC WILL PREVAIL IN DISPUTE [...] (C) Summary: Husam Alaa, Chief of Staff for Vice Minister Faisal Miqdad, told Charge August 27 Syria had responded in kind to official statements and steps from Baghdad alleging Syria's harboring of Iraqi Baathist militants. But Damascus had hosted what it viewed as a positive August 18 P [...] |
2009-08-27 12:11:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL UNGA IZ SY |
| 09DAMASCUS628 |
SYRIAN AIR TO LEASE RUSSIAN-MADE AIRCRAFT [...] (SBU) The semi-independent daily newspaper al-Watan reported August 25 that Syrian Air has completed the legal and technical negotiations for the lease, with the option to buy, of two TU 204 aircraft to be delivered in early May 2010. Due to Syrian Air,s inability to procure new Airbus or Boe [...] |
2009-08-27 12:23:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | EAIR ECON EINV ETTC PGOV PREL SY |
| 09DAMASCUS641 |
IRAQI REFUGEES EXPRESS CONCERN OVER DETERIORATING [...] (C) SUMMARY: Iraqi refugees serving as community outreach organizers for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) expressed concerns about the recent deterioration in Syrian-Iraqi relations and the withdrawal of the countries' respective ambassadors from Baghdad and Damascus [...] |
2009-09-02 13:12:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | KHUM PREL PGOV SY IZ |
| 09DAMASCUS647 |
DAMASCUS MORE SINNED AGAINST THAN SINNING IN SPAT [...] (C) Summary: Syria remains ready to take appropriate action once presented with "concrete evidence" from Baghdad that individuals resident in Syria were behind the recent bombings of the Iraqi Foreign and Finance Ministries, Vice Foreign Minister Faisal Miqdad told diplomats September 2. Repe [...] |
2009-09-03 09:20:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET//NOFORN | PREL PTER UNGA IZ SY |
| 09DAMASCUS660 |
SYRIAN CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITIES DESPERATE [...] (C) Both Syrian Air and the SARG continue to take drastic steps to overcome the problems presented by a dwindling fleet of air worthy aircraft. In addition to their recently announced negotiations for the lease (with option to buy) of two TU 204 aircraft (ref A), Syrian Air has reportedly cont [...] |
2009-09-08 13:33:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | EAIR ECON EINV ETTC PGOV PREL SY |
| 09DAMASCUS669 |
GAUGING SYRIAN VIEWS OF RISING REGIONAL TENSIONS [...] (S/NF) Summary: After briefly showing signs of more constructive policies towards its neighbors earlier this summer, Syrians are expressing shock over rising tensions in the region and perceive "anti-Syrian forces" at work. The Syrian Government's response has been to harden its position tow [...] |
2009-09-10 08:23:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET | PGOV PREL PMIL IZ SY |
| 09DAMASCUS671 |
RE-ENGAGING SYRIA: TOWARD A SIX-MONTH PLAN [...] (S/NF) Summary: March 2010 will mark the end of the first year of U.S.-Syrian engagement. As reported reftel, this period poses a series of formidable challenges. Syrian policies continue to impede government formation in Lebanon, support foreign fighters going into Iraq, maintain close [...] |
2009-09-10 13:55:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET | PGOV PREL PMIL IZ SY |
| 09DAMASCUS682 |
"INTERNET PIONEERS" SEEK TO USE WEB TO EASE [...] (C) SUMMARY. Three twenty-something Syrian entrepreneurs recently started an Arabic-language website called Masaader.com ("Sources") and a marketing and advertising research firm associated with the British Internet-based marketing firm YouGov in the hopes of developing Syria-specific Interne [...] |
2009-09-15 13:49:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KDEM PHUM SOCI SY |
| 09DAMASCUS686 |
NO U.S. COMPONENT TO U.S. INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENT [...] (C) As previously reported, the American International Investment Group (AIIG) has targeted eastern Syria for $30-40 million in investments (ref A). AIIG (formally referred to as the U.S. International Investment Group (USIIG)) plans to launch five projects in the Industrial City of Dayr al-Za [...] |
2009-09-16 13:44:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | EAID ECIN ECON EINV PGOV PREL SY |
| 09DAMASCUS692 |
SHOW US THE MONEY! SARG SUSEPCTS "ILLEGAL" USG [...] (S/NF) Summary: Over the past six months, SARG security agents have increasingly questioned civil society and human rights activists about U.S. programming in Syria and the region, including U.S. Speaker and MEPI initiatives (ref A). XXXXXXXXXXXX End Summary. -------- Overview -------- 2. (S/NF) O [...] |
2009-09-23 13:36:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET//NOFORN | PHUM PGOV PINR PREL KDEM KMPI EG EZ SY |
| 09DAMASCUS697 |
BASHAR'S SURPRISE TRIP TO SAUDI ARABIA: SETTING [...] (S/NF) Summary: President Bashar al-Asad's surprise September 23 trip to attend the opening of the King Abdullah University for Science and Technology (KAUST) resulted from heavy lobbying by Turkey and Qatar, according to Embassy contacts. Asad's Advisor or Media and Political Affairs Bouth [...] |
2009-09-27 11:42:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET//NOFORN | PGOV PREL LE IZ SY |
| 09DAMASCUS706 |
SYRIAN FIRST LADY JOINS IN INAUGURATION OF [...] (C) SUMMARY. CDA participated in the inauguration of the new Ein al-Tal Palestinian refugee camp near Aleppo on September 28 and the Salhiyeh/Balad El-Sheikh School in the Sbeineh Palestinian refugee camp outside Damascus on September 29. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA)-sp [...] |
2009-10-01 12:33:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL SY |
| 09DAMASCUS707 |
ALEPPO CONTACTS CRITICIZE SANCTIONS, SEEK CLOSER [...] (SBU) CDA, Consul General, and embassy staff visited Aleppo September 27-28 to meet with area wardens and local businessmen and attend a ceremony marking the inaugurat | ||||