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| Identifier | Subject | Date | Office | Classification | Tags |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05DAMASCUS5780 |
INITIAL SYRIAN REACTION TO UNSCR 1636: SARG [...] (C) Syrian contacts reacting in the immediate wake of passage of UNSCR 1636 predicted that the SARG, despite mounting pressure, would provide only limited cooperation with the UNIIIC investigation, while trying to prolong any negotiations on the modalities of the cooperation. In addition, th [...] |
2005-11-01 16:58:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
| 05DAMASCUS6068 |
ASAD SHOPPING AROUND FOR LEGAL COUNSEL? [...] (C) Summary: Samir al-Taki, a long-standing Embassy contact, told Polchief November 20 that on behalf of the SARG he had engaged the services of two British experts in international law. Syrian President Bashar al-Asad had agreed to this approach in a meeting with al-Taki. SMI chief Asif [...] |
2005-11-21 13:01:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
| 05DAMASCUS6394 |
NEW MEMBERS OF THE BA'ATH PARTY REGIONAL COMMAND: [...] (C/NF) Summary: The new, downsized, Ba'ath Party Regional Command announced at the conclusion of the June Party Congress includes nine new members and five holdovers. Included below is biographical information on eight of the nine (extensive biographic information on DefMin Hasan Ali Turkman [...] |
2005-12-08 15:36:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PINR PGOV SY |
| 05DAMASCUS6579 |
THE KILLING OF GEBRAN TUENI: WHAT WAS THE SARG [...] (C) Summary: A minority view in Syria of the December 12 assassination of an-Nahar publisher Gebran Tueni argues that careful scrutiny of events in Syria leading up to the assassination, and close examination of the messages that the killing sends, and of the costs and benefits accruing afte [...] |
2005-12-19 15:17:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
| 06DAMASCUS1159 |
SYRIA-IRAN RELATIONS FLOURISHING; IS FURTHER [...] (C) Summary: By official Syrian accounts, the country's relationship with Iran has flourished since the January visit of Iranian President Ahmadinejad to Damascus. Embassy contacts largely dismiss the immediate economic benefit of increased ties, but note that the two countries have formed [...] |
2006-03-16 15:37:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV SY IR LE IZ |
| 06DAMASCUS145 |
ASAD VISITS JEDDAH, SHARM, AFTER QUICK SAUDI FM [...] (C) Summary: In a rapid, somewhat strangely choreographed set of visits January 8, President Bashar al-Asad met with Saudi King Abdullah in Jeddah and Egyptian President Mubarak in Sharm as-Sheikh, following a quick visit to Damascus by Saudi FM Saud al-Faisal the same day. The two sides is [...] |
2006-01-09 14:26:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
| 06DAMASCUS1666 |
MU'ALLIM CONFIDANT ON BRAMMERTZ INQUIRY, IRAN [...] (C) Summary: Despite its attempts to project confidence, the regime remains concerned about the efforts of UNIIIC head Serge Brammertz, worrying that arrests of Syrian suspects and the formation of an international tribunal are on the way, according to Dr. Samir al-Taki, a confidant of FM M [...] |
2006-04-12 13:51:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
| 06DAMASCUS2136 |
SARG DIVIDED ON REACTION TO BRAMMERTZ; TILT [...] No summary [...] |
2006-05-08 14:01:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINR SY |
| 06DAMASCUS2137 |
SARG DIVIDED ON REACTION TO BRAMMERTZ; TILT [...] (C) Summary: While noting that President Bashar al-Asad and others in the regime had emerged more confident after UNIIIC chief Serge Brammertz's April 25 questioning of the Syrian leader, MFA informal legal advisor Dr. Samir al-Taki termed such confidence misplaced. He voiced his suspicion [...] |
2006-05-08 14:17:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINR SY |
| 06DAMASCUS2593 |
SYRIAN REGIME REBUILDING WALLS OF FEAR AND [...] (C) Summary: The crackdown on Syrian civil society and the opposition has gotten so intense that some observers argue that the regime of Bashar al-Asad is "rebuilding the walls of fear" that his father once erected. Even if the ten Damascus-Beirut Declaration activists are released, which i [...] |
2006-06-05 11:43:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINR SY |
| 06DAMASCUS2598 |
SYRIA POINTS FINGER AT FOREIGN-BACKED ISLAMISTS [...] (C) Summary: Early in the morning of June 2, SARG security forces engaged armed attackers in a 25-minute shoot-out in Damascus on the compound of the Syrian TV and Radio headquarters, according to Emboffs at the scene and regional media reports. Casualty reports have varied, with up to four [...] |
2006-06-05 13:14:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY LE IZ JO |
| 06DAMASCUS2687 |
TEHRAN'S INFLUENCE SAID TO BE SPREADING IN SYRIA [...] (C) Summary: Syria and Iran have exchanged a number of visits in the past several days: longtime SARG regime insider and VP assistant Muhammad Nassif Kheirbek was in Tehran on June 7, and the commander of the Iranian Army's Air Forces was in Damascus on June 6. One of our contacts mentioned [...] |
2006-06-08 13:53:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV SY IR |
| 06DAMASCUS3223 |
UNDER PRESSURE, SYRIAN REGIME STIRS STONE SOUP [...] (C) Summary: The ongoing Gaza crisis notwithstanding, the SARG is conducting its foreign policy in traditional Syrian style, playing for time and survival against international pressure on a range of issues. This was most recently demonstrated by the July 1 meeting between the visiting Qata [...] |
2006-07-03 11:45:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KPAL SY |
| 06DAMASCUS3487 |
SARG SHEDS CROCODILE TEARS, AS IT ASSESSES COSTS [...] (C) Summary: The current conflict in Lebanon puts in play significant Syrian interests, with the potential for either windfall political profits or enormous costs. Political analysts here believe at a minimum that the SARG will benefit from the fatal weakening of Lebanese PM Fouad Siniora a [...] |
2006-07-17 14:10:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY LE |
| 06DAMASCUS4092 |
SYRIANS DO A LITTLE DAMAGE CONTROL ON BASHAR [...] (C) Summary: Political and economic contacts in Damascus have largely written off the August 15 speech of President Bashar al-Asad as ill-timed and reflecting the young Syrian leader's inexperience and lack of political judgment. The speech has prompted renewed personal criticism of Bashar [...] |
2006-08-21 12:05:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY LE |
| 06DAMASCUS4340 |
WITH TALK OF "RESISTANCE" ON THE GOLAN, ACCENT IS [...] (C) Summary: Recently contacts have reported that there is a still developing shift in regime thinking about the supposed benefits of continuing to keep the Golan front quiet. Press accounts have reported the nascent formation of "Syrian popular resistance" groups, modeling themselves on Hi [...] |
2006-09-05 16:12:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
| 06DAMASCUS601 |
ASAD PROMOTES SHARA'A TO VP IN MAJOR CABINET [...] (C) Summary: In a major cabinet reshuffle, Syrian President Bashar al-Asad promoted his foreign minister to Vice President and appointed 11 new ministers with portfolio (and three new ministers of state). He retained his PM, DPM, and 17 ministers (three without portfolio). The most importan [...] |
2006-02-13 12:27:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
| 06DAMASCUS642 |
SARG RELIEF AFTER UNIIIC'S VIENNA QUESTIONING; [...] (C) Summary: Long-standing Embassy contact Dr. Samir al-Taki told Polchief February 5 that the Syrian suspects who traveled to Vienna in mid-January for a second round of questioning emerged saying that UNIIIC investigators gave the impression they had no new leads to follow up on or question [...] |
2006-02-15 12:27:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KCRM SY IR |
| 07DAMASCUS1181 |
SARG-IRAQI CONSULTATIONS REFLECT SOME PROGRESS ON [...] (C) Summary: On the margins of a delegation headed by Iraqi Finance Minister Bayan Jabr al Zabaida, Iraqi border security officials met with their Syrian counterparts in Damascus November 28-29 to discuss enhanced cooperation. According to the Iraqi embassy here, al Zabaida handed over 15 mi [...] |
2007-12-14 11:46:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV SY IZ |
| 07DAMASCUS309 |
THE GOLAN: RESISTANCE RHETORIC, PEACE FEELERS, [...] (C) SUMMARY: IN THE PAST EIGHT MONTHS, PUBLIC MENTION OF THE GOLAN HEIGHTS ISSUE HAS RECURRED WITH MUCH GREATER FREQUENCY THAN IN PREVIOUS YEARS. THE ASAD REGIME HAS USED IT TACTICALLY IN DIFFERENT WAYS, FOR EXAMPLE, TO EXPRESS SHARED OBJECTIVES WITH HIZBALLAH LAST AUGUST, AND MORE RECENT [...] |
2007-03-27 16:16:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
| 07DAMASCUS347 |
Syria/Macedonia, Syria/US, Terrorism, Iraq, Palestinian [...] Summary: Syrian papers on Apr. 11 reported President Asad's and VP Shara's meetings on Apr. 10 with Macedonian Foreign Minister Antonio Milososki. Talks dealt with bilateral relations and the latest developments in the Balkans and the Middle East. Papers also featured a statement by Tom La [...] |
2007-04-11 13:49:00 | Embassy Damascus | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY |
| 07DAMASCUS370 |
SYRIAN REGIME BRINGS OUT DANCING ELECTION BEARS [...] (C) Summary: After six weeks of campaigning, voting in Syrian parliamentary elections will be held April 22-23. Although the People's Assembly is a powerless body, there is intense campaigning and heavy spending for many of the 83 seats set aside for independents, especially for the 13 inde [...] |
2007-04-18 13:54:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM SY |
| 07DAMASCUS423 |
GAUGING REGIME'S LEVEL OF UNHAPPINESS WITH LOW [...] (C) Summary: The turnout for the April 22-23 parliamentary elections was so low that regime insiders considered it "a catastrophe," reflecting not merely profound apathy but the dimensions of "an informal boycott," according to MFA advisor Dr. Samir al-Taki. Two senior members of the Ba'at [...] |
2007-05-07 14:21:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KDEM SY |
| 07DAMASCUS439 |
SYRIAN PRESIDENT DENIES PASSING ON SYRIA'S [...] (C) SUMMARY: IN A MAY 10 SPEECH BEFORE PARLIAMENT, SYRIAN PRESIDENT BASHAR AL-ASAD MADE A TORTURED DENIAL THAT SYRIA HAD PROVIDE COMMENTARY TO ARABS (CLEARLY UNDERSTOOD TO BE SAUDI ARABIA) ON SYRIA'S RESERVATIONS TO THE PROPOSED HARIRI TRIBUNAL. BASHAR'S COMMENTS COME IN THE CONTEXT OF RUMO [...] |
2007-05-10 15:01:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV SY SA |
| 07DAMASCUS500 |
PROBING SARG TIES TO FATAH AL-ISLAM [...] (C) Summary: Our contacts offer contradictory assessments about whether the SARG has been involved in supporting Fatah al-Islam in Lebanon. A majority suspect there is some link, with many pointing to the suspicious timing for the outbreak of fighting, on the eve of UNSC consideration of a [...] |
2007-05-24 13:26:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
| 07DAMASCUS636 |
HAMAS LEADERS IN SYRIA,SARG OFFICIALS EXPRESS [...] (C) Summary: SARG officials and the Damascus-based leaders of Hamas are offering divergent views in their assessments about the necessity and impact of the Hamas takeover in Gaza, with the SARG MFA officials expressing concern and Hamas leaders here -- after some initial uncertainty -- proje [...] |
2007-06-25 15:20:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KPAL KWBG SY |
| 08DAMASCUS210 |
SARG PLAYS ARAB UNITY CARD ON EVE OF ARAB SUMMIT [...] (C) Summary: With last minute changes still a possibility and Jordan's representation up in the air, the SARG claims it will receive up to 12 heads of state, despite evidence to the contrary. In response to Egypt and Saudi Arabia's decision to downgrade significantly their representation and [...] |
2008-03-27 17:54:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY |
| 08DAMASCUS251 |
PREMATURE RUMORS OF ASIF SHAWKAT'S DEMISE [...] (S) Summary: Widespread reports that Syrian Military Intelligence Chief Asif Shawkat is under house arrest and that Shawkat's wife (and Bashar Asad's sister) Bushra al-Asad is trying to flee the country likely reflect Bashar's successful moves to limit Shawkat's influence. While our sources [...] |
2008-04-14 14:17:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET | PREL PGOV SY IZ |
| 08DAMASCUS330 |
SYRIA VIEWS LEBANON'S "INTERNAL CRISIS," STRESSES [...] (C) Summary: After public weekend consultations with Qatar, Bahrain, and Yemen (and private discussions with Turkey,) Syrian officials continue to frame the Lebanese crisis as a "domestic affair" that must be solved by internal dialog. Syria's low-level representation at the May 11 emergenc [...] |
2008-05-12 12:27:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV SY LE |
| 08DAMASCUS349 |
CORRECTED COPY: MFA ADVISOR: SARG HIGH POLICY [...] (S) Summary: On May 14, Orient Center Director and MFA advisor Samir al-Taqi (protect strictly) provided a readout of a May 12 SARG High Policy Council that suggested deep divisions between those favoring supporting Syria's allies in Lebanon and those more concerned about fostering a viable [...] |
2008-05-15 13:37:00 | Embassy Damascus | SECRET | PGOV PREL SY IS TU |
| 08DAMASCUS388 |
SYRIA STAYS LIMBER TRYING TO BALANCE ISRAEL, IRAN, [...] (C) Summary: President Asad departed June 1 on a three-day official trip to UAE and Kuwait more confident about his internal standing and upbeat after a productive round of negotiations with the Israelis in Istanbul that may have included lower-level, face-to-face meetings. Asad also receiv [...] |
2008-06-01 15:02:00 | Embassy Damascus | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SY LE |
| 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 |
| 08TELAVIV1591 |
ISRAEL MEDIA REACTION [...] No summary [...] |
2008-07-24 10:26:00 | Embassy Tel Aviv | UNCLASSIFIED | OPRC KMDR IS |