Cablegate: Syrian "Hit List" Not News in Egypt

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS CAIRO 004441

SIPDIS

FOR NEA/ELA BASKEY AND NEA/PD BENZE

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KPAO EG SY
SUBJECT: SYRIAN "HIT LIST" NOT NEWS IN EGYPT

Sensitive but unclassified. Please protect accordingly.

1. (SBU) Summary: Egyptian media have largely ignored
recent press reports citing U.S. comments about a possible
Syrian 'hit list' of targeted Lebanese public figures
opposed to continued Syrian influence in Lebanon. To the
extent the issue has been covered locally, two pro-
government newspapers ran unsigned editorials June 12 and 13
blaming the U.S. of being behind the original stories in
order to justify its "aggression" against Syria.
Surprisingly, opposition and independent newspapers, often
the first to criticize Washington policies, have been silent
on the topic. End summary.

2. (SBU) While pan-Arab satellite channels reported
extensively on continued reports of a Syrian "hit list"
containing the names of Lebanese opposition figures,
Egyptian TV did not offer commentary on the story in its
June 10 - 13 coverage. Leading pro-government newspaper Al
Ahram (circulation: 750,000), widely considered to be the
government's "voice," also ignored the story. Al Ahram
editors and reporters told PA LES on June 12 that Al Ahram
would not publish any reports or commentaries about the USG
accusations against Syria, and did not offer reasons for
their position.

3. (U) Meanwhile, two unsigned editorials appeared in pro-
government newspapers Al Gomhouriya (circulation: 200,000)
and Al Akhbar (circulation: 800,000) on June 12 and 13,
respectively. The Al Gomhouriya editorial claimed:
"Accusing Syria now is similar to the U.S. having falsely
accused Iraq of possessing WMD, which was used to justify
aggression against the Iraqi people. These accusations are a
threat to the region's stability and security." Taking a
similar line, the Al Akhbar editorial, under the headline
"Does the U.S. Want to Confirm the Israeli Occupation of
Syria?" stated: "The Bush administration has a history of
false accusations - like those against Iraq, which led to
the American occupation of that country. The whole world
believes Syria, because she has no history of lying and has
respected international laws to regain her territories
occupied by Israel. So, what is the main goal behind the
U.S. accusations? The clear objective is that the U.S.
wants to attack Syria - or ignore a possible Israeli attack
to confirm its occupation of the Golan Heights." (Note:
Both newspapers traditionally publish editorials with an
anti-American line, viewing USG policy in the Middle East as
"aggressive" and serving Israel's interests. End note.)

GRAY

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