Cablegate: Damascus Media Reaction: Asad's Speech, Al-Hariri

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

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 DAMASCUS 005908

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR PA, NEA/ARN, INR/IC/CD, INR/S:STHIBEAULT
VOA NEWS CA, NEA/PPD:CBOURGEOIS, DBENZE AND AFERNANDEZ,
IIP/G/NEA-SA RWINCHESTER
WHITE HOUSE FOR NSC
CENTCOM FOR CCPA

E.O.12958: N/A
TAGS: KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY
SUBJECT: Damascus Media Reaction: Asad's Speech, Al-Hariri
Investigations, Syria/Israel (11/10-13)

1. Summary: Syrian papers over the weekend focused on
President Asad's speech. Government-owned Tishreen and Al-
Ba'th, which are usually not published on Fridays, appeared
on Friday 11 November, along with the third official
government-owned paper, Al-Thawra, to report on President
Bashar Al-Asad's speech and the demonstrations in Damascus
and other Syrian cities in support of Al-Asad and his
positions. The papers published the full text of the speech
and detailed reports and pictures from the various
governorates on the solidarity demonstrations.

Papers cited Syrian, Arab and international reactions to the
speech, including that of UN SecGen Kofi Annan, who
expressed happiness at President al-Asad's pledge to
cooperate with the UN inquiry into the killing of former PM
Al-Hariri.
All papers carried a story about Louai Saqqa, a Syrian
detainee in Istanbul reported to have received a proposition
to give false testimony regarding the assassination of
former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in exchange for
a large sum of money. His lawyer, Osman Karahan, said in a
televised program broadcast by al-Jazeera that some
foreigners visited the detainee at his prison and asked him
to tell the international investigator of the Hariri
assassination that a Syrian security official asked him to
bring an Iraqi suicide bomber to declare his responsibility
for the crime.
Papers reported President Asad's message of condolences and
solidarity to King Abdullah of Jordan, condemning the
terrorist attacks in Jordan.

End of summary.

2. Selected Headlines:
"Arab and international interest in President Asad's speech.
The speech diagnosed the current situation and expressed the
nation's aspirations" (Government-owned Al-Thawra, 11/13)
"At the second session of the Forum For the Future in Manama
Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara meets Bahraini Premier
Sheikh Khalifa Ben Salman Al Khalifa, Arab League Secretary
General Amr Mousa, High Representative for EU Foreign Policy
and Security Javier Solana, Turkish Deputy Premier and
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, Deputy Italian Foreign
Minister and Head of the Italian Delegation Alfredo Mantika.
Al-Shara underscores the importance of preventing any
deviation from the main mission of the international
investigation" (Government-owned Al-Thawra, 11/13)
"Day of Cohesion Between the People and the Leader; we
refuse to bargain over dignity and sovereignty; the price of
resistance is much lower than the price of chaos"
(Government-owned Al-Thawa, 11/11)

"Al-Asad makes a call of dignity and brave Syria responds;
the age of tutelage is over; Bashar will not be the one who
lowers his head or the head of his people to anyone"
(Government-owned Al-Ba'th, 11/11)

"The leader puts the nation face to face with the facts.
President Bashar will not be the one who lowers his head or
the head of his people to anyone. Campaign against Syria is
an episode in a series that targets all Arab countries
without exception. The Israeli element is present in all
events in the region. Developments prove that Israel is the
most prominent beneficiary" (Government-owned Tishreen,
11/11)

"Attorney of Louai Saqqa, a Syrian detainee in Istanbul: My
client received an offer to give false testimony regarding
former Lebanese PM Rafik Hariri's assassination in exchange
for a large sum of money" (Government-owned Tishreen, 11/11)

"UN SecGen Kofi Annan welcomes President al-Asad's pledge to
cooperate with the UN inquiry into the killing of former PM
Al-Hariri. No sanctions are mentioned and no evidence of
infiltration through the Syrian-Iraqi border" (Government-
owned Tishreen, 11/12)
"Arab member of the Kenesset, Talab al-Sane': The
Palestinian masses raise voices high in solidarity with
Syria. The US threat targets all Arabs." (Government-owned
Tishreen, 11/12)
"The Russian Liberal-Democratic Party organizes solidarity
march with Syria. Chairman of the Party Vladimir
Zhyrinovsky: We support what was in President Al-Asad's
speech" (Government-owned Tishreen, 11/12)
"Jordanian security forces arrest 12 persons for questioning
in connection to Wednesday night bombing attacks in Amman.
News circulated that 4 Iraqis carried out the blasts
including a woman" (Government-owned Tishreen, 11/12)
"President Asad talks on the phone with President Mubarak
and reviews with Arab League Chief Amr Mousa current
developments and the importance of unified Arab solidarity
with Syria. Mousa: Syria is cooperating fully with the
International Investigation Committee. Mubarak and Annan
underscore the importance of dealing wisely with Resolution
1636" (Government-owned Tishreen, 11/10)

"Judge Murad invites Mehlis to visit Syrian to sign a
protocol of understanding and to discuss the best means and
mechanisms of cooperation" (Government-owned Tishreen,
11/10)

"Scores of casualties and hundreds of injuries in three
explosions that rocked three hotels in Amman. Syria: We
condemn the terrorist explosions and express solidarity with
Jordan" (Government-owned Tishreen, 11/10)

3. Editorial Block Quotes:
"Unity of Blood"
Samir al-Shibani, a commentator in government-owned
Tishreen, wrote (11/12): "Syria has always supported the
Iraqi people and their unity and Arab role.... Damascus
opened its doors to the Iraqis when they had no other place
to go. Syria embraced the Iraqis who rebelled against
Saddam's dictatorship and many of the current Iraqi
political forces were born in Damascus and allowed to work
without interference, dictates, or orders....
"Despite all the fabrications and accusations, Syria is
determined to continue its fraternal constructive role,
which places the interests of the Iraqi people above every
other interest, and which views the blood of any Iraqi as
the blood of any Syrian. Syria will do everything in its
power to bury any domestic sedition in Iraq and will do
anything to maintain the unity of Arab Iraq -- land, people,
and heritage -- so that the country can regain its civilized
role after it breaks free from the shackles of the
occupation and its supporters...."
"Al-Asad's Speech"
Ahmad Dawwa, an editorialist in government-owned Al-Thawra,
said (11/12) "Al-Asad accurately diagnosed the circumstances
in the region, the challenges and threats it is facing, and
the foreign schemes that target its geopolitical status....
Al-Asad shed light on basic issues in the history and social
fabric of the region, issues that anti-Arab forces are
trying to distance or delete from the Arab memory, using
media and political means and raising slogans that appeal to
people's sentiments. The aim is to invade minds and hearts
before invading countries, and sweep away cultural identity
and national existence before sweeping away borders, as the
president said.
"Western plans and deals ultimately seek to bring the Arab
peoples to their knees and turn them into puppets in the
hands of their enemies....
"President Al-Asad's speech stressed adherence to national
and pan-Arab principles and to international legitimacy. It
accurately and elaborately explained regional developments.
It showed utmost firmness against anything that threatens
the security of the citizen and the homeland. It expressed
willingness to deal with the current circumstances in a
flexible manner so as to serve national and pan-Arab
interests and to expose the objectives of the covetous ones.
The speech will create the required effect in Arab society
and help inject further blood into the bodies of the
nation's sons, fighters, and men of resistance, who stood
fast in the past and will stand fast in the future."
"Fear about the Loss of Truth"
Izz-al-Din al-Darwish, an editorialist in government-owned
Tishreen, commented (11/10): "Those who accuse Syria of not
cooperating with the international investigation commission
into Al-Hariri's assassination have bad intentions. They
will keep saying the same thing whether Syria cooperates or
not.... Syria wants the truth about Al-Hariri's
assassination and is cooperating with the commission in a
professional and judicial manner.... But what can Syria do
if the US Administration, which dominates the Security
Council and the investigation into Al-Hariri's
assassination, has already passed judgment against Syria,
asked its followers to support this judgment, and moved its
lackeys in Lebanon to stir this wave of demagogy, sectarian
sedition, and slander against Syria?
"Judge Mehlis was greatly influenced by the anti-Syria
climate in Lebanon following the assassination.... Although
Mehlis did not accuse any Syrian, those who benefited from
Al-Hariri's assassination in the West and Israel, and even
in Lebanon, regrettably, rushed to make up stories, level
accusations, and drive Mehlis to say things he is not
convinced of and that the investigation has not proved....
"The investigation is not yet over. Syria is ready to do
anything that will help reveal the truth and make the
international community shoulder its responsibility. Syria
fears nothing but politicization, which will bury the truth.
If it makes some requests and presents some views regarding
the investigation, it is because it really wants the
international commission to arrive at sound results and
issue a fair judicial verdict."
"Fishing in Disturbed Water"
Muhammad Khair Al-Jammali, an editorialist in government-
owned Al-Thawra, commented (11/10): "Israeli PM Sharon, in
his statement that Israel will not negotiate with Syria or
withdraw from the Golan Heights, is wagering on the current
international pressure and threats against Syria.... The
Golan will always remain an integral part of Syria.
"In the past Syria came under much stronger -- declared and
undeclared -- campaigns of pressure, threats, and sieges,
and it confronted them with a firm national unity that
enabled it to emerge stronger than before. And Sharon will
soon discover how wrong and fruitless is his wager on the
current campaign of pressure....
"Syria is a key player in the region.... No force can cancel
or curb its regional role.... Sharon's statements show that
the party that threatens the stability of the region and the
security and peace of the world is Israel, not Syria...."
Seche

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