Cablegate: Media Reaction - Syria-Iraq-Iran Relations -

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SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR I/RF, PA/PR/FPC/W, IIP/G/EA, EAP/PD, R/MR,
EAP/J, EAP/P, PM;
USTR FOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE;
TREASURY FOR OASIA/IMI;
SECDEF FOR OASD/PA;
CP BUTLER OKINAWA FOR AREA FIELD OFFICE;
PACOM HONOLULU FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY ADVISOR

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP KMDR KPAO JA
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION - SYRIA-IRAQ-IRAN RELATIONS -
TOKYO

LEAD STORIES: Wednesday morning's Mainichi front-paged a
report from Cairo concerning an agreement between Syria
and Iraq to fully restore diplomatic relations.

1. "Syria, Iran Improving Ties with Iraq" The liberal
Mainichi's Cairo correspondent Takahashi commented
(11/22): "Syria restored diplomatic relations with Iraq
Tuesday, a move that is believed to be a big step toward
improving ties with the US and Europe. Iranian President
Ahmadinejad also proposed a meeting of the Iranian,
Iraqi, and Syrian leaders to discuss security in Iraq,
which continues to deteriorate. Syria and Iran, which the
US regards as state sponsors of terrorism, appear to be
launching a diplomatic offensive by improving ties with
Iraq while taking advantage of the rising calls in the US
for dialogue with those nations following the Democratic
takeover of Congress. It is believed that Syria's full
restoration of diplomatic ties with Iraq has a dual
purpose of laying the groundwork for improving relations
with the US and preventing confusion in Iraq from
spilling over into Syria."

2. "Syria, Iran, and Iraq Likely to Form Axis" Mainichi's
Tehran correspondent Kasuga wrote (11/22): "A member of
the Iranian parliament made remarks Tuesday confirming
that Iranian President Ahmadinejad has proposed a meeting
with Iraqi President Talabani and Syrian President Assad
to discuss security in Iraq. It appears that the Iranian
president made the proposal in response to rising calls
in the US and Britain for a review of Iraq policy and a
growing belief that Iraq's security cannot be restored
without the involvement of Iran and Syria. Iranian
Foreign Minister Mottaki previously disclosed to Iraqi
journalists that Iraq, Syria, and Iran are trying to
establish an axis in the Middle East. With the
restoration Tuesday of Syria-Iraq relations, the
likelihood of one forming has become much greater."

SCHIEFFER

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