Cablegate: Syria/Kuwait, Syria/Uae, Lebanon, Iraq, Palestinian

VZCZCXYZ0011
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHDM #0718/01 1940904
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 130904Z JUL 07
FM AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3864
RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RUEHAM/AMEMBASSY AMMAN 6947
RUEHLB/AMEMBASSY BEIRUT 4642
RUEHEG/AMEMBASSY CAIRO 3291
RUEHRH/AMEMBASSY RIYADH 7774
RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV 1870
RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA 5194
RUEHJM/AMCONSUL JERUSALEM 1406
RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL//CCPA//
INFO RUEHNC/AMEMBASSY NICOSIA 7515

UNCLAS DAMASCUS 000718

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR PA, NEA/ARN, INR/IC/CD, INR/R/MR:STHIBEAULT AND
JMCCARTER, VOA NEWS CA, NEA/PPD:CBOURGEOIS, AZAIBACK, AND
AFERNANDEZ, IIP/G/NEA-SA MDAVIDSON
WHITE HOUSE FOR NSC
CENTCOM FOR CCPA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY
SUBJECT: Syria/Kuwait, Syria/UAE, Lebanon, Iraq, Palestinian
territories

1. Summary: Syrian papers on July 12 reported that President Asad
on July 11 received al letter from Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al
Ahmad al-Jaber Al Sabah connected with bilateral relations between
the two sisterly countries and issues of common concern. The letter
focused on the latest developments in the region, particularly in
Iraq, occupied Palestinian territories and in Lebanon and on the
necessity for continuation of consultation and coordination among
Arab countries to boost joint Arab solidarity. The letter was
handed to President al-Assad by Emir of Kuwait Special advisor
Abdul-Rahman Salim Al-Ateeqi.

Independent al-Watan reported that Sheikh Khalifah bin Zayed
Al-Nhayan will conduct a two day visit to Damascus starting July 15.
The talks will deal with bilateral relation and developing them on
the economic, commercial, investment, technological and cultural
levels. The visit is the first leg of a tour which will include
Algeria and France.

Papers also commemorated the first anniversary of the Israeli war
against Lebanon on July 2006. Papers featured statements by
Lebanese figures on this anniversary citing a statement by Ali
Qansu, Chairman of the Syrian Social Nationalist party in Lebanon
confirming on July 11 that "the victory of the Lebanese resistance
against the Israeli aggression last summer constitutes an honorable
page in the Lebanese modern history to be added to another brilliant
pages made by the resistance in 2000.
Qansu said "the Lebanese national resistance has foiled a group of
Israeli and US schemes aiming to end the resistance and turn Lebanon
into US military base." Another statement by al-Wafa Bloc for
Resistance at the Lebanese Parliament asserted that the strategic
and historic victory of resistance over the Israeli aggression last
July represents a victory for Lebanon, Arabs and all honorable men
and freedom fighters in the world because resistance foiled
aggression's projects in spite of all international support to this
aggression. The al-Wafa Bloc statement said that "every one is
invited to make use of the lessons to increase resistance's will
till shattering all Israel's illusions and dreams." "The US
Administration is a partner with Israel in responsibility of July
aggression" the statement added. Former Lebanese Prime Minister
Salim al-Hoss said that during last July Israeli aggression, the
resistance was capable to stand in the face of Israel which was
backed by the US since the starting of war till the end.

End of summary.

2. Selected Headlines:

"President Asad receives a message from the Emir of Kuwait on
bilateral relations, developments in the region and enhancement of
Arab solidarity" (Government-owned Al-Ba'th, 7/12)

"President of United Arab Emirates in Syria next Sunday"
(Independent al-Watan, 7/12)

"One year past the July aggression against Lebanon, Lahoud: Israel
has been humiliated, Lebanon emerged as victorious. Nationalist
Lebanese factions: The resistance maintained its preparedness; the
governing team's commitments placed it at loss" (Government-owned
Al-Ba'th, 7/12)

"The aggression started one year ago. Israel's defeat is a defeat
for the US project" (Government-owned Tishreen, 7/12)

"Anti-war demonstrations on the anniversary of the July aggression
against Lebanon" (Government-owned Tishreen, 7/12)
"A draft US Congressional resolution to schedule withdrawal from
Iraq within 120 days. Bush trusts hi military more than his
politicians" (Independent al-Watan, 7/12)

"Iraq will be divided into three separate entities" (Independent
al-Watan, 7/12)

"Bush requests more a time limit in Iraq hinting at veto against
Democrats. Bush to Americans: Like you, I would like a US
withdrawal from Iraq if circumstances are appropriate"
(Government-owned Tishreen, 7/12)

"A fifth Republican senator opposes Bush's policy on Iraq"
(Government-owned Tishreen, 7/12)

"Israeli intelligence: An Iranian nuclear bomb in 2009, a war with
Syria is possible" (Independent al-Watan, 7/12)

"France confirms Hizbollah's attendance of a summit of Lebanese
political leaders in France" (Independent al-Watan, 7/12)

"Palestinian factions and remaining Palestinian civilians depart the
Nahr al-Bared refugee camp. The Lebanese army prepares to put bring
the battle in Nahr al-Bared to an end" (Government-owned Al-Ba'th,
7/12)

"The Amnesty International criticizes failure to bring officials
responsible for the July war against Lebanon: The UN Security
Council is biased" (Independent al-Watan, 7/12)

"Hanieh rejects dispatch of international forces to Gaza. Failure
of the Palestinian Legislative Council convention raises questions
about the Fayyadh government" (Government-owned Al-Ba'th, 7/12)

"The Palestinian Legislative Council is suspended due to Hamas
boycott. Verbal disputes resume in Palestine" (Independent
al-Watan, 7/12)

3. Editorial Block Quotes:

--------------------------------------------- ----

"Awaiting De Gaullist France in Sarkozian Attire"

--------------------------------------------- ----

Isam Dari, Chief Editor of government-owned Tishreen, wrote (7/12):
"French president Sarkozi accused Hizballah of being a terrorist
organization....

"We had hoped France would take off Jacques Chirac's cloak and move
closer to the free and independent de Gaullist thought, which wanted
France to be the master of its own decision, not to implement the
policies and wishes of others....

"While the Chirac era was characterized by the personalization of
politics, where personal interests were given precedence over
national interests, the current stage under President Sarkozy does
not seem to have gotten rid completely of Chirac's legacy,
especially in Lebanon....

"We hope that France will play its role in the region from the
position of a neutral and fair partner willing to achieve peace and
justice....

"Blind bias to a certain Lebanese party under the pretext that it
represents the parliamentary majority is not the right option....
Ignoring the popular majority and accusing a team within this
majority of terrorism do not serve Lebanon and its cause...."

------------------------------

"Fabrications under Bankruptcy"

------------------------------

Khalid al-Ashhab, an editorialist in government-owned Al-Thawra,
wrote (7/12): "The United States is using a policy of fabrication
and distortion of facts against Iraq, Lebanon, Palestinian
territories and against Syria....

"This policy, which was initiated with force and vitality, is now
suffering in the throes of death....

"The same naturally applies to the local tools that were used to
promote this policy, namely the March 14 team in Lebanon...."

--------------------

"On the Victory Day"

--------------------

Amr Nasif, a commentator in independent al-Watan, wrote (7/12): "If
Hizbollah dedicated its victory in the July war last year to the
Lebanese and Arab peoples, Israel dedicated its defeat to Zionized
Arabs who supported the Israeli-American effort to annihilate
Hizbollah.

"These Arabs are subservient followers of the White House policy,
implementing its order very accurately even if this entails forging
history, distorting divine books, and feeding sectarian
seditions...."

Corbin

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