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Viewing cable 06DAMASCUS231, Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Iran, President Asad's

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Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
06DAMASCUS231 2006-01-23 08:32 2011-08-24 01:00 UNCLASSIFIED Embassy Damascus
VZCZCXYZ0003
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHDM #0231/01 0230832
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 230832Z JAN 06
FM AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6652
RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RUEHAM/AMEMBASSY AMMAN 5732
RUEHLB/AMEMBASSY BEIRUT 3629
RUEHEG/AMEMBASSY CAIRO 2085
RUEHRH/AMEMBASSY RIYADH 6860
RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV 0720
RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA 4220
RUEHJM/AMCONSUL JERUSALEM 0450
RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL//CCPA//
INFO RUEHNC/AMEMBASSY NICOSIA 6601
UNCLAS DAMASCUS 000231 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR PA, NEA/ARN, INR/IC/CD, INR/S:STHIBEAULT AND 
JMCCARTER, 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: Syria/Iran, President Asad's 
Speech to the Federation of Arab Lawyers, Lebanon, Iraq, 
Palestinian Territories, France (1/20-22) 
 
1.  Summary: Syrian weekend newspapers focused on the visit to 
Damascus by Iranian President Ahmadinejad and featured the joint 
communiqu issued at the conclusion of the visit confirming 
Iran's strong support of Syria to restore occupied territories to 
the June 4, 1967, line. 
Syria and Iran underlined the necessity of an Israeli pullout 
from all occupied Arab territories, including the Syrian Golan, 
the Palestinian territories and the Lebanese land that is still 
occupied. 
Both sides underscored the rights of the Palestinian people to 
liberate their lands, return home, and establish an independent 
state with Jerusalem as its capital. 
The two sides expressed relief over the high level of political 
relations between the two and stressed their interest in 
developing economic relations and making use of the available 
potentials of Syria and Iran. 
The two sides reiterated condemnation of the assassination of 
former Lebanese Premier Rafik Hariri, stressing their concern 
that the international investigation take its course on a 
professional, legal and neutral basis without exploiting the 
crime for political ends that aim to pressure Syria. 
The two sides expressed concern over continuation of foreign 
intervention in Lebanese and Syrian internal affairs, drawing 
attention to the negative repercussions of such intervention on 
stability and security in the region. 
The two sides reiterated their support for the current political 
process in the region, stressing the need to achieve security, 
stability and national reconciliation among all the Iraqi people, 
welcoming in this context all the efforts exerted by the United 
Nations, the Organization of the Islamic Conference, Iraq's 
neighboring states and the Arab Initiative for National 
Reconciliation. 
The two sides welcomed the Iraqi elections to form a national 
assembly and an Iraqi government in which all the Iraqi factions 
will take part, stressing readiness to extend all forms of 
support for the new Iraqi government. 
The two sides stressed the importance of implementing UN 
resolutions, ridding the Middle East of WMD, and subjecting 
Israeli nuclear installations to international surveillance. 
Syria and Iran stressed the right of all countries, including 
Iran, to peaceful use of technology and nuclear energy in line 
with the NPT, without selectivity or double standards. 
In a joint press conference, both leaders confirmed support of 
stability in Lebanon and the need to back the resistance and to 
prevent interference in Lebanon's affairs. 
 
President Asad expressed support of Iran's right to peaceful 
nuclear technology and welcomed dialogue on this subject between 
Iran and the concerned international parties. 
 
On the issue of Iraq, both leaders stressed the need to boost the 
current political process in Iraq, to work for Iraq's stability, 
and to prevent interference in its internal affairs, and urged 
foreign forces to withdraw according to a fixed timetable. 
 
In an address to the Federation of Arab Lawyers in Damascus on 
January 21, President Asad charged that what is happening between 
Syria and Lebanon is part of "a global plot against all Arabs, 
which has many facets." 
 
Asad confirmed Syria's commitment to cooperate with UN 
investigators but not at the expense of its national sovereignty. 
 
President Asad vowed to speed up reforms aimed at introducing 
more political freedom and a measure of democracy to Syria, but 
said he would resist foreign pressure for change. 
 
"We are still at the beginning of a long road, but we will not 
let it be said that we have achieved nothing. Maybe the [pace] is 
slow ... but we are speeding as much as possible." 
 
"We are undertaking several projects that will boost public 
participation and help enrich democratic life, whether it be 
linked to the parties law or to election and local government 
laws," Asad said. 
 
 
2.  Selected Headlines: 
 
"President Asad and President Ahmadinejad finalize talks by 
confirming deep political and economic relations. The final 
communique emphasizes the importance of eliminating Israeli 
occupation and warns against foreign intervention" (Government- 
owned Al-Ba'th, 1/21) 
 
"President Asad and President Ahmadinejad discuss in an open 
meeting and a closed meeting the topics of Iraq, Palestine, 
Lebanon and bilateral relations. Asad: Agreement on stability in 
Iraq and Lebanon, rejection of internationalization, and 
restoration of Palestinian rights. President Ahmadinejad: Syria 
and Iran play a substantive role in the region" (Government-owned 
Tishreen, 1/20) 
 
"President Asad: Iran has the right to possess peaceful 
Lebanese emphasis on reconciliation and rejection of US 
Speech to the Federation of Arab Lawyers, Lebanon, Iraq, 
Palestinian Territories, France (1/20-22) 
1.  Summary: Syrian weekend newspapers focused on the visit to 
Damascus by Iranian President Ahmadinejad and featured the joint 
communiqu issued at the conclusion of the visit confirming 
Iran's strong support of Syria to restore occupied territories to 
the June 4, 1967, line. 
Syria and Iran underlined the necessity of an Israeli pullout 
from all occupied Arab territories, including the Syrian Golan, 
the Palestinian territories and the Lebanese land that is still 
occupied. 
Both sides underscored the rights of the Palestinian people to 
liberate their lands, return home, and establish an independent 
state with Jerusalem as its capital. 
The two sides expressed relief over the high level of political 
relations between the two and stressed their interest in 
developing economic relations and making use of the available 
potentials of Syria and Iran. 
The two sides reiterated condemnation of the assassination of 
former Lebanese Premier Rafik Hariri, stressing their concern 
that the international investigation take its course on a 
professional, legal and neutral basis without exploiting the 
crime for political ends that aim to pressure Syria. 
The two sides expressed concern over continuation of foreign 
intervention in Lebanese and Syrian internal affairs, drawing 
attention to the negative repercussions of such intervention on 
stability and security in the region. 
The two sides reiterated their support for the current political 
process in the region, stressing the need to achieve security, 
stability and national reconciliation among all the Iraqi people, 
welcoming in this context all the efforts exerted by the United 
Nations, the Organization of the Islamic Conference, Iraq's 
neighboring states and the Arab Initiative for National 
Reconciliation. 
The two sides welcomed the Iraqi elections to form a national 
assembly and an Iraqi government in which all the Iraqi factions 
will take part, stressing readiness to extend all forms of 
support for the new Iraqi government. 
The two sides stressed the importance of implementing UN 
resolutions, ridding the Middle East of WMD, and subjecting 
Israeli nuclear installations to international surveillance. 
Syria and Iran stressed the right of all countries, including 
Iran, to peaceful use of technology and nuclear energy in line 
with the NPT, without selectivity or double standards. 
In a joint press conference, both leaders confirmed support of 
stability in Lebanon and the need to back the resistance and to 
prevent interference in Lebanon's affairs. 
 
3.  Editorial Block Quotes: 
---------------------------------- 
"Extraordinary Summit in Damascus" 
---------------------------------- 
An unsigned editorial in government-owned Al-Ba'th, said (1/20): 
"Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinjad's visit to Damascus and the 
discussions he held with President Asad have a special 
significance.... 
"The hostile attack to which the two countries in particular and 
the Middle East region in general are being subjected has 
extended to its maximum possible limits and is taking the 
fiercest and most vicious forms ever. The United States, its 
subordinates and allies have taken off their masks and breached 
all values and principles in their rabid endeavor to impose their 
Speech to the Federation of Arab Lawyers, Lebanon, Iraq, 
Palestinian Territories, France (1/20-22) 
1.  Summary: Syrian weekend newspapers focused on the visit to 
Damascus by Iranian President Ahmadinejad and featured the joint 
communiqu issued at the conclusion of the visit confirming 
Iran's strong support of Syria to restore occupied territories to 
the June 4, 1967, line. 
Syria and Iran underlined the necessity of an Israeli pullout 
from all occupied Arab territories, including the Syrian Golan, 
the Palestinian territories and the Lebanese land that is still 
occupied. 
Both sides underscored the rights of the Palestinian people to 
liberate their lands, return home, and establish an independent 
state with Jerusalem as its capital. 
The two sides expressed relief over the high level of political 
relations between the two and stressed their interest in 
developing economic relations and making use of the available 
potentials of Syria and Iran. 
The two sides reiterated condemnation of the assassination of 
former Lebanese Premier Rafik Hariri, stressing their concern 
that the international investigation take its course on a 
professional, legal and neutral basis without exploiting the 
crime for political ends that aim to pressure Syria. 
The two sides expressed concern over continuation of foreign 
intervention in Lebanese and Syrian internal affairs, drawing 
attention to the negative repercussions of such intervention on 
stability and security in the region. 
The two sides reiterated their support for the current political 
process in the region, stressing the need to achieve security, 
stability and national reconciliation among all the Iraqi people, 
welcoming in this context all the efforts exerted by the United 
Nations, the Organization of the Islamic Conference, Iraq's 
neighboring states and the Arab Initiative for National 
Reconciliation. 
The two sides welcomed the Iraqi elections to form a national 
assembly and an Iraqi government in which all the Iraqi factions 
will take part, stressing readiness to extend all forms of 
support for the new Iraqi government. 
The two sides stressed the importance of implementing UN 
resolutions, ridding the Middle East of WMD, and subjecting 
Israeli nuclear installations to international surveillance. 
Syria and Iran stressed the right of all countries, including 
Iran, to peaceful use of technology and nuclear energy in line 
with the NPT, without selectivity or double standards. 
In a joint press conference, both leaders confirmed support of 
stability in Lebanon and the need to back the resistance and to 
prevent interference in Lebanon's affairs. 
 
hegemony upon the region...to redraw the Middle East map and 
reshape its states and existing regimes.... 
"The United States has employed different methods and pretexts in 
dealing with both countries. In Syria's case, it has employed 
false claims about Syria's failure to control its border with 
Iraq and has tried to implicate it in the Al-Hariri 
assassination. As for Iran, the United States has made claims 
about Iran's alleged endeavor to produce nuclear arms and support 
terrorism. Despite all that, the US aims have become clear to the 
public, that is, encircling Syria and Iran and leaving them with 
two options. The first is to give in and do whatever they are 
required to do, that is, surrender unconditionally and without 
limitation, as a preliminary step toward joining the so- 
called 'Greater Middle East' US plan. The second option is to 
face the application of the Iraqi model to Syria and Iran, that 
is, the imposition of siege, boycott and sanctions. 
"Syria's response was similar to that of Iran, namely, 
emphasizing its determination, despite all that this option 
entails in the present regional and international reality, to 
withstand difficulties, sacrifice and detriment. The choice to 
resist has emerged from the fact that both countries have not 
violated any international law or human code, have not defied any 
of the principles that regulate international relations, and have 
not breached UN resolutions or its charter...." 
----------------------------------- 
 
"Who Interferes in Others' Affairs?" 
 
----------------------------------- 
Isam Dari, an editorialist in government-owned Tishreen, said 
Speech to the Federation of Arab Lawyers, Lebanon, Iraq, 
Palestinian Territories, France (1/20-22) 
1.  Summary: Syrian weekend newspapers focused on the visit to 
Damascus by Iranian President Ahmadinejad and featured the joint 
communiqu issued at the conclusion of the visit confirming 
Iran's strong support of Syria to restore occupied territories to 
the June 4, 1967, line. 
Syria and Iran underlined the necessity of an Israeli pullout 
from all occupied Arab territories, including the Syrian Golan, 
the Palestinian territories and the Lebanese land that is still 
occupied. 
Both sides underscored the rights of the Palestinian people to 
liberate their lands, return home, and establish an independent 
state with Jerusalem as its capital. 
The two sides expressed relief over the high level of political 
relations between the two and stressed their interest in 
developing economic relations and making use of the available 
potentials of Syria and Iran. 
The two sides reiterated condemnation of the assassination of 
former Lebanese Premier Rafik Hariri, stressing their concern 
that the international investigation take its course on a 
professional, legal and neutral basis without exploiting the 
crime for political ends that aim to pressure Syria. 
The two sides expressed concern over continuation of foreign 
intervention in Lebanese and Syrian internal affairs, drawing 
attention to the negative repercussions of such intervention on 
stability and security in the region. 
The two sides reiterated their support for the current political 
process in the region, stressing the need to achieve security, 
stability and national reconciliation among all the Iraqi people, 
welcoming in this context all the efforts exerted by the United 
Nations, the Organization of the Islamic Conference, Iraq's 
neighboring states and the Arab Initiative for National 
Reconciliation. 
The two sides welcomed the Iraqi elections to form a national 
assembly and an Iraqi government in which all the Iraqi factions 
will take part, stressing readiness to extend all forms of 
support for the new Iraqi government. 
The two sides stressed the importance of implementing UN 
resolutions, ridding the Middle East of WMD, and subjecting 
Israeli nuclear installations to international surveillance. 
Syria and Iran stressed the right of all countries, including 
Iran, to peaceful use of technology and nuclear energy in line 
with the NPT, without selectivity or double standards. 
In a joint press conference, both leaders confirmed support of 
stability in Lebanon and the need to back the resistance and to 
prevent interference in Lebanon's affairs. 
 
(1/21): "The United States does not have any proof that Syria is 
interfering in Lebanese, Iraqi, or Palestinian affairs.... 
"If Syria, as they claim, interferes in the affairs of 
neighboring Arab countries, is the occupation of Iraq not 
interference in the affairs of another country? Isn't US 
Assistant Secretary of State David Welch's statement, that 
Hizbollah is a terrorist organization that must not be included 
in the government, interference in Lebanon's domestic affairs? 
"The United States rejects Hizbollah's presence in the Lebanese 
government and rejects HAMAS' representation in the Palestinian 
government after the forthcoming elections. Is this the promised 
democracy that they want to impose on the Arabs by force? 
"The United States is building its policy on lies.... The US 
Administration must acknowledge its mistakes before people's 
hatred of the American policies turns into hatred of the United 
States." 
--------------------------------------------- -- 
"Superpowers Brandish Nuclear Deterrence" 
--------------------------------------------- -- 
Hanan Hamad, a commentator in government-owned Tishreen, wrote 
(1/21): "French President Chirac took the concept of nuclear 
deterrence to a new and more dangerous level when he threatened 
to use nuclear weapons against any country launching a terror 
attack on French territory or against its allies, or their 
interests.... 
"The US Administration has been studying the possibility of using 
nuclear weapons against adversaries, even in preemptive 
strikes.... Chirac's statements give Washington the green light 
to implement its new nuclear strategy...." 
Seche