Cablegate: Damascus Media Reaction: Unsc Resolution On Syria,

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

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DAMASCUS 005791

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: UNSC Resolution on Syria,
Iraq, Palestinian Territories (11/2-2)

1. Summary: Syrian newspapers published the text of UN
Security Council Resolution 1636 demanding full Syrian
cooperation with the UN probe into the murder of former
Lebanese PM Al-Hariri. They highlighted the fact that the
resolution dropped the threat of sanctions and called on
Syria to cooperate with the investigation commission. Papers
also published the text of FM Al-Shar'a's speech to the
Security Council and reported on the other speeches.

On 11/2 papers reported local, Arab and international
reactions to the UNSC resolution, saying that "the Mehlis
report and the UNSC resolution show premeditated intentions
to finalize the US-Zionist project," and that "the
resolution is new proof of US hegemony and its double
standard policy."

Papers also reported a demonstration near the U.S. Embassy
in Damascus by a private public relations group, civil
institutions and crowds of students in a show of support for
President Asad and in protest of pressure and accusations
against Syria.

On Iraq, papers reported a call by Iraqi PM Al-Ja'fary for a
year's extension of the stay of occupation troops in Iraq
and a White House statement that withdrawal from Iraq would
encourage extremists to demolish Israel.

End of summary.

2. Selected Headlines:
"President Al-Asad receives a letter from Emir of Qatar
Sheikh Hamad Ben Khalifa Al Thani on the situation in the
region and issues of mutual concern and cooperation between
the two countries. President Asad sends letters to the
leaders of the UAE, Bahrain and Kuwait on the regional
situation and pressures on Syria" (Government-owned
Tishreen, 11/1)
"The UN Security Council adopts a resolution dropping the
sanctions and calling on Syria to cooperate with the
international investigation. Foreign Minister Al-Shara:
There is a hidden intention to accuse us; we will cooperate
with the commission to establish the truth" (Government-
owned Al-Thawra, 11/1)
"Unreceptive Arab and international reactions to the Mehlis
report and UNSC Resolution 1636: The report and the
resolution harbor premeditated intentions to finalize the US-
Zionist project" (Government-owned Tishreen, 11/2)
"Thousands of Syrians stage a sit-in Al-Rawda Square in
rejection of pressure and false accusations" (Government-
owned Tishreen, 11/2)
"Russia: The Syrian investigation committee is a positive
step. China: We opposed sanctions, to maintain stability in
the region. Algeria: Fear and worry from the UN Security
Council resolution. Brazil: The preliminary draft resolution
violated the principle of 'the accused is innocent unless
proven otherwise.'" (Government-owned Al-Thawra, 11/01)
"Israel welcomes Resolution 1636 and calls for implementing
the Larsen report" (Government-owned Tishreen, 11/2)
"Speaker of the People's Assembly appeals to Speakers of
Arab and international parliaments to side with Syria in the
face of foreign pressures against it" (Government-owned Al-
Thawra, 11/1)
"Israel arrests 3 youths in occupied Golan on charges of
resisting Israeli occupation" (Government-owned Al-Thawra,
11/1)
"Israeli occupation forces assassinate two activists in
Jebalia. Hamas threatens severe retaliation and calls for
supporting the Palestinian Authority. Conditional Israeli
approval to open the Rafah border crossing" (Government-
owned Tishreen, 11/2)
"Sharon renews challenges to the international will:
Settlement activities will continue in the West Bank and
Golan. One Palestinian martyred in Qabatiya. Palestinian
fear of Israeli strike" (Government-owned Tishreen, 11/1)
"Al-Ja'fari calls for a one-year extension for occupation
troops. The White House: Withdrawal from Iraq would
encourage extremists to demolish Israel" (Government-owned
Al-Ba'th, 11/2)
"Seven U.S. soldiers killed in al-Youssefiya and Balad. US
forces kill and injure over 125 Iraqis in Karbala"
(Government-owned Tishreen, 11/1)
3. Editorial Block Quotes:

"Transparency of the Syrian Position"

Omar Jaftali, an editorialist in government-owned Tishreen,
commented (11/1): "Now that the Security Council has adopted
a resolution calling for full Syrian cooperation with the UN
investigation commission, and dropped the threat of imposing
economic sanctions, it should be noted that the attempts to
turn the UN Security Council into a mechanism for
investigating Syria and interfering with the authorities of
the UN investigation commission have failed. The majority of
the world community has no suspicions about the transparency
of the Syrian position and the deliberate injustice
represented by the premeditated political stands towards
Syria....
"The UNSC resolution is more political than judicial. Syria
rejects the accusation that it did not cooperate with the
investigation into the Al-Hariri assassination. We must
stress that the emphasis by some international parties on
the issue of Syria's non-cooperation with the investigation
commission is a shameful hypocrisy and a preconceived
political position....
"The Security Council resolution remained more political
than judicial, as evidenced by the debate that took place in
the session, when the British Foreign Secretary and the US
Secretary of State deliberately repeated the refrain of

SIPDIS
accusations that Syria has not cooperated -- either with the
investigation commission or on other Middle East issues.
"Syria has all along stated its desire to arrive at the
truth and identify the criminals, based on conclusive
evidence. Based on this legal rule, the international
community, represented by the United Nations, is called upon
to help Syria continue the investigation in a transparent
way to reach the result that Syria and the whole world seek:
uncovering and punishing the real culprits in the crime of
the Al-Hariri assassination....
"While thanking its friends in the international community
for their constructive position in the Security Council and
in all other international forums, Syria reaffirms that,
just as it was a pioneer in its cooperation with the United
Nations and its commitment to all its resolutions, it will
cooperate fully with the international organization and its
specialized committees. This is because Syria was and still
is working with established credibility and transparency to
enforce international law and achieve peace and security in
the region."
"Recollections at a Difficult Time"
Dr. Fayez Sayegh, chief editor of government-owned Al-
Thawra, commented (11/1): "This is not the first time that
Syria has come under such immense pressure to bring it to
its knees....
"The Syrian people have always been able to overcome
difficulties and resume life calmly and with self-
confidence. Syria's secret lies in its national unity and
full accord between the people and the political
leadership.... Foreign attempts to separate the people from
the leadership in Syria only strengthen the bonds between
them and heighten the Syrian citizen's sense of
responsibility, regardless of his political, social, and
cultural position.
"The growing campaign against Syria, however, dictates
further national cohesion and the adoption of additional
measures and initiatives to achieve greater national unity,
so as to make it impossible for others to wager on any
penetration of the domestic front, no matter what the
pressure...."
Seche

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