Cablegate: Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Iran, Lebanon, Iraq,

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DEPARTMENT FOR PA, NEA/ARN, INR/IC/CD, INR/S:STHIBEAULT AND
JMCCARTER, VOA NEWS CA, NEA/PPD:CBOURGEOIS, DBENZE AND AFERNANDEZ,
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E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KMDR PREL KPAO OPRC SY
SUBJECT: Damascus Media Reaction: Syria/Iran, Lebanon, Iraq,
Palestinian Territories, Israel/US (11/16)
1. Summary: Syrian papers featured a statement by Dr. Sami Khiyami,
Syrian Ambassador to the UK, in an interview broadcast on Wednesday
(Nov. 15) by the Syrian Satellite TV channel, saying that Syria has

repeatedly declared that it will be the prime beneficiary from
revelation of the truth about the al-Hariri assassination. However,
if the International Tribunal is formed without solid evidence, it
will only "make the tribunal a tool for political pressure on
Lebanon, the national (Islamic) resistance and Syria." Khiyami
stressed that Syria will remain the safeguard of security and
stability in the region and will continue helping Lebanon to
maintain its stability and to reach real sovereignty and
independence. Dr. Khiyami, who also gave a lecture in Damascus on
Tuesday, said that "some wise US politicians have started to change
their tone and (are exerting) pressure in order to start a dialogue
with Syria." "Everybody in the West is aware of the geopolitical
importance of Syria, which makes her a basic player in any
reconciliation in the region," Dr. Khiyami said. He added that
Syria will continue its "constructive cooperation with the European
countries that have political credibility and it wishes to reach out
for a settlement in the region."
Papers also reported a statement by US Secretary of State Condaleeza
Rice at Ramstein Air Base in Germany as she flew to Hanoi for the
Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation regional summit, on Tuesday (Nov.
14) in which Rice was skeptical about British Prime Minister Tony
Blair's plea for US talks with Iran and Syria, saying that neither
appeared interested in helping stabilize Iraq or the Middle East.
"There is no lack of opportunity to talk to the Iranians. I think
the question is: is there anything about Iranian behavior that
suggests that they are prepared to contribute to stability in Iraq,
and I have to say that at this point, I don't see it," Rice said.
Rice did not rule out talks with Iran about Iraq, noting there is a
channel between the US and Iranian ambassadors to Iraq "that, at
some point, it could make sense to activate." But she made clear
that she saw little profit in such discussions. "I will talk to
anybody, anywhere, anytime, under the right circumstances, if I
think we can make progress," she said. "But we have had, over the
course of this administration, discussions with the Syrians, talks
with the Syrians, envoys to the Syrians, and nothing has ever
changed in their behavior."

End of summary.

2. Selected Headlines:
"Syrian Ambassador to London: Syria is the safeguard of security
and stability in the region and is the first beneficiary from
revealing the truth about al-Hariri assassination" (Government-owned
Tishreen, 11/16)
"Italian FM Dalima confirms Washington's need to establish dialogue
with Syria and Iran. Rice: We are ready for dialogue with them"
(Government-owned Tishreen, 11/16)
"Lebanese demands continue for changing the government and
conducting early parliamentary elections. Lahoud: The government
has lost its constitutional authority. Berri: The government has
violated the National Accord Charter. Al-Hoss and Karami: It is a
coup against the constitution. Aoun: Modification must be in
accordance with the one-third basis" (Government-owned Tishreen,
11/16)
"European MPs call for criticism of Israel. A human rights mission
will be dispatched to Gaza Strip. The UN Human Rights Council
agrees on investigation into the Beit Hanoun massacre"
(Government-owned Tishreen, 11/16)
"Security deterioration in Israel increases the counter-emigration
of Russian settlers to 600%" (Government-owned Tishreen, 11/16)
"Booby-trapped cars kill tens of Iraqis in light of continuing
absence of security in Iraq.... Six US soldiers killed in Baghdad
and Al-Anbar" (Government-owned Tishree, 11/16)

3. Editorial Block Quotes:

------------------------
"They Are Not for Peace"
------------------------
Isam Dari, an editorialist in government-owned Tishreen, commented
(11/16): "Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's visit to the United
States was not a departure from the norm except, perhaps, for a
sentence that can be construed as both a reprimand and an
encouragement.

stability in the region and will continue helping Lebanon to
maintain its stability and to reach real sovereignty and
independence. Dr. Khiyami, who also gave a lecture in Damascus on
Tuesday, said that "some wise US politicians have started to change
their tone and (are exerting) pressure in order to start a dialogue
with Syria." "Everybody in the West is aware of the geopolitical
importance of Syria, which makes her a basic player in any
reconciliation in the region," Dr. Khiyami said. He added that
Syria will continue its "constructive cooperation with the European
countries that have political credibility and it wishes to reach out
for a settlement in the region."
Papers also reported a statement by US Secretary of State Condaleeza
Rice at Ramstein Air Base in Germany as she flew to Hanoi for the
Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation regional summit, on Tuesday (Nov.
14) in which Rice was skeptical about British Prime Minister Tony
Blair's plea for US talks with Iran and Syria, saying that neither
appeared interested in helping stabilize Iraq or the Middle East.
"There is no lack of opportunity to talk to the Iranians. I think
the question is: is there anything about Iranian behavior that
suggests that they are prepared to contribute to stability in Iraq,
and I have to say that at this point, I don't see it," Rice said.
Rice did not rule out talks with Iran about Iraq, noting there is a
channel between the US and Iranian ambassadors to Iraq "that, at
some point, it could make sense to activate." But she made clear
that she saw little profit in such discussions. "I will talk to
anybody, anywhere, anytime, under the right circumstances, if I
think we can make progress," she said. "But we have had, over the
course of this administration, discussions with the Syrians, talks
with the Syrians, envoys to the Syrians, and nothing has ever
changed in their behavior."

"The sentence was uttered by US President George Bush: Israel should
train its forces in light of the results of the war on Lebanon, and
the United States will provide it with weapons and technology.

"Can this statement by the world's strongest and only superpower be
interpreted as anything other than incitement for war and
aggression?

"It was obvious that Olmert immediately took the opportunity offered
by this incitement to declare openly: The resumption of
negotiations with Syria is impossible under the current
circumstances.

"Thus, and in such a simple way, the Bush administration and the
Olmert government demolish all bridges and roads that might lead to
peace. Indeed, Bush backtracked on statements by White House
officials on the need to open dialogue with Damascus. This proves
that this administration opposes peace more than Israel does, and
that it has not yet learned the lesson of the recent election, which
showed, for the first time, that the American public is dissatisfied
with US foreign policy. In all previous elections, domestic issues
were the main player.

"The problem here lies not in rejecting dialogue with Syria and
resuming peace negotiations, but in rejecting the very idea of a
peace conference and in heightening tension in the region and
beating the drums of war. Does this help bring about the security
and calm in which the Bush administration trades, and which it
falsely claims it wants to prevail in a region that has been
suffering from the scourge of wars, disasters, destruction, and
terrorism -- the terrorism that found a strong international sponsor
to defend, support, and encourage?

"In brief: Washington and Tel Aviv are jointly saying: No to
peace. This is very natural. For the warmongers and the merchants
of blood and destruction cannot make peace.

stability in the region and will continue helping Lebanon to
maintain its stability and to reach real sovereignty and
independence. Dr. Khiyami, who also gave a lecture in Damascus on
Tuesday, said that "some wise US politicians have started to change
their tone and (are exerting) pressure in order to start a dialogue
with Syria." "Everybody in the West is aware of the geopolitical
importance of Syria, which makes her a basic player in any
reconciliation in the region," Dr. Khiyami said. He added that
Syria will continue its "constructive cooperation with the European
countries that have political credibility and it wishes to reach out
for a settlement in the region."
Papers also reported a statement by US Secretary of State Condaleeza
Rice at Ramstein Air Base in Germany as she flew to Hanoi for the
Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation regional summit, on Tuesday (Nov.
14) in which Rice was skeptical about British Prime Minister Tony
Blair's plea for US talks with Iran and Syria, saying that neither
appeared interested in helping stabilize Iraq or the Middle East.
"There is no lack of opportunity to talk to the Iranians. I think
the question is: is there anything about Iranian behavior that
suggests that they are prepared to contribute to stability in Iraq,
and I have to say that at this point, I don't see it," Rice said.
Rice did not rule out talks with Iran about Iraq, noting there is a
channel between the US and Iranian ambassadors to Iraq "that, at
some point, it could make sense to activate." But she made clear
that she saw little profit in such discussions. "I will talk to
anybody, anywhere, anytime, under the right circumstances, if I
think we can make progress," she said. "But we have had, over the
course of this administration, discussions with the Syrians, talks
with the Syrians, envoys to the Syrians, and nothing has ever
changed in their behavior."

"In his new visit to Washington, Olmert succeeded, as his
predecessors did. The American weapon and technology stores
remained open for Israel to scoop as much as it wants to fuel wars
and terror. This has always been the purpose of the American and
Israeli weapons, and...goodbye peace."
----------------------------------
"A Punched Ball and Small Players"
----------------------------------
Khalid al-Ashhab, a commentator in government-owned Al-Thawra, wrote
(11/16): "Washington's small agents in Lebanon went bankrupt after
the series of losses and successive defeats that the US
Administration and its plan in the region suffered....
"When a big merchant goes bankrupt, small agents and dealers are
lost.... Their projects are destroyed and their ambitions
frustrated.... They start searching for a lifeline by all means and
at any price...."
Corbin

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