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O 080811Z MAR 06
FM AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7553
RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RUEHAM/AMEMBASSY AMMAN 5831
RUEHLB/AMEMBASSY BEIRUT 3719
RUEHEG/AMEMBASSY CAIRO 2202
RUEHRH/AMEMBASSY RIYADH 6932
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RUEHJM/AMCONSUL JERUSALEM 0519
RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL//CCPA//
INFO RUEHNC/AMEMBASSY NICOSIA 6666

UNCLAS DAMASCUS 000987 
 
SIPDIS 
 
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, Hamas, President Bush's 
tour, Lebanon, Iraq 
 
 
¶1.  Summary: 
 
Syrian newspapers highlighted statements by F.M. Walid al- 
Mo'allem during the Arab League's ministerial meeting that Syria 
has reached a "good understanding" with the International 
Investigation Committee. Papers also highlighted the meeting in 
Damascus of the Arab Parties Conference and the address to the 
Conference by Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal, who said that Hamas 
would combine political work with resistance. 
 
Ezeddin al-Darwish editorialized in Tishreen that Arabs are 
suffering from the American occupation of Arab territories and 
its support of Israel and from American labeling of anyone who 
opposes U.S. policies as undemocratic and terrorist, while those 
who call Israel a friend are promoted to the rank of zealous 
democrats and true nationalists and are invited to the White 
House, a clear reference to the Lebanese politician Walid 
Jumblat. 
 
End summary. 
 
¶2. Selected Headlines: 
 
"F.M. Al-Mo'allem: We have reached a good understanding with 
the International Investigation Committee and have agreed on the 
secrecy of the investigations." (Government-owned Al-Thawra, 3/6) 
"F.M. Al-Mo'allem discusses with Mousa preparations for the 
Arab Summit and the undertaking of joint action: Syria's 
adherence to national and pan-Arab constants is the reason for 
the American pressure." (Government-owned Tishreen, 3/6) 
 
"Lebanese National dialogue resumes today on the bases of 
rapprochement. F.M. Salloukh confirms Arab support for 
Lebanon." (Government-owned Tishreen, 3/6) 
 
"Jumblat pleads with Washington to exert pressure on Syria." 
(Government-owned Al-Thawra, 3/7) 
 
"Arab Parties Conference discusses the mechanism to confront the 
American project. Message to Khartoum summit to stand by Syria." 
(Government-owned Tishreen, 3/6) 
 
"Mashaal before the Parties' Conference on the success of Hamas: 
We are combining politics with resistance, and Syria is in the 
rank of the victors." (Government-owned Al-Thawra, 3/7) 
 
"Primakov: Washington has failed to isolate Hamas" (Government- 
owned Al-Thawra, 3/5) 
 
"Olmert: No Dialogue with Hamas. Our position contradicts that of 
Moscow." (Government-owned Tishreen, 3/6) 
 
"Amnesty International criticizes the torture of Syrian detainees 
in Lebanese prison." (Government-owned Al-Thawra, 3/5) 
 
 
¶3.  Editorial Block Quotes: 
------------------------------------ 
"Has Bush Asked: Why?" 
------------------------------------ 
Ezzedin al-Darwish, an editorialist in government-owned Tishreen, 
wrote (3/6): "Massive demonstrations, protests, acts of violence, 
closure of cities, curfews, deaths and injuries-- all of this 
takes place wherever President Bush visits and this was clear in 
his visits to India, Afghanistan and Pakistan. 
 
"It is not confined to this country or that, as everyone is 
harmed by the Bush Administration policies and positions that are 
dedicated to the service of international Zionism and to fight 
Arabs and Muslims under the banner of combating terrorism. 
 
"In the Arab region the Bush Administration wants to occupy, 
infringe on national sovereignty, kill, directly or through 
Israel, and instigate sectarianism, and if anyone says no, then 
he is labeled a terrorist or undemocratic, and he should be 
 
fought politically, economically and even militarily.... 
 
"It is enough that someone Walid Jumblat say that Israel is not 
an enemy and the national resistance is an enemy, for the gates 
of the White House and the State Department to open before him 
and for him to be labeled a traditional democrat and a first 
 
class nationalist. 
 
"The Arabs are truly suffering from the Bush Administration's 
policies; they are suffering direct American occupation, 
unlimited support for the Israeli occupation, interference in the 
internal affairs of more than one Arab country and deliberate 
provocations to this country or that, all leading to popular and 
official anger that is manifested in various forms. 
 
"Did President Bush ask himself, when he toured Asian and Islamic 
countries recently, what procedures should be taken to improve 
America's image in the Arab and Islamic worlds?" 
 
 
Johnson-Casares