VZCZCXYZ0030
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHDM #1541/01 0961425
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 061425Z APR 06
FM AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8148
RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RUEHAM/AMEMBASSY AMMAN 5865
RUEHLB/AMEMBASSY BEIRUT 3745
RUEHEG/AMEMBASSY CAIRO 2237
RUEHRH/AMEMBASSY RIYADH 6956
RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV 0883
RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA 4322
RUEHJM/AMCONSUL JERUSALEM 0549
RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL//CCPA//
INFO RUEHNC/AMEMBASSY NICOSIA 6692

UNCLAS DAMASCUS 001541 
 
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: Lebanon, Syria/Austria (4/5) 
 
¶1.  Summary: Syrian papers reported a statement by President 
Emile Lahoud that his country seeks to maintain best relations 
with Syria, "because this is a permanent option for the interest 
of Lebanon in light of the fraternal Syrian-Lebanese relations." 
Papers also reported President Lahoud's meeting with Ammar 
Moussawi and Mohammad Berjaoui, two leaders in Hizbollah, who 
discussed attempts by some Lebanese parties to target and weaken 
the Lebanese national resistance. 
 
Syrian papers reported statements of the Austrian Ambassador in 
Damascus, Karel Schrmek, underlining Syria's important role and 
position in the region, particularly for Europe. At a celebration 
attended by Syria's Grand Mufti and EU ambassadors in Syria, 
Schrmek, whose country currently heads the EU, stressed the need 
to boost ties between Syria and Europe and to work hard to expand 
the culture of tolerance, amity and peace and prevent any kind of 
extremism. 
 
End of summary. 
 
¶2.  Selected Headlines: 
 
"Foreign Minister al-Muallem briefs the cabinet on latest 
regional and international developments. Muallem: President 
Asad's participation in the recent Arab Summit in Khartoum helped 
reach positive resolutions" (Government-owned Tishreen, 4/5) 
 
"A US Study: Israeli lobby is behind the targeting of Syria" 
(Government-owned Tishreen, 4/5" 
 
"An Austrian call to enhance cooperation between Syria and the 
EU.  Schrmek, Austrian Ambassador in Damascus, Highlights Syria's 
role in spreading the culture of peace and love" (Government- 
owned Tishreen, 4/5) 
 
"A Lebanese determination to make the national dialogue a 
success, giving priority to citizens' issues. President Lahoud: 
Lebanon's interest lies in establishing best relations with 
Syria. Lebanese politicians call for government attention to the 
daily life of Lebanese citizens, reject American tutelage, stress 
commitment to national resistance, and assert that foreign 
interference serves Israel" (Government-owned Tishreen, 4/5) 
 
"Two Palestinians killed in Gaza. Israeli forces target 
headquarters of the Palestinian Presidency in Gaza. Palestinian 
Foreign Minister Zahar tours a number of Eastern Asian countries" 
(Government-owned Tishreen, 4/5) 
 
"US President Bush calls for accelerating the formation of the 
Iraqi government" (Government-owned Tishreen, 4/5) 
 
¶3. Editorial Block Quotes: 
 
-------------------------------------- 
 
"Al-Saniora and His Visit to Damascus" 
 
-------------------------------------- 
 
The Chief Editor of Al-Iqtissadya, an independent weekly, 
editorialized (4/2): "What does Al-Saniora's handshake with 
President Asad at the Khartourm Summit mean? Did Al-Saniora want 
to express to the Arab leaders his good intention towards Syria 
and towards Syrian-Lebanese relations...? 
 
"We believe that distinguished Syrian-Lebanese relations should 
be based on mutual respect and demarcation of borders.... Mutual 
respect means, first, the accountability of all those who 
contributed to the hysterical campaign to distort Syria's image 
and deliberately accused Syrian of assassinating Rafik Al-Hariri 
and presented false witnesses to the IIC and urged the UNSC 
resolution to punish Syria for a crime it did not commit. 
 
"The good intention that Al-Saniora marketed at the Khartoum 
summit, and might market soon in Damascus, means that the 
international investigation must not be restricted to Lebanese 
victims; it must include investigation of the assassination of 
Syrian labors in Lebanon. There should no distinction between 
Syrian and Lebanese victims.... 
 
"Al-Saniora might come to Damascus tomorrow to discuss 
demarcation of the border, opening embassies and opening a new 
page in bilateral relations. But Al-Saniora will not enjoy 
popular Syrian support because he has not brought the criminals 
who assassinated bilateral relations to court....The Syrian 
people will not forget the blood of Syrian laborers in 
Lebanon.... 
 
"Al-Sanoira has not been neutral for a single day. In addition to 
his position as Prime Minister, he is an employee of Saad 
Al-Hariri, who is trying to use his wealth to prove the 
impossible, namely, that Syria is responsible for his father's 
assassination.... 
 
"Our message to Al-Saniora is that he should not hide in the 
alleys but must appear boldly in public. Lebanon can mend what 
the merchants of war and blood have spoiled.... The chance still 
exists for accountability of those who sabotaged bilateral 
relations...." 
 
Seche