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DE RUEHDM #4609/01 2641313
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O 211313Z SEP 06
FM AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1683
RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RUEHAM/AMEMBASSY AMMAN 6287
RUEHLB/AMEMBASSY BEIRUT 4112
RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA 4679
RUEHJM/AMCONSUL JERUSALEM 0896
RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL//CCPA//
INFO RUEHNC/AMEMBASSY NICOSIA 7031

UNCLAS DAMASCUS 004609 
 
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/Iran, UNGA Session, 
Pope's Anti-Islam Statement, Lebanon, Iraq, Palestinian 
Territories (9/21) 
 
¶1.  Summary:  Syrian papers today reported the visit to Damascus 
of Ali Larijani, Head of the Iranian Supreme National Security 
Council, and his meetings with President Asad and VP Shara, 
focusing on regional and international developments, especially 
in Iraq, Lebanon, and the occupied Palestinian territories. 
Larijani briefed Asad and Shara on developments in the Iranian 
nuclear file. 
 
On the UNGA session, papers reported that FM Mouallem met on the 
sidelines with Iraqi President Jalal Talbani.  The two expressed 
their common desire to establish good relations.  FM Mouallem 
also met with FM Erkki Tuomioja of Finland, which currently holds 
the EU Duty Presidency, and with FMs of the People's Republic of 
China, Greece, Indonesia, Holland, and Slovakia, the EU 
Commissioner for Foreign Affairs Mrs. Benita Ferrero-Waldner, and 
the Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic 
Conference. 
Papers also reported that Patriarch Gregorius III Lahham of 
Antioch and All the East for Roman Catholics sent a letter to the 
Muslims of the world apologizing for the Pope's anti-Islam 
statement.  He underlined solidarity with Muslims in the Arab and 
Moslem worlds, showing understanding of their feelings. 
End of summary. 
¶2.  Selected Headlines: 
"President Asad reviews developments in the Iranian nuclear file 
and situation in Lebanon, Palestine and Iraq with Larijani, Head 
of Iran's Supreme National Security Council.  Vice President 
Farouk Shara confirms Iran's right to possess nuclear technology 
for peaceful purposes, and stresses the need to deal with the 
Iranian nuclear file in accordance with international rules" 
(Government-owned Al-Thawra, 9/21) 
"UN General Assembly continues activities:  Ahmadi Nejad:  The 
Security Council has become a place for superpowers to guarantee 
their own interests.  Chavez:  the USA sponsors and protects 
terrorism" (Government-owned Al-Thawra, 9/21) 
"Al-Mouallem meets his Spanish, Italian and Cypriot counterparts 
and discusses with them the situation in Lebanon and Syria's 
dialogue with Europe.  Moratinos and D'Alema confirm Syria's main 
and important role in the region" (Government-owned Al-Thawra, 
9/21) 
"Syria's speech at the 50th IAEA conference in Vienna:  Israel's 
exclusive possession of nuclear weapons without any international 
supervision is destroying the peace process in the region. 
"Lebanese circles wonder about the government's position and the 
silence of March 14th powers regarding Israeli violations. 
Israeli Occupation forces break into areas in south Lebanon and 
arrest three Lebanese, while Israeli warplanes continue violating 
Lebanese airspace" (Government-owned Tishreen, 9/21) 
"Scores of Iraqis killed in explosions in Baghdad and Samurra. 
Three US soldiers killed.  Expectations of increasing attacks" 
(Government-owned Tishree, 9/21) 
"Three Palestinians martyred in Gaza.  Israel breaks into 
Palestinian banks.  Hanieh renews rejection of the Quartet's 
conditions.  A national unity government is frozen until the 
return of Abbas" (Government-owned Tishreen, 9/21) 
¶3.  Editorial Block Quotes: 
 
--------------- 
 
"Talk Is Free" 
 
--------------- 
 
Isam Dari, an editorialist in government-owned Tishreen, wrote 
(9/21):  "The world and its peoples are accustomed to hearing 
elegant and flowery words from most of the speakers at UN General 
Assembly sessions.  Year after year we hear speeches about the 
need for international peace, love, dialogue, abandonment of 
weapons of mass destruction, and so on.  But this remains useless 
talk.  The resolutions and the recommendations of every UN 
General Assembly session remain locked in drawers, even though 
they are not binding, contrary to Security Council resolutions, 
especially those issued under Chapter Seven, which appear to have 
been designed specifically against the Arabs.... 
 
 
"The United Nations has become a weapon in the hands of 
superpowers, specifically the United States.... These superpowers 
opposed reforms that other nations tried to introduce to the 
international organization.... 
"The international situation today is very serious.  Tensions, 
explosions, and flagrant interferences have made instability in 
all parts of the world the rule, not the exception.  This has 
driven observers and concerned parties to warn that the United 
Nations might face the fate of the League of Nations.  All 
indications are that this warning is legitimate and 
justified...." 
 
----------------------------- 
 
"The UN, Disappointing Wager" 
 
----------------------------- 
 
Hanan Hamad, a commentator in government-owned Tishreen, wrote 
(9/21):  "The US position toward the Arab League's attempt to 
revive the Arab peace plan in the Security Council shows that the 
United States has no desire for a comprehensive peace process 
that might defuse the increasing mines of tension in the 
region.... 
 
"We wonder how the UN General Assembly can help settle the Arab- 
Israeli conflict while all its previous resolutions are 
frozen.... The UN General Assembly session can only be seen as an 
oratorical platform for the presentation of divergent views." 
 
------------------------------------- 
 
"Questioning Criminals is What Counts" 
 
------------------------------------- 
 
Omar Jaftali, an editorialist in government-owned Tishreen, wrote 
(9/21):  "The UN human rights commissioner has announced that a 
three-man team will investigate Israel's human rights violations 
in Lebanon and prepare a report on the results of its 
findings.... Of course Israel will not be held accountable for 
its violations, because of Washington's support for Tel Aviv.... 
 
"It will be the responsibility of the United Nations to regain 
its credibility regarding its resolutions and the issues of human 
rights which are violated continuously, especially in the Middle 
East as a result of Israeli aggression and occupation.... 
 
"What matters at the end of the day is to hold criminals to 
account, not to add another report to the reports that have 
filled the drawers of the United Nations and have become covered 
by dust without seeing the light of day." 
 
Corbin