VZCZCXYZ0000
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHDM #5304/01 3181410
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 141410Z NOV 06
FM AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2452
RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RUEHAM/AMEMBASSY AMMAN 6374
RUEHLB/AMEMBASSY BEIRUT 4171
RUEHEG/AMEMBASSY CAIRO 2761
RUEHRH/AMEMBASSY RIYADH 7354
RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV 1385
RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA 4736
RUEHJM/AMCONSUL JERUSALEM 0953
RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL//CCPA//
INFO RUEHNC/AMEMBASSY NICOSIA 7088

UNCLAS DAMASCUS 005304 
 
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/Senegal, Syria/Oman, Syrian 
NPF meeting, Lebanon, Iraq, Bush/Olmert, Rumsfeld Resignation 
(11/14) 
¶1.  Summary:  Syrian papers today (Nov. 14) reported that President 
Abdullah Wad of Senegal received an oral message from President Asad 
 
on bilateral relations and regional and international developments. 
The message was conveyed by Minister of Information Dr. Mohsen 
Bilal.  The Senegalese president described Syria's role in 
establishing peace in the Middle East as "important and active." 
President Wad expressed gratitude to Syria's President and people 
for the assistance given to the Senegalese community during the 
recent Israeli aggression on Lebanon. 
Papers also reported Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Miqdad's visit 
to Oman carrying a message from President Asad to Sultan Qaboos on 
Arab coordination on developments in Iraq and Palestine. 
Papers also reported a meeting by the Central Command of the 
National Progressive Front which was briefed by Vice-President Shara 
on Arab, regional and international situations.  The Central Command 
strongly accused some Lebanese parties of being affiliated with 
foreign powers to facilitate imposing their hegemony on Lebanon and 
isolating and marginalizing Lebanon's active popular and political 
powers.  It also praised the Palestinian consensus on forming a 
national unity government, describing it as "a right step towards 
enhancing the internal front and foiling attempts to incite civil 
strife and sedition."  The Central Command also emphasized that US 
forces are facing a serious dilemma in Iraq, which will oblige the 
US to reconsider its strategy, adding that the mid-term elections in 
the U.S. revealed a drastic shift in US public opinion regarding the 
Iraq war. 
End of summary. 
¶2.  Selected Headlines: 
"The President of Senegal receives a message from President Asad 
conveyed by Information Minister Bilal and says that Syria has a 
positive and distinguished role in the region" (Government-owned 
Tishreen, 11/14) 
"Foreign Minister Mouallem reviews Syrian-US relations and 
substantive humanitarian topics with Pastor Rick Warren" 
(Government-owned Tishreen, 11/14) 
"Washington and London underscore the importance of starting 
dialogue with Syria.  [Austrailian PM] Howard acknowledges that 
Syria and Iran are part of the equation of stability in the region. 
Blair:  The Palestinian-Israeli conflict is the essence of the 
Middle East crisis" (Government-owned Al-Ba'th 11/14) 
"Iranian President hails Syria's positions and underlines, during a 
meeting with Speaker of Syria's People Assembly, the deep-rooted 
ties between Syria and Iran" (Government-owned Tishreen, 11/14) 
"Al-Saniora government insists on ratifiying the international 
tribunal single-handedly.  President Lahoud:  What has been done is 
worth nothing and contradicts the Lebanese constitution.  General 
Auon:  Ratification of the draft for the international tribunal 
means nothing.  Resigned ministers, MPs and other Lebanese 
personalities:  The current status of the government is illegal; 
the February 14th forces have caused the dialogue to fail" 
(Government-owned Tishreen, 11/14) 
"Israeli researchers:  Fragmenting Iraq is a strategic guarantee for 
Israeli interests" (Government-owned Tishreen, 11/14) 
"Four US soldiers killed, four others wounded in Iraq.  The security 
situation in Iraq heads towards further deterioration" 
(Government-owned Tishreen, 11/14) 
"Bush assures Olmert of continuing US support of Israeli after the 
Democrats' victory.  Talks tackle the situation in Lebanon and 
Palestine.  Full agreement about Iran" (Government-owned Al-Ba'th, 
11/14) 
¶3.  Editorial Block Quotes: 
 
--------------------------------- 
 
"Responsibility for the Massacre" 
 
--------------------------------- 
 
Muhammad Khair al-Jammali, an editorialist in government-owned 
Al-Thawra, wrote (11/14):  "The United States, through its veto 
against a draft UNSC resolution condemning Israel, showed itself a 
partner in the massacre that Israel committed in Bait Hanoun.... 
Through this unjust position, the US Administration violates the 
most fundamental rules of justice and logic, places itself in the 
position of open hostility toward Arabs.... It turns its back on 
international will and unanimity in condemning the aggression and 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
recent Israeli aggression on Lebanon. 
Papers also reported Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Miqdad's visit 
to Oman carrying a message from President Asad to Sultan Qaboos on 
Arab coordination on developments in Iraq and Palestine. 
Papers also reported a meeting by the Central Command of the 
National Progressive Front which was briefed by Vice-President Shara 
on Arab, regional and international situations.  The Central Command 
strongly accused some Lebanese parties of being affiliated with 
foreign powers to facilitate imposing their hegemony on Lebanon and 
isolating and marginalizing Lebanon's active popular and political 
powers.  It also praised the Palestinian consensus on forming a 
national unity government, describing it as "a right step towards 
enhancing the internal front and foiling attempts to incite civil 
strife and sedition."  The Central Command also emphasized that US 
forces are facing a serious dilemma in Iraq, which will oblige the 
US to reconsider its strategy, adding that the mid-term elections in 
the U.S. revealed a drastic shift in US public opinion regarding the 
Iraq war. 
End of summary. 
¶2.  Selected Headlines: 
"The President of Senegal receives a message from President Asad 
conveyed by Information Minister Bilal and says that Syria has a 
positive and distinguished role in the region" (Government-owned 
Tishreen, 11/14) 
"Foreign Minister Mouallem reviews Syrian-US relations and 
substantive humanitarian topics with Pastor Rick Warren" 
(Government-owned Tishreen, 11/14) 
"Washington and London underscore the importance of starting 
dialogue with Syria.  [Austrailian PM] Howard acknowledges that 
Syria and Iran are part of the equation of stability in the region. 
Blair:  The Palestinian-Israeli conflict is the essence of the 
Middle East crisis" (Government-owned Al-Ba'th 11/14) 
"Iranian President hails Syria's positions and underlines, during a 
meeting with Speaker of Syria's People Assembly, the deep-rooted 
ties between Syria and Iran" (Government-owned Tishreen, 11/14) 
"Al-Saniora government insists on ratifiying the international 
tribunal single-handedly.  President Lahoud:  What has been done is 
worth nothing and contradicts the Lebanese constitution.  General 
Auon:  Ratification of the draft for the international tribunal 
means nothing.  Resigned ministers, MPs and other Lebanese 
personalities:  The current status of the government is illegal; 
the February 14th forces have caused the dialogue to fail" 
(Government-owned Tishreen, 11/14) 
"Israeli researchers:  Fragmenting Iraq is a strategic guarantee for 
Israeli interests" (Government-owned Tishreen, 11/14) 
"Four US soldiers killed, four others wounded in Iraq.  The security 
situation in Iraq heads towards further deterioration" 
(Government-owned Tishreen, 11/14) 
"Bush assures Olmert of continuing US support of Israeli after the 
Democrats' victory.  Talks tackle the situation in Lebanon and 
Palestine.  Full agreement about Iran" (Government-owned Al-Ba'th, 
11/14) 
¶3.  Editorial Block Quotes: 
 
the massacre.... 
"The Arab weakness results from the lack of real Arab solidarity 
against Israel and the United States.... If Arabs really want to 
regain their prestige and deter the aggression against them, they 
must return to solidarity and speak with the United States in the 
language of interests.... 
-------------------------------------- 
"US Policy and Neo-Conservative Traps" 
-------------------------------------- 
Dr. Khalaf al-Jarrad, chief editor of government-owned Tishreen, 
wrote (11/14):  "Donald Rumsfeld's dismissal was a practical 
recognition on the part of the US president of the failure in Iraq 
and of the serious impasse US national security is facing in the 
Middle East. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
recent Israeli aggression on Lebanon. 
Papers also reported Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Miqdad's visit 
to Oman carrying a message from President Asad to Sultan Qaboos on 
Arab coordination on developments in Iraq and Palestine. 
Papers also reported a meeting by the Central Command of the 
National Progressive Front which was briefed by Vice-President Shara 
on Arab, regional and international situations.  The Central Command 
strongly accused some Lebanese parties of being affiliated with 
foreign powers to facilitate imposing their hegemony on Lebanon and 
isolating and marginalizing Lebanon's active popular and political 
powers.  It also praised the Palestinian consensus on forming a 
national unity government, describing it as "a right step towards 
enhancing the internal front and foiling attempts to incite civil 
strife and sedition."  The Central Command also emphasized that US 
forces are facing a serious dilemma in Iraq, which will oblige the 
US to reconsider its strategy, adding that the mid-term elections in 
the U.S. revealed a drastic shift in US public opinion regarding the 
Iraq war. 
End of summary. 
¶2.  Selected Headlines: 
"The President of Senegal receives a message from President Asad 
conveyed by Information Minister Bilal and says that Syria has a 
positive and distinguished role in the region" (Government-owned 
Tishreen, 11/14) 
"Foreign Minister Mouallem reviews Syrian-US relations and 
substantive humanitarian topics with Pastor Rick Warren" 
(Government-owned Tishreen, 11/14) 
"Washington and London underscore the importance of starting 
dialogue with Syria.  [Austrailian PM] Howard acknowledges that 
Syria and Iran are part of the equation of stability in the region. 
Blair:  The Palestinian-Israeli conflict is the essence of the 
Middle East crisis" (Government-owned Al-Ba'th 11/14) 
"Iranian President hails Syria's positions and underlines, during a 
meeting with Speaker of Syria's People Assembly, the deep-rooted 
ties between Syria and Iran" (Government-owned Tishreen, 11/14) 
"Al-Saniora government insists on ratifiying the international 
tribunal single-handedly.  President Lahoud:  What has been done is 
worth nothing and contradicts the Lebanese constitution.  General 
Auon:  Ratification of the draft for the international tribunal 
means nothing.  Resigned ministers, MPs and other Lebanese 
personalities:  The current status of the government is illegal; 
the February 14th forces have caused the dialogue to fail" 
(Government-owned Tishreen, 11/14) 
"Israeli researchers:  Fragmenting Iraq is a strategic guarantee for 
Israeli interests" (Government-owned Tishreen, 11/14) 
"Four US soldiers killed, four others wounded in Iraq.  The security 
situation in Iraq heads towards further deterioration" 
(Government-owned Tishreen, 11/14) 
"Bush assures Olmert of continuing US support of Israeli after the 
Democrats' victory.  Talks tackle the situation in Lebanon and 
Palestine.  Full agreement about Iran" (Government-owned Al-Ba'th, 
11/14) 
¶3.  Editorial Block Quotes: 
 
"The Bush administration is facing serious problems in its 
preemptive war policy and its semi-total submission to the extremist 
ideas and visions offered by figures and study centers that are 
fully committed to Israel's positions on the issues of the region. 
"Removing Donald Rumsfeld from the Defense Department will not solve 
the problem of the US Administration in Iraq and the Arab region in 
general, because 'Israel's gang' in American decision-making 
centers, which was the ideological and strategic driving force 
behind the occupation of Iraq and which sees Iraq as the base for 
movement toward 'redrawing the map of the entire region' and 
establishing the so-called New Middle East, will not stop 
'inventing' ideas and finding strategic and tactical alternatives to 
serve the Zionist entity under the guise of serving the higher 
national interests of the United States.... 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
recent Israeli aggression on Lebanon. 
Papers also reported Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Miqdad's visit 
to Oman carrying a message from President Asad to Sultan Qaboos on 
Arab coordination on developments in Iraq and Palestine. 
Papers also reported a meeting by the Central Command of the 
National Progressive Front which was briefed by Vice-President Shara 
on Arab, regional and international situations.  The Central Command 
strongly accused some Lebanese parties of being affiliated with 
foreign powers to facilitate imposing their hegemony on Lebanon and 
isolating and marginalizing Lebanon's active popular and political 
powers.  It also praised the Palestinian consensus on forming a 
national unity government, describing it as "a right step towards 
enhancing the internal front and foiling attempts to incite civil 
strife and sedition."  The Central Command also emphasized that US 
forces are facing a serious dilemma in Iraq, which will oblige the 
US to reconsider its strategy, adding that the mid-term elections in 
the U.S. revealed a drastic shift in US public opinion regarding the 
Iraq war. 
End of summary. 
¶2.  Selected Headlines: 
"The President of Senegal receives a message from President Asad 
conveyed by Information Minister Bilal and says that Syria has a 
positive and distinguished role in the region" (Government-owned 
Tishreen, 11/14) 
"Foreign Minister Mouallem reviews Syrian-US relations and 
substantive humanitarian topics with Pastor Rick Warren" 
(Government-owned Tishreen, 11/14) 
"Washington and London underscore the importance of starting 
dialogue with Syria.  [Austrailian PM] Howard acknowledges that 
Syria and Iran are part of the equation of stability in the region. 
Blair:  The Palestinian-Israeli conflict is the essence of the 
Middle East crisis" (Government-owned Al-Ba'th 11/14) 
"Iranian President hails Syria's positions and underlines, during a 
meeting with Speaker of Syria's People Assembly, the deep-rooted 
ties between Syria and Iran" (Government-owned Tishreen, 11/14) 
"Al-Saniora government insists on ratifiying the international 
tribunal single-handedly.  President Lahoud:  What has been done is 
worth nothing and contradicts the Lebanese constitution.  General 
Auon:  Ratification of the draft for the international tribunal 
means nothing.  Resigned ministers, MPs and other Lebanese 
personalities:  The current status of the government is illegal; 
the February 14th forces have caused the dialogue to fail" 
(Government-owned Tishreen, 11/14) 
"Israeli researchers:  Fragmenting Iraq is a strategic guarantee for 
Israeli interests" (Government-owned Tishreen, 11/14) 
"Four US soldiers killed, four others wounded in Iraq.  The security 
situation in Iraq heads towards further deterioration" 
(Government-owned Tishreen, 11/14) 
"Bush assures Olmert of continuing US support of Israeli after the 
Democrats' victory.  Talks tackle the situation in Lebanon and 
Palestine.  Full agreement about Iran" (Government-owned Al-Ba'th, 
11/14) 
¶3.  Editorial Block Quotes: 
 
"Will the failure in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Lebanon, and the 
Democratic control of the House of Representatives and Senate, serve 
as a reason and opportunity for comprehensive revision of, and the 
return of rationalism and balance to, US foreign policy? Or will the 
administration of President Bush remain hostage to the plans and 
scenarios of the neoconservatives, the supporters of Israel, and the 
theorists of 'creative instability'?  And will the administration, 
consequently, become more deeply enmeshed in the labyrinths of 
metaphysical visions and the illusions of imperial hegemony at the 
expense of stability, security, and a peace based on interests, 
mutual respect, and the right of nations to adhere to their own 
options and national and cultural identities, especially their 
legitimate right to resist invaders and colonialists and reject the 
logic of foreign dictates, the language of force, and the ideology 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
recent Israeli aggression on Lebanon. 
Papers also reported Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Miqdad's visit 
to Oman carrying a message from President Asad to Sultan Qaboos on 
Arab coordination on developments in Iraq and Palestine. 
Papers also reported a meeting by the Central Command of the 
National Progressive Front which was briefed by Vice-President Shara 
on Arab, regional and international situations.  The Central Command 
strongly accused some Lebanese parties of being affiliated with 
foreign powers to facilitate imposing their hegemony on Lebanon and 
isolating and marginalizing Lebanon's active popular and political 
powers.  It also praised the Palestinian consensus on forming a 
national unity government, describing it as "a right step towards 
enhancing the internal front and foiling attempts to incite civil 
strife and sedition."  The Central Command also emphasized that US 
forces are facing a serious dilemma in Iraq, which will oblige the 
US to reconsider its strategy, adding that the mid-term elections in 
the U.S. revealed a drastic shift in US public opinion regarding the 
Iraq war. 
End of summary. 
¶2.  Selected Headlines: 
"The President of Senegal receives a message from President Asad 
conveyed by Information Minister Bilal and says that Syria has a 
positive and distinguished role in the region" (Government-owned 
Tishreen, 11/14) 
"Foreign Minister Mouallem reviews Syrian-US relations and 
substantive humanitarian topics with Pastor Rick Warren" 
(Government-owned Tishreen, 11/14) 
"Washington and London underscore the importance of starting 
dialogue with Syria.  [Austrailian PM] Howard acknowledges that 
Syria and Iran are part of the equation of stability in the region. 
Blair:  The Palestinian-Israeli conflict is the essence of the 
Middle East crisis" (Government-owned Al-Ba'th 11/14) 
"Iranian President hails Syria's positions and underlines, during a 
meeting with Speaker of Syria's People Assembly, the deep-rooted 
ties between Syria and Iran" (Government-owned Tishreen, 11/14) 
"Al-Saniora government insists on ratifiying the international 
tribunal single-handedly.  President Lahoud:  What has been done is 
worth nothing and contradicts the Lebanese constitution.  General 
Auon:  Ratification of the draft for the international tribunal 
means nothing.  Resigned ministers, MPs and other Lebanese 
personalities:  The current status of the government is illegal; 
the February 14th forces have caused the dialogue to fail" 
(Government-owned Tishreen, 11/14) 
"Israeli researchers:  Fragmenting Iraq is a strategic guarantee for 
Israeli interests" (Government-owned Tishreen, 11/14) 
"Four US soldiers killed, four others wounded in Iraq.  The security 
situation in Iraq heads towards further deterioration" 
(Government-owned Tishreen, 11/14) 
"Bush assures Olmert of continuing US support of Israeli after the 
Democrats' victory.  Talks tackle the situation in Lebanon and 
Palestine.  Full agreement about Iran" (Government-owned Al-Ba'th, 
11/14) 
¶3.  Editorial Block Quotes: 
 
of expansion, occupation, and hatred racism?" 
--------------------------- 
"A Visit at a Useless Time" 
--------------------------- 
Ibrahim Shuqayr, a commentator in government-owned Al-Ba'th, wrote 
(11/14):  "Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is visiting Washington 
after Israel's loss of the war in Lebanon and the political crisis 
that this created in Israel, and after the US veto at the Security 
Council and the defeat of the Republican Party in the midterm 
elections.  Olmert, who is also facing charges of corruption, a 
sharp decline in popularity, and a possible collapse of his 
government coalition, is trying to suggest that he can offer 
something in peace negotiations with Palestinians.... 
"Can the staggering Bush restore US credibility in the world and end 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
recent Israeli aggression on Lebanon. 
Papers also reported Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Miqdad's visit 
to Oman carrying a message from President Asad to Sultan Qaboos on 
Arab coordination on developments in Iraq and Palestine. 
Papers also reported a meeting by the Central Command of the 
National Progressive Front which was briefed by Vice-President Shara 
on Arab, regional and international situations.  The Central Command 
strongly accused some Lebanese parties of being affiliated with 
foreign powers to facilitate imposing their hegemony on Lebanon and 
isolating and marginalizing Lebanon's active popular and political 
powers.  It also praised the Palestinian consensus on forming a 
national unity government, describing it as "a right step towards 
enhancing the internal front and foiling attempts to incite civil 
strife and sedition."  The Central Command also emphasized that US 
forces are facing a serious dilemma in Iraq, which will oblige the 
US to reconsider its strategy, adding that the mid-term elections in 
the U.S. revealed a drastic shift in US public opinion regarding the 
Iraq war. 
End of summary. 
¶2.  Selected Headlines: 
"The President of Senegal receives a message from President Asad 
conveyed by Information Minister Bilal and says that Syria has a 
positive and distinguished role in the region" (Government-owned 
Tishreen, 11/14) 
"Foreign Minister Mouallem reviews Syrian-US relations and 
substantive humanitarian topics with Pastor Rick Warren" 
(Government-owned Tishreen, 11/14) 
"Washington and London underscore the importance of starting 
dialogue with Syria.  [Austrailian PM] Howard acknowledges that 
Syria and Iran are part of the equation of stability in the region. 
Blair:  The Palestinian-Israeli conflict is the essence of the 
Middle East crisis" (Government-owned Al-Ba'th 11/14) 
"Iranian President hails Syria's positions and underlines, during a 
meeting with Speaker of Syria's People Assembly, the deep-rooted 
ties between Syria and Iran" (Government-owned Tishreen, 11/14) 
"Al-Saniora government insists on ratifiying the international 
tribunal single-handedly.  President Lahoud:  What has been done is 
worth nothing and contradicts the Lebanese constitution.  General 
Auon:  Ratification of the draft for the international tribunal 
means nothing.  Resigned ministers, MPs and other Lebanese 
personalities:  The current status of the government is illegal; 
the February 14th forces have caused the dialogue to fail" 
(Government-owned Tishreen, 11/14) 
"Israeli researchers:  Fragmenting Iraq is a strategic guarantee for 
Israeli interests" (Government-owned Tishreen, 11/14) 
"Four US soldiers killed, four others wounded in Iraq.  The security 
situation in Iraq heads towards further deterioration" 
(Government-owned Tishreen, 11/14) 
"Bush assures Olmert of continuing US support of Israeli after the 
Democrats' victory.  Talks tackle the situation in Lebanon and 
Palestine.  Full agreement about Iran" (Government-owned Al-Ba'th, 
11/14) 
¶3.  Editorial Block Quotes: 
 
the double-standard policy, especially toward the Palestinian cause, 
through pressure on Olmert to drive him to enter into effective and 
serious negotiations with Palestinians to advance the peace process 
and end the Israeli blackmail of Washington, especially after the 
retreat of the American plan in the region, the fall in the Iraqi 
quagmire, and the recent regional and international changes that did 
not serve the interests of the United States, and, consequently, of 
Israel?  Or will Olmert's visit merely be an attempt to escape from 
domestic troubles by burying the roadmap and the peace process, 
intensifying settlement activity, annexing more Palestinian lands, 
and imposing Israeli diktats?" 
Corbin