Keep Us Strong WikiLeaks logo

Currently released so far... 97115 / 251,287

Articles

Browse latest releases

Browse by creation date

Browse by origin

A B C D F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

Browse by tag

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
ETRD EAGR ETTC EAID ECON EFIN ECIN EINV ELAB EAIR ENRG EPET EWWT ECPS EIND EMIN ELTN EC ETMIN EUC EZ ET ELECTIONS ENVR EU EUN EG EINT ER ECONOMICS ES EMS ENIV EEB EN ECE ECOSOC EK ENVIRONMENT EFIS EI EWT ENGRD ECPSN EXIM EIAD ERIN ECPC EDEV ENGY ECTRD EPA ESTH ECCT EINVECON ENGR ERTD EUR EAP EWWC ELTD EL EXIMOPIC EXTERNAL ETRDEC ESCAP ECO EGAD ELNT ECONOMIC ENV ETRN EIAR EUMEM ENRGPARMOTRASENVKGHGPGOVECONTSPLEAID EREL ECOM ECONETRDEAGRJA ETCC ETRG ECONOMY EMED ETR ENERG EITC EFINOECD EURM EENG ERA EXPORT ENRD ECONEINVETRDEFINELABETRDKTDBPGOVOPIC EGEN EBRD EVIN ETRAD ECOWAS EFTA ECONETRDBESPAR EGOVSY EPIN EID ECONENRG EDRC ESENV ETT EB ENER ELTNSNAR ECHEVARRIA ETRC EPIT EDUC ESA EFI ENRGY ESCI EE EAIDXMXAXBXFFR EETC ECIP EIAID EIVN EBEXP ESTN EING EGOV ETRA EPETEIND ELAN ETRDGK EAIDRW ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS EPEC ENVI ELN EAG EPCS EPRT EPTED ETRB EUM EAIDS EFIC EFINECONEAIDUNGAGM EAIDAR ESF EIDN ELAM EDU EV EAIDAF ECN EDA EXBS EINTECPS ENRGTRGYETRDBEXPBTIOSZ EPREL EAC EINVEFIN ETA EAGER EINDIR ECA ECLAC ELAP EITI EUCOM ECONEFINETRDPGOVEAGRPTERKTFNKCRMEAID EARG ELDIN EINVKSCA ENNP EFINECONCS EFINTS ECCP ETC EAIRASECCASCID EINN ETRP EAIDNI EFQ ECOQKPKO EGPHUM EBUD ECONEINVEFINPGOVIZ ENERGY ELB EINDETRD EMI ECONEFIN EIB EURN ETRDEINVTINTCS EIN EFIM ETIO ELAINE EMN EATO EWTR EIPR EINVETC ETTD ETDR EIQ ECONCS EPPD ENRGIZ EISL ESPINOSA ELEC EAIG ESLCO EUREM ENTG ERD EINVECONSENVCSJA EEPET EUNCH ECINECONCS ETRO ETRDECONWTOCS ECUN EFND EPECO EAIRECONRP ERGR ETRDPGOV ECPN ENRGMO EPWR EET EAIS EAGRE EDUARDO EAGRRP EAIDPHUMPRELUG EICN ECONQH EVN EGHG ELBR EINF EAIDHO EENV ETEX ERNG ED
KMDR KPAO KPKO KJUS KCRM KGHG KFRD KWMN KDEM KTFN KHIV KGIC KIDE KSCA KNNP KHUM KIPR KSUM KISL KIRF KCOR KRCM KPAL KWBG KN KS KOMC KSEP KFLU KPWR KTIA KSEO KMPI KHLS KICC KSTH KMCA KVPR KPRM KE KU KZ KFLO KSAF KTIP KTEX KBCT KOCI KOLY KOR KAWC KACT KUNR KTDB KSTC KLIG KSKN KNN KCFE KCIP KGHA KHDP KPOW KUNC KDRL KV KPREL KCRS KPOL KRVC KRIM KGIT KWIR KT KIRC KOMO KRFD KUWAIT KG KFIN KSCI KTFIN KFTN KGOV KPRV KSAC KGIV KCRIM KPIR KSOC KBIO KW KGLB KMWN KPO KFSC KSEAO KSTCPL KSI KPRP KREC KFPC KUNH KCSA KMRS KNDP KR KICCPUR KPPAO KCSY KTBT KCIS KNEP KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KNNB KGCC KINR KPOP KMFO KENV KNAR KVIR KDRG KDMR KFCE KNAO KDEN KGCN KICA KIMMITT KMCC KLFU KMSG KSEC KUM KCUL KMNP KSMT KCOM KOMCSG KSPR KPMI KRAD KIND KCRP KAUST KWAWC KTER KCHG KRDP KPAS KITA KTSC KPAOPREL KWGB KIRP KJUST KMIG KLAB KTFR KSEI KSTT KAPO KSTS KLSO KWNN KPOA KHSA KNPP KPAONZ KBTS KWWW KY KJRE KPAOKMDRKE KCRCM KSCS KWMNCI KESO KWUN KPLS KIIP KEDEM KPAOY KRIF KGICKS KREF KTRD KFRDSOCIRO KTAO KJU KWMNPHUMPRELKPAOZW KEN KO KNEI KEMR KKIV KEAI KWAC KRCIM KWCI KFIU KWIC KCORR KOMS KNNO KPAI KBWG KTTB KTBD KTIALG KILS KFEM KTDM KESS KNUC KPA KOMCCO KCEM KRCS KWBGSY KNPPIS KNNPMNUC KWN KERG KLTN KALM KCCP KSUMPHUM KREL KGH KLIP KTLA KAWK KWMM KVRP KVRC KAID KSLG KDEMK KX KIF KNPR KCFC KFTFN KTFM KPDD KCERS KMOC KDEMAF KMEPI KEMS KDRM KEPREL KBTR KEDU KNP KIRL KNNR KMPT KISLPINR KTPN KA KJUSTH KPIN KDEV KTDD KAKA KFRP KWNM KTSD KINL KJUSKUNR KWWMN KECF KWBC KPRO KVBL KOM KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KEDM KFLD KLPM KRGY KNNF KICR KIFR KM KWMNCS KAWS KLAP KPAK KDDG KCGC KID KNSD KMPF KPFO KDP KCMR KRMS KNPT KNNNP KTIAPARM KDTB KNUP KPGOV KNAP KNNC KUK KSRE KREISLER KIVP KQ KTIAEUN KPALAOIS KRM KISLAO KWM KFLOA
PHUM PINR PTER PGOV PREL PREF PL PM PHSA PE PARM PINS PK PUNE PO PALESTINIAN PU PBTS PROP PTBS POL POLI PA PGOVZI POLMIL POLITICAL PARTIES POLM PD POLITICS POLICY PAS PMIL PINT PNAT PV PKO PPOL PERSONS PING PBIO PH PETR PARMS PRES PCON PETERS PRELBR PT PLAB PP PAK PDEM PKPA PSOCI PF PLO PTERM PJUS PSOE PELOSI PROPERTY PGOVPREL PARP PRL PNIR PHUMKPAL PG PREZ PGIC PBOV PAO PKK PROV PHSAK PHUMPREL PROTECTION PGOVBL PSI PRELPK PGOVENRG PUM PRELKPKO PATTY PSOC PRIVATIZATION PRELSP PGOVEAIDUKNOSWGMHUCANLLHFRSPITNZ PMIG PREC PAIGH PROG PSHA PARK PETER POG PHUS PPREL PS PTERPREL PRELPGOV POV PKPO PGOVECON POUS PGOVPRELPHUMPREFSMIGELABEAIDKCRMKWMN PWBG PMAR PREM PAR PNR PRELPGOVEAIDECONEINVBEXPSCULOIIPBTIO PARMIR PGOVGM PHUH PARTM PN PRE PTE PY POLUN PPEL PDOV PGOVSOCI PIRF PGOVPM PBST PRELEVU PGOR PBTSRU PRM PRELKPAOIZ PGVO PERL PGOC PAGR PMIN PHUMR PVIP PPD PGV PRAM PINL PKPAL PTERE PGOF PINO PHAS PODC PRHUM PHUMA PREO PPA PEPFAR PGO PRGOV PAC PRESL PORG PKFK PEPR PRELP PREFA PNG PGOVPHUMKPAO PRELECON PINOCHET PFOR PGOVLO PHUMBA PRELC PREK PHUME PHJM POLINT PGOVPZ PGOVKCRM PGOVE PHALANAGE PARTY PECON PEACE PROCESS PLN PRELSW PAHO PEDRO PRELA PASS PPAO PGPV PNUM PCUL PGGV PSA PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA PGIV PRFE POGOV PEL PBT PAMQ PINF PSEPC POSTS PHUMPGOV PVOV PHSAPREL PROLIFERATION PENA PRELTBIOBA PIN PRELL PGOVPTER PHAM PHYTRP PTEL PTERPGOV PHARM PROTESTS PRELAF PKBL PRELKPAO PKNP PARMP PHUML PFOV PERM PUOS PRELGOV PHUMPTER PARAGRAPH PERURENA PBTSEWWT PCI PETROL PINSO PINSCE PQL PEREZ PBS

Browse by classification

Community resources

courage is contagious

Viewing cable 09DAMASCUS164, THE "PESSOPTIMISTS": SYRIANS SPECULATE ON THE FUTURE OF

If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs

Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
  • The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
  • The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
  • The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
To understand the justification used for the classification of each cable, please use this WikiSource article as reference.

Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #09DAMASCUS164.
Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
09DAMASCUS164 2009-03-02 12:29 2011-08-24 01:00 UNCLASSIFIED Embassy Damascus
R 021229Z MAR 09
FM AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 6049
INFO ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS DAMASCUS 000164 
 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ELA, NEA/PPD 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV KPAO SCUL SY XF
SUBJECT:  THE "PESSOPTIMISTS":  SYRIANS SPECULATE ON THE FUTURE OF 
U.S.-SYRIAN RELATIONS 
 
1.(SBU) SUMMARY: Syrian political analyst Dr. Marwan Kabalan spoke 
February 28 at a prominent Damascus venue on the current hot topic 
of Syrian-American relations.  Focusing on the anticipated approach 
of the Obama Administration to foreign affairs in general more than 
on the Syrian American relationship, Dr. Kabalan alternated between 
cynicism and guarded optimism.  His principal themes were: 
Addressing the global economic crisis will be the paramount 
philosophy of the Obama administration; the U.S. will take a more 
pragmatic approach to the Middle East, and there are some signs of 
improvement in the U.S. attitude to Syria. END SUMMARY. 
 
2. (U) Syrian political analyst, political science professor, and 
former Fulbrighter Dr. Marwan Kabalan spoke on "Syrian-American 
Relations:  At Ease?!" on February 28 at the Syrian International 
Academy, a media training center which hosts a wide variety of such 
events.  The lecture, sponsored by the Arab Institute of 
International Affairs and Diplomatic Studies, attracted Arab and 
foreign ambassadors, former Minister of Information Mahdi Dakhlalla, 
and assorted academics and journalists.  PAO represented the 
mission. 
 
----------------------------------------- 
THE ECONOMIC CRISIS WILL DRIVE EVERYTHING 
----------------------------------------- 
 
3.  (U) Dr. Kabalan observed that while it is still too early to 
discern Obama's foreign policy direction, all U.S. administrations 
have an overarching "philosophy" which shapes their foreign policy 
approaches.  He asserted that the world economic crisis will define 
the new Administration's philosophy, heavily coloring U.S. policy 
towards the Middle East and elsewhere.  The U.S. will give priority 
to those countries which can help it out of the economic crisis, 
Kabalan believes, in particular the Far East and the Gulf countries, 
with their huge cash reserves and sovereign wealth funds. 
 
--------------------------------------------- - 
U.S. MIDDLE EAST POLICY WILL BE MORE PRAGMATIC 
--------------------------------------------- - 
 
4. (U) Kabalan described the two main pillars of U.S. foreign policy 
as Israel and oil, but argued that the new Administration will look 
at the Middle East in less ideological, more pragmatic terms. 
Israel will not be the "spoiled child" it was under George Bush, he 
said, and it will not be able to do everything it wants.  Although 
Obama is trying to reduce the influence of lobbyists, and the Jewish 
lobby will have less influence, Kabalan said, lobbying groups will 
remain influential. 
 
------------------------------------ 
POSITIVE SIGNS BUT WHAT'S THE PRICE? 
------------------------------------ 
 
5. (U) Dr. Kabalan credited the mercantile, Protestant mentality of 
Americans for a "tit-for-tat" policy that expects Syria to make a 
concession in return for the return of the U.S. Ambassador to 
Damascus.  He said that while U.S. Syria policy is still under 
review, there are some positive indicators:  a) Dennis Ross, who is 
"unpopular in our region," did not get the Middle East portfolio but 
instead ended up as "a mere consultant to the Secretary;" and b) 
there is a "clear delay" in the appointment of Jeff Feltman as 
Assistant Secretary (and he may not even be named to the position). 
Kabalan added that Ambassador Feltman acted in Lebanon as "more than 
an ambassador" [i.e. high-handedly]. 
 
-------------------------------- 
POINTS OF CONVERGENCE/DIVERGENCE 
-------------------------------- 
 
6.  (U) In remarks which echoed recent SARG comments to 
Congressional visitors, Dr. Kabalan outlined those areas where the 
U.S. and Syria could agree: a) the peace process, in which the Obama 
administration will be more involved; b) Iraq, where the U.S. and 
Syrian both want to see stability; and c) combating terrorism, 
though the U.S. and Syria need to agree upon a common definition of 
what terrorism is. He named only one point of divergence:  a) the 
U.S. "problem" with Hamas and Hezbollah, "resistance movements" 
which the U.S. considers terrorist organizations. 
 
------------------------ 
IT COULD NOT GET WORSE... 
------------------------ 
7. (U) Dr. Kabalan opined that in its relations with Syria, the U.S. 
has emphasized the negative over the positive; even the recent 
Feltman-Moustafa meeting was more about disagreements. "A successful 
dialogue should not start like this," he commented, adding:  "We 
will get nowhere that way." However, he noted that "Even if Obama 
does nothing, U.S.-Syrian relations can't get any worse." [NOTE: 
There was no indication that Dr. Kabalan had any knowledge of the 
actual substance of the A/Assistant Secretary's meeting with the 
Syrian Ambassador. END NOTE] 
 
 
---------------------------------- 
WHAT DOES SYRIA WANT FROM THE U.S.? 
---------------------------------- 
8. Asked by a journalist what Syria hopes to gain from having a 
dialogue with the U.S., Dr. Kabalan responded that it is important 
for Syria and the US to improve relations. U.S. involvement would 
help Syria reach a peace deal; better relations with the U.S. would 
also reduce pressure on Syria.  Asked about reported comments from 
Vice President Shar'a that Syria would not embark upon dialogue with 
the U.S. unless the Syria Accountability Act (SAA) was lifted, 
Kabalan responded:  "The SAA is a complex and prickly subject which 
does affect Syria. It should not be a barrier to resuming our 
negotiations.  If a peace treaty is signed, then all these subjects 
can be dealt with." 
 
9.  COMMENT (SBU):  The level and amount participation in this 
event, as in a similar lecture given by Ambassador Imad Moustafa 
last week, demonstrated not only the intense and hopeful interest 
with which influential Syrians are following changes in the 
U.S.-Syrian relationship but also their apprehension that it may not 
improve.  Asked to comment, PAO emphasized the U.S. commitment to 
finding a peaceful solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict, the 
U.S. desire for a stronger, broader relationship between Syria and 
the U.S., and the importance of people-to-people ties. After the 
lecture, the former Minister of Information pulled PAO aside and 
repeated several times: "The Syrian President told me himself that 
he would trust an American a hundred times more than any European." 
Cynical and pessimistic though many of them are, Syrians eagerly 
anticipate any possible uptick in the relationship.  END COMMENT 
 
CONNELLY