President Barack H - WikiLeaks
President Barack H. Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20500
August 15, 2011
Dear Mr. President:
We, a group of concerned Syrian-Americans, are writing to you regarding the recent events spreading across the Middle East, known as the Arab Spring.
As both Syrians and Americans, we are greatly concerned about the situation in Syria, in particular, the lack of an open diplomatic dialogue between our countries: the United States and Syria. It is evident that there is a major gap between the situation on the ground and the perception abroad.
As a group of concerned individuals who hold American values dear, while at the same time proud of our Syrian culture and heritage, we wish to see the resumption of the constructive dialogue between Syria and the West. Helping the Arab population transition to democracy and undergo reform in a peaceful manner is a prime opportunity for the United States to fulfill one of the cornerstones of its foreign policy outlined by the White House – to improve America’s standing and relations with the Arab world. Yet we must approach the Syrian issue in a way that sets the stage for a better long-term outcome for both US interests & the Syrian People.
Mr. President, we believe you are uniquely qualified to be a mediator between all parties, and have the distinction of being capable to create a lasting positive change in Syria and the region. We firmly believe that putting undue pressure on President Bashar Al- Assad and the Syrian government will be counterproductive both for the prospect of political reforms in Syria and for America’s interest in the region. The collapse of the Syrian Government most likely will lead to the extreme religious right coming into power and setting the country back by decades.
Today, in a country legendary for peaceful co-existence between minorities, problems are beginning to arise and friends, neighbors, and relatives are becoming suspicious of one another. The beautifully crafted social fabric that is the Syrian society is beginning to fray before our eyes, and Syria is starting to experience sectarian violence for the first time in its modern history. This very dangerous path is reminiscent of the situation in Iraq.
After nearly five months of political unrest, the majority of people living in Syria wishes to return to the calm that existed just few short months ago.
Mr. President, many of us have just returned from fact-finding missions in Syria where we met with Syrians from all walks of life, opposition, officials, and as of yet silent reform seekers. All of us have family members and friends who still live there, from whom we get daily feedback about the situation on the ground. The story in the western media is that of “an oppressive government killing innocent civilians to remain in power”. The reality however is far more complex.
President Barack H. Obama
August 15, 2011
Page 2
President Bashar Al- Assad has pushed forward a far-reaching political reform agenda that promises to transform the country into one with a more democratic, politically pluralistic secular future. Amongst these reforms is the establishment of a commission for the protection of universal human rights, and a new law for Local Governance that promises to decentralize decision making, retuning it to the local level, thereby giving more power to the voter. In addition the Syrian government is pushing forward a new multiparty law, a new media law, and is committed to constitutional amendments. Fundamental reforms as those contemplated by President Al- Assad and demanded by the opposition groups do take time, especially considering the challenges on the ground.
While legitimate demands of the public are being heard and met, one can not underestimate the seriousness of the problem that exists today with the proliferation of armed groups of extremists who want to overthrow the Syrian government at all costs and install an extremist government religious theocracy that will be both detrimental to the Syrian society, and American interests in the Middle East. There are credible reports that these people are closely aligned, at least ideologically with terrorist organizations, such as Al-Qaeda, and their “vision” for government is extreme and backwards. Acts of terrorism, such as exploding a vital pipeline near a dam so that the people in the surrounding villages cannot receive water, derailing a train on route from Aleppo to Damascus, burning government buildings in Homs, Hama, Deir Alzour, and Jisr Alshagour, and burning bakeries in rural areas so that the people do not have access to food are the work of these extremists. The actions of these groups are anything but constructive. Their interests lie only in stopping the advancement, in any form, of democracy, eliminating a stable government, and disrupting the peace in Syria. Their ideals and purposes are in direct conflict with US interests or values.
Despite what the media may portray, President Bashar Al- Assad remains popular with a large portion of the Syrian public.
To prevent the country from descending into a civil war costing more Syrian lives and a complete destabilization of the region, the United States and Syria should engage in active diplomatic talks on how to deal with this growing problem and help Syria with Its transition toward a politically pluralistic society that is more democratic.
The United States, the birthplace of democracy, is uniquely positioned to offer technical expertise to help this transition not through pressure but through active engagement.
President Barack H. Obama
August 15, 2011
Page 3
We, as Syrian Americans, are ready to engage and help the United States and Syria. We have a deep understanding of the situation in Syria, as well as a real passion & commitment to American values.
With utmost respect and appreciation,
Nasser Ani, M.D., FACS, FRCSc
Board Certified Orthopedics & Spine Surgeon
Ani Orthopedics Group
One Bethany Rd, Suite 21
Hazlet, NJ 07730
Tel (732) 513-9818
Samar Shami, M.D., FASDP, FCAP
Board Certified Dermatopathologist/Pathologist
Dermatopathology Institute of New jersey
225 Highway 35, Suite 201
Red Bank, NJ 07701
Tel (732) 450--0820
Ibrahim Ahmad, M.D., FACP
President, Kidney Care Specialists, LLC
2929 Stonewall Dr
Beavercreek, OH 45434
Cell 937-266-0225
Ibrahimbahmad@
Nazir Hussain
11140 Antietam Dr
Alta Loma, CA 91737
Cell: 951-836-5030
Home: 909-948-1782
Ammar M. Dieb
President, UEC
Universal Environmental Consultants
12 Brewster Road
Framingham, MA 01702
P: 508.628.5486
M: 617.984.9772
E: adieb@uec-
Ayman Haidar, M.D.
President, Genesee Urgent Care, PC
2265 S Linden Rd
Flint, MI 48532
(810) 720-8700
(801) 720-3393 Fax
Mazen Daoud, M.D.
Advanced Dermatology Specialists
12580 University Drive
Fort Myers FL 33912
Phone (239) 274-0005
Hassan Abbass, M.D., FACS
President, Ohio ENT Associates
330 Aberdeen Lane
Aurora, OH 44202
Tel: 216-773-1100
Mounzer Ahmad
Top Real Estate Broker
Coldwell Banker Leader Realty
7101 N. Western Ave., Chicago IL 60645
E-mail: mark@
Tel: 773-983-1553
Tamam Mohamad, M.D., FACC, FACP, RPVI
Assistant Professor of Medicine Wayne state Univ.
Director, Cardiac Care Unit/DRH/Wayne State Univ.
Director, Cardiac Genetic Disorder Center/Heart and Vascular Institute,
Detroit Medical Center
4160 John R, Ste. 510
Detroit, MI 48201
Tel: (313) 993-7777
President Barack H. Obama
August 15, 2011
Page 4
Rami R. Rustum, M.D.
Medical Director, Merrimack Pain Management Associates, P.C.
50 Prospect St, Suite 101
Lawrence, MA 01841
An Affiliate with BID Medical Center in Boston, Care Group Health System
Harvard Medical School
Tel: 1-978-685 2455/2456
ramirustum@
Yazan Khatib, M.D.
Co-Founder
First Coast Cardiovascular Institute
Office: 904-493-3333
ykhatib@
Lin Khatib
10056 Deercreek Club Rd. E
Jacksonville, FL 3225
(904) 363-0209
Email: lin.me@
Samir Suleiman, M.D.
7617 W. Belmont Ave.
Elmwood Park IL 60707
Tel: 708-583-1410
Amer Abboud, M.D
346 East Eastgate Place
Chicago, IL, 60616
Tel 773-895-9203
Nidal Obeid, DDS
8418 W. Crain St.
Niles IL 60714
Tel: 773-679-2421
M. Shafik Hashim, M.D.
Director of Ambulatory Anesthesia
Maimonides Medical Center
Brooklyn, NY
Samer Farah, M.D.
3250 Westchester Ave
Pelham bay, NY 10461
Joseph Atto, M.D.
2743 W. Peterson Ave.
Chicago IL 606659
Tel: 773-561-8200
Albert Abboud, DDS
4911 N. Kedzie Ave
Chicago IL
Tel: 773-934-9226
Tony Nahas, M.D.
6444 N. Central Ave
Chicago IL
773-631-5858
Manwal Wasouf, DDS
6422 N. Washtenaw
Chicago IL 60645
Tel: 773-751-9568
Al Rayes
CEO, Transtour Express Inc.
12466 Lewis St., Suite 103
Garden Grove, CA 92840
Phone 714-448-6188
Email: rayes@
Pierre Chahraban, M.D.
Co- Founder, New England Cardiology
60 East St.
Methuen, MA 01844
Tel: 978- 725 5913
George Alcheikh
203 Lakeland Ct.
Schaumburg, IL 60173
Tel: 847-630-1758
Fadi Lahlouh
President, Lahlouh Printing Group
1649 Adrian Road
Burlingame, CA 94010
Fadi@
Tel: 650-823-4884
President Barack H. Obama
August 15, 2011
Page 5
Sargon Khenano Kousay Ahmad
Owner, Brothers Upholstery INC 7014 N. Kilbourn Ave
1625 Payne St. Lincolnwood IL 60712
Evanston IL 60201 Tel: 773-968-6180
Tel: 847-733-3333
Rawa Serieh Dr. Nidal and Dr. Wael Yacoub
6847 N. Trumbull Ave. Whitehall Medical & Dental Assoc.
Lincolnwood IL 60712 450 Pershing Blvd.
Phone: 312-927-5818 Whitehall, PA 18052
Tel: 610- 434 6678
George Atiyeh
Owner, American Architectural Metal John Aoude
575 Business Park Ln Owner, JMKW Shell Group
Allentown, PA 18109 969 William T Morrissey Blvd
Tel: 610- 432 9787 Dorchester, MA 02122-3200
Tel: 617- 265 1455
Hassan Chreim Rula M. Youssef, M.D.
166 Providence Rd. New England Cardiology
Grafton, MA 1641 Salem St.
Tel: 508- 839 3367 North Andover, MA 01845
Tel: 978- 689 0280
Talal Noumeh, DDS
Family Dentistry Fayez Abboud
1640 Union Blvd. 1112 E. Tilghman St.
Allentown, PA 18109 Allentown, PA 18109
tnoumeh@ Tel: 484- 347 0563
Georget Azar
Ola Hamdan 91 Faith Dr.
11 Price St. Catasauqua, PA 18032
Hopkinton, MA 01748 Tel: 484- 597 0885
Tel: 508- 435 6681
Sahar Atiah
Hafez Mohrez 1571 Paige Ave.
3309 N. 3rd St Allentown, PA 18106
Whitehall, PA 18052 Tel: 610- 366 9414
Tel: 484- 515 1905
Feda Abboud
Madeline Aoude 758 N. Jordan St.
136 Pellana Rd. Allentown, PA 18102
Norwood, MA 02062 Tel: 484- 347 4092
Tel: 781-762 4836
President Barack H. Obama
August 15, 2011
Page 6
Ebraham Melhim Al Mishtaye Charity
2135 Belmont St. President, Bashar Jarrah
Allentown, PA 18104 Allentown PA 18109
Tel: 610- 442 6130
John Nemah 160 members
1643 Washington Ave.
Northampton, PA 18067
Tel: 610- 295 7670 Layman Association of Zwaytiene
625 N. 2nd Street
Mouwaffak Makhoul Allentown, PA 18102
1931 E. Greene Tel: 610- 351 4317
Allentown, PA 18109 Represents 176 Members
Tel: 610-333 0616
Iesa Alhamwi Nazih Zarif
622 N. 2nd St. Owner, Five Stars Auto Sale
Allentown, PA 18102 91 Faith drive
Tel: 484- 223 5514 Catasauqua PA, 18032
Tel: 610- 390 0536
Sheyam Hadid
710 White Circle
Northampton, PA 18067 Aziz Wehbey
Tel: 610- 844 6604 Owner, A.W. Auto Sale
815 Hanover Ave.
Milad Achi Allentown, PA 18109
2110 Main St. Tel: 610- 820 8232
Whitehall, PA 18052
Tel: 610- 695 1623 Nidal Makhoul
Owner, Miller Diner
Khlail Alquraih 1865 Shadt Ave.
617 Limestone St Whitehall, PA 18052
Catasauqua, PA 18032 Tel: 610- 417 5486
Tel: 484- 866 3227
Eng. Nazir Hussain
Engineering Projects & Marketing
7349 Milliken Ave # 120
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91737
Tel: 951-836-5030
American Amarian Syrian
Richard Koury Culture Association
5824 Ricky Ridge trl 521. N. Front Street
Orefield, PA 18069 Catasauqua PA, 18032
Tel: 610- 428 2589
Al- Baida Charity Represents 225 Members
President, Gus Soud
808 N. Kiowa St.
Allentown PA 18109
Tel: 610- 435 6569
130 members
President Barack H. Obama
August 15, 2011
Page 7
Samer Chaban, MBA
Fadi Bashour, M.D.
Safa Rifka, M.D.
Imad Yaakoub Jihad Kanawati
CC: Vice President Mr. Joseph Biden
CC: Madam Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton
CC: The Honorable Members of the U.S. Senate
CC: U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations
446 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-6225
CC: The UN Chief: Mr. Ban- Ki Moon
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