This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS ABU DHABI 000074 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR NEA/ARP; NEA/PPD; NEA/RA; INR/R/MR; PA; 
INR/NESA; INR/B; IIP/G/NEA-SA 
WHITE HOUSE FOR PRESS OFFICE; NSC 
SECDEF FOR OASD/PA 
USCINCCENT FOR POLAD 
LONDON FOR MCKUNE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OIIP KMDR AE KPAO TC
SUBJECT:  MEDIA REACTION: IRAQ VIOLENCE/SHARON 
 
 
¶1. Summary: An editorial in "Al-Khaleej" states that those 
responsible for the killings in Iraq do not represent a 
legitimate  reistance.  An editorial in "Gulf News" says the 
insurgency in Iraq is a exercise in futility.  "Al-Ittihad" 
called on Palestinians and Arab to prepare themselves for a new 
era after Sharon. End summary 
 
¶2. Under the headline "Iraq Massacres", Sharjah-based Pan-Arab 
daily "Al Khaleej," (circulation 85,000) editorialized: 
 
"It is not possible to believe that the suicide bombings that 
kill innocent people in streets, mosques, graveyards and holy 
sites in Iraq represent the deeds of a resistance that claims to 
combat the American-British occupation.  We say so, because 
resistance movements all over the world make ordinary people the 
base and the support of their power.  We are confident that the 
Iraqi resistance is not an exception...  The massacres occuring 
in Iraq kill hundreds of innocent people and require a clear and 
decisive stand by all political and religious forces. 
Condemnation is not enough.  What is required is to confront 
those responsible, deprive them of any assistance, make them 
notorious in Iraqi society and deny them any protection by 
educating the Iraqi people on their dark goals and objectives." 
 
¶3.  Unsigned editorial in Dubai based, English daily "Gulf News" 
titled "Iraqi insurgency an exercise in futility" (circulation 
95,000) 1/7: 
 
"With less than two weeks to go before the results of the 
December 15 elections in Iraq are announced, it is very evident 
that terrorists will continue, and escalate, their misguided 
course of action.  In a two-day spree of extreme violence, over 
160 innocent Iraqis were killed, approximately one third of this 
number when an attack was made outside a major Shiite shrine in 
Karbala." 
 
"It has been said on numerous occasions, but it is still worth 
repeating: Those who commit such foul atrocities cannot be 
considered true Muslims.  For the very act of committing murder 
upon fellow Muslims who are innocent men, women and children, and 
not participants in any way in warfare, is not only in 
contravention of the teachings of Islam but will also mean they 
become non-Muslims, not martyrs as they so foolishly believe." 
 
"Without leadership or representation in the political arena, it 
is impossible to tell exactly what the demands of the terrorists 
are.  It is believed the majority are Sunnis, objecting to the 
distinct likelihood that Shiites will dominate the new 
government.  Yet as every indication is that the new government 
is keen to form a united body of coalition members, in the hope 
of avoiding continual strife, and as the new government is some 
way off being announced, it could be said that any protestations 
or violence is premature." 
 
"Equally, it is thought that the insurgents, some of whom it is 
believed are from neighboring countries, desire to see the 
departure of the US and other allied forces.  But this could be 
questioned, for it is obvious that the longer civil strife 
persists, the longer there will be an occupation until it is 
thought that Iraq can manage on its own.  And, considering that 
the insurgents are now attacking mainly Iraqis seeking employment 
in the security services, such an insurgency becomes self- 
defeating." 
 
¶4. Under the headline "After Sharon", Abu Dhabi-based Arabic 
daily "Al Ittihad," (circulation 65,000) editorialized: 
 
"For Israelis who demand the type of absolute security that is 
impossible to achieve without liquidating or absorbing the 
Palestinians, Sharon was not a normal prime minister.  In fact, 
he was the "king"...  We do not expect Israel to transform in the 
after-Sharon era from the existing circumstances to a totally 
different set of tactics in dealing with the Palestinians and the 
rest of the Arabs.  However, Sharon's fingerprints that have 
overshadowed the Israeli and regional political arena will 
disappear for good." 
 
SISON