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

UNCLAS MUSCAT 000121 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR NEA/ARPI, NEA/PPD, NEA/P, AND INR/R/MR 
 
LONDON FOR GOLDRICH 
PARIS FOR ZEYA 
USCENTCOM FOR PLUSH 
FOREIGN PRESS CENTER FOR ASILAS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KPAO KMDR OIIP MU
SUBJECT: OMAN MEDIA REACTION: IRAQI NATIONAL UNITY, APPEAL FOR 
MUTUAL RESPECT BETWEEN CIVILIZATIONS, LESSONS FOR ISLAMIC NEW 
YEAR 
 
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Iraqi Steps toward National Unity 
--------------------------------- 
 
¶1.  The government-owned Arabic daily "Oman" published an 
editorial on January 29 under the title "The New Iraqi 
Government": 
 
"The negotiations in Iraq between different political powers are 
important steps toward national unity.  There is a discussion 
about forming one political bloc which will balance other blocs 
in Iraq, especially the Shiite alliance which won the majority of 
seats in the Iraqi National Assembly.  Reaching political harmony 
between all these blocs in Iraq will pave the way toward 
formation of a new Iraqi government that will lead the country 
for the next four years.  The Iraqi people are looking forward to 
the return of normal life and rebuilding Iraq, which will provide 
all services necessary for better living." 
 
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Appeal for Mutual Respect between Civilizations 
--------------------------------------------- -- 
 
¶2.  "Oman" published an editorial on January 30, which alluded to 
continuing controversy over Danish cartoons deemed offensive to 
Islam.  The piece was entitled "A New Year of Peace and 
Security": 
 
"Countries of the world should not seek to promote hatred and 
division among people for their own personal and selfish 
interests.  We hope that they will adopt the peaceful language of 
dialogue, and discard any actions that would prompt violence 
between religions.  Offending a faith and its edifices benefits 
no one.  There are red lines that should not be crossed when it 
comes to religious figures and beliefs, even for the sake of 
freedom of expression.  Freedom of expression does not mean that 
one looks down on any culture, belief, or civilization." 
 
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Lessons for the Islamic New Year 
-------------------------------- 
 
¶3. Privately owned Arabic daily "Al-Watan" published an editorial 
on January 30 entitled "Islamic New Year and Its Lessons": 
 
"Despite the fact that today's Muslims are trying to deal with 
non-Muslims on the basis of Islamic tolerance and human 
merit...other non-Muslim thinkers and orientalists in Western 
countries insist that Islam is a violent religion.  This 
unrealistic blame is turning into an organized attack on 
everything related to Islam, extending to Muslims' thinking, 
talking and behaving.  We as Muslims have a responsibility to 
depict true Islam, and we must expend additional effort to 
convince the world of the reality of Islam and its teachings. 
 
BALTIMORE