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

UNCLAS MUSCAT 000050 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR NEA/ARPI, NEA/PPD, NEA/P, AND INR/R/MR 
 
LONDON FOR TSOU 
PARIS FOR ZEYA 
USCENTCOM FOR PLUSH 
FOREIGN PRESS CENTER FOR SILAS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KPAO KMDR OIIP MU
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: AMERICAN PRESSURE ON IRAN, ARAB MEDIA AS 
"TRUTH," AVERTING A CRISIS WITH SYRIA 
 
------------------------- 
American Pressure on Iran 
------------------------- 
 
¶1.  The government-owned daily "Oman" published an editorial on 
January 8th under the title "Nuclear Weapons and Attacks Against 
Iran": 
 
"American threats from Secretary of State Rice to refer the 
Iranian nuclear file to the [U.N.] Security Council come in the 
framework of the unnecessary American vitriol against Iran...Iran 
has declared repeatedly that its nuclear program is for peaceful 
purposes, and that it is a member of the International Atomic 
Energy Agency, adhering to that organization's laws and 
regulations.  However, [Israel] has 200 nuclear bombs, enough to 
destroy the whole Middle East.  The West does not mind Israel 
possessing nuclear weapons, but does mind Iran having them." 
 
--------------------- 
Arab Media as "Truth" 
--------------------- 
 
¶2.  The privately owned "Al-Watan" published an editorial on 
January 7th entitled "Why [Bush] Complains about Professional 
[Media] Practice": 
 
"It is a surprise that President Bush complained that the 
material broadcast by Arab channels gives a bad impression of 
United States.  These comments come from the leader of the most 
powerful country, which dominates the Arab and world media.  The 
sources used by Arab news outlets, wherever they broadcast from, 
are western sources...[Bush's] complaints emanate from the fact 
that the Arab media has placed itself on the map of the 
international media.  In the past, they used to get their 
information and news, especially during a war, from American 
military sources.  However, the situation changed and Arab 
channels were able to reach the place of action, with live 
broadcasts showing the conflict between reality and American 
lies.  When Arab television broadcasts what is happening in 
Palestine and Iraq, and how attacks against civilians are carried 
out by tanks, and victims' bodies are torn up by prohibited 
weapons, this is the truth even if American leaders do not like 
it." 
 
---------------------------- 
Averting A Crisis with Syria 
---------------------------- 
 
¶3. "Al-Watan" carried an op-ed piece by Jordanian columnist 
Mohammed Naji Amayrah on January 8th entitled "Egyptian Political 
Moves": 
 
"We hope that the political move led by President Mubarak 
fulfills its goal of preventing harm towards Syria.  Mubarak 
visited Saudi Arabia and France after his meeting with Syrian 
president Bashar Al-Asad, in an effort to contain the crisis. 
Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and France consider cooperation with Syria 
to be vital to decrease the threats from America and some 
European states concerning the assassination of Al-Hariri and 
what the U.S. calls "terrorism" in Iraq.  The United States has 
called for Syria's complete cooperation with the International 
Investigation Committee, stating that no one is above the law. 
This indicates that al-Asad and his foreign minister were called 
for investigation." 
 
STEWART