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

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ABU DHABI 001001 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR NEA/ARP; NEA/Ppd; nea/ra; INR/r/mr; pa; inr/nesa; 
inr/b; RRU-NEA 
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 TC
SUBJECT:  MEDIA REACTION: P&O PORTS DEAL; HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT; 
SADDAT KIDNAPPING: US AND UK CONSPIRACY PLOT 
 
 
¶1.  SUMMARY: A UAE COLUMNIST IN "AL-ITTIHAD" WRITES THAT US 
REJECTION OF THE P&O DEAL CONVEYED A NEGATIVE MESSAGE TO ALL 
ARABS AS WELL AS TO THE UAE.  A COLUMNIST IN "AL-KHALEEJ" 
COMMENTED ON THE DOS HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT BY STATING THAT IT 
ACCUSES MANY COUNTRIES, INCLUDING THOSE WHO ARE CONSIDERED TO BE 
AMERICA'S ALLIES.  A UAE COLUMNIST IN "AL-KHALEEJ" STRONGLY 
CRITICIZES THE US FOR NOT AGREEING TO DUBAI MANAGEMENT OF US 
PORTS AND STATES THE US SHOULD COVER DUBAI'S FINANCIAL LOSSES 
RESULTING FROM ABORTING THIS DEAL. FOLLOWING YESTERDAY'S 
KIDNAPPING OF SAADAT, "AL-BAYAN" WONDERED WHETHER ANYBODY CAN 
ACCEPT AMERICAN GUARANTEES AFTER IT CONSPIRED WITH UK AND ISRAEL 
AGAINST PALESTINIANS.  "AL-KHALEEJ" CONDEMNS US CONSPIRACY WITH 
ISRAEL AGAINST PALESTINIANS AND STATES THAT AMERICA'S ONLY 
CONCERN IS TO SATISFY THE ZIONIST GROUP.  A COLUMNIST IN "AL- 
KHALEEJ" WONDERED WHAT THE REAL REASONS WERE BEHIND AMERICA 
REMAINING IN IRAQ, FOLLOWING US SECRETARY OF DEFENSE RUMSFELD 
STATEMENT THAT HIS FORCES WOULD NOT INTERFERE IN CASE OF A CIVIL 
WAR WAGE.  END SUMMARY. 
 
¶2. Under the headline "Dubai deal: USA's refusal to the Arab 
investment", UAE columnist Mohamed Al-Hammadi, wrote in Abu Dhabi- 
based Arabic daily "Al- Ittihad," (circulation 65,000) 15/3: 
 
"The American standpoint on the P&O deal is unreasonable and the 
justifications of those who are obsessed with security are 
unjustifiable.  It is strange that they are not aware of the fact 
that those who will manage these ports will be more cautious 
about security than the Americans themselves, since they realize 
the extent of embarrassment should the ports be sabotaged...  The 
Americans sent us a negative message. We do not trust Arabs and 
we do not want to deal with them except through our tanks, 
airplanes, soldiers and our supervisory decisions.  But when it 
comes down to politics, investment, money, technology, education 
or any other aspects of life, we do not want any partnership with 
Arabs.  This message is very dangerous for the long-term...  It 
is not wise that the crucial decisions for the United States are 
made by those who obtain their information from media outlets; 
the decision-maker's responsibility is broader than a narrow- 
angled interest of a certain entity." 
 
¶3. Under the headline "What follows the P&O Deal", UAE university 
professor of political science Dr. Abdul-Khaliq Abdulla wrote in 
Sharjah-based Pan-Arab daily "Al-Khaleej," (circulation 85,000) 
14/3: 
 
"The Arab investments in the United States, though generally 
insubstantial and not exceeding 0.5% of the total foreign 
investments which amount to 1.5 trillion dollars, is still needed 
by the US to cover its commercial deficit and settle its 
accumulated dues, now that it has become the country with the 
highest record of debts, not just in the world today but 
throughout history... Due to its ignorance, stupidity and 
arrogance reflected by the Congressmen, the United States has 
wasted these highly required investments.  It is important that 
the United States pay the price of its obsession with terror, its 
detestable racism towards Arabs and the demagoguism of its 
leaders directed towards UAE leaders.  It should also cover the 
full financial and intangible losses incurred by the cancellation 
of Dubai P&O deal which needs to continue on its path towards 
internationalization.  The success of any company carrying the 
UAE flag implies the success of all Arab countries..." 
 
¶4.  Under the headline "About Human Rights", columnist Magdi 
Mustafa wrote in Sharjah-based Pan-Arab daily "Al-Khaleej," 
(circulation 85,000) 14/3: 
 
"A few days ago, the US State Department released its annual 
Report on Human Rights of the world.  This report carries 
numerous accusations and selective reports of violations that 
undoubtedly exist in many countries, of which some are Arab 
countries that are allies to Washington, even though the majority 
of these accusations was directed to those opposing American 
policy, with Iran on the forefront of the list, followed by North 
Korea, China, Cuba, Myanmar and Russia etc..." 
 
¶5.   Under the headline "Attack of treachery and complicity", 
Dubai-Based Arabic Daily "Al-Bayan," (circulation 90,000) 15/3 
wrote: 
 
"They colluded as usual with Israel. The two countries lead an 
international campaign against the Hamas movement and demand that 
the world recognize Israel as a state... Although the attack 
continued for long hours that were enough for them to deter and 
avoid, yet nothing of this nature happened.  Is there another 
description for this other than collusion and complicity? 
Official American sources claimed that the withdrawal was to 
provide protection for the observers, a deed that is worse than 
the ugly deed itself.  American policy towards the Palestinian 
issue and the region in general was absolutely Israeli-biased. 
Now this stance developed to the stage of complete collusion. If 
it is so, then how can anybody henceforth take American 
guarantees seriously? " 
 
¶6.   Under the headline "Terror along the hour", Sharjah-based 
Pan-Arab daily "Al-Khaleej," (circulation 85,000), 15/3: 
 
"What happened yesterday in Jericho was scandalous and 
disgraceful to the world, which watched Zionists through the 
satellite channels openly practicing their terror on the occupied 
territories of Palestine.  Nevertheless, nobody moved or did 
anything.  To the contrary, there seemed to be an obvious and 
planned collusion between the Zionist movement and Washington and 
UK.  These killers are the very ones whom one should attack, 
especially by those who call for putting an end to terror in the 
world, because they keep killing, occupying and destroying the 
Palestinians in their own country while the US, Britain and other 
major countries turn their backs on all these actions, as if they 
can't see or hear, simply because America's only concern is to 
satisfy Zionist war criminals.  It is also obvious, as it is in 
every Zionist crime, that the enemy rests assured, knowing that 
the Arab reaction would not exceed the level of silence, and if 
it did, the maximum level it would reach is mere words of 
condemnation and denunciation." 
 
¶7.   Under the headline "American propaganda and late wake-up", 
columnist Jaafar Mohamed Ahmed wrote in Sharjah-based Pan-Arab 
dily "Al-Khaleej," (circulation 85,000) 15/3: 
 
"The American Secretary of Defense unintentionally disclosed the 
occupation's lie through his latest statement, when he said that 
his forces would not interfere were a civil war to be waged, and 
that the mission of putting out the flames of civil war would 
fall on the shoulders of the Iraqi forces, while he knows very 
well that these forces need more training, especially in the area 
of dealing with civil wars.  His statement raises many questions 
as to why the United States is present in Iraq...  What happened 
in Al Sadr City is a continuation of targeting mosques, in 
preparation for another criminal round to drag Iraq into side 
battles to distract them from reaching their primary goal of 
ridding their country of occupying forces and realizing 
independence and sovereignty.  The United States is in big 
trouble as its forces failed to cement its occupation of Iraq and 
now is reaping the fruits of its foolish policies. Nonetheless, 
there is a chance for Iraqis to form a government that can stop 
the occupiers goal." 
 
SISON