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 001406 
 
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: U.S. IMAGE; IRAN AND THE REGION; 
IRAQ'S OCCUPATION 
 
 
¶1.  Summary: A columnist in "Al-Ittihad" explains why 
America is deeply hated by Arabs and Muslims stating that 
respecting human's humanity is the only way for America to 
resolve these issues.  "Al-Khaleej" expressed concerns for 
Gulf security.  "Al-Khaleej" asserted that freedom and 
democracy never comes from occupation.  A columnist in "Al- 
Ittihad" blamed the Iraqi politicians for the current crisis 
in Iraq.  An editorial in "Gulf News" argues that a U.S. 
strike on Iran is not a viable solution.  End Summary. 
 
¶2.   Under headline "America: The art of enhancing its ugly 
picture", a columnist, Mohammed Al-Sammak, wrote 4/8 op-ed 
in Abu Dhabi-based Arabic daily "Al-Ittihad" (circulation 
65,000): 
 
"The United States shows increasing concern over enhancing 
its image in the world.  According to an investigative study 
conducted by an American establishment, `in modern history, 
the phenomenon of enmity towards America has never been 
deeper and more comprehensive than it is now'.  The question 
is: Why?  Feelings of hatred toward the U.S. in Southern 
America are stronger and broader than any where in the 
world.  The study revealed that only 11% of Mexicans look 
positively toward America's influence...  According to Arab 
and Islamic nations, the study confirmed that the only 
problem that has been hindering the American-Arab/Islamic 
relationships centers on the Palestinian issue and America's 
unlimited support to Israel.  It also stated that this 
problem which started after the six-day war of 1967 had 
reached unprecedented levels after 9/11.  According to the 
study, the ugliest image of the U.S. in the entire world is 
seen in the Islamic world...  If the United States had the 
right to surpass the United Nations and throw into the wall 
all international treaties, why should the rest of the world 
respect the United Nations and abide by its legislation?  It 
is true that the United States is the most powerful country 
in the world.  But does this give it the right to impose its 
regime how and whenever it wishes?  Has the military force 
become the only basis for national legitimacy?  Experience 
throughout history proves that violence does not solve 
problems.  Hitler did not impose Nazism on Europe.  The 
United States, who failed to topple Castro in Cuba, will 
never win its war on terrorism through terrorist means, and 
Israelis, despite of their continuous massacres that are 
daily committed against Palestinians, will never suppress 
the Palestinian issue or subdue the Palestinian people. 
Respecting the humanity of mankind is the only way to 
resolve any issue or solve any problem." 
 
 
¶3.   Under headline "Gulf's security", Sharjah-based Pan- 
Arab daily "Al-Khaleej" (circulation 85,000) wrote 4/6 Front- 
page unsigned editorial: 
 
"The security of the Gulf is costly.  It is extremely costly 
to those in this region who have experienced at least three 
wars, and tasted their bitterness, and the impact which 
continues in Iraq.  The omens of future wars are very 
likely, with a continuous exchange of threats dancing 
between America and Iran.  American occupational invasions 
taking place under shiny slogans do not deceive anyone 
anymore and as do Iran's ambitions that are full of hard 
ideologies under transatlantic missiles or those that swim 
under the surface of the warm waters of the gulf...  Day 
after day, our fears grow deeper...  The blue color of the 
gulf will be eliminated unless Iran removes the mask of 
clouds covering its face or advances towards its 
neighbors... with the aim to engage in a dialogue, build 
measures of confidence and close all doors that are sources 
of trouble...  The militarization of the gulf... is a bad 
prescription for the stability and joint cooperation of the 
gulf...  The gulf today is under grave threat and deserves 
sincere protection from those who now enjoy its security and 
from wise men all over the world." 
 
¶4.   Under headline "Occupation of Al-Rasheed's capital", 
Sharjah-based pan-Arab daily "Al-Khaleej" (circulation 
85,000) wrote 4/9 unsigned editorial: 
 
"Three years after the occupation of Baghdad and Iraq, the 
only ongoing talk of the town is strife, civil war, and the 
daily blood bath... the final result which is the break up 
of Iraq.  The fake promise of freedom and democracy has 
turned from day one into disasters begetting more disasters, 
because freedom and democracy can never be achieved under 
occupation.  The records of occupation do not include free 
services to peoples.  Occupation works only in serving its 
own plans and interests." 
 
¶5.   Under headline "Ruling crisis in Iraq", a columnist, 
Dr. Shamlan Yousef Al-Eissa, wrote 4/9 op-ed in Abu Dhabi- 
based Arabic daily "Al-Ittihad" (circulation 65,000): 
 
"The call of Abdulaziz Al Hakeem on the Iranian leadership 
to agree with the American administration on resolving 
issues in Iraq adds legitimacy to the Iranian presence in 
Iraq.  We believe that the primary cause of the situation in 
Iraq is Iraqi politicians, whether taking the form of 
parties, movements, or Sunni or Shiite organizations. 
Accusing the United States or others of being the source of 
Iraq's problems does not reflect the facts.  It seems that 
after their country was freed by the American forces, the 
Iraqi politicians, who led the oppositions in Tehran, 
Damascus, London, Washington and other capitals, and who 
raised slogans of freedom, dignity, democracy and the law of 
nation, were liars and deceivers whose only aim was to reach 
to power and confiscate the rights of others...  Therefore, 
it is not strange that they have not reached rational 
solutions confirming the unity of the Iraqi people and its 
sovereignty on a non-torn country.  Does the Iraqi situation 
affect the Arabian Gulf countries?  Definitely yes.  U.S. 
senator "McCain warned that failing in Iraq would not just 
leave behind chaos in Iraq, but would expand to include all 
neighboring countries.  How can we save Iraq from traders in 
slogans, terrorists and traders in religion and 
sectarianism?  The Iraqi people need help from all countries 
of the world.  What is required is an international 
conference that would set up new foundations for the future 
of Iraq, whereby a clear plan is drawn up for stabilizing 
Iraq through ending factional militias, adjusting the 
constitution, reinforcing the central command for 
controlling security and stability, and inaugurating 
business projects to benefit all Iraqi people.  This will 
only happen under the presence of a clean Iraqi leadership 
that is far from partisanship and sectarianism." 
 
¶6. Under headline "Military strike is not a solution", Dubai- 
based English daily "Gulf News" (circulation 95,000) wrote 
4/11 unsigned editorial: 
"All options on Iran's nuclear ambitions are on the table, 
according to the White House.  They shouldn't be.  Only 
diplomacy should be on the table.  The consequences of a 
military strike on Iran would be horrendous... 
A military strike is not a solution.  Apart from the 
international uproar a strike would unleash at a time when 
America is desperately in need of allies to wage its so- 
called war on terror, it would not guarantee that Iran's 
nuclear program would be stopped.  It would guarantee 
retaliation and a determination by Iran to pursue that which 
it is being accused of today by the U.S., a nuclear weapons 
option. 
The only certain consequence would be anti-western feeling 
which could in turn lead to possible terrorist attacks. Iran 
has a right to develop nuclear power for peaceful purposes. 
If it chooses to exercise this right then the process must 
be open and accountable to the international community. 
Double standards are at play here.  Israel has about 200 
nuclear weapons.  This brings not so much as a word of 
condemnation from Washington.  Aside from Washington's bias, 
nuclear energy and the problems and suspicions it brings 
will be a major issue of the 21st century as other countries 
try to join the "elite".  If diplomacy fails on Iran then it 
will fail with other countries, leading to a free-for-all. 
Diplomacy offers the only chance of a viable, workable 
solution. No other option should be considered." 
 
 
SISON