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Diana T Fritz  08/26/2006 04:56:14 PM  From  DB/Inbox:  Search Results

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UNCLAS        ABU DHABI 02907

SIPDIS
CXABU:
    ACTION: PAO
    INFO:   ECON POL AMB DCM

DISSEMINATION: PAO
CHARGE: PROG

APPROVED: PAO:OLSINHILARY
DRAFTED: PAO:AHOSHAN
CLEARED: PAO:THAMDI

VZCZCADI693
OO RUEHC RUENAAA RUEKJCS RUEHZM RUEHLO RHRMDAB
RHWSMRC
DE RUEHAD #2907/01 1971334
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 161334Z JUL 06
FM AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6161
RUENAAA/SECNAV WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 1059
RHRMDAB/COMUSNAVCENT
RHWSMRC/MCF01 SACCS USCINCCENT MACDILL AFB FL

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ABU DHABI 002907 
 
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 TC
SUBJECT:  MEDIA REACTION: CRISIS IN LEBANON 
 
¶1.  Summary:  An editor of "Emarat al youm" predicts that those Arab 
countries that condemned Hezbollah would be condemned by the end of 
the present conflict, because Israel would not only destroy 
Hezbollah's military capacity but also the charitable and public 
services it provides.  Two female Emirati columnists in "Al-Bayan" 
question how Arab countries could dare condemn Hezbollah in such an 
obvious case of Israeli aggression.  Another article in "Al-Bayan" 
compares Israel to the Nazis, and demanded that they at least 
embrace a cease fire.  "Al-Bayan" criticizes the United States' 
apparent cooperation with Israel, and their efforts to prevent the 
condemnation of Israeli aggression in the UN Security Council. 
English-language Khaleej Times editorial asks 'Where is the honest 
broker?' End Summary. 
 
¶2. On 07/16 under the headline "Nazis destroy Lebanon", an unsigned 
editorial in the Dubai-based Arabic-language daily "Al-Bayan" 
(circulation 90,000) wrote the following: 
 
"... They desire the destruction of this precious Arab country, one 
that has yet to recover from a dire civil war.  As we are living in 
an era of submission, the least we can ask of a terrorist state like 
Israel is a truce and cease fire." 
 
¶3.  On 07/16 under the headline "Lebanon you are not alone", female 
Emirati columnist Aishe Sultan wrote the following in her daily 
column in the Dubai-based Arabic-language daily "Al-Bayan" 
(circulation 90,000): 
 
"... Lebanon is assembling behind the resistance, as the Prime 
Minister, countless intellectuals and any honorable Lebanese will 
say.  But those tacitly supporting the American Zionist agenda in 
Lebanon by condemning the resistance have interests quite different 
from the Lebanese.  The conflict is a Lebanese issue that should 
only be discussed and judged amongst themselves.  We, as lovers of 
Lebanon and believers in its strength, culture and art, should 
support Lebanon morally and materially in any decision it may make. 
Arab Lebanon is part of us.  Lebanon, you are not alone.  Millions 
of Arab hearts pray for your victory, even as most other regimes 
have lost our trust." 
 
¶4. On 07/16 under the headline "Olmert's stupidity," Emirati 
columnist Basil Rafayh wrote the following in an editorial in the 
Dubai-based pan-Arab daily "Emaratalyoum" (circulation 15,000): 
 
"... Those Arab countries that have condemned Hezbollah will 
eventually find themselves on the losing side of public opinion. 
Olmert's war will not end with the destruction of Hezbollah's 
military capacity, or the liquefaction of its supporters, or the 
destruction of its charitable and public services.  The Arab people 
do not buy the lie that Hezbollah has started this conflict by 
imprisoning or killing Israeli soldiers.  Israel has never required 
an excuse to kill children, destroy electrical stations or cause 
bloodshed.  Arab people know very well the recklessness of Israeli 
policy, especially after the atrocities on Gaza's beaches and others 
against the Palestinian people, none of which received a response 
beyond meaningless phrases like 'controlling oneself,' references to 
the 'international community' and pledges of 'Arab support.'" 
 
¶5.  On 07/15 under the headline "Beirut burns while the nation 
watches", female Emirati columnist Aishe Sultan wrote the following 
in her daily column in the Dubai-based Arabic-language daily 
"Al-Bayan" (circulation 90,000): 
 
"... What could possibly justify the type of destruction levied at 
Lebanon by land, sea and air?  George Bush insolently provided the 
expected answer, noting that "Israel has a right to defend itself 
and its citizens, as any nation would do."  Other Arab parties also 
laid full blame at Hezbollah's feet, but they have done so in error. 
 Whoever comes to you bleeding, even if they are not your brother or 
neighbor, deserves your aid in defending himself.  When peace is 
restored, then blame whom you will...but not while they are under 
threat!  This is the logic of death over life, evil against humanity 
and excessive power paired with limitless insanity.  Lebanon alone 
is paying the price for such logic, as each and every time it finds 
itself abandoned by its Arab neighbors.  Long live both Arab nations 
and American democracy, side by side in peace." 
 
¶6. On 07/15 under the headline "American conspiracy and 
international impotence", the following was published in an unsigned 
editorial in the Dubai-based Arabic-language daily "Al-Bayan" 
(circulation 90,000): 
 
"What happened yesterday in the UN Security Council demonstrates 
America's efforts to ensure international impotence.  Israeli 
aggression is quite clear to the international community, but no 
action was able to come forth to deter conflict or even condemn 
Israel.  The Qatari resolution, brought forth in the name of the 
Arab states, was defeated by the American veto before even reaching 
the floor, the same veto the US uses against anyone who would blame 
or condemn Israel for anything! ...Now, alongside the Palestinian 
disaster, the Israelis have started another in Lebanon.  Anyone 
would condemn what is happening there now.  British journalist 
Robert Fisk watched the full horror of Israel raids from his house 
in Beirut, and took note of what he saw.  He writes: 'One of the 
Israeli planes threw a bomb on a house in which a Muslim Imam lives. 
 He was immediately killed along with his wife and eight children. 
The head of one of the children was severed, leaving behind only a 
battered child's body.  Then the planes went to another house in 
Al-Dewair village and killed another family of seven.'  These 
Israeli actions in Lebanon echo Israeli actions in Palestine.  And 
of course, Lebanon has no recourse besides going to the UN Security 
Council and asking them to mandate a cease fire.  But it is 
difficult to say whether even the Security Council could effectively 
stop this aggression.  The United States' actions yesterday in 
obstructing a resolution on Israeli aggression in Gaza demonstrates 
the limits of that body, and the broad reach possessed by Israel's 
supporters." 
 
¶7. English language Dubai-based Khaleej Times (circulation 80,000) 
editorial asks, "Where is the honest broker? The world is paying a 
huge price for failure by Bush's America to resolve Mideast 
conflict." The editorial is also re-printed on official UAE News 
Agency (WAM) English website. 
 
"...But what is more regrettable is the US' role in this whole 
business.  Under Bush, America has not conducted itself as it should 
have befitting its stature as the reigning superpower, the biggest 
player in the region and an ally of both Israelis and Arabs.  For 
the first time in years, America refuses to use its clout to put an 
end to this conflict and rein in the aggressor.  In fact, if things 
have come to such a dangerous pass, America has to take some credit. 
 Despite Bush's promise to resolve the Middle East conflict by 
creating a Palestinian state by 2005, he allowed things to go from 
bad to worse.  And we are all paying a heavy price for that 
failure." 
 
SISON