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Diana T Fritz  08/26/2006 04:53:25 PM  From  DB/Inbox:  Search Results

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UNCLAS        ABU DHABI 02972

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

DISSEMINATION: PAO
CHARGE: PROG

APPROVED: PAO:WROBERTSON
DRAFTED: PAO:AHOSHAN
CLEARED: PAO:THAMDI

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OO RUEHC RUENAAA RUEKJCS RUEHZM RUEHLO RHRMDAB
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DE RUEHAD #2972/01 2001300
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O 191300Z JUL 06
FM AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6238
RUENAAA/SECNAV WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 1064
RHRMDAB/COMUSNAVCENT
RHWSMRC/MCF01 SACCS USCINCCENT MACDILL AFB FL

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ABU DHABI 002972 
 
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 article in "Al-Bayan" accused the U.S. of 
supporting Israel against its own interests, while another 
criticized President Bush's hypocrisy in calling for Israel to 
preserve the Lebanese government while demolishing the state.  An 
article in "Al-Khaleej" draws comparisons between current actions 
being taken by the international community and those pursued in 
1982, which paved the way for an Israeli occupation of southern 
Lebanon.  Another compared the Lebanese resistance to those that 
resisted Nazism and colonialism.  A third noted that Lebanon should 
put aside its sectarian identities, as Israeli attacks do not make 
such distinctions.  A fourth article in "Al-Khaleej" criticized 
Senator Hillary Clinton for defending Israel and claiming that the 
Israelis "represent American values."  A columnist in semi-official 
"Al-Ittihad," questions who exactly Hezbollah is fighting for, as 
many in Lebanon and elsewhere blame them for the current violence. 
Another columnist criticized Hezbollah's actions as a huge strategic 
mistake.  Finally, a third columnist in "Al-Ittihad" urged the world 
to end Israel's aggression, noting that their actions stood in 
blatant violation of international laws on war crimes.  End 
Summary. 
 
¶2. Under the headline "US fueling Israeli aggression?", the 
Dubai-based Arabic-language daily "Al-Bayan"  (circulation 85,000) 
published the following in a 07/19 lead editorial: 
 
"Today's events are an extension of what has been U.S. policy in the 
region for decades.  Israel is acting aggressively with American 
support, as it did in 1967 and 1982.  It is using its international 
position to protect and encourage Israeli aggression...  This stance 
harms U.S. interests in the region, as it increases the magnitude of 
global anti-Americanism particularly among Arab and Muslim 
populations, and aggravates the continuing tide of violence that is 
facing U.S. activities around the world...  This is a dirty war, but 
the dirt in this case belongs to Israel.  One would hope that the 
Bush administration would realize this, instead of merely drifting 
towards policies of blind support for Israel.  The United States 
should revise its policies to support justice instead of Israeli 
aggression, otherwise it might lose everything." 
 
¶3.  Bahraini columnist, Abdul-Jalil Al-Noaimi, wrote under the 
headline "Freeing prisoners or applying strategies of destruction?", 
in a 07/19 editorial in the Dubai-based Arabic-language daily 
"Al-Bayan," (circulation 85,000): 
 
"Israel would not have done all this without the blessing of George 
Bush, the man who has declared the war within Israel's legitimate 
rights of self-defense, condemned Hezbollah and promised to continue 
his cooperation with Israel.  His only advice to Israel?  Don't 
destroy Lebanon's new democracy.  But what democracy can await a 
country that has just emerged from half a century of conflict, just 
to be dragged into a new war?" 
 
¶4. Under the headline "From Philip Habib to Larson", the 
Sharjah-based Arabic-language daily "Al-Khaleej" (circulation 
90,000) published the following a 07/19 lead editorial: 
 
"An international delegation including Terje Rod-Larson, a known 
friend of Israel, has started work on Lebanon, the Arab country 
which has been abandoned in the face of a tsunami of Israeli 
aggression.  Such a move resembles the actions of U.S. diplomat 
Philip Habib in 1982, when he collaborated with Israel to render 
Lebanon its protectorate.  Lebanon is expected to raise the white 
flag and surrender, apologizing to Israel and the United States for 
resisting and not normalizing relations with Israel...  The 
objectives of Israel and the U.S. are well-known.  Only the unity of 
the Lebanese can stop them from achieving their wicked goals. 
Lebanon, which refused to surrender in 1978, in 1982 and throughout 
later attacks and massacres, will only foil their enemies' efforts 
through their peoples' own strong will." 
 
¶5. Under the headline "The right to resist occupation" columnist 
Kamel Al-Zuheiri wrote the following in a 07/19 editorial in the 
Sharjah-based Arabic-language daily "Al-Khaleej" (circulation 
90,000): 
 
"...Hezbollah's resistance is as legitimate as those who resisted 
the aggression of Hitler and the Nazis, the British occupation in 
Egypt and India, and the French occupation of Algeria.  George Bush 
is a strange president, one manipulated by Israel to serve its own 
interests.  He thinks that, just by being President of the world's 
greatest country, he can do anything, including turning right into 
wrong." 
 
¶6. Under the headline "A turning point," female columnist Dr. Amina 
Abu-Shihab wrote the following in a 07/19 editorial in the 
Sharjah-based Arabic-language daily "Al-Khaleej" (circulation 
90,000): 
 
"...The lesson of the war on Lebanon is that Israeli aggression 
excludes no one, regardless of color, creed, political orientation 
or relationship with the West, from total liquidation if they even 
consider resistance to U.S.-Israeli forces." 
 
¶7. Under the headline "American values," female columnist Magdi 
Mustafa wrote the following in a 07/19 editorial in the 
Sharjah-based Arabic-language daily "Al-Khaleej" (circulation 
90,000): 
 
"... Democratic Senator Hilary Clinton lead demonstrations alongside 
Israeli lobbyists in front of the U.N. headquarters in New York, 
asking leaders to support Israel because Israel 'represents and 
protects American values, and defending Israel is the best way to 
defend our own values.'... They want us to thank the Israeli 
military which 'protects American values.' They also want us to 
thank Israel for leading the rest of us to a new Middle East, 
possessed of American values." 
 
¶8.  Under the headline "Hezbollah...who is it fighting for?" 
columnist Mohammed Khalfan Al-Sawafi wrote the following in a 07/19 
editorial in the semi-official Abu Dhabi-based Arabic-language daily 
"Al-Ittihad" (circulation 65,000): 
 
"... July 12 will be remembered as a historical day in Hezbollah's 
history, a day when it lost its significant legitimate international 
support...  On the Arab level, Hezbollah lost its Arab support when 
Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan labeled its actions as adventurism. 
On the Lebanese level, many Lebanese now hold Hezbollah responsible 
for the destruction they face. Hezbollah is now backed primarily by 
Syria and Iran.  So whose interests does it serve?" 
 
¶9.  Under the headline "The catastrophe...and Hezbollah's 
responsibility?" Qatari columnist Mohammed Khalfan Al-Sawafi wrote 
the following in a 07/19 editorial in the semi-official Abu 
Dhabi-based Arabic-language daily "Al-Ittihad" (circulation 
65,000): 
 
"... Hezbollah's operation was a huge political mistake.  Mr. 
Nasrallah should admit that much.  No national or regional interest 
has been archived through his actions.  Lebanon has become a 
disaster area.  Syrian land is occupied.  Syria has become 
increasingly isolated internationally.  Iran's nuclear issues will 
now be sent to the UN Security Council.  Exchanging prisoners is now 
harder than ever.  What has Hezbollah achieved beyond putting 
Lebanon at risk?  The lesson from all of this is that the armed 
militias in Lebanon, Palestine and Iraq have come to challenge 
conventional, legitimate authorities.  They have soldiers, 
resources, active media offices and they think they should make 
critical decisions without the endorsement of the proper 
government." 
 
¶10.  On 07/19, Emirati columnist Mohammed Al Hammadi wrote the 
following in an untitled editorial in the semi-official Abu 
Dhabi-based Arabic-language daily "Al-Ittihad" (circulation 
65,000): 
 
"...Israel is inflicting collective punishment on Gaza and Lebanon. 
The world should not just sit back and observe such atrocities. 
Aren't these war crimes?  Actions like destroying power plants, 
roads, bridges, airports, seaports, international highways and 
residential neighborhoods?  Israel has attacked people feeing from 
the war, carried out massacres and even used weapons banned by the 
international community.  Aren't these war crimes or are they 
justified by the kidnapping of two soldiers?" 
 
 
SISON