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Diana T Fritz  08/26/2006 04:52:50 PM  From  DB/Inbox:  Search Results

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UNCLAS        ABU DHABI 02997

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

DISSEMINATION: PAO
CHARGE: PROG

APPROVED: PAO:WROBERTSON
DRAFTED: PAO:THAMDI
CLEARED: PAO:SANDERSON

VZCZCADI022
OO RUEHC RUENAAA RUEKJCS RUEHZM RUEHLO RHRMDAB
RHWSMRC
DE RUEHAD #2997/01 2041232
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 231232Z JUL 06
FM AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6263
RUENAAA/SECNAV WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 1066
RHRMDAB/COMUSNAVCENT
RHWSMRC/MCF01 SACCS USCINCCENT MACDILL AFB FL

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ABU DHABI 002997 
 
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:  One editorial in "Al-Bayan" accused the United States 
of betraying Lebanon after it promised to support its new democracy. 
 In "Al-Khaleej," one writer questioned how anyone could believe 
that Arabs would accept Israeli aggression given their own 
experiences with Israeli attacks, while another noted how President 
Bush's recent slip-up revealed his true goal: the liquidation of 
Lebanon.  A writer in "Akhbar Al-Arab" commented on the broader 
consequences of the current conflict, specifically noting how it has 
revealed the commonalities of American and Israeli policy. 
Meanwhile, in "Emaratalyoum," a columnist highlighted the irony in 
America's efforts to wage war on terror while sewing the seeds of 
hate.  Similarly a Kuwaiti columnist in "Al-Ittihad" speculated on 
the potential consequences of the current conflict, predicting that 
it would result in increased influence for Iran and more widespread 
anti-Americanism.  Finally, an article in "Akhbar Al-Arab" 
criticized Condoleezza Rice for her one-sided perspective of the 
conflict, without giving adequate consideration to the sentiments of 
Arabs and Muslims.  End Summary. 
 
¶2.  Under the headline "They betrayed Lebanon and defend its 
killers", the Dubai-based Arabic-language daily "Al-Bayan," 
(circulation 90,000) published the following in a 07/22 editorial: 
"... The current situation has revealed not only American reluctance 
to deter Israeli aggression, but a full-fledged conspiracy.  When 
George Bush and Condoleezza Rice, or "Condi," state that it is not 
the right time to end aggression, or to hold talks over 
international peacekeepers, or to provide other forms of aid, this 
means that the attack was no surprise to the Americans or Tony 
Blair, and met with no resistance from them... According to The 
Independent newspaper, the United States and United Kingdom have 
colluded to defy the United Nations' demand for a ceasefire, and 
have condoned the daily bloodshed of civilians.  This gives the 
slaughterer Olmert and his army a strong signal that they may 
continue their aggression without fearing any repercussions..." 
 
¶3. Under the headline "Legalizing invasion", the Sharjah-based 
Arabic-language daily "Al-Khaleej" (circulation 90,000) published 
the following in a 07/20 editorial: 
 
"Those that call for us to give our blessings to Israeli's barbaric 
aggression against Lebanon presume that we are either stupid or 
politically oblivious.  They do not realize that there is no more 
tolerance on our side for Israel-inflicted wounds... Who could 
believe such words, after we have been stung a hundred times by 
Israel, who continues to take lives in Lebanon and Gaza with the 
assistance of international supporters and Arab impotence?" 
 
¶4. Under the headline "Far from wisdom and diplomacy", columnist 
Jaafar Mohamed Ahmed wrote the following in a 07/21 editorial in the 
Sharjah-based Arabic-language daily "Al-Khaleej" (circulation 
85,000): 
 
"... A microphone accidentally left plugged-in has finally revealed 
the truth of George Bush's mind to the world: that he desires a new 
frontier in the already war-torn region.  It also revealed that the 
American President has coordinated with European governments to give 
Israel a green light to proceed with its war, under the ubiquitous 
'right to self-defense'.  Furthermore, the United States made the 
United Nations condone Israel's actions, and prevented it from 
condemning the atrocities Israel has committed against innocent 
civilians in a war that at its best is a war of liquidation." 
 
¶5. Under the headline "International cover-up of aggression", the 
Abu Dhabi-based Arabic-language daily "Akhbar Al-Arab" (circulation 
20,000) wrote the following in a 07/22 unsigned editorial: 
 
"Throughout history, no culture has accepted humiliation, even for a 
short period of time.  Today's struggles will strengthen Arab pride, 
as demonstrated in their willingness to make dramatic sacrifices. 
Hence the "revolution of truth" will not die out of external 
assault.  This irritates Israel and the United States, who thought 
that the rights of Arabs in Lebanon, Palestine and Syria would 
eventually be forgotten.  Recent events demonstrate that the 
Lebanese will not forget even a small 40 km piece of land, and three 
prisoners in Zionist jails.  And how could the Syrians forget the 
Golan Heights, and the Palestinians their occupied land?  If the 
United Nations wants to reach a final solution to this problem it 
should consider the rights of Arabs, and should remember that the 
Palestinians will never be annihilated like other peoples in 
history.  Hence Kofi Annan should not expect the Arabs to surrender, 
even if U.N. proposals are accepted by the United States.  The issue 
is bigger than just two kidnapped Israelis, as it demonstrates just 
how similar American and Israeli policies truly are, and the 
continued threat posed to the Arabs as a result." 
 
¶6. Under the headline "Rice's labor pains", Emirati columnist Adel 
Mohammed Al-Rashed wrote the following in a 07/23 editorial in the 
Dubai-based Arabic-language tabloid "Emaratalyoum" (circulation 
35,000): 
 
"... If Condoleezza Rice considers Israel's war on Lebanon and 
Palestine to be the labor pains of a new Middle East, then why is it 
that the Palestinians and Lebanese must suffer such pain?  The 
American administration's greatest problem is that they fight terror 
and violence on one hand, but sew the seeds of hatred, terrorism and 
intolerance with the other.  While it encourages one to hit his 
offender and take retribution, it demands of the other more 
forgiveness and acceptance.   The Lebanese people had put their 
painful past behind them and begun rebuilding their country with an 
optimistic spirit open to Washington... But now they have found 
themselves part of a big game to redraw maps in the region to place 
it more firmly in American and Israeli hands.    They have been 
chosen to endure the pain Rice was talking about." 
 
 
¶7.  On 07/23, Kuwaiti columnist Dr. Shamlan Yousef Al-Eissa wrote 
the following in an unsigned editorial in the Abu Dhabi-based 
semi-official Arabic-language daily "Al-Ittihad" (circulation 
65,000): 
 
"Whatever its outcome, the Lebanese conflict will have a definitive 
impact on regional security.  Most likely Iran will emerge with 
greater influence.  Prior to this war, the Gulf criticized Iran for 
its efforts to frustrate U.S. efforts in Iraq.  But now, with 
support for Hezbollah on the rise around the region, sympathy for 
Iran has also grown, as demonstrated by demonstrations in Bahrain 
and Kuwait... Anti-Americanism will be another product of this 
conflict.  The hatred for U.S. policies that once pervaded primarily 
in the Levant is now spreading to the Gulf, and is evident in Kuwait 
where demonstrators have chosen to burn the American flag.  The 
Kuwaitis, who once had such a close relationship with the United 
States, are now openly criticizing its policies in Lebanon and 
Palestine.  Is this the beginning of a new wave of anti-Americanism 
in the Gulf?  In the end, these new public sentiments and public 
outrage over the impotence of Arab regimes may finally urge 
individuals to join political organizations and work for liberation 
and the restoration of Arab dignity!" 
 
 
¶8.   Under the headline "What new Middle East?", the Abu Dhabi-based 
Arabic-language daily "Akhbar Al-Arab" (circulation 20,000) 
published the following in an 07/23 unsigned editorial: 
 
"Secretary Rice sacrifices her ability to conduct public diplomacy 
when she talks of the birth of a new Middle East from the 
humanitarian disasters in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the senseless 
violence in Palestine and Lebanon.  The U.S. Secretary has only one 
perspective of the conflict: that of military victory for Washington 
and its ally in Israel, with no consideration for the feelings of 
the Arabs and Muslims who are increasingly angry over U.S. policies 
and the United States' support for Israel.  Ultimately Rice sees 
these developments as an opportunity for the Arab and Muslim people 
to surrender to the U.S.-Israeli plan to make Israel the dominant 
power in the region." 
 
SISON