VZCZCXRO9667
PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHKUK
DE RUEHMS #1222 2261226
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 141226Z AUG 06
FM AMEMBASSY MUSCAT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7018
INFO RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 0428
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0321
RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL

UNCLAS MUSCAT 001222 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR NEA/ARP, NEA/PPD, NEA/PI, AND INR/R/MR 
STATE PASS USTR FOR N. MOORJANI, J. BUNTIN 
LONDON FOR TSOU 
PARIS FOR ZEYA 
USCENTCOM FOR PLUSH 
FOREIGN PRESS CENTER FOR SILAS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OIIP KPAO KMDR MU
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: POLITICAL IMPLICATIONS OF 
UN RESOLUTION 1701 
 
¶1.  SUMMARY: Government daily "Oman" is skeptical that UN 
Resolution 1701 meets Arab demands, but also says the resolution 
"restores hope for peace."  Private daily "Al Watan" hails the 
Lebanese military "victory" against Israel, but is wary that 
Israel's "manipulations" will reduce the potency of that success. 
END SUMMARY. 
 
-------- 
COVERAGE 
-------- 
 
¶2. Israeli-Hezbollah combat continued to dominate coverage in 
both Oman's English and Arabic-language press this week, with 
significant space devoted to graphic images of dead and wounded 
Lebanese civilians.  Funerals of Israeli soldiers were also 
highlighted in large, often front-page pictures. 
 
--------------------------------------------- ------------- 
BLOCK QUOTES: UN RESOLUTION 1701 "RESTORES HOPE FOR PEACE" 
--------------------------------------------- ------------- 
 
¶2. In its August 13 editorial, government-owned daily "Oman" 
(circulation 38,000) commented on the prospect of "Light at the 
End of the Lebanese Tunnel": 
 
"UN Security Council Resolution 1701 restores hope for peace in 
Lebanon. Though the resolution called for an immediate ceasefire, 
Israeli forces continued their military assaults against various 
areas in Lebanon, neglecting the international community's strong 
desire to stop the bloodbath... A ceasefire would give 
humanitarian organizations a chance to reach places that need aid 
but cannot be reached under fire.  Such an agreement opens new 
horizons for both countries to address the main causes of the 
conflict and pave the way for establishing a lasting peace for 
Lebanon and the region as a whole." 
 
---------------------------- 
RESOLUTION 1701 "UNBALANCED" 
---------------------------- 
 
¶3. "Oman" was more skeptical about Resolution 1701 in its August 
14 editorial, "Will a Ceasefire Succeed in Lebanon?": 
 
"Some parties believe that UN Security Council Resolution 1701 is 
unbalanced because it does not meet some Lebanese demands such as 
the exchange of Lebanese and Palestinian detainees, the issue of 
Shebaa farms, and Israel's immediate withdrawal from south 
Lebanon. Although many Arab officials do not believe that the 
resolution satisfies Arab demands, they support the Lebanese 
government's sovereignty within its borders." 
 
-------------------------- 
A "GREAT LEBANESE VICTORY" 
-------------------------- 
 
¶4. On August 14 "Al-Watan" (privately owned daily, circulation 
42,000) analyzed how the implementation of Resolution 1701 could 
benefit the Lebanese: 
 
"Lebanon will face a diplomatic war that attempts to grant Israel 
a victory it didn't win on the battlefield... Interpretations and 
manipulations of Resolution 1701 could leave it without 
substance.  The first such interpretation was by Israel's foreign 
minister, who claimed that the resolution demands Hezbollah's 
disarmament, disregarding that Hezbollah is a vital element in 
Lebanon's power structure.  This great Lebanese victory will 
dissolve all sectarian differences between Sunnis and Shiites, 
and Muslims and Christians.  All are now Lebanese citizens 
confronted with Israel's belligerent aggression, committed on 
behalf of the U.S. for its interests and imperial ambitions. 
After the cessation of hostilities it should be clear who is 
holding the strings in this puppet show... Lebanon serves as an 
example to military academies and strategists on how national 
resistance without air or naval cover or armored vehicles could 
gain a sweeping victory against the fourth most powerful army in 
the world." 
 
GRAPPO