VZCZCXRO7020
OO RUEHDE
DE RUEHAD #3947/01 2851220
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 121220Z OCT 06
FM AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7298
RUENAAA/SECNAV WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHDC PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NSC WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 1123
RHRMDAB/COMUSNAVCENT
RHWSMRC/MCF01 SACCS USCINCCENT MACDILL AFB FL

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ABU DHABI 003947 
 
SIPDIS 
 
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: NORTH KOREA/UAE ELECTIONS/IRAQ 
 
¶1.  Summary:  A columnist in "Al-Bayan" opines that the main reason 
why the U.S. is concerned with North Korea's nuclear experiment is 
the fear of it leaking this technology to the Middle East like Syria 
or Iran.  Al Khaleej editorialized that what the U.S. fears most is 
the emergence of a nuclear Japan.  A UAE columnist in "Al-Khaleej" 
believes that the electoral lists in the UAE have caused a division 
between its citizens because 98% of the population did not have the 
right to vote.  "Al-Bayan" urges Iraqis to unite together and not 
rely on the U.S. because America is only concerned with achieving 
its oil and military interests in spite of its false words about 
democracy.  End Summary. 
 
¶2. A columnist, Ahmed Omarabi, wrote a 10/12 op-ed in Dubai-based 
Arabic daily "Al-Bayan," (circulation 85,000): 
 
"It is understood that George W. Bush got very angry upon hearing of 
North Korea's successful nuclear experiment.  It is equally 
understood that Japan, which has no military deterrence, even in the 
traditional concept, will panic.  But I do not see a good reason and 
one that would inconvenience Arabs and Muslims.  On the contrary, 
the Arabs and Muslims should rejoice...  The real American fear is 
from North Korea exporting its technology and manufacturing 
equipment for nuclear weapons to Arab and Islamic countries. 
International security is not at the top of the concerns of the 
American administration, but the first and greatest preoccupation is 
the security of Israel...  What can the American President do 
towards North Korea?   Nothing.  The Bush administration has called 
on the Security Council to "move immediately"...  It is 
inconceivable that the result will be a decision to launch an 
international comprehensive military campaign because it is risky. 
It is most likely that the Security Council will accept the 
imposition of economic sanctions, but this will not change the fact 
that North Korea has become a nuclear power.  It is impossible to 
push the wheel back. Also remember that the UN has already adopted a 
resolution to that effect; the result was zero...  American alarm 
should be matched by Arab and Islamic joy." 
 
¶3.  Under the headline "Washington's other objectives", 
Sharjah-based Pan-Arab daily "Al-Khaleej" (circulation 90,000) wrote 
in a 10/12 op-ed: 
 
"North Korea's nuclear test did actually bother the U.S.  That is 
not because North Korea is a threat to the U.S.  That country knows 
that the U.S. can wipe it out if it (North Korea) used the nuclear 
weapons.  Washington is bothered for other reasons, some are 
important and some are more important.  The North Korean test made 
the U.S. lose credibility on the nuclear issue, both the Iranian 
issue the "Israeli" issue.  It is becoming difficult for the U.S. to 
use the Iranian issue for political purposes.  Israel's issue shows 
the American double standard policies...  The real concern, however, 
was clear when the U.S. administration declared that any attack on 
Japan will be considered an attack on the U.S.  What the U.S. fears 
most is the emergence of a nuclear Japan, not because Japan might 
take revenge.  That is not likely.  But rather because a nuclear 
Japan will make Japan strong enough to confront the U.S. policies. 
That will make Japan's economic and foreign policies based on 
Japan's interest, and not necessarily in agreement with the 
interests of the U.S." 
 
 
¶4. Dubai-based Arabic daily "Al-Bayan," (circulation 85,000) stated 
in the following editorial on 10/11: 
 
"Korea's experiment surprised the world. Condemnations rolled from 
every side and, of course, considering that this action constitutes 
a threat to international peace and security, the United States 
moved quickly to impose sanctions on Pyongyang through the UN 
Security Council.  All of this is understandable and it is 
legitimate to have concerns but it should also be expected, if not 
from Korea, than from some other country.  The nuclear problem, in a 
historical context, stems from beyond Korea, and even Iran.  That is 
because the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons is 
distorted with selectivity and double-standard policies and hence 
caused violations...  Russia has 15,700 nuclear warheads, Israel 
alone has 200 bombs.  The world needs to get out of this nuclear 
madness rather than coexist with it." 
 
¶5.  Under the headline "The Chosen list of the UAE people", a UAE 
 
ABU DHABI 00003947  002 OF 002 
 
 
columnist, Dr. Abdul Khaleq Abdulla, wrote a 10/10 op-ed in 
Sharjah-based Pan-Arab daily "Al-Khaleej" (circulation 90,000): 
 
"When 6,689 UAE citizens will go to the polls this December, more 
than 300,000 UAE citizens will be merely observers and spectators 
who will watch silently in pain.  The UAE community has been 
inadvertently divided into a tiny lucky minority (2%) and an 
absolute majority (98%) that is deprived from exercising its 
electoral right.  Until yesterday, everyone was equal in not 
exercising his electoral rights, but now, political equality has 
dropped and new layers have emerged: UAE's chosen people against 
UAE's non-chosen people.  This is why, the joy that came from the 
announcement of the electoral body list and the setting of a date 
for elections to choose half the members of the National Council is 
incomplete and raises thorny question as to why 2% will exercise 
their electoral rights while 98% of the sons and daughters of the 
United Arab Emirates will not?  What distinguishes members of the 
electoral list?  Are they more prepared and mature in exercising 
their electoral rights?  Do they care more for their homeland than 
other UAE citizens do?  Are they more faithful to their leadership? 
Either everyone exercises this right or no one practices it.  The 
right of elections is the right of all men and women, whether 
educated or not, whether rich or poor, or whether official or 
businessman. There isn't any convincing justification for excluding 
anyone from exercising his electoral right". 
 
¶6. Under the headline "Iraq between Baker's committee and Mecca's 
conciliation", Dubai-based Arabic daily "Al-Bayan," (circulation 
85,000) wrote in a 10/10 editorial: 
 
"Washington endeavors to maintain its dignity and guarantee the 
protection of its vital military, oil and strategic interests in the 
region first and foremost.  This is regardless of any words of 
freedom and democracy and while adopting the formula that will meet 
its priorities.  The unity of Iraq's territory and its people is the 
responsibility of the Iraqis.  No one can help get this done except 
Iraqis, if and only if they become firm in this regard.  Their 
neighboring countries should also assist them because the knife, 
once it penetrates Iraq's body, will have no mercy on anyone coming 
its way." 
 
QUINN