VZCZCXRO8140
OO RUEHDE RUEHDIR
DE RUEHAD #0103/01 0251317
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 251317Z JAN 07
FM AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8095
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 1150
RHRMDAB/COMUSNAVCENT
RHWSMRC/MCF01 SACCS USCINCCENT MACDILL AFB FL

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ABU DHABI 000103 
 
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 ERELI 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OIIP KMDR TC
SUBJECT:  SPECIAL MEDIA REACTION: VISIT OF UNDER SECRETARY BURNS TO 
UAE 
 
¶1.  Summary:  Print and electronic media gave extensive coverage to 
the visit of Under Secretary Nicolas Burns to the UAE January 22-23. 
¶2007.  The Arabic and English print media prominently carried photos 
and news agency story of  Ambassador Burns meeting with Mohammed Bin 
Rashid (1/23) and Mohammed Bin Zayed (1/22).  Media also carried 
lengthy excerpts of U/S Burns' remarks during a press conference at 
the Gulf Research Center, Dubai.  In addition to the press 
conference, Ambassador Burns also conducted four TV interviews.  End 
summary. 
 
¶2.  Electronic media coverage of U/S Nicolas Burns in UAE, Regional 
and International Media outlets included: 
 
Dubai-based Radio Sawa carried lengthy excerpts of U/S Burns's press 
remarks.  Excerpts centered mainly on the Under Secretary's focus on 
Iran's nuclear program, Lebanon and the new strategy in Iraq.  Radio 
Sawa started using the remarks at 3:00 p.m. twice an hour till 8:00 
p.m. 
 
Dubai Television carried U/S Burns' interview during the main 
evening newscast at 10:00 p.m.  This included excerpts on Lebanon, 
Iraq, and the Iranian nuclear program and the dangers it poses to 
regional and international stability. Newscast re-broadcasted at 
01:00 a.m. 
 
Al-Arabiya started using excerpts of the Under Secretary's remarks 
in their newscasts and news summaries as of the 8:00 p.m. news 
bulletin on January 23, running through afternoon Jan. 24.  Excerpts 
covered wide range of issues ranging from Iraq, Iran, Middle East 
peace and Lebanon.  The full 20-minute interview will be carried in 
its entirety on January 25. 
 
CNN carried the entire transcript of their interview on their Arabic 
website "cnnarabic.com" and carried it also on the CNN wire. 
 
BBC World advised that the interview will be carried in their 
Business Asia program on Saturday, January 27. 
 
¶3.  Arabic and English print media prominently covered Ambassador 
Burns' meeting with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid on 23/1 and Muhammad 
Bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi 1/22, and excerpts of remarks 
made by Ambassador Burns during a press conference in Dubai. 
 
-- Under headline "Burns: "No US intention for a military 
confrontation with Iran"; He stressed US military forces will stay 
in Iraq and called for normalization with Israel", "Al-Ittihad" 
(circulation 65,000), Abu Dhabi-based Arabic semi-official daily, 
ran 1/24 coverage excerpts of Ambassador Burns from Dubai press 
conference: 
 
"Political Affairs Nicholas Burns asserted that his country did not 
have an intention to engage in a military confrontation with Iran, 
but rather intended to hold onto diplomacy to resolve the nuclear 
crisis, despite the security challenges posed by Iran to the 
countries of the region.  He called on the other Arab states to 
adhere to the option of peace in the Middle East and take serious 
steps towards normalization of relations with Israel for the sake of 
stability in the region.  He also confirmed that his country took 
the difficult choice in Iraq by insisting on committing itself to 
its responsibilities to the Iraqi government...  He said: "We are 
aware that the region is very sensitive and complicated and that the 
solution to their problems needs patience, patience and hard 
work"...  He pointed out that the United States does not dictate 
conditions but rather comes to consult and listen to their partners 
and friends.  On the Iranian nuclear danger: "The leaders of the 
region asked us to search for peaceful ways to resolve the 
international crisis with Iran, and this is what we have done when 
we shifted the issue to the Security Council.  If we had wanted a 
military option, we would not have resorted to the Security 
Council"...  On the role that the United States anticipates from the 
United Arab Emirates in the Iranian case, Burns praised the depth of 
friendship and cooperation that has characterized US-UAE relations, 
and stressed that the wisdom of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al 
Nahyan still guides the wisdom of the US leaders in dealing with the 
issues of the region.  He expressed his admiration for the bright 
economic and social progress witnessed in the country, which brings 
it up to the level of the most prosperous countries in the world. 
 
ABU DHABI 00000103  002 OF 003 
 
 
He confirmed once again the United States' support for the security 
of Israel and urged the Arab countries to take serious steps towards 
normalization.  He added "Israel wants to live in peace.  It is a 
true US partner and must also be a partner with Arabs". 
 
 
-- Under headline "Burns: 'American policy challenges: Iraq, 
Lebanon, Iran and the security of Israel'",   "Al-Khaleej" 
(circulation 90,000), Sharjah-based pan-Arab daily, ran 1/24 
coverage of excerpts of Ambassador Burns from Dubai  press 
conference: 
 
"Israel is a reality, the preservation of its security is an U.S. 
absolute commitment, and the Arabs must understand, and absorb the 
fact that America is the only country that has the capacity to deal 
with "Israel"and the Arab countries.  This was the message stresed 
by the third ranking official in the State Dpartment Nicholas 
Burns, the Under-Secretary of State, at a press conference held 
yesterday in theGulf Research Center in Dubai. Burns began his 
seech by paying tribute to the wisdom of Sheikh Zayd bin Sultan Al 
Nahyan, and the wise leadership f the United Arab Emirates, which 
has witnessed amazing structural, economic and cultural developmen, 
and he saed that generations of Americans hae benefited from the 
wise leadership of the UAE s there are over 700 American companies 
operatin in the UAE.  Burns explained that the vision of th 
American administration towards the challenges faced by the United 
States in the Middle East stems from these basic points: First is 
the security of the Gulf states, and the second is maintaining the 
security of "Israel".  Thus, American foreign policy seeks to 
strengthen ties with the Gulf States, and to establish security 
partnerships with the coordination of a group of regional countries 
that want peace, security and stability, such as Egypt and Jordan. 
He said: "There are four challenges for the American administration 
in the Middle East, including:  The first is in Iraq: The United 
States and its allies should assist the Iraqi government to overcome 
the horror of war and sectarian strife. This task can not be 
abandoned by the American administration; it should assist the 
Iraqis to regain the basic elements of security.  This task requires 
the contribution of Arab countries, the European Union and Iraq's 
neighbors, especially Iran and Syria. It is not reasonable for the 
US to abandon this task because the consequences of this would be 
disastrous, and the price will be high.  The second challenge is in 
Lebanon:  The American administration believes that it has to 
support Siniora's government against those who demonstrate against 
it in the streets in order to topple it by turning against 
democracy.  We must make efforts to prevent the Lebanese people from 
living a new war, like the harsh war they suffered during summer 
¶2006. Burns said he did not believe that the Siniora government will 
fall.  The third challenge is the security of "Israel":  Israel's 
security and the establishment of a Palestinian state are 
complicated issues; the American administration is committed to 
Israel's security and the Arabs must help the US administration to 
achieve peace, and this is what the Secretary of State Condoleezza 
Rice has stressed in recent times.  We would like to see a 
democratic Palestinian government.  I was in "Israel", and met with 
officials, including the Palestinians, Mahmoud Abbas.  I also met 
with Ehud Olmert, and it was clear to me that the "Israelis" want 
peace, but they need international and regional support that would 
remove their security concerns and fears.  Syria and Iran should 
stop supporting radical groups, and should promote negotiations to 
reach a solution on this complex problem.  If moderation did not 
happen, the consequences will be as is the case in Iraq.  The fourth 
challenge is Iran:  Iran has potential human and economic 
capabilities and large oil wealth, but radicalism made Tehran a 
"central bank for terrorism" in the Middle East.   The policy of 
exporting extremism is not in the interest of the Gulf region, and 
Iran should understand that by this policy, it further isolates 
itself.  Since 1979, we have not negotiated with Iran, but we are 
working with China, Russia and the European Union to persuade Iran 
to halt its nuclear activity. Secretary Rice said in Kuwait that the 
American administration is willing to sit down with the Iranians and 
discuss uranium enrichment, and she offered the United States' 
support to assist Iran to build a reactor to produce peaceful 
nuclear energy.  He added that for the last four and a half months, 
Iran has been rejecting all efforts to solve this problem, ignoring 
appeals from El Baradei, Russia, China and many other countries. 
Finally, the Security Council imposed economic sanctions on Iran, 
 
ABU DHABI 00000103  003 OF 003 
 
 
which can not withstand the existing isolation like North Korea. 
The Arabs want the United States to find a way to deal with Iran's 
nuclear issue, and the Gulf States do not want to see Iran become a 
dominating force.  Burns said Washington has no interest in a 
military confrontation with Tehran, but Iran must understand that 
the US has its interests, the Gulf States have their interests, and 
European countries also have their interests.  This is why the 
United States sent two aircraft carriers and reinforced its military 
capabilities in the region.  Iran financed Hezbollah, Hamas, and the 
Islamic Jihad and it seeks to ignite unrest and violence, but it 
must understand that America would protect and defend its interests 
in this vital part of the world. 
 
 
--  Under headline "Assistant Secretary of State stresses preventing 
Iranian nuclear power; Burns: "The United States will not intervene 
militarily in Lebanon in support of the government", "Al-Bayan" 
(circulation 85,000), Dubai-based Arabic daily, ran 1/24 excerpts 
from Dubai press conference: 
 
"Nicholas Burns, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, 
ruled out the possibility of the United States intervening 
militarily in Lebanon to save the government of Fouad Siniora in the 
event of its collapse under the escalating pressure of the 
opposition.  He said that Washington supports Siniora's government, 
and encourages the Lebanese to work together for the reform of 
Lebanon's economic situation and the rebuilding of the nation and 
society.  He asserted that the United States is determined to 
prevent Iran's acquisition of nuclear weapons.  He also said that 
Washington was not willing to enter into a military confrontation 
with Iran, but it will not allow Tehran to possess nuclear weapons 
that would threaten the security and stability of the region, and 
kept the door open to an unconditional negotiation between Iran and 
the international community.  He stressed the seriousness of the 
Iranian quest to possess nuclear technology as this would give Iran 
the possession of nuclear deterrence, and hence would pose a threat 
to the Gulf States.  On the issue of Iraq, Burns pointed out that 
the cessation of the conflict and the sectarian fighting between 
Sunnis and Shiites in Iraq is the top priority of the American 
administration in the current period, in addition to government 
support for the strengthening of security and the imposition of 
state control, and the dismantling of the Shiite militia which 
ignites the flames of sedition and threaten the unity of Iraq.  On 
the Palestinian issue, Burns said that President George W. Bush is 
the first American president to undertake the establishment of an 
independent Palestinian state, and put ensuring peace and solving 
the Arab-Israeli conflict at the forefront of political priorities, 
despite the fact that this promise is not easy or feasible, but 
needs sincere efforts from all parties." 
 
¶4.  There were no editorials or comments on Under-Secretary Burns' 
remarks in any of the UAE media. 
 
Sison 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SMR 25 Jan 2007           UNCLASSIFIED