VZCZCXRO3773
OO RUEHDE RUEHDIR
DE RUEHAD #0317 0731114
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 131114Z MAR 08
FM AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0554
RHMFIUU/SECNAV WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NSC WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 1255
RHBVAKS/COMUSNAVCENT

UNCLAS ABU DHABI 000317 
 
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 SREEBNY 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OIIP KMDR TC
SUBJECT:  SPECIAL MEDIA REACTION:  ADMIRAL FALLON'S RESIGNATION 
 
 
¶1.  SUMMARY: 
 
UAE print and electronic media gave prominent coverage to the 
resignation of Admiral Fallon.  Editorials agree that Fallon's 
resignation means that the voice of reason in the American 
administration has been ousted and therefore a military 
confrontation with Iran sounds likely now. End Summary. 
 
 
¶2.  Editorial in Dubai-based Arabic daily "Al-Bayan" 3/13 headlined 
"Bush's adherence to the option of war": 
 
Following the catastrophic consequences of his war in Iraq, Bush 
insists that the war was right...and wants to pursue his policy 
regarding dealing with Iran.  This is what led to the resignation of 
Admiral Fallon.  Fallon wanted to quit before what he does not 
approve of occurs.  Fallon's departure is a clear indication that 
President Bush intends to engage in a war with Iran." 
 
¶3.  Unsigned editorial in Abu Dhabi-based Daily"Akhbar Al-Arab" 
noted: "Fallon's resignation represents a different voice from what is 
prevailing in the Bush Administration.  It is a voice that attempted 
to create some kind of a balance in the positions and policies that 
would restrain the president from unilaterally making the same kinds 
of decisions that have led the U.S. into quagmires in Iraq and 
Afghanistan.   Fallon's resignation indicates that the President 
Bush's administration has lost the voice of sanity and reason, as 
Hilary Clinton put it." 
 
 
QUINN