VZCZCXRO8187
OO RUEHDE RUEHDIR
DE RUEHRH #0792/01 1410444
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 200444Z MAY 08
FM AMEMBASSY RIYADH
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8418
RUEHJI/AMCONSUL JEDDAH PRIORITY 9557
RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 2891
RUEHDE/AMCONSUL DUBAI PRIORITY 0846
RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 RIYADH 000792 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR NEA/PPD (DBENZE, PAGNEW); INR/R/MR; INR/NESA, RRU-NEA; 
NEA/ARP (BMCGRATH); NEA/RA; PA; R 
WHITE HOUSE FOR PRESS OFFICE; NSC 
LONDON FOR SREEBNY 
DUBAI FOR PELLETIER 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL KMDR KPAO KDEM SA
SUBJECT:  Saudi Arabia:  Media Reaction to President and Mrs. Laura 
Bush's May 16-17 Riyadh Visit 
 
RIYADH 00000792  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
¶1.  Summary:  Editorials pinpointed three major themes during 
President Bush's recent visit: (1) the Middle East Peace Process, 
(2) regional security, and (3) oil production and energy security. 
News stories reporting the visit filled the front pages of all Saudi 
dailies.  The First Lady's separate visit to King Fahd Medical City 
to promote the U.S.-Saudi partnership to combat breast cancer also 
attracted wide media attention.  End summary. 
 
¶2.  Key Headlines: 
 
- "Bush Supports Israel with 300 Million Americans and Ignores 
Establishment of a Palestinian State Before the End of His Term" 
Al-Watan (05/16) 
 
- "In-Depth Talks Between King Abdullah and President Bush in 
Al-Janadriya Today.  The Kingdom: Settlement of the Palestinian 
Issue Ends Expansion of Extremists" Al-Jazira (05/16) 
 
- "Saudi-American Summit Strengthens Nuclear and Technical 
Cooperation" Al-Watan (05/17) 
 
- "King Abdullah and Bush Hold Comprehensive and Frank Talks over 
Crises in the Region" Al-Hayat (05/17) 
 
¶3.  Editorials: 
 
Middle East Peace Process 
 
- In "A Visit to Support the 'Rapist'", Abha-based moderate Al-Watan 
(05/15) wrote "President Bush has a habit of provoking normal Arab 
citizens every time he shows up in the Middle East.  His recent 
provocation was his visit to Israel not searching for a solution to 
a 60 year crisis, but to provide support to the 'rapist' in an 
anniversary of making a whole nation homeless." 
 
- In "Bush's Visit to the Region: You Don't Harvest Grapes When You 
Plant Thorns", Al-Watan (05/16) wrote, "We do not understand how you 
can enlist the support of (Arab) political leaders when Arab public 
opinion today completely rejects any initiatives by President Bush 
because of his obvious support for Israel and his repeated 
expressions of animosity toward the Palestinians... It is not 
anticipated that President Bush will offer something new on the 
negotiation table but what will happen is a presentation of a 
political game that the Palestinians will not accept and eventually 
they will be blamed for delaying the peace process." 
 
- Jeddah-based, moderate Al-Bilad (05/16) wrote, "President Bush and 
western leaders participate in celebrations of this 'rapist' entity 
at the expense of the legitimate rights of the Palestinians.  This 
represents total shame and defeat for the international community 
and shows the U.S. and the West's endorsement of injustice." 
 
- In "The U.S.-Saudi Relationship and Arab Security", Riyadh's 
moderate Al-Jazira (05/17) wrote, "Saudi Arabia's relationship with 
the U.S. is considered to be a channel contributing to Arab 
stability and security...Now there are a number of common issues 
Riyadh and Washington focus on, mainly the Palestinian issue and 
Israel's inflexibility in peace negotiations, which have wasted a 
lot of international peace efforts including the Annapolis 
conference." 
 
- In "Bush and the Big Lie Theory", English language daily Saudi 
Gazette (5/17) wrote "If the U.S. still harbors any doubts as to why 
it is the object of so much resentment emanating from the Mideast, 
it needs only a look to President George W. Bush's speech to the 
Knesset to get a good idea.  Most galling, however, not only to the 
majority of people in the Mideast but, no doubt, to a good many in 
America, as well, Bush had the audacity to call Israel the 'homeland 
for the chosen people'...If a certain people are the 'chosen ones,' 
then logic dictates that the rest of us are not...his particular 
brand of moral bankruptcy was on full display when he made only 
passing mention of a Palestinian state in his vision of the region 
60 years hence." 
 
- In "Unyielding Vision and Firm Positions", Jeddah-based 
conservative Al-Madina (05/18) wrote "The Kingdom, which understands 
the unique relationship between the U.S. and Israel and its 
political ramifications, always tries to use its friendship with 
Washington to advance the Palestinian cause.  This friendship, 
however, did not prevent the Kingdom from expressing its positions 
 
RIYADH 00000792  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
and views toward the criminal Israeli practices against the 
Palestinians." 
 
Regional Security 
 
- In "Iran and Hezbollah are Top Priorities of Bush's Visit", 
moderate Al-Bilad (05/15) wrote, "Indications show we are headed 
towards a military escalation with the imminent arrival of two U.S. 
Aircraft Carriers to the Gulf.  Another easy [target] would be to 
extend an additional strike against Hezbollah in Lebanon." 
 
- In "Bush's Democracy and Arab's Sufferings", Al-Riyadh (05/19) 
wrote, "The U.S. openly contributed to suppressing freedom in 
Palestine, destroyed the unity of Iraq, and created constant 
disorder in Somalia and Sudan." 
 
- In "Nuclear Equilibrium Is the Best Option", Al-Bilad (05/19) 
wrote, "Nuclear power in the future must be possessed by new powers 
other than Israel and Iran, ones that enjoy wisdom in 
decision-making and the ability of self restraint.  No doubt, the 
GCC countries are qualified to undertake this role... This power has 
two wings [targets]; the first directed to Iran and the other 
directed to Israel." 
 
Oil Production and Energy Security 
 
- In "Why Did Bush Come Again?", business daily Al-Eqtisadiah 
(05/18) wrote "Bush visited Saudi Arabia for the second time during 
the last five months to put final touches [on agreements] with King 
Abdullah on issues related to security and energy...The meeting 
between King Abdullah and President Bush resulted in two agreements 
one on security of [oil] facilities and another on nuclear energy." 
 
 
- In "The U.S.-Saudi Relationship", English language daily Saudi 
Gazette (05/18) wrote "The real reason behind the visit was to 
appeal to King Abdullah to increase oil production to bring down 
gasoline prices in the U.S.... This is the second time this year 
that Bush has asked King Abdullah to intercede and increase 
production...There are sound economic reasons for denying the U.S. 
request...The relationship between these two old allies, however, is 
not based entirely on oil.  There is a strong element of trust, an 
element that has been severely damaged by American behavior over the 
past seven years." 
 
¶4. First Lady Laura Bush's King Fahad Medical City Visit:  Saudi 
press devoted extensive and prominent coverage to the First Lady's 
visit to King Fahad Medical City.  Saudi Gazette (05/17) asserted 
breast cancer is no longer part of the Kingdom's traditional "don't 
tell anyone" culture. 
 
Key Headlines 
 
"Laura Bush Visits the King Fahad Medical City and Meets with Women 
Who Underwent Early Breast Cancer Screening" Al-Riyadh (05/18) 
 
"Laura Bush Learns About Results of Combating Breast Cancer" 
Al-Eqtisadiah (05/18) 
 
¶5. Conclusion and comment:  Editorials clearly reflect that popular 
skepticism for the Middle East Peace Process remains.  Some 
emphasize the special friendship between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, 
hoping this friendship will aid the Palestinian cause.  They also 
highlight Iran's destabilizing role in the region, Saudi Arabia's 
suspicion of its eastern neighbor, and the U.S. role in gulf 
security.  Finally, the excellent and positive coverage of Mrs. 
Bush's visit to support the U.S.-Saudi Arabia breast cancer 
partnership continues to resonate positively with Saudi audiences. 
End conclusion and comment. 
GFOELLER