VZCZCXRO7607
PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHKUK RUEHROV
DE RUEHMS #0550 2101205
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 281205Z JUL 08
FM AMEMBASSY MUSCAT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9819
INFO RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 0553
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0441

UNCLAS MUSCAT 000550 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR NEA/ARP, NEA/PPD, NEA/PI, INR/R/MR, NEA/SA/EX/PMO 
LONDON FOR NEA WATCHER 
PARIS FOR NEA WATCHER 
FOREIGN PRESS CENTER FOR NEA WATCHER 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OIIP KPAO KMDR MU
SUBJECT: OMAN MEDIA REACTION 
 
¶1. SUMMARY:   Government-daily "Oman" praised the Arab League's 
support for Sudan's proposal to form special human rights courts, 
calling for more strong action by Arabs in Sudan's defense against 
the ICC.  Private daily "Al Watan" said that U.S. presidential 
candidate Barack Obama's statements show that U.S. support for 
Israel at the expense of Arabs would continue if he becomes 
president.  "Oman" also stated that recent peace signals from Israel 
and the U.S. are being undercut by their actions.  END SUMMARY. 
 
--------------------------------------------- - 
Sudan's Special Courts: "A Fair Arab Solution" 
--------------------------------------------- - 
 
¶2. On July 24, government-owned Arabic daily "Oman" (circulation 
38,000) hailed the Arab League's support for Sudan's proposal to 
establish special human rights courts to counter recent 
International Criminal Court (ICC) action against Sudanese President 
Omar al-Bashir.  According to "Sudan and the Special Courts": 
 
"Sudan's establishment of special courts to prosecute human rights 
violations seems a fair Arab solution to the crisis between Sudan 
and the ICC.  This is an Arab response to the targeting of an Arab 
leader.  It is clear in this case that there are powers trying to 
target Sudan's unity, its economy and politics.  This is an 
unprecedented crisis; therefore, it is natural that it is dealt with 
through strong and clear action by Arabs.  The challenges that face 
Arab leaders and the Arab world are becoming more complicated. 
Arabs must take strong actions, actions beyond just issuing 
recommendations, denunciations and condemnations." 
 
---------------------------------- 
"Arab Initiatives Will Never Work" 
---------------------------------- 
 
¶3.  Private Arabic daily "Al Watan" (circulation 42,000) on July 25 
expressed pessimism at the prospects of a Barack Obama presidency, 
asserting he will continue U.S. support for Israel at the expense of 
Arabs.  "Obama and Practical Advice to the Arabs" says: 
 
"The Democratic candidate for the U.S. presidency Barack Obama 
provided further proof that specific interests drive his policy. 
Previously, he talked about Jerusalem as the capital of two states, 
which made the Jews rebel against him.  Later, in his visit to 
Jerusalem, he withdrew that statement and instead said what the 
Israelis wanted to hear: that Jerusalem must remain the united 
capital of Israel.  Unfortunately, Obama has tried hard to deny any 
connection to Islam, while doing his best to suggest that he 
supports Israel.  All this means that American support to the 
Israelis will not stop, and Arab initiatives will never work." 
 
------------------------------------------- 
Actions Undercut "Advertisements for Peace" 
------------------------------------------- 
 
¶4. On July 26, government-owned "Oman" said that recent peace 
overtures by the U.S. and Israel are being undercut by their 
actions.  According to "Peace Signs and Practices of War": 
"Israel has recently sent several peace signals.  The first one was 
talk of indirect negotiations with Syria.  Then came talk of peace 
for the Palestinians through Condoleezza Rice's statements in 
Australia.  Finally came the prisoner exchange with Hezbollah.   In 
addition, an American official sat for the first time with an 
Iranian to discuss the nuclear issue.  However, in reality, recent 
actions do not match these advertisements of peace.  In a recent 
vote by the Knesset, we saw the difficulties of a withdrawal from 
the Golan Heights.  Israel's daily violations of Lebanese airspace 
and incursions over the border can ignite and complicate the 
situation with Hezbollah.  And, British, American and French 
training maneuvers with Israeli participation warn of negative 
consequences." 
 
GRAPPO