VZCZCXRO7876
PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHKUK RUEHROV
DE RUEHMS #0599/01 2381229
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 251229Z AUG 08
FM AMEMBASSY MUSCAT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9876
INFO RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 0556
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0444

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MUSCAT 000599 
 
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:   State daily "Oman" commented on the release of 200 
Palestinian prisoners, it was surprising that there were Palestinian 
personalities revealed their identities and ideological belonging. 
"Oman" also stressed the importance of Iraqi stability for the 
region. Private daily "Al-Watan" hailed the courage of international 
human rights activists who sailed this week to Gaza. END SUMMARY 
 
----------------------------------- 
PRISONER RELEASE: "DANGEROUS GAMES" 
----------------------------------- 
 
¶2. On August 21, "Oman" (government-owned Arabic daily, circulation 
38,000) called for Palestinians to remain vigilant against Israeli 
plans to divide their ranks.  "The release of Palestinian Prisoners 
of War and the Dangers of Israeli Games": 
 
"All must welcome any Israeli step releasing Palestinian prisoners 
of war, alleviation of repressive practices in the occupied 
Palestinian territory, or evacuation of any occupied lands; these 
ultimately fall in the Palestinians interest and its cause, the 
central issue for all Arabs. However, it is important to keep 
vigilant in the fact of Israeli tactics and games, which are 
designed to divide the Palestinian people. It is surprising that the 
Israeli decision to release 200 Palestinian prisoners of war became 
controversial within Palestinian movements and factions,  aligning 
individual detainees to this faction or another.  This is what Tel 
Aviv wants to distract the Palestinians with, remembering that 
Israel has always been happy to know their tactics have succeeded in 
compromising Palestinian unity and increasing divisions.  Now the 
responsibility actually falls on the Palestinians to deprive Israel 
of this opportunity." 
 
-------------------------- 
BREAKING THE GAZA BLOCKADE 
-------------------------- 
 
¶3. Private daily "Al Watan" (circulation 42,000) On August 24 
wrote about the effort of various international human rights and 
peace activists to halt Israeli practices against the Palestinians, 
asking "Is it the End of Israeli Influence?": 
 
"Israel finally bowed to international pressure, in the form of a 
group of peace activists aboard small boats, allowing them to enter 
Gaza, the first gesture of its kind that breaks the blockade imposed 
by Israel.  Now comes the chance for others from various countries 
around the world to say no to Israeli arrogance.  This is another 
example of people willing to sacrifice their lives for the sake of 
peace in Palestine, recalling the examples of American activist 
Rachel Corrie and the British journalist James Miller, who both were 
killed by Israel.  Despite the release of the British journalist 
Allan Johnson who was detained by the Palestinians in compliance 
with the international community's demands, Israel continues to 
tirelessly describe the Palestinians as terrorists in all 
international forums.  Also, the Israelis recently filed lawsuits 
against Bank China for allegedly supporting terrorism by 
transferring funds to Palestinian factions. However, China ignored 
the Israeli accusation, a defeat of Israeli claims against any 
state, group, or organization of civil societies that support the 
Palestinian people in their just cause. In addition, we cannot 
overlook the significance of the Russian declaration of willingness 
to arm Syria in response to the Israeli militarization of Georgia." 
 
--------------------------------- 
STABILITY FOR IRAQ AND THE REGION 
--------------------------------- 
 
¶4. "Oman" on August 24 expressed hope for Iraqi-American talks and 
suggested that all Iraqi parties unify for the benefit results of 
their people, the stability of Iraq, and the whole region. 
"Iraqi-American Talks and Maintaining the Stability of Iraq": 
 
"Recently there have been controversies among Iraqi parties about 
the ongoing negotiations between the Iraqi government and America on 
the future of U.S. forces in Iraq and different ideas on 
Iraqi-American relations and what would be agreed. Taking into 
account that the agreement between Iraq and the U.S. or other 
countries is an Iraqi internal affair - especially if it relates to 
its present and future - it is widely known that the various 
developments in Iraq will affect one way or another the overall 
situation of the Arab Gulf, states which are still suffering from 
the consequences of the attack on Iraq in 2003... Several regional 
and international parties show great interest in what is going on 
Iraq, not because of its economic and oil (Iraq's huge wealth), but 
because of its vital location and the role that Iraq plays, which 
have significant impact on events in the region.  Regardless of the 
nature of the Iraqi-American talks, which Washington pointed out are 
 
MUSCAT 00000599  002 OF 002 
 
 
continuous and meant to reach an agreement in the coming period, it 
is important and necessary that various Iraqi parties, without 
exception, ensure not only best results from these talks, but also 
the largest degree of national consensus about the present and 
future, toward a ways of building a new Iraq in the interest of all 
Iraqis." 
 
GRAPPO