VZCZCXRO5589
PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHKUK RUEHROV
DE RUEHMS #0843 3490517
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 140517Z DEC 08
FM AMEMBASSY MUSCAT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0202
INFO RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 0570
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0458

UNCLAS MUSCAT 000843 
 
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:  Omani dailies focused this week on the Mumbai attacks 
and transition of administrations.  Government daily "Oman" signaled 
that the Mumbai attacks require a united, international response to 
the evolving threat of terrorism.  Private Arabic daily "Al Watan" 
commented that American policy in the Middle East will not change 
under President Obama America's traditional interests in oil and 
Israel.  "Oman" challenged President Bush's claim that the Middle 
East is better off today than at the beginning of his 
administration.   END SUMMARY. 
 
-------------------------------------------- 
Cooperation on Terror "Necessary and Urgent" 
-------------------------------------------- 
 
¶2.  On November 29, government Arabic daily "Oman" (circulation 
38,000), called for a coordinated global effort to combat terrorism 
in the wake of the Mumbai attacks.  According to "Regional and 
International Cooperation is Necessary to Combat Terrorism": 
 
"Although India is going to get through this tragedy, we cannot 
ignore the games that are being played to ignite a war between India 
and its neighbor.  It is important to address the growing global 
concern of the spread of terrorist acts and associated crimes.  It 
has become necessary and urgent to work sincerely to expand 
cooperation and coordination among states to address terrorism and 
contain its repercussions.  The scope of the Mumbai attacks clearly 
shows that terrorist groups and the military tactics they use are 
evolving.  It is necessary to work at all levels to confront these 
groups for the stability and security of all people." 
 
------------------------------------------- 
"American Policy has One and Only One Face" 
------------------------------------------- 
 
¶3.  On December 2, private Arabic daily "Al Watan" (circulation 
42,000) predicated that American policy in the Middle East will not 
change under President Obama, explaining that America's interests in 
the region will always remain the same.  According to "American 
Policy has Only One Face": 
 
"Now that Barack Obama has been elected President, many wonder, 
'will American policy change towards the Middle East, particularly 
in Palestine, Iraq and Afghanistan?'  The history of Arab-American 
relations shows us that there is only one answer:  American policy 
has one and only one face.  American policies, be they Republican or 
Democratic, have not changed in the Middle East since World War II. 
The U.S. has always focused on oil, the security of Israel and, 
previously, protection from the expansion of communism.  American 
policy towards the Middle East will not change.  Israel is the only 
priority, central to U.S. strategy whether under Obama or McCain. 
Iraqis and Arabs should understand that America is operating 
according to its own interests, and not humanitarian or moral 
values.  It is time for Arabs to put their destinies in their own 
hands, and not to leave their lives and sovereignty to the interests 
of others." 
 
------------------------------ 
"Political and Economic Chaos" 
------------------------------ 
 
¶4. "Oman" on December 7 accused President Bush of continuing to lie 
about justifications for the Iraq war, challenging a statement 
attributed to the President that the Middle East is a better place 
now than when his administration began.  According to "When Will 
These Lies End?": 
 
"When the United Nations Security Council, as well as major regional 
powers like the European Union, grant a license to kill humans, to 
invade other countries, and to destroy infrastructure, it is natural 
for the world to fall into political and economic chaos.  The 
American President George W. Bush continues boldly to lie about the 
justifications of war against Iraq.  In fact, Bush states that he is 
going to leave his successor a better Middle East than what it was 
eight years ago.  It seems as if he is talking about a different 
Middle East than what its residents know today: one full of problems 
since he became President." 
GRAPPO