VZCZCXYZ0004
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHRH #0182/01 0290648
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 290648Z JAN 09
FM AMEMBASSY RIYADH
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9989
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY

UNCLAS RIYADH 000182 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR PA/PRS, NEA/ARP, AND NEA/PPD 
NEA/ARP PLEASE FLAG FOR NSC 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KPAO PGOV ECON SA
SUBJECT: SAUDI JOURNALISTS ON PRESIDENT'S AL-ARABIYA INTERVIEW 
 
REF: STATE 7500 
 
¶1.  PAS Riyadh spoke with six Saudi journalists and editors today on 
popular reaction to the POTUS interview with Al-Arabiya.  All of 
those contacted said that highlights of the interview were spreading 
widely on the street, and that the response was overwhelmingly 
positive.  One journalist who also teaches at King Abdulaziz 
University in Jeddah said that "he could definitely sense people's 
optimism," and a managing editor and journalist of 
internationally-distributed Al Hayat-which tends more than other 
Saudi media to be critical of US policy vis-`-vis Israel and the 
Palestinians-both evinced profound surprise and gratification that 
the President noted his experience with and familial connections to 
the Muslim world, saying that the interview went a long way toward 
"encouraging and reassuring people" that the US was serious about 
Mideast peace.  As noted in a previous message, the political editor 
of leading Saudi Arabic daily Okaz told us that reaction from his 
contacts has been "astonishingly positive." 
 
¶2.  Although editorial commentary has yet to appear, reportage in 
the Saudi print media was front page news today in all but 
internationally-distributed ASharq Al-Awsat and Al-Hayat.  Despite 
the comments of the Saudi Al-Hayat staff noted above, the paper 
itself had a terse, two-paragraph report on the interview on page 34 
of its Saudi edition that noted that the White House chose 
Al-Arabiya for the interview "among all the Arab and Muslim 
television stations in the world."  We believe this cryptic comment 
reflects local and Arab-world criticism of the Saudi-owned satellite 
station as exhibiting "a pro-Israel bias" during its coverage of the 
Gaza invasion, in which it consistently referred to Palestinian 
civilian casualties as being "killed" instead of "martyred."  (Our 
contacts have told us that Saudi religious conservatives routinely 
refer to  Al-Arabiya as "Al-Abreiyah"-Hebrew, a moniker that gained 
some popular traction here as popular anger over the destruction of 
Gaza mounted before the cease-fire.) 
 
¶3.  Comment:  It is clear that our contacts in the Saudi media and 
their extended network were surprised and disarmed by the 
President's remarks.  Recent op/eds have struck a largely negative 
or admonishing tone towards the US on the Palestinian-Israeli issue, 
warning that only real change in policy, not words, will bring peace 
to the region.  While we expect some of that hedging to reassert 
itself in commentary over the next few days, it is evident that on 
the emotional level (which is where most Saudis live most of the 
time) the President's remarks have generated renewed hope and 
interest in US leadership in a way that would have been unthinkable 
just a few days ago.  End comment. 
 
¶4.  Coverage of the POTUS interview by media: 
 
Al-Riyadh:  Front page wire story and local reporting under headline 
"Obama comments on Arab peace initiative: 'new partnership with Arab 
world without conditions.'"  Article features substantial portions 
of the interview inside the paper.  In an SPA article Prince Saud 
al-Faisal is the only commentator on the interview. 
 
Al-Watan:  Front page AFP coverage is of Saud al-Faisal's comments 
on the interview.  Pg. 5 headline (1/4 page story): "Obama: 
'Americans are not the enemy of Arabs and we have made mistakes 
sometimes and are not perfect.'" Subheading: "Washington is ready to 
extend a hand to Iran if it becomes more flexible."  Opening 
paragraph says that the new president is "extending a hand to the 
Muslim world" and threatening that his administration will "uproot 
terrorist organizations." 
 
ASharq Al-Awsat:  Coverage appears on pg. 5, after news about 
Mitchell's visit on pg. 4.   Top heading: "Obama says to Arab world 
'we have made some mistakes ... but Americans are not your enemy,'" 
with sub heading: "Saud al-Faisal confirms that Arabs will not have 
any reservations with engaging in productive dialogue about the 
peace initiative."  The article is brief, and connects the interview 
with Mitchell's visit, noting that Obama speaks to Arab world on the 
eve of Mitchell's visit. 
 
Al-Medina:  Front page; short AFP article: "Obama: 'King Abdullah's 
Initiative takes great courage.'"  Article continues on pg. 20, and 
features a picture of Obama and Hillary.  The Article quotes Obama's 
interview portions on engaging Iran; his positive approach to the 
Muslim world, and how he will continue to fight terrorism. 
 
Al-Eqtisadiah:  Front page wire story under headline, "Obama: 
'America's dependence on external oil exposes her to danger.'" 
Story continues on pg. 9 with a picture of Obama and Biden under 
same headline.   A quarter-page article focused on his energy plan. 
 
Okaz:  Reuters story leadline (only): "Obama: 'King Abdullah's peace 
initiative will help restore peace in the Middle East.'"  Coverage 
continues on pg. 17 with a short article on Obama speech (with a few 
quotes) and a fact sheet on King Abdullah's "Arab initiative." 
Al-Jazeera:  Front page wire story features picture of Obama and 
King Abdullah under the headline "Obama announcing attempts to 
revisit peace in the region: 'King Abdullah's peace initiative took 
great courage.'"  The accompanying article is short and positive, 
noting Obama singing the praises of King Abdullah. 
 
Arab News:  Front page and continues internally under the headline 
"US is not enemy of Muslims: Obama" 
 
Saudi Gazette:  Front page coverage under the headline "We are not 
your enemy, says Obama to Muslims."  A full transcript of the 
interview appears internally. 
 
RUNDELL