VZCZCXRO5383
PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHDH RUEHKUK RUEHROV
DE RUEHMS #0397/01 1240956
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P R 040957Z MAY 09
FM AMEMBASSY MUSCAT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0388
INFO ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0017
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 0019
RUEHMS/AMEMBASSY MUSCAT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MUSCAT 000397 
 
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:  This week in Omani dailies, commentaries repeated 
condemnations of Israel for blocking the peace process. Government 
daily "Oman" said that the Arab peace initiative is already part of 
the final solution, despite Israel's backtracking on the two-state 
solution.  Private daily "Al Watan" accused Israel of sabotaging 
peace negations with settlement expansion.  Later in the week, "Al 
Watan" said that Israel is challenging President Obama's peace 
efforts and opposing all positive efforts towards a resolution.  As 
(tragi)comic relief, one editor ascribes Somali piracy to a Zionist 
Israeli conspiracy.  END SUMMARY. 
 
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ARAB INITIATIVE ALREADY PART OF THE SOLUTION 
-------------------------------------------- 
 
¶2.  On April 27, government Arabic-language daily "Oman" (circulation 
38,000) commented that the Arab peace initiative is already part of a 
final solution, despite the Israeli Prime Minister's opposition to 
the two-state solution.  According to "Israeli Escape from Peace 
Harms Stability for all Parties": 
 
"It seems that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu is avoiding the 
two-state solution and every path that leads to it.  He even avoids 
mentioning the Palestinian state when talking about the situation in 
the region.  However, the Arab peace initiative is already part of 
the solution and has built the foundations of a new reality in the 
region.  It is not only supported by the U.S. but it also has growing 
support within Israel." 
 
------------------------------------ 
SETTLEMENTS MUST BE AT THE FOREFRONT 
----------------------------------- 
 
¶3. On April 28, private Arabic daily "Al Watan" (circulation 42,000) 
commented that Israel is sabotaging peace efforts through settlement 
expansion.  "No Peace with Continuation of Israeli Settlements" said: 
 
 
"Peace mediators are work tirelessly to bring the Israeli extremist 
right-wing government to the negotiating table.   However, the tragic 
truth is that Israel is using talk about negotiations as a cover to 
hide efforts to sabotage any real peace process.  The continuation of 
settlement expansion is the most serious issue in Palestine because 
it makes building any Palestinian state impossible.  Peace mediators 
should not worry about brining Israel to the negotiating table. 
Instead they should be vigilant about stopping the settlements.  This 
must be at the forefront of the world's attention if it wants peace 
in the Middle East." 
 
-------------------------------------- 
DIFFICULT FOR THE U.S. TO MOVE FORWARD 
-------------------------------------- 
 
¶4.  Private Arabic daily "Al Watan" on May 1 wrote that Israel is 
blocking all international efforts to move the peace process forward. 
 According to "Israeli Supporters Challenge Obama's Efforts": 
 
"He fulfilled many promises during his first 100 days, but President 
Obama faces many challenging voices condemning his actions, including 
from Israel.  The Israeli right-wing government has distanced itself 
from previous peace agreements, and it continues to make it difficult 
for the U.S. to move the peace process forward.  In fact, instead of 
moving forward with negotiations, Israel is challenging anyone who is 
trying to take positive action.  It has threatened to halt arms 
exports to Turkey, and it has threatened the European Union that it 
will not participant in the peace process if the E.U. pursues a 
two-state solution." 
 
----------------------------------- 
"EVENTS...POINT TO AN ISRAELI HAND" 
----------------------------------- 
 
¶5.  In his weekly (and often conspiracy-minded) Viewpoint column in 
the Arabic "Al-Shabiba" (circulation 20,000) and English "Times of 
Oman" (circulation 25,000) on May 3, owner/editor Issa bin Mohammad 
al Zedjali scooped the world press with his take on the "truth" about 
the scourge of Somali piracy.  In a piece that regrettably cites "The 
Protocols of the Elders of Zion", al Zedjali say "Israel is the Main 
Culprit Behind Piracy": 
 
MUSCAT 00000397  002 OF 002 
 
 
"The Western media has worked flat out trying to make us believe that 
a motley bunch of lawbreakers are behind the piracy activities and 
their aim is nothing beyond getting ransom. 
 
The events on the Somali waters point to an Israeli hand, especially 
in globalising the issue of security of the Red Sea. The 
apprehensions raised to this effect are indeed legitimate, 
particularly when we take into account the theory of Israeli security 
which is predicated on the idea of a Greater Israel extending from 
River Nile to the Euphrates as mentioned in the Protocols of Zion. 
This pernicious idea preoccupies the mind of each and every Israeli 
politician regardless of his party or the official statements he 
makes. Israeli politicians still believe in this theory and dream of 
making it a reality one day." 
GRAPPO