VZCZCXRO4474
RR RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHDH RUEHKUK RUEHROV
DE RUEHDJ #0657/01 1601620
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 091622Z JUN 09
FM AMEMBASSY DJIBOUTI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0494
INFO IGAD COLLECTIVE
ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE
RHMFISS/CJTF HOA
RUEHDJ/AMEMBASSY DJIBOUTI

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DJIBOUTI 000657 
 
SIPDIS 
DEPARTMENT FOR AF/E AND INR/OPN 
LONDON 
ROME 
PARIS FOR AFRICA-WATCHER 
CJTF-HOA FOR POLAD 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL KPAO KISL KPAL DJ
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION TO JUNE 4 POTUS SPEECH 
 
¶1. SUMMARY: Government-owned press in Djibouti devoted 
considerable media attention to the June 4 POTUS speech in 
Cairo before, during, and after the event.  Prior to the 
speech, French-language newspapers carried a lengthy opinion 
piece reflecting the Government of Djibouti's expectations 
that the speech would be an attempt to "change the 
conversation with the Muslim world."  After the speech, the 
press described the speech as "historic" and "moving," but 
cast it as an attempt to repair relationships damaged by 
"American anger" at the Muslim world after the September 11 
attacks.  Finally, state-run media featured a full-page 
article analyzing the themes addressed in the speech, 
highlighting that while "one sole speech can't erase years of 
suspicion," the President wanted to "to learn, to listen, to 
treat [the Muslim world] with respect and find common ground." 
END SUMMARY. 
 
-------------------- 
PRE-SPEECH (JUNE 1-3) 
-------------------- 
 
¶2. Prior to the speech, the government-owned French-language 
newspaper, "La Nation," printed an article entitled "Barack 
Obama to meet the Muslim world."   The article was reprinted 
from the French journal, "Le Monde," without acknowledgement 
of its provenance.  However, by appearing in "La Nation", the 
GODJ indicated it concurred with the opinions expressed in the 
article.  There were only moderate expectations on policy, 
particularly regarding the Israeli-Palestinian peace process 
and Iran.  It was noted that the address was likely to build 
on the series of gestures taken by the U.S. administration 
since January, including the New Year's message to Iran.  "La 
Nation" expected that the President would acknowledge the many 
important contributions Muslim-Americans had made to U.S. 
society and address the cultural and political issues dividing 
the U.S. and the Muslim world. 
 
------------------ 
SPEECH DAY (JUNE 4) 
------------------ 
 
¶3. Government-owned Radio Television Djibouti (RTD) devoted 
nearly twenty percent of its prime-time Somali-language news 
service to covering the speech.  RTD stated that the speech 
was an attempt to repair relationships between the U.S. and 
the Muslim world damaged by "American anger" in the wake of 
9/11.  RTD reported that the U.S. "is not an enemy of Islam," 
and that the President called upon Muslims worldwide to reject 
the extremist ideology preached by the perpetrators of the 
9/11 attacks and to "embrace" a "true" or "ideal" Islam.  RTD 
editorialized that the speech was an attempt to discuss 
traditionally taboo subjects and clearly articulate U.S. 
policy in the region.  RTD did not touch upon all six points 
addressed in the POTUS speech, but did mention that it 
addressed women's rights, the Israeli-Palestinian peace 
process, and U.S. intentions in Iraq and Afghanistan.  RTD 
noted the call for Israel to stop colonization efforts and the 
President's promise to withdraw troops from Iraq by August, 
¶2010. 
 
---------------------- 
POST-SPEECH (JUNE 5-8) 
---------------------- 
 
¶4. On June 8, "La Nation" summarized all six points of the 
POTUS speech in-depth, with final editorial comments relating 
to the previous administration.  "La Nation" highlighted the 
statement that Islam was part of the solution to extremists 
like Al-Qaida, and applauded the call for Israel to cease 
construction of settlements and the "intolerable" situation 
faced by Palestinians.  It also highlighted the demand that 
Hamas cease violence and recognize Israel's right to exist. 
The article summarized the reasons behind the strained U.S.- 
Iran relationship and articulated that the President desired 
to avoid an "arms race" in the Middle East.  It noted that 
Iran should live up to its obligations under the non- 
proliferation treaty and cease to define itself "in 
opposition" to the United States. 
 
¶5. While "La Nation" used bold sub-head size to draw attention 
to the points about extremism, nuclear arms, Iran, and the 
Israel-Palestinian conflict, it did not give the same 
 
DJIBOUTI 00000657  002 OF 002 
 
 
treatment to democracy, religious liberty, and women's rights. 
These portions of the speech were summarized as well, but not 
highlighted in bold text as the preceding topics had been. 
The paper noted that the President urged both the Middle East 
and Western countries to respect the rights of religious 
minorities.  "La Nation" pointed out that the President called 
upon Western countries not to "hide hostility towards certain 
religions under the guise of 'liberalism' and infringe upon 
their rights to practice their religion." 
 
¶6.  The final section of the article was editorial in tone and 
entitled "leaving the Bush-era and restoring the image of the 
U.S."  "La Nation" stated that the "war in Iraq and 
Afghanistan, the Abou Ghraib scandal... the Guantanamo Bay 
prisoners and Bush's resolutely pro-Israeli" stance tarnished 
the U.S. image abroad, particularly in the Arab and Muslim 
worlds.  "La Nation" indicated that the polio eradication 
program and development initiatives may help repair the damage 
done.  "La Nation" noted the skillful use of social media 
employed by the current administration to ensure the message 
reached the widest possible audience, including youth. 
 
¶7. COMMENT.  Djibouti is a moderate, majority-Muslim country 
that hosts French, U.S., Japanese, and international coalition 
military forces.  All domestic press is owned by the GODJ, and 
the press environment is tightly controlled.  The GODJ is 
religiously quite moderate and the speech was very well 
received by GODJ officials.  In subsequent meetings, those 
same officials raised issues addressed in the President's 
speech, showing that the message had been received and 
resonated within the ruling elite.  Some imams also 
incorporated the speech into their Friday sermons, and the 
buzz created by this address amongst the general population is 
quite large.  However, a degree of skepticism remains, as some 
question whether the USG will be able to deliver on the 
promises made in Cairo.  Many have taken a "wait and see" 
approach to gauge whether the USG will follow words with 
action.  END COMMENT. 
SWAN