MEDIA REACTION ON MIDDLE EAST

UNCLAS AMMAN 002375

SIPDIS

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I/GNEA, B/BXN, B/BRN, NEA/PPD, NEA/IPA FOR ALTERMAN
USAID/ANE/MEA
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E.O. 12958: N/A

TAGS: KMDR JO
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION ON MIDDLE EAST


Summary

-- Developments in the Middle East situation continues
to dominate lead reporting over the past few days.
Over the weekend, May 10-12, front-page news reports
on the end of the Church of the Nativity crisis and on
the end of Arafat's siege. Newspapers also highlight
King Abdullah's visit to the United States, featuring
extensive coverage of his remarks and his meetings
there. Other stories highlight the Sharm El-Sheik
summit meeting and its final decision against "all
forms of violence". Although the majority of
editorial commentaries view the outcome of the summit
as a "push for peace" and a show of Arab support and
willingness for peace, some argue that the main issue
is the ISRAELi occupation of Palestinian territories
and the Palestinian right of resistance.

Editorial Commentaries

-- "Rejecting all forms of violence"

Daily columnist Rakan Majali writes on the back page
of center-left, influential Arabic daily Al-Dustour
(05/14): "Evidently, American pressures are no longer
focused against the Palestinian National Authority,
but also against the moderate Arab countries, who are
expected to have a role in putting a stop to the
martyrdom operations. According to the Sharm El-Sheik
summit's final statement, rejecting all forms of
violence is the only way to resume the peace process.
This is true. However, the confrontations [between
the Palestinians and the ISRAELis] are not happening
because of the martyrdom operations, but as a result
of ISRAEL's barbaric of extermination, and the
Palestinians have not choice but to respond. Another
point to be taken into consideration is the fact that
the continuation of the ISRAELi occupation of the
Palestinian territories is the peak of aggression and
the ultimate action of terror."

-- "Why martyrdom operations?"

Daily columnist Yaser Za'atreh writes on the op-ed
page of center-left, influential Arabic daily Al-
Dustour (05/14): "Here goes the Arab official
statements rejecting the martyrdom operations under
American pressures. The question is why this viscous
American attack against martyrdom operation in
particular? It proves that these operations are the
strongest weapons in the hands of the Palestinians,
and that its acceptability among the young Palestinian
men and its development could turn into a real victory
against the Hebrew state. Washington, concerned for
ISRAELi interests, wants to rob the Palestinians of
their strongest weapon, a weapon that can abolish the
occupation. Unfortunately, in their moment of
weakness, the Arabs are going along with what
Washington wants, only to make the task of the martyrs
more difficult."

-- "The Arab movement towards peace"

Daily columnist Bater Wardam writes on the op-ed page
of center-left, influential Arabic daily Al-Dustour
(05/13): "In general, the objectives of the current
Arab political movement are crystal clear. There is
great enthusiasm among the Arab countries to play the
leadership role in times of quiet and peace. Yet,
this enthusiasm disappears completely in times of
crises and the Arab countries become silent. There is
an Arab move towards peace under the motto of `let
bygones be bygones'. There is no move to make Sharon
to pay for his crimes. In fact, this disregard for
the complete destruction that befell the Palestinian
Authority and the Palestinian people is aggravating
and infuriating."
GNEHM