MEDIA REACTION ON MIDDLE EAST ISSUES

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 AMMAN 004829 SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/ARN, NEA/PA, NEA/AIA, INR/NESA, R/MR, I/GNEA, B/BXN, B/BRN, NEA/PPD, NEA/IPA FOR ALTERMAN USAID/ANE/MEA LONDON FOR GOLDRICH PARIS FOR O'FRIEL USCINCCENT//CCPA, USCENTCOM REAR MACDILL AFB FL STATE PASS TO AID E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KMDR JO SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION ON MIDDLE EAST ISSUES Summary -- All Jordanian dailies on August 25 highlighted the upcoming visit by Deputy Assistant Secretary Satterfield to the region to "sell" the idea of "diminishing" Arafat's authority by appointing a Palestinian Prime Minister. Wire service reports quote an unidentified high-level Israeli official as saying that the United States is sending DAS Satterfield to "urge the Palestinians to appoint a Prime Minister." The same reports quote chief Palestinian negotiator Sa'eb Ureikat to the London- based Al-Hayat newspaper as saying that the Palestinians had earlier rejected a U.S. proposal to appoint a Prime Minister. Another major story today highlights reports about an Iraqi diplomatic campaign to be launched soon to explain to the Arab world the "dangers of American threats against Iraq". One columnist criticized a U.S. "plan" to provide genetically-modified foods as part of its assistance to developing countries, arguing that this is a "vicious" plan to destroy agriculture in developing countries. Editorial Commentary -- "Israel reneges on its pledges" Center-left, influential Arabic daily Al-Dustour (08/25) editorializes: "It was no surprise to hear Israel's announcement about breaking its pledge of withdrawal from the Gaza area. This brings to mind the long series of Israeli non-compliance from international accords signed with the Palestinian Authority. It also confirms that no pledge or understanding or agreement signed or reached with the Hebrew state is to be trusted. We view this Israeli step as further proof that the Sharon government does not have a political alternative to this crisis, and that the military escalation is the only approach this extremist, right-wing government has opted for." -- "American contradictions" Daily columnist Mazen Saket writes on the op-ed page of center-left, influential Arabic daily Al-Dustour (08/25): "The United States, the richest, most advanced and powerful country in the world, is the sole representative and leader of the new world order, is currently assuming the mantle of a colonialist regime these days. The question that needs to be asked is why have international relations taken a back seat to colonialism? The only answer I can find - other than interests and the imbalance of power -- is related to culture and civilization. U.S. society is unable to respond to the culture and civilizations of (other) peoples and nations; it rather wants to nullify them and replace them." -- "New American blackmail: famine or genetically- modified food products" Daily columnist Bater Wardam writes on the op-ed page of center-left, influential Arabic daily Al-Dustour (08/25): "Six African countries out of seven, currently suffering from famine, have agreed to receive American food assistance in the form of genetically-modified products, manufactured by U.S. companies. The Americans are taking advantage of Africa's famine in order to force these countries to receive only genetically-modified food products. It is part of a scheme to eliminate the agriculture sector not only in Africa but in all the world. It is another vicious American policy that seeks to benefit its own companies, causing the destruction of agricultural capabilities in developing countries." BERRY