MEDIA REACTION ON MIDDLE EAST ISSUES

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 AMMAN 004829

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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