Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03AMMAN1832
2003-03-26 13:54:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Amman
how-toThis record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS AMMAN 001832
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
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KMDR JO
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION ON WAR ON IRAQ
Summary
-- Jordan's daily papers today, March 26, are dominated
by a lead story highlighting Jordan's categorical
rejection of Iraqi charges that Jordan was blocking trade
and responsible for a disruption in the oil supply
between the two countries. In press conferences held by
the Minister of Information, the Minister of Industry and
Trade and by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jordan's
senior leadership responded strongly to the Iraqi
accusations, describing them as "unwarranted and
irresponsible". Other lead stories continue to focus on
developments in the war on Iraq
Editorial Commentary
-- "The injustice of our kinfolk"
Center-left, influential Arabic daily Al-Dustour (03/26)
editorializes: "Yesterday was a sad day for us in Jordan
as we saw Iraqi officials fall in the trap of the
psychological war that is being launched and set up by
those who are upset by Jordan's firm nationalistic stand
towards Iraq. Those officials started to believe rumors
and accepted to be part of the skepticism that is
targeted against Iraq's morale. They forgot how much
Jordan suffered for the sake of their cause over the past
two decades."
-- "Jordan and Iraq, one fate"
Daily columnist Bater Wardam writes on the op-ed page of
center-left, influential Arabic daily Al-Dustour (03/26):
"We do not need to defend Jordan, because its track
record is sufficient to speak in defense of itself. The
Jordanian leadership and people have always been real in
their support for Iraq in times of crisis."
-- "Shock and awe"
Daily columnist Fahd Fanek writes on the back page of
semi-official, influential Arabic daily Al-Rai (03/26):
"The political and military planning for the war was
based on the idea that the war would be quick and fast,
whereby Iraqi cities would fall one after the other, but
no one thought that Umm Qasr would be difficult to
overcome. The aggressors expected that the Iraqi people
would welcome them with open arms as the liberators and
not as occupiers, but the Iraqi people knew them for who
they really are. The current war is not equal, for there
is a clear technological superiority on the American
side. Yet, America suffers from a deficiency in will
power, legitimacy and morality. The Iraqi citizens are
fighting hard in defense of their land and their dignity.
Why would the American soldiers fight so that American
companies can take over the oil, and so Israel's military
superiority is entrenched and strengthened?"
GNEHM
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
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KMDR JO
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION ON WAR ON IRAQ
Summary
-- Jordan's daily papers today, March 26, are dominated
by a lead story highlighting Jordan's categorical
rejection of Iraqi charges that Jordan was blocking trade
and responsible for a disruption in the oil supply
between the two countries. In press conferences held by
the Minister of Information, the Minister of Industry and
Trade and by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jordan's
senior leadership responded strongly to the Iraqi
accusations, describing them as "unwarranted and
irresponsible". Other lead stories continue to focus on
developments in the war on Iraq
Editorial Commentary
-- "The injustice of our kinfolk"
Center-left, influential Arabic daily Al-Dustour (03/26)
editorializes: "Yesterday was a sad day for us in Jordan
as we saw Iraqi officials fall in the trap of the
psychological war that is being launched and set up by
those who are upset by Jordan's firm nationalistic stand
towards Iraq. Those officials started to believe rumors
and accepted to be part of the skepticism that is
targeted against Iraq's morale. They forgot how much
Jordan suffered for the sake of their cause over the past
two decades."
-- "Jordan and Iraq, one fate"
Daily columnist Bater Wardam writes on the op-ed page of
center-left, influential Arabic daily Al-Dustour (03/26):
"We do not need to defend Jordan, because its track
record is sufficient to speak in defense of itself. The
Jordanian leadership and people have always been real in
their support for Iraq in times of crisis."
-- "Shock and awe"
Daily columnist Fahd Fanek writes on the back page of
semi-official, influential Arabic daily Al-Rai (03/26):
"The political and military planning for the war was
based on the idea that the war would be quick and fast,
whereby Iraqi cities would fall one after the other, but
no one thought that Umm Qasr would be difficult to
overcome. The aggressors expected that the Iraqi people
would welcome them with open arms as the liberators and
not as occupiers, but the Iraqi people knew them for who
they really are. The current war is not equal, for there
is a clear technological superiority on the American
side. Yet, America suffers from a deficiency in will
power, legitimacy and morality. The Iraqi citizens are
fighting hard in defense of their land and their dignity.
Why would the American soldiers fight so that American
companies can take over the oil, and so Israel's military
superiority is entrenched and strengthened?"
GNEHM