Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03AMMAN1951
2003-04-01 13:53:00
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 SECTION 01 OF 02 AMMAN 001951
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 IN IRAQ
Summary
-- Banner headlines carried in the front pages of all
Arabic dailies today, April 1, highlight Iraq's
statement that 54 of the coalition forces were killed
in "fierce" battles in the south of Iraq. Another
lead story in all papers highlight King Abdullah and
Queen Rania's condolence visit to the families of the
five Jordanians who fell victim to bombing by
coalition forces earlier in the war. Majority of
commentaries in Al-Rai newspaper, in particular, seem
to defend Jordan's clear stand towards the Iraqi war.
Editorial Commentary
-- "Iraqi victories are real"
Daily columnist Bater Wardam writes on the op-ed page
of center-left, influential Arabic daily Al-Dustour
(04/01): "One of the most important claims made by
the supporters of the aggression is that it is
impossible for Iraqi to achieve military or political
victory over the United States, and that all these
Iraqi sacrifices would be useless at the end of the
day when faced with the technical power of the
American invasion army. In reality, the Iraqi
resistance managed to achieve many victories, whose
outcome may not be apparent on the military arena for
the moment, but are political achievements of the
first caliber, and thus must be focused upon. The
first accomplishment of the Iraqi resistance is its
coming together in unity for the defense of the land
against the invasion. The issue is no longer about
the legitimacy of the Iraqi regimes, but rather about
the fate of the Iraqi state.. This resistance and
this steadfastness has cost the Iraqis a great deal,
but has accomplished a very important outcomes, namely
showing the American invasion for what it really is:
an aggression and invasion for the purpose of
occupation and control of resources. This resistance
also proved the falseness of the Iraqi opposition and
its lack of popular grounds on Iraqi territories. The
resistance proved that this group that met in London
under the auspices of the CIA does not have the
capability to change anything on the ground and is
rejected by the Iraqi people even more than the regime
is rejected.. Let us also not forget the cumulative
effect of he Iraqi resistance on the Arab conscience,
which we hope will continue its awakening.. Yes, the
Iraqi people are suffering a great deal now from the
American brutality. Yet, these few days have
destroyed many fables in the Arab world and in the
world. Very soon, the United States is going to pay a
huge cost for its stupidity, but only if millions of
Arabs and Muslims take advantage of this massive tide
of emotions and turn it into effective action that
makes up for the sacrifices of the Iraqis. Would the
Arabs rise to the level of this responsibility?"
-- "Stop Jordan's retribution"
Columnist Samir Hiyari writes on the op-ed page of
semi-official, influential Arabic daily Al-Rai
(04/01): "Sounds like the Jordanian memory requires
continuous reminders of Jordan's achievements,
accomplishments and positive stances with regard to
the struggles ongoing to our west and to our east..
We would inflicting upon ourselves great injustice
when we hold ourselves and our country in retribution
without taking into consideration the complete
reality, the royal efforts to resolve the crisis, and
the size of Jordan with its capabilities and influence
on the ground. Some, for example, are calling for a
more honest role towards the war on Iraq, and some
simply forget that the world in 2003 is not the same
world in 1990.. There is no vagueness and no mystery
when it comes to the Jordan's stand. Rejecting the
war on Iraq, feeling with the brotherly people in
Iraq, and dealing with what is going on with civility
and responsibility have marked the King's address to
his people. After all, King Abdullah's achievements
were not focused on a personal interest. It is the
responsibility of a Hashemite leader keen not to see a
single drop of blood shed in any Arab country."
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 IN IRAQ
Summary
-- Banner headlines carried in the front pages of all
Arabic dailies today, April 1, highlight Iraq's
statement that 54 of the coalition forces were killed
in "fierce" battles in the south of Iraq. Another
lead story in all papers highlight King Abdullah and
Queen Rania's condolence visit to the families of the
five Jordanians who fell victim to bombing by
coalition forces earlier in the war. Majority of
commentaries in Al-Rai newspaper, in particular, seem
to defend Jordan's clear stand towards the Iraqi war.
Editorial Commentary
-- "Iraqi victories are real"
Daily columnist Bater Wardam writes on the op-ed page
of center-left, influential Arabic daily Al-Dustour
(04/01): "One of the most important claims made by
the supporters of the aggression is that it is
impossible for Iraqi to achieve military or political
victory over the United States, and that all these
Iraqi sacrifices would be useless at the end of the
day when faced with the technical power of the
American invasion army. In reality, the Iraqi
resistance managed to achieve many victories, whose
outcome may not be apparent on the military arena for
the moment, but are political achievements of the
first caliber, and thus must be focused upon. The
first accomplishment of the Iraqi resistance is its
coming together in unity for the defense of the land
against the invasion. The issue is no longer about
the legitimacy of the Iraqi regimes, but rather about
the fate of the Iraqi state.. This resistance and
this steadfastness has cost the Iraqis a great deal,
but has accomplished a very important outcomes, namely
showing the American invasion for what it really is:
an aggression and invasion for the purpose of
occupation and control of resources. This resistance
also proved the falseness of the Iraqi opposition and
its lack of popular grounds on Iraqi territories. The
resistance proved that this group that met in London
under the auspices of the CIA does not have the
capability to change anything on the ground and is
rejected by the Iraqi people even more than the regime
is rejected.. Let us also not forget the cumulative
effect of he Iraqi resistance on the Arab conscience,
which we hope will continue its awakening.. Yes, the
Iraqi people are suffering a great deal now from the
American brutality. Yet, these few days have
destroyed many fables in the Arab world and in the
world. Very soon, the United States is going to pay a
huge cost for its stupidity, but only if millions of
Arabs and Muslims take advantage of this massive tide
of emotions and turn it into effective action that
makes up for the sacrifices of the Iraqis. Would the
Arabs rise to the level of this responsibility?"
-- "Stop Jordan's retribution"
Columnist Samir Hiyari writes on the op-ed page of
semi-official, influential Arabic daily Al-Rai
(04/01): "Sounds like the Jordanian memory requires
continuous reminders of Jordan's achievements,
accomplishments and positive stances with regard to
the struggles ongoing to our west and to our east..
We would inflicting upon ourselves great injustice
when we hold ourselves and our country in retribution
without taking into consideration the complete
reality, the royal efforts to resolve the crisis, and
the size of Jordan with its capabilities and influence
on the ground. Some, for example, are calling for a
more honest role towards the war on Iraq, and some
simply forget that the world in 2003 is not the same
world in 1990.. There is no vagueness and no mystery
when it comes to the Jordan's stand. Rejecting the
war on Iraq, feeling with the brotherly people in
Iraq, and dealing with what is going on with civility
and responsibility have marked the King's address to
his people. After all, King Abdullah's achievements
were not focused on a personal interest. It is the
responsibility of a Hashemite leader keen not to see a
single drop of blood shed in any Arab country."
GNEHM