Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03AMMAN2788
2003-05-12 05:43:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Amman
Cable title:  

MEDIA REACTION ON SECSTATE VISIT AND

Tags:  KMDR JO 
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 AMMAN 002788

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 SECSTATE VISIT AND
PRESIDENT'S SPEECH

Summary

-- The lead story in all papers today, May 11, is
Secretary Powell's visit to Israel and the West Bank.

SIPDIS
Reports highlight the fact that the Secretary met with
Abu Mazen, the new Palestinian Prime Minister, and
"ignored" Arafat. All reports also highlight Israel's
rejection of "any withdrawal that would threaten
security".

Editorial Commentary

-- "Familiar objectives"

Centrist, influential among the elite English daily
Jordan Times (05/11) editorializes: "U.S. President
George Bush's initiative for the establishment of a
free trade area between the United States and the
Middle East might not be original, but it is timely
and promising.. Unless solid foundations for peace
are laid, free market reforms have few chances. Peace
remains a prerequisite for development, prosperity and
stability."

-- "America proposes trade openness o Middle East
countries"

Daily columnist Fahd Fanek writes on the back page of
semi-official, influential Arabic daily Al-Rai
(05/11),commenting on President Bush's May 9 address
at the South Carolina University: "The U.S. President
realizes that America's image, as a state biased in
favor of Israel and against the rights of the
Palestinian people and as a state occupying a very
important Arab country, has reached rock-bottom. Arab
people must, therefore, be appeased and America's
image must be improved in the Arab public opinion.
Politically, Bush stressed the need for Israel to deal
with the Palestinians with dignity and respect, to
stop the settlements and to accept the concept of two
states in accordance with roadmap. This is firm
language that the Arab side would welcome if it is
followed by action. Economically, Bush presented a
grand project for establishing a free trade area
between the Middle East and America. This is the
first step towards reshaping the map of the Middle
East.. If the American President wants to bribe the
Arabs, then finding a just solution to the Palestinian
cause is the way to do that."

-- "Who believes that Powell would succeed"

Chief Editor Taher Udwan writes on the back page of
independent, mass-appeal Arabic daily Al-Arab Al-Yawm
(05/11): "Very few Arabs would wager on the success
of Secretary of State Powell's visit to Tel Aviv..
The bitter reality in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict
remains as is. The reason for that is not the
brutishness of the rulers of Israel and their
legendary steadfastness in the face of pressures, but
because these pressures never really paralleled the
task, namely ending a 36-year-old occupation, and
never compared with the daily crimes that were
committed by this occupation against the Palestinian
people. In short, the Americans did nothing for the
Palestinian cause when they were miles away. So why
would they do anything now when they are occupying and
controlling the largest and strongest Arab country.
We are going to hear how Sharon fought off Powell's
pressures, and how Bush plans to receive Sharon to
exercise more pressure on him. Many Arabs will
believe that. Yet, the fact remains: the occupation
is stands with its daily killings and degradation of
the Palestinians and the Arab nation. Talk of
expected American pressures on Israel to accept the
roadmap without amendments is a joke."

-- "Dr. George Bush"

Daily columnist Basem Sakijha writes on the op-ed page
of center-left, influential Arabic daily Al-Dustour
(05/11): "The speech of President Bush at the South
Carolina University may well be the clearest in
declaring the American commitment to the political
plan vis--vis the Middle East. He speaks of two
states, a Palestinian state and an Israeli state. He
focuses on democracy in the region. He paves the way
for Secretary Powell's regional trip. This
straightforward declaration coincides with talk about
economic partnership.. Language used in Bush's speech
seems to be more firm when it comes to what is
required from Israel. This is new. Yet, the region
will continue to doubtful of American declarations and
announcements until it sees implementation on the
ground. Everyone is convinced that without American
pressure on Tel Aviv, the current situation would
continue to prevail."
GNEHM