MEDIA REACTION ON MIDEAST ROADMAP

UNCLAS AMMAN 005165 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 MIDEAST ROADMAP Summary -- Lead story in all papers today (08/14) focuses on the meetings U.S. Assistant Secretary Burns held with senior Jordanian officials and Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas in Amman yesterday. According to the reports, Burns stressed Washington's commitment to the roadmap and President Bush's determination to establish a Palestinian State. Another lead story covers the continuing debate in the Jordanian Parliament regarding the government's performance, in anticipation of a "vote of confidence" to be held today, August 14. Editorial Commentary -- "Washington's Responsibility First" Commenting on U.S. Envoy Burns' tour of the region, center-left, influential Arabic daily Al-Dustour (08/14) editorializes: "Observers are really confused about U.S. policy in the region. At a time when Washington does not stop declaring its commitment to the peace process in the region and to the roadmap - an international initiative that enjoys unique unanimous approval - and at a time when the United States is stressing its commitment to regional stability and security, we see that it sides completely with the policies of an extremist right- wing government in Israel working to undermine the wheels of peace, setting traps on the route of the Roadmap and heating up the northern front to bring the situation in the entire region to brinkmanship... As we follow the U.S. Envoy's tour of the region and closely observe the different legs of his current tour, we call on the United States to play its role and live up to its responsibilities as the leader of the new world order as a sponsor of the peace process to make every effort possible to remove all obstacles that prevent the negotiations from remaining on track. The core of those obstacles lies in the government of Tel Aviv and its policies, coalition, program, and practices." -- "So That We Are Not Held Hostages to Terrorism and the Arrogance of Power" Semi-official, influential Arabic daily Al-Rai (08/14) editorializes: "Even though U.S. Envoy William Burns made sure to say in Amman that the United States is committed to implementing the roadmap and the peace process, the situation can no longer tolerate reluctance, procrastination, or waste of time that is affecting everyone and that may in fact be the sword of choice for Israel to fight and confront the international community, which is exerting pressure to prevent the collapse of this current chance (for peace)." HALE