Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03AMMAN5165
2003-08-14 12:53:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Amman
Cable title:  

MEDIA REACTION ON MIDEAST ROADMAP

Tags:  KMDR JO 
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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