Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03AMMAN6445
2003-10-07 15:06:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Amman
Cable title:  

MEDIA REACTION ON MIDDLE EAST ISSUES

Tags:  KMDR JO 
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UNCLAS AMMAN 006445

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 MIDDLE EAST ISSUES

Summary

-- Lead stories in all papers today, October 7, focus
on King Abdullah's meeting with Jordanian MPs, during
which he expressed Jordan's rejection and denunciation
of the Israeli attack on Syrian territory as being "in
violation of international legitimacy". The Security
Council deliberations of Syria's draft resolution to
condemn the Israeli attack is another lead story in
all papers today. Reports highlight the U.S.
rejection of the draft resolution and focus on
President Bush's emphasis that Israel has the right to
defend itself, but that he urged Israel not to
escalate the tension in the region. Another lead
story highlights the New York Times story that the
White House has decided to form a new team under
National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice to "review"
the U.S. policy in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Editorial Commentary

-- "The need for a unified Palestinian front"

Columnist Yaqoub Jaber writes on the op-ed page of
center-left, influential Arabic daily Al-Dustour
(10/07): "The American reluctance to get involved in
the Middle East peace process has a number of reasons,
some of which are directly linked to the U.S.
administration, where the conservatives are in
control. If we are to look at the Palestinian part of
the formula, we would find that the incapability of
the Palestinians to speak with one voice, through a
government that represents a national unity, has
contributed greatly to the fact that the United States
reluctance to get involved.. The Palestinians badly
need to form a unified front that has the sole purpose
of establishing the Palestinian state on all
territories occupied in 1967. Such a front would be
able to impose its agenda, not only on Israel and the
United States, but on everyone who want to see an end
to this long-standing struggle."

-- "A new episode of the disasters series"

Semi-official, influential Arabic daily Al-Rai (10/07)
editorializes: "With the unprecedented Israeli raid
against Syria, Tel Aviv has once again succeeded with
additional support from Washington to expand the
circle of danger and to resort to violence and force
in times of severe problems. The Israelis found their
`golden goose' in the fight against terrorism, because
they can thwart the peace process, start ethnic
cleansing, destroy the core of the Palestinian state,
violate the sovereignty of other states, and fabricate
all forms of accusations, all in the name of fighting
terrorism and with the blind support of the Republican
administration in Washington.. As has been the case
with the disgusting American bias in favor of Israel,
Washington alone was `understanding' of the Israeli
raid, amidst international denunciations and
condemnations on the widest scale.. Targeting Syria
at this stage has its own specificity. Damascus is
wary of the potential pressure from its American
`neighbor' on its borders with Iraq, accompanied by
Israeli raids as promised by Tel Aviv. This could
signal the emergence of a new very critical
geopolitical situation that could find a venting point
in South Lebanon.. The region is thus thrown in the
circle of dangers.. These are the headlines of the
disastrous scenario that is being prepared for, if not
already implemented, the region, and all during the
final year of President Bush's term in office; the
President who has proved that he incapable of being a
partner in any peace."
GNEHM