Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03AMMAN6746
2003-10-22 13:57:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Amman
how-toThis record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available. 221357Z Oct 03
UNCLAS AMMAN 006746
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
Summary
A lead story in all papers today, October 22, focuses
on the anticipated Jordanian Cabinet change, noting
that the King has asked Faisal Fayez, currently the
Royal Court Minister, to form a new cabinet. The new
cabinet may be announced on Saturday, October 25,
after a two-day retreat in Aqaba, which is termed by
Al-Arab Al-Yawm Arabic daily as "an unprecedented
method" in the formation of cabinets. Al-Arab Al-Yawm
exclusively publishes the expected names of ministers
and portfolios that will be included in the new
cabinet, citing a high ranking source. Another story
is on King Abdullah's return after a visit that
included Singapore, Malaysia, the Sultanate of Oman
and the United Arab Emirates.
On the Palestinian-Israeli front, frontpage stories
report that Israeli occupation forces raided Ramallah
and Al-Bireh yesterday and that Palestinian President
Arafat appealed to the world to stop this "Israeli
folly."
Editorial commentaries today, October 22, dominantly
focus on the upcoming new cabinet, which will include
young ministers, noting that it is a "prelude to an
anticipated change." These commentaries crowd out
commentaries on the United States or Iraq.
Editorial Commentary
-- "A New, Bloodier Chapter of Aggression"
Commenting on recent Israeli raids on the Gaza Strip,
center-left, influential Arabic daily Al-Dustour
(10/22) editorializes: "There is no doubt that
Sharon's government would not have dared to escalate
the situation on the ground in such a manner had
Washington not resorted to granting it "the green
light" as expressed in the three U.S. "vetos" used at
the UN Security Council over the past few weeks
against draft resolutions that deal with the
Palestinian cause and the Arab Israeli conflict."
The paper concludes: "The escalating Israeli
aggression against the Palestinian people has entered
a new and more serious stage than ever before. Tel
Aviv is also getting closer day after day and perhaps
hour after hour towards implementing its decision to
expel or isolate or liquidate President Arafat. Hence,
the danger and alarm bell should be sounded at all
capitals concerned and at the Arab League headquarters
and at the UN Security Council and at the United
Nations. Israel is leading the region towards disaster
and peace and stability in the region will never see
the light if Israeli aggression - which is going out
of control - is not halted and if Israel is not forced
to comply with the voice of reason, logic, and the
obligations of the road map." 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
Summary
A lead story in all papers today, October 22, focuses
on the anticipated Jordanian Cabinet change, noting
that the King has asked Faisal Fayez, currently the
Royal Court Minister, to form a new cabinet. The new
cabinet may be announced on Saturday, October 25,
after a two-day retreat in Aqaba, which is termed by
Al-Arab Al-Yawm Arabic daily as "an unprecedented
method" in the formation of cabinets. Al-Arab Al-Yawm
exclusively publishes the expected names of ministers
and portfolios that will be included in the new
cabinet, citing a high ranking source. Another story
is on King Abdullah's return after a visit that
included Singapore, Malaysia, the Sultanate of Oman
and the United Arab Emirates.
On the Palestinian-Israeli front, frontpage stories
report that Israeli occupation forces raided Ramallah
and Al-Bireh yesterday and that Palestinian President
Arafat appealed to the world to stop this "Israeli
folly."
Editorial commentaries today, October 22, dominantly
focus on the upcoming new cabinet, which will include
young ministers, noting that it is a "prelude to an
anticipated change." These commentaries crowd out
commentaries on the United States or Iraq.
Editorial Commentary
-- "A New, Bloodier Chapter of Aggression"
Commenting on recent Israeli raids on the Gaza Strip,
center-left, influential Arabic daily Al-Dustour
(10/22) editorializes: "There is no doubt that
Sharon's government would not have dared to escalate
the situation on the ground in such a manner had
Washington not resorted to granting it "the green
light" as expressed in the three U.S. "vetos" used at
the UN Security Council over the past few weeks
against draft resolutions that deal with the
Palestinian cause and the Arab Israeli conflict."
The paper concludes: "The escalating Israeli
aggression against the Palestinian people has entered
a new and more serious stage than ever before. Tel
Aviv is also getting closer day after day and perhaps
hour after hour towards implementing its decision to
expel or isolate or liquidate President Arafat. Hence,
the danger and alarm bell should be sounded at all
capitals concerned and at the Arab League headquarters
and at the UN Security Council and at the United
Nations. Israel is leading the region towards disaster
and peace and stability in the region will never see
the light if Israeli aggression - which is going out
of control - is not halted and if Israel is not forced
to comply with the voice of reason, logic, and the
obligations of the road map." GNEHM