MEDIA REACTION

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