MEDIA REACTION ON IRAQI POLICE TRAINING IN

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 AMMAN 008050 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 IRAQI POLICE TRAINING IN JORDAN AND ISRAEL'S SEPARATION WALL, Dec. 9 and 10 Summary -- Lead stories in all papers, December 9 and 10, highlight King Abdullah's visit to the U.S. and his remarks to the New York Police Department emphasizing that "Islam is a religion of tolerance". Other lead stories highlight the U.N. decision to refer the Israeli separation fence to the World Court and the two explosions in Iraq, wounding 58-59 American soldiers. An editorial in the mass-appeal daily Al- Arab Al-Yawm sharply criticizes the training of Iraqi police in Jordan. . Editorial Commentary on Training Iraqi Police -- "The final and comprehensive victory of the Jordanian comprador" Columnist Nahed Hattar writes on the op-ed page of independent, mass-appeal Arabic daily Al-Arab Al-Yawm (12/09),"We had thought that we are facing the same old story: performing a `political' task in return for a financial deal for the treasury, a deal that would help the state face the difficult repercussions of the new oil bill since the end of the related Iraqi grant. Our opposition to this [the training of Iraqi police in Jordan] stemmed from national concern. The Iraqi police now is the occupier's fence and their tool in opposing the Iraqi resistance and in establishing an Iraqi regime, which -even if it were not an agent and ally of Israel and a sword upon the throats of the Arabs - would have political, social and security specifications that prevent the re-establishment of the strategic bilateral relationship that once existed between Amman and Baghdad. In other words, we, ourselves, are contributing to the fettering of our country. We had thought that the Jordanian government is making this strategic mistake to serve its tactical interests. And here's the surprise. This strategic mistake, with all its very serious dimensions, which affect the security of Jordan and the future of Jordanian-Iraqi relations, is being handed on a silver platter to a private company.. A local private company is the middleman between the American occupation authorities in Iraq and an American company that will manage the training process for the occupiers, and all this on Jordanian soil, with the approval and encouragement of the Jordanian government. But of course, the story has a positive angle: this process will provide hundreds of job opportunities for the unemployed Jordanians!" Editorial Commentary on Israel's Separation Wall -- "The smart move that angers America even before Israel" Daily columnist Mohammad Amayreh writes on the op-ed page of center-left, influential Arabic daily Al- Dustour (12/10): "No doubt, referring the issue of Israel's separation wall between Palestinian territories occupied in 1948 and the rest of the Palestinian territories to the international court of justice in the Hague is a smart move to be hailed and supported.. Israel's anger at such a move might just be justifiable, since it is the party directly concerned and affected, but America's remarks opposing this move are completely out of place and needlessly reflect complete bias in favor of Israel. The United States gets itself involved in such issues without considering their sensitivity and the potential for rousing Arab enmity towards U.S. policy, despite the fact that the U.S. administration continues to pose the nagging question: why do they hate us? Washington has been biased in favor of the Zionist entity ever since its establishment on the land of Palestine and has continued to provide all support and assistance.. The tragic thing about this is that the United States believes that this should not prevent anything and that the Arabs should accept it and the Palestinians should bless it, and that if they do not, then it is terrorism. The Arabs and the Palestinians found no protection in the Security Council from the Israeli arrogance and hegemony. All the Security Council resolutions that condemn Israel came face to face with the American veto. Their only refuge, therefore, is the General Assembly where they enjoy an obvious supporting majority for their issues, particularly the Palestinian issue.. We welcome this move and we believe it is a new opportunity for the Arabs and the Palestinians to regain some of their rights, that is if the higher court of justice's rulings are binding for Israel." HALE