Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03COLOMBO458
2003-03-19 10:56:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Colombo
Cable title:  

MEDIA PLAY: IRAQ

Tags:  KPAO KMDR OPRC OIIP CE 
pdf how-to read a cable
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS COLOMBO 000458 

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR INR/R/MR, I/RW, I/REC; PA
SA/INS (FOR JWALLER); SA/PD LJIRWIN, LSCENSNY, WREINCKENS;
SSA/PAB

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPAO KMDR OPRC OIIP CE
SUBJECT: MEDIA PLAY: IRAQ


UNCLAS COLOMBO 000458

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR INR/R/MR, I/RW, I/REC; PA
SA/INS (FOR JWALLER); SA/PD LJIRWIN, LSCENSNY, WREINCKENS;
SSA/PAB

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPAO KMDR OPRC OIIP CE
SUBJECT: MEDIA PLAY: IRAQ



1. Independent English daily says that the "ides of Bush"
indicate "the creation of a new god who demands that all
other nations must worship him and subscribe to his
policies...."

Under the headline "`The hour has come!' the ides of Bush,"
the DAILY MIRROR (independent English daily, islandwide
circulation) wrote on 3/19: "Not only in the war against
Iraq, but in tackling future conflicts, it would be the US
and its allies that take the major decisions instead of the
UN Security Council.... Since the fall of the Soviet
Empire ... the US and its allies, including the big
transnational corporations, have been running, ruling,
controlling or manipulating virtually the whole world
through economic means. Now they are coming out openly and
imposing world domination by force of arms. ... what is
happening is virtually the creation of a new god who
demands that all other nations must worship him and
subscribe to his policies.... Any country that does not
bow in worship before this new god or beast cannot survive.
They will be denied access to proper health, education,
jobs and economic facilities if they do not carry the card
or the number of the new god or beast...."


2. Opposition Sinhala daily finds it "difficult to
understand Bush's real objective

Under "After twelve midnight," the 3/19 issue of DIVAINA
(opposition Sinhala daily, islandwide circulation)
commented: "It is very difficult to understand Bush's real
objective.... Perhaps he wants genuinely to destroy WMDs
in Iraq or perhaps he wants an American pawn in charge of
Iraq in order to control access to oil. Perhaps he holds a
personal grudge.... These goals can be realized only by
disarming Iraq."


3. Independent Tamil daily says neither Bush nor Saddam is
listening to the international community.

Under "Threat of War" the VIRAKESARI (independent Tamil
daily, islandwide circulation) editorialized on 3/19:
"People in their hundreds of thousands have shown their
opposition by taking part in demonstrations and rallies.
However, the U.S. is not listening to the collective voice
of the international community and Iraq is also ready to
face the war. War can start at any moment."

Wills