MEDIA REACTION: IRAQI NATIONAL CONFERENCE/ PALESTINIAN

UNCLAS ABU DHABI 002798 SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/ARP; NEA/PPD; NEA/RA; INR/R/MR; PA; INR/NESA; INR/B; IIP/G/NEA-SA WHITE HOUSE FOR PRESS OFFICE; NSC SECDEF FOR OASD/PA USCINCCENT FOR POLAD LONDON FOR GOLDRICH; PARIS FOR ZEYA LONDON - PLEASE PASS TO MOC E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OIIP KMDR TC SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: IRAQI NATIONAL CONFERENCE/ PALESTINIAN PRISONERS ¶1. Summary: The Palestinian prisoners' announced hunger strike and the Iraqi National congress dominated coverage in local print and electronic media. ¶2. Noting that the Palestinian authority should do something regarding the Palestinian prisoners in the Israeli jails, Abu Dhabi-based "Akhbar Al-Arab" (Arabic daily, circulation 20,000) editorialized 08/18: "The Palestinian prisoners had to announce a hunger strike to remind the world, the Arabs, and the Palestinians of their situation that has been prolonged with no solution and no concern. Could the Palestinian Authority forget this large number of prisoners who are living under inhumane conditions that violate human rights. The easiest thing that the Palestinian Authority could do is to maintain an office to follow-up on the situation of the prisoners. It is not enough to announce a day of fasting in solidarity with the prisoners; there should be a way to implement continuous campaigns for them to be released. The Palestinian people will announce their support by fasting and resistance because they have nothing else to do, and the Palestinian Authority should perform its responsibilities." ¶3. Commenting on the Iraqi National Conference's initiative regarding Al Sader, Abu Dhabi-based "Al Ittihad" (semi- official, circulation 85,000) editorialized 08/17: "This is a historical event for the Iraqis to prove to the world that they are able to overcome difficulties and problems that face them. This is a historical chance for the Iraqis to prove that they can get rid of terrorists. The National Conference opened the doors for everyone, these are the legitimate doors that all Iraqis should go through to build a new, free, and democratic Iraq." SISON