UAE MINISTER OF INFO SAYS COUNTERING RADICAL ISLAM

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ABU DHABI 003286

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/21/2014
TAGS: PREL PINR OIIP KPAO KMDR KMPI TC
SUBJECT: UAE MINISTER OF INFO SAYS COUNTERING RADICAL ISLAM
IS RESPONSIBILITY OF ARAB MEDIA

Classified by Ambassador Michele J. Sison for reasons 1.5 (b)
and 1.5 (d)


1. (U) Summary: Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed, the UAE Minister
of Information, told Ambassador on September 20 that Arab
governments and the USG need to do more to encourage Arab
moderates to counter extremist discourse currently pervasive
on Arab television. He noted recent positive developments in
Arab print media and USG initiatives to engage Arab media.
End summary.


2. (U) On September 20, 2004, Ambassador, Regional MEPI
Coordinator and APAO called on UAE Minister of Information
and Culture Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed al Nahyan at his
office. Also present was Salem al Ameri, the Minster,s
Office Director.

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Arab Media Needs Moderate Voices
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3. (C) Sheikh Abdullah stated that neither the USG or Arab
governments are doing enough to encourage moderate Arab
opinion makers to use regional media outlets to counter
increasingly extremist discourse. He said that what is
considered &moderate8 at the moment is nothing of the sort,
citing as an example the Egyptian cleric, Yusuf al-Qaradawi,
and his recent fatwa against Americans in Iraq. He advised
that while USG officials need to expand dialogue with Arab
media, they have less of an impact on Arab audiences than
someone who is of the region and known in the region. He
added that there are many moderate voices who are silent at
the moment; many are hesitant to publicly express their
opinions in the current political environment. However, he
expressed his optimism that discussions now taking place in
Arabic print media have broken previous taboos on subjects
such as Islamic fundamentalism and the role of education in
supporting terrorism. He said that after 9/11, &it became
clear to media outlets that facing radical Islam is part of
their job.8 He pointed out that these subjects were rarely
publicly discussed prior to 9/11.

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Sensationalism vs. Boredom
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4. (C) When asked by Ambassador for an overview of the
current pan-Arab media scene, Sheikh Abdullah differentiated
between print and broadcast media, noting that moderates are
reluctant to go on TV given the sensational character of many
discussion shows. He said there are two kinds of television
in the Arab world: entertainment and other (news) channels.
He claimed that many of the latter are controlled by the
Muslim Brotherhood or Arab nationalists. He severely
criticized Al Jazeera and the way it handles news
programming, suggesting the government of Qatar allows the
channel to sensationalize in order to remind Arabs that
&Qatar exists.8 He noted that Al Arabiya has recently
changed its strategy and has, in his opinion, is trying to
take a more professional and objective approach. He
criticized Al Hurra for its lack of relevant programs to an
Arab audience, saying too many of its shows were boring and
used the example of a two-hour cooking show, subtitled in
Arabic, as an example of why the station is not attracting
viewers. He also believes the station made a &strategic
error8 by locating its headquarters in the U.S., noting,
&stations based in the region have a better feel for issues
important to Arab audiences.8 He wondered why Dubai had not
been chosen by Al Hurra.

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&9/11/2011 Would Have Been Worse8
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5. (U) Sheikh Abdullah stated his view that sooner or later
the world would have had to fight radical Islam, and that if
the problem had not surfaced when it did, the consequences
would have been much worse. In addition to the danger that
the terrorists could have acquired chemical or biological
weapons, he said their stature in Arab countries would have
been greater. He said fundamentalism was growing in Arab
societies up until 9/11, but opined that it had lost momentum
in the UAE. He noted that fundamentalists previously
garnered respect in society, but now &few listen to what
they say.8 If someone came into an Abu Dhabi majlis with a
long beard and sporting typical &fundamentalist8 garb, they
would not be welcome. Sheikh Abdullah added that the worst
of the extremists were often educated abroad and came from
privileged backgrounds. &9/11/20118 would have been an
even grimmer picture had the world not joined to fight
terrorism after 9/11/2001.

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Cooperation Will Aid Moderates
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6. (U) Sheikh Abdullah praised recent USG efforts to engage
the Arab media. He noted that he looked forward to
continuing a close relationship with the Embassy and the USG.
Ambassador invited Sheikh Abdullah to give opening remarks
at the upcoming MEPI Regional Media Strategy conference
October 4-6, 2004, in Abu Dhabi. Sheikh Abdullah listened
keenly to MEPI regional director,s overview of MEPI
initiatives, and we will continue to update this key cabinet
member on MEPI progress.

SISON