MEDIA REACTION ON IRAQ

UNCLAS AMMAN 002671

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
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LONDON FOR GOLDRICH
PARIS FOR O'FRIEL

E.O. 12958: N/A

TAGS: KMDR JO
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION ON IRAQ

Summary

-- Lead story in all papers today, April 7, focuses on
escalating violence in Iraq, in particular between
Shiites and Coalition forces. Banner headlines
proclaim a "massacre" in Fallujah and provide
estimates of casualties on both sides. Another lead
story highlights the Jordanian State Security court's
announcement of convictions in the trial of those
accused in the murder of U.S. Embassy employee
Laurence Foley in October 2002, and a statement by the
Embassy expressing appreciation for the hard work and
efforts of Jordanian security officials. Another lead
story notes Syrian President Bashar Assad's meeting
with King Abdullah today in Amman.

Editorial Commentary

-- "The Iraqi people: from oppression to occupation to
extremism"

Daily columnist Bater Wardam writes on the op-ed page
of center-left, influential Arabic daily Al-Dustour
(04/07): "We have to be logical in viewing the
flaming confrontation between the populist authority
Muqtada Al-Sadr and the military occupation authority
as part of the power struggle in Iraq. Had the young
Al-Sadr's revolution been in defense of Iraq and Iraqi
sovereignty and against the occupation, then it would
have started on April 9, 2003, but it comes a year
late. Muqtada Al-Sadr acquired his authority from his
followers and through his religious supporters. His
(movement) is very similar to the Taliban-type of
fundamentalism.. Al-Sadr worked shrewdly to
strengthen his authority, as all other authorities in
Iraq were crumbling. The authority of the former
regime and that of Al-Baath party have ended. The
oppressive authority of the occupation has been
completely discredited as Iraqis have come to believe
that the American army is not there to liberate them
but to occupy them and rob their resources. The
authority of Al-Sistani deteriorated because of his
repeated work at co-existence with the American
occupation. As for the authority of the governing
council, it was shaky from day one and has now proved
a total failure. Authority in Iraq is absent, waiting
for someone to grab it. The fiery confrontation
between the authority of Muqtada Al-Sadr and the
American occupation is but a link in the chain of this
struggle that is going to last for a long time in
Iraq.. The Taliban-type approach adopted by Muqtada
Al-Sadr throughout the past year did not bother the
Americans as much as it did the Iraqis. However, as
soon as Al-Sadr decided to face the occupation
authority, the American war against him started, which
led to the fact that the Iraqis rallied around Al-Sadr
because he now represents the people's authority that
rejects the occupation. What is happening in Iraq now
is another example of the utter stupidity of the
American administration in Iraq. The administration
fought the Taliban in Afghanistan, but now they
created in Iraq and in the heart of the Arab and
Muslim world a Taliban-like movement that acquires its
legitimacy from religious concepts and from fighting
the occupation.. Al-Sadr may get arrested, but the
Taliban of Iraq has risen and will not stop."

-- "An open war in Iraq"

Center-left, influential Arabic daily Al-Dustour
(04/07) editorializes: "It is too early to say that
the American occupation forces have lost control of
the situation, but it is certain that the situation is
liable to deteriorate, particularly if the occupation
forces insist on arresting Muqtada Al-Sadr. The whole
situation needs to be handled wisely and cautiously,
lest Iraq become a war zone and the expectations of
many people, who believe that Iraq is on the verge of
a civil war leading to its division, become true."
GNEHM