Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04AMMAN2982
2004-04-19 11:51:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Amman
Cable title:  

MEDIA REACTION ON ISRAEL'S ASSASSINATION OF

Tags:  KMDR JO 
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 AMMAN 002982

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 ISRAEL'S ASSASSINATION OF
HAMAS' RANTISI

Summary

-- Front pages and editorial commentary in papers
published today and yesterday were almost entirely
dedicated to reports on Israel's assassination of
Hamas leader Dr. Abdul Aziz Rantisi in Gaza.
Yesterday's papers highlighted the assassination under
banner headlines and graphic photos depicting the
assassination as an "Israeli terrorist raid", an
"Israeli criminal operation" as well as stating
"Israel assassinates Rantisi with an American green
light" (Al-Arab Al-Yawm). Reports featured various
reactions to the assassination operation, most
significantly the Jordanian condemnation as expressed
by King Abdullah's exclusive remarks to the Jordan
News Agency, describing it as "an ugly crime that
personifies the policy of arrogance adopted by Israel"
and arguing that this "crime will lead to more
violence and will thwart the peace process". Some
reports highlighted remarks by an unnamed State
Department official urging Israel to consider the
consequences of its actions and denying the US prior
knowledge of the assassination operation. Many inside
pages in all papers were dedicated to various details
and photos of the assassination as well as reports
highlighting Rantisi' life.

-- Papers published today focus on Dr. Rantisi's
funeral in Gaza yesterday and the massive
demonstrations that took place in various Palestinian
cities to protest the assassination. Papers also
highlight the demonstrations that took place in Jordan
reporting thousands of participants. Front pages
today highlight a report about Prime Minister Al-Fayez
cutting short his visit to the United States in view
of the situation in the Middle East and reiterating
his condemnation of the assassination. A number of
inside pages are dedicated to further details and
photos related to the assassination and the
demonstrations.

Editorial Commentary

-- "Not just a condemnation, but a strong message"

Center-left, influential Arabic daily Al-Dustour
(04/19) editorializes: "The King's statement that was
issued during his current visit to the United States
reflects a stand that he wanted to state from the
place where the policies of Israeli Prime Minister
Sharon receive support from the U.S. administration,
and from the place where the King is seeking to draw

the attention of this administration and the American
public opinion to the fact that one of the reasons for
the terrorism that is now threatening all the
countries stems of these policies that are in
violation of all agreements and international
treaties. At the same time, the King wants to
underscore the need for an international stand that
condemns Israel's measures against the unarmed
Palestinian people.. We must point out here to the
issue that was highlighted in the government's
statement, namely the Israeli plan to export the
crisis to countries of the region. The fact that
Prime Minister Faisal Al-Fayez cut short his visit to
the United States falls within this realm and reflect
a decision taken as a result of feeling that viscous
plan. Finally, all political and popular forces in
our country must realize that they required to be
cautious and alert, to learn the lessons of the past,
and to express their emotions and their stances in a
way that complements the Jordanian stand and supports
the brethren Palestinian people, as well as safeguards
Jordan's security, which is also being targeted by
Israel's begrudging actions."

-- "We the killers!"

Columnist Mohammad Al-Tal writes on the op-ed page of
center-left, influential Arabic daily Al-Dustour
(04/19): "The responsibility for what happened to Dr.
Abdul Aziz Rantisi lies first and foremost on us, his
people, because we left him and his brethren of
Palestine disarmed of all financial and moral support
and totally exposed before a murderer who wreaked
murder and slaughter. The failing and the weakness of
the Arab nation have provided additional support for
Sharon in his battle against the Mujahideen. The
White House's unprecedented support for the Israeli
policy was a determining factor in this open battle,
that White House whose master considers every Arab
Muslim a target to be eliminated. Rantisi's martyrdom
and declaring Khaled Mish'al and other leaders new
Zionist targets indicate clearly and explicitly
Sharon's disregard for the Arab official regime.. Let
Sharon and Bush celebrate their victory. The table
will be turned without a doubt. This is the logic of
history and the Arab nation will not be pinning its
destiny on an official regime that declares its demise
every day."

-- "Thank you President!"

Columnist Hussein Rawashdeh writes on the op-ed page
of center-left, influential Arabic daily Al-Dustour
(04/19): "Thank you Mr. President. You have set our
nation free from the prison of its illusions. You
have restored to us our self-worth and you have
confirmed the correctness of its choices. No one now
can depend on your promises and your initiatives. You
have settled the relationship and the dialogue. It is
now up to us to depend on our own sweat and blood to
face the test of destiny that you had hoped would put
us in the graveyard."

-- "No peace and no reform in the Greater Middle East"

Columnist Abu Yazan writes on the op-ed page of center-
left, influential Arabic daily Al-Dustour (04/19):
"By assassinating Dr. Abdul Aziz Rantisi and Sheikh
Ahmad Yassin three weeks before, Israel has released a
riding wave of anger, has entrenched the increasing
power of fundamental and extremist powers in the
Palestinian community, and has weakened, to the
largest extent possible, the peace camp and those who
call for negotiating a solution to the conflict..
When the United States has dropped off the Arab-
Israeli conflict and settled for proposing agendas for
political reform and democratic change, Israel, in its
continuous search to break down the Palestinian
resistance and steadfastness, has reminded the region,
in its entirety, that this conflict will continue so
long as there is an occupation. The situation being
as such, the result becomes the fact that the United
States, with its absolute and blind bias in favor of
Israel, is impeding the solution of the Palestinian
issue and is weakening any chance of settling the Arab-
Israeli conflict, and that Israel, by continuing its
war against and extermination of the Palestinian
people and its national and Islamic leaders, is
wasting any opportunity for reform and change in the
region."

-- "What is Sharon doing?"

Chief Editor Taher Udwan writes on the back page of
independent, mass-appeal Arabic daily Al-Arab Al-Yawm
(04/19): "Simply, he is making talk about peace with
Israel a futile thing.. What the Palestinian people
and their leaderships are suffering from today would
not have continued without the protection and
political and military cover of the United States that
has stood by Sharon's state terrorism morally and
politically. In fact the U.S. worked diligently to
exclude the Security Council and the international
community from the struggle and from peace through a
series of vetoes as well as the Bush's recent letter
of guarantees to Sharon.. Only a miracle can prevent
these developments from turning a comprehensive
confrontation between American and Israel on one hand
and Arab and Muslim people on the other."









HALE