This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
201341Z Jan 04
UNCLAS AMMAN 000435
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 MIDDLE EAST ISSUES
Summary
-- Lead story in all papers today, January 20, focuses on the Jordanian parliament debate on and rejection of the Jordanian government's plan to raise prices and taxes. Another major story highlights Jordan's official response to the Israeli Prime Minister's "threat" to Jordan with regard to Jordan's campaign against Israel's separation wall. Foreign Minister Marwan Muasher said that the separation wall not only harms the Palestinian people's interests, but also Jordan's national security.
Editorial Commentary
-- "Sharon's warning will only make us stronger"
Center-left, influential Arabic daily Al-Dustour (01/20) editorializes: "With rejection and denunciation, Jordan's political arena received Israeli Prime Minister Sharon's warnings to Jordan about the repercussion of Jordan continuing its campaign against the racist/colonialist separation wall.. As Jordanians, we are proud and honored of the role that our leadership and our government is playing in the national battle against the policy of racist isolation and the New Berlin Wall. Jordan, leadership and people, past, present and future will continue to support the Palestinians' legitimate and just right to freedom and independence, self-determination and to establishing an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital. Jordan, in its political, diplomatic and judicial battle against the racist wall of separation, is actually defending its own strategic security and its national interests.. We express our pride and underscore our faith in the stances and policies of our Hashemite leadership and our government, and we say that this position will only become more firm and solid in the face of the rude warnings of Israeli officials. Nothing is going to dissuade us, not for a single moment, from providing all help and support to our brotherly people west of the river until that day when they attain their freedom and independence."
-- "Rejected threats"
Semi-official, influential Arabic daily Al-Rai (01/20) editorializes: "Because there is no alternative to just and balanced peace and because the will of he international community, the human community and the Israeli moderates agree with that principle, the Israeli government is the one that bears full responsibility for impeding the peace process and the resulting repercussions on its relations with the Arab world. Instead of hailing irresponsible accusation and empty threats, it would be better to listen to the voice of reason and to stop usurping lands and rights and differentiating between peoples' suffering, for this is a sure recipe for endless struggles. What is required is to strengthen and build on what has been achieved in the peace settlements and to fulfill, before it is too late, the peace requirements, and to stop playing with minds and ridiculing other people's intelligence." GNEHM