Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04MUSCAT2078
2004-11-30 13:18:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Muscat
Cable title:  

MUSCAT MEDIA REACTION: IRAQ, POWELL, SYRIA, SHARM AL-

Tags:  KPAO KMDR OIIP MU 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MUSCAT 002078 

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR NEA/ARP (TROBERTS),NEA/PPD (CWHITTLESEY),NEA/P
(FFINVER),INR/R/MR
LONDON FOR GOLDRICH
PARIS FOR ZEYA
USCENTCOM FOR PLUSH
FOREIGN PRESS CENTER/ASILAS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPAO KMDR OIIP MU
SUBJECT: MUSCAT MEDIA REACTION: IRAQ, POWELL, SYRIA, SHARM AL-
SHAIKH, U.S. ELECTIONS

------------------------
Electing To Move Forward
------------------------

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MUSCAT 002078

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR NEA/ARP (TROBERTS),NEA/PPD (CWHITTLESEY),NEA/P
(FFINVER),INR/R/MR
LONDON FOR GOLDRICH
PARIS FOR ZEYA
USCENTCOM FOR PLUSH
FOREIGN PRESS CENTER/ASILAS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPAO KMDR OIIP MU
SUBJECT: MUSCAT MEDIA REACTION: IRAQ, POWELL, SYRIA, SHARM AL-
SHAIKH, U.S. ELECTIONS

--------------
Electing To Move Forward
--------------


1. The lead editorial in the government-owned Arabic daily "Oman"
on November 29 was entitled "The Iraqi Elections":

"The election in Iraq can be seen as a bottleneck, beyond which
the country may be able to rebuild itself under the sheltering
umbrella of a permanent constitution and representative
government. Iraq's interests are of paramount concern, and the
difficult aspects of the election must not be neglected. There
should be a reasoned analysis of the issues, free from special
interests or personal desires. Seventeen political parties and
civil organizations requested the postponement of the election;
this request should be seriously considered, because it remains
such a vital event for Iraqis. The election should be a step
toward peace, stability, and national unity. A successful
election will pave the way for Iraq to return to the
international community, and regain its position as a vital
player in the region and in the world as a whole."

--------------
Hawks and Doves
--------------


2. Essa bin Mohammed Al-Zadjali, owner and editor-in-chief of the
English daily "Times of Oman" and Arabic daily "Al-Shabiba,"
wrote an editorial that appeared in both newspapers on November
28 entitled, "Colin Powell: The Last Of The Moderates":

"The resignation of Secretary of State Colin Powell has met with
conflicting reactions both inside the U.S. and in the world at
large. Powell stood tall in the administration because he chose
a moderate style in running U.S. foreign policy over the last
four years. Obviously, this moderate stance created many
confrontations between Powell and some of the hawks on the Bush
team. His policy of dialogue was often obstructed and countered
by such senior officials as Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and
National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice. Powell was the last
moderate in the Bush administration. He outlined a complete map
for U.S. foreign policy that gained wide acceptance throughout
the world. U.S. foreign policy during the second term of the
Bush presidency will remain an area of concern for U.S. allies
abroad."

--------------
FARSIghted?
--------------


3. Another editorial appeared in "Oman" on November 26 entitled
"Syria's Vision":

"After meeting with President Bashar al-Asad, United Nations
Middle East envoy Terje Roed-Larsen confirmed that Syria is ready
to negotiate with Israel without preconditions. This surely
indicates the vision and foresight of the Syrian leadership, for
Syria has been trying to redefine its relationships with other
countries, particularly Lebanon. Syria's willingness to talk
would appear to remove any pretexts for the Israelis to refuse to
sit at the negotiating table. However, the Israelis immediately
belittled the announcement, saying it was merely an effort to
curry favor with the United States."

--------------
Failed Conference
--------------


4. Privately-owned Arabic daily "Al-Watan" carried an editorial
on November 24 entitled "The Sharm Al-Shaykh Conference":

"The participants in the Sharm Al-Shaykh conference failed to
address two important issues: how to deal with the superpower
that invaded Iraq, and how to agree upon a legitimate plan to
secure that superpower's withdrawal from the country. Because of
this failure, the Americans will once again get their way. The
participants in the conference appeared intent on avoiding any
mention of the invasion, as if there were no occupying forces in
Iraq."

--------------
Democracy In Action
--------------


5. An Egyptian writer, Dr. Abdul Aziz Hamooda, contributed an op-
ed piece to "Oman" on November 23 under the headline "America The
Beautiful":
"Let me assure you that I am not so blinded that I cannot detect
the weak points of the American democratic system. However, I
refuse to reject the American model as a whole, since its
stability has lasted for more than 100 years and has made America
into an economic, political, and cultural superpower. Despite
all the negative aspects of the American model of democracy, the
entire world witnessed a happy American election on November 2.
U.S. presidents do not receive 90%, 80%, or even 60% of the vote;
President Bush received 51% and his opponent 48%. Millions of
people in the third world saw American voters heading to the
polls without fear. I have personally witnessed a father and son
voting for one candidate, and a mother and daughter voting for
another candidate, without threatening the unity of the family."

BALTIMORE