Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04MUSCAT2121
2004-12-06 12:45:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Muscat
Cable title:  

MUSCAT MEDIA REACTION: AIDS, IMPERIALISM, AND MEDIA

Tags:  KPAO KMDR OIIP MU 
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UNCLAS MUSCAT 002121 

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: AIDS, IMPERIALISM, AND MEDIA

--------------------------------
Omani Response To World AIDS Day
--------------------------------

UNCLAS MUSCAT 002121

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: AIDS, IMPERIALISM, AND MEDIA

--------------
Omani Response To World AIDS Day
--------------


1. Privately-owned Arabic daily "Al-Watan" carried an editorial
on December 1 entitled "On The Occasion Of World AIDS Day":

"On the occasion of world AIDS day, Arab countries are reviewing
their health policies regarding AIDS and acknowledging that more
needs to be done to confront and contain this deadly disease. One
possible step is to introduce more transparency in the
information available to the public about the disease. A second
possible step would be to place special emphasis on preventive
measures. Through these steps we believe that fewer people will
contract the disease annually, and that over time the AIDS rate
in Arab societies will decrease."

--------------
Will Vs. Power
--------------


2. Ibrahim al- Ma'amari wrote an editorial in the government-
owned Arabic daily "Oman" on December 4 entitled "Who Will
Change?":

"For a lesson in the dangers of trying to change the Middle East,
look no further than France. Napoleon went to Egypt, declaring
that he would change Middle Eastern culture, but despite his
efforts the country remained the same. Many years later, France
embarked on a similar adventure in Algeria; but even after the
deaths of one million Algerians, the country retained its local
culture. When the United States came to Iraq with visions of
establishing a democracy, France opposed the intervention and
came out against the principle of imposing culture by force.
France learned from its previous lessons. In the history of the
Middle East, invaders and colonialists have occupied certain
countries for hundreds of years, but they could never wipe out
the original culture. If change is to take place, it must occur
naturally with the development and evolution of its people,
rather than being imposed by force from the outside."

--------------
Good News On The News
--------------


3. The lead editorial in the government-owned Arabic daily "Oman"
on December 5 was entitled "The Omani Media And Its Role In
Serving Society":

"The Omani media is being recognized for the important role it
plays in Oman. Domestically, the media supports and protects the
sense of heritage and identity within Oman, and it also plays a
supportive role in local development initiatives.
Internationally, the Omani media is regarded as a positive force
for the spread of peace, international understanding, and human
rights."

BALTIMORE