MUSCAT MEDIA REACTION: U.S. WAR DEATHS, PALESTINE, IRAQ

UNCLAS MUSCAT 002265

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DEPT FOR NEA/ARP (TROBERTS),NEA/PPD (CWHITTLESEY),NEA/P
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TAGS: KPAO KMDR OIIP MU
SUBJECT: MUSCAT MEDIA REACTION: U.S. WAR DEATHS, PALESTINE, IRAQ
ELECTIONS


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The Cost of Patience
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1. The lead editorial in the privately -owned Arabic daily "Al-
Watan" on December 24 was entitled "American Patience":

"In 1983, when 240 Americans died in a suicide bombing in Beirut,
former President Reagan immediately called for the withdrawal of
all American troops stationed there. Today, despite daily
casualties in Iraq, President Bush does nothing for the safety of
his troops except pray for the ones that have fallen. The war in
Iraq has claimed more American lives than any conflict since
Vietnam, but political experts postulate that younger Americans
have forgotten the lessons of Vietnam, which their parents
learned the hard way. Therefore, they do not fully understand
the impact of war upon U.S. society, and do not feel compelled to
demand the return of U.S. troops the way older generations did in
the past. Instead of demanding action from their government,
younger generations of Americans patiently wait for Bush to do
something to make things better in Iraq, while soldiers continue
to die. The Bush Administration relies on this "patience" in
order to remain in Iraq."

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Voting For Peace
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2. On December 25, "Al-Watan" also carried an editorial entitled
"A Poll For The Sake Of The Peace":

"The initial results of the Palestinian municipal elections
indicate that long-suffering Palestinian voters have become
politically mature, and are using this maturity and experience to
guide their ballots. The whole world is moving towards putting
reform before resistance, and Palestine will be a shining example
of this trend. In the past, Palestinians preferred to take up
arms instead of taking up pens, since that is what their leaders
told them they must do. No longer will Palestinians be used as
pawns to keep their own autocratic rulers in power. Today the
Palestinians have the chance to make a peaceful start by electing
new leaders democratically."

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New Leadership, New Rules
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3. An editorial appeared in the government-owned Arabic daily
"Oman" on December 26 entitled "Shuffling Cards in Iraq":

"It is no exaggeration to describe life in Iraq as difficult and
even tragic. However, after twenty months of being under
Coalition control, and with elections close at hand, it is
important that the cards change hands to a new leadership in
Iraq. Iraq must become a stable and strong country again.
Unfortunately, Iraq will never reach this stage under the current
situation of daily violence and armed conflict, and with the
continued destruction of societal infrastructure. Bringing about
a change for peace in Iraq should be the first goal, and the new
Iraqi leadership should be characterized not only by its ability
to rule militarily, but also by its ability to ensure the rule of
law."

BALTIMORE