MEDIA REACTION: DEMOCRACY AND DOUBLE STANDARDS

UNCLAS ABU DHABI 005208

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/ARP; NEA/PPD; NEA/RA; INR/R/MR; PA;
INR/NESA; INR/B; IIP/G/NEA-SA
WHITE HOUSE FOR PRESS OFFICE; NSC
SECDEF FOR OASD/PA
USCINCCENT FOR POLAD
LONDON FOR MCKUNE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP KMDR TC
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: DEMOCRACY AND DOUBLE STANDARDS


1. Summary: A columnist in "Al-Ittihad" urged Arab governments
to use Western countries as examples in bringing liberty upon
themselves. A columnist in "Al-Bayan" questioned the US pressure
on religious groups and sanctions on their respective countries
while at the same time ignoring similar terrorist groups. "Al
Bayan" is skeptical about the intentions of U.S. policies
directed toward Arab and Muslims. End Summary.



2. Under the headline "Towards a Democratic Society", a
columnist, Dr. Ahmed Al-Baghdadi, wrote in Abu Dhabi-based Arabic
daily "Al-Ittihad," (circulation 65,000)12/27:

"It is clear that American pressure for political reform has
yielded fruit despite its slow process, especially in terms of
parliamentary elections. This slow development is completely
prudent. However, it is important to have a democratic society
as well as a democratic government system.. The GCC countries,
as an example, still reject many democratic principles, whether
in the government or society. They don't have political parties
because they fear ethnic and tribal divisions will work against
the interests of the country.. Because of Arab's low spirits,
American attempts will be in vain. It is true that you will find
polling boxes, but they will also be accompanied with poverty,
fraud and both overt and covert meddling. A parliament will be
formed, yet it will also be held captive by ethnic and
secretarian differences leaving us with nothing but oppressive

SIPDIS
governments controlling our movements and liberties.."



3. Under the headline "A restrained democracy", a columnist,
Khalid Sayed Ahmed, wrote in Dubai-based Arabic daily "Al Bayan,"
(circulation 90,000) 12/26:

"Western countries in general and the United States in particular
impose huge amounts of pressure and place high demands on the
Arab countries to introduce and enforce democratic reforms and
expanded political participation.. However we find western
countries using rigged rules and double standards on issues and
values related to democracy. They want to implement these values
on certain countries, while they dictatorially reject
implementing them in other countries for reasons that are
preposterous.. This triggers the following question: Why the
aggressive and prejudiced standpoint on having "Hamas"
participate in legitimate elections? The answer: The United
States along with European countries seek to eviscerate
legitimacy from any group with a religious background, and
stigmatize it with the label of terrorism and violence, putting
it under pressure to accept their rules of resisting the occupier
with flowers.. It is very obvious that such policies are meant
to confine resistance groups of religious orientation whereas
similar terrorist groups are seemingly ignored.."



4. Under the headline "Moderation First", Dubai-based Arabic
daily "Al Bayan," (circulation 90,000) wrote 12/24:

"There seems to be an element inside the decision-making chambers
of Washington and in some of the Western capitals set on
targeting Arab and Muslims, making Arab moderates wonder about
their situation. In some cases these moderates have been
depicted to their countrymen as helpless to make any decisions to
maintain their rights and sovereignty. This has provoked
extremists to become more extreme. How else can we interpret the
recent American decisions regarding Palestine, Iraq, Saudi Arabia
and Egypt, all of which indicate an enmity towards moderation.?
The climax of this war against Arab moderation is clearly
represented by the latest decisions made by the U.S. Congress
against Saudi Arabia and Egypt, especially through Washington's
call to take steps towards pressing Riyadh to change its
educational curriculum while threatening to terminate its aid in
light of the criticism recently directed to Egypt. It seems that
Congress has not caught up with the latest developments of reform
in both of these countries.. Washington has no choice but to
revise its stance so as to not impede the process of reform and
losing Arabs with moderate tendencies and aiding extremists and
damaging its future ties with Arabs and Muslims."

QUINN