Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05AMMAN6137
2005-08-01 10:59:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Amman
how-toThis record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available. 011059Z Aug 05
UNCLAS AMMAN 006137
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
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KMDR JO
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION ON MIDDLE EAST
Summary
-- Lead stories in all papers today, August 1,
highlight various issues related to developments in
the region, including the attempted assassination of
Chalabi in Iraq and preparations for Israel's
withdrawal from Gaza.
Editorial Commentary on Middle East
-- "Withdrawal from Gaza"
Daily columnist Fahd Fanek writes on the back page of
semi-official, influential Arabic daily Al-Rai
(08/01): "It is difficult for any Palestinian or Arab
to object to Israel's withdrawal from Gaza, since its
withdrawal from all of the occupied territories is
required. But there are those who believe that
Sharon's plan for the unilateral withdrawal from Gaza
is going to have a negative impact on the Palestinian
issue.. Israel's withdrawal from any Palestinian
territory is a gain, provided that it is part and
parcel of a comprehensive withdrawal from all the
occupied Palestinian territories and not the
alternative. However, if Israel does not want to
withdraw from all of the West Bank, including
Jerusalem, then the Palestinians would be better off
to keep Gaza an arena for shedding Israeli blood and
killing occupation soldiers who exercise state
terrorism before the eyes of the entire world.
Sharon's plan was not put in place for the good of the
Palestinian issue but rather to weaken it, so there is
not need to get excited about it."
-- "Returning to the green line"
Center-left, influential Arabic daily Al-Dustour
(08/01) editorializes: "The countdown for Israel's
withdrawal from Gaza has started, thus relieving
Israel of the burden of its presence in that Strip and
relatively relieving the Palestinian of the burden of
the occupation.. Yet, there is a difference between
this withdrawal being the result of the strong clash
with the Palestinian armed groups and the high price
that Israel was paying and its being the natural
response to and application of the roadmap.. However
this withdrawal is seen, the point is that the
Palestinian party has won a major point because of its
steadfastness. At the same time, however, the
Palestinian party is going to be subjected to a great
test, and this is because it is expected to appear to
the world as being capable of providing a respectable
model for national stability where all Palestinian
factions come together in the higher good of the
Palestinian people.. We really want to believe that
the opportunity provided by the Israeli withdrawal is
going to mark the beginning of a comprehensive review
of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict."
-- "America's image in the Arab and Muslim world"
Columnist Mohammad Amayreh writes on the op-ed page of
semi-official, influential Arabic daily Al-Rai
(07/31): "How do we improve the image of the United
States in the Arab and Muslim worlds? It is a
question that occupies the minds of many in the U.S.
administration, and to which the newly appointed U.S.
UnderSecretary of State for Public Diplomacy is going
to try and find an answer.. The negative image of the
United States in the Arab and Muslim worlds is the
result of the U.S. policy itself and its unbalanced
and unjust exercises, and not the result of media
coverage or criticism of the United States by some
Arab media outlets."
HALE
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
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KMDR JO
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION ON MIDDLE EAST
Summary
-- Lead stories in all papers today, August 1,
highlight various issues related to developments in
the region, including the attempted assassination of
Chalabi in Iraq and preparations for Israel's
withdrawal from Gaza.
Editorial Commentary on Middle East
-- "Withdrawal from Gaza"
Daily columnist Fahd Fanek writes on the back page of
semi-official, influential Arabic daily Al-Rai
(08/01): "It is difficult for any Palestinian or Arab
to object to Israel's withdrawal from Gaza, since its
withdrawal from all of the occupied territories is
required. But there are those who believe that
Sharon's plan for the unilateral withdrawal from Gaza
is going to have a negative impact on the Palestinian
issue.. Israel's withdrawal from any Palestinian
territory is a gain, provided that it is part and
parcel of a comprehensive withdrawal from all the
occupied Palestinian territories and not the
alternative. However, if Israel does not want to
withdraw from all of the West Bank, including
Jerusalem, then the Palestinians would be better off
to keep Gaza an arena for shedding Israeli blood and
killing occupation soldiers who exercise state
terrorism before the eyes of the entire world.
Sharon's plan was not put in place for the good of the
Palestinian issue but rather to weaken it, so there is
not need to get excited about it."
-- "Returning to the green line"
Center-left, influential Arabic daily Al-Dustour
(08/01) editorializes: "The countdown for Israel's
withdrawal from Gaza has started, thus relieving
Israel of the burden of its presence in that Strip and
relatively relieving the Palestinian of the burden of
the occupation.. Yet, there is a difference between
this withdrawal being the result of the strong clash
with the Palestinian armed groups and the high price
that Israel was paying and its being the natural
response to and application of the roadmap.. However
this withdrawal is seen, the point is that the
Palestinian party has won a major point because of its
steadfastness. At the same time, however, the
Palestinian party is going to be subjected to a great
test, and this is because it is expected to appear to
the world as being capable of providing a respectable
model for national stability where all Palestinian
factions come together in the higher good of the
Palestinian people.. We really want to believe that
the opportunity provided by the Israeli withdrawal is
going to mark the beginning of a comprehensive review
of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict."
-- "America's image in the Arab and Muslim world"
Columnist Mohammad Amayreh writes on the op-ed page of
semi-official, influential Arabic daily Al-Rai
(07/31): "How do we improve the image of the United
States in the Arab and Muslim worlds? It is a
question that occupies the minds of many in the U.S.
administration, and to which the newly appointed U.S.
UnderSecretary of State for Public Diplomacy is going
to try and find an answer.. The negative image of the
United States in the Arab and Muslim worlds is the
result of the U.S. policy itself and its unbalanced
and unjust exercises, and not the result of media
coverage or criticism of the United States by some
Arab media outlets."
HALE