Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05JERUSALEM1772
2005-04-29 11:30:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Consulate Jerusalem
Cable title:
JERUSALEM MEDIA REACTION (04/29) - ABBAS'S FIRST
how-toO 291130Z APR 05 FM AMCONSUL JERUSALEM TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4378 WHITE HOUSE WASHDC WHITE HOUSE NSC SECDEF WASHDC DIA WASHDC CIA WASHDC DA WASHINGTON DC//DAS-ZD/DACS-ZK// CSAF WASHINGTON DC//POLAD// CMC WASHINGTON DC//POLAD// CNO WASHINGTON DC//POLAD// AMEMBASSY AMMAN AMEMBASSY CAIRO AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS AMEMBASSY RIYADH AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV AMEMBASSY TUNIS AMEMBASSY LONDON AMEMBASSY PARIS AMEMBASSY NICOSIA AMEMBASSY ROME USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
UNCLAS JERUSALEM 001772
STATE PASS BBG
STATE FOR NEA, NEA/IPA, NEA/PPD
WHITE HOUSE FOR PRESS OFFICE, SIT ROOM
NSC FOR ABRAMS
JERUSALEM ALSO FOR ICD
LONDON FOR HKANONA AND POL - Goldrich
PARIS ALSO FOR POL
ROME FOR MFO
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KMDR KPAL KWBG IS KPAO PREL OPRC
SUBJECT: JERUSALEM MEDIA REACTION (04/29) - ABBAS'S FIRST
100 DAYS IN OFFICE
TOP STORIES:
The dailies continued to carry front-page coverage on
Russian President Putin's visit to the area, highlighting
reports that his call to hold an international peace
conference is fading away and has turned instead into a
suggestion for a meeting of a group of experts.
Al-Quds front-paged a report that President Bush's
popularity has plunged dramatically in the first 100 days of
his second term, in part because of "congressional battles
that have stalled his main initiatives."
The dailies front-paged reports, quoting American officials
as saying that the U.S. is planning to sell Israel 100
bunker-busting bombs. Al-Quds reported that the Arab
countries are concerned that Israel may carry out a military
strike against the Iranian nuclear weapons program.
Al-Ayyam and Al-Hayat Al-Jadida published a public opinion
poll conducted by Birzeit University showing that 33 percent
of those surveyed believe that President Abbas has delivered
on one third of his election campaign promises and that 84
percent of the respondents support holding the legislative
elections in July as scheduled.
COMMENTARIES AND POLITICAL CARTOON:
Rajab Abu Sariya commented in Al-Ayyam that after 100 days
in office, President Abbas's main challenge has been and
will remain the political process and Israel's failure to
fulfill its obligations.
Al-Quds ran a political cartoon depicting President Bush,
dressed as a Roman solider, brandishing a sword as he rides
in a chariot being pulled by a blindfolded horse,
representing the world.
SELECTED HEADLINES AND PHOTO CAPTIONS
AL-QUDS
"Putin sees an opportunity to end the Palestinian-Israeli
conflict. His suggestion to hold an international
conference on peace turns into a `meeting of experts.'"
"Washington plans to sell Israel bunker-busting bombs."
Main photo caption: "A picture from the archive showing two
soldiers mounting a laser-guided missile onto a fighter
plane, the same kind Washington is planning to sell to
Israel."
AL-AYYAM
"Israeli plan to build a wall in the middle of Hebron that
will confiscate 7,000 dunums."
"Hundreds of radical Jews storm Al-Aqsa."
"Putin discusses political developments with Abbas."
Main photo caption: "Israeli soldiers and undercover agents
arrest a man in Bel'in (north west of Jerusalem)."
AL-HAYAT AL-JADIDA
"Elderly woman dies as a result of x-ray security checking
equipment used at Rafah entry point."
Main photo caption: "Israeli soldiers and undercover agents
drag a man during an anti-wall demonstration in Bel'in
yesterday."
BLOCK QUOTES:
--------------
Rajab Abu Sariya commented in independent Al-Ayyam under the
headline, "After 100 days in presidency, Abu Mazin still
facing a long road" (4/29): "Not many people have bothered
to take the time to evaluate what Mahmud Abbas, the elected
president, has achieved in his first 100 days in office.
There are many reasons for that, but the most important is
probably the fact that these people have realized that
Abbas's duties are extremely complex and involve both the
political and internal levels. [.] Obviously, the main
challenge facing the Palestinian Authority in the past 100
days of Abbas's term, and which will persist even after 100
months., is the political situation. Despite the importance
of any accomplishments achieved at the internal level, the
failure to achieve tangible and specific progress in
accordance with the national program will certainly not be
enough to pressure the Israeli side into recognizing our
national rights."
PEARCE
STATE PASS BBG
STATE FOR NEA, NEA/IPA, NEA/PPD
WHITE HOUSE FOR PRESS OFFICE, SIT ROOM
NSC FOR ABRAMS
JERUSALEM ALSO FOR ICD
LONDON FOR HKANONA AND POL - Goldrich
PARIS ALSO FOR POL
ROME FOR MFO
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KMDR KPAL KWBG IS KPAO PREL OPRC
SUBJECT: JERUSALEM MEDIA REACTION (04/29) - ABBAS'S FIRST
100 DAYS IN OFFICE
TOP STORIES:
The dailies continued to carry front-page coverage on
Russian President Putin's visit to the area, highlighting
reports that his call to hold an international peace
conference is fading away and has turned instead into a
suggestion for a meeting of a group of experts.
Al-Quds front-paged a report that President Bush's
popularity has plunged dramatically in the first 100 days of
his second term, in part because of "congressional battles
that have stalled his main initiatives."
The dailies front-paged reports, quoting American officials
as saying that the U.S. is planning to sell Israel 100
bunker-busting bombs. Al-Quds reported that the Arab
countries are concerned that Israel may carry out a military
strike against the Iranian nuclear weapons program.
Al-Ayyam and Al-Hayat Al-Jadida published a public opinion
poll conducted by Birzeit University showing that 33 percent
of those surveyed believe that President Abbas has delivered
on one third of his election campaign promises and that 84
percent of the respondents support holding the legislative
elections in July as scheduled.
COMMENTARIES AND POLITICAL CARTOON:
Rajab Abu Sariya commented in Al-Ayyam that after 100 days
in office, President Abbas's main challenge has been and
will remain the political process and Israel's failure to
fulfill its obligations.
Al-Quds ran a political cartoon depicting President Bush,
dressed as a Roman solider, brandishing a sword as he rides
in a chariot being pulled by a blindfolded horse,
representing the world.
SELECTED HEADLINES AND PHOTO CAPTIONS
AL-QUDS
"Putin sees an opportunity to end the Palestinian-Israeli
conflict. His suggestion to hold an international
conference on peace turns into a `meeting of experts.'"
"Washington plans to sell Israel bunker-busting bombs."
Main photo caption: "A picture from the archive showing two
soldiers mounting a laser-guided missile onto a fighter
plane, the same kind Washington is planning to sell to
Israel."
AL-AYYAM
"Israeli plan to build a wall in the middle of Hebron that
will confiscate 7,000 dunums."
"Hundreds of radical Jews storm Al-Aqsa."
"Putin discusses political developments with Abbas."
Main photo caption: "Israeli soldiers and undercover agents
arrest a man in Bel'in (north west of Jerusalem)."
AL-HAYAT AL-JADIDA
"Elderly woman dies as a result of x-ray security checking
equipment used at Rafah entry point."
Main photo caption: "Israeli soldiers and undercover agents
drag a man during an anti-wall demonstration in Bel'in
yesterday."
BLOCK QUOTES:
--------------
Rajab Abu Sariya commented in independent Al-Ayyam under the
headline, "After 100 days in presidency, Abu Mazin still
facing a long road" (4/29): "Not many people have bothered
to take the time to evaluate what Mahmud Abbas, the elected
president, has achieved in his first 100 days in office.
There are many reasons for that, but the most important is
probably the fact that these people have realized that
Abbas's duties are extremely complex and involve both the
political and internal levels. [.] Obviously, the main
challenge facing the Palestinian Authority in the past 100
days of Abbas's term, and which will persist even after 100
months., is the political situation. Despite the importance
of any accomplishments achieved at the internal level, the
failure to achieve tangible and specific progress in
accordance with the national program will certainly not be
enough to pressure the Israeli side into recognizing our
national rights."
PEARCE