MEDIA REACTION: SHARM SUMMIT EXPECTATIONS

UNCLAS MUSCAT 001214 SIPDIS DEPT FOR NEA/ARPI, NEA/PPD, NEA/P, INR/R/MR LONDON FOR TSOU PARIS FOR ZEYA USCENTCOM FOR PLUSH FOREIGN PRESS CENTER FOR ASILAS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KPAO KMDR OIIP MU SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: SHARM SUMMIT EXPECTATIONS -------------- No To Terrorism -------------- ¶1. "Al-Watan," a privately-owned Arabic daily, carried an editorial on July 31 entitled "By Protecting Egypt We Protect Ourselves": "Although the coming summit is an Egyptian summit made for Egypt, it is also created for the whole Arab world and for the protection of humanity... This summit is to defend ourselves and to stand in the face of the destructive waves that have appeared in our region. The Arabs are meeting in Sharm Al-Sheikh to say that they are not scared of terrorism and will not keep quiet and do nothing about it. Arab solidarity will be renewed every time these deviants attack any of the Arab countries. Everyone should acknowledge that we are protecting ourselves, our futures, and our culture." -------------- Reform and Terrorism in the Region -------------- ¶2. The government-owned Arabic daily "Oman" featured an editorial on August 1, entitled "Sharm Al-Sheikh Summit: What is Required From the Arabs?": "The Sharm Al-Sheikh summit is taking place at an exceptional time because the Islamic and Arab worlds are facing a furious and unjust campaign against them. Violence has become the character of this period and the issue of reform in Arab countries is still under discussion. The Arabs at the Sharm Al-Sheikh summit must take many steps, not only in the Palestinian or Iraqi fronts, but also on internal issues including reform and combating terrorism. The situation is very complicated in the region; it calls for a comprehensive solution..." -------------- A Summit for the People of the Arab World -------------- ¶3. "Al-Watan" also published an editorial on August 1 entitled "Urgent Arab Summit": "If the real intention of this summit is only to react to what happened in Sharm Al-Sheikh, it will be limited its goals... What we hope for from this summit is more than a reaction or political posturing. It should discuss deteriorating conditions in the region... Every one knows that whenever explosions take place, they blame America and its policies in Iraq and Afghanistan. They should know that this did not come from nowhere; instead, it resulted from the current situation and denying this fact is a lie." BALTIMORE