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