MUSCAT SPECIAL MEDIA REACTION: RESPONSE TO PRESIDENTIAL

UNCLAS MUSCAT 000206

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR NEA/ARPI (TROBERTS),NEA/PPD (CWHITTLESEY),NEA/P
(FFINVER),INR/R/MR
LONDON FOR GOLDRICH
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USCENTCOM FOR PLUSH
FOREIGN PRESS CENTER/ASILAS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPAO KMDR OIIP PREL MU
SUBJECT: MUSCAT SPECIAL MEDIA REACTION: RESPONSE TO PRESIDENTIAL
STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS


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SUMMARY
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1. Arabic and English language print media in Oman gave extensive
coverage to President Bush's State Of The Union Address,
particularly the sections of the speech relating to Iraq and the
Middle East Peace Process. Most coverage focused on his warnings
to Iran and Syria. Many articles were critical of the
Administration's focus on reform in the Middle East. However, at
least one article specifically hailed the President's call for an
independent Palestinian state. End Summary.

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An Empire Speaks
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2. On February 4, privately-owned Arabic daily "Al-Watan" carried
an editorial entitled, "Policy of a Great Empire":

"The influence of the United States stretches to all parts of the
world. Thus, foreign policy took a prominent role in President
Bush's State of the Union Address to the U.S. Congress. In
addition to discussing domestic issues, the speech addressed the
U.S. position on the war on terror, democratic reform, freedom,
and human rights. A large percentage of the speech was also
dedicated to the situation in Iraq, the U.S. position on Iran and
the Middle East Peace Process. The speech was well delivered;
however, there were clear inconsistencies between what Bush said
and reality. His remarks called for freedom and democracy.
However, in the case of Palestinians, the U.S. sees their freedom
as secondary to the desires of Israel. America applauds itself
for ousting Saddam Hussein from power. However, in Latin America
and other countries in the world, the U.S. has systematically
supported dictatorships that have had no respect for democracy or
human rights. America calls for the Iraqi people to take charge
of their own future. However, it openly interferes in Iran's
internal policies. The reality is that under the Bush
Administration, the whole world falls under U.S. policy. The
real test for America is whether it will accept new democracies
that have views different from its own."

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Words of War
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3. On February 4, the privately-owned Arabic daily "Al-Watan"
published an editorial entitled, "The American Speech of War":

"President Bush's State Of The Union Address clearly indicates
his view of what the Arab and Islamic world will look like in the
future. It also hinted at the wars that the U.S. will launch to
achieve these changes. What was missing was a clear statement
that Syria and Iran will be the next targets of the American
military... America is not afraid to launch wars because it
knows that its superior military will win easily."

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Time For Change
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4. The government-owned Arabic daily "Oman" carried an editorial
reported by the Gulf Center for Strategic Studies on February 4
under the title "Bush Speech and Signs of Change In the American
Position":

"The American President's speech gave an overview of U.S. foreign
policy objectives, particularly in relation to democratic reform
in this region. The focus on reform could be good for the
Palestinians because it may mean that the U.S. Administration
will support a free and independent Palestinian state not only
through words, but through deeds. The U.S. may even oblige
Israel to do the same. This is a clear shift from historical
policy regarding Palestine. Nevertheless, the speech provoked a
lot of controversy because of its talk of war."

BALTIMORE