MEDIA REACTION: PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST, SECURING THE

UNCLAS MUSCAT 000717

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR NEA/ARPI, NEA/PPD, NEA/P, INR/R/MR

LONDON FOR GOLDRICH
PARIS FOR ZEYA
USCENTCOM FOR PLUSH
FOREIGN PRESS CENTER/ASILAS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPAO KMDR OIIP MU
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST, SECURING THE
GULF, AND ERDOGAN'S VISIT TO ISRAEL


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Stumbling Blocks To Peace
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1. On April 26, the government-owned Arabic daily "Oman" carried
an editorial entitled "Peace in the Middle East":

"As a powerful country, the United States has a moral and legal
responsibility to seek the best possible solutions for regional
political problems and pressures. When people are suffering from
social and economic ills, and legal options are not available,
armed resistance is often the only alternative. The U.S. must
recognize the danger represented by the existence of Israel in
the Middle East, and should acknowledge that the Israelis are
invaders. All necessary political and economic means must be
employed to implement the United Nations resolutions."

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Reductions, Reform, and Resources
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2. The privately-owned Arabic daily "Al-Watan" ran an editorial
on April 30 entitled "Dialogue In The Gulf":

"Since the events of September 11, the GCC has seen reductions in
its economic and investment sectors. In order to protect the
region from terrorism and improve the economic situation, Gulf
countries need a strategic, long-term vision that encourages
reform and change without resorting to violence. Dialogue must
be encouraged between the governments of the region and their
people. With all its vital resources, a secure Gulf will form a
valuable basis for the entire industrial world."

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Turkish Delight
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3. "Al-Watan" also published an editorial on May 2 under the
headline "Two Faces for Erdogan's Visit":

"Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited Israel to
downplay the effects of his recent remarks that described Israeli
practices against Palestinians as `state terrorism.' This is his
right as a democratically elected leader who wants to improve
relations with other countries. However, Arab states are not
asking Turkey to sever its relations with Israel; rather, they
are asking Turkey to use its important regional position to push
for the protection of Palestinian rights. Prime Minister Erdogan
ought to hew to a consistent definition of terrorism, one which
does not include resisting invaders."

BALTIMORE