MEDIA REACTION: DESECRATIONS, OPERATIONS, MACHINATIONS

UNCLAS MUSCAT 000795

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LONDON FOR GOLDRICH
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E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPAO KMDR OIIP MU
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: DESECRATIONS, OPERATIONS, MACHINATIONS


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Guantanamo Bay Allegations
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1. Two pieces on the alleged Quran desecration at Guantanamo Bay
appeared on the editorial page of the privately-owned Arabic
daily "al-Watan" on May 15. The first, entitled "Quran
Desecration and al-Aqsa," was written by Lebanese columnist
Zuhair Majid:

"It is a season of desecration for all the sanctuaries and
shrines that Muslims hold sacred. First was the al-Aqsa mosque,
and now it is the Quran. This represents a re-awakening of
attempts to downsize Islam and to paralyze its reach. Since the
Crusaders decided to `win the east' and use force to bring down
the Muslims, we have seen attempts like these throughout history.
The apology of the Americans for what their soldiers did at
Guantanamo is not enough; nor are a few demonstrations in Islamic
countries sufficient to express our outrage."


2. Jordanian writer Mohammed Amairah penned the second piece,
entitled "The Crime in Guantanamo":

"What happened in Guantanamo is an unforgivable crime. Those who
committed this act should be punished. It is strange that these
attacks against holy Islamic places and books do not seem to be
provoking strong actions on the part of Muslims worldwide. For
example, the Israelis have been desecrating the Al-Aqsa mosque
continuously, from the time it was set on fire 35 years ago to
the present day, where Jewish extremists are allowed to storm the
mosque under the protection of Ariel Sharon."

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Not Bullish On Iraq
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3. "Al-Watan" also published an editorial on May 15 under the
headline "The Civilian Massacre of Operation Matador":

"The massacre called `Operation Matador' claimed many victims,
including women, children, businessmen, scholars, and other
civilians. Besides the killings, many other individuals were
forced to flee Iraq to the borders of other countries. The
confused nature of the operation meant that conflicting reports
were inevitable. Many analysts and witnesses confirmed that
Operation Matador targeted the civilian sector, while the
Americans said they were only hunting Iraqi rebels wearing
military uniforms. The Americans acknowledged that the operation
took place in the area where cash and weapons are smuggled
between Syria and Iraq. We are led to the conclusion that
American forces believed the civilian casualties were justified
since they were smugglers and infiltrators."

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Going In Reverse
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4. On May 11, the government-owned Arabic daily "Oman" carried an
editorial entitled "Israeli Maneuvers Hinder Peace Process":

"In a time when the Palestinian National Authority is working
towards fulfilling its commitments under the Roadmap, it seems
that Ariel Sharon wants to reverse course. He announced the
postponement of the planned Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza
Strip to next year; and he refused to release the 400 Palestinian
prisoners as agreed under the Sharm al-Sheikh accords. In
addition, Foreign Minister Shalom, who has always privately
opposed the withdrawal plan, has now publicly stated his doubts
that Israel will withdraw from Gaza, particularly if Hamas wins
the legislative elections next July."

BALTIMORE