MEDIA REACTION: PALESTINE, MAJLIS AL-SHURA, IRAQ

UNCLAS MUSCAT 000909 SIPDIS DEPT FOR NEA/ARPI, NEA/PPD, NEA/P, INR/R/MR LONDON FOR GOLDRICH PARIS FOR ZEYA USCENTCOM FOR PLUSH FOREIGN PRESS CENTER FOR ASILAS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KPAO KMDR OIIP MU SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: PALESTINE, MAJLIS AL-SHURA, IRAQ -------------- Housecleaning -------------- ¶1. The government-owned Arabic daily "Oman" ran an editorial on June 4 under the headline "The Need To Tidy Up The Palestinian House": "Despite Abu Mazen's efforts to tidy up the Palestinian house -- especially its security apparatus -- it seems that there are still some Palestinians intent on creating instability. This does not help the Palestinian Authority.... Although certain sectors of the Palestinian population engaged in peaceful demonstrations to improve their living conditions, it was strange to see other Palestinians shooting their weapons in the air as a way of expressing their demands. This not only damages the interests of the Palestinian people, but also deforms their image in front of important international and regional players." -------------- High Praise For The Lower House -------------- ¶2. "Al-Watan," a privately-owned Arabic daily, published an editorial on May 31 entitled "The Majlis al-Shura Continues Its Developmental Role": "The 14th session of the Omani Majlis al-Shura (Consultative Council) was an excellent example of cooperation between the Majlis and the government. The Majlis specializes in providing political and social recommendations for policymakers, and is tasked with supporting the people's demands in order to develop the country. These recommendations play an important role in creating clear strategies for the government's executive ministries, who in turn make all necessary efforts to fulfill Sultan Qaboos' vision for Oman's future." -------------- A House Divided -------------- ¶3. Also on May 31, "Oman" carried an editorial entitled "Circle Of Violence In Iraq": "The circle of violence and killing between divided sectors in Iraq continues without any indication of stopping. Bloody episodes are pushing this Arab country into a dark tunnel, and nobody seems to know how to get out of it. American troops were unable to solve security problems, and activities such as `Operation Thunder' only exacerbated the situation in Baghdad and elsewhere. Instability and insecurity will be the slogans of the coming period." BALTIMORE