Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05PARIS7716
2005-11-14 11:03:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Paris
Cable title:  

MEDIA REACTION REPORT - Azerbaijan Terrorism - Amman

Tags:  OPRC KMDR FR 
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PARIS 007716

SIPDIS


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EUR/WE /P/SP; D/C (MCCOO); EUR/PA; INR/P; INR/EUC; PM; OSC ISA
FOR ILN; NEA; WHITE HOUSE FOR NSC/WEUROPE; DOC FOR ITA/EUR/FR
AND PASS USTR/PA; USINCEUR FOR PAO; NATO/PA; MOSCOW/PA;
ROME/PA; USVIENNA FOR USDEL OSCE.

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OPRC KMDR FR
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION REPORT - Azerbaijan Terrorism - Amman
German Coalition Iran
PARIS - Monday, November 14, 2005


(A) SUBJECTS COVERED IN TODAY'S REPORT:

Azerbaijan
Terrorism - Amman
German Coalition
Iran

B) SUMMARY OF COVERAGE:

Although many front pages continue to focus on France's
suburban unrest, other stories are also featured. Azerbaijan
and "its missed" revolution is front-paged in Le Figaro:
"Putin Takes Over in Azerbaijan." (See Part C) The UN-
sponsored summit in Tunis on the Internet is "The
Disinformation Summit" for left-of-center Liberation which
comments in its editorial: "One has to wonder about the
absurdity and appropriateness of holding such a summit in such
a country: a clearer sign regarding freedom of the press could
not have been sent." In an interview, Reporters Without
Borders says it is "like choosing Libya to head the Human
Rights Commission."

Other international stories focus on Iran's rejection of the
EU compromise (See Part C) and conjecture about the attacks in
Amman and Jordan's previous attack-free status. Le Journal du
Dimanche in its report states that Amman provided the CIA with
a secret prison site. La Croix reports that the four suicide
bombers responsible for the attack in Amman last week were all
Iraqis members of Al-Qaeda. The king of Jordan is quoted:
"Zarkawi has changed strategies. He is now using foreigners to
carry out attacks. This means that our security services will
also need to change strategies." (See Part C) The German
coalition is also the focus of several editorials (See Part C)
while President Bush's forthcoming trip is noted in Le Figaro
Economie: "President Bush will be traveling to China in a
difficult context. The U.S. trade deficit is largely due to a
trade imbalance with China. The fluctuating Yuan will not be
the sole point of friction: intellectual property and the
impact of China's economic growth on world markets will also
be discussed. But the agreement on textiles will help to ease
the tension, somewhat."

Secretary Rice's trip to the Middle East was announced this

SIPDIS
morning in the electronic media and briefly noted in Le
Figaro: "During her 24-hour visit the U.S. Secretary of State

will meet with Sharon and later with Mahmoud Abbas."

Popular right-of-center Le Parisien notes that France's
government spokesman, Jean-Francois Cope is calling a press
conference with foreign correspondents to "revamp France's
image" abroad, an image which "has been considerably tarnished
by the spectacular coverage given by the foreign media." FM
Villepin, upset by the "sensationalism" and the attacks on
"France's social model" has mobilized his entire government to
"bring back tourists and investors." According to Henri
Vernet's report, FM Villepin may even be considering an
interview with CNN." The campaign, writes Vernet, "is very
similar to the one France undertook to improve France's image
in the U.S. during the Franco-American dispute about Iraq."

(C) SUPPORTING TEXT/BLOCK QUOTES:

Azerbaijan

"Moscow Wants to Thwart Baku Revolution"
Laure Mandeville in right-of-center Le Figaro (11/14): "The
inability of the Azeri rebels to pull off a Ukrainian-style
revolution is due as much to Washington's shy support as to
Moscow's activism. In the Byzantine-like game being played in
the Caucasus, Moscow had its eyes on Armenia and Iran, leaving
Turkey and Azerbaijan to the U.S. But the Russians have just
proven that they have key players positioned in Baku,
including inside Aliev's clan."

"Stalled Democracy"
Alain Guillemoles in Catholic La Croix (11/14): "The
opposition leaders know they will not be able to count on
American support. Azerbaijan had indeed established close
relations with Washington since the construction of a
pipeline. But Washington, although it has called for `free and
fair elections' is not ready to support a change of regime."
German Coalition

"German Cohabitation"
Jean-Michel Salvator in right-of-center Le Figaro (11/14):
"Merkel is proposing a courageous program to her country. Her
diagnostic is both clear-minded and demanding. But her fiscal
measures, although courageous and willful, are not, when seen
from France, devoid of danger. The German government is going
to tax individuals and companies, thus weakening even more
middle class consumerism. Angela Merkel is in fact going
against her nature: she is now leading a government calling
for more taxes and not enough strong reforms. The need for
more liberal employment rules will have to wait. Merkel's left-
right coalition is made up of small deals and big compromises.
What awaits Merkel is a hard and prolonged battle with her
adversaries. And contrary to French style cohabitation,
Germany's foreign policy will not enjoy a consensus: the FM is
pro-Turkey in the EU, while Merkel is not. But the issue has
been shelved for now."

"German Transition"
Pierre Rousselin in right-of-center Le Figaro (11/12): "The
great coalition, to which German voters have condemned their
country by refusing to choose between the right and the left,
on Sept. 18, has finally given birth to a very modest common
government program. It's a pity. But it would be naive to
expect anything else from former adversaries who are obliged
to get along, just as it would be an error to stop there and
to conclude that Germany is broken down."

Terrorism - Amman

"Why Jordan Is No Longer Spared"
Nicolas Henin in right-of-center Le Journal du Dimanche
(11/13): "People said it was the `Jordanian miracle.' Next to
her neighbors, Jordan's safety record in terms of terrorism
was almost insulting. It was partly due to the effectiveness
of its intelligence services, but also to an implicit pact
among Jihaddists not to attack their mother country. After
9/11 that pact was blown apart. Later there was the war in
Iraq and the collaboration between Amman and Washington in
security issues: Jordan opened up part of a disaffected
military base in southern Jordan, Al-Jafr. The base was lent
to the CIA which turned it into a secret prison. Many Al-Qaeda
detainees have transited through the prison. This was known in
Jordan. The date, nine eleven, or November 9, recalls another
9/11."

Iran

"Iran Rejects European Offer"
Maurin Picard in right-of-center Le Figaro (11/14): "There
will be no compromise. Faithful to its hard line, the Iranian
government has made liars of those who wanted to believe in an
agreement. The Mullahs have categorically rejected the
European offer, called the `last chance compromise' by the
Europeans and the Americans who have been discreetly
supporting the EU. In Vienna, Iran will be able to count on
Russia and China, its faithful economic partners who have
rejected all talk of sanctions against Iran." HOFMANN