MEDIA REACTION REPORT - Iraq Iran International

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SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION REPORT - Iraq Iran International
Terrorism - Hammadi Release
PARIS - Thursday, December 22, 2005


(A) SUBJECTS COVERED IN TODAY'S REPORT:

Iraq
Iran
International Terrorism - Hammadi Release

B) SUMMARY OF COVERAGE:

A majority of today's front pages are devoted to the stalled
negotiations to redefine France's unemployment insurance
benefits. But Le Figaro headlines: "With the U.S. Marines In
the Sunni Triangle." Embedded Adrien Jaulmes writes about the
U.S. Army's "relentless search for an elusive enemy." (See
Part C) Embedded photographer Laurent Van der Stock's photo-
reportage of his stay with the Golf Company near Karmah
appears in this week's Paris Match. Reports note the
resumption of Saddam's trial as well as his accusations of
torture against the U.S. Le Monde devotes a full page to the
French kidnap victim Bernard Planche missing in Iraq and whose
abduction has yet to be claimed.

Iran's intransigence elicits several commentaries and
editorials, including a scenario of "a Nuclear Iran" in
Liberation. (See Part C)

Angela Merkel is profiled by columnist Alexandre Adler in Le
Figaro. Adler contends that that there is "a Merkel effect.
First in domestic German affairs, and more recently in
European affairs." Adler believes she will have a positive
impact on other women political leaders, or aspiring leaders.
Angela Merkel is also central in reports about the release of
former highjacker Hammadi. Left-of-center Liberation reports
that "a chill" has developed between Berlin and Washington
over the release. (See Part C)

Le Figaro reports that two French associations defending human
rights have filed a complaint in connection with alleged CIA
rendition flights having transited through France. The article
reports "it is up to the prosecutor of Bobigny to decide
whether to open an investigation further to the complaint."

The resignation of Federal Judge James Robertson to protest
against the government's eavesdropping scheme is reported in
La Croix by Francois D'Alancon.

(C) SUPPORTING TEXT/BLOCK QUOTES:

Iraq

"OP3, an American Fort, Somewhere in Iraq"
Adrien Jaulmes in right-of-center Le Figaro (12/22): "On the
front linnes facing insurgents who are blended into the
population, the Marines stationed near Faluja live in fear of
improvised explosives. Every morning the Marines patrol the
sector of Karmah. Their Lieutenant recently graduated from the
Naval Academy is taking this war against an elusive enemy as a
personal challenge. Most of the soldiers are white and come
from the Southern United States. They are professionals who
remain on their guard: attacks against the Marines are a daily
occurrence and the danger can come from just about anywhere.
The Marines are mostly afraid of suicide car bombings."

Iran

"Iran - A Real Problem"
Jean Levallois in regional La Presse de La Manche (12/22):
"Iran has indeed become a real problem for the international
community. Ahmadinejad is an elected president, but he
embodies an Iran that is regressing and adopting everyday a
more fanatic stance. At this point, controlling the
dissemination of nuclear weapons is being overtaken by a more
urgent need: neutralizing the ambitions of Iran's leaders. Can
the international community allow a nation, which talks of the
annihilation of an entire people, to retain the ability to
pursue this goal? More than ever, the international community
must keep Iran from developing a bomb which harsh regimes will
not hesitate to use. Peace for the world will necessarily
require putting Iran back in line, but at what cost?"
"Scenario of a Nuclear Iran"
Jacques Amalric in left-of-center Liberation (12/22): "No one
expects any positive outcome from the talks between the EU-3
and Iran, considering the stance adopted by Iran's president.
Tehran's recent back-tracking on the nuclear issue is all the
more critical since Ahmadinejad's provocative remarks about
Israel. His verbal assaults are in violation of the UN
Charter. But he has yet to be truly condemned. Such caution by
all, Moscow, the Europeans and Arab nations who have
recognized the existence of Israel, help only to confirm
Ahmadinejad's extreme positions. Added to this, the Iranian
President is well-served by the international context: i.e.
the U.S. is mired in Iraq and knows that Tehran can complicate
things even further with Iraq's Shiites. The U.S. is also
aware that Iran carries weight in Lebanon with Hezbollah. Last
but not least, the oil needs of India and China ensures their
opposition to economic sanctions by the UN."

International Terrorism - Hammadi Release

"Hammadi Case Casts a Chill Between Berlin and Washington"
Jean Ryga in left-of-center Liberation (12/22): "Why did
Germany release a convicted highjacker who was a member of
Hezbollah and who killed a U.S. Marine? Is there a link
between the release of Hammadi and the recent release in Iraq
of a German hostage? The story is proving to be embarrassing
for Berlin and Germany's relationship with the U.S. His
release has elicited an angry reaction from Washington. The
State Department has declared it is `very disappointed' with
the German decision. The controversy comes at a particularly
bad time for Merkel who has been trying to revive the
transatlantic ties since she took over from Chancellor
Schroeder." STAPLETON