MEDIA REACTION: P&O PORTS DEAL; HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT;

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ABU DHABI 001001 SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/ARP; NEA/Ppd; nea/ra; INR/r/mr; pa; inr/nesa; inr/b; RRU-NEA IIP/G/NEA-SA WHITE HOUSE FOR PRESS OFFICE; NSC SECDEF FOR OASD/PA USCINCCENT FOR POLAD LONDON FOR MCKUNE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OIIP KMDR AE TC SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: P&O PORTS DEAL; HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT; SADDAT KIDNAPPING: US AND UK CONSPIRACY PLOT ¶1. SUMMARY: A UAE COLUMNIST IN "AL-ITTIHAD" WRITES THAT US REJECTION OF THE P&O DEAL CONVEYED A NEGATIVE MESSAGE TO ALL ARABS AS WELL AS TO THE UAE. A COLUMNIST IN "AL-KHALEEJ" COMMENTED ON THE DOS HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT BY STATING THAT IT ACCUSES MANY COUNTRIES, INCLUDING THOSE WHO ARE CONSIDERED TO BE AMERICA'S ALLIES. A UAE COLUMNIST IN "AL-KHALEEJ" STRONGLY CRITICIZES THE US FOR NOT AGREEING TO DUBAI MANAGEMENT OF US PORTS AND STATES THE US SHOULD COVER DUBAI'S FINANCIAL LOSSES RESULTING FROM ABORTING THIS DEAL. FOLLOWING YESTERDAY'S KIDNAPPING OF SAADAT, "AL-BAYAN" WONDERED WHETHER ANYBODY CAN ACCEPT AMERICAN GUARANTEES AFTER IT CONSPIRED WITH UK AND ISRAEL AGAINST PALESTINIANS. "AL-KHALEEJ" CONDEMNS US CONSPIRACY WITH ISRAEL AGAINST PALESTINIANS AND STATES THAT AMERICA'S ONLY CONCERN IS TO SATISFY THE ZIONIST GROUP. A COLUMNIST IN "AL- KHALEEJ" WONDERED WHAT THE REAL REASONS WERE BEHIND AMERICA REMAINING IN IRAQ, FOLLOWING US SECRETARY OF DEFENSE RUMSFELD STATEMENT THAT HIS FORCES WOULD NOT INTERFERE IN CASE OF A CIVIL WAR WAGE. END SUMMARY. ¶2. Under the headline "Dubai deal: USA's refusal to the Arab investment", UAE columnist Mohamed Al-Hammadi, wrote in Abu Dhabi- based Arabic daily "Al- Ittihad," (circulation 65,000) 15/3: "The American standpoint on the P&O deal is unreasonable and the justifications of those who are obsessed with security are unjustifiable. It is strange that they are not aware of the fact that those who will manage these ports will be more cautious about security than the Americans themselves, since they realize the extent of embarrassment should the ports be sabotaged... The Americans sent us a negative message. We do not trust Arabs and we do not want to deal with them except through our tanks, airplanes, soldiers and our supervisory decisions. But when it comes down to politics, investment, money, technology, education or any other aspects of life, we do not want any partnership with Arabs. This message is very dangerous for the long-term... It is not wise that the crucial decisions for the United States are made by those who obtain their information from media outlets; the decision-maker's responsibility is broader than a narrow- angled interest of a certain entity." ¶3. Under the headline "What follows the P&O Deal", UAE university professor of political science Dr. Abdul-Khaliq Abdulla wrote in Sharjah-based Pan-Arab daily "Al-Khaleej," (circulation 85,000) 14/3: "The Arab investments in the United States, though generally insubstantial and not exceeding 0.5% of the total foreign investments which amount to 1.5 trillion dollars, is still needed by the US to cover its commercial deficit and settle its accumulated dues, now that it has become the country with the highest record of debts, not just in the world today but throughout history... Due to its ignorance, stupidity and arrogance reflected by the Congressmen, the United States has wasted these highly required investments. It is important that the United States pay the price of its obsession with terror, its detestable racism towards Arabs and the demagoguism of its leaders directed towards UAE leaders. It should also cover the full financial and intangible losses incurred by the cancellation of Dubai P&O deal which needs to continue on its path towards internationalization. The success of any company carrying the UAE flag implies the success of all Arab countries..." ¶4. Under the headline "About Human Rights", columnist Magdi Mustafa wrote in Sharjah-based Pan-Arab daily "Al-Khaleej," (circulation 85,000) 14/3: "A few days ago, the US State Department released its annual Report on Human Rights of the world. This report carries numerous accusations and selective reports of violations that undoubtedly exist in many countries, of which some are Arab countries that are allies to Washington, even though the majority of these accusations was directed to those opposing American policy, with Iran on the forefront of the list, followed by North Korea, China, Cuba, Myanmar and Russia etc..." ¶5. Under the headline "Attack of treachery and complicity", Dubai-Based Arabic Daily "Al-Bayan," (circulation 90,000) 15/3 wrote: "They colluded as usual with Israel. The two countries lead an international campaign against the Hamas movement and demand that the world recognize Israel as a state... Although the attack continued for long hours that were enough for them to deter and avoid, yet nothing of this nature happened. Is there another description for this other than collusion and complicity? Official American sources claimed that the withdrawal was to provide protection for the observers, a deed that is worse than the ugly deed itself. American policy towards the Palestinian issue and the region in general was absolutely Israeli-biased. Now this stance developed to the stage of complete collusion. If it is so, then how can anybody henceforth take American guarantees seriously? " ¶6. Under the headline "Terror along the hour", Sharjah-based Pan-Arab daily "Al-Khaleej," (circulation 85,000),15/3: "What happened yesterday in Jericho was scandalous and disgraceful to the world, which watched Zionists through the satellite channels openly practicing their terror on the occupied territories of Palestine. Nevertheless, nobody moved or did anything. To the contrary, there seemed to be an obvious and planned collusion between the Zionist movement and Washington and UK. These killers are the very ones whom one should attack, especially by those who call for putting an end to terror in the world, because they keep killing, occupying and destroying the Palestinians in their own country while the US, Britain and other major countries turn their backs on all these actions, as if they can't see or hear, simply because America's only concern is to satisfy Zionist war criminals. It is also obvious, as it is in every Zionist crime, that the enemy rests assured, knowing that the Arab reaction would not exceed the level of silence, and if it did, the maximum level it would reach is mere words of condemnation and denunciation." ¶7. Under the headline "American propaganda and late wake-up", columnist Jaafar Mohamed Ahmed wrote in Sharjah-based Pan-Arab dily "Al-Khaleej," (circulation 85,000) 15/3: "The American Secretary of Defense unintentionally disclosed the occupation's lie through his latest statement, when he said that his forces would not interfere were a civil war to be waged, and that the mission of putting out the flames of civil war would fall on the shoulders of the Iraqi forces, while he knows very well that these forces need more training, especially in the area of dealing with civil wars. His statement raises many questions as to why the United States is present in Iraq... What happened in Al Sadr City is a continuation of targeting mosques, in preparation for another criminal round to drag Iraq into side battles to distract them from reaching their primary goal of ridding their country of occupying forces and realizing independence and sovereignty. The United States is in big trouble as its forces failed to cement its occupation of Iraq and now is reaping the fruits of its foolish policies. Nonetheless, there is a chance for Iraqis to form a government that can stop the occupiers goal." SISON