Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ABUDHABI1001
2006-03-15 12:54:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Cable title:  

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

Tags:  OIIP KMDR AE TC 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
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


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