MEDIA REACTION: U.S. IMAGE; IRAN AND THE REGION;

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ABU DHABI 001406

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: U.S. IMAGE; IRAN AND THE REGION;
IRAQ'S OCCUPATION



1. Summary: A columnist in "Al-Ittihad" explains why
America is deeply hated by Arabs and Muslims stating that
respecting human's humanity is the only way for America to
resolve these issues. "Al-Khaleej" expressed concerns for
Gulf security. "Al-Khaleej" asserted that freedom and
democracy never comes from occupation. A columnist in "Al-
Ittihad" blamed the Iraqi politicians for the current crisis
in Iraq. An editorial in "Gulf News" argues that a U.S.
strike on Iran is not a viable solution. End Summary.


2. Under headline "America: The art of enhancing its ugly
picture", a columnist, Mohammed Al-Sammak, wrote 4/8 op-ed
in Abu Dhabi-based Arabic daily "Al-Ittihad" (circulation
65,000):

"The United States shows increasing concern over enhancing
its image in the world. According to an investigative study
conducted by an American establishment, `in modern history,
the phenomenon of enmity towards America has never been
deeper and more comprehensive than it is now'. The question
is: Why? Feelings of hatred toward the U.S. in Southern
America are stronger and broader than any where in the
world. The study revealed that only 11% of Mexicans look
positively toward America's influence... According to Arab
and Islamic nations, the study confirmed that the only
problem that has been hindering the American-Arab/Islamic
relationships centers on the Palestinian issue and America's
unlimited support to Israel. It also stated that this
problem which started after the six-day war of 1967 had
reached unprecedented levels after 9/11. According to the
study, the ugliest image of the U.S. in the entire world is
seen in the Islamic world... If the United States had the
right to surpass the United Nations and throw into the wall
all international treaties, why should the rest of the world
respect the United Nations and abide by its legislation? It
is true that the United States is the most powerful country
in the world. But does this give it the right to impose its
regime how and whenever it wishes? Has the military force
become the only basis for national legitimacy? Experience
throughout history proves that violence does not solve
problems. Hitler did not impose Nazism on Europe. The
United States, who failed to topple Castro in Cuba, will
never win its war on terrorism through terrorist means, and
Israelis, despite of their continuous massacres that are
daily committed against Palestinians, will never suppress
the Palestinian issue or subdue the Palestinian people.
Respecting the humanity of mankind is the only way to
resolve any issue or solve any problem."



3. Under headline "Gulf's security", Sharjah-based Pan-
Arab daily "Al-Khaleej" (circulation 85,000) wrote 4/6 Front-
page unsigned editorial:

"The security of the Gulf is costly. It is extremely costly
to those in this region who have experienced at least three
wars, and tasted their bitterness, and the impact which
continues in Iraq. The omens of future wars are very
likely, with a continuous exchange of threats dancing
between America and Iran. American occupational invasions
taking place under shiny slogans do not deceive anyone
anymore and as do Iran's ambitions that are full of hard
ideologies under transatlantic missiles or those that swim
under the surface of the warm waters of the gulf... Day
after day, our fears grow deeper... The blue color of the
gulf will be eliminated unless Iran removes the mask of
clouds covering its face or advances towards its
neighbors... with the aim to engage in a dialogue, build
measures of confidence and close all doors that are sources
of trouble... The militarization of the gulf... is a bad
prescription for the stability and joint cooperation of the
gulf... The gulf today is under grave threat and deserves
sincere protection from those who now enjoy its security and
from wise men all over the world."


4. Under headline "Occupation of Al-Rasheed's capital",
Sharjah-based pan-Arab daily "Al-Khaleej" (circulation
85,000) wrote 4/9 unsigned editorial:

"Three years after the occupation of Baghdad and Iraq, the
only ongoing talk of the town is strife, civil war, and the
daily blood bath... the final result which is the break up
of Iraq. The fake promise of freedom and democracy has
turned from day one into disasters begetting more disasters,
because freedom and democracy can never be achieved under
occupation. The records of occupation do not include free
services to peoples. Occupation works only in serving its
own plans and interests."


5. Under headline "Ruling crisis in Iraq", a columnist,
Dr. Shamlan Yousef Al-Eissa, wrote 4/9 op-ed in Abu Dhabi-
based Arabic daily "Al-Ittihad" (circulation 65,000):

"The call of Abdulaziz Al Hakeem on the Iranian leadership
to agree with the American administration on resolving
issues in Iraq adds legitimacy to the Iranian presence in
Iraq. We believe that the primary cause of the situation in
Iraq is Iraqi politicians, whether taking the form of
parties, movements, or Sunni or Shiite organizations.
Accusing the United States or others of being the source of
Iraq's problems does not reflect the facts. It seems that
after their country was freed by the American forces, the
Iraqi politicians, who led the oppositions in Tehran,
Damascus, London, Washington and other capitals, and who
raised slogans of freedom, dignity, democracy and the law of
nation, were liars and deceivers whose only aim was to reach
to power and confiscate the rights of others... Therefore,
it is not strange that they have not reached rational
solutions confirming the unity of the Iraqi people and its
sovereignty on a non-torn country. Does the Iraqi situation
affect the Arabian Gulf countries? Definitely yes. U.S.
senator "McCain warned that failing in Iraq would not just
leave behind chaos in Iraq, but would expand to include all
neighboring countries. How can we save Iraq from traders in
slogans, terrorists and traders in religion and
sectarianism? The Iraqi people need help from all countries
of the world. What is required is an international
conference that would set up new foundations for the future
of Iraq, whereby a clear plan is drawn up for stabilizing
Iraq through ending factional militias, adjusting the
constitution, reinforcing the central command for
controlling security and stability, and inaugurating
business projects to benefit all Iraqi people. This will
only happen under the presence of a clean Iraqi leadership
that is far from partisanship and sectarianism."


6. Under headline "Military strike is not a solution", Dubai-
based English daily "Gulf News" (circulation 95,000) wrote
4/11 unsigned editorial:
"All options on Iran's nuclear ambitions are on the table,
according to the White House. They shouldn't be. Only
diplomacy should be on the table. The consequences of a
military strike on Iran would be horrendous...
A military strike is not a solution. Apart from the
international uproar a strike would unleash at a time when
America is desperately in need of allies to wage its so-
called war on terror, it would not guarantee that Iran's
nuclear program would be stopped. It would guarantee
retaliation and a determination by Iran to pursue that which
it is being accused of today by the U.S., a nuclear weapons
option.
The only certain consequence would be anti-western feeling
which could in turn lead to possible terrorist attacks. Iran
has a right to develop nuclear power for peaceful purposes.
If it chooses to exercise this right then the process must
be open and accountable to the international community.
Double standards are at play here. Israel has about 200
nuclear weapons. This brings not so much as a word of
condemnation from Washington. Aside from Washington's bias,
nuclear energy and the problems and suspicions it brings
will be a major issue of the 21st century as other countries
try to join the "elite". If diplomacy fails on Iran then it
will fail with other countries, leading to a free-for-all.
Diplomacy offers the only chance of a viable, workable
solution. No other option should be considered."


SISON