Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ABUDHABI1637
2006-04-23 14:08:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Cable title:  

MEDIA REACTION: DUBAI PORTS/IRAQ

Tags:  OIIP KMDR AE KPAO TC 
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UNCLAS ABU DHABI 001637 

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 KPAO TC
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: DUBAI PORTS/IRAQ

UNCLAS ABU DHABI 001637

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 KPAO TC
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: DUBAI PORTS/IRAQ


1. Summary: A UAE columnist in "Al-Khaleej" comments on the
oppressive way the Dubai Ports deal was handled by the
American media and politicians. He concludes that despite
of all these failures, globalization will continue. "Al-
Khaleej" asserts that the American occupation of Iraq is the
problem and that they should leave to stop the bloodshed and
destruction of Iraq. End Summary.


2. Under headline "The March of Globalization Continues",
a UAE columnist, Mohamed Obaid Ghubeish, wrote 4/20 op-ed in
Sharjah-based pan-Arab daily "Al-Khaleej" (circulation
85,000):

"Americans' opposition to foreign investment in their county
is not new. We remember their opposition to Japanese
entertainment firms acquiring U.S. real estate firms and
entertainment companies. However, the way Dubai was dealt
with can only be described as stark hatred. This emirate
was dealt with oppression and prejudice. Those who observed
the American media during this period could not help but be
shocked by the strong negative feelings expressed by U.S.
politicians and media officials. The American media did not
rush to this city to better understand its experience or to
evaluate all sides, rather they came to magnify Dubai's
vices and to downplay its achievements. The least that
could be written about UAE's reaction to such a campaign is
that of astonishment. Dubai was expecting to be praised for
embracing globalization and for opening its borders to those
who endure hard living conditions in their countries to come
to our land of gold. Instead of all of this, Dubai is
regarded as the origin of two 9/11 hijackers... These two
hijackers were trained during the cold war when the U.S. was
part of the effort to kick the Soviets out of Afghanistan...
Despite all of these failures, it seems that globalization
will keep on moving. Every time there is a failure, there
are also 100 new opportunities. It also seems that our
country does not have the time to wait for a new global
economy, and that it must play the game according to today's
rules even if these rules are disliked."


3. Under headline "Occupation is not the solution",
Sharjah-based pan-Arab daily "Al-Khaleej" (circulation
85,000) wrote 4/20 unsigned editorial:

"Recent events give us daily new evidence that the problem
is the occupation itself. What happened in Al-Adhamiya, as
described by Americans themselves confirms that no one knows
the real details. The American forces are not liked by all
parties, and the new Iraqi army evokes suspicion. Who
attacked Al-Adhamiya? Were they the militias or the
occupation forces which support the Iraqi forces?... The
Americans can not control the situation. They can not leave
either, without looking like they are defeated. However, no
one can argue against the fact that the occupation forces
should leave to stop the bloodshed and destruction of Iraq.
The occupation was and has been a problem... Iraq without
an occupation will be in a better position to stop the
bloodshed. This requires an agreement between three vital
players: the American administration, the international
community and the Arab countries. The international
community has a moral and legal obligation to convince the
Americans to withdraw and to adopt a plan to get Iraq out of
its ordeal with the help of the Arabs. The longer the
delay, the more complicated the situation becomes."

SISON