MEDIA REACTION: IRAN/IRAQ

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ABU DHABI 001790 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: IRAN/IRAQ ¶1. Summary: A columnist in "Al-Bayan" explains why the U.S. will not strike Iran. "Al-Khaleej" blames the occupation for Iraq's growing problems and feels the end of the occupation will bring an end to the militias. A columnist in "Al-Bayan" described the Gulf countries' rising concern with the Iranian issue as legitimate. A columnist in "Al-Khaleej" highlights the fact that Iran poses a danger to Gulf countries and that they should not side with the U.S. End Summary. ¶2. Under headline "USA won't hit Iran", a female UAE columnist, Aisha Sultan, wrote in Dubai-based Arabic daily "Al-Bayan," (circulation 90,000) wrote 4/29 op-ed: "Time proved that Iraq was free from weapons of mass destruction, and that the US and the British administrations were lying to their people and to the whole world. Based on this lie, they formed an international alliance to wage war whose fire cannot be easily extinguished. Rice now is trying to write her personal history by resorting to international law to wage another war against Iran for the same reason: nuclear weapons! Nevertheless, it is certain that if America still has any brains in some part of its giant, scary imperial entity, it will not go to war or take any military action, not because it cares for anyone in this region, but because of its fear from an internal collapse, its concern over itself, its interests in the region and the world, its concern over Israel, and the stability of the oil-rich Gulf, and many other things that have to do with Europe, Russia, China and others... The United States has hated Iran since Al Khumayni took over, ending the era of American's man there. ...the United States hates Iran because it defied it by reserving for itself a seat in the big, nuclear players club, which was a surprise to Israel. We in the Gulf do not support the Iranian nuclear program, but we also do not agree with America waging a war against any country in the region it does not like, because we will ultimately get harmed!!" ¶3. Under headline "Iraq free of occupation and militias", Sharjah-based pan-Arab daily "Al-Khaleej" (circulation 85,000) wrote 4/29 unsigned editorial: "The occupation and the militias which are growing during this occupation create more political and bloody problems in Iraq. Iraq should regain its independent as a solution to these problems. It is clear that the occupation and the militias throughout Iraq work to advance their interests, not Iraq's and the Iraqis' interests, especially because now we know the reasons behind the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. As Rumsfeld disclosed, these wars happened to contain Iran... Where is the liberation, democracy, the regional model, fighting terror, and the weapons of mass destruction? Better yet, where is Iraq's interest in all of what has been happening for the past three years? The key solution is freeing Iraq from the occupation and the occupation- produced militias. The solution is to establish a real state for all Iraqis, where justice prevails with no occupation and oppression." ¶4. Under headline "Gulf Summit: Very hot topics", a UAE female columnist, Aisha Al Murri, wrote 05/01 op-ed in Abu Dhabi-based Arabic daily "Al-Ittihad" (circulation 65,000): "The Gulf nations have a legitimate concern with the announcement of Iran's president that Iran has become a nuclear power, especially because Iran keeps defying the International community. The Iranian issue directly influences the future of the region's countries... Have the Gulf countries played a more peaceful role towards Iran than they should? Have they been negligent towards it? Why does the language of communication, rationalism, and diplomatic options remain only on this side of the Gulf and not have any effect on the opposite Farsi shore? ¶5. Under headline "Caution on and from Iran", Dr. Ali Al-Gafli, a Saudi columnist, wrote 05/02 op-ed in Sharjah-based pan-Arab daily "Al-Khaleej" (circulation 85,000): "American and Gulf policies in the Gulf have not stopped the growth of Iran's strategic role in the region or its increasing influence in Iraq... There is nothing in Iran's nuclear program that would assure Gulf countries that Iran has good intentions. It is actually Iran's responsibility to relieve Gulf countries' fears and replace them with trust. In return, the Gulf countries should realize that today they stand in front of a different Iran, in a sense that there is no more room for them to commit any mistakes. Iran is about to become a nuclear power. Future relations with Iran can no longer survive strategic mistakes, especially standing with the enemies of Iran as was the case during the Iran-Iraq war... Iran is not an ideal country, but at the same time, it cannot be categorized as a third-world country. The Gulf countries should not go with the American allegations against Iran, especially in light of the fact that the U.S. is actually incapable of invading Iran or completely destroying it in such a way that Iran would not be able to retaliate... Therefore, Gulf countries should not expect Iran to ignore the role of countries deciding to join the aggressive threats launched by Washington against Iran's nuclear ambitions." SISON