MEDIA REACTION: U.S. PUBLIC DIPLOMACY EFFORTS/PALESTINE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ABU DHABI 000019

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/ARP; NEA/PPD; NEA/RA; INR/R/MR; PA;
INR/NESA; INR/B; 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: U.S. PUBLIC DIPLOMACY EFFORTS/PALESTINE



1. SUMMARY: Arab columnists are critical of U.S. public diplomacy
efforts. Al-Khaleej urges Palestinian authorities to take
stronger control of the resistance and not just make statements
condemning resistance groups. End Summary.


2. Under the headline "Brainwash", Jafar Mohamed Ahmed, a
columnist wrote on Sharjah-based Pan -Arab daily "Al Khaleej,"
(circulation 85,000) 12/30:

"The announcement inaugurating the Edward R. Murrow Journalism
Fellows Program came days after the suspension of Hi Magazine
whose objective was to enhance the image of Washington in the
Arab and Islamic world. The U.S. stopped publishing this
magazine as it failed to achieve this goal and could probably
take the same step towards Radio Sawa and Al-Hurrah TV, which are
both financed by the American Congress for the same objective.
Will the new Washington endeavor of the Edward R. Murrow
Journalism Fellows Program further tarnish the U.S. image after
its failure with Sawa, Al-Hurrah and finally Hi Magazine which
were all nothing but attempts of unsuccessful American
brainwashing?"


3. Under the headline "Can diplomacy enhance US image?", a
columnist, Dr. Mohamed Qirat, wrote on Dubai-based Arabic daily
"Al Bayan," (circulation 90,000) 12/30:

"Karen Hughes acknowledges that her mission is difficult to
achieve and that Radio Sawa and Al-Hurrah TV both failed to
achieve their set objectives. The question here is: Does
America need to rectify its image in front of the world or does
it need to change its foreign policies and its security, military
and economic conduct in the world? Most likely, America needs an
accurate scientific performance diagnosis as to what its image
has become now. Enhancing the image is done through deeds not
words."


4. Under the headline "Hi and American naivety", a columnist, Dr.
Saleh Abdel Atheem, wrote on Dubai-based Arabic daily "Al Bayan,"
(circulation 90,000) 12/30:

"America wants, through its media, to let the Arabic reader and
viewer know that there is another tame, pleasant and shining
America that has nothing to do with what is currently happening
in Iraq and Afghanistan. So please Mr. Reader and viewer do not
judge the U.S. through what you see in Iraq and Afghanistan and
through what you see of continuous American pressure exerted on
this region or through its unconditional assistance to Israel.
You should forget all this and direct your entirety towards the
American media and overlook these American perils in the Arab
region.. Despite its pretentious naivety, the new American media
presents its face of ridicule and non-understanding of
contemporary Arabic trends through Hi Magazine.. As if the
targeted Arab readers are expected to be more concerned with the
latest American musical hits.. It seems that American government
media directed towards the Arab world still reflects the U.S.
political thought that the Arab world does not have a sound
understanding of the current situation and circumstances in the
Arab region.. So until the American political diplomacy changes
its direction towards this region, and until its media naivety
diminishes, all the American media organizations in the Arab
region will have a similar fate."


5. Under the headline "Suspected weapon", Sharjah-based Pan -Arab
daily "Al Khaleej," (circulation 85,000) 1/2 wrote:

"IT IS NOT IN THE BENEFIT OF THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE AND THEIR
CURRENT SITUATION, THE NATIONAL LAW, AND ALL THE PALESTINIAN
FORCES, TO HAVE SECURITY BREAKDOWN IN GAZA. THESE BREAKDOWNS
TAKE THE FORM OF UNCONTROLLED, ILLEGAL STREET FIGHTING, ATTACKS
ON POLICEMEN, KIDNAPPING OF FOREIGNERS AND BOMBINGS. THESE
BREAKDOWNS DEBASE THE DIGNITY OF CITIZENS, MARTYRS AND THE
DIVINITY OF JERUSALEM. THIS WOULD NOT HAPPEN IF THE PALESTINIAN
AUTHORITY HAD EVERYTHING UNDER ITS CONTROL OR IF THERE WAS A REAL
NATIONAL AWARENESS OF THE FACT THAT ANY WEAPON USED AGAINST NON-
OCCUPIERS SERVES THE OCCUPATION BECAUSE SUCH PRACTICES HURT THE
PALESTINIAN STRUGGLE AND DISTORTS BOTH ITS IMAGE AND ITS
SACRIFICES. THE REASON FOR KIDNAPPING FOREIGNERS OR OTHER NORMAL
CITIZENS WHO PROVIDE SOCIAL OR HUMAN SERVICES TO THE PALESTINIANS
IS NOT UNDERSTOOD.. THESE ATTACKS ARE HAPPENING AT A TIME WHEN
THE PALESTINIAN ISSUE IS PASSING THROUGH ITS MOST DIFFICULT AND
DANGEROUS STAGE.. STATEMENTS OF CONDEMNATION AND DENUNCIATION
MADE BY PALESTINIAN AUTHORITIES ARE NOT ENOUGH."


QUINN