SPECIAL MEDIA REACTION: RICE SPEECH ON IRAN

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ABU DHABI 002253

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: SPECIAL MEDIA REACTION: RICE SPEECH ON IRAN



1. Summary: UAE's Arabic dailies all featured Secretary Rice's
remarks on Iran. UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdullah Bin
Zayed, told the UAE official News Agency (WAM) that the UAEG
welcomes the American proposal to hold direct talks with Iran
over Tehran's nuclear program, describing it as a step towards a
peaceful breakthrough in the current crisis. An unsigned
editorial in Dubai-based Arabic daily "Al-Bayan" described Rice's
speech as "a new ray of hope" to finding an acceptable
breakthrough. Dubai-based English daily "Gulf News" questions
how serious the U.S. is in resolving the nuclear dispute with
Iran. End summary


2. Remarks made by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on
Washington's readiness to join direct talks with Europe on Iran's
nuclear program, if Tehran suspends all uranium enrichment
activities received prominent coverage in the UAE's press.
Examples include:

A front-page headline in Abu Dhabi-based semi-official Arabic
daily "Al-Ittihad" (circulation 65,000) reads: "America proposes
conditional negotiations with Iran." Another inside page story
with photo of the Secretary read: "Proposing conditional
negotiations and a diplomatic solution, Washington recognizes
Iran's right in a peaceful nuclear program."

Sharjah-based Arabic daily "Al-Khaleej" (circulation 85,000)
headlined: "The UAE welcomes the American proposal for direct
talks with Iran." Another inside-page headline added:
"Washington is on the verge of holding multinational talks with
Iran."

A front-page headline in Dubai-based Arabic daily "Al-Bayan"
(circulation 90,000) read: "America proposes to enter direct
talks with Iran over the nuclear file."


3. Wakalat Anba Al-Emarat (WAM),the official news agency for
the UAE government carried the following statement from UAE
Foreign Minister, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed: "The UAE welcomes
the American proposal to hold direct talks with Iran over its
nuclear program". He described the proposal as "a positive step
towards a peaceful breakthrough in the current crisis...the
American proposal which has received support from the EU goes in
line with the policies of the region's nations and their keenness
to reach a peaceful solution." He concluded that "the GCC
nations contribute effectively in the international efforts
towards a peaceful solution."


4. An unsigned 6/1 editorial in Dubai-based Arabic daily "Al-
Bayan" opines (circulation 90,000):

"Suddenly and in the midst of the darkness that surrounds the
region, a new ray of hope shines. It is a new ray that would
constitutes an acceptable breakthrough and defuse the dangers
from one of the most explosive files: the Iranian nuclear file...
Our region is full of disputes, tensions and is standing on the
verge of an abyss and any new explosion may lead the region to
the point of no return. This explains the importance of the
statement made by Iranian Foreign Minister in Malaysia in which
he voiced the desire and willingness of his nation to hold
immediate, direct talks with the European Troika without any
conditions over the nuclear program adding that Iran may consider
direct talks with Washington once it changes its behavior....
The new Iranian position and the American and European responses
make the picture complete and at the same time reflect a desire
to engage in a dialogue on the part of all parties. In
Washington the calls for direct talks with Iran have increased
and the troubles in Iraq may have opened many eyes against any
further regional escalations... All parties must not let this
moment passes without completing this dangerous topic once and
for ever."


5. In an unsigned editorial in Dubai based English language
daily "Gulf News" under the headline "Old Whine with new label"
6/2 (circulation 90,000):
"The latest U.S. "offer" to Iran over the nuclear energy
controversy has the EU shouting loud hurrahs in praise. But then
EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana, the head cheerleader, is
the eternal optimist even when he has no cause to be so. At
least, when called upon, he can provide diplomatic placatory
words of comfort in an attempt to ease tensions.
But the U.S. offer to talk, while approaching a new and less
confrontational line, is so riddled with conditions which have
previously been rejected by Iran, that it poses the question of
how serious the U.S. is in resolving the dispute.
The Big Five UN Security Council, veto-wielding members, meet in
Vienna, with Germany, a rotating member, to decide where next to
go but they are unsure where. Iran's intransigence, with
assistance from China and Russia, has forced the hand of the U.S.
All is brinkmanship, but people's lives could be at stake."

SISON