MEDIA REACTION: CRISIS IN LEBANON

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ABU DHABI 002907 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 TC SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: CRISIS IN LEBANON ¶1. Summary: An editor of "Emarat al youm" predicts that those Arab countries that condemned Hezbollah would be condemned by the end of the present conflict, because Israel would not only destroy Hezbollah's military capacity but also the charitable and public services it provides. Two female Emirati columnists in "Al-Bayan" question how Arab countries could dare condemn Hezbollah in such an obvious case of Israeli aggression. Another article in "Al-Bayan" compares Israel to the Nazis, and demanded that they at least embrace a cease fire. "Al-Bayan" criticizes the United States' apparent cooperation with Israel, and their efforts to prevent the condemnation of Israeli aggression in the UN Security Council. English-language Khaleej Times editorial asks 'Where is the honest broker?' End Summary. ¶2. On 07/16 under the headline "Nazis destroy Lebanon", an unsigned editorial in the Dubai-based Arabic-language daily "Al-Bayan" (circulation 90,000) wrote the following: "... They desire the destruction of this precious Arab country, one that has yet to recover from a dire civil war. As we are living in an era of submission, the least we can ask of a terrorist state like Israel is a truce and cease fire." ¶3. On 07/16 under the headline "Lebanon you are not alone", female Emirati columnist Aishe Sultan wrote the following in her daily column in the Dubai-based Arabic-language daily "Al-Bayan" (circulation 90,000): "... Lebanon is assembling behind the resistance, as the Prime Minister, countless intellectuals and any honorable Lebanese will say. But those tacitly supporting the American Zionist agenda in Lebanon by condemning the resistance have interests quite different from the Lebanese. The conflict is a Lebanese issue that should only be discussed and judged amongst themselves. We, as lovers of Lebanon and believers in its strength, culture and art, should support Lebanon morally and materially in any decision it may make. Arab Lebanon is part of us. Lebanon, you are not alone. Millions of Arab hearts pray for your victory, even as most other regimes have lost our trust." ¶4. On 07/16 under the headline "Olmert's stupidity," Emirati columnist Basil Rafayh wrote the following in an editorial in the Dubai-based pan-Arab daily "Emaratalyoum" (circulation 15,000): "... Those Arab countries that have condemned Hezbollah will eventually find themselves on the losing side of public opinion. Olmert's war will not end with the destruction of Hezbollah's military capacity, or the liquefaction of its supporters, or the destruction of its charitable and public services. The Arab people do not buy the lie that Hezbollah has started this conflict by imprisoning or killing Israeli soldiers. Israel has never required an excuse to kill children, destroy electrical stations or cause bloodshed. Arab people know very well the recklessness of Israeli policy, especially after the atrocities on Gaza's beaches and others against the Palestinian people, none of which received a response beyond meaningless phrases like 'controlling oneself,' references to the 'international community' and pledges of 'Arab support.'" ¶5. On 07/15 under the headline "Beirut burns while the nation watches", female Emirati columnist Aishe Sultan wrote the following in her daily column in the Dubai-based Arabic-language daily "Al-Bayan" (circulation 90,000): "... What could possibly justify the type of destruction levied at Lebanon by land, sea and air? George Bush insolently provided the expected answer, noting that "Israel has a right to defend itself and its citizens, as any nation would do." Other Arab parties also laid full blame at Hezbollah's feet, but they have done so in error. Whoever comes to you bleeding, even if they are not your brother or neighbor, deserves your aid in defending himself. When peace is restored, then blame whom you will...but not while they are under threat! This is the logic of death over life, evil against humanity and excessive power paired with limitless insanity. Lebanon alone is paying the price for such logic, as each and every time it finds itself abandoned by its Arab neighbors. Long live both Arab nations and American democracy, side by side in peace." ¶6. On 07/15 under the headline "American conspiracy and international impotence", the following was published in an unsigned editorial in the Dubai-based Arabic-language daily "Al-Bayan" (circulation 90,000): "What happened yesterday in the UN Security Council demonstrates America's efforts to ensure international impotence. Israeli aggression is quite clear to the international community, but no action was able to come forth to deter conflict or even condemn Israel. The Qatari resolution, brought forth in the name of the Arab states, was defeated by the American veto before even reaching the floor, the same veto the US uses against anyone who would blame or condemn Israel for anything! ...Now, alongside the Palestinian disaster, the Israelis have started another in Lebanon. Anyone would condemn what is happening there now. British journalist Robert Fisk watched the full horror of Israel raids from his house in Beirut, and took note of what he saw. He writes: 'One of the Israeli planes threw a bomb on a house in which a Muslim Imam lives. He was immediately killed along with his wife and eight children. The head of one of the children was severed, leaving behind only a battered child's body. Then the planes went to another house in Al-Dewair village and killed another family of seven.' These Israeli actions in Lebanon echo Israeli actions in Palestine. And of course, Lebanon has no recourse besides going to the UN Security Council and asking them to mandate a cease fire. But it is difficult to say whether even the Security Council could effectively stop this aggression. The United States' actions yesterday in obstructing a resolution on Israeli aggression in Gaza demonstrates the limits of that body, and the broad reach possessed by Israel's supporters." ¶7. English language Dubai-based Khaleej Times (circulation 80,000) editorial asks, "Where is the honest broker? The world is paying a huge price for failure by Bush's America to resolve Mideast conflict." The editorial is also re-printed on official UAE News Agency (WAM) English website. "...But what is more regrettable is the US' role in this whole business. Under Bush, America has not conducted itself as it should have befitting its stature as the reigning superpower, the biggest player in the region and an ally of both Israelis and Arabs. For the first time in years, America refuses to use its clout to put an end to this conflict and rein in the aggressor. In fact, if things have come to such a dangerous pass, America has to take some credit. Despite Bush's promise to resolve the Middle East conflict by creating a Palestinian state by 2005, he allowed things to go from bad to worse. And we are all paying a heavy price for that failure." SISON