MEDIA REACTION: CRISIS IN LEBANON

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ABU DHABI 002972

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 article in "Al-Bayan" accused the U.S. of
supporting Israel against its own interests, while another
criticized President Bush's hypocrisy in calling for Israel to
preserve the Lebanese government while demolishing the state. An
article in "Al-Khaleej" draws comparisons between current actions
being taken by the international community and those pursued in
1982, which paved the way for an Israeli occupation of southern
Lebanon. Another compared the Lebanese resistance to those that
resisted Nazism and colonialism. A third noted that Lebanon should
put aside its sectarian identities, as Israeli attacks do not make
such distinctions. A fourth article in "Al-Khaleej" criticized
Senator Hillary Clinton for defending Israel and claiming that the
Israelis "represent American values." A columnist in semi-official
"Al-Ittihad," questions who exactly Hezbollah is fighting for, as
many in Lebanon and elsewhere blame them for the current violence.
Another columnist criticized Hezbollah's actions as a huge strategic
mistake. Finally, a third columnist in "Al-Ittihad" urged the world
to end Israel's aggression, noting that their actions stood in
blatant violation of international laws on war crimes. End
Summary.


2. Under the headline "US fueling Israeli aggression?", the
Dubai-based Arabic-language daily "Al-Bayan" (circulation 85,000)
published the following in a 07/19 lead editorial:

"Today's events are an extension of what has been U.S. policy in the
region for decades. Israel is acting aggressively with American
support, as it did in 1967 and 1982. It is using its international
position to protect and encourage Israeli aggression... This stance
harms U.S. interests in the region, as it increases the magnitude of
global anti-Americanism particularly among Arab and Muslim
populations, and aggravates the continuing tide of violence that is
facing U.S. activities around the world... This is a dirty war, but
the dirt in this case belongs to Israel. One would hope that the
Bush administration would realize this, instead of merely drifting
towards policies of blind support for Israel. The United States
should revise its policies to support justice instead of Israeli
aggression, otherwise it might lose everything."


3. Bahraini columnist, Abdul-Jalil Al-Noaimi, wrote under the
headline "Freeing prisoners or applying strategies of destruction?",
in a 07/19 editorial in the Dubai-based Arabic-language daily
"Al-Bayan," (circulation 85,000):

"Israel would not have done all this without the blessing of George
Bush, the man who has declared the war within Israel's legitimate
rights of self-defense, condemned Hezbollah and promised to continue
his cooperation with Israel. His only advice to Israel? Don't
destroy Lebanon's new democracy. But what democracy can await a
country that has just emerged from half a century of conflict, just
to be dragged into a new war?"


4. Under the headline "From Philip Habib to Larson", the
Sharjah-based Arabic-language daily "Al-Khaleej" (circulation
90,000) published the following a 07/19 lead editorial:

"An international delegation including Terje Rod-Larson, a known
friend of Israel, has started work on Lebanon, the Arab country
which has been abandoned in the face of a tsunami of Israeli
aggression. Such a move resembles the actions of U.S. diplomat
Philip Habib in 1982, when he collaborated with Israel to render
Lebanon its protectorate. Lebanon is expected to raise the white
flag and surrender, apologizing to Israel and the United States for
resisting and not normalizing relations with Israel... The
objectives of Israel and the U.S. are well-known. Only the unity of
the Lebanese can stop them from achieving their wicked goals.
Lebanon, which refused to surrender in 1978, in 1982 and throughout
later attacks and massacres, will only foil their enemies' efforts
through their peoples' own strong will."


5. Under the headline "The right to resist occupation" columnist
Kamel Al-Zuheiri wrote the following in a 07/19 editorial in the
Sharjah-based Arabic-language daily "Al-Khaleej" (circulation
90,000):

"...Hezbollah's resistance is as legitimate as those who resisted
the aggression of Hitler and the Nazis, the British occupation in
Egypt and India, and the French occupation of Algeria. George Bush
is a strange president, one manipulated by Israel to serve its own
interests. He thinks that, just by being President of the world's
greatest country, he can do anything, including turning right into
wrong."


6. Under the headline "A turning point," female columnist Dr. Amina
Abu-Shihab wrote the following in a 07/19 editorial in the
Sharjah-based Arabic-language daily "Al-Khaleej" (circulation
90,000):

"...The lesson of the war on Lebanon is that Israeli aggression
excludes no one, regardless of color, creed, political orientation
or relationship with the West, from total liquidation if they even
consider resistance to U.S.-Israeli forces."


7. Under the headline "American values," female columnist Magdi
Mustafa wrote the following in a 07/19 editorial in the
Sharjah-based Arabic-language daily "Al-Khaleej" (circulation
90,000):

"... Democratic Senator Hilary Clinton lead demonstrations alongside
Israeli lobbyists in front of the U.N. headquarters in New York,
asking leaders to support Israel because Israel 'represents and
protects American values, and defending Israel is the best way to
defend our own values.'... They want us to thank the Israeli
military which 'protects American values.' They also want us to
thank Israel for leading the rest of us to a new Middle East,
possessed of American values."


8. Under the headline "Hezbollah...who is it fighting for?"
columnist Mohammed Khalfan Al-Sawafi wrote the following in a 07/19
editorial in the semi-official Abu Dhabi-based Arabic-language daily
"Al-Ittihad" (circulation 65,000):

"... July 12 will be remembered as a historical day in Hezbollah's
history, a day when it lost its significant legitimate international
support... On the Arab level, Hezbollah lost its Arab support when
Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan labeled its actions as adventurism.
On the Lebanese level, many Lebanese now hold Hezbollah responsible
for the destruction they face. Hezbollah is now backed primarily by
Syria and Iran. So whose interests does it serve?"


9. Under the headline "The catastrophe...and Hezbollah's
responsibility?" Qatari columnist Mohammed Khalfan Al-Sawafi wrote
the following in a 07/19 editorial in the semi-official Abu
Dhabi-based Arabic-language daily "Al-Ittihad" (circulation
65,000):

"... Hezbollah's operation was a huge political mistake. Mr.
Nasrallah should admit that much. No national or regional interest
has been archived through his actions. Lebanon has become a
disaster area. Syrian land is occupied. Syria has become
increasingly isolated internationally. Iran's nuclear issues will
now be sent to the UN Security Council. Exchanging prisoners is now
harder than ever. What has Hezbollah achieved beyond putting
Lebanon at risk? The lesson from all of this is that the armed
militias in Lebanon, Palestine and Iraq have come to challenge
conventional, legitimate authorities. They have soldiers,
resources, active media offices and they think they should make
critical decisions without the endorsement of the proper
government."


10. On 07/19, Emirati columnist Mohammed Al Hammadi wrote the
following in an untitled editorial in the semi-official Abu
Dhabi-based Arabic-language daily "Al-Ittihad" (circulation
65,000):

"...Israel is inflicting collective punishment on Gaza and Lebanon.
The world should not just sit back and observe such atrocities.
Aren't these war crimes? Actions like destroying power plants,
roads, bridges, airports, seaports, international highways and
residential neighborhoods? Israel has attacked people feeing from
the war, carried out massacres and even used weapons banned by the
international community. Aren't these war crimes or are they
justified by the kidnapping of two soldiers?"


SISON