MEDIA REACTION: CRISIS IN LEBANON

UNCLAS ABU DHABI 003297 SIPDIS 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 PITRANSGRESS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OIIP KMDR TC SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: CRISIS IN LEBANON ¶1. Summary: Editorials continued to consider the possible motivations of different foreign powers in the most recent conflict in Lebanon. A Saudi columnist in "Al-Ittihad" identified Hezbollah as part of an Iranian effort to gain more regional power. An Emirati columnist in "Al-Bayan" criticized the intentions behind President Bush's statement linking Islamism to Fascism. Finally, an editorial in "Al-Khaleej" applauded the Lebanese for thwarting U.S. efforts to reshape the region, and criticized the Bush Administration for supporting Israeli aggression. End Summary. ¶2. On 08/14 Saudi columnist Abdullah Ibn Bijad Al-Otaibi, wrote the following in his weekly editorial in the Abu Dhabi-based semi-official Arabic-language daily "Al-Ittihad" (circulation 65,000): "... Hezbollah is part of a regional political agenda that is opposed to the current balance of power in the region, and our national interest. It is a group that is openly biased towards Iran in wanting to change the distribution of regional power, annulling Arab countries' influence in the process..." ¶3. On 08/14 Ali Obaid, the Emiraiti head of the Cultural Agency and a past recipient of an International Visitor Grant to the United States, wrote the following in his weekly editorial in the Dubai-based Arabic-language daily "Al-Bayan" (circulation 85,000): "As World War I failed to settle major international disputes and gave rise to Fascism, so today [Mr. President] has your failure at being a just and honest broker for peace contributed to the failure of peace efforts and the rebirth of 'Fascism', as you apply it to Muslim nations. All that has happened in Palestine since Oslo you have guided. All that has happened in Iraq since you occupied it are the consequences of your actions. All that has happened in Lebanon occurred with your blessing and support. Are you still amazed at these new 'fascists' of the 21st century?... Indeed, Mr. President, new Fascists are appearing in our era, but they are not those whose lands are being taken or rights violated. Fascists are those that invade countries, impose their alleged democracies by force, and cultivate strife and sectarian violence among nations, religions and creeds. Fascists are those who kill children, women and the elderly in cold blood, and instill fear among civilians, demolishing their houses and destroying their places of worship. Fascists are those that supply smart bombs for foolish wars. Fascists are those that prevent the international resolutions that would condemn such actions..." ¶4. On 08/14 the Sharjah-based Arabic-language daily "Al-Khaleej" (circulation 90,000) published the following in a lead editorial: "When the latest tripartite aggression against Lebanon finally stops, the heat will shift to the Zionist entity that has yet to account for its strategic losses on military, political, economic and social levels... And as usual, Israel with its U.S. partner, will stop at nothing to put the heat back on Lebanon through political and diplomatic blackmail... American intentions against Lebanon have been revealed in the disclosure of Washington's position, as reflected in its support and efforts to delay peace... There is a drastic need after this most recent aggression to obstruct the enemy and its allies' efforts by removing any traps they will leave inside Lebanon, thereby preventing them from achieving their vicious plan against Lebanon and the Arab world, and not listening as they return to their old political lies of caring for Lebanon, its sovereignty, or its independence... The heat must stay on the Zionist entity to reveal Rice's labor pains for the lie they are, now that they have been aborted by the Lebanese resistance's unity and will." QUINN