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