Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ABUDHABI374
2006-02-06 12:30:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Cable title:  

MEDIA REACTION: US PUBLIC DIPLOMACY; IRAN'S NUCLEAR

Tags:  OIIP KMDR AE KPAO TC 
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ABU DHABI 000374 

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: MEDIA REACTION: US PUBLIC DIPLOMACY; IRAN'S NUCLEAR
WEAPON; CARICATURES OF PROPHET MOHAMED

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ABU DHABI 000374

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: MEDIA REACTION: US PUBLIC DIPLOMACY; IRAN'S NUCLEAR
WEAPON; CARICATURES OF PROPHET MOHAMED


1. SUMMARY:
A columnist in "Al-Bayan" advised the State Department's
Public Diplomacy Bureau not to waste its time enhancing their
country's image, as US policies make their mission doomed to
failure. "Akhbar Al-Khaleej" warned of confrontations between
Iran and the United Nations following Iran's decision to proceed
ed
in efforts to develop nuclear weapons. "Al-Khaleej" condemned
freedom of expression at the expense of disrespect for freedom of
faith, as seen recently with the publishing of Prophet Mohamed
cartoons. "Al-Ittihad" stated that we should not fall into the
trap of strife instigated by Christian European and Islamic
Extremists but instead seek a line of moderation. "Gulf News"
stressed the fact that there is a difference between protesting
against the provocative caricatures in a peaceful way and
engaging in violence against innocent people. End Summary.


2. Under the headline "Who ignites the fire of religious
disputes?", Sharjah-Based Pan -Arab Daily "Al Khaleej,"
(circulation 85,000) 5/2 wrote:

"To justify publishing caricatures of Prophet Mohamed (PBUH) as
freedom of expression is not acceptable. Press freedom does not
mean offending the sanctity of religious symbols, as this would
become a breach of principles. Moreover, who said that press
freedom means crossing the line of freedom of faith and any other
basic freedoms that need to be respected? . We should be diligent
in such an issue by respecting these different faiths,
prohibiting any contravention, and insisting upon manifesting
Islam as a religion of peace and tolerance. This responsibility
should be taken by all, especially by intellectuals and
thinkers."


3. Under the headline " The Imposed Democracy", columnist Emad
El-Deen Hussein, wrote in Dubai-Based Arabic Daily "Al Bayan,"
(circulation 90,000) 4/2 :

"...My advice to all American officials in the field of public
diplomacy, especially to Karen Hughes and her team who work day
and night hoping to enhance the image of the United States in the
region, is to stop their mission that is 100% doomed to failure.

All their money, efforts, trips and government-promoting
campaigns will go in vain. One picture taken from Abu Gharib and
Guantanamo prisons depicting their scandals, and lately, one
report written about an American officer rebuked as a punishment
for his murder of an Iraqi general, gives enough grounds for all
nations of this region and the entire world to disbelieve `the
democracy of sitting on the chest."



4. Under the headline "Iran's nuclear crisis into a
confrontation", Abu Dhabi-Based Arabic Language Daily "Akhbar Al-
Arab," (circulation 20.000) 5/2 editorialized:

"CONFRONTATIONS BETWEEN IRAN AND THE WORLD COMMUNITY STARTED TO
TAKE PLACE FOLLOWING IRAN'S DECISION TO SUSPEND INTERNATIONAL
INSPECTIONS OF THEIR NUCLEAR REFINERIES, AND CONTINUE ITS URANIUM
ENRICHMENT PROJECT, ESPECIALLY AFTER THE MEMBERS OF THE
INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY VOTED IN FAVOR OF ISSUING A
REPORT TO THE UN'S SECURITY COUNCIL ON "THE IRANIAN NUCLEAR
CRISIS". THERE ARE SEVERAL INDICATIONS REVEALING AN IMMINENT
CONFRONTATION BETWEEN THESE TWO PARTIES. ONE EXAMPLE IS THE PLAN
TO CONDUCT TURKISH-AMERICAN MILITARY MANEUVERS IN JUNE TO TRAIN
ON HOW TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION AND
THE TRANSFER OF THE LOGISTICAL TOOLS TO COUNTRIES THAT ARE IN THE
PROCESS OF DEVELOPING THESE WEAPONS. ...THEREFORE, BETWEEN THE
WESTERN AND IRANIAN SPASM OVER IRAN'S NUCLEAR AFFAIR, THE WORLD
IS DUE TO WITNESS A NEW CONFRONTATION."


5. Under the headline "The Danish Experience", a UAE
intellectual, Dr. Anwar Gargash, wrote in Abu Dhabi-Based Arabic
Daily "Al Ittihad," (circulation 65,000) 6/2:

"Campaigns against the publication of offensive cartoons against
the Prophet's sanctity succeeded in the creation of Islamic-
Arabic unity. This unified movement would not have happened if
it didn't match political trends... But on another extreme, we
find people in Europe who stress the fact that there is a clash
of civilizations between Christian and secular Europe and the
Islamic world. In this point of view, there is an agreement
between European and Islamic extremists. We should not fall into
this trap set by those who wish us ill. The world's future is
based on moderation, unity and communication; these same values
stem from Islamic roots, whose message of civilization is still
upheld by us. From this perspective, we should have an open
mind, knowing that we did not offend others but not accepting
offence from others."


6. Under the headline "Protest, but don't cross the limit",
Dubai-Based English Language Daily "Gulf News," (circulation
95,000) 6/2 wrote:
"The publication of the offensive cartoons is unacceptable. It
has nothing to do with press freedom. It hurt the feelings of
more than one billion Muslims all over the world. That has been
said by political and religious leaders from across the world,
including the Vatican. But equally unacceptable is the violence
that continues to mar protests. Danish embassies in Syria and
Lebanon have been burned by thousands of demagogues who claim to
have been offended by the abuse of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH).
Definitely not by burning properties and endangering lives can we
defend the Prophet. He, Peace and Blessings Be Upon Him, surely
would not agree to such uncivilized way of protests... Muslim
clerics are also required to make it clear there is a difference
between protesting peacefully and engaging in violence against
innocent people, which is prohibited and punishable in Islam. We
must draw the line very clearly. It may be one's right to
protest. But it is unacceptable to use violence to exercise that
right."
SISON