MEDIA REACTION: LEBANON/ISRAEL NUCLEAR PROGRAM

UNCLAS ABU DHABI 004472 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 E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OIIP KMDR TC SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: LEBANON/ISRAEL NUCLEAR PROGRAM ¶1. Summary: An editorial in "Al-Bayan" noted that it is time to uncover the Israeli nuclear program and urged the U.S. to stop its double standard and force Israeli to sign the Non-Proliferation Treaty. "Al-Khaleej" called on the Lebanese factions to sit together and work out their difference for the interest of their nation. End Summary. ¶2. Under the headline "It is high time to uncover Israeli nuclear power", Dubai-based Arabic daily "Al-Bayan" (circulation 85,000) editorialized: "The Israeli nuclear program lived more than half a century between denial and ambiguity, where Tel Aviv managed to keep the program secret even away from the closest friends, including Washington. SIPDIS The place in well-know: it is Daimona... The new American Secretary of Defense last week confirmed that Tel Aviv possesses nuclear arms and one week later, Olmert volunteered to say that Israel is among the nations that own such weapons... The question now is whether Washington will stop its double standard and force Israel to join the Non-proliferation treaty following the end of an era of deceit and lies." ¶3. Commenting on the Lebanese internal conflict, Sharjah-based Arabic daily "Al-Khaleej" (circulation: 90,000) editorialized: "The internal crisis hitting Lebanon and the outside winds that blow strongly on Lebanon and the Lebanese people requires a serious and responsible stance by all parties, including the government and the opposition. Regardless of how big the differences are and how fierce the political struggle is, the Lebanese must realize that Lebanon is for all the Lebanese and the parties must sit together and talk to solve their disputes. After all, Lebanon cannot fly without two wings. That is the government and the opposition. " QUINN MR 14 Nov 2006 (2) UNCLASSIFIED