Egyptian Media Coverage of Secretary Rices

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 CAIRO 001309 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV KPAO KMDR OPRC EG DA XZ IS XFNEA PPD SUBJECT: Egyptian Media Coverage of Secretary Rices Regional Visit, February 21-24, 2006 ¶1. Summary. Secretary Rices visit to Egypt and the region garnered widespread media attention, from straightforward news reporting to significant television and print commentary. Between February 22 and 25, of the pro-government, opposition and independent papers monitored by Embassy Cairo, commentaries regarding the Secretarys visit or U.S. policies rose to 30 percent, a significant percentage given a national Avian Influenza scare which erupted the day of her arrival. During February 22 and 23, satellite and terrestrial television news and talk-shows concentrated on her visit and U.S. policies, to include frequent airing of her exclusive interview with Egyptian an Television, and all major newspapers covered her visit to the region through February 25. End Summary. ¶2. Straight News Coverage. Secretary Rices trip received significant straight news coverage from February 21-25. On February 21, most papers headlined her scheduled talks with Prime Minister Nazif, Foreign Minister Abul Gheit and President Mubarak, with regional news agency, Al-Sharq Al- Awsat (Middle East Newspaper) speculating that Secretary Rice would ask Mubarak to increase the number of Egyptian peacekeeping forces in Darfur. On February 22, Egyptian television news programs led with Secretary Rices official meetings and the press conference the previous night, focusing on the announced resumption of strategic talks between the two countries. Pan Arab networks (Al-Jazeera and Al-Arabia) also highlighted her meetings, and reported that while Secretary Rice called on any future Palestinian cabinet to respect previous agreements, FM Abul Gheit said d Hamas deserves the chance to lead. On February 23, most papers ran Secretary Rices arrival two days earlier, and her official talks as the second main headline, after a major national scare regarding Nile contamination. That same day, TV news programs continued to lead with the Secretarys meeting with Mubaraks the day before. The SIPDIS meeting also continued to be run as major news stories inside all papers, with articles quoting Mubarak, via his Presidential Spokesman, asking for continuing support for the Palestinian people and more time for Hamas to determine its positions and form a cabinet. Opposition daily, Al- Wafd, in particular, highlighted her meeting with members of civil society, quoting Secretary Rice expressing disappointment over Egypts political setbacks and emphasizing adherence to reform. ¶3. Post-Egypt News Coverage. On February 24, newspapers continued following the Secretarys regional tour, with headlines announcing Secretary Rice faces firm Arab es firm Arab rejection of Hamas and Palestinian Authority isolation. Papers reported that Saudi Foreign Minister, Prince Saud Al-Faisal, said his country would continue to give financial aid to the Palestinian Authority, even with a Hamas-controlled government. Pro-government daily, Al- Ahram characterized the Secretary as calling for continued reforms in Saudi Arabia, and receiving rejection of her position to cut aid to Palestinians. On her visit to Lebanon, pro-government dailies, Al-Akhbar and Al- Gomhouriyya, for example, called her unscheduled visit to Lebanon a vehicle to demand that Lahoud resign. Lead independent daily, Al Masry Al Yom, reported that Secretary Rice admitted that the region differs with Washington on Hamas. The same paper on the same day also printed a story with the headline, American newspaper says Rice Refused to Meet Moslem Brothers which quotes the Christian Science Monitor reporting that Secretary Rice spoke openly about openly about Hamas during her tour of the Middle East and that Secretary Rice confirmed to a group of dissidents that SIPDIS the U.S. will continue to apply pressure toward reform and quoted activists who told the Secretary that President Mubarak has provided a false choice between his rule and the Moslem Brothers. Al-Wafds front page story on February 24 led with the headline, Rice Failed to convince Egypt and Saudi to Isolate Hamas Financially and Politically and reported that Secretary Rice failed to convince Arab leaders to cut assistance to the new Hamas- led Palestinian government and to isolate it politically. ¶4. Television Talk Show Coverage. On February 22, satellite television, Dream TVs evening program, 10 PM", gave special coverage to the Secretarys visit, including her civil society meeting. The program provided the names of the participants in the meeting, which they characterized as secret. On the same evening, Nile TV hosted Ambassador Ahmed Abul Khair, former Assistant former Assistant Foreign Minister, who criticized Secretary Rices call on Hamas to choose either politics or terrorism. He added that, if the U.S. continues to refuse to sign the FTA with the GOE due its support of Hamas, the GOE should tell the U.S., "We don't want your money. On February 23, the trailer for Secretary Rices exclusive interview with Egyptian Television was aired on every news service on Egyptian TV, and the full interview was aired with subtitles on prime time, following the main news at 2100, and on Good morning Egypt. On February 23, both Al- Jazeera and Al-Arabia hosted Hala Mustafa, one of the participants in the civil society meeting with the Secretary, via phone. Ms. Mustafa said the group did not SIPDIS include opposition figures, rather an independent group of intellectuals from different organizations. She asserted that neither Secretary Rice nor the participants had any special agenda, and that the Secretary was keen to listen listen to views on political reform in Egypt. She added that the issues of Iraq, Hamas and Iran were discussed. ¶5. Commentaries in Independent and Opposition Papers. On February 22, a contributor to lead independent daily, Al Masry Al Yom, argued that if the U.S.s claims against Iran are true, then her reason for visiting the region is to prepare for a military attack on Iran. He noted a change in U.S. policy toward Egypt which is critical of the ruling against Ayman Nour while remaining silent on the postponement of the municipal elections and continuing full assistance to Egypt. On February 22 and 23, columns in independent daily, Nahdet Misr, urged the Secretary to carry a clear message back to the U.S. that Egypt totally rejects flagrant interference in its affairs, that Egyptians will never accept that from this Secretary whose country hates Egypt, who has failed in the region, and is adopting double standards. The columnist stressed that ssed that Secretary Rice refuses to understand Egypts reiterations SIPDIS that it does not accept U.S. or other pressures, that it rejects the repetition of the Iraqi scenario in Syria and its threats of cutting aid. The piece concluded that Egyptians no longer believe the U.S.s ridiculous slogans about democracy. Another contributor to Nahdet Misr on February 23 speculated that the U.S.s ulterior motives are to convince the GOE to pressure Hamas, to support the U.S.s position on Iran, and to be dragged into the Iraqi arena, and that any talk about Egypts democracy is nothing but blackmail. A letter to the editor which was published on February 24 in Al-Masry Al-Yom expressed the fear that Egypt is responding to U.S. pressures, as we did when we increased our representation in Iraq, and I do not think Rices demands are different this time. Opposition daily, Al Wafds February 25 column asserted that, Secretary Rices visit was aimed at blocking Palestinians, isolating nians, isolating Iran despite its right to possess nuclear power, and improving the U.S.s impasse in Iraq before Congressional elections. The columnist concluded by urging Arabs to extend assistance to Palestinians. ¶7. Commentaries from Leading, Pro-Government daily, Al- Ahram. The paper ran a column on February 22 and an editorial on February 23. The columnist speculated over Secretary Rices concern over the postponement of Egyptian SIPDIS elections while lacking the same concerns for torturing Iraqis and punishing Palestinians for their democratic elections. The columnist asserted that the U.S. seems to use democracy to punish Arabs, pointing out that Palestinians are being punished for democracy the same way Iraqis were sanctioned for dictatorship. On February 23, an unsigned editorial pointed to Secretary Rices statements during her visit as proof that the U.S. - Egyptian relations are strategic, widespread and balanced and this is the reason that differences can appear. Her n appear. Her comments on democracy were characterized as friendly and not judgmental, as confirmation of Egypts role in the heart of the region and the editorial explained that the American democratic model is not to be imposed which revealed that the bilateral relations are governed by mutual respect and realization of mutual importance. ¶8. Commentaries from Pro-Government daily, Al-Akhbar. An unsigned editorial on February 23 highlighted that Secretary Rices visit to the Middle East came at a SIPDIS critical time after Hamas victory and during Israels preparations for new elections. The editorial highlighted the importance of maintaining assistance to the Palestinian people and conveyed hope that Secretary Rice will bring this message to the Israelis. A column on the same day looked at Secretary Rices friendly words at the press conference with FM Abul Gheit, but noted that these friendly statements contradict earlier statements of other American officials and do not explain why the FTA xplain why the FTA negotiations were suspended. An unsigned editorial on February 24 advised the U.S. to follow Mubaraks advice that Hamas should be given time to cope with its new political situation, and that Egyptian leadership and counsel is the best way to prevent the collapse of peace between Palestinians and Israel. The editorial noted also that Egypt is sincerely committed to the peace process and is the only country in the Middle East that can work with all parties concerned. ¶9. Commentaries from Pro-government weekly, Akhbar Al Yom. A February 25 column portended that Secretary Rices declarations regarding expansion of transformational diplomacy and the role of the American diplomat shows the decrease of the U.S. influence that was gained after the fall of the Soviet Union. Another column on the same day looked at the Secretarys visit to Egypt as a method to ease Egypts positions on Hamas and Iran. The columnist observed that while the U.S. and Egypt agree on general agree on general strategies, they differ in methods of implementation, which is why they agreed to resume the strategic dialogue. She also highlighted that Rices visit did not garner the usual media attention, due to the national concern with internal issues, like the ferry accident and Avian Influenza. She stressed that it is normal that the two sides have differences, but regular dialogue is important. ¶10. Commentaries from Pro-Government, Al-Gomhouriyya. The numerous commentaries in this sometimes anti-American daily began with a February 22 column which asserted that Secretary Rice does not care about Nour or elections, but SIPDIS is more interested in Irans nuclear capabilities. The columnist urged the Secretary to look at Americas human rights violations before asking about Egypts democracy. On the same day, another columnist warned the Secretary against repeating the same announcements and warnings concerning democracy before every visit to the region the region because such announcements amount to interference in internal affairs from a country who is responsible for the mistakes and sins of Iraq, Abou Ghreib, Guantanamo, and domestic surveillance. He advised the American administration to respect the will of the Egyptian people and expressed disgust at any attempt to impose guardianship. A February 24 column quoted Secretary Rice and Assistant Secretary Welch stating they are not against the rise of the Muslim Brotherhood. The columnist advised that and if the Muslim Brotherhood wants to be recognized internationally they should cooperate with the U.S. Another column on the same day, by a well-known writer but occasional contributor to the paper described Secretary Rice as the High Commissioner and argued that U.S. policies around the world have been catastrophic. He concluded that Secretary Rice is practicing political thuggery which will eventually harm the U.S Ricciardone Ricciardone