Egypt Media trends for July 27, 2006

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 CAIRO 004608 SIPDIS SENSITIVE NEA/PPD FOR ROBIN SMITH AND DAVID BENZE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PTER KPAO KMDR OPRC UK AL AG IS SA IR EG SUBJECT: Egypt Media trends for July 27, 2006 Sensitive but unclassified. Not for internet distribution. ¶1. Summary. The past week internal disagreement over Hezbollah as right or wrong has been replaced by unified calls for an immediate ceasefire. The US has been characterized as frustrating any opportunity to end the days of bloodshed splashed on front pages and captured on Egyptian and regional television. Today headlines spoke of "US isolation", Israel "weakness" against Hezbollah, and continued death and destruction at the hands of Israel "cluster bombs". Calls made to talk shows and columns written in the papers evidenced fear of the US pursuit of "a greater Middle East" and anger toward the "Arab nation" and leaders for failing to stop it. End Summary. ¶2. In the headlines. The day headlines and photos were less shocking and emotional than in previous days, with fewer photos of dead and injured women and children. Focus was largely on the Rome talks, and the depiction of the US as solely responsible for the failure to bring a ceasefire. Pro-government dailies, such as Al-Ahram, Al-Akhbar, Al- Gomhouriya and Rose Al-Youssef declared, "American insistence is behind the failure of Rome Conference"; "Rice Challenged the World... So Talks Collapsed." Both Al-Akhbar and independent daily, Al-Masry Al-Yom, used photos from the Rome Conference to reinforce their headlines. Al-Masry Al- Yom showed Secretary Rice looking fatigued as she stood next to Prime Minister Siniora and Al-Akhbar showed her looking intently at Kofi Annan. Opposition daily, Al-Wafd, continued to use inflammatory headlines and photos, such as its quote of the very popular Sheikh Qardawi, "Jihad is a Religious Obligation on all and Assisting Hezbollah is a Must." ¶3. In the commentaries. Writers expressed another day of anger and frustration toward their perception of the US "new pursuit of greater Middle East" and the idea that Arab leaders are impotent against that which was planned "before the soldiers were kidnapped." A columnist in independent daily, Nahdet Misr, feared this model would turn the Middle East into a region "which has no pride and which will only be allowed to see or hear what the US and Israel want." A columnist in pro-government daily, Rose Al- Youssef, advised the US that it must understand that "eliminating the occupation of Arab lands" is the only solution and if the "US continues to lack this understanding, the resistance will continue and hatred toward the US will strengthen." A columnist in pro-government daily, Al-Ahram, worried that the new Middle East will mean "allowing Israel to use its power to redraw the region" and advised that "trying to remove Arab nationalism will create another Iran." Another columnist in Al-Ahram emphasized that Hezbollah "is awakening the resistance of the whole nation against submission and injustice." ¶4. Public Opinion. Many of our close contacts and key influencers have expressed anger and hurt feelings over their perception of the US role in the conflict. During a meeting with Mohamed Hassan el Alfi, the editor-in-chief of the ruling party new newspaper, Al-Watani Al-Yom, opening pleasantries were quickly transformed into a barrage of questions about why the US "treats us like dogs and pigs." He accused the US of "selectively enforcing UN resolutions" and allowing the occupation to continue. He also said, "I don blame Israel for the conflict, I blame our friend in Washington. I am happy that you love and protect Israel, we will love Israel, but love us too." Another Embassy contact, Egypt's leading actor Adel Emam, was quoted on the front page of opposition daily Al-Wafd, asking Secretary Rice why she "treats us as sheep." ¶5. More Public Opinion. Calls made to the Egyptian Television and Arab network talk-shows echoed many of the week newspaper commentaries in praising the "power" of Hezbollah in contrast to the "impotence" of the Arab leaders. "Even if Hezbollah fails, it is enough that it showed the whole world that there is somebody defending us, the Arabs." Parties who might normally criticize Hezbollah tactics, have shown an admiration of Hezbollah ability to "stand up" to Israel, while "the Arab nation continues to be a coward." The US, in contrast, is seen as increasingly "complicit" with Israel, using the current situation "to push its agenda" and "unable to understand the outside world." As stated by Wahid Abdel Megiud, a respected researcher at Al-Ahram Center for Strategic Studies during an evening talk show: "The US Greater Middle East initiative failed following its defeat in Iraq. This war has allowed the US another chance to retain the power of this project; however it relies on waging a devastating war which will lead the U.S. to a deadlock once again, proving that U.S. foreign policy is extremely shallow." Ricciardone