Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06CAIRO4608
2006-07-27 13:53:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Cairo
Cable title:  

Egypt Media trends for July 27, 2006

Tags:  PGOV PTER KPAO KMDR OPRC UK AL AG IS SA IR EG 
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Brooke F Adams 08/06/2006 02:06:18 PM From DB/Inbox: Brooke F Adams

Cable 
Text: 
 
 
UNCLAS CAIRO 04608

SIPDIS
CXCAIRO:
 ACTION: PA
 INFO: AMB OMC AID DAO POL ECON DCM MGT IPS

DISSEMINATION: PA
CHARGE: PROG

APPROVED: PA: RLERNER
DRAFTED: PA: HMAHONEY, ECPO:
CLEARED: NONE

VZCZCCRI356
PP RUEHC RUEHXK
DE RUEHEG #4608/01 2081353
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 271353Z JUL 06
FM AMEMBASSY CAIRO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0174
INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE
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.

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Hezbollah as right or wrong has been replaced by unified calls for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