EGYPTIAN MEDIA THEMES, JANUARY 31-FEBRUARY 5.

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 CAIRO 000718 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV KPAO KMDR OPRC EG XF ZP ZR IS DA XZ SUBJECT: EGYPTIAN MEDIA THEMES, JANUARY 31-FEBRUARY 5. ¶1. Summary: The past week saw a resurgence of reactions to the Danish caricature of the prophet Mohammed, with commentators in the press and on television identifying it as an issue of greater intolerance of Islam. Media outlets continued their focus on the Palestinian election results, especially scrutinizing Hamas' ability to lead, Fatahs need to reform and prospects for keeping the Middle East Peace Process on track. On the domestic side, there was an overwhelming reaction over the weekend to the sinking of the Egyptian ferry, Al Salam Bocaccio ¶98. All papers led with the disaster and television coverage was devoted entirely to the unfolding crisis. In In the commentaries, 33 percent of the week's columns and editorials focused on domestic issues, including critical opinions of democracy and politics in Egypt; 30 percent on the Palestinian elections and the Middle East Peace Process; 11 percent on the Danish cartoons and tolerance of Islam; while 10 percent expressed negative views toward U.S. policy, a rate higher than all other weeks this year. End summary. ¶2. The Cheese War. The December, 2005 printing of cartoons depicting the prophet Mohammed in Danish newspapers re-emerged during the past week and dominated all media, with news items featuring riots, recalling of Arab country ambassadors from Denmark and boycotts of Danish goods. On January 31, pro-government dailies, Al- Ahram (circulation 750,000) and Al-Akhbar (circulation 800,000) highlighted Foreign Minister Aboul Gheit's summoning of the Danish and Norwegian ambassadors to "clear their slate of anti-Islam campaigns, and the Egyptian Chamber of Commerces resolution to boycott ott Danish products (also featured on the front pages of pro- government daily, Al-Gomhouriyya, circulation 50,000, and independent daily, Al-Masry Al-Yom, circulation 15,000). The evening television talk shows also focused on the issue. The host of Orbit satellite television's popular evening show, El-Qahera El-Yom, devoted his January 30, 31 and February 5 programs to pushing an Egypt-wide boycott of Danish products, interviewing the Danish ambassador on his government's position, and traveling to Denmark to investigate the sentiment there. Egyptian Television Channel 2's evening show "In Depth" brought commentators together on Feb. 1 to discuss the cartoons in the greater context of lack of tolerance of Islam, with a representative of Al-Azhar mosque who described the caricatures as "a clear blasphemy" and declared that "the unfortunate misunderstanding of Islam starts in Danish schools." ¶3. Is Hamas Capable of Rising to the Challenge? Early in the week, as the public reflected upon the news of the Hamas victory in the Parliamentary elections, commentators lauded the "democratic elections"; but as the week progressed, much of the commentary, such as that expressed in an Al-Akhbar column on January 31, focused on Hamas' responsibility to bring peace to the region and to rise to the responsibility of becoming a legitimate political voice to preserve the Road Map. Many other commentators echoed Al-Akhbars sentiment that "the success of Hamas will depend on its creativity in facing practical problems but also on the international community's reaction and how it will deal with that." Columnists pinned responsibility on Hamas, such as in Al- Ahram on January 30, by asserting that "Hamas is now at a crossroads where it can either negotiate for peace or lose all that Palestinians have gained over the past ten years." As the week progressed, more columns were focused on "realpolitik", such as an Al-Akhbar columnist who who argued that "Hamas may find itself compelled to be politically realistic when it comprehends the sizeable responsibility on its shoulders." (Feb. 4) The difference of opinion expressed by two of Al-Ahram's most senior columnists was indicative of the current uncertainty over what the future holds. Ibrahim Nafei on February 1 asserted that "Hamas is suffering its victory as it has to deal with internal and foreign affairs with no qualified technocrats, and with ideologies it can't give up," and Salama Ahmed Salama asserted on February 2 that "Hamas is adopting more pragmatic ideas and is holding to the truce." ¶4. Negative Commentary on the U.S. Rises. The past week saw a rise in negative commentary toward the U.S. in pro- government and independent papers. Critical commentary linked the Hamas victory to U.S. pro-democracy policy in the Middle East. Commmentators, especially in pro- government papers, blamed the U.S. for "destroying the credibility of their own democratic slogans" by "failing to work with Hamas" (Al-Ahram, unsigned editorial, January 31),for showing "extreme double standards in calling for democracy and cutting assistance" (Al- Gomhouriyya, February 1),and for "weakening Fatah and therefore supporting Hamas" (Al-Gomhouriyya and Al- Akhbar, Feb. 2). Al-Akhbars unsigned editorial on January 31 asserted that Hamas victory refuted Bushs claims about the lack of democracy in the Palestinian authority. On the cutting off of assistance, Al-Ahrams first unsigned editorial on February 1 echoed others in asserting that cutting assistance and enforcing a political boycott of Hamas will only help strengthen the fundamentalist movement. In Al-Gomhouriyya, President Bushs State of the Union Address was characterized as a contradiction due to his expression of support for democracy while rejecting Hamas victory in the elections. ¶5. Ferry Tragedy in the Red Sea. Domestic media attention was quickly diverted from international issues tional issues to the Egypt ferry disaster on February 3. As of February 4, all papers and television news led with the story of the ships disappearance and President Mubaraks visit to Hurghada. Egyptians watched protesting families stone police at port stations, and heard transportation and safety officials on satellite and terrestrial evening talk shows describe compensation schemes for victims families, and defend against accusations of lax safety standards. By January 5, commentators in independent and pro-government papers remarked critically about the governments response. Columns in Al-Masry Al-Yom railed against the governments rush to make denials about the sunken ferry before an investigation has been conducted, while Al-Ahram published a call on the government to deal with the catastrophe openly and honestly and Al- Akhbar printed the claim that accidents happen not coincidentally, but as the result of a long history of negligence and poor planning. Al-Gomhouriyya published published columns supporting the government and praising Mubarak for standing by the people in the disaster and encouraging the search and rescuing of many people. Ricciardone ne