Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06MUSCAT1023
2006-06-28 05:44:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Muscat
Cable title:  

MEDIA REACTION: IRAQI SECURITY; IRANIAN OIL; ARAB LEAGUE

Tags:  OIIP KPAO KMDR MU 
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VZCZCXRO2628
PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHKUK
DE RUEHMS #1023/01 1790544
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 280544Z JUN 06
FM AMEMBASSY MUSCAT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6788
INFO RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 0410
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0305
RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MUSCAT 001023 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR NEA/ARPI, NEA/PPD, NEA/P, AND INR/R/MR

LONDON FOR TSOU
PARIS FOR ZEYA
USCENTCOM FOR PLUSH
FOREIGN PRESS CENTER FOR SILAS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP KPAO KMDR MU
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: IRAQI SECURITY; IRANIAN OIL; ARAB LEAGUE
NON-PROLIFERATION EFFORTS; MARINE SONG FALLOUT


SUMMARY: Government-owned daily "Oman" is skeptical about Iraq's
future security; "al-Watan" notes strategic competition for
Iran's oil among Russia, the U.S. and China and expresses concern
about proliferation and pollution in the Middle East. A
commentator opines that "scandals and abominations" continue in
Iraq, despite apologies on the heels of a Marine's Internet
posting of a song about violence against Iraqi civilians. END
SUMMARY.

--------
COVERAGE
--------

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MUSCAT 001023

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR NEA/ARPI, NEA/PPD, NEA/P, AND INR/R/MR

LONDON FOR TSOU
PARIS FOR ZEYA
USCENTCOM FOR PLUSH
FOREIGN PRESS CENTER FOR SILAS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP KPAO KMDR MU
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: IRAQI SECURITY; IRANIAN OIL; ARAB LEAGUE
NON-PROLIFERATION EFFORTS; MARINE SONG FALLOUT


SUMMARY: Government-owned daily "Oman" is skeptical about Iraq's
future security; "al-Watan" notes strategic competition for
Iran's oil among Russia, the U.S. and China and expresses concern
about proliferation and pollution in the Middle East. A
commentator opines that "scandals and abominations" continue in
Iraq, despite apologies on the heels of a Marine's Internet
posting of a song about violence against Iraqi civilians. END
SUMMARY.

--------------
COVERAGE
--------------


1. On June 26, all Omani papers carried prominent front-page
coverage of the previous day's Palestinian attack on an Israeli
checkpoint. English-language papers carried wire-service
coverage, on which Arabic papers also drew, adding that
Palestinian militants had "martyred" themselves. Iran coverage
continued, often on the front-page, but generally below the fold.
On June 28, the English-language "Oman Tribune" (circ. 8,000)
carried a Reuters story, "Marine Who Sang about Killing Iraqis to
go Scot Free." On its opinion page, English-language "Oman
Observer" (circ. 20,000) on June 28 carried Michael Adler's
commentary for AFP saying that now is the "Time for Compromise"
between Iran and the West.

-------------- -
BLOCK QUOTES: SKEPTICISM ABOUT IRAQI SECURITY
-------------- -


2. Government-owned daily "Oman" (circulation 38,000) on June 22
questioned the future of Iraq: "What Comes after Baghdad's
Security Plan?"

"Despite the security plan drafted in Baghdad and the presence of
more than 50,000 American and Iraqi troops, violence continues.
More innocent people are dying every day, part of the chaotic,
pathetic environment that has persisted in Iraq for more than
three years. There are reports that the foreign presence will be
drawn down next year, in line with Japan's and Italy's
withdrawal. On top of this, the Iraqi National Reconciliation
has been postponed for security reasons. There seems no exit in
the near future from the Iraqi dilemma..."

--------------
STRATEGIC COMPETITION FOR IRAN'S OIL
--------------


3. The privately owned Arabic daily "al-Watan" (circulation
42,000),editorialized June 22 on "The Race to Tehran":

"The world is witnessing political maneuvers on the Iranian
nuclear issue, with America now participating directly in
negotiations. This comes in tandem with strategic competition
among China, Russia, and the U.S., all of whom seek the benefits
of Iranian oil reserves. In the end, this competition will
define the direction of Iran's nuclear projects, as well as its
political and economic roles in the Middle East. The final
outcome will be a function of who wins the race to develop Iran's
huge oil and gas resources."

--------------
ARAB LEAGUE NON-PROLIFERATION EFFORTS
--------------


4. In a June 26 editorial, "Is there Any Mechanism for
Implementation?," "al-Watan" speculated on Arab League efforts to
ban weapons of mass destruction from the Middle East:

"How can the Arab League implement its decisions and resolutions?
Many Arab initiatives in the past regarding sensitive issues in
the Arab world failed to see the light of day because there were
no proper mechanisms to compel compliance from member states.
Even if members discovered proper mechanisms, how could Israel be
convinced to submit its nuclear program to international
scrutiny? The United Nations and the International Atomic Energy
Agency should cooperate to free this area from destructive
weapons. The Arabs hope to free the Middle East from weapons of
mass destruction and their environmental consequences."

--------------
"SCANDALS AND ABOMINATIONS"

MUSCAT 00001023 002 OF 002


--------------


5. On June 26, "Al-Watan" carried a commentary, "The Marine
Singer's Apology," by Kazem al-Musawwi (described as "an Arab
writer and journalist in London"),prolonging local fallout from
the appearance online of a Marine's song praising violence
against Iraqi civilians:

"The story of the tape [of the song] has ended for now; it has
been removed from the site...the accompanying scandals and
abominations have not ended. Publicizing them will not stop,
American officials' defense of them will not stop, and violations
against Arab and Muslim victims will not stop. The song's lyrics
described the behavior of American soldiers, their attitudes
toward Iraqi women and the Iraqi people who have not received
them cordially... The story of this Marine is trivial compared to
the daily massacres that the leaders of the war and the
occupation, leaders from the White House to the Green Zone, are
responsible for."

GRAPPO