TFLE01: OMAN CONDEMNS ISRAELI ACTIONS, CALLS FOR

UNCLAS MUSCAT 001183

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR NEA/ARP, NEA/RA, NEA/PPD, INR/R/MR

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KMDR KPAO MU
SUBJECT: TFLE01: OMAN CONDEMNS ISRAELI ACTIONS, CALLS FOR
IMMEDIATE CEASE-FIRE

REF: A. MUSCAT 1174

B. MUSCAT 1173


1. (U) On July 31, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a
statement condemning Israel's airstrikes in Qana,
characterizing the actions as a "massacre." Extending its
"heartfelt condolences and sympathy to the bereaved families
of victims of ongoing military actions," the statement
further condemned the "tragedies and calamities" affecting
civilians in other parts of Lebanon and Palestine. The
statement called for an immediate cease-fire and urged the
international community to utilize previously agreed upon
resolutions and accords to resolve the root causes of the
conflict in "a fair way that takes into account the
importance of applying equitable criteria."


2. (U) In concert with the Ministry's statement, the media's
August 1 reporting on the crisis was more muted than that of
July 31. Absent front-page coverage of children killed by
the Qana airstrikes, the Lebanese crisis shared top billing
in the papers with routine stories of government meetings and
personnel appointments. Private English daily "Times of
Oman" (circulation 25,000) even carried news of Muscat's
cloudy weather under the subliminal front page header,
"Muscat Mellows."


3. (U) Editorials continued to sharply criticize U.S. support
for Israeli actions. Under the banner, "Abetting Murder,"
Private English daily "Oman Tribune" (circ. 8,000) chastised
U.S. indifference to Israel's use of American-supplied
weapons. The Arabic daily "al-Watan," (circ. 42,000) sister
to the "Tribune," also ran an opinion piece questioning the
sincerity of U.S. government condolences, remarking that the
Secretary "has shed crocodile tears for the killings of

SIPDIS
hundreds of Lebanese civilians, but then immediately joins
hands with that of Israel blessing its brutal atrocities."


4. (U) Balancing such emotionally-charged rhetoric,
"al-Watan" congratulated the Ministry for its call to wisdom
and logic in resolving the crisis. Focusing on possible
resolutions to the crisis, the "Times" ran an opinion piece
from Arab American Institute President James Zogby on the
need to enfranchise Lebanon's Shia community. The "Times"
also ran an article from "Washington Post" reporter Peter
Baker on the geopolitical ramifications of the Lebanese
crisis on U.S.-Arab relations.


5. (U) Meanwhile, Internet chat site Sablah continued to buzz
with calls to demonstrate Israeli actions in Lebanon. Most
of the 100-plus respondents agreed to participate in peaceful
demonstrations, while a few suggested burning U.S. and
Israeli flags or joining a Jihad.


6. (SBU) Comment. After a spate of negative press reporting
the day after the Qana strikes, the media appear to have
taken a cue from the Ministry's call to find a reasoned
solution to the crisis to moderate their coverage, though
less graphic pictures of displaced civilians remain in the
middle sections of the papers. While strongly denouncing
Israeli actions, the Ministry's carefully-worded statement
avoided specific reference to the U.S. through its call to
the international community to resolve the conflict through
already-established diplomatic means. The statement, which
has set the tone for future Omani press reporting, seems to
have struck the Ministry's preferred balance alluded to in
reftel A.
GRAPPO