MEDIA REACTION: LEBANON, THE UN, AND THE ARAB LEAGUE

UNCLAS MUSCAT 001198 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/ARP, NEA/PPD, NEA/PI, AND INR/R/MR STATE PASS USTR FOR N. MOORJANI, J. BUNTIN 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: LEBANON, THE UN, AND THE ARAB LEAGUE ¶1. SUMMARY: Government-owned "Oman" newspaper says UN ceasefire efforts in Lebanon are insufficient and sees the "Seven-Point Plan" as an opportunity for Arab unity; privately owned "Al- Watan" calls the US-French ceasefire plan a mere diplomatic maneuver and a reward for Israeli "aggression." END SUMMARY. -------------- - BLOCK QUOTES: UN CEASEFIRE EFFORT "NOT ENOUGH" -------------- - ¶2. Government-owned "Oman" (circulation 38,000) editorialized August 6 about "Light at the End of the Lebanese Tunnel": "The UN step, though belated, was essential, but it is not enough to effect a ceasefire. There are certain factors that should be taken into account should the UN opt for halting violence. These have already been pointed out by the Lebanese Prime Minister in his Seven-Point Plan -- which was not far from Hezbollah's views - such as the idea that as long as there is an Israeli presence in Lebanon, it is meaningless to talk about a ceasefire." -------------- --- UN DRAFT RESOLUTION "A MERE DIPLOMATIC MANEUVER" -------------- --- ¶3. "Al-Watan" (privately owned daily, circulation 42,000) published an August 6 editorial entitled "The French-American Draft Resolution Will Not Stop the Bloodshed": "The draft does not treat the roots as well as the symptoms of the crisis. The proposed international force should be stationed on equal areas in southern Lebanon and northern Israel. A ceasefire should be paired with the withdrawal of Israeli troops from southern Lebanon. The draft also completely dropped the issue of Lebanese prisoners in Israeli jails, who should be released in exchange for the two Israeli soldiers. The draft also did not take into account the Lebanese Government's views. As such, the draft seems to be a mere diplomatic maneuver that grants Israel more time to accomplish its plans aiming at occupying Lebanese territories south of the Litani River, in addition to deceiving global public opinion that international efforts, supported by the U.S., were going on." -------------- -------------- ARAB LEAGUE MEETING: "FOIL" UN REWARD OF ISRAELI AGGRESSION -------------- -------------- ¶4. "Al-Watan" continued in the same vein in its August 7 editorial, "Arabs Should Shoulder their Responsibility": "As was expected, Lebanon refused the French-American resolution that was proposed for discussion because it does not fulfill Lebanese interests and is subject to Israeli interests. On the other hand, America, France, and England were very enthusiastic about it, for it satisfies Israel's appetite to continue invading areas of south Lebanon, with no intention to release prisoners of war. The multinational forces that would be put in the Lebanese borders would only protect Israel from the attacks of the resistance. The Foreign Minister's meeting in Beirut should take decisions that will strengthen Lebanon's political, as well as strategic position, thus foiling the French-American draft which aims at rewarding Israel for its aggression." -------------- -------------- SINIORA'S SEVEN-POINT PLAN AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ARAB UNITY -------------- -------------- ¶5. On August 7, "Oman" focused on the Beirut foreign ministers' meeting in an editorial, "Lebanon Awaits an Arab Response": "Wounded Lebanon is waiting for the Arab countries to respond to the Seven-Point Plan announced by Prime Minister Siniora and backed by some major players in the Arab League... This is an opportunity for a united Arab stance in support of Lebanon and its people by helping force the Israelis to cease fire." GRAPPO