OMAN SPECIAL MEDIA REACTION:

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MUSCAT 000120

SIPDIS

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

LONDON FOR GOLDRICH
PARIS FOR ZEYA
USCENTCOM FOR PLUSH
FOREIGN PRESS CENTER FOR ASILAS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPAO KMDR OIIP MU
SUBJECT: OMAN SPECIAL MEDIA REACTION:
HAMAS VICTORY IN PALESTINIAN ELECTIONS

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Palestinians' Commitment to Democracy
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1. The government-owned Arabic daily "Oman" carried a
January 25 editorial under the headline "Palestinian
Elections Consolidate Democracy":

"Today the Palestinian legislative elections start in the
midst of extensive Israeli efforts to block those elections.
Palestinian efforts to organize elections, despite the
difficult security situation, confirm the Palestinian
commitment to reform, development and democracy."

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Palestinians Capable of Democracy
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2. The privately owned Arabic daily "Al-Watan" published an
editorial on January 26 entitled "Palestinians' Marriage
with Democracy":

"The Israelis must benefit from the experience [of
democratic Palestinian elections] that will produce a
strong, democratically chosen Palestinian partner for peace
negotiations. The elections involved all Palestinian
parties not excluding anyone except Islamic Jihad. They
were run smoothly and fairly, leaving Israel with no pretext
to claim that the Palestinians are incapable of holding
democratic elections."

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International Community Can Help Hamas
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3. "Al-Watan" carried a January 27 editorial entitled "Let
the World Respect the Palestinian Will":

"American and European visions for the Palestinians' future
should be independent of the Israelis...It is true that
Hamas might not have an agenda that encompasses peace
resolutions but the international community can help it form
an agenda that includes true peace negotiations with
Israel."

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America Encouraging Israeli Violence
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4. On January 28, "Al-Watan" also reported an editorial
under the headline "Hamas's Victory":

"Israel's policy of imposing its will and violating
negotiations, with American support, is unprecedented.
Former U.S. President Ronald Reagan used to say `kill them
[the Palestinians] if you cannot negotiate with them.' If
the Americans are not willing stop encouraging the Israelis'
violence, they will have to face the coming `Palestinian
Tsunami.' The victory of Hamas is also a win for

SIPDIS
Palestinian Authority President Abbas, who did not prevent
Hamas from participating in the elections...He placed
everyone before their own responsibilities to prove that
they will be able to handle them."

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World Must Deal with Hamas
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5. "Oman" on January 28 published an editorial under the
headline "Hamas's Great Victory":

"Hamas is going to form the new government with or without
Fatah's cooperation. This victory shocked America, which
accepted the results unhappily but at the same time must
deal with the new democratic power. The Palestinians have
made their choice through the ballot and trusted Hamas.
Hence the whole world must accept this and deal with it from
now on."

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Palestinians' Political Lessons
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6. "Al-Watan" carried a January 29 article entitled "The
World Must Respect Palestinians' Will Fulfilled through
Ballot Boxes."

"Palestinians want to participate in an active political
life, to change painful reality and maintain their goals.
But they have sacrificed a lot in the name of peace,
continuously falling under Israel's manipulation of
negotiations, assassinations of leaders and politicians, and
various other kinds of oppression. The Palestinian people
have learned deep lessons on a daily basis, and these
lessons decided who they chose in the elections."

BALTIMORE