MEDIA REACTION: POLITICAL IMPLICATIONS OF

UNCLAS MUSCAT 001222

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: POLITICAL IMPLICATIONS OF
UN RESOLUTION 1701


1. SUMMARY: Government daily "Oman" is skeptical that UN
Resolution 1701 meets Arab demands, but also says the resolution
"restores hope for peace." Private daily "Al Watan" hails the
Lebanese military "victory" against Israel, but is wary that
Israel's "manipulations" will reduce the potency of that success.
END SUMMARY.

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COVERAGE
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2. Israeli-Hezbollah combat continued to dominate coverage in
both Oman's English and Arabic-language press this week, with
significant space devoted to graphic images of dead and wounded
Lebanese civilians. Funerals of Israeli soldiers were also
highlighted in large, often front-page pictures.

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BLOCK QUOTES: UN RESOLUTION 1701 "RESTORES HOPE FOR PEACE"
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2. In its August 13 editorial, government-owned daily "Oman"
(circulation 38,000) commented on the prospect of "Light at the
End of the Lebanese Tunnel":

"UN Security Council Resolution 1701 restores hope for peace in
Lebanon. Though the resolution called for an immediate ceasefire,
Israeli forces continued their military assaults against various
areas in Lebanon, neglecting the international community's strong
desire to stop the bloodbath... A ceasefire would give
humanitarian organizations a chance to reach places that need aid
but cannot be reached under fire. Such an agreement opens new
horizons for both countries to address the main causes of the
conflict and pave the way for establishing a lasting peace for
Lebanon and the region as a whole."

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RESOLUTION 1701 "UNBALANCED"
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3. "Oman" was more skeptical about Resolution 1701 in its August
14 editorial, "Will a Ceasefire Succeed in Lebanon?":

"Some parties believe that UN Security Council Resolution 1701 is
unbalanced because it does not meet some Lebanese demands such as
the exchange of Lebanese and Palestinian detainees, the issue of
Shebaa farms, and Israel's immediate withdrawal from south
Lebanon. Although many Arab officials do not believe that the
resolution satisfies Arab demands, they support the Lebanese
government's sovereignty within its borders."

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A "GREAT LEBANESE VICTORY"
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4. On August 14 "Al-Watan" (privately owned daily, circulation
42,000) analyzed how the implementation of Resolution 1701 could
benefit the Lebanese:

"Lebanon will face a diplomatic war that attempts to grant Israel
a victory it didn't win on the battlefield... Interpretations and
manipulations of Resolution 1701 could leave it without
substance. The first such interpretation was by Israel's foreign
minister, who claimed that the resolution demands Hezbollah's
disarmament, disregarding that Hezbollah is a vital element in
Lebanon's power structure. This great Lebanese victory will
dissolve all sectarian differences between Sunnis and Shiites,
and Muslims and Christians. All are now Lebanese citizens
confronted with Israel's belligerent aggression, committed on
behalf of the U.S. for its interests and imperial ambitions.
After the cessation of hostilities it should be clear who is
holding the strings in this puppet show... Lebanon serves as an
example to military academies and strategists on how national
resistance without air or naval cover or armored vehicles could
gain a sweeping victory against the fourth most powerful army in
the world."

GRAPPO