MEDIA REACTION: ANTI-TERROR EFFORTS, PALESTINIAN

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MUSCAT 001370

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: ANTI-TERROR EFFORTS, PALESTINIAN
GOVERNANCE, AND IRAQ



1. SUMMARY: Omani dailies cover the Ambassador's presentation of
credentials, look positively at the International Religious Freedom
Report, and accord major coverage to the unfolding controversy
regarding the Pope's comments on Islam. State daily "Oman" stresses
the importance of mutual understanding I confronting terrorism.
"Oman" and private daily "Al-Watan" express hope that a Palestinian
unity government can help revive the Peace Process. "Oman" calls
Iraq "imprisoned under foreign occupation," comparing U.S.
administration there to Britain's early 20th-century Iraq policy.
END SUMMARY.

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COVERAGE
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2. On Monday, September 18, all Omani dailies front-paged
Ambassador Gary A. Grappo's presentation of credentials to Sultan
Qaboos; some ran large color pictures of the event on their inside
pages. All dailies also ran an Oman News Agency (ONA) article on
this year's International Religious Freedom report on Oman, to which
coverage the three English-language papers added several verbatim
excerpts from the IRF report. The English-language Oman Tribune's
(circulation 8,000) headlined its story "U.S. Hails Sultanate's
Religious Tolerance." Omani dailies also prominently carried news
agency reports of all aspects of the controversy surrounding the
Pope's remarks on Islam.

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BLOCK QUOTES: MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING VITAL
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3. In its September 17 editorial, Arabic government-owned daily
"Oman" (circulation 38,000) said that "Caution and Cooperation to
Face Terrorism is More than a Must":
"With the passing of the fifth anniversary of the September 11
terrorist events...it seems that the world is facing real risks that
have started to manifest themselves, whether through Al Qaida's
repeated threats or the growing number of terrorist operations by
anonymous parties. The world does not need disputes, arguments and
accusations not based on deep thinking and logic, especially not
disputes between Islam and Christianity, with followers of those
faiths forming two-thirds of the world population. In light of
these ongoing disputes, Al Qaida's increasing threats are
counterproductive for Islam and Muslims...[the Pope's recent speech
relating Islam and violence] might be exploited by extremists from
both sides to fuel more disputes and troubles in a world that yearns
for tranquility and stability. In fact, mutual respect and
understanding between the three divine religions (Islam,
Christianity and Judaism) is vital to the peace and stability of
today's world... Scholars and specialists from the three religions
must cooperate closely to achieve the best possible understanding
between their religions, which are all seeking to make humans happy.
On the other hand, it is not a coincidence that [the Middle East
region] has witnessed more than one terrorist attempt in many of its
countries during the past few days... These attempts were thwarted,
but these sorts of disturbances will not be the last of their kind,
particularly given the threats of Ayman Al Zawahri, Al Qaida's
second-in-command... With the increasing need of all the countries
of the region to be cautious, it is important and necessary for
these countries to achieve the greatest possible cooperation and
coordination between themselves to contain the new terrorist wave
that targets the people and countries of the area.
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PALESTINIAN UNITY MORE THAN NECESSARY
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4. Another columnist for "Oman" wrote on September 15 that
"Palestinian Unity Government More than A Necessity Now":
"The recently announced agreement...for the formation of a
Palestinian unity government has been widely welcomed in Palestinian
and Arab circles, as well as by many of those who are interested in
developments in this vital area of the world. However, the
agreement on a unity government is, by itself, insufficient. The
most important issue for the parties is to agree on the foundations
on which the new government depends, the atmosphere in which it
moves, and its scope at the domestic, regional, and international
levels to activate the Peace Process, removing any Israeli excuses
to procrastinate or blame the Palestinian side. With the nature of
current events in the region, and the high level of Arab support in
the United Nations...the Palestinian stance in general, and the
Palestinian government's stance in particular, can be used to
address public opinion or pave the way for reactivating the Peace
Process...It would be useful for the Palestinians to prevent Israel

MUSCAT 00001370 002 OF 002


and any other parties from trying to hinder this process. The
Palestinians' circumstances depend to a great extent on [Fatah and
Hamas's] ability to work together to serve the whole Palestinian
people in the present time and future."
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UNITY GOVERNMENT IS PALESTINIANS' "SAFETY VALVE"
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5. On September 13, "Al-Watan" (privately owned daily, circulation
42,000) wrote that "The National Unity Government is the Rescue Team
for the Palestinian People":

"It has become very clear that the main cause of the Palestinian
people's suffering is the policy of the international community. The
solution of this problem will come only through negotiation with
this community, which includes the United States. This makes it
vital that Hamas be accountable before the Palestinian people and
face the facts as they are instead of propagating doubts and
exporting fear... It is also hoped that the formation of the new
government in the forthcoming days will help the Palestinian people
to return to normal life ... and establish an independent
Palestinian state, with Al Quds (Jerusalem) as its capital... The
Palestinian people, despite all their factions, are urged to despise
all violence and anarchy, and instead to strengthen the language of
national dialogue instead of resorting to weapons. They are asked
to prepare a unified political plan to address the international
public opinion, instead of trading accusations. All parties are now
requested to combine their efforts to achieve the utmost possible
degree of agreement in all aspects."
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IRAQ "IMPRISONED UNDER FOREIGN OCCUPATION"
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6. On September 12, "Oman" looked at Iraq "From the Moguls to the
Americans - Iraq Fights Division":
"Iraq has witnessed many different eras over its long history,
between grandeur and weakness. However, its era as an Islamic state
was the brightest in the Arab and Islamic region. By the time the
Abbasid state ended in 1258, after more than five golden centuries,
Iraqis had triumphed in many battles to defend their identity and
integrity.... The British occupied Iraq with the politics of
intimidation and sectarianism, playing tribes off each other... The
divide-and-rule policy employed by the British might have succeeded
had not the Iraqis quickly discovered the deception of the British
when they formed an occupation administration in Baghdad - similar
to Bremer's administration - to legislate on their behalf... Today
is similar to that day. Iraq has [again] been chosen to remain
imprisoned under foreign occupation and some Iraqis have [again]
approached the occupier to help them achieve more benefits and
interests...
GRAPPO