MEDIA REACTION: SECTARIAN STRIFE IN IRAQ, REGIONAL

UNCLAS MUSCAT 001661

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: SECTARIAN STRIFE IN IRAQ, REGIONAL
CONFLICTS, TENSION IN LEBANON


1. SUMMARY: State daily "Oman" fears that Iraqi sectarian strife
will lead to civil war and carries an appeal for international help
in resolving regional conflicts; private daily "Al-Watan" thinks
that external actors are driving tensions in Lebanon. END SUMMARY.

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COVERAGE
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2. President Bush's meeting with Jordanian King Abdullah received
front page coverage, along with the explanation that insufficient
time prevented Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki from joining the
talks. Violence in Iraq continued to generate front page headlines
in all dailies.

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IRAQI CIVIL WAR?
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3. On November 29, a columnist writing in the state-owned daily
"Oman" (circulation 38,000) asked, "Is Iraq on the Verge of Civil
War?":

"Unfortunately, signs of sectarian war started showing up in Iraq a
few weeks ago. This strife might portend a civil war, which is the
natural beginning to any sectarian divisions that rend a nation.
There are multiple reasons that underlie the environment of hate
that has prevailed since the invasion in 2003. The invaders played
the sectarian card just as the previous Iraqi regime had and entered
into war with neighboring countries. The tyranny practiced in Iraq
and the violation of Iraqis' human rights in Interior Ministry
prisons provokes sectarian hatred and the desire for revenge. The
new Iraq that its people desire is one that enjoys freedom and
tolerance, not oppression and revenge. People want to be judged by
their national identities, not their sects."

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REGIONAL CONFLICTS NEED INTERNATIONAL HELP
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4. On December 2, "Oman" also highlighted the deteriorating
situation in Lebanon, Iraq, and Palestine in "Regional Situations at
A Crossroads":

"The situation in Lebanon, Iraq, and Palestine is a warning about
the hateful consequences and catastrophic results that could ensue
if the international community does not intervene to find political
solutions. Lebanon is entering a worrisome time. The conflict
between the Seniora government and the opposition reflects a new
period of political stress. In Iraq, the daily tragedies there
constitute a dangerous situation that could get even worse. Thus
the meeting between President Bush and Al Maliki in Jordan was
important in shielding the Iraqi people from additional catastrophe.
On another note, the Palestinian controversy over forming another
government of national unity yields a negative image. The Israelis
are using that conflict to continue policies that are biased against
Palestinian rights."

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TENSION IN LEBANON
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5. On December 2, an editorial in "Al-Watan" (circulation 42,000)
discussed "The Lessons of the Lebanese School":

"The history of Lebanon is full of sacrifices and political
victories that qualified the country to be democratically mature and
to be able to deal with its internal and external problems. The
latest massive marches in the streets show the nature of the period
the Lebanese are going through. They are dealing with pressures from
outside powers who are trying to promote their own interests by
creating internal problems in Lebanon, as they wait for the country
to collapse. We hope that the Lebanese do not turn legitimate
peaceful demands into bloodshed, incited by conniving external
actors who would benefit from an exploding Lebanon. We want
security and legitimacy for Lebanon, and hope that the country does
not allow Israel to exploit the current crisis for its own ends."


GRAPPO