MEDIA REACTION: GCC SECURITY; OMANI OFFICIAL VISIT TO

UNCLAS MUSCAT 000815 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR NEA/ARPI, NEA/PPD, NEA/P, AND INR/R/MR 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: GCC SECURITY; OMANI OFFICIAL VISIT TO LIBYA; OCCUPATION AND REFORM -------------- GCC Countries Keep the Peace -------------- ¶1. The government-owned Arabic daily "Oman" (circulation 38,000) carried an editorial by an Omani columnist Awadh Baqwair on May 16 entitled "The Role of GCC in Preserving Security in the Gulf": "Due to the precarious security environment in Iraq, the issue of regional stability is becoming a top priority for GCC countries. GCC countries keen on preserving stability in the region intend to enter into dialogue with Iran to this end, especially given the recent escalation of hostility between Iran and the west." -------------- Oman 'Enhances' Libya Ties -------------- ¶2. "Oman" highlighted the first visit by a high-level Omani official to Libya in a May 17 editorial, "Serious Steps to Enhance Cooperation with All Parties": "The Sultanate has always extended itself in support to other Arab nations, in an effort to consolidate security and stability initiatives in the region and to maintain mutual interests. To this end, H.E. Yousif Bin Alawi's recent visit to Libya saw the beginning of a new round of dialogue aimed at continuing the friendly relationship between the two countries and enriching business and exchange opportunities." -------------- Reform from Within and Without -------------- ¶3. The privately owned Arabic daily "al-Watan" (circulation 42,000) highlighted competing pressures from within and outside the region in "Davos and Ambitions for a Real Reform" on May 22: "The Davos Economic Forum...should address the occupations of Iraq and Palestine... There are vital issues to discuss -- poverty, desertification, depletion of resources, environmental pollution, and other issues that present an obstacle to development - more important than merely seeking influence on political systems. When some great countries seek reforms, they need not call for conferences and summits; internal reform needs a complete domestic vision that accommodates the needs of all sectors of society. Reform cannot succeed if it is pushed from outside or done under the lashes of external pressures. The Middle East yearns for stability and peace, along with immediate reform to the policies that bring foreign military bodies to occupy Arab lands." GRAPPO