SPECIAL MEDIA REACTION: STATE-OWNED DAILY CALLS FOR ARAB

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TAGS: OIIP KPAO KMDR MU
SUBJECT: SPECIAL MEDIA REACTION: STATE-OWNED DAILY CALLS FOR ARAB
SUPPORT OF NEW IRAQI GOVERNMENT


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"NOW IS THE TIME TO SUPPORT IRAQ...IN SO DOING WE SUPPORT
OURSELVES."
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1. The government-owned Arabic daily "Oman" (circulation 38,000)
carried an uncharacteristically ringing call for Arab support for
Iraq's new government in its May 27 editorial, "The New Iraqi
Government and the Importance of Arab Support." The piece stands
out both for its strongly worded eloquence and for its unusual,
for this paper, call for regional action:

"To ensure the success of the new Iraqi government, Iraqi Prime
Minister Nuri al-Malki must gain the approval of the Iraqi
National Assembly before the constitutional deadline expires.
Gaining this approval within constitutional mandates is a very
significant and important step in solidifying the legitimacy of
the new Iraqi government.

The formation of the new government serves as the first tangible
step Iraq has made, as a collective body, toward the restoration
of peace and stability within its borders. While the Iraqi PM
works internally to appoint new leaders to the Ministry of
Defense and the Ministry of Interior, it is crucial that all Arab
nations provide ongoing and consistent support from outside.
There is strong opposition and ongoing attempts to obstruct the
complete formation of the new Iraqi government, which makes
outside Arab support extremely important.

In this important time, Iraq will require and expect to receive
support from its closest friends and allies as it takes its first
steps toward true reconciliation. Thus far, many regional and
international parties have come forward and expressed support for
the new Iraqi government, in an effort to demonstrate to Iraq
their support of these first steps. There is a great desire on
the part of other Arab nations to achieve peace and stability in
Iraq, as the continuation of violence and confrontation
frequently extends itself outside Iraq. Now is the time to
support Iraq more than ever; in so doing we support ourselves."

GRAPPO