SPECIAL MEDIA REACTION: STATE-OWNED DAILY CALLS FOR ARAB

UNCLAS MUSCAT 000846 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: SPECIAL MEDIA REACTION: STATE-OWNED DAILY CALLS FOR ARAB SUPPORT OF NEW IRAQI GOVERNMENT -------------- -------------- "NOW IS THE TIME TO SUPPORT IRAQ...IN SO DOING WE SUPPORT OURSELVES." -------------- -------------- ¶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