Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ABUDHABI1250
2007-07-26 08:56:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Cable title:  

SPECIAL MEDIA REACTION: BLAIR VISIT TO THE UAE

Tags:  OIIP KMDR TC 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO2843
OO RUEHDE RUEHDIR
DE RUEHAD #1250 2070856
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 260856Z JUL 07
FM AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9435
RHMFIUU/SECNAV WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NSC WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 1207
RHBVAKS/COMUSNAVCENT
UNCLAS ABU DHABI 001250 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/ARP; NEA/PPD; NEA/RA; INR/R/MR; PA; INR/NESA; INR/B;
RRU-NEA
IIP/G/NEA-SA
WHITE HOUSE FOR PRESS OFFICE; NSC
SECDEF FOR OASD/PA
USCINCCENT FOR POLAD
LONDON FOR MOC
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP KMDR TC
SUBJECT: SPECIAL MEDIA REACTION: BLAIR VISIT TO THE UAE


UNCLAS ABU DHABI 001250

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/ARP; NEA/PPD; NEA/RA; INR/R/MR; PA; INR/NESA; INR/B;
RRU-NEA
IIP/G/NEA-SA
WHITE HOUSE FOR PRESS OFFICE; NSC
SECDEF FOR OASD/PA
USCINCCENT FOR POLAD
LONDON FOR MOC
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP KMDR TC
SUBJECT: SPECIAL MEDIA REACTION: BLAIR VISIT TO THE UAE



1. SUMMARY: Blair's visit to the UAE receives front page coverage
in "Al-Bayan" and "Al-Ittihad," as well as inside coverage in "Al
Khaleej". All articles focus on the official news agency(WAM)'s
statement that "It is high time to find a working mechanism to
achieve peace." An editorial on Blair's overall visit to the region
appears in "Al-Khaleej". The writer describes the visit as "serving
the Zionist entity and the American administration." The writer
views Blair as a tool to deepen the internal conflict between Hamas
and Fatah. END SUMMARY.


2. "Al-Bayan" (circulation 85,000) and "Al-Ittihad" (circulation
65,000) re-ran the story from the official WAM news agency under the
headline "Abdullah bin Zayed receives Blair."

"It is high time to find a real mechanism to achieve peace . . . all
efforts should be exerted towards a just and comprehensive peace in
the Middle East so that the Palestinian people achieve their
legitimate rights."


3. The Sharjah-based Arabic daily "Al-Khaleej" (circulation
90,000) re-ran the story from the official news agency as an inside
headline: "High time to find a real mechanism to achieve peace in
the Middle East; [Minister of Foreign Affairs] Abdullah reviewed
recent developments and the Quartet's efforts with Blair."

"He welcomed Blair's appointment as an envoy to the Quartet, wishing
him every success in his mission of activating the peace process.
He said he has the needed capabilities for this mission."


4. Under the headline "What could he possibly accomplish?" a 07/26
editorial in "Al-Khaleej" reads:

"He can do a lot for the Zionist entity that considers him a true
friend and he can serve the American administration, whom he owes
due to the fact that they facilitate his stay in the international
limelight. He will not determine what he will do for Israel since
Israel will be the decision-maker and it has publicly declared that
Blair's mission should be limited to establishing institutions for
the Palestinian Authority . . . .." "The Zionist entity wants to
make Blair a tool to deepen the conflict among the Palestinians
through empowering some of them, instilling a sense of distrust and
distancing them." "The American Zionist plan is to weaken them (the
Palestinians) internally so that their only exit will be through
external support, allowing Israel to dictate agreements that meet
their devilish goals through American support and Blair's
mediation."



SISON