Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ABUDHABI1262
2007-07-29 08:41:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Cable title:  

SPECIAL MEDIA REACTION: BLAIR'S VISIT TO THE MIDDLE EAST

Tags:  OIIP KMDR TC 
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VZCZCXRO5139
OO RUEHDE RUEHDIR
DE RUEHAD #1262 2100841
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 290841Z JUL 07
FM AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9446
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 1208
RHBVAKS/COMUSNAVCENT
UNCLAS ABU DHABI 001262 

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 ERELI
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP KMDR TC
SUBJECT: SPECIAL MEDIA REACTION: BLAIR'S VISIT TO THE MIDDLE EAST


UNCLAS ABU DHABI 001262

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 ERELI
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP KMDR TC
SUBJECT: SPECIAL MEDIA REACTION: BLAIR'S VISIT TO THE MIDDLE EAST



1. SUMMARY: A columnist in "Al-Bayan" opines that Blair will face
many obstacles from both the Israeli and the American sides,
especially because Arabs have offered everything they can.
"Al-Ittihad" published an op-ed written by former U.S. Ambassador to
the UAE, William Rugh, in which he asks whether Blair will achieve a
miracle in the Middle East. End Summary.


2. Under the headline "Blair and the Mission Impossible", columnist
Hani Al-Jamal writes in a 07/29 op-ed in Dubai-based Arabic daily
"Al-Bayan" (circulation 85,000):

"The road ahead of Blair is not rosy. He will face many obstacles
from the both the Israeli and the American sides. His success will
depend to a great extent on how well he uses his skills and
international networks to convince Washington of the importance of
acting practically and moving forward, especially because the Arabs
have offered everything they can, including going to the Knesset to
ask for peace."


3. Under the headline "Will Blair achieve a Miracle in the Middle
East?", U.S. former diplomat William Rugh writes a 07/27 op-ed in
Abu Dhabi-based Arabic semi-official daily "Al-Ittihad" (circulation
65,000):

"Blair still lacks the basic tools to solve the Middle East problem.
For Blair to achieve any progress, he needs a miracle, which is
possible only if he includes some of Hamas's leaders in the peace
process."




SISON