MEDIA REACTION: US ARMS DEAL TO THE GULF /ASSISTANCE TO

UNCLAS ABU DHABI 001274 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: MEDIA REACTION: US ARMS DEAL TO THE GULF /ASSISTANCE TO ISRAEL/ IRAQ'S ASIAN CUP SOCCER VICTORY ¶1. SUMMARY: The U.S. arms deal with the Gulf and assistance to Israel were covered in all front pages of the UAE print media on 7/29. On 7/30, interest is quickly re-directed, however, to the Iraqi soccer win of the Asian Cup, which generates extensive coverage in all UAE print media. A cartoon in "Al-Khaleej" sarcastically attributes Iraq's soccer victory to the US and the coalition forces. A front page picture (07/29) in "Al-Ittihad" depicts a smiling Iraqi child cooling off an American soldier in Baquba with a water hose. END SUMMARY. ¶2. Abu Dhabi-based Arabic semi-official daily "Al-Ittihad" (circ. 65,000) ran a headline: "A New US strategic plan to keep the Gulf safe: $20b Gulf arms deal." The paper adds that Rice and Gates will visit the Mideast to present a strategic plan to keep the Gulf and vital American interests safe, and to improve security cooperation between the U.S. and the concerned countries. The paper adds that the two US officials will assure Arab states of American commitment to "regional issues" and quotes Washington Post and New York Times stories saying that the military deal is meant to strengthen American allies in the Middle East and to counter Iran's rising influence. Dubai-based, Arabic daily "Al-Bayan" (circ. 85,000) main front-page story reads: "$43 billion US military assistance to Israel and Egypt. $20b Gulf arms deal." Main headline in Sharjah-based Arabic daily "Al-Khaleej" (circ. 90,000) reads: "$30 billion US reward to Israel" adding that this assistance is to compensate for Israeli losses in Israel's war on Lebanon last summer and to maintain Israeli military supremacy over its neighbors. Main headline in Dubai-based English-language daily "Gulf News" (circ. 95,000) reads: "US in $20b Gulf arms deal" ¶3. Asian Cup victory of the Iraqi soccer team receives prominent coverage in all UAE English and Arabic language dailies. All stories call on Iraqi politicians to use the soccer team as a model of harmony and team work. Abu Dhabi-based Arabic semi-official daily "Al-Ittihad" (circ. 65,000) runs headline: "Historic victory unifies Iraqis." Two sub-headlines: "Sectarian violence decreases" and "Al-Maliki: "Joy is stronger than terror." Dubai-based Arabic daily "Al-Bayan" (circ. 85,000) main front-page story reads: "Winning the Asian Cup unified Iraqis, who defied the curfew and went out to the streets to celebrate." Another front page story in "Al-Bayan" reads: "Vice President Al-Hashemi calls on the soccer team to demonstrate in front of the Green zone to call upon Iraqi politicians to discard differences." The story also highlighted a statement by U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad that "Iraqi politicians must learn from their soccer team which includes Sunnis, Shiites and Kurdish players." The main headline in Dubai-based English-language daily "Gulf News" (circ. 95,000) reads: "Asian Cup triumph unites a war-ravaged country." The paper reported that Iraqis in the UAE hit the streets to celebrate the victory. ¶4. Cartoon in Sharjah-based Arabic daily "Al-Khaleej" (circ. 90,000) depicts an American official spokesman saying: "The victory achieved by the Iraqi soccer team can be attributed to the cheering made by the US and the American forces watching the match on TV. President Bush will discuss these victories in his next speech to the nation." ¶5. Front page picture in "Al Ittihad" depicts a smiling Iraqi child cooling off an American soldier in Baquba with a water hose. Picture was unrelated to any article, but was prominently centered on the front page. SISON