Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ABUDHABI1376
2007-08-16 14:55:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Cable title:  

MEDIA REACTION: IRAQ AND THE U.S. OCCUPATION; IRAN AND THE

Tags:  OIIP KMDR TC 
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VZCZCXRO2141
OO RUEHDE RUEHDIR
DE RUEHAD #1376 2281455
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 161455Z AUG 07
FM AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9551
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 1210
RHBVAKS/COMUSNAVCENT
UNCLAS ABU DHABI 001376 

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: MEDIA REACTION: IRAQ AND THE U.S. OCCUPATION; IRAN AND THE
U.S.; WHITE HOUSE RESIGNATIONS

UNCLAS ABU DHABI 001376

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: MEDIA REACTION: IRAQ AND THE U.S. OCCUPATION; IRAN AND THE
U.S.; WHITE HOUSE RESIGNATIONS


1. SUMMARY: A Kuwaiti intellectual in "Al-Ittihad" opines that the
U.S. occupation of Iraq created a crisis for the whole world not
just for the Arab world and nobody knows what the solution is. An
Egyptian writer in "Al-Khaleej" views that Iran embarrasses the U.S.
occupation when it receives loyalty and friendship from Iraqi and
Afghani leaders who are key allies of Washington. The editorial in
"Al-Khaleej" and a columnist in "Al-Bayan" both regards the ongoing
resignations by key White House figures as a series of Bush's
failures. End Summary.



2. Under the headline "Iraq is everybody's crisis", a Kuwaiti
intellectual, Dr. Ahmed Al-Baghdadi, wrote a 08/14 op-ed in Abu
Dhabi-based Arabic semi-official daily "Al-Ittihad" (circulation
65,000):

"The U.S. incorrectly thought that it could remove Saddam and allow
Iraqi civilization to peacefully restore order. Instead Iraq has
crumbled from within because of the climate of fear created by
Saddam that overwhelmed thousands of years of civilization. This
instability creates a crisis for the whole world not just for the
Arab world, and nobody knows what the solution is."



3. Under the headline "Bush's shock", Egyptian columnist, Dr.
Mohammed Al-Saeed Idris, wrote 08/16 in "Al-Khaleej" (circulation
90,000):

"Iran embarrasses the U.S. occupation and drives it to the point of
despair when it receives loyalty and friendship from those who rule
Baghdad and Kabul, key allies of Washington."
"Bush now sees that the blockade he wanted to impose on Iran is
besieging him, and that his allies are actually allies of Iran; and
that is Bush's big shock."


4. Under the headline "As ye sow, so shall ye reap", the editorial
in Sharjah-based Arabic daily "Al-Khaleej" (circulation 90,000)
08/15 read:

"Following the continuous resignations by many key White House
figures from the White House, the latest of them from Karl Rove, and
the departure of many of Bush's allies such as Tony Blair, Jos
Mara and Silvio Berlusconi, Bush is left all alone to confront the
non-stopping blizzards hitting him. One can only say this to him:
"As ye sow, so shall ye reap".



5. Under the headline "The rest will follow", a columnist, Ali
Hageeg, wrote a 08/16 op-ed in Dubai-based Arabic daily "Al-Bayan"
(circulation 85,000):

"Ongoing resignations by key White House figures, the latest of them
from Karl Rove, are not due to exceptional situations but rather
reflect a series of Bush's failures and scandals."
"This is the end of those who intervene in the destinies of peoples,
without experience or expertise, destroying regulations and
trampling on the lives of innocent people. Poor Karl Rove. The
rest will follow."


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