Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ABUDHABI1480
2007-09-06 07:46:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Cable title:  

SPECIAL MEDIA REACTION: BUSH'S VISIT TO IRAQ

Tags:  OIIP KMDR TC 
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ABU DHABI 001480 

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: BUSH'S VISIT TO IRAQ


UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ABU DHABI 001480

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: BUSH'S VISIT TO IRAQ



1. SUMMARY: A columnist in "Akhbar Al-Arab" implicitly suggests
that the withdrawal of British forces from Basra comes in response
to Iran's threat to fill the gap of coalition troops' absence. An
editorial in "Akhbar Al-Arab" states that the war in Iraq has become
an inexplicable and unresolvable war of attrition. An editorial in
"Al-Khaleej" considers the timing of President Bush's visit to Iraq,
in conjunction with the withdrawal of British troops from Basra, as
a message to the world that he does not care if the U.S. is left
alone in its occupation of Iraq. An editorial in "Al-Bayan"
believes that the timeframe of Bush's visit to Iraq should make
people apprehensive, as it signals that Iraq may have reached a new
turning point towards an unknown and frightening future. End
Summary.



2. Op-ed under the headline "Redeployment or withdrawal" by Dr. Omar
Abdel Aziz in Abu Dhabi-based Arabic language daily "Akhbar Al-Arab"
(circulation 25,000) on 09/05:

"The withdrawal of British troops from Basra is a bad omen. Why?
Because everyone knows that Al-Maliki's army and his comrades do not
control the situation in Basra, thus a potential dispute among
militias is very likely. This is what the Anglo-American war has
generated so far. The political and security void caused by war
chaos in Iraq will further open doors for internal and regional
pressure. A few days ago, Iranian President Ahmedinejad advised the
Americans and the British to withdraw from Iraq saying that Iran is
ready to fill the vacuum caused by their absence. No [further]
comment [is needed]."



3. Unsigned editorial under the headline "Withdrawal excuse" in Abu
Dhabi-based Arabic language daily "Akhbar Al-Arab" (circulation
25,000) on 09/05:

"Just like the excuses given by the U.S. four years ago prior to its
invasion of Iraq, some were logical and many were baseless. Some
were strategic and some were tactical. So now the excuses for
withdrawal range from assuring that security is good in Iraq and
that PM Al-Maliki's government is effective, to claims that the U.S.
has defeated terrorism, contained regional risk and laid the
foundations for a new democracy in Iraq."

"An American victory in Iraq seems impossible, given political and
military circumstances; likewise, a certain American defeat is also
difficult because of the renewable external capabilities that keep
flowing into Iraq. Therefore, the situation is "neither victory nor
defeat"; more a war of attrition than a war which can be resolved
through clear-cut strikes."



4. Under the headline "Bush between his two visits", the editorial
in Sharjah-based Arabic daily "Al-Khaleej" (circulation 90,000)
09/04 read:

"The timing of President Bush's visit to Iraq yesterday, coinciding
with the withdrawal of British troops from Basra, is a message to
the world saying that Bush does not care even if everyone leaves him
alone in his occupation."

"When Bush talked about reducing troops in Iraq based on Gen.
Petraeus recommendations that Bush could maintain security with
fewer troops if he (Petraeus) were able to make progress in Anbar,
he was twisting the truth. He does not want to appear as a
retreating loser in front of the world."



5. Under the headline "A suspicious visit", the editorial in
Dubai-based Arabic daily "Al-Bayan" (circulation 85,000) 09/05
read:

"Bush's most recent surprising visit to Iraq carries connotations.
The timing [should make us apprehensive] as it signals that the
Iraqi situation may have entered, or is on the verge of entering, a
new turning point towards an unknown and frightening future."




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