MEDIA REACTION: IRAQ/G-8 SUMMIT & PUTIN'S STATEMENTS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ABU DHABI 000946

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SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: IRAQ/G-8 SUMMIT & PUTIN'S STATEMENTS


1. SUMMARY: "Al-Khaleej" is skeptical of statements made by the
U.S. ambassador in Iraq who said that chaos will deteriorate further
in Iraq if U.S. forces leave. A columnist in "Al-Khaleej" and
"Al-Bayan" describes the tension between the U.S. and Russia on the
eve of G-8 summit as a return to the Cold War. End Summary.



2. Under the headline "The habit of lying", the editorial in
Sharjah-based Arabic daily "Al-Khaleej" (circulation 90,000) 06/07
read:

"The Bush's Administration has not deserted the habit of lying ever
since it took power. This has been demonstrated in each substantial
issue, whether external or internal. Yesterday Russia scoffed at
the administration's allegations that the missile shield, which will
be installed in the Czech Republic and Poland, is to protect the
United States from North Korean and Iranian missiles... The
statements made by the U.S. ambassador in Iraq in which he stressed
that chaos will deteriorate in Iraq if U.S. forces leave are either
extremely foolish or, are in fact, mocking the minds of people. He
speaks as if what is happening in Iraq now is not chaos. Do the
dozens of people who spend their nights at random places in the
streets of cities co notate stability? Or do the thousands of
Iraqis fleeing the country mark prosperity? Is the sectarian and
ethnic division that is growing day after day an indication of the
rule of law and order? The American Administration knows that its
scheme is collapsing in Iraq, and that the method of its withdrawal
will have a major impact on their interests in the region and the
world. It is thus living in the illusion that things in Iraq will
turn to their advantage in order to avoid the bitterness of its
defeat, and the erosion of its interests abroad. All of this
happend because the Bush Administration did not take into account
the interests, stability and prosperity of the Iraqi people. It
also did not take into consideration the interests of neighboring
countries. This is because it actually believes in the
"constructive chaos" that allows this administration to manage
conflicts in order to protect its interests and maximize them."



3. Under the headline "Russia and the cold war", columnist, Hussam
Kanafani, wrote in a 06/07 in "Al-Khaleej":

"... It may be too early to talk about a new and clear "cold war".
However, the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, who
is the heir to the Soviet Union, undoubtedly yearns to the former
glory of his country. Today he searches for ways to achieve his
objectives, especially now that the extension of the United States
and NATO is approaching the Russian border... Russia now is
searching for its lost sovereignty. It seems that Putin found in
the international circumstances an opportunity to re-endorse his
country's sovereignty to the maximum. The impasse and the failure
that the American policies are witnessing in the world, especially
after the war on Iraq, and the human attrition there, in addition to
the unprecedented division in the United States, gives Putin a
chance to show that his country can be a strong player in
international politics. Russia today is on the way back, at least
politically, to the Soviet Union. Soon and it will not be long, the
global balance will be restored."



4. Under the headline "Bush-Putin and the crisis during the
summit", the editorial in Dubai-based Arabic daily "Al-Bayan"
(circulation 85,000) 06/07 read:

"The tension between Washington and Moscow is unprecedented since
the Soviet Union's collapse. This was reflected in the mutual
bickering between the two capitals on the eve of the G-8 summit,
with a language that not only reflects the depth of mutual
suspicion, but also signals the end of what was like a honeymoon
that prevailed in their relations after the fall of the Berlin wall.
It also possibly signals the beginning of a new wall between them.
The Bush Administration continues to preach to Moscow on democracy
and human rights; which inturn made Putin react strongly,
threatening to oce again re-direct the Russian missiles to European
countries. It is as if he is trying to remind eeryone of the fact
that his country continues topossess a strategic military arsenal
that can no be ignored."

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