MEDIA REACTION: VIOLENCE IN PALESTINE AND IRAQ, CYCLONE

UNCLAS MUSCAT 000648 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/ARP, NEA/PPD, NEA/PI, AND INR/R/MR STATE PASS USTR FOR N. MOORJANI, J. BUNTIN LONDON FOR TSOU PARIS FOR ZEYA USCENTCOM FOR PLUSH FOREIGN PRESS CENTER FOR SILAS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OIIP KPAO KMDR MU SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: VIOLENCE IN PALESTINE AND IRAQ, CYCLONE GONU AFTERMATH ¶1. SUMMARY: Editorials in state-owned daily "Oman" highlighted the ongoing violence in Iraq and Palestine. Dailies also reported on the recovery from cyclone Gonu, and elicited local volunteers to clean up cities and beaches. END SUMMARY. -------------- COVERAGE -------------- ¶2. All dailies continued to highlight the recovery from cyclone "Gonu," reporting that ninety percent of basic services were restored in affected cities. The government published articles urging people to be judicious in their use of electricity and water. At the same time the government denied the spread of any disease or infection associated with the storm's aftereffects. Articles published in dailies helped elicit volunteers to clean up cities and beaches. -------------- BLOCK QUOTES: PALESTINIANS NEED ARAB HELP -------------- ¶3. On June 21, state Arabic daily "Oman" (circulation 38,000) published an editorial called "Palestinian Conflict at A Crossroads": "The bloody events witnessed by the Palestinian territories through the armed confrontation between Fatah and Hamas will negatively affect the interests of the Palestinian people...Arabic political efforts are needed to cut down Palestinians' sufferings given Israel's threats to cut off basic services from them like water, electricity, and gas...the main role should be played by the Arab League through a specific committee where its dialogue should be with Fatah and Hamas on the basis of the higher interests of [the Palestinian] people." -------------- IRAQ GETTING MORE COMPLICATED -------------- ¶4. On June 22, an editorial in "Oman" addressed the "Continuing Language of Violence in Iraq:" "It seems that summer in Iraq is going to be very hot on the level of violence and confrontation between antagonists through increasing bombings and daily killings of more innocent Iraqis...the Iraqi scene has become more complicated and it is difficult to realistically analyze the violence and counter- violence of which ordinary Iraqis are the main victims. The way out of the Iraq chaos is for Iraqis to first of all be loyal in their intentions and then pursue national reconciliation between all powers, sects and parties in the interest of Iraq." -------------- HELL IN PALESTINE -------------- ¶5. "Oman's" Senior Editor wrote an editorial entitled "Gaza Battle" on June 23: "The Arab regime expected nothing but a hot summer in Lebanon but as usual it lost its bet and hell was unleashed Palestine. However, this time the fire did not drop from American F16s to destroy the houses on the heads of its residents, and people were not killed by Israeli bullets. Instead, Gaza fell in the hands of the Palestinians and became divided. Fighters are killing themselves and burning each others' bodies. How will we blame the Israelis if they kill Palestinian fighters and insult their families at a time when Palestinians are doing this to themselves? How can the enemy be recognized in this chaos and held accountable if that enemy is the one who owns the land?" GRAPPO