Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07MUSCAT760
2007-08-05 12:23:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Muscat
Cable title:
OMAN MEDIA REPORTING ON SECRETARY'S EGYPT VISIT
how-toVZCZCXRO1618 PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHKUK RUEHROV DE RUEHMS #0760 2171223 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 051223Z AUG 07 FM AMEMBASSY MUSCAT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8584 INFO RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS MUSCAT 000760
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR NEA/ARP, NEA/IPA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KPAO KPAL MU
SUBJECT: OMAN MEDIA REPORTING ON SECRETARY'S EGYPT VISIT
POSITIVE
UNCLAS MUSCAT 000760
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR NEA/ARP, NEA/IPA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KPAO KPAL MU
SUBJECT: OMAN MEDIA REPORTING ON SECRETARY'S EGYPT VISIT
POSITIVE
1. Omani print media outlets generally carried positive,
direct news reports on the Secretary's July 31 meetings with
Arab ministers in Sharm el-Sheikh. English-language dailies
the "Times of Oman" and the "Oman Daily Observer" ran upbeat,
front-page headlines on August 2 highlighting the Secretary's
proclamation that Israel and the Arab states should "seize
opportunities" for peace in the run-up to a planned Middle
East peace conference in the U.S. later this year. In
addition, both papers focused on the importance of Saudi
Arabia in shepherding the Arab states in advance of the
planned conference. Arabic press used Reuters reporting,
with state-owned daily "Oman" proclaiming, "U.S. Talks in the
Region Bear Fruit."
2. An August 3 editorial by Arabic-language daily "al-Watan,"
however, took a more critical stance toward the visit to the
region by the Secretary. Above the publication's political
cartoon critically depicting the amount of aid given to
Israel by the United States, the editorial questioned the
intentions of the Secretary and asked why the overtures were
not coming directly from the Israeli government instead.
Reaffirming the importance of accepting the Arab peace
initiative as the foundation for peace, the editorial called
on Arab states to resist U.S. pressure to accept an agreement
that "infringes on their rights."
GRAPPO
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR NEA/ARP, NEA/IPA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KPAO KPAL MU
SUBJECT: OMAN MEDIA REPORTING ON SECRETARY'S EGYPT VISIT
POSITIVE
1. Omani print media outlets generally carried positive,
direct news reports on the Secretary's July 31 meetings with
Arab ministers in Sharm el-Sheikh. English-language dailies
the "Times of Oman" and the "Oman Daily Observer" ran upbeat,
front-page headlines on August 2 highlighting the Secretary's
proclamation that Israel and the Arab states should "seize
opportunities" for peace in the run-up to a planned Middle
East peace conference in the U.S. later this year. In
addition, both papers focused on the importance of Saudi
Arabia in shepherding the Arab states in advance of the
planned conference. Arabic press used Reuters reporting,
with state-owned daily "Oman" proclaiming, "U.S. Talks in the
Region Bear Fruit."
2. An August 3 editorial by Arabic-language daily "al-Watan,"
however, took a more critical stance toward the visit to the
region by the Secretary. Above the publication's political
cartoon critically depicting the amount of aid given to
Israel by the United States, the editorial questioned the
intentions of the Secretary and asked why the overtures were
not coming directly from the Israeli government instead.
Reaffirming the importance of accepting the Arab peace
initiative as the foundation for peace, the editorial called
on Arab states to resist U.S. pressure to accept an agreement
that "infringes on their rights."
GRAPPO