SPECIAL MEDIA REACTION: BUSH'S VISIT TO THE MIDDLE EAST;

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ABU DHABI 000106 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 SREEBNY E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OIIP KMDR TC SUBJECT: SPECIAL MEDIA REACTION: BUSH'S VISIT TO THE MIDDLE EAST; GAZA, ISRAEL AND AMERICA ¶1. SUMMARY: A Saudi writer in "Al-Ittihad" chastised President Bush's visit to the region for being heavy on international diplomacy and very light on moral leadership. A Qatari writer in "Al-Ittihad" wondered why President Bush emphasized the U.S. obligation to securing the Gulf instead of issues of freedom, democracy and civic rights. A Qatari writer in "Al-Bayan" wrote a positive op-ed on President Bush's visit, explaining that his goal was to show demonstrate the administration's commitment to protecting the security of the region. The writer also criticized others for misjudging the President and for inciting anti-Bush rhetoric in the Arab world. A U.A.E. writer in "Al-Ittihad" wrote a very positive op-ed on the visit, exhorting Arabs to note President Bush's merits, not just his mistakes. The editorial in "Al-Bayan" blamed America for causing the situation in Gaza by not taking action against Israel. The editorial in "Al-Khaleej" wondered how America would have reacted if the scenario were reversed: if a Palestinian official were to say that Israelis should walk barefoot and not live a normal life. End Summary. ¶2. Under the headline "Heavy Visitor", a Saudi writer, Dr. Saif El-Islam Bin Saoud Bin Abdel-Aziz, wrote 01/21 op-ed in Abu Dhabi-based Arabic semi-official daily "Al-Ittihad" (circulation 65,000): "Bush is a guest who is heavy on international diplomacy and international relations. However, many Arabs in the region believe he is very light on the moral scale." "The United States owns an unprecedented balance of hatred in many parts of the world. Dominant states, since the start of human creation, have never earned the love of subjugated peoples. " ¶3. Under the headline "Bush's Farewell", a Qatari writer, Dr. Ahmed Abdul-Malik, wrote 01/24 op-ed in "Al-Ittihad": "During his visit to the United Arab Emirates, Bush sent a message of criticism to Iran. In his speech at the Emirates Palace Hotel, where he met with diplomats, officials and U.A.E. citizens, he said: 'Iran today is a state sponsor of terrorism, and threatens countries' security everywhere.' How could he, at the same time, stress his commitment to keep his friends from the Gulf countries secure?! "When the United Arab Emirates confirmed strengthening its distinct economic partnership with the United States, Bush praised the leaders of the Gulf region because 'they started to respond to the will of their citizens,' and he pointed to the elections that took place in the region to illustrate his point. We wish that Bush would have spoken more clearly on issues of citizenship including the rights of citizens, their freedom, and democracy in the region as a whole instead of focusing on the continuing obligations of Washington towards the security of his 'friends' in the Gulf region!" ¶4. Under the headline "Bush's tour in the region: the Message and Goals", a Qatari writer, Dr. Abdul-Hameed Al-Ansari, wrote 01/21 op-ed in Dubai-based Arabic daily "Al-Bayan" (circulation 85,000): "Why were there opposing voices to Bush's visit to the region? Why all these campaigns in the Arab countries slandering Bush and slurring his visit to the region? Why can't they just accept that the visit was just a chance to talk and have a conversation? Why do we anticipate beforehand and judge that this visit is nothing but a failure?" ABU DHABI 00000106 002 OF 002 "One of Bush's goals out of his visit was to show his administration's commitment to protect the security of the region and to confirm the American Alliance as a strategic alliance that ensures the stability and security of the region and that achieves the common interests between the Gulf States and the world". ¶5. Under the headline "Bush's Merits", a UAE writer, Ahmed Amiri, wrote 01/24 op-ed in "Al-Ittihad": "Is Bush really a Devil worthy of receiving, during his recent visit to the region, unwelcoming comments from the Arab people and negative headlines in the Arab press?" "It is natural for Mr. White House to make mistakes that are nothing compared to the terrible crimes committed by Hitler, Stalin or Saddam. Whoever works hard will naturally make mistakes." "But who dares to mention the merits of this man? If it wasn't for him, Bin Laden now would be ruling the region, Afghanis would be reliving the medieval ages and suffering cruel extremism, Iraqis would be still dying under Saddam's torturous rule and Iranians would be playing around with our countries. In terms of the Palestinian issue, we should not forget that Bush, President of the U.S. himself, is subject to the same American policy towards this issue that has been ongoing for 60 years. Nevertheless, he announced that he wants to establish a Palestinian state." "Bush is not an angel, but he is not a devil either. He has made mistakes, but he has also good deeds in a world that cannot have stability without a price or by making some mistakes." ¶6. Under the headline "Gaza's Darkness and the Injustice to which Our Kin are Being Subjected", the 01/22 editorial in "Al-Bayan" read: "Gaza is sinking into darkness and living through a dreadful humanitarian crisis. However, this was expected; Israel has for weeks been hinting at putting Gaza in complete darkness by cutting fuel and electricity to paralyze life there completely. All these signs and indications happened without anyone objecting and in front of the eyes and ears of international parties, specifically the Americans, who took no action, but simply remained as onlookers; the most they did was a bashful warning". ¶7. Under the headline "Do You Remember?" the 01/23 editorial in Sharjah-based Arabic Daily "Al-Khaleej" (circulation 90,000) read: "What would have happened if Arabs said 'Let Israelis walk barefoot, and we will prevent them from living a normal life,' in the same way the Israeli Prime Minister said to the Palestinians?? His comment stresses his non-indifference against the humanitarian disaster that the Gaza people are suffering from now. If Arabs spoke this way, America would have been on the alert. America would have called upon the U.N. Security Council to convene an emergency meeting and it would issue resolutions stating that Arabs are terrorists. America would ask the U.N. to adopt decisions of imposing a blockade and sanctions; it would move armies to invade; and it would have probably looked at the Arab position as anti-Semitic resulting in naming Arab states as 'evil States.'" "Do you remember when once Arabs were able to deflate Israel by using international boycotts of Israel as a weapon for years at a time? What did we do just now? We gave up this weapon in exchange for illusive dreams from Israel." QUINN