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?"


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"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