SPECIAL MEDIA REACTION: UAE, FRANCE AND THE U.S.; ARABS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ABU DHABI 000267

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: UAE, FRANCE AND THE U.S.; ARABS
AND IRAN


1. SUMMARY:

A U.A.E. columnist in "Al-Ittihad" contrasts Arabs' selective
reference to terminologies of martyrdom versus terrorism which he
believes are largely nourished by Iran.

In light of France's recent cooperation with the U.A.E. on a French
naval base, a U.A.E. intellectual in "Al-Khaleej" does not believe
that the U.A.E. should rely on America to control Gulf security
affairs and that it should move away from any American follies in
case the United States is planning a military strike against Iran.
End Summary.



2. Under the headline "New players: U.A.E. and France", U.A.E.
professor, Dr. AbdulKhaleq Abdullah, wrote 02/26 op-ed in
Sharjah-based daily "Al-Khaleej" (circulation 90,000):

"U.A.E. sources confirm that the cooperation between Abu Dhabi and
Paris was given more attention and weight than needed. There isn't
any actual presence of a French military base on the U.A.E.
territories. This did not happen and will not happen in the future.
All what was agreed upon between the U.A.E. and France was a modest
naval base and normal logistical facilitation, steps already made in
the rest of the countries bordering the Arabian Gulf. The proposed
navy treaty does not exceed two small blocks on the Arabian Gulf to
host about four hundred military personnel and to receive French
vessels that have been permanently present in the region since 1991.
These logistical arrangements do not impair the sovereignty of the
U.A.E. nor do they affect its neutral position, and above all, these
arrangements are not directed against any particular country in the
region."

"Singling out Washington to control Gulf security affairs is
uncomfortable. The U.A.E. message is clear: it does not want to
count a lot and for long on America's protection and wishes to
diversify its sources of protection to avoid getting involved in any
potential adventures taken by the American military in the region.
If the United States is planning a military strike against Iran, the
U.A.E. must move away from any American follies. And if Washington
was to form any future political deal with Iran, it is important for
the U.A.E. to search for alternatives. Our strong ties with
Washington are not reassuring and our confidence placed on the
United States is not at its right place. It is wise for a small
State like the UAE to think outside the context of a close security
link with the United States."

"Iran promised to re-consider its provocative military arrangements
against Abu Musa's two islands during the official visit of Sheikh
Mohammed Bin Rashid to Tehran. Tehran's visit was important, but it
is difficult to believe Iran's promises or to predict what Tehran
can do because no matter how strong the level of understanding
reached between the U.A.E. and Iran, strategic and security
challenges posed by Iran can never be underestimated or dismissed.
To have a strategic deal with Iran requires first developing our
self-defensive capabilities."

"Having close ties with France or with any other country is not the
solution. But want is certain here is that the second largest
economy in the Arab region, like the U.A.E., has gained more trust
and additional safety throughout its strategic cooperation with
France. As for France, the fifth largest economy in the world, it
has confirmed that it has vital interests in the Arabian Gulf, and
it has an agenda that does not meet with the American agenda. This
step is modest but has huge and clear strategic objectives. The
messages here are addressed to all."



3. Under the headline "Emad Magneyah and the conflict of martyrdom
versus terrorism," U.A.E. columnist, Mohammed Al-Hammadi, wrote
02/27 in Abu Dhabi-based Arabic semi-official daily "Al-Ittihad"
(circulation 65,000):
"Some Arabs insist on a "selective" reference to terminologies of
martyrdom and terrorism as they consider whoever kills others and
die is a heroic martyr whereas whoever comes to their nations and
kills their children on their territories is considered a terrorist
and a criminal! Sectarianism was not as flourishing as it was prior

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to Hezbollah's hyper strength. It seems that there are players who
are nourishing these, and there is no doubt that Iran is playing an
organized role in this issue."




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