SPECIAL MEDIA REACTION: ADMIRAL FALLON'S RESIGNATION

UNCLAS ABU DHABI 000317 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: ADMIRAL FALLON'S RESIGNATION ¶1. SUMMARY: UAE print and electronic media gave prominent coverage to the resignation of Admiral Fallon. Editorials agree that Fallon's resignation means that the voice of reason in the American administration has been ousted and therefore a military confrontation with Iran sounds likely now. End Summary. ¶2. Editorial in Dubai-based Arabic daily "Al-Bayan" 3/13 headlined "Bush's adherence to the option of war": Following the catastrophic consequences of his war in Iraq, Bush insists that the war was right...and wants to pursue his policy regarding dealing with Iran. This is what led to the resignation of Admiral Fallon. Fallon wanted to quit before what he does not approve of occurs. Fallon's departure is a clear indication that President Bush intends to engage in a war with Iran." ¶3. Unsigned editorial in Abu Dhabi-based Daily"Akhbar Al-Arab" noted: "Fallon's resignation represents a different voice from what is prevailing in the Bush Administration. It is a voice that attempted to create some kind of a balance in the positions and policies that would restrain the president from unilaterally making the same kinds of decisions that have led the U.S. into quagmires in Iraq and Afghanistan. Fallon's resignation indicates that the President Bush's administration has lost the voice of sanity and reason, as Hilary Clinton put it." QUINN