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

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ABU DHABI 000046 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 ¶1. SUMMARY: Two days before President Bush's arrival in the UAE, Gulf News published a front page Open Letter to the President. The pointed, detailed letter harshly criticized both the President and his Administration's actions in the Middle East, and expressed the view that the region has abandoned any expectations that the President can make any positive difference. The text of the letter, published in English, is included below in its entirety. The editorial in "Al-Khaleej" mocked National Security Council Director Steven Hadley's counsel that the region should not expect enormous breakthroughs from Bush's visit as patently obvious, as only the most naove person would believe that the United States would change its policy of unconditional support for Israel. The editorial in "Al-Bayan" deems President Bush's visit unnecessary, if he intends to do the usual: talk about peace but never translate his words into action. End Summary. ¶2. Under the headline "Letter to George W. Bush," the banner editorial in Dubai-based English Daily Gulf News (circulation 100,000) read: Begin Text Dear Mr. President, On the occasion of your first official trip to this vital reign, it is only appropriate to raise a few points which might also be raised by the leaders you meet. Unfortunately, you landed here with prejudice and pre-formed opinions. By describing Israel, moments after you arrived, as 'the land of freedom' and 'justice', you have shown total ignorance of the political situation in the Middle East and the issue you claim to want to solve in the remaining 12 months of your presidency. Israel, Mr. President, continues to defy every UN resolution, exercise unprecedented oppression on the occupied Palestinian people and persecute its Muslim and Christian population. We realize that containing Iran, selling more weapons and securing cheap oil supplies are the main issues on your mind as you tour the region. But you need to look beyond the neocons rhetoric and speak directly to the people who have been unjustly thrown out of their land, victimized for decades by your 'strong ally' Israel. As for other matters, such as the promise of democracy and human rights, which you are expected to raise in your official talks in the region, we really don't take them seriously. Your dreadful record on both gives you no moral right to lecture others. Mr. President; In a famous speech in 2003 you announced an "historic" shift in US foreign policy. You pledged to support democracy and liberty while declaring "victory" in Iraq. More than four years later, Iraq is in chaos. It has virtually disintegrated and "the surge" did little to stop the killing or ease the sectarian tension. At the same time, you gave up on your freedom-for-all prophecy. We are all back to the old ways of doing business - arms and oil. The agenda of your current tour is evident. Mr. President; This is your first official trip to a land you long claimed has a very special place in your heart. The land of the Prophets. However, you started out wrong. By maintaining your support of an Israeli "Jewish State", you are flouting your own ideals upon which your great country was founded more than two centuries ago. So much for the promise of democracy. What you advocate in fact is the creation of states on religious and racial lines, thereby justifying the atrocious actions of terrorists who hate and seek to eliminate the followers of other religions: The same terrorists you like to blame for every ill on earth and every failure of yours. Mr. President; It has been reported that you are here to "lecture" us on democracy ABU DHABI 00000046 002 OF 002 and human rights. But with a record like yours, you will not be very convincing. The people you are addressing have greater respect for human rights and dignity. You also said that your current tour aims to realize the long neglected peace in the Middle East. Regional peace, Mr President, will not be achieved by escalating tension and threatening to change regimes. And most importantly, it will not be achieved by supporting Israel, which continues to defy international law, occupy Arab lands, oppress the Palestinians and rebuff peace initiatives. Mr. President; We hope you have enjoyed the trip so far. The scenery is great. The food is exotic. As for the more "serious" things, it is unlikely you will make any difference". End Text ¶3. Under the headline "A Misplaced advice", the 01/11 editorial in Sharjah-based Arabic Daily "Al-Khaleej" (circulation 90,000) read: "The advice from the U.S. National Security Adviser Steven Hadley was unnecessary. No one needed to have it said that one should not expect any enormous breakthroughs from Bush's visit, particularly since he defined his visit to the region upon his arrival, in Israe: The United States will continue to be a close ally and ensure the security of the Jewish state. Only a naove person would believe that Bush's visit will produce anything but preplanned results. "Bush's mission is clear and has nothing to do with the Palestinian cause or seeking a solution. In fact, he will try to use this cause in another way, one that serves the broader American strategy by seeking to turn the Arab-Israeli conflict into a secondary issue, get Arab countries join regional alliances that include Israel as a partner, and establish as grounds Arab normalization with Israel, 'for free' [without reciprocal concessions]. Normalization without 'paying dues' has been Bush Administration's goal for some time; it has repeatedly declared this. "Bush's current target is Iran; in his own words, "Iran poses a threat to the world peace". He seeks to turn the the Arab-Israeli conflict into an Arab-Iranian conflict, while [ignoring] Israel, a country heavily loaded with nuclear weapons of mass destruction, and [with] aggressive, expansionist, racist and lawless policies, [and implying that these] do not threaten International peace! "These are briefly the goals of his visit. And we certainly do not expect any "enormous breakthroughs." ¶4. Under the headline "Forming Peace is not only words", the editorial in Dubai-based Arabic daily "Al-Bayan" 01/11 (circulation 85,000) read: "If peace, as Bush's said during a press conference with Olmert upon his arrival in Israel, was his visit's "product", then the visit was unnecessary. His product has been on the open market for a long. Coming to the region to simply remarket it neither promotes it nor stops it from falling. A Palestinian-Israeli settlement based on the concept of two states requires some other "product". SISON