JORDANIAN REACTION TO BEIJING OLYMPICS MUTED

UNCLAS AMMAN 002884 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV JO SUBJECT: JORDANIAN REACTION TO BEIJING OLYMPICS MUTED REF: A. STATE 105510 ¶B. AMMAN 2770 ¶1. (SBU) Most Jordanians viewed the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics through the lens of their national teams' performance. The Games received fairly straightforward coverage from the major Jordanian news outlets provided, for the most part, by a small number of reporters who accompanied the Jordanian team to Beijing. Post contacts told Emboffs that the GOJ encouraged major newspapers to publish at least one supplement on the Games highlighting Jordan's teams, the efforts of Jordan's official sports federation, and participation of members of the Jordanian royal family. Coverage also emphasized the extensive organization and use of high tech by the GOC. Editorial coverage, timed around the Games' opening, commented that China "had arrived" in terms of international prestige and influence. ¶2. (SBU) King Abdullah visited China in mid-September as part of his ongoing effort to broaden Jordanian ties in Asia (Ref B),but for most Jordanians China has again faded from the collective consciousness following the brief spike in coverage during the Games. One local Embassy employee commented that, even during the Games, few Jordanians took note of human rights and press freedom in China. Visit Amman's Classified Website at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/amman Beecroft