JERUSALEM MEDIA REACTION (04/17): THE IMPORTANCE OF

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 JERUSALEM 000674 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE PASS BBG STATE FOR NEA, NEA/IPA, NEA/PPD WHITE HOUSE FOR PRESS OFFICE, SIT ROOM NSC FOR ABRAMS CMC WASHINGTON DC FOR POLAD JERUSALEM ALSO FOR ICD LONDON FOR HKANONA AND POL - TSOU PARIS ALSO FOR POL ROME FOR MFO E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL KMDR KPAL KWBG KPAO IS SUBJECT: JERUSALEM MEDIA REACTION (04/17): THE IMPORTANCE OF CARTER'S REGIONAL VISIT -------------- Main Stories: -------------- Black and red Dramatic black and red banner headlines on all front pages indicate crisis reporting on the killing of up to 20 Palestinians in Gaza on April 16. All papers lead with graphic photos of the injured, dead bodies including a Reuters cameraman and a destroyed mosque. Lead stories highlight that most of the victims are children. Coverage expresses anger over the killing of the cameraman, with Al Hayat Al Jadida running a photo showing the Reuters vehicle clearly marked "TV". The dailies report that Palestinian President Abbas, "strongly condemned the attack," and called upon Israel to, "immediately stop its aggression on our people." Speaking to the Voice of Palestine radio, PLO negotiator Erekat said that, "escalation will only lead to further deterioration in the situation and violence." He added that the attack happened at a time when there were, "great chances of achieving a truce and calm in Gaza." The dailies also report on the killing of three Israeli soldiers during clashes with, "Palestinian fighters" in Gaza during an early morning Israeli incursion in the Strip on April 16. Wafa News Agency reports that PLO negotiator Erekat called upon the American administration on April 16 to investigate the accuracy of Israeli claims about the removal of checkpoints and settler outposts in the West Bank, stressing that these claims should be viewed as part of a, "public relations" campaign. Another WAFA news report runs April 16 comments by the Saudi and Jordanian kings calling upon Israel to immediately halt "violations" against the Palestinian people and stop settlement activities and lift the "siege" imposed on the Gaza Strip. On inside pages, the three dailies report that PLO negotiator Erekat met with NSC advisors Hadley and Abrams and Consul General Walles on April 16. Attendees discussed the agenda for Palestinian President Abbas' meeting at the White House next week. Erekat repeated well-known demands for greater US pressure on Israel to implement first phase obligations of the road map. The dailies report that senior Hamas leaders Mahmoud Zahhar and Sa'id Siyam headed to Egypt on April 16 to meet with former US president Jimmy Carter. The dailies note further that Isma'il Haniyah was also invited to meet with Carter but that he declines for, "private reasons." Ma'an news agency reports that discussions with Carter will address the blockade of the Gaza Strip and a potential ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinians. The dailies carried extensive coverage of West Bank activities, "honoring Prisoners Day." Activities included public parades and rallies sponsored by relatives of prisoners and political parties. Related reports in all papers highlight Israeli Foreign Minister Livni, "criticizing" Palestinian President Abbas's plans to, "honor six imprisoned Palestinian women," at a ceremony at the Ramallah Presidential compound on April 17. The dailies highlight that Palestinian President Abbas is conducting "important" talks with Russian officials. According to the dailies, Abbas will focus on, "developments after Annapolis." Presidential spokesperson Abu Rudaynah explained that Abbas's visit will include "in-depth talks" on all issues, especially the status of negotiations with Israelis as well as Palestinian-Russian relations. Al-Quds' front page reprints a letter sent by jailed Fatah leader JERUSALEM 00000674 002 OF 002 Marwan Barghouti to Palestinian President Abbas and to the Fatah Central Committee and Preparations Committee for the sixth Fatah conference. The letter includes 20 points for Fatah to follow that will, according to Barghouti, allow Fatah "to survive and return hope to the Palestinians of freedom, independence and justice." Related reports in the dailies highlight the Israeli refusal to allow former president Carter to meet with Barghouti. -------------- BLOCK QUOTES: -------------- ¶1. Independent Al-Ayyam carries an op-ed by veteran columnist Talal Okal entitled, "There is only one exit... (04/17): "It is clear to everyone that the situation in Gaza is miserable. It has spiraled down into the heart of catastrophe where life has become unbearable... two years have passed since the siege [of Gaza] began after the formation of the Hamas Government following Palestinian elections. Ten months after the Hamas coup [of Gaza], the siege has intensified to become complete isolation. Over [the last 10 months], Gaza has experienced comprehensive operations of destruction that have violated the most basic of human rights, the right to life... the unemployment rate has reached 40% and the poverty rate has exceeded 75%... in political science [theory] it is permissible to consider solving one crisis by creating others, but this strategy will not work in [Gaza] because any new crisis will only serve to deepen the current one." ¶2. Official Al-Hayat Al-Jadida prints a piece by regular columnist Yahia Rabah entitled, "Jimmy Carter!" (04/17): "During his presidency, former president Jimmy Carter created one of the most dangerous and important storms in the Middle East - the Egyptian-Israeli peace agreement that allowed Egypt to regain the Sinai and allowed Israel to raise its flag atop the Israeli Embassy in Cairo. Jimmy Carter has returned to the region 30 years later to create a lesser storm by laying a wreath at the tomb of Yasir Arafat and criticizing Israeli discriminatory policies and by meeting with Hamas officials in Cairo and Damascus. Carter intends to convince Khalid Mash'al, head of the Hamas polit bureau, to accept a peaceful resolution with Israel and a peaceful resolution to the conflict between Hamas and Fatah. Regardless of Israeli and the American official attempts to insist that the man has no official responsibilities, his visit to the region remains important. It is very important, because a man like Carter can transmit his beliefs to the American public and influence public opinion... His visit is very important to Hamas. I think that Hamas will not miss this valuable chance after years of isolation and frozen relations [to get their message out]. [They should take] maximum advantage of this chance." Walles