Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08MUSCAT104
2008-02-06 11:19:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Muscat
Cable title:  

MEDIA REACTION: GAZA UNDER TWO SEIGES; OMAN JOURNALIST

Tags:  OIIP KPAO KMDR MU 
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VZCZCXRO0623
PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHKUK RUEHROV
DE RUEHMS #0104 0371119
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 061119Z FEB 08
FM AMEMBASSY MUSCAT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9237
INFO RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 0520
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0411
RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
UNCLAS MUSCAT 000104 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/ARP, NEA/PPD, NEA/PI, AND INR/R/MR
STATE PASS USTR FOR N. MOORJANI, J. BUNTIN
LONDON FOR TSOU
PARIS FOR ZEYA
USCENTCOM FOR PLUSH
FOREIGN PRESS CENTER FOR SILAS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP KPAO KMDR MU
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: GAZA UNDER TWO SEIGES; OMAN JOURNALIST
THRIVES AT AL HURRA; AMERICA'S IMAGE ABROAD


UNCLAS MUSCAT 000104

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/ARP, NEA/PPD, NEA/PI, AND INR/R/MR
STATE PASS USTR FOR N. MOORJANI, J. BUNTIN
LONDON FOR TSOU
PARIS FOR ZEYA
USCENTCOM FOR PLUSH
FOREIGN PRESS CENTER FOR SILAS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP KPAO KMDR MU
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: GAZA UNDER TWO SEIGES; OMAN JOURNALIST
THRIVES AT AL HURRA; AMERICA'S IMAGE ABROAD



1. SUMMARY: The editorial in private Arabic daily "Al Zaman"
commented that Fatah leader Abbas is pressuring Hamas for a truce.
Private youth-oriented Arabic daily "Al Shabiba" praised an Omani
journalist working for Al Hurra TV, saying that Omani journalists
can demonstrate their true talent in free media environments. Arabic
state daily "Oman" highlighted the recent naming of James Glassman
as Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs and
commented on his mission to improve America's image abroad. END
SUMMARY.

--------------
GAZA UNDER TWO SEIGES
--------------


2. In a January 28 editorial, "Al Zaman" (new; no circulation yet
released; widely distributed) said that Gaza is in a bind between
Abbas' interests to control the Rafah boarder and Israel's continued
pressure. "Scenario of Siege" said:

"Fatah wants full control over Gaza's borders; however, it does not
know how to deal with the Egyptian border situation and is not able
to provide a normal life to Gaza... In the end, Israel may succeed
in subduing Gaza, given Abbas's focus on removing Hamas from Gaza.
This means Palestinians shedding more Palestinian blood with Gaza
under two sieges: Abbas' and Israel's."

-------------- --------------
Omani Journalist Thrives in Free Media Environment
-------------- --------------


3. On January 29, "Al Shabiba"(circulation 20,000) praised the
quality of an Omani reporter's work at Al Hurra TV. "An Eye on
Democracy and Migrant Birds" said:

"When a journalist moves from a restrictive TV channel to one that
provides freedom and encourages confidence, that journalist might
turn into one of the best. This is true of Muhammad Al Yahyai, an
Omani journalist who moved to Al Hurrah and built a reputation
through his program "Eye on Democracy". The program openly
addresses sensitive topics in the Arab world and discusses issues
never dealt with before. His program sheds light on current debates
on democratic transformation in the Arab world and on challenges of
political reforms. Al Yahyai also tackles human rights, the rights
of women and children, and civil society. He conducts thoughtful
interviews with officials, professionals, activists and parliament
members. Al Yahyai is opening up issues that many others are trying
to ignore in the Arab region. His intellect, knowledge of the
issues, and courage surpass the ordinary. The only problem is that
Arab viewers do not accept Al Hurra. If he were to air his program
from Al Jazeera, it would receive the appropriate attention."

--------------
ONGOING CHALLENGES FOR AMERICA'S IMAGE
--------------


4. The state-owned Arabic daily "Oman" (circulation 38,000)
commented on January 30 that the Bush administration has done all it
can to improve America's image abroad, to little effect, in "From
Hughes to Glassman ... and Trials to Improve America's Image":

"Again Bush is looking for faces to polish his country's image.
After the resignation of Karen Hughes, another candidate has taken
the position of Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy.
Perhaps he might succeed where Hughes failed. If Glassman, though,
chooses to use deception to change America's reputation, he is
doomed to fail, for America continues to pursue the same strategies
and polices. As long as America says one thing and does the
opposite, its image will never be positive. Instead, it will only
increase the world's hatred of its policies and continue to isolate
itself."

GRAPPO