OMAN MEDIA REACTION

UNCLAS MUSCAT 000550 SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/ARP, NEA/PPD, NEA/PI, INR/R/MR, NEA/SA/EX/PMO LONDON FOR NEA WATCHER PARIS FOR NEA WATCHER FOREIGN PRESS CENTER FOR NEA WATCHER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OIIP KPAO KMDR MU SUBJECT: OMAN MEDIA REACTION ¶1. SUMMARY: Government-daily "Oman" praised the Arab League's support for Sudan's proposal to form special human rights courts, calling for more strong action by Arabs in Sudan's defense against the ICC. Private daily "Al Watan" said that U.S. presidential candidate Barack Obama's statements show that U.S. support for Israel at the expense of Arabs would continue if he becomes president. "Oman" also stated that recent peace signals from Israel and the U.S. are being undercut by their actions. END SUMMARY. -------------- - Sudan's Special Courts: "A Fair Arab Solution" -------------- - ¶2. On July 24, government-owned Arabic daily "Oman" (circulation 38,000) hailed the Arab League's support for Sudan's proposal to establish special human rights courts to counter recent International Criminal Court (ICC) action against Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir. According to "Sudan and the Special Courts": "Sudan's establishment of special courts to prosecute human rights violations seems a fair Arab solution to the crisis between Sudan and the ICC. This is an Arab response to the targeting of an Arab leader. It is clear in this case that there are powers trying to target Sudan's unity, its economy and politics. This is an unprecedented crisis; therefore, it is natural that it is dealt with through strong and clear action by Arabs. The challenges that face Arab leaders and the Arab world are becoming more complicated. Arabs must take strong actions, actions beyond just issuing recommendations, denunciations and condemnations." -------------- "Arab Initiatives Will Never Work" -------------- ¶3. Private Arabic daily "Al Watan" (circulation 42,000) on July 25 expressed pessimism at the prospects of a Barack Obama presidency, asserting he will continue U.S. support for Israel at the expense of Arabs. "Obama and Practical Advice to the Arabs" says: "The Democratic candidate for the U.S. presidency Barack Obama provided further proof that specific interests drive his policy. Previously, he talked about Jerusalem as the capital of two states, which made the Jews rebel against him. Later, in his visit to Jerusalem, he withdrew that statement and instead said what the Israelis wanted to hear: that Jerusalem must remain the united capital of Israel. Unfortunately, Obama has tried hard to deny any connection to Islam, while doing his best to suggest that he supports Israel. All this means that American support to the Israelis will not stop, and Arab initiatives will never work." -------------- Actions Undercut "Advertisements for Peace" -------------- ¶4. On July 26, government-owned "Oman" said that recent peace overtures by the U.S. and Israel are being undercut by their actions. According to "Peace Signs and Practices of War": "Israel has recently sent several peace signals. The first one was talk of indirect negotiations with Syria. Then came talk of peace for the Palestinians through Condoleezza Rice's statements in Australia. Finally came the prisoner exchange with Hezbollah. In addition, an American official sat for the first time with an Iranian to discuss the nuclear issue. However, in reality, recent actions do not match these advertisements of peace. In a recent vote by the Knesset, we saw the difficulties of a withdrawal from the Golan Heights. Israel's daily violations of Lebanese airspace and incursions over the border can ignite and complicate the situation with Hezbollah. And, British, American and French training maneuvers with Israeli participation warn of negative consequences." GRAPPO