OMAN MEDIA REACTION

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MUSCAT 000599

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: State daily "Oman" commented on the release of 200
Palestinian prisoners, it was surprising that there were Palestinian
personalities revealed their identities and ideological belonging.
"Oman" also stressed the importance of Iraqi stability for the
region. Private daily "Al-Watan" hailed the courage of international
human rights activists who sailed this week to Gaza. END SUMMARY

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PRISONER RELEASE: "DANGEROUS GAMES"
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2. On August 21, "Oman" (government-owned Arabic daily, circulation
38,000) called for Palestinians to remain vigilant against Israeli
plans to divide their ranks. "The release of Palestinian Prisoners
of War and the Dangers of Israeli Games":

"All must welcome any Israeli step releasing Palestinian prisoners
of war, alleviation of repressive practices in the occupied
Palestinian territory, or evacuation of any occupied lands; these
ultimately fall in the Palestinians interest and its cause, the
central issue for all Arabs. However, it is important to keep
vigilant in the fact of Israeli tactics and games, which are
designed to divide the Palestinian people. It is surprising that the
Israeli decision to release 200 Palestinian prisoners of war became
controversial within Palestinian movements and factions, aligning
individual detainees to this faction or another. This is what Tel
Aviv wants to distract the Palestinians with, remembering that
Israel has always been happy to know their tactics have succeeded in
compromising Palestinian unity and increasing divisions. Now the
responsibility actually falls on the Palestinians to deprive Israel
of this opportunity."

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BREAKING THE GAZA BLOCKADE
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3. Private daily "Al Watan" (circulation 42,000) On August 24
wrote about the effort of various international human rights and
peace activists to halt Israeli practices against the Palestinians,
asking "Is it the End of Israeli Influence?":

"Israel finally bowed to international pressure, in the form of a
group of peace activists aboard small boats, allowing them to enter
Gaza, the first gesture of its kind that breaks the blockade imposed
by Israel. Now comes the chance for others from various countries
around the world to say no to Israeli arrogance. This is another
example of people willing to sacrifice their lives for the sake of
peace in Palestine, recalling the examples of American activist
Rachel Corrie and the British journalist James Miller, who both were
killed by Israel. Despite the release of the British journalist
Allan Johnson who was detained by the Palestinians in compliance
with the international community's demands, Israel continues to
tirelessly describe the Palestinians as terrorists in all
international forums. Also, the Israelis recently filed lawsuits
against Bank China for allegedly supporting terrorism by
transferring funds to Palestinian factions. However, China ignored
the Israeli accusation, a defeat of Israeli claims against any
state, group, or organization of civil societies that support the
Palestinian people in their just cause. In addition, we cannot
overlook the significance of the Russian declaration of willingness
to arm Syria in response to the Israeli militarization of Georgia."

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STABILITY FOR IRAQ AND THE REGION
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4. "Oman" on August 24 expressed hope for Iraqi-American talks and
suggested that all Iraqi parties unify for the benefit results of
their people, the stability of Iraq, and the whole region.
"Iraqi-American Talks and Maintaining the Stability of Iraq":

"Recently there have been controversies among Iraqi parties about
the ongoing negotiations between the Iraqi government and America on
the future of U.S. forces in Iraq and different ideas on
Iraqi-American relations and what would be agreed. Taking into
account that the agreement between Iraq and the U.S. or other
countries is an Iraqi internal affair - especially if it relates to
its present and future - it is widely known that the various
developments in Iraq will affect one way or another the overall
situation of the Arab Gulf, states which are still suffering from
the consequences of the attack on Iraq in 2003... Several regional
and international parties show great interest in what is going on
Iraq, not because of its economic and oil (Iraq's huge wealth),but
because of its vital location and the role that Iraq plays, which
have significant impact on events in the region. Regardless of the
nature of the Iraqi-American talks, which Washington pointed out are

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continuous and meant to reach an agreement in the coming period, it
is important and necessary that various Iraqi parties, without
exception, ensure not only best results from these talks, but also
the largest degree of national consensus about the present and
future, toward a ways of building a new Iraq in the interest of all
Iraqis."

GRAPPO