Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08MUSCAT640
2008-09-08 12:18:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Muscat
Cable title:  

OMAN MEDIA REACTION

Tags:  OIIP KPAO KMDR MU 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO7585
PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHKUK RUEHROV
DE RUEHMS #0640 2521218
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 081218Z SEP 08
FM AMEMBASSY MUSCAT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9930
INFO RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 0561
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0448
UNCLAS MUSCAT 000640 

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

UNCLAS MUSCAT 000640

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: Daily "Al-Watan" urged GCC countries and Iran to
quickly settle the territorial dispute with the United Arab
Emirates. On September 5, "Al Watan" attacked Vice Presidential
candidate Sarah Palin's description of the Iraq war as divine
action. State daily "Oman" hailed Syria's progress in building
relations with France, crediting recent meetings with political
progress in Lebanon. END SUMMARY.

-------------- --------------
IRAN, UAE DISPUTE PROVIDES "EXCUSES TO INTERFERE"
-------------- --------------


2. On September 4, private Arabic daily "Al Watan" (circulation
42,000) encouraged the GCC and Iran to resolve territorial issues,
in part to avoid American interference. "GCC Countries and Iran:
The Relationship must be Strengthened" said:

"GCC countries have always been keen to establish relations governed
by respect and non-interference in the internal affairs of other
states. Unfortunately, the statement by the GCC foreign ministers
in the 108th ministerial said that they could not reach a positive
outcome with Iran over the three disputed islands. This region
should stay stable and secure, particularly given its tremendous
resources, which already expose it to conflict. Countries of the
region must not resort to conflict and argument, which give others
excuses to interfere in the region, as has happened in the past.
There is an urgent need to find a mechanism to maintain security and
stability in the region."

--------------
PALIN REMARKS "MAKE US WONDER"
--------------


3. "Al-Watan" on September 5 criticized Republican Vice Presidential
candidate Sarah Palin's description of the Iraq war as "God's plan".
"Is Invasion a Divine Mission?" said:

"Alaska Governor and Vice Presidential pick Sarah Palin stated at a
student symposium in Alaska that U.S. forces went into Iraq on "a
task that is from God". When candidates call for aggression on
peaceful countries, calling such action divine, it makes us wonder.
What is the relationship between divine will and the killing of Iraq
people, looting, and using the military to secure oil profits?
Aggression is an act of injustice, and God's will does not accept
injustice. Sarah Palin could have asked the students to pray for
the safe return of America's men and women from this military
adventure that has only profited oil dealers."

--------------
SYRIA'S "BRIDGE OF COMMUNICATION" WITH FRANCE
--------------


4. Government-owned Arabic daily "Oman" (circulation 38,000)
complemented Syria for its role building new ties to France, noting
the importance of the recent meetings in Damascus. "Damascus
Meetings and Further Relaxation" said:

"The meetings in Syria between France and Syria, and then with Qatar
and Turkey, are some of the most important held in the region
recently. Syria, which has been subjected to pressure and attempts
at isolation, has managed to open bridges of communication with
France. France has already anticipated a significant change in its
policies toward Damascus, facilitated by Syrian policies and
flexibility. We already see the benefits in Lebanon, where the
government is establishing national unity and has built bilateral
relations with Damascus. Additionally, the positions put forward
during these meetings regarding an attack against Iran, specifically
the position of not involving Gulf States in the dispute, lend this
summit further credibility."

GRAPPO