OMAN MEDIA REACTION

UNCLAS MUSCAT 000850 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: This week, Omani dailies continued commentary on the Mumbai attacks, repeating calls for calm and cooperation. Government Arabic daily "Oman" called the Iraq-U.S. SOFA an "achievement" for the Iraqi people, and private Arabic "Al Watan" claimed that Israel's lies have "flourished" over the recent era of American dominance. END SUMMARY. -------------- "Opportunities for Real Cooperation" -------------- ¶2. On December 9, government Arabic daily "Oman" (circulation 38,000) wrote again about the need for India and Pakistan to cooperate in response to the Mumbai attacks. According to "The Need to Calm the Situation between India and Pakistan": "The world has witnessed intensive efforts to contain the effects of the terrorist attacks in India, including efforts by the Sultanate. It is necessary to use all means available to calm the situation between India and Pakistan, not only because they are nuclear-armed neighbors but also because an escalation would reflect negatively on the broader region, including the Gulf. It is important that both countries give each other opportunities for real cooperation to put an end to terrorism. India and Pakistan have taken steps towards rapprochement; however, it is necessary that they continue what they have started so as to protect the security of their people, as well as those of the whole region." -------------- SOFA "An Achievement for the Iraqis" -------------- ¶3. "Oman" on December 10 declared the conclusion of the Status of Forces Agreement an "achievement for Iraqis" because it calls for troop withdraw and includes provisions for cooperation between U.S. and Iraqi authorities. "U.S.-Iraqi Security Agreement" said: "It is no exaggeration to say that the U.S. Iraqi Security Agreement is important not only for Iraq but also for the U.S., its relations with Iraq, and relations with other countries in the region. The Security Agreement...clearly indicates that forces will withdraw from Iraqi cities by the middle of next year, and that they will withdraw completely by the end of 2011. In addition, U.S. forces will coordinate with Iraqi authorities, which they have been doing since the ratification of the agreement by the Iraqi president. Thus, the agreement of U.S. forces withdrawal should be considered an achievement for the Iraqis." -------------- "Israeli Lies...Flourished During this Era" -------------- ¶4. Private Arabic daily "Al Watan" (circulation 42,000) commented on December 12 that Israel's deception has gone unchecked during the recent "unilateral era of American Dominance". According to "Revealing More Israeli Lies": "Israel has benefited during the unilateral era of American dominance. Israel's lies, which worked contrary to moral and humanitarian values, flourished during this era. It used any means necessary to achieve its goals, even distorting the message of the former U.S. president, Jimmy Carter. Israel tried to silence the voice of the UN Special Envoy on Human Rights, Richard Falk, who demanded that the ICC investigate Israel's terrorism against the Palestinian people. Washington blocked the resolution condemning Israel, adding to the hundreds of times in which Washington has strengthened Israeli arrogance and supported its crimes." GRAPPO