Saudi Arabia: Media Reaction to President and Mrs. Laura

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 RIYADH 000792 SIPDIS DEPT FOR NEA/PPD (DBENZE, PAGNEW); INR/R/MR; INR/NESA, RRU-NEA; NEA/ARP (BMCGRATH); NEA/RA; PA; R WHITE HOUSE FOR PRESS OFFICE; NSC LONDON FOR SREEBNY DUBAI FOR PELLETIER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL KMDR KPAO KDEM SA SUBJECT: Saudi Arabia: Media Reaction to President and Mrs. Laura Bush's May 16-17 Riyadh Visit RIYADH 00000792 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. Summary: Editorials pinpointed three major themes during President Bush's recent visit: (1) the Middle East Peace Process, (2) regional security, and (3) oil production and energy security. News stories reporting the visit filled the front pages of all Saudi dailies. The First Lady's separate visit to King Fahd Medical City to promote the U.S.-Saudi partnership to combat breast cancer also attracted wide media attention. End summary. ¶2. Key Headlines: - "Bush Supports Israel with 300 Million Americans and Ignores Establishment of a Palestinian State Before the End of His Term" Al-Watan (05/16) - "In-Depth Talks Between King Abdullah and President Bush in Al-Janadriya Today. The Kingdom: Settlement of the Palestinian Issue Ends Expansion of Extremists" Al-Jazira (05/16) - "Saudi-American Summit Strengthens Nuclear and Technical Cooperation" Al-Watan (05/17) - "King Abdullah and Bush Hold Comprehensive and Frank Talks over Crises in the Region" Al-Hayat (05/17) ¶3. Editorials: Middle East Peace Process - In "A Visit to Support the 'Rapist'", Abha-based moderate Al-Watan (05/15) wrote "President Bush has a habit of provoking normal Arab citizens every time he shows up in the Middle East. His recent provocation was his visit to Israel not searching for a solution to a 60 year crisis, but to provide support to the 'rapist' in an anniversary of making a whole nation homeless." - In "Bush's Visit to the Region: You Don't Harvest Grapes When You Plant Thorns", Al-Watan (05/16) wrote, "We do not understand how you can enlist the support of (Arab) political leaders when Arab public opinion today completely rejects any initiatives by President Bush because of his obvious support for Israel and his repeated expressions of animosity toward the Palestinians... It is not anticipated that President Bush will offer something new on the negotiation table but what will happen is a presentation of a political game that the Palestinians will not accept and eventually they will be blamed for delaying the peace process." - Jeddah-based, moderate Al-Bilad (05/16) wrote, "President Bush and western leaders participate in celebrations of this 'rapist' entity at the expense of the legitimate rights of the Palestinians. This represents total shame and defeat for the international community and shows the U.S. and the West's endorsement of injustice." - In "The U.S.-Saudi Relationship and Arab Security", Riyadh's moderate Al-Jazira (05/17) wrote, "Saudi Arabia's relationship with the U.S. is considered to be a channel contributing to Arab stability and security...Now there are a number of common issues Riyadh and Washington focus on, mainly the Palestinian issue and Israel's inflexibility in peace negotiations, which have wasted a lot of international peace efforts including the Annapolis conference." - In "Bush and the Big Lie Theory", English language daily Saudi Gazette (5/17) wrote "If the U.S. still harbors any doubts as to why it is the object of so much resentment emanating from the Mideast, it needs only a look to President George W. Bush's speech to the Knesset to get a good idea. Most galling, however, not only to the majority of people in the Mideast but, no doubt, to a good many in America, as well, Bush had the audacity to call Israel the 'homeland for the chosen people'...If a certain people are the 'chosen ones,' then logic dictates that the rest of us are not...his particular brand of moral bankruptcy was on full display when he made only passing mention of a Palestinian state in his vision of the region 60 years hence." - In "Unyielding Vision and Firm Positions", Jeddah-based conservative Al-Madina (05/18) wrote "The Kingdom, which understands the unique relationship between the U.S. and Israel and its political ramifications, always tries to use its friendship with Washington to advance the Palestinian cause. This friendship, however, did not prevent the Kingdom from expressing its positions RIYADH 00000792 002.2 OF 002 and views toward the criminal Israeli practices against the Palestinians." Regional Security - In "Iran and Hezbollah are Top Priorities of Bush's Visit", moderate Al-Bilad (05/15) wrote, "Indications show we are headed towards a military escalation with the imminent arrival of two U.S. Aircraft Carriers to the Gulf. Another easy [target] would be to extend an additional strike against Hezbollah in Lebanon." - In "Bush's Democracy and Arab's Sufferings", Al-Riyadh (05/19) wrote, "The U.S. openly contributed to suppressing freedom in Palestine, destroyed the unity of Iraq, and created constant disorder in Somalia and Sudan." - In "Nuclear Equilibrium Is the Best Option", Al-Bilad (05/19) wrote, "Nuclear power in the future must be possessed by new powers other than Israel and Iran, ones that enjoy wisdom in decision-making and the ability of self restraint. No doubt, the GCC countries are qualified to undertake this role... This power has two wings [targets]; the first directed to Iran and the other directed to Israel." Oil Production and Energy Security - In "Why Did Bush Come Again?", business daily Al-Eqtisadiah (05/18) wrote "Bush visited Saudi Arabia for the second time during the last five months to put final touches [on agreements] with King Abdullah on issues related to security and energy...The meeting between King Abdullah and President Bush resulted in two agreements one on security of [oil] facilities and another on nuclear energy." - In "The U.S.-Saudi Relationship", English language daily Saudi Gazette (05/18) wrote "The real reason behind the visit was to appeal to King Abdullah to increase oil production to bring down gasoline prices in the U.S.... This is the second time this year that Bush has asked King Abdullah to intercede and increase production...There are sound economic reasons for denying the U.S. request...The relationship between these two old allies, however, is not based entirely on oil. There is a strong element of trust, an element that has been severely damaged by American behavior over the past seven years." ¶4. First Lady Laura Bush's King Fahad Medical City Visit: Saudi press devoted extensive and prominent coverage to the First Lady's visit to King Fahad Medical City. Saudi Gazette (05/17) asserted breast cancer is no longer part of the Kingdom's traditional "don't tell anyone" culture. Key Headlines "Laura Bush Visits the King Fahad Medical City and Meets with Women Who Underwent Early Breast Cancer Screening" Al-Riyadh (05/18) "Laura Bush Learns About Results of Combating Breast Cancer" Al-Eqtisadiah (05/18) ¶5. Conclusion and comment: Editorials clearly reflect that popular skepticism for the Middle East Peace Process remains. Some emphasize the special friendship between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, hoping this friendship will aid the Palestinian cause. They also highlight Iran's destabilizing role in the region, Saudi Arabia's suspicion of its eastern neighbor, and the U.S. role in gulf security. Finally, the excellent and positive coverage of Mrs. Bush's visit to support the U.S.-Saudi Arabia breast cancer partnership continues to resonate positively with Saudi audiences. End conclusion and comment. GFOELLER