DEMARCHE AL-JAZEERA TO RETRACT 9/11 FALSEHOODS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 108108

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/29/2018
TAGS: KPAO PREL QA
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE AL-JAZEERA TO RETRACT 9/11 FALSEHOODS

REF: A) DOHA 647 B) DOHA 687

Classified By: NEA A/S DAVID WELCH FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)


1. (U) This is an action request. See para. 4.

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SUMMARY
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2. (C) Al Jazeera's decision to air the Italian-produced
documentary "Zero 9/11" on September 3 and 10 has raised
serious concerns here in Washington. The film presents
conspiracy theories which attempt to cast doubt on the
official U.S. Government version of the terrorist attacks of
September 11, 2001 and on verifiable, widely accepted facts
about these attacks. Therefore, the Department requests that
post demarche Al-Jazeera's chairman, Sheikh Hamad bin Thamir
Al-Thani, to request an on-air retraction of the recently
broadcast documentary "Zero 9/11."

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BACKGROUND
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3. (C) Post reported in ref A that Al Jazeera planned to
air "Zero 9/11," a film that endorses conspiracy theories
about the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Al
Jazeera Director General Wadah Khanfar assured post that the
Arabic narration of the film would present the film,s claims
as unsubstantiated conspiracy theories. However, when Al
Jazeera aired the film in two parts on September 3 and 10,
the voice-over narration did not discredit the conspiracy
theories presented in the film. Post reported that Mr.
Khanfar explained that Al Jazeera would air an accurate 9/11
documentary to balance the views contained in Zero 9/11. The
Department understands that this has not yet occurred. In
response to reftel (B),the Department has researched
appropriate documentaries that accurately depict the events
of 9/11 and has been in contact with post regarding these
options.

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ACTION REQUEST
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4. (SBU) The Department requests post to deliver the points
in paragraph 5 to Al-Jazeera's chairman, Sheikh Hamad bin
Thamir Al-Thani. Please advise as to the date of delivery
and the reponse. POC is Matthew Blong, Qatar Desk Officer,
NEA/ARP.

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Talking Points
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5. (C/REL TO AL JAZEERA) Begin talking points:

--On September 3 and 10, Al Jazeera's Arabic service
broadcast in two parts an Italian film called "Zero 9/11."
The film was essentially an effort to refute the official
explanation of the attacks of September 11, 2001.

---The U.S. Government finds the conspiracy views in the film
to be outrageous falsehoods and Al Jazeera,s broadcast of
them highly unprofessional and inflammatory.

--Mr. Khanfar also told us that Al Jazeera would air an
accurate 9/11 documentary to balance the views contained in
Zero 9/11. That has not occurred.

--The USG urges you to broadcast an accurate 9/11 documentary
as soon as possible and is willing to provide the names of
appropriate documentaries, if necessary.

--The USG urges you to issue a retraction, or to correct the
record with an introduction to that documentary, noting that
it serves as a corrective to the falsehoods contained in
"Zero 9/11."

--We believe, as does responsible opinion worldwide, that the
version of events laid out by the 9/11 Commission, which
generally reflects the USG's view of what happened and who
bears responsibility, is the authoritative perspective on
9/11.

--While people are always free to speculate and spin theories
about events, responsible news organizations such as Al

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Jazeera need to clearly differentiate between fact-based
documentaries and outlandish conspiracy theories.

--We look forward to continuing our dialogue on these issues.

End talking points.


6. (U) The Department invites post to provide feedback as
appropriate. Your assistance is appreciated.

RICE
RICE