SPECIAL MEDIA REACTION: MOHAMMED BIN ZAYED'S VISIT TO

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ABU DHABI 000911 SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/ARP; NEA/PPD; NEA/RA; INR/R/MR; PA; INR/NESA; INR/B; RRU-NEA IIP/G/NEA-SA WHITE HOUSE FOR PRESS OFFICE; NSC SECDEF FOR OASD/PA USCINCCENT FOR POLAD LONDON FOR VAN DE VATE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KPAO OIIP KMDR AE SUBJECT: SPECIAL MEDIA REACTION: MOHAMMED BIN ZAYED'S VISIT TO WASHINGTON ¶1. Summary: Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed's visit to Washington received prominent coverage in all UAE print and electronic media. His meeting with President Obama made the main front-page headlines in the UAE dailies. End Summary. ¶2. Print: ¶A. Abu Dhabi-based Arabic semi-official daily "Al-Ittihad" (circulation 65,000) -- Front-page headline on 09/09: "Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed meets with Hillary Clinton and other American officials in Washington, and confirms the importance of a just solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict." -- Front-page headline on 09/10: "Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed confirms deep security ties between the U.S. and UAE." -- Front-page headline on 09/11: "Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed hails White House support for the nuclear cooperation agreement with the U.S.; Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed and President Obama confirm continuing joint cooperation." ¶B. Abu Dhabi-based semi-official English daily "The National" (circulation 45,000) -- Front page headline on 09/11: "Sheikh Mohammed meets Obama." ¶C. Dubai-based independent English daily "Gulf News" (circulation 95,000) -- Front page headline on 09/09: "Mohammed [Bin Zayed] visit to boost ties with US." -- Front-page headline on 09/10: " Abu Dhabi Crown Prince praises UAE-US ties during meeting with Obama" -- Editorial, 9/12, entitled "Mohammed acts to secure nuclear energy", two excerpts: "The private meeting late on Thursday in the Oval Office [between Sheikh Mohammed and President Obama] highlights the unique relationship that exists between the two nations. This special relationship has been nurtured and has grown to the point where the UAE and US share close cooperation and strong bonds on matters of strategic security, economic development, and energy." "...Shaikh Mohammed applauded Obama's strong and unwavering support for the [123 Agreement, whose endorsement on October 17] should open the door for even greater levels of cooperation...approval of the 123 Agreement was at the top of the agenda for the UAE...it's approval will strengthen ties to an even higher level." ¶D. Sharjah-based independent Arabic daily "Al-Khaleej" (circulation 90,000) -- Front-page headline on 09/09 read: "Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed meets with Hillary Clinton and confirms the importance of a just solution to the Palestinian issue." -- Front-page headline on 09/10: "Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed meets with U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates" -- Front page headline on 9/11: "Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed meets with Obama and confirms UAE support for peace efforts." ¶E. Abu Dhabi-based independent Arabic daily "Akhbar Al-Arab" (circulation 20,000) -- Front page headline on 09/09: "Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed meets with Hillary Clinton, American Secretaries and Congressmen, and confirms the importance of a just solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict." ¶F. Dubai-based semi-official Arabic daily "Al-Bayan" (circulation 85,000) ABU DHABI 00000911 002 OF 002 -- Front page headline on 09/09: "Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed meets with Hillary Clinton, American Secretaries and Congressmen, and confirms the importance of a just solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict." -- Front page headline on 09/10: "Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed meets with the American Congressmen and confirm supporting the efforts of rebuilding Iraq." -- Front page headline on 09/11: "Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed and Obama confirm continuing cooperation in the fields of security, economy and energy." ¶3. Television: Abu Dhabi and Dubai television highlighted the visit of Sheikh Mohammed's official meetings, including his meeting with President Obama and other cabinet and congressional members. Reports were factual and oriented toward visuals of the meetings, without extensive comment. ¶4. Other than the Gulf News editorial noted above, there has not yet been editorial comment on the visit. Post will provide follow-up reporting of such as warranted. OLSON