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)


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-- 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