Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BEIRUT690
2009-06-23 11:25:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Beirut
Cable title:
Lebanon: Media Reaction - June 23, 2009
how-toO 231125Z JUN 09 FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5164 NSC WASHDC PRIORITY ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE PRIORITY EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE PRIORITY USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY USMISSION USNATO PRIORITY CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL//CCPA PRIORITY
UNCLAS BEIRUT 000690
STATE FOR NEA/ELA - LAWSON, NEA/ELA - IRWIN, NEA/PPD, R,
INR/R/MR, INR,
NSC - MCDERMOTT
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREF PREL KMDR OPRC KPAO KISL KPAL LE
SUBJECT: Lebanon: Media Reaction - June 23, 2009
Atmospherics:
--------------
The Lebanese press has been giving top billing to the ongoing events
in Iran. A number of newspapers are even reporting on what is
happening in Iran above the fold and on local Lebanese issues below
the fold. Editorialists, however, continue to focus on local issues
- or try to analyze what is happening in Iran from a Lebanese point
of view.
Selected Headlines
--------------
"Iran's Guards Threaten to 'Firmly Confront' Protests; Basij Forces
Attack Demonstrators in Central Tehran" English-language, Beirut,
based The Daily Star
"Iran's Guards Warn the Demonstrators: Expect a Revolutionary
Response if Objections Continue" Pro-Syria Ash-Sharq
Block Quotes:
--------------
"Obama, Netanyahu, Khamenei: Where are the Arabs...?" an editorial
by Suleiman Takieddine in Arab nationalist As-Safir (6/23):
"The Iranian crisis started to lessen after Khamenei delivered his
speech. He clearly supported the legitimacy of President-elect
Ahmadinejad and tried to contain the opposition by praising the role
of its leaders. ...When violence continued on the streets of
Tehran...the Iranian security forces started to use violence against
the demonstrators. ...What is more important, however, is the
Iranian accusations against the United States and the West. ...The
accusations were general in Khamenei's speech, then escalated in
Ahmadinejad's statements and reached their peak during the press
conference that was held by the Iranian Foreign Minister. President
Obama's position, however, was extremely calculated to the extent
that Obama did not really find differences between Ahmadinejad and
Mousavi. As for Europe, it...supported the Iranian reform movement.
...Obviously, the European position backfired against the
opposition in Tehran and did not help the Iranians to reach a
settlement. ... The West should have understood that Ahmadinejad's
victory was an indication of the fact that the real authority in
Iran finds him successful in the cofrontation against the West and
the Americans inparticular. ...Removing Ahmadinejad from power at
this point in time would have been interpreted as a sign of
weakness..."
"Iran, Arabs Are Involved in What is Going On," an editorial by Ali
Hamade in moderate, anti-Syrian An-Nahar (6/23):
"...The Basij(the Iranian Revolutionary Guard) may implement its
threats of 'revolutionary response' against the demonstrators, and
drown them in a sea of blood...but the crisis will continue. There
is no doubt that Iran has changed. ...The aura of the Iranian
regime has failed. The aura of the Sayyed himself has failed.
...We as Arabs should have a say in what is happening in Iran. It
is true that what is happening in Iran is the Iranian's business.
...Free Arabs in Beirut and other cities, however, are in a way
involved in what is going on..."
Sison