MEDIA REACTION: GAZA VIOLENCE AS SEEN IN DHAKA

UNCLAS DHAKA 000051

SIPDIS

STATE FOR SCA/PB AND NEA
STATE FOR SCA/PPD, PA/RRU

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KMDR OREP KPAO PGOV PREL OVIP BG
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: GAZA VIOLENCE AS SEEN IN DHAKA


1. Summary and Comment: Media coverage of the situation in Gaza
retains front page prominence in both mainstream English and
Bangla-language newspapers. The local coverage, a mixture of wire
reports, reports on local protests, and commentary, increased with
Sheikh Hasina's January 5 criticism of Israeli action in Gaza.
Commentary continues to be critical of Israel and of the U.S.
position. A January 11 editorial in the main English-language
newspaper, The Daily Star, calls for pressure on Israel - including
specifically U.S. pressure - to accept the UN ceasefire proposal and
end the violence. Recent parliamentary elections and subsequent
cabinet announcements, however, dominate media attention diverting
potentially stronger interest in the Gaza to events closer to home.
End summary and comment.


2. A selection of media reaction follows:


A. "DHAKA PROTESTS," a front page article in the January 11 issue of
the fairly neutral main English-language daily THE DAILY STAR:

"Bangladesh has condemned the ongoing Israeli attacks on Gaza as a
flagrant violation of human rights and international humanitarian
laws. "These atrocities are medieval carnage in modern times," said
Debapriva Bhattacharya, permanent representative of Bangladesh to
the U.N. Offices in Geneva."


B. "ISRAELI ATROCITIES IN GAZA, HEINOUS CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY," an
editorial in the January 11 pro-Awami League Bangla daily SHAMOKAL:

"Israeli soldier's atrocities in Gaza continue to violate all
international norms. They are killing children and women
indiscriminately. ...We urge the international community to
immediately press Israel to stop war in Gaza. This continued attack
will only breed disrespect towards the civilization and the UN human
rights organization."


C. "GENOCIDE IN GAZA: PART OF U.S. WAR PLAN!" editorial in the
January 11 pro-Bangladesh National Party Bangla daily AMAR DESH:

"Israel continues air and tank attacks ignoring the UN resolution.
Israel previously showed disrespect to the UN resolution but this
time it dares to reject it outright. Barack Obama is silent on the
Gaza issue. He repeatedly said that his target is Afghanistan, not
Iraq. He will be sworn in as president on January 20 and following
the swearing in, if he begins all-out attacks on Afghanistan and
Pakistan, there will be fury around the world. In order to divert
focus on other issues, is the Gaza carnage a 'cover shooting'?
Things will be clear soon."


D. " CONDEMNATION AGAINST ISRAELI ATTACK CONTINUES ACROSS THE
COUNTRY," front page reporting on January 10 in a pro-Islamic,
anti-American Bangla daily NAYA DIGANTA:

"Separate demonstrations [in Bangladesh] state that Israeli forces
continue to inflict their barbarism on the Palestinians with direct
help from the U.S." The January 10 issue of Naya Diganta also
carried a front page photo of Jamaat Chief Maulana Motiru Rahman
Nizami signing the condolence book at the Palestine Embassy in
Dhaka.


E. Additional headlines follow.

"DOUBLE STANDARD OF THE U.S. TOWARDS ATTACKS OF MUMBAI AND GAZA,"
reporting in the January 10 Bangla daily INQUILAB

"BUSH'S HATEFUL AND OBAMA'S SURPRISING BEHAVIOR IN GAZA CARNAGE," a
commentary in the January 11 Bangla daily INQUILAB

MORIARTY