JERUSALEM MEDIA REACTION (03/30): CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM ON

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 JERUSALEM 000572 SIPDIS STATE PASS BBG STATE FOR NEA, NEA/IPA, NEA/PPD WHITE HOUSE FOR PRESS OFFICE, SIT ROOM NSC CMC WASHINGTON DC FOR POLAD JERUSALEM ALSO FOR ICD LONDON FOR HKANONA AND POL - TSOU PARIS ALSO FOR POL ROME FOR MFO E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL KMDR KPAL KWBG KPAO IS SUBJECT: JERUSALEM MEDIA REACTION (03/30): CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM ON U.S. IRAN POLICY "CHANGE" -------------- Main Stories: -------------- Al-Quds leads with and the other two dailies front page a report from Israeli daily Haaretz revealing increased Israeli settlement activities in the West Bank. The report indicates that settlers are taking advantage of the transitional period between Israeli governments to accelerate activities. One "notable example" according to the report, is preparations being made to connect the Eli settlement north of Ramallah to the Yuval outpost. Al-Ayyam and Al-Hayat Al-Jadida lead with details of the March 24 robbery of the Arab Bank in Al-Birah, near Ramallah in the West Bank. Palestinian security services spokesperson Dmayri praised the work of Palestinian security in carefully investigating the robbery and turning up evidence that suggests that the attack was planned by an Israeli and executed by Palestinians with Jerusalem ID cards. Al-Hayyat Al-Jadidia also leads with news that its headquarters in Al-Birah was victim to arson on March 30, the fourth criminal fire in three months. Al-Quds' front page cites a Ma'an report when quoting Palestinian Authority Minister of Prisoners' Affairs Ajrami noting that the Israeli Government will deport six Palestinian prisoners from the southern Israeli Askelon detention center because they do not have Palestinian ID documents. The Minister further revealed that no Arab or European country has shown a readiness to receive the prisoners. The three dailies report that prisoner exchange negotiations between Israel and Hamas are on hold. Reports note that the issue will be dealt with by the new Israeli Government. Al-Hayyat Al-Jadida also front pages an AFP report quoting Israeli President Shimon Peres addressing the EU and international community, confirming Israeli commitment to continuing the peace process with the Palestinians. All three dailies front page news that national Palestinian dialogue will resume in Cairo after the March 30,31 Arab summit in Doha. Al-Quds quotes Hamas leader Ismail Radwan announcing that agreement has been reached on a number of issues and that there is hope that remaining issues will be resolved in the new round of talks. The report also quotes Mushir Al-Masri, Hamas leader in Gaza, highlighting that dialogue must be based on national (Palestinian) interests and not conditions imposed by the U.S. or the Middle East Quartet. In related news, Al-Quds runs an inside page caricature about popular frustration with unity talks, showing Palestinian women urging Palestinian and Arab leaders to stop talking and take note of the situation on the ground, especially on the occasion of the 33rd anniversary of Palestinian "National Land Day" on March 30. Reporting follows on March 29 front page stories in all dailies announcing the passing of a draft resolution for the Doha Summit that, "reiterates support for Palestinian legitimacy," under Palestinian Authority President Abbas and the PLO, encourages Palestinian unity talks, and notes that the Arab Peace plan will expire in the future. On its front page, Al-Quds cites AP in reporting that 70,000 tons of explosives have entered Gaza since the end of the recent conflict with Israel. The report cites Israeli concerns that their military operation should have continued for a longer time in order to deny Hamas the ability to rearm. Al-Quds' inside page cites an exclusive interview with chief PLO negotiator Saeb Erekat explaining that Palestinian Authority JERUSALEM 00000572 002 OF 003 President Abbas has conveyed to the U.S., EU, Russia and the U.N that the Palestinian Authority Government remains commitment to signed PLO agreements. Erekat's comments responded to March 27 statements by Hamas leader Al Bardawil that Hamas will not, "abide by PLO agreements and... not go beyond the Mecca Agreement." Erekat added that negotiations will not continue with the new Israeli Government unless it respects previous, signed agreements. -------------- WEEKEND STORIES: -------------- Sunday, March 29 Al Quds' front page headlined news that Israeli settlement groups plan to "seize" 70 properties in the Al Yaman neighborhood of Silwan in East Jerusalem. The paper quotes, Hatim Abdil Qadir, advisor to the Palestinian Authority Prime Minister on Jerusalem Affairs, revealing a "big scam" by settler groups to accomplish the gradual transfer of ownership using falsified Ottoman documents. Qadir stressed that he will file appeals in Israeli court to protect each property. All front pages headlined, "Senior American delegation visits the Palestinian Territories and warns Israel against settlement expansion in Ma'ale Adumim [E1] area." Reporting on March 28 statements by chief PLO negotiator Saeb Erekat, the papers note that Erekat added, "the new American administration is working intensively against the expansion of settlements in the West Bank, particularly in the vicinity and surroundings of occupied Jerusalem..." The story followed on a March 28 article in Al Ayyam which included comments by U.S. Consulate General Jerusalem spokesperson Schweitzer-Bluhm explaining that the March 27 visit, "falls within the framework of our ongoing efforts to monitor activities in the area." The same article reported that Special Envoy George Mitchell will explore settlement issues in more detail on future visits. Saturday, March 28, 2009 All front pages headlined that, "Europe links improvement of its relations with Israel to commitment to the two-state solution," running comments by Czech Minister of Foreign Affairs and President of the EU Council of Ministers Schwarzenberg. On a different topic, Al Quds' and Al Ayyam's front pages report that Egypt has sent its number two intelligence official to Damascus to, "continue discussions with Syrian officials regarding Arab reconciliation and Syrian engagement in Palestinian reconciliation efforts." -------------- BLOCK QUOTES: -------------- 1) Sa'id Mihayu opines about U.S. policy towards Iran in Al Quds independent daily under the title, "Ready to Change" (03/30): "...according to Khomeini nothing in U.S. policy has changed and the Iranian Government will not be fooled that easily... While President Obama cannot change the history of the Middle East [and impact of prior U.S. policies]... it is useful to remember that the longest journey begins with the first step [Obama's Nowruz message] which, no matter how small, can contribute to improving U.S.-Islamic relations and ultimately change the attitudes of Arab and Islamic countries and make [Islamic leaders] more open to dialogue with other civilizations." 2) Muafiq Mattar opines in Al-Hayat Al-Jadidia under the title " A lesson learned" (03/30): "I wonder if Hamas will now start to seriously think about putting Palestinian interests first, and give JERUSALEM 00000572 003 OF 003 second priority to its ties to Iran and other regional groups... [Hamas leader Misha'al's statement that] the World needs Hamas to end the Arab- Israeli conflict indicates that Hamas now realizes that the international community will not allow terror to redraw international and regional borders. This reality will not change even with if Hamas strengthens its ties to Iran. The statement made by the Qatari Foreign Minister [not to invite Hamas or Iran to the Doha summit] shows that Qatar has learned its lesson... national interests must come first." WALLES